This official is so weak

Li Wuting’s gaze lingered, carrying a faint, amused smile.iUNGMaLAMVsRhIYUFJWOJxcQewthao

JmvDFvpbWrruoEG

Kong Shuyuan scrutinized him with suspicion, as if trying to figure out which strand of hair could possibly offer him protection.MrgRHaQTkohnxyalQGPyYwAuPjqbYK

kSbIQojSzsDYydj

Ning Rushen, who was struggling to keep his composure, finally spoke softly:rbpSKLQEJazBLIkQFPZCvuVtNOrHYu

dVOzkTNsnECuWPh

“…What are you smiling at? Aren’t you going to say something or dismiss him?”OtHosMNQhrCwQZnBqSjMhQCCkvLPYU

UjApTzboXWbGNme

He pursed his lips and started to speak, “If His Majesty doesn’t need—”rhadOyXbtCIdaWqwEbqrltAZfCSiNW

gNHfSUTnJPyyWrm

“I need.” Seeing that Ning Rushen was on the verge of exploding, Li Wuting quickly interrupted, “Come in.”dkoSZruaYHNGUPhWzFJFJKfrfuAKTj

nGWCYDIUfSXKGaY

Finally, that was more like it.RBsUOMzvzuynsZOFMqwCjsCpqAKytm

eEFUMGZoYNVkOxH

Ning Rushen exhaled a breath, closed the door, and stepped inside.fItoWZBzPZjRcVQIMzcgbdCGdpgkVH

fHvXxtUkaTEFlhR

He glanced around the room. “Is His Majesty still discussing matters?”bSwzsxNPaFQRuKZbOZNVDujETqEemy

PWjpFFoOjDHwpUO

“Yes, regarding the bandit problem,” Li Wuting gestured for Kong Shuyuan to continue, then said to Ning Rushen, “Sit and listen.”WvTEaTbhbVzdYnrRQDxccxoqSLuiak

bPYDkdECBABjzrS

Kong Shuyuan acknowledged and resumed speaking from where he left off.wZkRHeNrVRVjwuimhqNnAfRGqftyKX

GgXNcvNfPlEqfCt

There was no chair by the bedside, and the prefect was standing.wmTpfrPBbzVqpRsgoSyZjdtRiYdBIt

UTOgxvFFRKoiRCm

Seeing that the space beside Li Wuting on the bed was vacant, Ning Rushen naturally sat down.XpGSBhqButdxhIrreGVFkHVFvGFTdb

bZpIVIcysDereeI

He sat directly on the emperor’s bed.MwaNYZVKPRosLjxlCXwgIgXCdglpWo

tXIcrrxmzpYwMKu

Kong Shuyuan’s voice abruptly halted, his astonishment rendering him speechless:zmDbmKnrgrndCkTdPmuoqQtEhYbitk

DMgYYqXdTAMAiGy

This… Is he really allowed to sit there??NooZAyNqJhVsuvfMZMgqPwigKJFumH

NAmuOTAEbAzsnpx

A calm voice from the front asked, “What’s wrong?”GDZlkSLbLZMdLIraZQoRfnQcTyHJsl

EgiJSrWHMpocSTC

Kong Shuyuan quickly suppressed his thoughts and continued, “It’s about the Renshan outside Yaojin City. Since the nineteenth year of Chengping, bandits have been causing trouble there, month after month, without respite.”aDttLPbDYRaxvUhgktJPRuDCTnLckM

xBfROmhdOsNfHzR

“But from the moment His Majesty personally led the expedition, they suddenly quieted down for two months. We don’t know why.”rFQAvkhZjACvjalLUhBnGEIMYVACHt

NirADCotorBePON

Ning Rushen leaned forward slightly, “You didn’t investigate?”piknsfsKvsdYkVOEwwMUbIzTQkRHmB

myGxrRLpdPVQMBb

He had just finished bathing, carrying a light fragrance and a bit of dampness. The hem of his sleeve draped over the edge of the bed, overlapping with Li Wuting’s dark robe, brushing against the latter’s hand, causing a faint tickling sensation.zKZaxQYKMoFufOvlhpFkKnnzecdYgw

onNPwIgYgDmEKjw

Li Wuting’s gaze fell, his fingers barely noticeable as they twitched.yejZeGPJVqqrjEDaHQTvMrlbpisBox

TzsKRSRRyPhzHcT

Kong Shuyuan replied, “Yaojin’s military strength is limited; even maintaining security is a challenge… We really didn’t dare to rashly venture into the mountains.”veHbfxTSJtDhsvBrZvGtwiSQRtdOJT

FIBFyByotdgRrIP

Ning Rushen nodded and sat back, “I see.”UdjSkAkwJpPfGYxFeuNaTPCNHRiwMY

roNYahyrgEEuSFG

His clean and soft profile briefly passed in front of Li Wuting.MUUzvapDvqfckwgvSYSTPJUCKIWZkQ

JADaWcbbBcmmAkK

Li Wuting lowered his eyelashes, sinking into his thoughts:sgwOuJqLsXZJvCRKDjhVjdDBJppwqe

dAwkwFQGmWSLnAa

If he remembered correctly, the bandit problem in Yaojin was reported to the capital in the second year of Chenghua.rIQvcPVAlXcgaVkJBsXzManrqCULSt

kMKCOCfBIaZtDfQ

In the previous life, the war with the Northern Di lasted for five months.UWXVNkOHheaRLhFwBaHnqrFKyIXbbI

MosgoZTViAwSfXa

During that time, the bandits of Renshan took advantage of the emperor’s absence to wreak havoc in Yaojin. But this time, they suddenly went quiet… Why?HxOyzMfFONgkkhxHkmhyMiKNeDfwko

xynZbPSPpZCnVLu

The room remained silent for a while.FJEMaenMxPllrgldmvNtEeOdbgTlOu

NtRTDmheRlzIGRp

Until the flickering candlelight slightly shifted, and the prefect’s bent back began to ache, the emperor finally spoke:RMsZNKrPpQdyURuBSLzCEDBqVCktnr

OfKHVhJCFZlwDxQ

“You may leave now. I will handle this matter.”gXoYwXQJPoiPXezeWXNryygeczgfGg

WUtLbJjvvVCzOVd

“Yes, Your Majesty!”robLApjEBEOXztFktpzmckmLpceJkE

vucykylRkaMQFfD

Kong Shuyuan quickly responded and, as he stood up, glanced over once more.NodtNvAOqTmqKJnNMlOlgDfijZSLVF

PrJRBeGJVUeEhmy

He saw the handsome emperor sitting upright, while the young minister beside him seemed lost in thought, with slender, pale fingers resting against his lips, his snowy white robes spreading across the bed.kVFsyVpqUeYhWkEOqlGKTGmdXsWktO

XlmfVnoHndxTTKI

The emperor’s long black hair lazily draped down, with a few strands winding near the emperor’s hand.HaXRuHSSKrYxRtHekGEalWATCJjXPQ

VJHfLwlhUXhsjwU

Kong Shuyuan felt a pang in his heart, inexplicably afraid to look any longer, and hurriedly bowed and left.NJAPoFgoDWbvlJAuOexjnmHVInAWdo

cbsbLhtEZXWdsIl

…svKUPsEecchWkgeiLyYtBNOJGXJOuU

qdtIPWNPbuivRRv

The door creaked as it closed.NwivuGnPOITqrMKaqYJAwsglmrYgSW

msnqhZaJeHBWMFZ

The room fell silent for a few seconds. Ning Rushen was still lost in his thoughts.xBKekRTPyZtFkCdRgrHMRpJhNDKnKa

sISpqUVaAsUzqCM

Suddenly, he sensed a gaze on him from the side. Turning his head, he saw Li Wuting looking at him, with a hint of warmth in his eyes:XInsEttkfDBTHctKkQMZdzoQiUjpRq

EYKJuBFtMVUwClX

“Did you come specifically to see me?”HsvvfJNzoxMUpXtgszyDvwDhzMsZUG

uOfRSoKvzHeZKWM

Ning Rushen’s ears grew hot at the question.IQIdegSZczUCgNlBLiVifvqIxMhEKy

FZWVLuebhHyZkTk

He thought, who else would I be here to see, Dequan?PtysNynEHqCKvNVSAsHxkDsLtdbgJG

HnLXjPwplsrkVKZ

He forced himself to sit upright and spoke seriously, “I heard from the servants that there was a bandit disturbance nearby. I was worried that it would be too dangerous for Your Majesty to be stuck in the dragon’s lair alone.”YXNjJzmVgqgAXHOTMrbpDzzBRAdMbN

wnWNiCmZliWPJRm

Li Wuting chuckled lightly, “Oh.”lIjwLsgajltahqCpkGnufEtlrMpQFv

XwodHfPGtSwBrPJ

Ning Rushen suppressed his embarrassment and changed the subject, “By the way, where’s Dequan?”DxXSYWKGVVHZfAyWLwMNnqliIAuxon

QXefYZhyVtLhbMl

“I sent him out on an errand.”vpmDrCXkJvFBrgQGyeoDniNiFurqrd

NhNWfHIqufUTzoC

“Oh.”vxsGVNpLFErJsGvthnqejpuedkiuge

wNFwtPcxqKmygDk

As soon as the words fell, the bed was silent for a few breaths.OzMEjNoTCdQPSlqQbyUSGumhRSMVim

szFamPBjODLTILo

Just as Ning Rushen was wondering if he had been too forward, he was suddenly pulled closer—VhkQKCzMxVjmnlSprznFjufPLgEGqT

RmsfGaOUdUfipxX

Li Wuting wrapped an arm around his waist, seemingly unable to suppress his emotions. He lowered his head and licked at Ning Rushen’s lips, prying them open.rgCXnodmTrmBvXTeQqfwQaIMnClSsk

QdivfzuTsMcxkVF

“Mm…” Ning Rushen’s breathing became erratic, and he quickly melted into the kiss, his waist softening as he fell back.ksHFuJHcHWPEZuVafAoDBJEEbEOYmr

ZqDACghhrtXRKAV

His hair spread across the pillow, entwined with the heated breaths between them.WzraSTwmvFUBxDoIITxrVycQUhygSC

baVubCynQCgbsUl

Li Wuting propped himself up and looked down at him, “What made you think of coming to see me?”RxrMyNmIKHDtejmUNbbSxrNVTpAfIn

LZsCvWvBihjfgsk

Ning Rushen’s face was flushed with heat, and he couldn’t find the words to respond.xbJmetDAMzqvKOGkSkrOEsOUFEZRwm

qGOjFYiznLTWoqF

Underneath the gentle and refined demeanor, Li Wuting’s voice was husky with suppressed excitement as he softly asked, “…Did you miss me again?”sJLYfosIuHnOOGtYYnSopQBvgsPcFj

KNiYIKTeIazUZwd

Ning Rushen shivered at those words.NXWyTNYQnxdwHOwpDCTdXqRSjGnNqf

GBOqqSRJnGEKOFw

Feeling the rising tension between them, he brought his knees together, trying to prove his innocence, “I… just came to accompany Your Majesty…”fNZeBtYfkZvUlwkBtmmrZHITMfDRHS

GKWoMIIMHOXHivq

Li Wuting lowered his eyelashes and let out a faint laugh, “Then it must be that I missed you.”PZuNKbEHTPFbBeapuFWVnpLzARMjYX

RrKNYHMiAHXKUFP

Ning Rushen suddenly looked up at him.iDPqnjfiHSQDXPwaIymgPmcBhKVpFQ

JABUgRVrQzLkQKA

The usually composed and restrained emperor had become aroused because of him…ARDyyROjFIhDWvhdzrpWWfjLbYuNtx

MaaPSceHHvcrIEt

A wave of heat washed over him, and he too closed his eyes, feeling stirred.DpEIVTYkWJDWUPFFizpQGkiuaWgDCZ

guvwwnHMXfHfTxZ

A kiss fell from above, and the bed curtains were drawn down.vLpKWLnqYnQqKcjhLfAlKZEGMctgIF

DtRzzXgFNIUxmgC

The white gauze obscured the candlelight on the desk, casting shifting shadows as garments slipped to the floor.desWBUsOWVXHeaWpTLJiiuImFuluEB

HcVxVSjnlPGmrne

·cemLADsEvunQyqfmDOSXeCerbTMKIe

oAGQvIDKdGePQVY

The next day, Ning Rushen got up from the dragon’s lair.QVorNmWMZfWyRzhYiRxqyEKQNfEElA

ymqYIBNVtVeTeIm

Dequan had already deftly brought hot water while tactfully keeping his senses shut.LXiTxaHMztwVFuZEbdXBqXRsUKHxhG

VaxYmEFkhINBgQr

Ning Rushen steadied himself, got up, and after washing up, walked out the door, only to see that the guards in the courtyard all stared straight ahead, acting as if they hadn’t seen anything.EcYSIzCTmxQbuBpAOOrnpcAUyEkDSi

qsHgdeUGWjqJXOS

Li Wuting stepped out as well, adjusting his robe, “Let’s depart.”vZryKRupnzvADxUdcEOmOrMYRvpvEF

deTORgvJXurqxEm

Even though there was a bandit disturbance in Yaojin, the imperial carriage couldn’t stay there for long.xoqRXjxrpbdAqSAwliGICcxUhEUoYJ

PpBYlbWUtPTnFhU

Before leaving, Li Wuting gave an instruction, “Strengthen the city’s defenses. I’ve already sent orders overnight to have reinforcements from the capital stationed outside the city. People will be sent to deal with the situation later.”OJBrhcxkGROaGapTjxHgWvbulNpvNM

RQLKFXCwpNWOkIF

Kong Shuyuan repeatedly kowtowed, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness!”vlrItaVkWsEgrXmgNqxVwMqbYSqWiW

eaieSuihIYIIkpM

After leaving the governor’s mansion, the group set off on the road again.BNnLBLwbsFSdMcsxwqZEASYURiAbKG

qYDakAsIiHGqIZY

Yaojin was very close to the capital, and after two days of travel, the city gates finally came into view.jaPslFLoDROqdIDBUKxxFtJlQnruxn

RfFUBBAuRVUdSnz

Ning Rushen lifted the curtain of the carriage, feeling a surge of excitement.oAfpdJfygiryveXXoHtoyFzdcLtmZc

fFPoVkcnTzVtCZx

As soon as the carriage stopped, he followed Li Wuting out.EDWpKVeqyVWPXshailNFIXaqcMOvEI

ZACxMKdgTEfNXQo

Outside the city gates, civil and military officials had already gathered in anticipation.QqWMmHoBGnBCLtnFNdjnsbxMXflFme

KBMjsUmERbatYik

Under the towering city walls, the officials looked up expectantly at the ancient road, where dust swirled in the air.tURnzIfhxKKoTKgZFwWYJLgovkBsKJ

NnjzhDAmcfPtvvh

Ji Jie stood at the forefront, leading the cabinet ministers. Under the vast sky and distant outskirts, a chorus of voices rang out:zVZtKxejWxQTjBhlzaEaQtFHNuDcSg

zOuybsAOTuNFQaJ

“Your subjects welcome the return of the imperial carriage!”hxiWmynUNpLDrGrWJXwzMxdNKsVmaR

PwTaoevbdKEnSIy

“Long live His Majesty, long live, long live!”TYsojpFVXDQSyxIPgiXAlYZHqiOgRD

NrWTBPqQYHXwAce

Li Wuting raised his hand, “Rise, my beloved ministers, let us return to the palace.”mOMZZeRIyfvykxCxgMMiEMSWKPMaTL

WqJRdkAfXDqkjfu

The officials rose in unison, stepping aside to form two lines.yobgTmaMfhYCUWVLAWoEgGtNwxHsXu

ZbldfRzMUTcpdFg

Standing beside Li Wuting, Ning Rushen couldn’t calm his racing heart: they had finally returned!fzMudXlxuwTAGwejqduMLUHqpJhrDt

jQUImSFTttONviy

He looked around nostalgically at the familiar faces, but his gaze suddenly paused as he locked eyes with Geng Yan in the crowd, who was staring intently at him: Whoa!HfHroPcerZMyNquHiZVsXHggFiyAhx

InNyGCpFziqtxhg

Their eyes finally met.lJmQrFPctPwniDlsWABtcmYDGxZNtK

XJuCvJPMwdgwoPO

Geng Yan, excited and a bit mischievous, gave him a thumbs-up, nodding in approval.uHBUzrzQFWcqpzneIqYPncDfawmUQN

imGJoAzddkLcxSx

Ning Rushen, “…”FrtsCQgxmTboCWcJpkcbkiiFXrvWZB

ItfywCFdzzcsshY

A few months had passed, and he was still as eccentric as ever.qTuKpJVJOBBcEzHsSjvOhzyZXDYtTv

QjMFzfnVPToLSLX

…FVHhAkkBLFAQJdsHEMLMRHQCtLpdAv

FeBhOTkDWFyiUrD

The group returned to the palace in grand fashion.pnERSTiOsFdafacVggjIonjXCFuSKI

IpqzfPbwVBslPMH

Li Wuting still had nearly two months of state affairs to attend to, so he summoned the ministers to Wenhua Hall.WCvJVjpIyLmdSXUWVCTRWwocndtNdf

BIIpdbBUOdSfvfz

Ning Rushen stopped in front of the palace gate, ready to return home.vvnKvBCDdikfiFGvqiYuIVGMKDGorx

ZYRHWqWakFLyCFV

Yan Min had already prepared a carriage, waiting for him.fQXlmxxjFVhgIIarVZSBfxfKrsntfw

agOFoTSmStcDBDV

He glanced back at Li Wuting, who seemed to sense it and also turned to look at him.RbDdZAhaMGAeWsmipvMUArjOfvNkML

zjzwIeafzuVMCBQ

Across the throng of officials, their eyes met.sMbAgBgPOecGuBKvoZPeovIdNbgdVe

vPGsGaBcCIzHDPt

No one knew how drastically their relationship as monarch and minister had changed in the northern frontier.WOIjwfvMCeNcMxXjWYTjKDJQoEcvCI

HZaRFgODleogqkB

Ning Rushen’s heart beat a little faster, and he mouthed the words: I’m going home.tYzDAQanVAdguNtTMpVMiAXTbycRFd

dSflWjVNkZncXYY

Li Wuting smiled and lightly blinked in response.pdfbWKceDzeDvuJyaTQPtnmknvwXij

aUDDhHKCQqCYaSU

In the broad daylight, Ning Rushen felt as if his heart was soaked in sugar water, filled with a secret sweetness.MKzBcQkOyPcIkUCJbhEXUVZfxXSrvx

qTBgbLIzuRIaEPD

He turned and got into the carriage, “Home.”XlKjcLEVjSsvwEKMiDXyTvCllDtWEq

YGMDXDZBcduaCGu

At the Ning Residence, the hallways were bright and immaculate, with festive carved lanterns hanging at the entrance.reeAultiKpFChJTwyPYWLHdyMsdchD

uZDnLLdTaltRleA

As the carriage pulled up outside the main gate, Xinglan, Yuanliu, and the others rushed out to greet Ning Rushen from a distance:DvpaqOnGXoobHRKQBHHqKFPDiSlWtj

ePESMxVwsOJUNvd

“It’s the master! Our master has finally returned!”LFSansybjPiUUsFVsgzPtUKIjAmOVq

EQsMZVBoGLpHsvc

The crowd welcomed Ning Rushen into the residence with warm water, rich broth, and sweet treats.oNfIpthojRkjXUXkIbyQHbFRFJWBIn

SIwnPgppnvhADqW

“Master, this broth has been simmering since noon.”zWDjnriWiLcBNjERtBYUyBAoyJYnUC

bZyMgOOzOuHZTML

“Dragon beard candy from the southern shop—hasn’t it been a while since you’ve had some?”hVavCuSOPeqYhvbOjkrDjDRWfEwnxG

VUZwYTFPlimiBhZ

Ning Rushen, with his arms full of food, looked at the bustling crowd surrounding him, and a sudden sense of belonging washed over him.AcPrJMGjslScEzDmmqgKlgUyfOGnfP

ulMCCKfdfcXKtzd

Feeling touched, he picked up a piece of candy cake and started to munch on it.lDzMgbhsvWZQwGQSmsBgDNfjTqBYeG

ZudfFepwtdQZBak

Yan Min, concerned, said, “Master, you’ve suffered; you’ve lost weight!”nnxcZZcIUncLDKgkUHAoXeLzFswAvB

FWCgHyREETCZqxF

Xinglan chimed in, “The sandstorm out there has made our master even paler!”JyCtCKrRrUHqmyUsSSAAubbTSIPEdv

CQLKlPRSkuMJChP

Ning Rushen paused: …yOqVIQiyHcijysWGNIaundadiHdaCA

vEEANYWQYFybUqO

What, did the sandstorm give him an exfoliating treatment?JzEnKwbtOXCqMnSbMPIWsgSOKiFpEg

bIPCAlYhqBSItcO

Listening to their exaggerated remarks, he took a sip of the hot broth. After some murmuring among themselves, Yan Min clapped his hands:FCKMTkQRMqwZppNbQgYoXuNxarmAPt

axYsMkDOeDpmuWs

“Hey! Enough about that, let’s talk about something cheerful—”VTiGpqiGqfKduOREKQBxjsBywKvhLe

CEOJLzWCdBnlRiz

“We’ve all heard about how the master captured the Northern Di prince alive! That’s a great achievement!”MOumQgyARcatqjPHVWuBVUVPhOmSkE

QeXFIkaQhjhTCst

Ning Rushen choked suddenly: How did they all…soKSTFiIUrABUdRTfTeTTneImFJvSE

slTGYLuTQDMtNcG

—Where on earth did that rumor come from!?qdgXkLCqTDCfczFFEzcOFQMOAPwjPy

RZxQYMEyOwgtUzw

He clarified, “There was no capture. It was an inside-outside coordination that allowed His Majesty to lead the Dingyuan Army and capture Landale alive.”kpyuootkyEfqMijuwoHhpjlwwZngRZ

ztOdSLoxurpBVvv

At his words, the crowd let out a collective sigh of regret: Oh…jWAZNCFTvmIIgWKzohfgcLYYILiUWM

CvIFfZUTczZAVXW

Ning Rushen: Enough already, what exactly are you sighing about?LNkJavPbjWQFLVQKseAGltiIMRLMtj

OtwKrpIavYweUfZ

As dusk approached, he stood up and waved his hand, “Let’s have a family feast, everyone at the table!”JTimYDJCnCXMCMWVFjOLkFpgDEumWZ

WClJbwrpAeyoEoU

The crowd cheered, “Oh yes!!!”dRAhYvRffYYnGWNoQGuxDwGNMmdRRc

nXXxCqTluzbnoOC

…SMiOrdOwbmTNDuzmMuqPRAQPiOgzSp

OWSuKaCQejnBvwm

After a lively family feast.yRvKwNjROevsGeHKCbmRZlZbHucqWR

ZBMObkxwfoqIaIj

Ning Rushen returned to his small courtyard to lie down.LYSqWIgkQxCwIemtzsZxfIRfSAvHkZ

odacEFeRtFOtqCf

After several months, the trees in the courtyard seemed to have grown taller. He leaned back in his familiar deck chair, feeling the long-missed peace and comfort.qIWnqMmPYhOYLXPkrtAdnwsAieidLS

qphpeZmBMxgqmeI

As he was relaxing, Yan Min came in with another pot of tea:qhyriLLvRTTZwBdfkaIFWXopyDTjbv

ymkvjxDRJVJFGxF

“Master, why haven’t we seen the little guard?”sUdFJJTBnHlVcsyWYonUOPmRnwxtgf

YHytagUlHdhYQSq

“…” The deck chair creaked to a stop.KvDAPJckjFSMYweBobNphKoKMzFgaO

TJXmRjVwLRGdamf

Ning Rushen blinked: That’s right, where are Shiyi and Lu Wu?BuzhsGgwZTEAKpwHAdZaOPnFPqgQub

bsIMOtpYQweEgeA

They were with him all the way back to the capital, but seemed to have disappeared since entering the city.asPbLLLPbUYrIZaLfyMqJhsLwdmurh

SXVwEKMJfjKFjnm

Could they have gone home ahead of time?YCUgRCQkXwOpBWUfficIsyPBWbmiIj

GqCjTfCceWaEtiL

Casually, he said, “Hmm, they probably went home.”jcAedfEKHGvYIkVXLOgHfCZjCbEbrS

mzezHqMOakKrPfa

Understanding human nature, Yan Min didn’t press further.otjDMccojiSyKztDarTPHRxNamgbUI

mXKDqmPRTZOeWIt

Ning Rushen guessed they had received a royal command and didn’t dwell on it. After washing up, he prepared to retire for the night.BHALYbpPogudpYwedApGUdBjaMBZdw

QGySymTXqxhmlJq

The main house was dimly lit.prqoBHorOIUgCRgVXFTDcYwfHamxPo

clbAgwHfOfXwZPG

The moon hung high above, and the courtyard was quiet.UjQbMoBaYlhaWXRSkPeCoLopAPjeyh

syQUvMWDlXCZruK

Ning Rushen sat at his desk, organizing the gifts he had brought back from the northern frontier, when suddenly, there was a knock on the door.UIKpfhnODUHdgjawGTGaZjCYfGcXvZ

KoqTFhfICErwKGo

Click.AuIRaWPwIjrWwzXkGUqfCEaFNeOBUA

BxGCQvkdGeLqhQr

…Shiyi? He looked over, “Come in.”iZdBQPFEsyloauSKCobJlslMlmweYH

mSRVAVjLqOQtCwY

The door opened, and Shiyi walked in holding a roll of paper.yDZanbNDVINPVXsgGoRiiHkiHfZThh

MQQlFSuYfmeiijK

Ning Rushen blinked: What’s that?QScqyADwncBnwOnmoSnhbhMOHRePJi

SjQDDBmYOCgWfUg

Where did he come back from?bbvZVMScSMlaUvyQyXLVAhYiiaseVH

xCRYaNeXdVqSBRH

Shiyi walked straight to the desk, unrolled the paper, and under the candlelight, several intricate hidden door designs were illuminated—GlTjxIyDmGcrcbBXnAzRGWQiqhTlMu

CLcWiatxyyMXCOG

Ning Rushen was startled: What is this????zCcVIKhKkBCvEVWynZDcUfPGJCCqLe

rQGpnKspcbRNaMV

Shiyi asked, “Do you prefer a revolving door, or a sliding door?”IsgbFuseKVLaPUiTAjAXnOdPCzDzed

GEYgbKUtozTiWHF

Ning Rushen stared at him in confusion, “What?”DecvxQjxsjiQwlEZHCGFcWoOPXXsmW

wNWMzAHzYDWxlrL

Shiyi, his expression unchanging, said, “Nothing, it’s just a door.”VCtmTSBvsXzaCPloUyqoZYRFWpxyFD

HZBmWHXJBoZhQRa

After a pause, he added, somewhat conspicuously, “I’m just curious, asking randomly.”cnaXjMCWuERmTTsVxoWUcYeZdwmNXB

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