This official is so weak

He held the paper in stunned disbelief.LlSxDQDZRDVtorSChWislMxcYbGzzP

wuLnkjYzkwDywcg

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

VXqsEoqLXpNgGzF

Did Li Wuting already know?KwqKheHXMRjwnHPSuFFucKAdcgpKsL

jlAMGtjeuGprczC

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

CekFEtqYrhkBGrM

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…AcPnlJhJWmYZMtvWhEghRUWsVEdDFe

mtiDUtmKAcbnlUb

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

cowqqTzXJMsXPGP

His expression fluctuated dramatically.yscgvvAkwShbgjjZuswClNGzUZusPp

gSDljZlpUJrtptH

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

gUlFnuqqZIeaQYK

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

skiySfFOjZpkyjV

Yan Min: Huh???LRKZshKpBPBDBPjChARyqtHBuSzheo

SDGXlThvpWBChea

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

toftIgLDTGqprjY

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.”ZYaMZFMRkvFdYNuTBkKwUdRnbzNWSk

JrrzgtLzZxvzXPn

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

ysWljClSGWlHczw

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

LMoaIetHgHiEdSF

Let it be for now.jDoXvqoFkjtRqaCbSmkqYJXNjQBeTL

WnjiixNJuuZHwED

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

MQQZUPVQKIiwWcK

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

cwbdmrucmAKrpae

…ffjcLHblPKgyoGJmCLLaueljzvbxZz

KyyuboQQnHboUoR

Ning Ruchen spent two days in anxious tension.aNBtOHWyFskwGfUKlhXIkROJzAjhxV

velnpjjzLOFoeek

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

aJrvUBfKQdStwjY

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

KQBrxsRcovnIOVi

Geng Yan: ???xjzXbaNAtBoMZfMSjZvLmWgePikICt

mRGqfBwyQtgbRSd

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

zmuwtWYZdKgUwZd

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

VeBtJvtMcgGvVCE

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

WPQaqwhdqdYXwFO

“Master Ning, come on up~”AHrugpFgjCUnXttsRtIqZUiSGfPJby

THwlEWwUiITosrS

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

vKvhKivCNEEBEIA

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.”fQMKqjjdjYKqzgjTJuLueGvbfpWJdQ

EDCRrmchkPyQvko

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

HODVPqQUHWsnnwZ

“Did you sleep well?”XVUDcpWeFqVsJfrOEskuyNBUMfKZkc

iArLCutGqLqPKmZ

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

PeRrbATaBqUsEJZ

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

BCTSOULQAJDuUcw

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

cnsqvRZTuUiGxfS

Li Wuting then gave an order outside.RYVavLZGBBMCgXuaFRtbhwYrJbbWEf

vqjdYVwcbrXCJbi

The carriage moved, heading towards Shaoguang Mountain.GIzGRFrHYjiUYzDNFHvYcRhHFEbBXk

SNOTBSyDKDlfTWu

Shaojue Temple was located halfway up Shaoguang Mountain.FqBipoIWlYvPoVhqeovldUEuZcFsiX

UtVwVYWRzIOeltR

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

UCzFWtHtSNqSyYC

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

KEfqHlSbEXjKFwY

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

vKzElmearTmabGO

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

MCTNOIaAIklyvLu

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

PzZVspyjDOfzKnR

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

qKOwFjKLobRXEQf

The path inward looked familiar.NXveCvRzxxGpFAdDoMUPZZacBNJIGl

EYogvKCWnRmhxYi

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

mPwxHChWfbGykgn

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

PiufAYUcyHvDbKJ

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

AIedEkMrZRYjGKC

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

KtynbeMQLNMcPHO

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

UhtFynmEMQwSwic

·gkSRbXFsnhYFiVKPyUqXlzrqRwRxzd

jrabKPoilLGTjDQ

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

PkSuzGoMXubsOIj

Ning Ruchen wandered into the neighboring courtyard.hoGNsWuooOjTIKmAXnprlWLioFiqDr

HgInPzvwcjeHLEn

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

VNLAhHRYIGMkngg

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

pFaZpHtRYOZSpAM

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

viCZxoSxqUnmUnC

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

pdOBpJSjKxfTAIg

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

MibDyJZInUNEIoC

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

tDHSzqmhMpTzGvs

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

KBhEdHAbJkFeunh

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

zODUcefZnVWcDXO

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

wdlYpGgtGvtjWEu

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

HEUkbjDjRtiMpsA

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

JumixbHZhlwEvmy

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

glwCIfjIvbWHjNI

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

kyaWnqlcsjtvLnf

He chatted with the young monk for a while.wbpSPFbiQglxKqzEPHPQjRDGWUpREm

rmKEtslSXuSICTr

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

VheBoSJvDARScwS

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

cOKTpZtkYIDgjPw

There’s a shortcut at the back?BnCdUnxeQpboHsSPebDjKrVMAzjhhT

MvvzMqnUUGjyJBJ

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

EpAdSNKEegbjCgW

·zagcRYrmYTPvNCVwDVxHYCDGndLEiq

sXCoPNtNzpHvbOo

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

dmDmpfHDqnSNLDT

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

umxTMQNRdieeLZs

“Regarding what Your Majesty mentioned…”IwvXbpUdsqpyeRjhvXdMSbXmGQWRex

snsgeYaiaAcVezE

“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.”EUuuxRZkzdHEYMzHuoSyVVZnjVbRuN

wXRNZbMyjENHfdi

“Amitabha, monks do not lie.”tidJrIUBVXtJFKdkUWnynHhKBdBAgb

pfvQLvUqQJzxmmN

Li Wuting looked at him, lips tightening.KOOeDdlKQkTzYTqmaleSMNZtAwwMya

vuzisuPNPyOZcqq

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

qLCiKZwXrSDLLlJ

“…”rLZtpkVFdlRrajghgfrexfBuXmeGIW

DpKPLpwtVwSfOIn

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

BqcrGTySTREeGFH

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

UWIumXgDMguNpiy

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.”gEjLSjSNXaOGgBkTctmhelqkneEkAr

DCmdqOepubiPNlD

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

iUWUvBUkzyMYTsr

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

aQhtroqIKwWcKaS

The meditation hall fell silent.SrEUSQklBiJuRqenOweuojCSgdioVJ

aivwFUGplhlijux

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!ECQQuZrYOtJfvtTrMLCfDkVMxhRLCK

muyNxMuFGCqHaNJ

Before he could react, he heard a firm:XgRDKYKcDNPCwjbLYnlbJdxvJaPBoF

cZsBKKDiYIGstdv

“I don’t want that either.”RrmAeuTOUTJMdGzQTrkRXvACMemBqI

LxePjrXkjKGQEod

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

HFIyRZTWKbjhsNO

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

iOLYwCVwzbdGJdV

So Li Wuting knew everything.MxitgKlbHOMwHyiRXgUwksbYcuBYjx

OlkqhRQNvwJmDYg

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

CFEodDKZkzAMenY

Scenes from the past suddenly flooded his mind.SLuJAQgrpvrTecAaZvDMmLFZGUyaLX

KblpphdMGXgRcbn

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

avtghFfgteBiqPN

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

LlahusqryOwrGUn

“Don’t want to leave anymore?”AQNraKHWBpLEpKdUMpxvtDXWFqoEMl

aPzwIcTKOlDxlbP

“Still thinking of resigning, Minister Ning?”SjtWCezxrckFhBAuCdUUgiCxGUCvdk

GbGeSEwPMiqnrdu

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

MgaAeEavTOonlyq

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

PdkyQrhzlmRisNo

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

ntUfDZoRDhXXmCd

·XVZFLWFxZxKoXMsKtuRazSBsVtOGPu

JgxoqVkmxYYQleL

In the neighboring courtyard.xUVHMTlBfLQLoDkyOiLQTecheODJTj

csTJKQhPkMLSqoW

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

SvnDbCZMSeIGPLC

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.ZBcQxdOlaLetntcGkAcELILedEsTTg

uAzzEuBEIEENlcM

He had done everything, yet said nothing.CnDqEaMZuTZvBRGJRUWjWuFZjttHny

AXOJZIBiDwiHpOk

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

dfLljoSwbklDABt

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

YkugKkpEMpIeUCg

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

fndtTPQirqfhUUK

Wouldn’t Li Wuting be left all alone?ByIuUOjunLFdDNIfEpNWDREQGGrMkr

xRomEaEIfHcziXT

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…CibNRdfxjbkwFYDXtLyWKAfsrnywqC

FasrATwVUpKKgZC

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

VjXfSPpUjAFoGuD

Just then, he heard movement outside the courtyard.goCcuXXtNARXYfBhpyLaBzDxjlisJs

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

nVzSVJYuRJxIqWx

He turned, the image still lingering.RYAvvgAzpMzPVRVAlpXAoUesGPYvee

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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.”bqlTGffRbkgwCtPtMpVZmAIGOmASZi

SFhEKcuZeBIdBlI

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

LkKSoKcNIIAvONP

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

cNHCIgWwKMlFnDp

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

OdGYJWqaFPjvAlZ

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

URGxuWsBUzuBEwT

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

ZLwpNjuJgUtDhFU

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

OFcCUkBjlFlshlY

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:udbLcYDLmCBvwqayfngmnawUZcrvpe

reDWnOWNzofnBwE

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

WvrrZMpRoutTGwx

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

OjVHjmStLTFDUjk

…RrVGJiKNHbLyKiqsXhfOlByxCWUrCu

AdQaTQDAIvaBxxv

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

AUiNsDDjHFKSylo

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.JOdqfYeQTlEhiVNuVKYfahQJZHPZgk

CnnjtJnAcIuojuQ

Ning Ruchen followed Li Wuting to the altar.IPbrrrxDiYwEarTukHcRhZEFwnzBOM

OstyxaKmUmYyRIS

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

ijneEEFTTtOEnrN

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

DHhiQlUyokqRDEQ

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

mmnLVtZPkACaZfQ

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

RGqZIdAatkLYhRV

Ning Ruchen, “…”LBXmqlQZBPTBJeSCscnopyNrkdyCqO

zBAWooFkTTmPmip

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

nhZtlHWkaUartNR

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

DNEBYDnbZzzcIOL

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

nwbNOqEKCkkSNrb

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

evbgRDmtPsNPeyA

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.cDDutkSTNWtiPwtZfaqyuiixdEUroF

uQNqUVRVTYMMxTx

But Li Wuting knew everything.QPQkWcpHWJqVQjbbXBZlfDMbjyojZT

AsFabJibtQoCqiS

And he had always been afraid he would leave.qCDMvqnMpZUgqaDveddVFwzpImzvWl

MwYgCpKEleCfQfy

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

QHdLiEyiNLMEvLq

Ning Ruchen’s eyes grew hot again.uLnWhSHOfMHHvAntxHdMlDHaNhMUPu

pIBnuIDFPPOEcey

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

tEiARlvxgUveiEp

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

lGghtcoJimTHNQy

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

HZgygiKncvyiCvR

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

jKHurgdBDCQtOfl

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

ZjezsaeThfiOBAw

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

BSKpwVkCevWVeuS

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

UNwfOajtuTkKeQD

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.NpZKoSvTXYtNbndQgKYMaMCfXWAcdQ

CLzxqRlAdPBtPgR

Would he understand what he meant?PowqAdOFGHeVOZMirHXevZMYeRHuKt

SheQJGpfNoLvkWT

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

WEbcuNIHvTZKzJi

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.XwKtEsMuoBdWcwdBVUlPlqvwZwxnlJ

tqnFcIZUeROurWz

·NWWxAWZdIaVKkBgSoanHroAnnxfecw

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Leaving the hall.mOvFwflVeLsvFyLPJsjfFKWNNfQUJm

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

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Their hands were still tightly clasped at their sides.WpHZcVgptYcjRVlvPLapPNfMWKqrnT

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

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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.”FDDcgOyssfygBXIJYodsHVGiYtXVOl

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

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Then he let go of his hand.hIkkWCAQZRrIiFvgwMOIXrHWLMGgEu

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

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

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“Alright.”tPoCqokggjaTjQzNlnWkROkrIMyLme

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Ning Ruchen then turned and headed towards Jingxi.QQLKWVTWvneiSZQrPMfwWzdOIdyvDN

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…WJakZGzusfhXcFWftyKHRBiEvntnXM

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He followed Jingxi to a quiet viewing platform.HRJyuJvqcByMgTkfvAPxFAigTYCbvG

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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.lrnvIqZGPgkSSqnvvedPvxOHbaUgWS

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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:clObSNyEDMOEJuOMjDRaTrqzxlufhh

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“You’ve already heard everything.”eHdGRkTQvpUmjjMDjbmgYTFYzgksQM

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

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

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

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

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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—gvsVIjeWemxECGISeaOILixaaPHVnZ

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

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

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

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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:GkxIXMruLTvdASPnnVbJbEadrWTKdI

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“I want to stay.”OOJoFPQATcBWZYuszluoEZeZDIvetf

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

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Jingxi smiled serenely, “Good.”OYkvKmBJSEhpzCnvKoIJvCDLAjmdoG

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

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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.”EaIUNZTEKGOgttxynOPoWpAsclLjvi

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

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

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As his figure disappeared from the viewing platform.JgaazYukUSsFwRWYkNJiSwhWnDQLMk

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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…”uKGfJYeLeCyDXZHYCyLYBseHvqrFwP

jnVcqESWVPsKqFA

Behind him, beyond several golden-red halls.iRdbawugsQcuCFzKieqXGQecClJdfq

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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.syffZrrxAOAXFoElAEBEiymZcDVUFC

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

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·NBzVFgiSjbkzvmovXQHGdwiaOkjHIG

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

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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.JGGqOijeXjXaDYWkprXdqBgKvJNSEl

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

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

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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.”tKxqVNPoRTHfOCGsWOIXAPHBpyBvsd

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What, to take it back?NbCRABNOXwaHgzDdNLuMRxHocfWnNW

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

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

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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?”ltyutNHYmlkgZdGkRjUCxfcXPhdwqL

lGxDKQbeMSzVwha