This official is so weak

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

XgSAIlxLNPqdqXJ

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

AlruAbfTbxFtOKn

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

aqmmqSDrWOXEKYh

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:dJAbpZzhcXakiymeDJbvBaHillyzti

FmUSsNPbkYsrvUw

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

JsmVJgIlemLLDSo

“……”MTJyRwpulyottZOgTzFSoidBaaMslf

ogrgpDIIrlfJxBT

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

aNjYrFxUZRdOwGW

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

mvtKxQiRFGogfzA

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.”mDamAHGkbRBlWqVCJnIuxeIZbiCaWN

DTLnDbtbgUJmdrW

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

lQusRjWKEZQhbIo

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

JCxNqtPkhiTVUOh

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:kwFZYvykOgoNQTBmQDHDetxgNjqNiu

AGUmslNkCrJyKVI

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

SFYLcpeGSlrlmJn

Sensing his stiffness, Li Wuting withdrew slightly.QVgwqYGcYhGXNCtvftJCGgKeRyrcaB

fqDpFYBozQzsOdQ

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

MRlmzuSiKAioMHO

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

yBleGKGwsepuESW

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

wMxsXvNqUmAlDkJ

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

eDPOrFoRJbDeCvo

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

sBqoXiykLZmWime

…XBDdxJbySlrIqQEcBBlCgtXMBXqRiN

NbzPAHHfndMoNwJ

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

BJwRLXfsbSaWOLg

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

VFJwuzTpBARboro

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

GugaTVwZqbOhsXc

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

AhMVAkTOTYHhqGM

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

nWYJNfKgKOPhkEQ

“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—”IwjWxjjaMurWIXOVJSwATyGxePEqHc

HYHCsPCHKyrbeXR

Bang, “Ouch!”lXmgjWaQjljomxfrMKTXlkxYjzltbG

OoZUJFUMBFKSRdh

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!”NeyBLQsxzXUbcEERZRuPsPeYioXxjf

XbRzvZgKzDhDXyH

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

kGazgqhnLiFaiEZ

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

eVZegknOqNAEVcC

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

fjClNNRdeYAQmcw

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

UAWOrhJyrvgboUH

Ning Rushen nearly choked!MIfjAikOwktPYjmVRHbZjFTTeQimhG

ptRteoTfYZtggEk

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

XeMAtMJGaKzqnUI

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

OcdVQLCxGOJntAC

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

MfzWxLVchBnCLer

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

tVVhjoVBhOZlKfb

Dequan excitedly but disappointedly shook his head.QxFlerAMCmAXONNSnWbVcPmtJHhECp

eSQXKdkXlXJrggp

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

xXadjJajsKSGBUT

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

ZDNwJTigZjprHKD

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

lpCXyBOkjOGkmYh

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

tfwfwToulgdHTki

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

qCZcSuZAKBCWXIn

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

ZVHWgzfrkEpRbXz

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

cfoEyBhFEQFdCXs

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

sGjjmsImeiKirzL

Ning Rushen accompanied them on the journey.DGTPoXJEEntkvQCFHmJRhMKwmGfTnU

mSTtQIlBIYjdsuU

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

OWDaKdpIWeDKXTL

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.kIeBdaUFxoOoBAvNLNMOwXhOokrEfC

uMCqEJvrrYjvFPL

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

HaCcnXnfApkZmeo

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

jIlCsBvlHzPpaid

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

ETsTeaHseFGEAAG

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

zUAGBFndGfiQrRx

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

wijRXuLXxnVbxtF

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

mdYIxRvQjiOpfWf

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

NxAeUgeZkhDqrSC

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.cVanBsSqtXWAhrdgTaRYhzzLdTQYoz

DnLEeLhLNzVuWvI

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

hpEqLEcgJCFrZUD

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

xAUiyIKFWbXFdSU

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

kcdZLwCpJhRZGfK

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

TlhLXdidOyInDrt

The discussion soon shifted to the negotiation.OkBEAroPpuuYDLezjxRhuDFyenSCGw

YsvbZWVoXVqhVSB

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

ZpcYrXmbbUaVvDE

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

zcTYCFjYHJcZlFK

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

AhYUBqedzNHMKtc

Like: You’ve done well.XYYAfTRAxsauGGWnzIdOgzxMoyClMF

nPwaQnssrwVLsSi

Returning to your emperor’s side so quickly.OldDfRqqcpkbRfiRIUdTDQapPiBuDt

aRmcEKRFTTmxifP

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. qEchAsneLEkpDvRvENKGriTbBUhFBX

xggonMjNoJGBUns

…RXNhENmIZiOkmHKcIPQQRbPmkjPqJt

MvlGEBnPDILBpTh

The negotiations dragged on for two or three hours.auTJWGsYZQEmasfPTxizBVtibyumSA

KdVNhYeSyecKZKc

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

JyYPqwdotGcEANW

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.”xnHRIUTRRJAXuHSAgDlwybkYAUCOkw

rFJaPmDnuXbUwFk

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

kiVvWEZMkSpgxCB

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.”tspFddpcGvcHjCbmYOoPVVoXlOVHZd

fKustjGOfaIPFvD

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

IxEMfldCwQYxgCE

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

aFYtiyOZZpSTLtf

The group then exited the tent together.BdIULvwxuagobKuCwVSBkCTlJslKFU

EAxQCwWSWDmNnzN

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:wpdUbtGdiuQdvGUACMQDvJoLjJWjCy

SGTiORMZCpinjIC

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

wArwyemdVwfdOPL

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

zObVVVuMQSRjZAj

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

LlgrTQzmsfShQbt

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?”LmHvMQiPNNPpNFBlPyoygxCYvKqoSx

rgvlGWAKGwZrHAD

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

gCjKocXeCRKrjSc

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

vXkqwpxzAaFHHED

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

SIezpVruLoNBHdu

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

tgBBPPQfeoTXNWr

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

IEErtPFsBWteZoo

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

sluRfutwlCXMyGW

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

MgcsYIWxctIOhKE

“Humiliation.”DtukRyQCvwyhNYNDaotSVaeebBLGOX

OUpyGZvbUGwfwKc

“……”QLDAEIAHURMDrIrAowzJvzNgoyibLX

SklUhDQxNWFiuGa

Ning Rushen subtly exhaled in relief:vpIVZyCtNdDhvpntMfJaJNNCLPqFlk

OhlzLwCrpnjkeiu

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

wRZqLrNzRVxRUSy

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

zMZKrwglRRSLJEw

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

oSHlSPgAKEVSYba

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

gBFIQxLVQZLAOEm

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

RNdVRZRVmtEaLvf

Thud. Randall, “Ouch!”fceAUZuRBDbLUfTSYIPCuOYkWaarff

qbvalgESxfyaZyM

“……” Ning Rushen watched in silence.xzobgwhtSvlXWnvJBdIzroFjWNoDDV

PiwolfDhUTQXctd

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

zhlKeTkeMLBrSvI

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?”CqjtCAnaSfuEbXhysQAPapstNyfSxa

OOVKYCszqbIScub

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

mMIpbuqkCwnVTQQ

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

GJytWZmrnrNwnKW

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

JBQWfmsVyNWSgXX

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

LhFhTcrfLCvrnoh

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

sumhBLVIGaHQAdU

——Return to the capital.EqpcCJLbveqoWzuObqutMMFChppoqd

QFJjsEeReRBDWcD

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

nSVxRPVprkUICeL

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:PSxXCHoHzPPLletNMSZBNNOtHxgeoy

dzVfOMCPfoEItrT

Had the little short-legged one grown up?SCWvhxSRuYnPKbqablgvLDyNzOtJsh

OHViQhzZQeoqDPz

Was the cabinet functioning smoothly?IvChvkPhrhrZHjMSZooGWnFHOcLRNn

FZCwXNMTUGkrQOj

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

LeTPsDAGAUIFeui

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

YjFXcwPiGkSDbhs

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.”UJMPInAOzHzfZAaoNUGkKZYSvKgKTd

oRunBxVEmLiIqVv

Ning Rushen was momentarily stunned by these words.SrOqUmktEUsuBxQWazjeDRnFzSQvZs

TLBMdnOeImvEUhl

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

JaIIOdgrCTRnwBs

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

vtfSkEsAjXabcFY

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

cnQQAmRkKpGuTow

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

nHOHSgkzKacDWku

The figure full of cunning intentions slipped away.uGbTZeRajWmfNjtfTIfJxkdwwVCRNG

RjsdSMJMQHEYSNQ

Ning Rushen stood there for a while:DBsmlTRPocfoOPcJZkSTPLOTkwDaiX

NvBLatkDGODdyDd

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.euwsXWahpuMclecnJBIwlABRyRGgNO

siQCqraAFLJxQGy

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

jfoioiwpSkZsoSD

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

yyyzXHWjDUmrLUH

…WOBjmcgYPSXMLyzwqifoxcNLJOJxnG

XJuQpFuIyFIDzsy

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.WdvJLBKVfXbaevrxZrsrPSPNVPZAED

qkrMxkeSAJjzPkB

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

vTohwTlOKcUGaXg

In the Wenhua Hall, within the Imperial Cabinet.ZvWinluqYcgpWMvkanPyzqpIMrDVdf

mmbOVDVljTIlvhz

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!”yQRAVKxljEAzuSIOMchibFAIjuGzRw

bPkEScPOONpleKZ

His colleagues gathered around:sPibPPQYtfBRQaKqDERgXKRbyIpEjM

HABZKTzZNCWnafn

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

YOXnjtrlyIRfuRs

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

mINbqlyUkEqTiBp

“Oh, what about him?”QqMWGgBPlLgkYIcOIuZcbxhjJXVYJS

lTCGeXyLBpYTZOe

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!”xGospeIynyjucvpdfWbGjddWWpqVzL

mNEcTwRCMiqxSxR

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

ZaOxmteeSgdpTAZ

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

XyBkmMxHEWhPMbj

After the cabinet meeting adjourned.NYLYYKPmfrbrkKXCwBVhKVsgfyirce

MCDXKzoSiEpMIVJ

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

NDJuknXlxhxyjKl

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?”TKTlpHeWVPenFtredBifjtxvKgRjnH

UvWUZrWwdnvJTna

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.”CNSxPugCjnpJWRikFmSiUxoanRKPYs

kUKUzznWLdVEObI

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

UcQdsgpcEdIsOFb

“Exactly.”RfLbACYlgcFDFEkadfsjPwafrlwQXR

ekjxeaaEEvcuQxs

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

ceXUOQkynVUTGDU

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

iNBHxHRTIYXPCXx

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

SHGRfRiRjVxiePL

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

XAhakRzPoeuCrxG

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?”jYjTiCInmfkeVjWqYtGgqnIeZOAgMm

LHzQDXqXOjYvwrQ

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

GoQCRSNNlHlgqKM

“What kind of rewards and honors?”BrtlnQDUGoTtObebkmfKugnFcnlrcN

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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.”iliXjPPcVhRyhCGydQCvhtWLQPakyX

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“…???”qOtxQgmSLdknqVRryepCamEVLbWxFu

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

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