This official is so weak

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

MQzbfumuRTIjxXP

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

EBqwCAGXgmbEvDe

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

NKBdtaiLrgBvgjn

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:eVdiEzSsZZqUWPHlIABCHdRitTYOzx

aHvPaqXpVkVEfRO

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

OiBcJCykRuzEZAX

“……”MnjaxiUxqEZGYmEIxnwpuaktoDMcmT

HreXKIYrofQBImg

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

sGoverzJLkzSUNL

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

zcDDjhVIQHSzMlA

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.”QFOiOhpAfJDKAoWDSfjTkLScykzZRa

EsaxJEUDfzMhBXX

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

jXBVTvmutTEURNZ

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

ezlDZIAQwimKTRZ

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:MBuIKIQNLSWZIpmHXJDoePsiJKGzZr

yVLffAkjfuyUWkt

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

wdTSQECIOirQvTe

Sensing his stiffness, Li Wuting withdrew slightly.aesbYRyQDFOjjnedXXnoMgQltfhPzu

hDYwiYwxiaarwyT

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

TdtUZupJCBJKMBy

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

zfqzlLFgikGEbcw

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

rbfGxBQBrQSQxIQ

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

fsRiIAwIyuxdQGf

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

MpMysPaDlsQcjWk

…ITQuYIGBwSuYDqzAjZTZxNcIMSENLC

TVDYxYtuyzBmcgu

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

kEsmjpXiXCOxyWA

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

tvOIBYkxPMDYbSo

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

XaXfAJjFUASaGYf

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

dtuyVAWxyLkiACY

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

VLJiEoAfjTPggFX

“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—”IfejJBDAzRhAdtoZsziPsOpUDcNUfp

mMfJqhtOeSUwlli

Bang, “Ouch!”kzBVahKgnpDMmbEiacyUxofuZBoMZG

vhPgXlXpmsZLUYM

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!”yjsJUOytAQDQptKZPTosCkXiHldytK

FhQwiETLqdUmMZq

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

loLgxQWipJovUHR

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

jgjCWRBiJClxmHr

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

gtqUxwEJoLFPdjH

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

mRUoOouTnXpsnZO

Ning Rushen nearly choked!YooOffiAoqsMuVGePqBWFcunVEjFpe

IaVrtVzXKRqzrKH

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

qVgSCLrmJuWKbGs

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

CLxwvsLxbflliaE

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

vETNqzrZHBXfaVR

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

MlVPVNCWKXCyaQT

Dequan excitedly but disappointedly shook his head.rGHSYbzkcJLlfPyJDSgANfHUggLjpa

mjFcrdUalgUlivU

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

vcJdZWbLuAGlGUP

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

MOcefwtFMxiPJyQ

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

AimcqrdzoGjqlqS

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

sTJjJuQkLVVfDIS

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

aEQiXGgoVHRLnBR

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

CPdfJsvpizbElAS

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

sMEZZFUICZHQAQE

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

rBtOKVpBaheNrIs

Ning Rushen accompanied them on the journey.TbEdOJcxlCAJhMOzaTdBcnJVpIeAWo

NWAXdBXvbodAczy

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

OGmgqwrVdhcbEyA

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.FRBrQCDpsYuREyaPXKTSaeqPFyqIIS

KjDzhMZSLSfQkuu

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

PCxgOizkllQYkPc

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

vhythpewhavDPfz

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

rwCtFYdAaShWawF

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

ZlEGwpFPsPhphVK

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

pmPlBRdBCTQFOww

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

SpUUmZFShLSHxNJ

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

oaMDEIytImLdOIY

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.KEfkxGwkJUgRaZxADvBCSSkshZapqL

WrDnGLSOZTKQljj

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

OalYkyMusKprgpD

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

sxYriLLYrCOrOdu

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

RZDrqjnDGozFHTp

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

ZXwkboCElUINMCs

The discussion soon shifted to the negotiation.rklSrbPobxwRPnubMrilhWJFerHVTr

JMcAlbTpRDKdMmR

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

azGtFjdpXnzHabn

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

MxGPbgIRmjZQkQR

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

jLIIikSMxArKoaD

Like: You’ve done well.HnfYablgCsAgXIPVcCPWmMkXYHoVRx

pokoueYXVbpNezk

Returning to your emperor’s side so quickly.otEptFGIyxdlGQpWPUOilRvlAzgVlO

QzGyKbXJxwhMofG

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. pbNtMLSQrhSHJQXzYfMbccGuglOcAv

IRbkYPShjhsJQOf

…ncVoErEWKnKCECnmxqkQkWGkMrBKom

jlcGIUuirXshQlJ

The negotiations dragged on for two or three hours.AsEKPmXchLsUkckbTOzOKUSkjJlOdj

ZdDSzwTswnqaFOQ

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

iFoVjzAwOedkrIp

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.”HwFcuIkubRfiaeYGPUCzyylIbeGyDi

lQQCbpnqcWQftMv

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

fjbsaAbLmbSJAZP

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.”qQxukKAuosajhaMuDwnEtIPPlFPgfS

oICQWkoVriANcaH

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

sEVkexlwgUuuDBy

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

unZsJKTUfnghnYL

The group then exited the tent together.KIHPvyMXdvXKwWovAQeqhsjUcLCbvv

UkFGBemZGkLeslW

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:ZsPoeeObGXHTiRUzfMBCIOtQfhzNiP

qKmOHytchUYkuzv

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

oqAcVOwlNFwKiST

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

PPoFoSWFWguNCKj

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

wMaEJmwOhfwNGqH

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?”mPwmMLvECMkvEDAAvzlNqfyGJcJBMn

XjfiXKyXaeDodqi

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

rcuxujJONQGwWFX

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

VZOxkPdlhxZQrgp

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

VDEIqntPGZxgxTO

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

QWCmyiNRrpqVdAr

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

RpRgXSzSRUifMJY

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

JPSxTWCoIpFohLm

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

HCfqGUJIdYmCcUI

“Humiliation.”nwgfXebImozlswDTyqTmbYBxcyjwRg

bvlEOQVWgOGCzmi

“……”FlwxDpRBNEwxuLhTrnTvMmsQohZAKD

HnijDeGGgXFaNIJ

Ning Rushen subtly exhaled in relief:DKGbWeQAhELWlyEoxETjGIummDpWYl

wCdNAXsJQzpzoRr

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

STDQySXzxPJRwmz

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

TUusTwrgKzPtQMt

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

fIicZfZCgASLbkE

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

mFwiSZqPLVzpnPV

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

itJaZybleQAkGLk

Thud. Randall, “Ouch!”JDIAJcupqwCKMqsheERCfbLbeRyEQC

WVJJjJoPvpRpVWZ

“……” Ning Rushen watched in silence.MBJRefUaZuxwrfvvMeSQXKLndcudDG

cYoLxfOlZQAQNuO

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

QeMLNNaVjwmxJCd

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?”WBSkpYUgQBkfrVgSCEIHByYfzdCuyV

aMYTmcIrFitJbbY

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

vlxppbyPebNBkSQ

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

ONQZKfQrMsDmppS

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

TSEJLZfWTHyeiaY

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

fCSLctoHvoiVkEo

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

YNQxhpMmRSIIfwO

——Return to the capital.ZdhnJFeqIqZzzKMzWqtboyOkDYPIwT

xwdGsTgsYJbpkJk

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

tuOIdCfJfaegMLc

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:jVhjdAJguafKRTrLpvenKciPYAOWaF

rcbmdMbYgViGYWS

Had the little short-legged one grown up?EHzbKaveqlmvKyhXmCaLYSSVSLQDuq

pBKBVAsbuBgWYKu

Was the cabinet functioning smoothly?EqZdMlWUAIpjzONxPgTkiLunUdFLSH

uaSxsTxbdHJreYN

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

nqpnOIUvtJRSeFj

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

RCtqsNNQqPpdMgp

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.”prZiSaAWMBsrvViwDUcvoADmUuTXtt

ULZQmlutsraFbHz

Ning Rushen was momentarily stunned by these words.dzbwqNEwoUtHgJJkBTMbTWAROxlVIl

QVqvFfrWqpeuUCI

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

YxiPDFIHrSbTybX

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

WTAdummZZsUhAgs

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

SvEhoyIpRRUQCSz

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

uVPZgJUygWCIwVK

The figure full of cunning intentions slipped away.qFrPUsWMFLiXlwUajAfoXwRHAWWaEv

mnYNjwhvHImfNoM

Ning Rushen stood there for a while:ajJmmriPjZPSDztAfTbxSVetShqeuG

PXuLenngoMCkwky

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.eaUCpejJDercGjghOzmOHegtQSlsLv

TeDfbuIJjMYCCoH

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

IZHdNPfLKbkCgaQ

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

egSwOYCDTOgurVz

…XgtmkQErBPFokyodOuPjChrxrtkPId

RlbkVRgozFPoWeV

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.UwZGtEUOqcuyojFIOVaFDctUmQXUYX

NfeTXlMZCkiFHrD

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

ZnVIPZXbFKvXCqw

In the Wenhua Hall, within the Imperial Cabinet.jQKwHLUokyOmnwjdkGvhXeaIKdtulB

TvafjpccWqPuvyr

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!”msHWNMptyTAesifuwPFIkBbNySzheO

DDknZTQubxqOikn

His colleagues gathered around:TWBWRoAPeQTTedGjVLCgMnlVgqXSGp

grockavMXEqmpqj

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

ZijTCKREzpGoCVP

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

ALUVuHzDcmYnRGL

“Oh, what about him?”LecrMohGmQRApoytUMTIEmTmgRbCWP

iwGCAMBgwUBeKgc

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!”uVRWgJgfVCdazqMukWOOmKUEJuLIUy

nFSyDOmOdqEufOV

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

wCyHvUITWhRZRvi

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

VaCPhqOadsllUuE

After the cabinet meeting adjourned.bfonvfnkMXiXsnwHJFbVZVTBwcidGt

hFuknjwmGoOwkgX

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

wJdcilAewHMcZQN

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?”yvoBsJzVMGwnlrzfLzqlELJqawqdLD

gBlsDtwaXiRRtBR

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.”NcirwdqmmFSPykMBpAZzZwZgtvAkoJ

LXAHJWlXEhvnIjN

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

hMThjtkGzRlSTqm

“Exactly.”tcjKHRDesneXkayGLvlFLSUJdcmahN

CwMsqjRWYErifxM

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

TXWQDVVJMkbeIXs

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

kLnuVFOdSsjUZpC

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

cdhukNxckzlNoPE

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

PGXTrjwdWBHXJin

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?”PTzNaXrrrSNqXjuGljkWjukPyAingF

USlKfpzEXvAbRWq

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

eMMaengaEfIhKeG

“What kind of rewards and honors?”tYGJPcwdgXAexwDidfHyTmXEmvFRwL

UVckVvhZihFkWVn

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.”yCYtYtOXqGJXmUEOXjvubcuADvQkGF

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“…???”YowMKPzIznRVbVwyAwKjSaHTIldLtL

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

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