This official is so weak

A corner of red silk was exposed at the foot of the bed.ItcgCPkZubHASFsjUFSACSSPurVkBF

NrrLytUNOJxnMqP

For a moment, Ning Rushen’s blood ran cold, and he stayed still like a chicken in fear.AbqkoydjvmFIgmbFEWWWfdyiqCceUY

IkhHerVqykWnuWa

—How could he have forgotten about that thing!?rpMimqUxJvAKwWDTjzvFnkKTaeBlas

nBQnwVfoNIArsUZ

Li Wuting noticed that Ning Rushen was frozen, his hair slowly standing on end. After a moment, Li Wuting pressed his lips together and gently reassured him:CulhpixtdqzDrjMrjCjLmCQRYInHov

NiSLhVFCKHfcoRW

“Dequan stuffed it in again, I’ll scold him tomorrow.”awxdumNIoRHwXWscBzCQtmYKIDRcbk

NUAOyhDQAQWCVYP

“……”LaaaQGitzUidwFaMgUiYJJMdYTxgJl

AXFShIePiXQlnSK

A large pot was moved away, and Ning Rushen murmured, “Hmm.”smbdvOXOhhvlxLCdhSRAHBIvHToJOj

CNlKeExJhHhMvBL

After speaking, Li Wuting lay down, his long legs kicking the red silk off the bed.EMDOUNQtQKHesmkLflrXMjFguWSWST

XtOWUgwdHLybGpx

Ding… The thin fabric brushed against his foot, causing his breath to hitch. He pulled the person beside him closer, unable to resist lowering his head to plant a kiss, murmuring, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”zqtrTHmlyAPdVLKSLvMylcjBmXNlhh

jHJInZshMzXCWEW

The soothing kiss brushed against Ning Rushen’s soft lips.BgoctecBImwHNURMuMVxqxuQfDIWJa

mNzGYJtPVGDGnIs

Ning Rushen calmed down, closed his eyes, and let the other kiss him for a while, “Mmm…”TCNUjgqOwSOWUYPEpiWgTakpfaVmbp

miLDtVqmmdnDUsL

He clung to Li Wuting’s shoulders, feeling the other’s shoulder bones tense with rising emotions. As they kissed, Li Wuting pressed him down. Suddenly, Ning Rushen’s eyes snapped open in shock:VLPmBqnqYleVJYXCiOhmspbXcIQbgx

lvtLoNAOuzLeAFv

Didn’t they just… How could Li Wuting be ready again?RTqpmRTlcDRfguZDLRAtRJdXspQmLG

eyZlxkvQtsQKMPs

Sensing his stiffness, Li Wuting withdrew slightly.tzDQGWFfKBXdyFvkgBwBhWwBlPJDxv

MAKFJbBkNzCELAl

He pulled Ning Rushen into his arms, exhaling a warm breath, “I won’t do anything, you can handle it…”OMPlqSQOpTCNrTMXdGjhYtKUIlTUct

RGLPzuHDUznATXk

Then, he added, “I can’t.”vdBcqUzFUbUebCkSixOVTUCOaSSOSr

GQhwQBKmIcpPjPY

Ning Rushen: …What a half-assed excuse!PZhjBTlgnyIEwGtNMuUvKKmoWESNxq

aRwqDaaZvrCMrEA

He took a deep breath, buried his burning face in Li Wuting’s chest, and muttered angrily, “Sleep, sleep!”FTdmpGofLTInbKioZfcoDZIUNjqjvg

whTCpAWomnJldlU

Li Wuting just patted him and closed his eyes, “Alright.”XvNBzfKdBWhNkfvwnYORoLxIYvaEcM

qTnafbQEICRuOHm

…pMaJLzcSsrIEEBdYGKdLoYqTjTvoQV

uKtDHnWcDPuNJey

The next day, Dequan, who had been blamed, took the red silk away.nOHMKoDELSfsGsAWkifoTqWsdfjGyE

EMWVmKjyYhgJbFj

Watching Dequan’s back, stooped but still somehow tall and upright, Ning Rushen felt a complex mix of emotions.MizJHnUBtFXtzxWTnTdzWdkXjsybkt

iEWFVjBhQIqRyTS

After freshening up, Li Wuting needed to head to the interrogation camp.XxCeQwtszpXWysTCqXHNWgcCXCmmHd

vfYtXyebdeKNXmz

Just as Dequan returned, he was ordered to accompany Ning Rushen for breakfast.FrndncSwltQpUKfGxoXNNGRPXoRnSM

IIzmYrULWZaAVGg

When they arrived, Ning Rushen had just picked up a bowl of soup and sat down when He Liang enthusiastically approached:DaOGIDtMTxQmCEXoIJOFMPuPGoXfLP

xTGhjOrATgWGsTK

“Lord Ning, would you like to learn how to ride a horse? Look, last night you had to rely on His Majesty. How about today you come with me—”gNObSOsdxzLVdoqlGFwJPtFLoSFPuL

JHcsdqnFfUpEPzT

Bang, “Ouch!”HNFMhvyIJEsLoCFnmIukeQUpruYoqK

HYiqgmxvCzKvlst

Huo Mian smacked him, “Get lost! Lord Ning doesn’t need to learn how to ride a horse. Even if he’s missing a limb or two, it won’t be a problem!”oGBfcrvnuPBUKUIKyjVLXqYZYHgrPW

MdtZgbrMJBZpjII

He Liang was stunned, “What???”wBPvZLEPKCWvhckhUzgyKwpLgLNpXk

YgAGmiTdwmpBklG

Ning Rushen, “…” Huo Mian was talking nonsense again.pXnHCyplPIzYNJjAsOLwkJWscJmaaa

RXaSPLeALvJxSDh

He didn’t join the discussion, instead bowing his head to slurp his soup.YFSkEwVTEBPCPAtYHiIEaiIBYckCSi

LscjYBHCBbYJDEu

After a few sips, Prince Xuan came over and patted him on the back, “How was the hot spring last night? Was it good?”fgEMZIbIziFovEHKUTbzdIhIUXDfUL

xWHzwfmHFPhZgVG

Ning Rushen nearly choked!CTaaNeibXfihwdWBtyWrQNnAgEBXgY

sIUxNznUrrqbKYm

The scene of water splashing against the pool’s edge suddenly surfaced in his mind.AMufTSYhMuKJLnGqGJNbmRkJGHcsXp

olcYQeMazLANMRC

He was also bewitched by Li Wuting, actually doing it with him in an open-air spring…wveSuMyEfdnBdqdfPRZvNsMVnezvVD

FLUlZdvKuGVzoUi

He suddenly felt hot all over, hiding his face behind the large bowl, “Uh… it was okay.”XDNdcSBLjEPFKCjCKIiqRurjobCeGm

kKFlVrrtKBYYvvw

Li Yingtang saw his reddened ears peeking out, opened his mouth but said nothing, and instead turned to Dequan: ?ViePDzJTLOaHzSoAhcIWPbiYiVxSqN

mwvDhgTAdgEFcph

Dequan excitedly but disappointedly shook his head.bnOWYYDHuwbvVEJpzdcRhynQnaHfaQ

aLXYhrIVYzueOKj

Li Yingtang understood, sighing excitedly but also disappointedly, “Sigh…”nmLjvADbQRTcByhShOLEbSTXpMcrUJ

TytsvQlXHtoFwOX

Ning Rushen caught the entire exchange, his fingers trembling: These two!kbooQLLbYZRtPaYHUWRVOFhZozsUcI

msgHxzWpJpMVMJj

Sooner or later, they were going to end up in prison!nzukaytDhGnhFFmVAWzHjjQAMVszix

hCEqqtrbwggfvgl

However, that hot spring was too far, so they only visited it once or twice after that.PNqFWJemyhIzhWwhVglCcUbRuXmAzY

PCByYDrqcjBXUHw

After waiting for about ten days, the King of Beidi finally sent a reply:jUgprqOnQvxqHtJtNDiULpNwttGFJf

FFzmZxRLHMEqwbn

—He was willing to send an envoy to negotiate peace with Dachen.IpbDVQXMtldZYoxQkAyNOdVpzhOwJA

NaXFEXrqFdbtAQw

The negotiation site was chosen to be at Changhuaipo, twenty li outside the border.QDmFARpvOYBefUZpRKofQDPsScdXRb

gPfsfyMRmJucXJV

Li Wuting led the Dingyuan Army and brought several Beidi leaders, including Randall.tqWsimYTsUgKswhQsTcnhozILdZcBo

nBUTjGoUjTnVceq

Ning Rushen accompanied them on the journey.BHxSVoBcbnYvQqzVCqgTwkxhjNiXWR

LkDickJsUDsbLob

A large tent was set up outside Changhuaipo for the peace talks.qZivsqdVQSAAuWxslsCWVHLvlMLwpI

zIIrNfRFyAuhDkQ

Li Wuting sat in the main seat inside the tent, with Ning Rushen standing beside him, while Randall and the others were tied up on the ground.COMPInMZMiTkFOXOOAUeRPBAJZTPRZ

jWlNUKEltdONPgY

Soon, there was an announcement from outside: the Beidi envoy had arrived.LrNgTQjflriQmpssjDkOAbNpjfwNPh

dgYpnOPlOhZLxlU

As the curtain was lifted, the person who entered turned out to be an old acquaintance.CiZxstsnNcVILVTswPMWdLFqqYeaMP

iDYoVBmzFVcuzcU

King Heku, dressed in short robes and narrow pants, handed his sword to the guard and swaggered into the tent.hlNOWpUuUAIFVyFJxOGoqHVttfzsZe

uNbsZLakhrHYIan

Ning Rushen observed him: the man looked as though he was in high spirits due to a recent success.IkJHjYoabJKUjCoGVSedafuHoISudd

ilgJQarkFwwayps

Sure enough, a voice full of shock and anger came from the side.nkyEaEdZyXlJDEmJnLULblXBQhxUdL

CWsjPBttMUSmkkm

King Heku stepped in and stood still, first glancing at Li Wuting. His gaze then shifted to Ning Rushen.QnVdZrNWDnhLgwkJhQYGtTzqzeTpBT

CwaRoeYgaKEemTm

Today, Ning Rushen was dressed in a blue outer robe.LTxMNGWQCYZufIfTFJyfTFAdTojyvc

VeHVyincSQsyfcr

His hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin at the top of his head, making him stand out among the Dingyuan Army soldiers, who were clad in red and black armor.ZrWgOiBRcOxMqIzsqovpbTtsDMfYTv

IpeJElPoyEzuaZM

Whatever crossed King Heku’s mind made him snicker.VcxqwmwQGiqZPusFUtSIHBNtcGneHF

ZiVsweMSnXafYXx

A cold voice suddenly interrupted, “King Heku.”jWVevYJCDMJizzTjONHJkJkXPzPLZf

VaaVJPiwhssaqUA

Seated at the main position, Li Wuting’s eyes were unfathomable as he quietly looked on, exuding an intimidating aura.ukuVoaJpTUNlDvsgZYNtaiBnvePAmc

XNeqsUThnQpEDqB

King Heku turned his gaze back. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”FDSIEMwQlptFyQvAxgIpHDaQVNLmod

cgyIZQJJyZdnmVJ

The discussion soon shifted to the negotiation.wMVLFrWfbYuJzTMslAxTaRvNhphBYe

DkjuSLimwuydrlN

Ning Rushen inwardly let out a small sigh of relief.EonatFBYxIPKaWKiWyjsNXwwKxTHBL

JXeyocvgsoJVBFe

Considering the brief alliance they once had, combined with King Heku’s brazen and audacious nature—TPgtRFtWKvsZMGvVBYmYqQZDHeGZpj

BoVEdDAUmLXsvKc

He was worried the man might say something shocking in front of everyone.xwgEGCbgxxvyydMQMpIapkzEYxLvzX

wvRDWEwWflyFDhm

Like: You’ve done well.fRIURGsPbrpvuyShvbJbtkeXpBMJzX

xitBXpFqcQJguER

Returning to your emperor’s side so quickly.usEdQAILcSAjYgmZJcILVBbQWiCUyD

FhxMuOKCSulXaXw

Fortunately, it seemed King Heku was concerned about being accused of collusion with the enemy, so after giving him a glance, he didn’t say anything more. TlBWuiSFbchGUpxRqpVgJXvKmWuVZJ

vuDOXKUwaipRRxS

…TDFyKaiphKMYsBfRwiwqHWwYSzxsjn

oFlnSBlTBMvFFiG

The negotiations dragged on for two or three hours.zmQMUOOHlrcFelgZuawqTZitVRBSev

bZKlNoqxuAcTezO

It was mainly about discussing which city would be ceded and how long it would take for Dachen to station troops there.JUHnTdWVPoHdBQDFntiGcroAElDiAi

uoZaCJdBjpBGqVj

After much back-and-forth, Li Wuting finally made the decisive statement, “Cede Shancheng. You can take your crown prince, and my Dachen army will garrison there immediately.”PPRiMqNJkBMfgEBApuLyPHSpsWxSli

ukXCHVZsIjuVcDh

King Heku pondered for a moment, “Agreed.”xLCABlkMLwudxGqaoKDTiYjyppXLZu

UiihDWmAOxqgJlQ

After the agreement was signed, Li Wuting stood up and instructed his men to take Randall and the others outside the tent. “You’d better not think about breaking the agreement.”keGEsdclAkAzwlmqNhuuQFbkwbCqCB

QwscvxkqOoUUmYn

His face remained cold and indifferent, “Otherwise, my Dachen can crush Beidi at any time.”oLfmJhfnNwbQXDZrGFBvVNdBVrdrvW

OYefQMsxhWNfRlV

King Heku stared at him for a few seconds, “Naturally.”OEfhkjLIddLRIdlYICixoCVzqbbMGY

yTEQBUJNmYxaNPz

The group then exited the tent together.dQxCELmytAXOwSYPYuRyElUTTABsql

PIMXAgGXembnxoo

Ning Rushen stood at the entrance with his hands tucked in, watching as Randall was humiliatingly untied by King Heku’s personal guards. Suddenly, a light, mocking laugh came from beside him:WdsYSzGrEfWNKSrEBchRyFgSCmJymI

uomeJqezWsRbVWm

“You’re far more intriguing than I expected.”rIhgbUucAwjAqVFNphDwMKIwhFuOWF

cmqyKSjhVSfyEmD

Ning Rushen turned his head and met King Heku’s gaze.lcawxlQwLGdIxNqyNqobTTmmXZUemb

mvlfezchOnwfzIl

“…… If you’d seen my magic tricks, you might find me even more intriguing.”RqBBalarEDXNsOKzeNAsCsAkWuiNUJ

CIXNgYIyyrPdmgH

Ning Rushen didn’t respond to that comment, instead asking, “If you ever ascend to that position, can you really uphold a century-long treaty of peace along the border?”bPnEoCxuaKklDuiHneuJcqlYTXapmV

BXqdwfiLFHHQUdU

“I’ve said it before, I only care about the throne.”ILNQOnrykdZMDYloUJvbVTPqGoTnFs

mwJKxbpdGfGJHsZ

…You’d better be. Ning Rushen glanced at him.MwjArvhWcqhKARDCPTbgcmWEotGGDA

tgrkQFKHTaTgizZ

But then, thinking of Randall, who was still flapping around like a bird with clipped wings, occasionally causing trouble, he felt more at ease.eamobXUCWEBHDLmseHdBRZZMbVeHvW

rWfvTmsbLubSfDT

King Heku noticed his gaze, “What is it?”JsJmggwiowsDWACFsMZKwalHYgVBLF

xhniNOtTLBNFfmB

Ning Rushen replied, “Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to be the one to come for the negotiations.”jMSrTtmxWKvzdnTeeadLiMVGDSWIkf

nBOOFSiPwiiyCPt

King Heku snorted, “With Randall involved, of course I had to come personally.”tTvHXoyDavxNbCssSUFXdpTGjPueUz

fFEphAPBoYIuCdw

—! Ning Rushen was momentarily startled, “What’s the goal?”KcBpwciyKTwVqXlQbVNBgYaSSJptJa

HXNWKhEkaXZwqIT

“Humiliation.”HzyMfzLkFXEFRoaXrFxfPkRTXwOJmi

xbfaVQaJTnHBryH

“……”DEilADslhOsTIhQDJPnqrRsGOBQMKl

ukohiXmMwjbtind

Ning Rushen subtly exhaled in relief:gSQRLBHzYJRYIjRqPzReIzJetkOSuf

HabQBPIiRzprnOE

That makes sense. Perfectly reasonable. Shi Yi’s brainwashing was so powerful, I nearly fell for it too.MMUccVrFhVXoZjjimfhRPgFJdXWDTz

UyjyZmfeuvRwmfn

Up ahead, the disheveled Randall had already been untied.dqtHNxFxpOlQpPMShkqCUKRSayfgtq

wntDCcxbsgEduZf

King Heku called out to his personal guards, bid farewell to Li Wuting, and then strode over, “Back to the capital!”yqDHuUclDWAjcDFhfFwYlnCZAUWsWt

bymqHnsedIjLjXA

Randall shivered, “I won’t submit!”mRSbWGgkxpspZgAXmSjhlNCFGDzVuC

soauGqQVOigXlaT

King Heku, baffled, frowned and tossed him onto the carriage.XWoTpicDmybyWHxDdGvkyWsUEfgUPr

FuFKaQwAhBtwWqj

Thud. Randall, “Ouch!”JmEzsMJwMdLUlamaQpkhRoQmgmDQRb

LbgJxOoWYbVhIDi

“……” Ning Rushen watched in silence.bbSOXMDYooXzlolyRMCPUjbvuCfUSq

PgoqqFqOGVvYWZT

Once the group had disappeared far beyond the yellow sands.GDjzuSysjpnemiWrVIpsHaMofUiGBk

WPbwOqBoTSlNHPt

The Dingyuan Army began packing up the tents and warhorses. Li Wuting walked over, glanced at Ning Rushen a few times, and asked, “What did King Heku say to you?”UvYYfviBHLhEZVLMlHXvDYeJMfYYdA

nLYFTmOoyUJVlDK

Ning Rushen: ? Wasn’t Li Wuting just talking to Huo Mian?ZUftrqpBEpeCtDgbXoZYJAMykPoUaW

IzCvNkMHgTKvhaH

He looked over, “Some stuff about love and hate.”HZRjuyLZWdgrWEiQpxocGTgVVaggzc

KKxPZDJSxBdnhPT

Li Wuting frowned, as if trying to decipher his words.AaMayenIdvCzMuVdmgCYewoABDxXrx

TjNzjGLepPtpSCa

Ning Rushen quickly changed the subject, “By the way, now that the treaty’s signed, what’s next for us?”wRppjFkNdSLAPqvAHpLJyHxBtmLCLf

oyZxRZysmkNidtW

“Next,” Li Wuting’s gaze fell back on him, “We’ll tidy up a bit and prepare to return to the capital.”llVWJQBtFVLekBhGfblHxjwquRdaiL

elORuiubXjblHTL

——Return to the capital.KSfcBRdwwMbCPofNIjbHAWsDWlyJnZ

XBFbfHSJoRIIKwj

Even after returning to the camp, Ning Rushen’s mind was still occupied with this thought.UinPhWTzESofojdavzAzogiyGxrJjV

QZmswZAryaytfov

He had almost unconsciously grown accustomed to life in the northern border military camp. Thinking of the capital now gave him a strange sense of disconnection, as if it belonged to a different lifetime. He wondered what the current situation in the capital was like:OYHcBoDLiOEPCAsrVcMUnUyakHspTI

RFzVUuKJmUsVXVd

Had the little short-legged one grown up?uqFpDgkZuRwyVDwRjcgLIdTQYxosGJ

ftCMeaoPCNMSHei

Was the cabinet functioning smoothly?eSefKhRdRAhVFPLpzKEXbYktwlisuG

lAGTVaQZgUzQjOh

And his good friend… had Geng Quan’s hidden illness been cured?ofEHGhPlGbWMlOSZRRqFJMLKBiABdZ

MRaFGzuVjdZcsUm

While he was lost in thought, a sigh suddenly came from beside him.fFmJfUdGMeAkmXPadhlcAATCzgtrCd

nMBOsaSkPNFpQPv

Li Yingtang walked over, “When we return to the capital, it won’t be the same as the northern border. You and His Majesty will have to part ways.”qWsyvZPkopRsezwPFtkyLnwcTMFJFn

lGIUyeWLPxmRkRS

Ning Rushen was momentarily stunned by these words.OxdUZTjpRKXySRDpBFmUXufIPzDdSL

oJnQyncHLagiLEy

Li Yingtang wore an earnest expression, “The days of sharing a tent are coming to an end… I’ve said my piece.”WpvTmUTcIpEmupbhfBrNYwkXNQUOSt

CymHkBAXAzqQvJP

He added, “I’m doing this for your sake.”EntZMoYwXoOwJHGYhiVGirTpvHZzhY

aiMFEzUiHvxYrPI

Ning Rushen regained his composure and saw through him, “You’re doing it for your sake.”jUXasWtjLvvIjpFmrnwgXGuqNiiSeR

mQYCxfbfMYLuICM

“…” Li Yingtang shook his head with a sigh, hands behind his back as he walked away, “You should think about it.”cAIGgdRVcuOOApRHMrbPiTifAyetGf

MJCDbAckgGMmOVB

The figure full of cunning intentions slipped away.sArzBBlBUxAGiHknYAKLZDEIeLcQkD

uUOixCmsyjutHCC

Ning Rushen stood there for a while:XGZftmgLyufMzdeuJMfTDqIiOwGyni

FQlaXLCvrFHceLJ

He had never thought too far ahead. Indeed, once they returned to the capital, Li Wuting would go back to the palace, and he would return to his own residence.hvkgskegSFgvzrwNQqtXSDDxFyOMfn

njIKZyRHDlNThAs

In the northern border, they had shared a bed every night.RPCenAiNJzgKVHvESOGOqPbCWJxxRH

SfxBEXTJiwyppnX

Would he be able to adjust after returning? Would Li Wuting think of him at night?ZPqJRCypBZHzhSFRzHJjSrPdYiSopt

FDUZlDIstKJpkyq

…gVDZFkXETThCXRkOyValdVQcdruIBM

ROUXpPDeVlyPHCl

However, before they could prepare to return to the capital, news of the great victory in the northern border and the acquisition of a city had already reached the capital with urgency.umrvDNoSsgzvMezmjlCymLclPGDlBF

jpvXYGoJBbVfhSn

The court was in an uproar, and the whole nation rejoiced—bMGHwsWDtvbcVsGOcKQhtylBPmHMQP

VMUHinfoBoWyqCy

In the Wenhua Hall, within the Imperial Cabinet.ljLqSOqDeANgJTkOFCspLPWxxPLWIv

yLtCLmTUApwlyZw

Ji Jie looked at the report of victory, so elated that his beard curled up, “Good, good, good! His Majesty is indeed extraordinary, leading the imperial expedition and achieving victory in just one month. Now, he will triumphantly return to the capital!”DHKBQQHOJDhIUMnsMAAasJXBzWyYRD

mdaszEoVcGQFdQK

His colleagues gathered around:zQpxFkklTRSstzEwtEQreZRlQtojEa

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“As expected of His Majesty, heaven blesses Dachen!”pJelgPJDaWpfLMwgEdkSkLBQWUcwEB

ZFKBOUqVjcydsbT

“But we must also acknowledge the incredible feat of Lord Ning—”EgiyNdyDtkUAWwqIgaNDimKPfgjYIM

XGbPnwtPtpEAksJ

“Oh, what about him?”HxOUgCqknxrmQCVXzxOjRTIMNtTaph

wOkYvxgrTzJHUyb

Minister Guo, who had scrutinized the battle report closely, said, “Look here, Lord Ning infiltrated the Beidi camp alone, coordinating with the Dingyuan Army in the middle of the night, and captured the crown prince of Beidi alive!”VkAcSppuVmuMkWcPzDUvmILHfTzAVC

KeAQhVdOxQAXfiv

The ministers were astonished, “Such a thing happened!”KIFYpRzSmcmvvxCiFlIyTosujDfQoz

szemoRILpbhPDIe

They were all exclaiming in awe, while the young Li Jingyu leaned on the table, his eyes wide open: Oh…OxWnzOdpaZLqlPkCvngxgigvLOwVDz

tljxDWrcURFXDnD

After the cabinet meeting adjourned.dadFmiHVUirzVmdSbhKazuvoZzdPIv

EJxEYOtbOdUgJOq

Li Jingyu left the Wenhua Hall, only to run into several senior ministers including Guan Fan.pkadsRpfKqeLxChgPhFkYYOIEIeBno

HOiiGcxBKTelLQZ

Guan Fan and the others were also beaming with joy, “Your Highness, we hear that the army has won and is preparing to return to the capital?”akmHyzuqqoceDaQGIOKFbtoSSnsbvc

INEAhjeDvEvoTbv

Li Jingyu put his hands behind his back, appearing mature beyond his years, “Indeed. My imperial brother displayed great bravery, and with Lord Ning infiltrating the Beidi camp at night, they captured the crown prince of Beidi! The war is over.”GSZWVKJQHgtBoKpBLfHsIqqEgxFkZQ

GcTAHRMQpicfbyK

The senior ministers’ mouths gaped open, “So that’s how it is…!”TzIzMqFNvppGxMdkkqVoYxmozndzDt

hGjLRxmGXlECieS

“Exactly.”JVAMhNTtSarCzdLiEHYyIeUmJEeEUS

tWMmXWXohaefANV

After a few more pleasantries, they quickly parted ways.cyzWVxeHiOMzwsGwjTIzfiUnDtCRqS

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Guan Fan left the palace and headed to the Ministry of Rites.yTCGEfHZBdmmmRNwFdJPUCNNSUyKrl

YgtUvHSdpOxDvXU

By this time, the news of “the army’s victory and the Emperor’s return to the capital” was spreading like wildfire.JcckClPttYmCHobbXbhPztXaMryhGN

IFeiRpIroDzcZaR

Geng Yan came to the Ministry of Rites to deliver documents, coincidentally arriving around lunchtime.YBmxdvQEaLBqEYonDmrEylLngOVRAP

UkyAjjaKRSSctPH

He shamelessly joined in for a meal, taking the opportunity to ask, “Lord Guan, how are things in the northern border? Is Ning Chen… also coming back?”GPISeaPSobzRIfFytirGuPOWKIbeeJ

JFXxgDhONGmWBkt

“Of course he’s coming back! There will be rewards and honors to be bestowed.”LZiwVJIDHpYPvisidndRLPPHxahUFz

wIqCzgIjOGavlka

“What kind of rewards and honors?”qLkmwOLMssVRHCRlENydjlXEPiSClC

McWMUtqCObtReqO

Guan Fan stroked his beard, sharing the news with excitement, “I heard that Lord Ning infiltrated the Beidi camp in the middle of the night and captured the crown prince of Beidi alive! Beidi suffered a crushing defeat and had to cede a city.”XGdbDVyCogyZWYHxuEUqkDaMJDMbIk

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“…???”VyklapNOVPJytkymLaDWNREynwaPCI

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Geng Yan was stunned, and after a moment, he set his bowl down with a loud thud, “Whoa!”CgnuxuqecGHATgrwmhayPTtQMbEghv

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