This official is so weak

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

dbqhIoYjJzbaBcS

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

tiJdRvhpPeKsMVu

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

ErbtwqJtXTWfXjn

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

XZWIspIUKtgVlfn

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

pIuMjVwYNebvSls

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

anvobKZzamQpmFm

Finally, that was more like it.wTIuagNKKsCXrcRkeZZDVjuMeoUPMT

ZWuUaFcaTWbqfPn

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

qtQdWySuZlOPFvy

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

zWPrRUhuIpiNntO

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

LeEHMRjemuWUGdU

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

mEFjVReDqEcaGBT

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

JWykSokhOsJPtyS

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

dmAgfHFJxazXPaz

He sat directly on the emperor’s bed.VNSVuHjehsXKyjKarUVbuRFRCwQhdE

rpUsqyYVIZLUAjm

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

nVQihoNsCNRKavS

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

NfVagfbzCiBnqwP

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

leWULhmGGLjyAJJ

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.”xlKWdOeMWkMcapBDIGaDRHIXTlCxiY

fyuUXHyNLPwaKNK

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

jyksIxttMZSxKrC

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

rnaDpBEGISjPfcc

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.rMSyZjdZwuMueujSxSjZhyQPGxurZg

QojqXDPNCnrCSDH

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

svoBfbbjOPkGDbB

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.”MzxUAhJRHohWHnMAVchVxhlclZlxqj

xdpIZCplJgGacis

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

YGCUWxGxcUoBWVF

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

HFlGudnEQbfcxiN

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

GrRogaotVjdBnTD

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

RJjoYPIQKppoDst

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

JqYVKqEnVKmbDTk

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?XFqaxuBpVwSacQQHXGigbESsNEeNJr

UNIsUhicDKTOQMf

The room remained silent for a while.HzmvigxudnlmlxPOykqWrEnlHQOaQF

upOOedzZaNMCAMf

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

EzgkJLCpsvWrIyn

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

FSAZUmjQdeGexHO

“Yes, Your Majesty!”vKyAPIROKWJITcXuEtgWSMZKLgcXiu

YgGnUgngmrwOufB

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

GzKCvrlHEOBxNdr

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.dvZBfXsAOgqpwWqzQKOcmWBMRvPRmn

yFcrThavuQgtReQ

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

jkFCFfgoZhzuwYU

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

EkwQDcPwljesuZI

…RcMdUgLpDynhvzFKZZLdMGQvWuemPa

SofKjQqCWtOuEqN

The door creaked as it closed.YvhJPtmsBHARzoewyehOVRXEsiFEua

NPHKlQNiDPRnULc

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

bDaTOeuYQrxXkIZ

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:aREbWcDZvrIaOowsXiKHuhkBfGHtlr

MgeoklmhajbHSit

“Did you come specifically to see me?”otuTIILKFYhdksAQyWWvYfSbIFUCfJ

JHkXUZckaFuIADb

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

DvsBcpmnTkBBfZT

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

ZhitSnuwhQjFGVC

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.”HiNaGRMsHGatphghWhbBKaLvIDvBjg

afVhWCEEkLCKfyO

Li Wuting chuckled lightly, “Oh.”sykOgJSvjZoxSZMWzaKzAGlXJLmFcY

sUVeblxTMXjeKYn

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

kzcnmPUREytNCCQ

“I sent him out on an errand.”stZRjNPnqFggOTFNMXzYijjNQwzcZQ

rsyfqMpdOCUbUlP

“Oh.”YIYEGeLnoauFkJIDblLqFgwCDXyvwf

mbooFrNxaOfGEoS

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

WCMmkOYIgISFdaD

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

jrXEpCADZbTfJDW

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.NnwSefLAAYHdvzvICvSjsBkIhugmIq

ybWVNrQBhNGHhbg

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

hfLEsapVFzlWOoK

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

LWLFDaCYXhtrgCX

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

jFgKiHJjnzRTpIt

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

RvJTRHHgELtBarz

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

WpDFGMjZCLUDFiq

Ning Rushen shivered at those words.CERywmNzQFHyKQnOvQAIkjZZESVnFM

DaTsUqaIwTHgsNu

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

mOCFPrbfwmqMevM

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

wCuUXfNgPJaOiWY

Ning Rushen suddenly looked up at him.gTpoyUCQmJbRocEHvtHGWVmItBQhfm

NgwGlnooLRlSglg

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

DWncehsnxfmqdEP

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

GmXIuNTMaDXGsJr

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

gPBoCSGvyUfSVOs

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

gqFmmJLbcauPuBv

·wKOivDuuxHQOxMLHvMOASBzazKLRRg

qXhzBfhpBiIclLo

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

wnUjphdCpvAGLDK

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

qSSfVWxdZufBNoG

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.EFCkwSlqYMBNncOQqzmJuQLcgraiQY

GiGHlfpRatkPinY

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

OchmproqSAsufKM

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

pPzOSxSFjlswqLM

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.”xUUWZCgIsebQOEybhSpjmbgwVxPbXb

ftzFtOVFuGQshrD

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

BjoYXOLofrWfCRA

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

mFAXslsqyOgyNTm

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

IxEWQFgSTILkIrT

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

trVdBIeHcjLhLCl

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

qTrYxHuRWzMAOJr

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

OyNakyBGmRXVNdG

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

UrONPOgZmeCmAJJ

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

GHQSrWGKFpJDrNm

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

XkZRfpFJZEjhdeU

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

XlaOyJwjzcFKBdq

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

NqqIJFCQZHDuFVp

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

UWZCYLnvdxkxVdg

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

noPzhaSFkVIVgeI

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!iMKrnThhLasXuecYFhttvOAWKspdav

xsDDaXJxUnwDHbb

Their eyes finally met.FZpIEXOcRzWXqspuLRYtzApwPOYHBP

mqwSOZxHmaCavAi

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

oQAdfkKIAvBpsHU

Ning Rushen, “…”MbPbgzqYsqiDFEjuLqZxNEZOFVtjSA

WtnaXEhEIUbBqrh

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

qbAjQpKHWCmrYgP

…RwYpZDLpEQLOeavPRbDhyBrFPxyJjl

nBAilnyWLawWRzl

The group returned to the palace in grand fashion.VlXwPdcPaeyxWRXWBfpSUZorjsZAIe

DYnPMYvHsrYdFOp

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

mdyGUwASObeUkUi

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

pyXIBMxUnWiqQOt

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

ztngEyKcInLtCGg

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

rXorgBzFeQRGmMs

Across the throng of officials, their eyes met.xTgaWkPOfVgHyugTFGihaYxoPpQWXZ

GFMJdvwRIlPHgmg

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

LHvGGgIqrhWWHJq

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

NPPTVeoSyTIcYku

Li Wuting smiled and lightly blinked in response.GIRTuWjDbmfrIKTEkOfwZqWiKdbAwe

pkdrKXWVsaOKEqG

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

uGVCDiXPDxhjFOp

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

flZwGpSyLZAHIDY

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

alWqYcoPmoRVyyS

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

XYIUxNXzPqStQSH

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

nsGKPVTisfPemfR

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

ZVBvIOCdHkFrCiZ

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

ggijzqvuPnUHstB

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

zSAJfGByIgdVKRH

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

cPorCsDMdQObDik

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

tpKyrIQFXiBPoSK

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

AaMBPmCoLRgEPlx

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

dZLPxCobuQvbCkR

Ning Rushen paused: …DIuBlWowKscJbrZdXgYElXmGEXdZLq

nmyaHWHYxrkptFq

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

PeqADSWXoTbLbpc

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

KpqoaCRtPwizwSp

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

PVuLvgAjXhHsysR

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

JiLdsrTxUJLtloQ

Ning Rushen choked suddenly: How did they all…WHgddELoVfdElzlpPnmTanFVMPedhB

cURvrMMwkXXZXme

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

hofOQZtmNfGYnCU

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.”NDhFfptDnuNSWUQHhIOjLzYqsFUvTl

GQZpOweCcbugDsh

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

sUiuyadYRCWCsFv

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

jGQZPcWKwiBOYSN

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

OaOhqdSUXLffiYc

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

FHgFuvVgapYtfMn

…LacNqqMKAJxpQAPiTzybotinjZBpkF

xUxYHNHKcEIyIHm

After a lively family feast.ZEnORNlvMaJZuxqAKOZSAjptOsdKvo

bmvFdwiPZfculFA

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

xemvtwQePzcRUhK

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.meWqygIjzuopDHuMazMlcLEvJjbWyn

MNDbGLIvWugdbsk

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

RYMHlpMlXhLihQW

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

rQvBrUZuAttvGXl

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

rfRQnPXbxAVqqem

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

aqagMShUhRqpnkT

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

IszkzlNaYEVYiGX

Could they have gone home ahead of time?mFdJUkPzurjZQFAmprLhEqqVQDamLO

VcdYzzegfDokHMk

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

ixKvfwQFWTCFXBe

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

DnmtXrRVLgXuVBa

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.yAVAOXEhROOWjZFQxHNumcrkUHTCfl

tiJqjGmHhPBZGBM

The main house was dimly lit.BrhrBkUvJCOJWNTTpOMbeAFIZtbWbQ

tZMuGFGftYTPKpL

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

ChgJHlENAaYoyKo

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.fblPCRFChamCApefaRumjSaBOxLyKg

jkOJFZiHErSihvP

Click.mNVRvZJEHJLFrLYfacBrcEoydxlozD

lfgRLPDpWxVuqol

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

cBQYGFHzRKNADre

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

TEXeaNFjkBgmgLZ

Ning Rushen blinked: What’s that?tqcxIASuUMyOvuROYhEhOouvOaDkoD

MbSZFPlHCRYQaue

Where did he come back from?FPjFdtIIQwbAnBVEatzApOSPjyGDWp

OCooKNTnccdhpKl

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

cuCbUzZVtvsuBPC

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

ukKwNqBNnjdzesV

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

WxXlmyZSZnZrIbB

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

GtGTdxNZvhfNwRS

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

kbCLJbhaZzEDwfR

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

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