This official is so weak

He held the paper in stunned disbelief.sxBcGyBareRCyfgQcGEbDVbQmlYnTV

RNgXxqyKKlwyTkT

All his acting as a native of Yuchuan, all those elaborate schemes he had concocted… had they all been for nothing?AZChwqpLqtfCPbkNsAFCmnQNGeeWbZ

EIruhLDHigQJDAW

Did Li Wuting already know?wpweknLRfEqDOtSypHGEiLOQKKphnx

aNQqlqJabxifCbU

Had he just been watching silently, allowing him to play out his charade?BVAbYiuUKTBONoetiEABuexDhiIgDY

vUoGVCsxOFapaVp

But wouldn’t he find it strange that he had mistaken his own family? Ning Ruchen pressed his forehead, trying to calm himself: Or perhaps Li Wuting had also misremembered…BYkmSXKJGaGbfelWkAALyQAEWKljhS

kILtAaIwqLGvZqR

If that was the case, then he hadn’t completely lost face.biRlsecMkwDtTyfGqaQGTEbsQsANNB

rPymasoBioWyYtw

His expression fluctuated dramatically.gssISXTJMCxsyslvbrnMUJGcyDDrYR

QFHYuPVgMvvDZLy

Yan Min couldn’t help but peek, “What’s wrong, sir? Is there something off about the ancestral records?”tsoKNMKtCtYThAPzZYCXjNnxzkabBj

uerIsmGVeabutiK

Ning Ruchen shook his head, “Nothing’s wrong. It’s me who’s wrong.”UqrNMyxpPzmMGkUQCzWcKjIwdUymQu

DHpgtMRAdPzyAfR

Yan Min: Huh???bQjOKtRbeXBhzJCcQBuxdHikSoziYr

JaPhXDNGEZqbnbl

He waved his hand and took a deep breath, “Never mind.”xoXRHCpZPOAmKnTdSQZdIslqGifDmG

qeHrzXwiWiBedFk

He had been careless. If it weren’t for Li Wuting asking him to bring his household register this time, he wouldn’t have known that the Great Cheng Dynasty even had something like a “household registration.”aECwUqhSTHIRBLbTEcGGDwHIpXhctj

pqRMBlDconqVNND

What a slip-up… and it happened right at the first step!RPdxQuzHdRTRfxfPbCwBiyTtrttapA

mlKOmTaurRYpVQT

Ning Ruchen put away the register, thinking that it would eventually be presented to Li Wuting anyway, so he might as well calm down:EXCPKemzaAPTmyGHrnOiIwhpUXhFse

YRRByuvzgtxFEbC

Let it be for now.eFZdRjcxPgFIDNyERtwgEGUTJqlDjD

RrIOzuOgQuVZwtG

He needed to take a breather and figure out how to explain himself.iIGyKXuuqxOEtVUZuILoAPjhVaGpYs

LCufiHzGhkwIlNi

If he were to come clean, would Li Wuting understand something like “time travel”? Would he accept it?WvbatxgWffDvCzNcHhXIrSRgEaSFzw

EQbUSljyidgdzLb

…TAVymwkrxrfEbROyaOjIllKdLtsoAp

ltpXkRDVbWAEOaT

Ning Ruchen spent two days in anxious tension.aPOvvFnzPrIUCMPBTDJiNHXgTUYoOx

EMwhCuQVIsjFpWa

During those two days, as Geng Yan put it, “Why does your hair look like it’s standing on end?”WaJgzKYTnvCltGQfwYsrnxPsNheEVB

kmgUBTrWmSkwqxY

Ning Ruchen shook his head, not wanting to elaborate, “Less talk, less action.”cDHsMlobSpwYHnhKBVEvWKjVfMlhKy

dUEgQuKBXmaFfVV

Geng Yan: ???HUjPwKQcftaUDZpgkzHvHmoGXeiTbU

AjtUXhhRapypexy

Just like that, two days passed, and it was soon the day of rest.TmdOaotHnnPTKgXUpxaltDlVBbisiF

pZZQmSriMVIKNBf

Early in the morning, the imperial carriage arrived outside the Ning residence.MBhnJvIJWUESXmKwDfHGswNOAaiAMV

IJWACOjfyCiexck

Ning Ruchen stepped out of the house and was greeted by De Quan’s head popping out, dressed in casual clothes:wkGusZecZcoHpGIZLktXfOAKNIThmq

OLcnGbwKGFyYFOJ

“Master Ning, come on up~”VEkesybHUfbwfEwApqXrmWiBTwUScg

fXjPaSDrdvJSPPX

He took a deep breath and climbed into the carriage.xCOUQkFqkegaFwohZCSvXdoPPeqWSu

CznbuYGmnwvYeJp

Inside, Li Wuting was dressed in a deep green casual robe, making him look as elegant as bamboo. Beside him was a familiar golden nest, “Here.”QwiippBXDVdyiTdWsCnldjMPzcXVjp

PTZANscUQGYFacl

Ning Ruchen’s heart skipped a beat as he snuggled closer, murmuring, “Mm.”LQZfFBlEYikdnMvMGjssDIJYEWESQi

YvMKpfcFmeWvelf

“Did you sleep well?”AXPpLrmytzgvLkxaJyClwMpwDFrGNe

vfSapVcSnyPaEfX

“Not bad.” After all, his days felt like they were spent in a dream.XEuJBBZRgrLexczRTZQsQMKnxMMMQj

ydxwsUVswYvPqnY

The person beside him asked again, “Did you bring the household register?”JUGOHUyQxbJhwJMJPOfEVfmGUliLTK

BwzXpPIfldmpOMa

Ning Ruchen opened his eyes, thinking about the uncertain status of his alter ego, and nodded, “Yes.”CHLhiXQhbpAxpGjgrrbxoSOOklYanW

ItDRhjqxgONczPL

Li Wuting then gave an order outside.IfbPQFheCkyIcXNwYogZFqcpRyjyhM

ThtNJxnxmIJDRbY

The carriage moved, heading towards Shaoguang Mountain.AUrVFoHVxHflYayDahPRuPCsTZvUhR

HIyKBxeSpErkYzD

Shaojue Temple was located halfway up Shaoguang Mountain.NTtUIvMPOLTBetTLYPkZYYgcMpTRXb

eQlZmFFrpjchMFl

The last time he came, the mountain was lush with greenery; now it was covered in golden hues, dotted with fiery red maples.AIdBNNYgLvvBAehmWgJYQJvvoXvDPC

SLTWggHxYBoiYLP

The golden-red temple was hidden among the clouds and treetops.DCNfkKglaKmdixATVdnrmcCyXqQNLS

gPXnrSrDqRVjois

Ning Ruchen and Li Wuting entered the temple, where Master Jingxi seemed to have been expecting them:QBTYKgNoXFTTHrpizJuKUGjCAnuOkH

EjooTvVjoTctRVP

“Your Majesty, Master Ning, please follow me.”tdvThtowvMoPoxPNaVTbtxzJmgkGFM

fZQGPbemZSCRUNM

He waved his sleeve and led them towards the mountain courtyard behind the main hall.riggiVLuMXUYMFhBBpDattTtegikuN

kJMXvIwRcgJaIeA

Ning Ruchen thought, “Still as mysterious as ever,” and followed him.FsCEWNDFbipxQrLCdpPBIGWBGyUOpd

MZhcMfsWJKgTGtv

The path inward looked familiar.NNghXToYAaPLglZGUsHmfysKbWhpOw

lOHqCUupVgpgzBW

When he saw the tall bodhi tree ahead, he remembered this was the courtyard where he had met Jingxi last time.aWsVDKhOzGUqagrOiKezmLFJwhraoe

ydTVyMXOPEbsCOW

Jingxi led them to the gate of the neighboring courtyard and smiled, “Your Majesty, please come with me first.”esQwbGavHWUNhHOLRKsDpPpuYrCqhU

ObcRcNVVUCwsKAQ

Ning Ruchen glanced over, “Then I’ll take a stroll elsewhere.”cgerLKAklytTSIEJUBKNvJtwPeibCG

TNBoHCMxWjlMpCl

Li Wuting thought for a moment, “If anything happens, come find me directly.”XfCdFmxnOQWJzAkhKnozTJtXefjEAQ

krHkTYXPLlmBdcW

Ning Ruchen nodded, and Li Wuting followed Jingxi into the meditation hall in the courtyard.UDZFYERvIOKIqRimBfEOmmZFBxREVh

oBrPTzfKCHEpExt

·OCQIbtFVKamIDVPQAHghNVUmnoZeOO

lcXckinGzoEkPfK

De Quan and the accompanying guards waited outside the courtyard.nDTxRiOmHYRJJcTvlNRiSJZANaFFTC

iZDuDrBjsMWnkbY

Ning Ruchen wandered into the neighboring courtyard.DRYtbcQsKxcsnaDVxlCLQavpvIdVSp

vZbtigXRiGMKDaI

The thousand-year-old bodhi tree stood tall and lush, with red prayer ribbons fluttering in the mountain breeze.FbAqiXltXGvDGWZxtHNPSnwXXOhqaa

LfAZCyYVHqGTRkC

As he stood there, sleeves tucked in, a childish voice suddenly spoke:DhgaAqKHdHryNUtlxFlbyWwKNtdJVo

vvfczybwabhSycY

“If you wish to make a wish, you should do it soon.”FEiwUtqauDzhwaPcspoMapyBJNbmbW

mpFpQLXewLNdQSw

Ning Ruchen turned to see a young monk holding a large broom, sweeping the courtyard. He asked curiously, “Why?”ZybvzbwKYGkOaQVMoHHKrCuDppRGDx

SuOBvyppLaqIzFz

“Master Jingxi said this bodhi tree is nearing the end of its life. It won’t last until the end of the year.”gAlPgSnuzEIIwPSNfkPIuTNrNbpqMA

uFPIWAgbutEVexk

The tree looked so vibrant; how could it be nearing the end?KaLwMXXKIHnbbAFgSbMsuoFnQaVTQD

rCqAHmfDIZqgenO

Ning Ruchen looked puzzled, and the young monk smiled, “Everything has its time, Amitabha~”NPeCJorzbDwAulsZsxjImWymthrIud

vmJkQtVTPYBSNyS

He hummed thoughtfully, then suddenly remembered, pulling out a bodhi seed from his belt, “Is this a seed from this bodhi tree?”VQJzDstAzbPNJGdWMdeCjOEDcRtVve

qBfqleDCTHZUlwq

There are many types of bodhi seeds, and the young monk glanced at it, “Ah, yes. You should keep it safe.”GVCZkCzKrKjRWSWLuUfTLNssHPcWlq

ZqodmByMZYLCuFR

Ning Ruchen looked at him mysteriously, “Does it…”NRSmflZdsZwkJbulMarKrGFnXKyrhR

GSJNzNEhYubOwff

The young monk, “When the bodhi tree is gone, this will become a rare item. It will be quite valuable… in merit.”VfWFkabNahCiOdwEWYtDuLtQbVZrTu

xJspSOkwLKbScOp

“…” So it’s about value appreciation!QaOSCDZmUVJNgnMiJPPJWDOLxekzsk

BYhrxjVTJchJaJb

Ning Ruchen looked at the little light bulb before him: Truly a disciple of Master Jingxi, with the same business acumen as his master.lRKUzCCJjtnvYwoOimxBmRCixvcxEi

UTwcvYSxHGznWev

He chatted with the young monk for a while.TfngqBmLcJeioRUpfwrNRnbXJMmrnn

TlvWWhDLPztMCcX

Seeing that Li Wuting hadn’t come out yet, he glanced towards the neighboring courtyard.YXybfUtkTvzwhHKEjQYPpxyWQMTXtQ

GGFUEIgCjutqTfY

The young monk pointed, “If you want to go over, it’s closer if you go through the back.”VDtWxPjXTgteHfOGzFVHOBpRSocHEW

ROxdykvIakGcTAA

There’s a shortcut at the back?doPheLjwjnFNIvBLZdpzwNCwnqnqLQ

MMTNOFWVFnOOpTj

Ning Ruchen thanked him and made his way through: Let’s see what’s going on.cFymUNCFEHdhtRhpsPOerYdkgmQDmn

NXZiAELhHYalEtw

·HeDGplpHUAijiMgkKwTHQgFrDEOUUl

iNISRljWSfifrvw

In the meditation hall, the incense burner emitted white smoke.AQBsqKHIKoPEyqORvYdMKUZDhBkfbZ

WUVcZlVFEioYBkR

Li Wuting sat across from Jingxi, with a white porcelain vase placed in front of the gray wall, its leaves vibrant and green.YmYXtkqgLEWQxYEfhHmyYybEyqOrwr

cfhYJbMGLpgMxTP

“Regarding what Your Majesty mentioned…”fRVQyMatgMiXylSuymMxolMtTfoiGp

RzZatNYlOpQNpif

“In half a month, it will be the New Year,” Li Wuting said, “At that time, all you need to do is write a note: stating that I have no wife or heirs, in exchange for the Great Cheng’s lasting prosperity and eternal flourishing.”SAabwZybhtpnaGRiYtDrcQKcfQsCEu

kXDBQdQyEojrJLl

“Amitabha, monks do not lie.”prISbypGtIdbxoLTbubKjytsBALxIF

UUlnUEjOpJDJhJp

Li Wuting looked at him, lips tightening.DiQnsdVvsDuzuuPluobewpExNPwfUV

cVRcRyINhEBoaxv

Jingxi clasped his hands together, “But there can be flexibility.”MCanjqRUwfzdrWrdsOwqsLFJyAkAse

ZVsTLsbzCjCZxEV

“…”rDDuIJanfUyaXSZjYgWMkCccayZLWP

MPHfJiQPLZClYcy

Just as Li Wuting relaxed his brow, he heard Jingxi say:GyMCLEpwtXtzKbZVSBEVzKNUjUEUMb

WwMfXmHBvMHJEbq

“However, has Your Majesty truly thought this through?”THRKOYIgEsCoQyNAjqCzbqgRBUmqYb

NTFIvlPCltFxtBr

He looked at Jingxi, who reminded him, “Once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. This statement leaves no room for reconsideration. Though Your Majesty has no wife or heirs, it does not mean there is no place for someone by your side.”TiouhJLFOzsJFMAPDKGtynIBmHXvLj

CJVatOKesvBUTRR

Li Wuting spoke, “I don’t want anyone else.”OtELiPefCBSbBuMyCndeOvHDeWNNZs

kbNtmsQgkyYoFqv

Jingxi looked at him quietly, smiling, “Your Majesty knows he is not from this world. What if one day he leaves…”bdOigwqgWJTXJbREeQzpvHkwVNLqCS

awnxqQzmQMWoTge

The meditation hall fell silent.vhpyjmHXdZMsnIQPPllxHQpUSreuZX

UtMlTlscDzebWsp

Outside the door, Ning Ruchen’s hand, raised halfway, froze in place. The faint sounds collided in his mind, like a thousand waves crashing against his heart!fIkVrxIWvaIMgjyDBzEQAzLnZKKcYC

ZIMYruCEseuerFY

Before he could react, he heard a firm:ORDTfxABeCowtpBsrvQePaNNbLRbxJ

BZNNQVPFMdQirzW

“I don’t want that either.”YjvJdKLMUlhdaLgLCGdMmPEgGHiizx

QXOpUIFQuNVHeDV

His fingers trembled, and his ears seemed to ring.hPcLDDpfRVmqTbXKNmsXGIpbEUQBpt

sKXiHNwaUxqpETq

Li Wuting’s voice was firm and resolute, and his vision was momentarily filled with countless streams of light—fmkXkMjSDxOvVBSHBvkSuyaxRoLCHi

APzFzLzhvntXLqA

So Li Wuting knew everything.DYrlAedoSiWHPtCrjwAYzNKgivnMsY

FzPTmLTXSIVeTMi

Knew he wasn’t the original person, knew he wasn’t from this world.jBxIqcRRSNTDeCmQpcHjfcusqSwmEX

JTczIqBDhsacHnQ

Scenes from the past suddenly flooded his mind.ShDeYmxrvrpirZaZdrekRHoTeupBTz

uyJivoigGcNBNqC

Among the countless things Li Wuting had said to him, a few lines suddenly became clear:qLeWGVfuTgxVDrfhDndpZVhEPjyYJn

dBqcrJWpUboUFDd

“Minister Ning, you always seem ready to leave.”myWYOpVZIwMNHkSKUGelisirkdWUbN

dLREkmZWSnaCIzx

“Don’t want to leave anymore?”nCITQvLOurPXNHaOUkhRogNaTLjgOr

fuVghVZWchMPpeN

“Still thinking of resigning, Minister Ning?”GTbHYuBhZIuusJRHvFxDLwoIwKjEWV

ffvUprrfEVMfTNd

“When I return victorious, would you stay by my side?”GWFONPEPSUKtcBVdEWCrvckcFkEJdV

pyLLhgixgLLmeBw

“I will give you the best Great Cheng.”BtPwsyXnhTErhPHHPUQLRnqybEaUVj

iSDlEXdVYrQPjzv

Ning Ruchen’s heart suddenly stirred, and a tear fell from his eyelashes.mXNtqYBqtGdMOcCEsiePFlIOqBxkeZ

ftEoQjWOXBYuwkI

·kfNBIWbLIseMkjFWXSpKChctphmmYM

zqDJRFAZhvbChPC

In the neighboring courtyard.mpKboLFrUlUhYcRFXqlSTxAMYGLIHy

NtjnzQTiadRPOfI

Ning Ruchen sat back down on the steps under the bodhi tree.myiQQiWhhEFcKOBniHlerSjSYRPmaQ

CjLiiNJNyWkLgmp

His mind kept replaying the words he had just heard, and he remembered all the kindness Li Wuting had shown him. Every bit, every detail, all so subtle.YwxNGFwErwwEdTrGKbjeEEYHUTEOUj

LhadchNajQOJIky

He had done everything, yet said nothing.JmsiRkuiufuZYGeXvppouYbFoGiZtG

uyEWuhBWCUbfeXs

He recalled what Prince Xuan had said: Li Wuting always bears everything himself.DqAtAPgPZFVGeWbgxExDKECMsbkGnI

FUtUpQYneTmnBeD

Li Wuting had no wife or heirs, and wanted no one else.VxvvxjaGwIPwDmRRRQdEoKYmcpnBlb

UHPUoZUzEPTUIpj

So resolutely, silently choosing only him, what if in the end even he was gone…bKGcDxbZPEjDqZDgWcGBdqinuytGDs

DaMuBqRSBzkrIoa

Wouldn’t Li Wuting be left all alone?mLmcdkExfewhVuKtUMGVgWhZhPyKfC

aokzcbdwcgcqkoA

As he thought, his mind conjured an image of Li Wuting in his later years, standing high and looking into the distance, alone in the sunset, his long white hair blowing in the evening breeze…hRVSBdeEsdvlAWXMcDxDqFQtoXSqUz

bXiyWhcMMDJIiIh

He felt a pang of heartache, and tears threatened to fall again.OhStMVTpKdaBzHGLfmYBNJQHcywZZK

JfhksixnsKwYcst

Just then, he heard movement outside the courtyard.nYvGgCErSkdYJxKMzkVhXpLAtvlpEh

kSLYIjFxdhvukVI

Ning Ruchen quickly wiped away his tears as Li Wuting walked up to him.cLdhienVwumhAmbkprRvoNAFXWyuWL

iciiBdXHNBoXoMn

He turned, the image still lingering.dTehyjlZjSjWuRMnsCxUiCZerHtHiQ

WQmealhYpUSyQNa

Li Wuting’s gaze fell on him, pausing for a moment, “…What were you thinking? It feels like I just saw my entire life in your eyes.”FCpbviXyBlSIxBHriMWqZXGehihMsX

pEZvDrGlMPsIDqx

“…” Ning Ruchen quickly blinked, “Nothing.”RTWwyOrvgiXbzetLIwyEdrGSgtAGGP

vJBrolPmJDLhdjR

Li Wuting was silent for a moment, then brushed his slightly reddened eye, “Were you crying?”QCBMvHvPzSQxWwbTOzCnsMzWfCjUZF

YeHfBkXRDWhIsJe

The emotions Ning Ruchen had just suppressed surged up again, and he buried his face in Li Wuting’s chest, hiding his expression:xWnuTNxLzfvwceNnFqsNVTlRjlgvCi

gPYeUbNfYCypJWD

“One moment and twenty-five breaths without seeing Your Majesty, I missed him!”xGcHshKIWUIIxFArTaqUGOfuXpYSPt

JeuVVDmoyJdLxkA

The chest before him rose and fell, as if laughing.QMDoWGpwkBbkRYGiZKcTpMJpAdArHE

vxSFdoYfbBPLAzP

Li Wuting’s mood brightened, and he pinched Ning Ruchen’s neck affectionately, “Getting clingy, I like it.”oPIAUolmBUyFuoAuAOTFQQGAUSbhBs

UyFKiGQJsTaVDNJ

Ning Ruchen thought about the words he had just heard, with a thousand things he wanted to say, brewing how to start explaining to Li Wuting, when he heard a voice from above:UOmwmZaJTzEewgCBVpTfuvFGVCAotC

RNmvmJYyLKrPbXL

“The back hall is ready, come with me to pay respects to my mother.”fVwaHBfAnqBZFjMKwfbGGUececNstT

iCVlOsCzcGCQwBd

His heart skipped a beat, and he raised his head, “Huh?”bgunMkvnjVkVQTwSthDeZZrsTgDbbt

txuwCFxMOkaNybx

…iswIZtunrydfWvZDtJPBCNsoEnyVRH

WoiAYbmaavhFTLt

It wasn’t the first time he had been to the hall of eternal lights.UANXaZzYjHlBKzGcRYRcEnKCKUnTAg

QvPGIcapbaVcvoo

The whole wall of eternal lights flickered, creating a solemn and sacred golden glow. The eternal light of Empress Xian had already been placed on the altar, with a red cloth in front.aKVjjhvimhbbHPrilqtXrSsvdnHAVl

AghKoSmqSfkHyBv

Ning Ruchen followed Li Wuting to the altar.sxLJmQgjqIImWfacloSEBlvEFAdNvb

TbbTMXImUBsaRun

Looking at Empress Xian’s quietly burning eternal light, he felt a bit nervous and uneasy.gsTymVdhdJxobFWeuBOSfxQmKQTdjq

oKRpDVxoKBZJBlD

Li Wuting spoke softly, “The household register.”sSFNqHPCSJRQGUoGavBZvVxeoyapgr

XKjgzKdCOwgwuWO

Ning Ruchen snapped back to attention and handed the household register to Li Wuting.mijjpoNgaPUzBnMcuksiJjiwXZUsgd

JClbjfGrpseDbsI

Li Wuting flipped through it, not saying anything, but couldn’t help but smile when he saw the ancestral records.uGMDwtsVoAVNRxkYsWvsjTjcgfApLE

uHMXPFmvbhxNNRq

Ning Ruchen, “…”dakCOXbSSBSFvitlqJrwlUtpAPeJuP

XqjlkqTtPiROuAS

Then he picked up a brush and added two characters: Ruchen.FTDkdlVIOqjhxxWbJkmnKLhNWsKaMI

AvZANrRBsaRbOLK

After writing, Li Wuting placed the register in front of the eternal light, his expression serious as he focused on the candle flame:VdvMgyGRsUlAHqAvFptztsEDcfTWaJ

FJDxJQIvKPzuqtT

“Mother, I’ve brought someone to see you.”kEtHuuDlZgtUKKGWcgqZyDImWflREA

xNVwKyXxgQZstdU

Ning Ruchen’s heart pounded as he looked at Li Wuting.BgLkqSdVnMHnkxHNRisyqYcToOAyIU

mznmPipNrQCuyae

The other’s profile was calm, and he said nothing more. A simple statement, placing him in a comfortable and secure position, while bearing the profound significance behind it all.hrELtdCWXFtUafaExpxObVVqWuxfkw

mmeYnSVTPtYTpIE

But Li Wuting knew everything.TgirMvragAGScsSOIrLhEPMaYEweOi

uNAtbeinIhugZZn

And he had always been afraid he would leave.NTWvXljvnUaiBUCoqUTTbiFBQWmQxc

UCuejCDbLiyvKIw

Why didn’t he try to be a bit cunning at this moment?eizUEghKJEbgwbZlSgLznGQtWRuzBJ

oTNUMmrAEpYfSiP

Ning Ruchen’s eyes grew hot again.YHSXPVMcQoKLbryBvxHeggaWlGewmW

XcIqbdrAjCuFIyt

After Li Wuting finished paying respects, he turned and urged softly, “Come and greet her.”xqcdwzPFsyojeKxxaHFGlCEGoxzkoX

FtRWeLqbhaFXdxf

He took a deep breath, looking at the eternal light that seemed to have a spirit, and solemnly bowed:IywZmYYyzTsACCBOsssRZKDvldLWmm

CWAEIvvgBgdZsAy

“Your subject, Ning Ruchen, pays respects to Empress Xian—”uIUwsYXfPNtPArxmFWlvfcsgLPUuyz

OIhuEfNsiQExegC

“Please rest assured, Empress, I will always stay by His Majesty’s side.”qhbxyNuViARXNTQVAAFbihNenpqLvW

yVPukNdVUVCdZFM

Li Wuting seemed to be struck, his eyes widening as he looked at him!xluwpkXRrhLBvfsDzhNkiiCPrsxXNc

eBgHZCXRrBkWImi

He reached out and grabbed Ning Ruchen’s wrist, as if trying to stop him, but couldn’t bear to, unable to speak.mJVVTKEnsDHIjTWUppfLRDULkZrPwr

FpqeXESgpOYeIZa

Words stuck in his throat, his fingers tightening until they trembled.BBFStHLQzZDKNxPddHYnIenSMPCGri

qtTRCopUnOQrMOI

Ning Ruchen exhaled and bowed again, then turned to look at Li Wuting. Their eyes met, his still red, wondering what Li Wuting would think.thxyXZzjROwGumVxhhSmPitnrNimKm

RwsrYTlXSGkmEJR

Would he understand what he meant?BmFOGhdWcRWYCvjUxPoRTvWmZJLiMc

ckPedgfdReYNdOl

After a moment, the hand holding his slid down, intertwining their fingers.duqEfXFbIjJdKgClQVPqJpnsbhFxmz

cqMrMoRDJkCZGCJ

Li Wuting’s throat moved, and he gave him a deep look, then tightly held his hand as they bowed together to Empress Xian’s eternal light.QqjEbMwAHLzUgEDeffuGYUWuBrJpTD

YhpfjfQsxXCHyTC

·usLqHUhIkSNoGRtZhTvsYvDWRZvrwe

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Leaving the hall.jFzFANJlPGKCUyeaKjLyOuwWiKAPRE

LQvvyZlwULzJJGo

Ning Ruchen immediately saw Jingxi standing far away, seemingly with something to say to him.zhHYdyCgMOUbMeBJXybtzULyejRIIE

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Their hands were still tightly clasped at their sides.KIpysttsPQkkUmxQzfUMSQfaPRvSYG

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Li Wuting turned, seeming relaxed, “Go on.”RRpmIFQgmhHzIcRxNHOhOVVWmpkfYM

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“…” Ning Ruchen glanced at the dragon claw that showed no intention of letting him go, squeezed it, and said, “Your Majesty, come with me.”zGLjpLinLhIOxgzjDBvzPSarBLQmYZ

fiJQgVPwaQKuemE

Li Wuting’s brow relaxed slightly, amused, “Nonsense.”fRgvDFlCfMiuGQrcWBAWprwGqaiiBm

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Then he let go of his hand.gOPgcqiEnfCmCLpxNwihRdoqqCGOBf

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Ning Ruchen looked at his expression, reached out to hold his hand again, with a comforting touch:TApXealxEUGfEvdoHpOcmNMgGlpcir

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“Your Majesty, wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”XiIwpykavOpFhZZPWylRvlhhzStVpm

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“Alright.”aaHgpZMQttGYBOccQNeWbpKHENLfWb

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Ning Ruchen then turned and headed towards Jingxi.INxMswhGMoMhmOqBIvMlrzyuUfeois

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…rxllqczwOmTbhvzXbpMSpxMZTmfuOF

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He followed Jingxi to a quiet viewing platform.EYKwOoyXlhBmyWuVZPozpxkdPJRDZz

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It was secluded, with golden leaves and red maples lining the edges, autumn leaves rustling, half-covering the distant imperial palace.JiQbBVZozpGoPMazOlmcjRRyLjfsoF

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Ning Ruchen looked at Jingxi’s face, recalling the conversation he had overheard, and was about to speak when Jingxi said:HybhHhbiccZbtrzwMFCKAyfbnyytSO

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“You’ve already heard everything.”VzVIgCyXbJnLQaQfEKuORRhrzsewgj

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He sighed in his heart, thinking how divine the master truly was, “Yes.”rFAonPkDsCpjOQGdHwUuwRFiXnqyJt

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Jingxi smiled and asked the same question as last time, “Do you wish to return?”kaCfwASXWnFUfbQibIGEjFqtmIxcVl

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Yes. But, “Now I want to stay more.”OTYbOGvQNKNmczHsJIjKlyLZhXCJgZ

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Jingxi’s smile remained unchanged as he looked at him.iyMuZahRYfJuZoElosxLGhzVWSQujn

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Ning Ruchen took a deep breath, “I’ve already promised Empress Xian that I will always stay by His Majesty’s side. Besides…” He turned, looking out from the viewing platform halfway up the mountain, a small part of the capital spread out below him—oErXRARxzPWtVXCnGuQeXkoRQdxDtB

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This was the Great Cheng he had poured his heart into protecting and building.JncChuTfuXSWonlHZKcLQEvWfWhXPi

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The best Great Cheng that Li Wuting wanted to give him.nCymOwgRRQLwMTBCkvCuqUwgyOOwFL

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He had already put down roots here, he had a home here.OTyguofbOoZMmAvKbwsqAXQssvsJhs

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As he thought, his mind conjured the image of Li Wuting’s two firm statements: “I don’t want anyone else.” His heart surged, and he said without hesitation once again:qrPwblSERuwWVmcYmqEhGVeebecgat

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“I want to stay.”PycuiYFCXFKrSyPZGxCYIOCoWadigu

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The viewing platform was quiet for a moment, the wind passing through the golden leaves.DwpmcYeYTaCSBLjnSYfUNLRmbcuAgP

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Jingxi smiled serenely, “Good.”JGePvgcAesBqmvbLmsofNKykoZIDJi

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After speaking, Ning Ruchen suddenly became alert, “I won’t suddenly be sent away, will I?”vawNqrqBGilwCypqVWRiKptCcTSfxU

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“As I said, coming here is fate. As long as you don’t wish to leave, no one can sever this bond.”kkYiEjNRrKdGQXVXonPKislzcsdNiK

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He breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, “Thank you, Master.”ZlaaXXLqZjguCEojTxfgviLyCbLSne

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Seeing that Jingxi seemed to have nothing more to say, Ning Ruchen bid farewell and left.qNnlPStrntiyhqonnBpnioIrgYrZYy

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As his figure disappeared from the viewing platform.uvRkshkRJRLUviYSppgeyCICLVpBIK

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Jingxi looked up at the sky, raised his hand, and said, “Amitabha,” smiling softly to himself, “The time for your departure is still far off, and His Majesty is no longer the solitary dragon of doom…”lvtQDEvxTSMKWrThlglTVoojzOEuGz

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Behind him, beyond several golden-red halls.KTCJYeUrdQARQaWtZJfeaeUEHvKhlT

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The red ribbons among the thousand-year-old bodhi tree fluttered in the wind, like countless red threads. The temple bell echoed from the back mountain, carrying through the clouds and forests.ffGRDnAzgMcjOkBhbMHvDBoZsNJtOi

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“How rare…” Jingxi clasped his hands, “The prophecy has been broken.”CLJWEBMeRAHNxNqNWrlXcVJkmIVSgV

BzzwNlXsfzOjylh

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Leaving the viewing platform, Ning Ruchen ran back to find Li Wuting.miROmdHvfKZObBpwSfJFGOgapuOjvR

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When he reached the back hall, Li Wuting was still waiting there. Seeing him return, his lips tightened, his expression somewhat tense.GWDAuBMbJkLfagFdGmdPBkKcuEmcbp

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As if he wanted to ask something, but was holding back for his sake.LEZOVGIkrJbUmJYNWvYAkdazDXsqvo

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Ning Ruchen leaned back towards him, “Your Majesty.”tbsTDULgdyufGdLYJxgJUfkjeazcRD

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Li Wuting was silent for a moment, but couldn’t help hinting, “Mother… is understanding. If you have anything more to say, you can go and tell her again.”rKTMlNzWspzpQjLFyrrbatslZCQflR

pwINqOIkxFnZCbC

What, to take it back?dbOvNRESGlDFkZcxUUWBUJiplrGxvA

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Ning Ruchen said, “There’s nothing more to say.”ybWDYbBiEooleeTtlWEMfpgrloTdbb

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Li Wuting’s gaze burned, falling on him.liMytBQXeKeoGnqMzjgIyPHTBvHwfy

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Ning Ruchen gently hooked his hand, his eyes and ears hot as he turned away, “Your subject… I’ve already promised Mother, haven’t I?”itfdFLzOzTrRMPdYDBKKvMmeaJYudB

ikMOIHSlYXxIRjV