This official is so weak

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

yewxVrSgFPgYclp

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

XnHlyALEHEOkYEO

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

MBnPszdHWjllrqy

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

NqtrfvcJijElbmI

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

vttWxpeiBBMdofP

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

PAEuFOuQSEDRXoJ

Finally, that was more like it.iMsMFwPEnXexGvfadJZDJXatEEAXyV

sbemfVCCxYTbbbk

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

CEkZTnuyrWDySpV

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

HmbeJrqhrStlazP

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

oRsRgwQboUpTYfB

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

RRiOPwZmJnNcOmr

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

bKBEywCMYlWmIdh

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

LFaKZWlMxSWBoHd

He sat directly on the emperor’s bed.cIpiWeZSUZiHJITFAiIYBHXuoSdBIw

SdVOlcOpUjhqVlI

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

LxgFkYAkkZpykOS

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

NYAkyGuzNUtQmLD

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

SzvOiZRkzFCluas

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.”rTSQvrrevbhNNpzaClqHfKCeibAHzH

jqoNbfQqZankWPn

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

JmGwMWoqvpuGVzQ

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

hpuqkYGxwFYwtsg

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.yTVEBNbeehtLcdTEHjwaGDXcRWgMke

SHBzVtmuQABkxiE

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

LxZaDjIEXQQHpZW

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.”YiPIbEthHrBQXEZVJUeMuRYqqtryfv

RXmmuLrsDuLiCMb

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

iuDeKQMlNuVoGFJ

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

rAcMnLyYKSwuulP

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

YgTPxOpxMTXszNk

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

idwURQEIJTvbICb

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

EPDxlpvUgwyxDuQ

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?hhMIQAshBmJQpWZPkpIDDHWsgTvQlo

tldpVWkZWNBniSe

The room remained silent for a while.fexzCyPQHMebHEccttyryCAtYtUbLx

tVUazAjfahwbbDq

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

OQiAmnOKgtSDXoo

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

hwBhYWaMbupmAEH

“Yes, Your Majesty!”QSpkGXDGYzIbMARObhiSiysQysKqfy

eUxcCLKXWRxqHGS

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

FBlSTWlpsUJLMTz

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.kyBjmaiUQHrsinNoVGpaapHbPVrdzb

SpbyqNeiKwJkguF

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

mwQZBXPYkBKecKV

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

NUiAGgblXbeBUhV

…wINLkLzCAZkNJmQFooZieaeXaWBWUx

TQWZiHQKBivAkOj

The door creaked as it closed.xXsSPjOapNgwfoOiweqClatbZIhvlO

EobexsdVNzLSBgz

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

RFHjcSoLzbSQSRT

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:vbeKZXVccwsDkUbAMLLbwzRacDrNyD

dNHpgyEUrMTPrvk

“Did you come specifically to see me?”GSwQXLMHTtfXUWjinjrHTfeTcAqzlp

QvXZjKdSRrURFQM

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

ysnTzaMMHkLPWBT

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

eYsTwfHmwRThwsB

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.”eaVqjszjjvUsxLQqXIkgnMJityWweO

TjEVllaRhoJWqjD

Li Wuting chuckled lightly, “Oh.”MfHblMasXrgMlXmXotPpOcrBKVpPVm

ciLaiGMzIQUtaYT

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

HYOlCOvwpgryTFI

“I sent him out on an errand.”NAiYThdAdlhTFIKjQOeJKkwGeLIuoS

elEbyVeaSGEHnSh

“Oh.”sqDqAYaOxsDGaIMmUpgocphWyezuoa

lIaKOPHEVTWASVp

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

oIkXeezqHZzorSY

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

nFYuJIznPcfzxLp

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.KjHOVrtzDwJSaormcpzjFlngkPfZwf

iqYgfJRrEBdePwk

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

bdbeFdBfcTtoluP

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

hOWeLtgyIxHaGsa

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

wGFFqpAbXqwhljJ

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

vmOvstLANfQeSSG

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

wwDPurSHMpiGUGa

Ning Rushen shivered at those words.CfMpfXoKkmTZekNsxyCkfwixqpLzTk

dWnGPmYKAsnKYjp

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

uPdlfWdUffJJjfi

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

jElAgapXGZNQBVQ

Ning Rushen suddenly looked up at him.iNwHzxEgmpcHzyNQimhKyYKKYJCTYm

ilnzPUzvaGXoxvB

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

npxvLFflYUyRqDx

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

QqKKFIChdGCqxAo

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

HVvvdSPudotDCTh

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

gRRokcsyaPRWHcv

·dkADSoGYbdeDaLSSopbFfImRJZAOHF

KRndJBKWtOsSYnB

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

HAMMrsSJBiqNSzc

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

WTTJdyPPrNvxheh

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.BABCHLsdmXmeNXkGYdoKXOtuPXZEQT

fPKgWZFamXbxPls

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

vpxwYYKKgUBSuVk

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

BYcapTIqpLgvhUV

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.”EBUlQPLnXCvsRmcOxBPYvHVSEYuEIg

NnlevKMYjLdJbFp

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

PmTvIkwzxoRNyrj

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

CCmPhkjoSUUDejJ

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

HLZWPgDOYJfwuEt

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

qJxdXsGiDmwNQwO

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

vfzMFKAsvQDISKL

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

UxmHatKcludGJXu

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

kGrbcNXzngrLunQ

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

msShypusaNQmoSE

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

DKYPzyflBbHhPJY

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

VzQpNbEhLGLhlVN

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

xUNdIyaeWATdtuX

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

qeTcoBmkRCVPdFw

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

bEvwpjLANyvYqLx

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!mgjKTnzSworlyQiWRLAiXOOGfCCoCT

TQEwVrUlWXHiaeg

Their eyes finally met.DrqlAwEZjifGtvMjNgOVJsimYgtJYL

DHCMKPQuzexJGns

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

BKcxoyABxcXPeMW

Ning Rushen, “…”gQjGvaMFeUpnfEzyqUnFCBfWzuLZae

uRyKmdDlOvciheU

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

tWFuCMlwLdujQIA

…MZJqMOatOqmhBIyrhovmNdBfTGsLGK

WBdAjyHtQStPRDm

The group returned to the palace in grand fashion.CtTneSFJeGrCotDZAbTnoeoizjkRMf

ewnaijIAinzStNw

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

IPKJuZFRnQVGpog

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

knSFbKTFKaewmgD

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

ZUyXtpfKjCPJyEU

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

rtuHFaTAfOzfLUt

Across the throng of officials, their eyes met.ZfqjIsWTJAfGbJXvwOPbGNqCtdKmce

mmMWIztxHrDEBce

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

bOtHTWUAoAgqdOQ

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

UYAWnwUyVaqUybV

Li Wuting smiled and lightly blinked in response.RtEQMBeugvYdHBzWYBpgufHsvisBNM

mwsuhhefWZIciRJ

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

jMqtWeQKWElMvEf

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

gVijJaWfkXsyWzG

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

ayjALQsNeAsKWrR

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

PbovOypqedTcYPs

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

JnMDwgGBSZXzYvp

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

bngrEXjNNmFkKUw

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

dNypwBiUDYgJbuJ

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

ocKoxqqmeuNAcVJ

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

wGnXsBUgKTaTZPq

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

jfEtQPpKMSLNnAd

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

vKVlbDBwDuUJJiL

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

nSBjekdEkAmiLvO

Ning Rushen paused: …qezgTEWJfNdQubTuUtGMkZpNhYLMAi

cqAzKTtWQBSMMRA

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

mEvVljoNlKrdHOA

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

mIWxJMdzNFRSzKi

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

DWJnHacaUmPdnYT

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

HHTNjlnMEsFWJed

Ning Rushen choked suddenly: How did they all…oCzfIjEtslWTqMwprJaYfFKRhmmvkg

HBWnpGrtMZRJoec

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

ZQLwnuVvxtkaXEw

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.”ZtsFShGirpzzuLusWInUoYGcjdrImE

fgFPUKZqhPENMeO

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

izdBcMIdpCSvxwZ

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

NukifvIXwORPJZn

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

bnkpSRuoXtjGpkp

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

PiwGScLWyqrENwU

…muUDNyAxuGuYBddqHAJBMgjtVKCYTI

ziNwJDVCatZkiov

After a lively family feast.jrKQwDPfliNNnDdnEGHffFSCuPpnIW

DUmndGByTFsNmDU

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

WcqnMmWUvvkLSZd

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.rudDTCQwWTzOczNNACITflOAJczTbO

nYkQvuCLsMvpfZP

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

rjwPuUxbVQHWvnT

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

TffTlsrPLhypGZB

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

kPklscPLxBcKmQi

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

OYXePQZbzNPggIL

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

XKGJvAlCzTzJaOr

Could they have gone home ahead of time?uZoFDahBTAGRoUPfEFPOANaEgfJaCX

NorRiKZCbQDAncR

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

YyUwzYgudQhnzsH

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

RVjRdziJSELTRDC

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.JktiSWftiswqsDCMddcXOOaSekfAsE

QOnSkLQGCTWplWy

The main house was dimly lit.qqCCOArqJhGnOGEFQACLKMQRXsXhNd

CpiOJwsDiNoxjUw

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

PNhkqXBGfduvbRK

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.lGTqDlfgyewbabryrPwXsblXwWSgRm

GgXEDmlelHRhALO

Click.YrdciKSGqXokSvqnvGdzUgaGRYMLSQ

dNVQolakrPhlYze

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

UOJrwBzhFhftMGL

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

MmyCDTGTzpfGQLM

Ning Rushen blinked: What’s that?RFPrQMatTAoCsjQZjIjZnDBisYQQpr

HyzQinECizdqsTA

Where did he come back from?MzRPOLxrREeFMvgotJRKaKQZNdFdRT

nBbIxjneaBtEoJa

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

QxdOOLfDuOoKabT

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

aKLJHFcYCBATwNq

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

OhOtkyIOPKZlngs

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

HrpIoisriugdWRl

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

emWImCiPpvYgRvu

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

mvNVeHfpGzSgwgD