This official is so weak

For a moment, no one in the imperial study spoke.hEuOOJaSDRNUdhfFpGNigbtcjxUHzw

GDLeKlcyHJMYxYt

Ning Rushen swallowed and spoke softly, “A contract… it means a written agreement.”xsRNpmuNbwvsmXlCdFEEpbMLYnDDlK

RrJleVxGLoSvRqz

Wen Lang and Li Wuting both turned to look at him.XAYYQcjvDXPJpHZNLLlcSZtHPqOolv

MdtssTFRsdrDzQB

Li Wuting seemed to have a sudden realization, his fingers twitching slightly.ktnnPHpoKrACUcznfZXzZylcyPyKfg

DrSflutumoiEUKp

Ning Rushen continued, “The other party probably feels that verbal promises are unreliable and wants a signed agreement.”CXQBfRWoLOYJIaLEzXwcpUMRWlbOZj

DtDVupVoDqVOlfY

Wen Lang suddenly understood, clasping his hands in admiration, “So that’s it! Minister Ning is truly knowledgeable and talented—” He then sought Li Wuting’s approval, “Then I will send someone to…”ZgpjCGvoeXHjJLKEoFJMCEZASwchdz

LORPVYZpvyJPAYH

“Wait!” Ning Rushen couldn’t help but interject.NPZMZCFhrqKVyILbBjKFsCvWDotahi

FowlawttSuDgfrM

The thought that there might be someone from his “hometown” in this world made him both anxious and excited, and he could hardly sit still.tcTVuqnhcwFINvuHxxjtPVnfGeIsvk

rHmvJGtsGGYGCPR

He looked at Li Wuting, “Your Majesty, I would like to go myself.”tRAIvujnVOsHJjGjVCfbdnJcIjySaE

ZTotThceKcfjaKJ

Wen Lang was surprised, “But it’s a group of bandits! Ah, but Minister Ning even managed to deal with the Northern Di prince…”POfQnJBHrsetNAKMhbFIqEQNkeRVbC

FIUfkUmATBucfUM

…He really didn’t do that!FVmqFwscVULlxPZYhZJgknZJXfRNoK

KUQrWFWdRjLHKYu

Silence filled the room for a long moment.gSpxgClqxBdwLPYCdwWZDCDVvPhMcm

aRUmeZufcvaLJLg

Finally, Li Wuting spoke to Wen Lang, “You may leave for now. I will make the arrangements.”qKbqPCkYSNzVqmzJTQbybWgKJhFsoL

QfoYXLEDTDGDpjP

Wen Lang bowed and left, “Yes.”mNIRzeBoGqPBqIsZtvpQMcorVsnolh

fHnGHqSySTPnbuw

After he left, Li Wuting looked at Ning Rushen, “You want to go?”vboblFnTPGCbFHKBIzAPTWfXTjaOuz

SHybglfqziyHvgy

Ning Rushen moved closer, his eyes filled with anticipation, “Your Majesty, I want to go and see. Perhaps… it’s someone from my ‘Yuchuan’ hometown.”TwsiFJfmyASiqMLpHtfaxOVPtkOmqh

iqbPwLfYXvmpTlY

“…”zeJeNPWvsHGpdkfKduRQiNMHMpbjji

PZbdrgmbTjlUYOk

“A ‘Yuchuan’ hometown.” Indeed—rKhtzVkrVdLWCxSiONwYLFxxtLayjO

yxwQPFpwVeSWgIy

Li Wuting pursed his lips, seemingly lost in thought. When he met Ning Rushen’s expectant gaze, he finally exhaled and reached out to take his hand, “Alright.”qYCZNMtAFZcUUhyvTAEUBETtiDiBDV

rRAMvhERWMbJVik

“I will have my personal guards accompany you, along with Shi Yi and Lu Wu.”cnyKfDZTYzmksmQyhtbYJBgeGQNyOO

piLTgESLaSdREtb

His grip on Ning Rushen’s hand tightened imperceptibly.iePZQjzjmNKDuVklMUwyNaSFnyPWgI

sGutoRjLHTjImgp

Ning Rushen, still caught up in his excitement, glanced at Li Wuting’s expression: What’s wrong?rVnLlAUaVydkJJGhklmfzbbOavOJjg

DHFUAtZKbQHvgXN

Is he worried about my safety…yKHIElElhjGyjayQhFIbcXlsMWmmQT

ZcbfLMrcGyVEGTh

Or is he afraid I’ll be lured away by someone from my hometown?xrVRZXFwQxLOfMUjNdexWPLfoCFJjx

fYMJsuhHycwENWo

He calmly squeezed the dragon’s paw, “Wait for me to return after the pacification, Your Majesty.”yfaMFcmbnayABZXfQEfHKIYiqlcvRR

atPaWGZoJXGYhPR

…uGEpxtSCwjKCPAriMuPLRoePFLmPIM

zYQuDtNtnrIiZsZ

Yaojin was two days’ journey from the capital.rDYPKxgJXwGAUXyAFcWaFlHKROWwKj

cdbetCjAdZErCgU

Ning Rushen prepared himself and set off with two of his close aides and a team of personal guards to Yaojin.ZHvRPywLHfWpsEBdRBAPLftBtrXxIk

bocvJPXAhxxrmgW

Mount Panren was located in the western outskirts of Yaojin City.tRYFNbsIoxStFILkIwWdraPcEOleWe

ISuyXVwglEtvOll

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Shi Yi lifted the carriage curtain:BNAsqoUIhgpIrXDwtDpYwBvmxqTdmL

ItNthbXvrnHuxam

“Minister, we’ve arrived. This is the place.”qYeHsFfLqshWxzvzMsEEYIwZIsizSd

ffJInSqWfOlNMhI

Ning Rushen stepped out of the carriage and looked up to see a familiar banner boldly hung among the trees:ZyJZviqFiuRTWkbSjgkTupBzmJhPvv

SVIDFrFRiNJTqvX

[“As long as your thoughts don’t falter, there’s always a way to overcome difficulties.”]pUuoqyveHfcuhaoXceOjebhulKMCNj

wJlzVwwJSAjSfoQ

He took a deep breath: This feels right.ccjaNvcRPVKcDexwqglXnzkSIIFMXY

kKfOsehcLLIzJnp

Then he called to the guards to follow him up the mountain, “Let’s go.”uDEkIJYWuHazVqpvNvHNNfPkXceyLz

ylEnCNJGLTwpVgv

·mUNsPjyNHfLAwrBqlEMVQtobvVkcEu

RMPLeeIOHcxkrza

The mountain path was winding and rugged, with dense vegetation in the forest.olemLFqbtRzYUiBjqjFbIRialVIoWV

vRxTdrWNTwCmORP

The bandit stronghold was built in the dense woods above the mountainside, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.jIqwAEZkscEBlkRsCaHugXOSqStDmu

oCoacjiFSMzPGNR

If a fight were to break out, it would likely affect the surrounding villages.lfisNPcotuyArQZffepGxUqpvLewYC

alhorpWXiZuXdMm

Fortunately, the bandits had quieted down, and pacification would be the best outcome.boVwwGuFKbdjtxVkxIzrrdksWiOfTL

OOfmywHEsDbOqxz

The group arrived at the entrance of the stronghold.OyYFwSHeQqrkczicRMqOvfklMkeGMT

YKFCFzPzfLvHUbY

The entire stronghold was well-organized, and the bandits guarding the gate, already aware of their arrival, stood with long spears in hand:oyrJZFwBzbEPXKrnVQJxhdeipDQvPO

AEejhlRcQrpWnEH

“People from the court? What brings you here?”MscIYYeYbJUKFiMmeNOkQoNXgOGsaB

FCvsvvSxkscJsBN

Ning Rushen replied calmly, “We’re here to sign… a contract.”oMsukyIsIByBvYldxXJQtVTvpTIdFw

GPBObPXQNpiVcoY

The bandits seemed to have received some kind of order and turned to report inside.MzYOJQiRfUYyPQtdDqLlHBhnorFceh

StuwBIktrubniKa

Soon, there was a commotion from within.qIhXjQqxQAwHbfVMkMSDKFBWOzHhXJ

QrHuHBUeliRDZLP

Ning Rushen stood at the entrance, peeking in, his heart pounding with both anxiety and excitement:UYzftfCfOQbsDuBykYQBcmZlHLJhMv

QmuaDOutdDxWMBU

Could it be someone from my hometown? I wonder what they’re like.QmQAFykbgLFOpBaKOMsZFuNkQbTXix

puinSmZvJgVGICH

As his thoughts raced, a group of people approached.OJiBLsZHsvKPOPZfJcAMTQlpvKJsTi

IDrnetVaAaDddAF

The leader was a tall, handsome man with a healthy tan, dressed in a practical short robe, his features relaxed—likely the leader of the stronghold.bjMUSdUMaIUyiJeEwuKdvXwAVVznkw

UNaBLgakimAoZnL

Behind him followed a group of bandits.jhghhJUWDYIpKqJuQUrfGJIEDIDHEW

ZdAfYvMMCxBKFkJ

As Ning Rushen observed him, the man walked up to him, “Are you the court official here to sign the contract?”NFrxYKeKVZLECNxhskTRqAuLULwnHE

FyupOnKmHZBVNxJ

Ning Rushen looked at him and nodded.CLxdPhivMEzkKpiTEAmtKEoLJfrCvh

WpcRCUQREZnNads

Before he could say more, the man suddenly raised his hand: With a rustle, the bandits quickly moved to either side, staring at them menacingly.glGOMMdGTxZJGvoCZTxUdJXZPxcCBV

uNyeThGbmrDtFoX

“Come in and talk.”EKCTVwUvMnauDcJrUzrVwchjCFSSsv

oRbnbBsnaFyigWS

The glint of blades made Ning Rushen’s hair stand on end.jlNkgHWrpbOBsdhaYqMWcVQiJhYVkm

sTqSBBTbxgDXcXm

—What’s going on! This fellow is so fierce!JNdGFgrZwzREfJnKkrJZjjhbenOUKp

pqHBvikzkHvThSe

The leader had already turned and walked inside.OITelKOMUjxCBzRMWOdtoqIBqjbWWf

XHQElOtvHzJNJft

The personal guards, seeing this, also drew their swords, standing protectively around Ning Rushen, “Minister, let’s go.”bunlhRZICoOpsWQySCdLoXiaHEhhsm

dcRZskfwsBDKilN

Ning Rushen swallowed the words he had prepared for the reunion.BQyTwtDsGSjWPpKFySjHRmHPFdjvFF

PqBytWUgYqapymS

In the tense atmosphere, he slowly suppressed his excitement and carefully walked in, thinking to himself:ryZuwERYCaCfTPRSJgZGeXBlcpbEmr

FaCrxRffvtCgFGf

Is my fellow always this imposing?IljIavaUsBQbsUfgulfQtCAdmZFHct

noCAjkCTDMGDiPj

Or is it because he doesn’t trust us? Or does he have other plans, intending to wipe us out?gMaIlFyykYPwzIddkBnUqsANQfRbhz

vwDbzzYRPtQihkB

He pressed a hand to his chest, deciding to remain calm and probe further as the situation unfolded.zNpzwRmnotELABxuOcTZNUZbLxAMsY

tGPYajBZcsvYBKk

…RNuVoRQlAbVZdkQwSYygclTCkUtAjB

jZvXUnKigSdYgFG

They followed the leader into the stronghold.FeXhvbVwpdUxsCnBoaTuylqkzPELIc

HgACQlNrJHDdePJ

The surroundings were filled with simple houses made of earth bricks and straw, with basic wooden boards and stone tables as furnishings, and weapons like spears and arrows hanging everywhere.hGcCntyfMVMiMDJEnrzlMJIPvWYQgA

dKDbaNidjhedmSI

In the center was a flat open area.eYmzAGYwtihkMTgfwjmWNwpxhEmGzM

nVoEyqNGEvrFGXt

A clean wooden table was set up in the middle.EaFVepUMYgPRGoAOXuseoMpzqOYtJz

FshRhPwFIwfVSmL

The leader walked over and sat down at the table with a commanding presence, patting the edge of the table, “Sit.”IyRxbYrdEePkMHlpFgCqQBsNSvOTIn

TSmTkafuHjLXKnh

Ning Rushen composed himself and sat down.gYzjXguTkFxVuHtfAZbYRZtNJQbfJW

HnQDtjKHWriEPdG

As he got closer, the man’s features became clearer.WiTOXBKFSRrlKIjRWHLFQrsphKdmAx

ElTZpSCsjkzhwSP

At first glance, he was strikingly handsome.PwroBdKGeQSABZJPOfhpbnMaXsEtjF

DXJJdSjDMksWpth

But upon closer inspection, his bright and lively eyes were familiar, revealing a certain clarity of… foolishness…IaYANrogeHAhMDskyiFRmlXZrcmjWo

oZiNXVxCsduVPDm

Ning Rushen sighed softly: Could it be that, like me, he’s also a college student?gnWplZvmGBIrsqTsjNixeJIkAXWjyW

DlQwKwSmaCFVwnm

Ahem. The man cleared his throat, “I’m the leader here. Are you the court official here to sign the contract?”pKrbbdOktOHbQjwqHcilGwnYDSeOwp

wlMmwsZObPrHfAL

Ning Rushen nodded, “Yes.”xnvSKAJqASaPtToQCeITjyIIMgBNmb

wkkDNkJjIgFuziR

The man looked skeptical, “Are you sincere about pacification? You’re not planning to trick us into coming down and arresting us, are you?”AwiLnhClpDApgVBlHXJYSglUopOcFg

NcpYXCnhuOPJYew

“No, we’re here in good faith.”VUXLYobEnUrJGPoHNlkgjwrXPvEQZQ

BjwXdCZzVuDlmbK

He handed over his official seal as proof of identity.LShcKiVcsFCoXdZdjbuhCRrxoqRqvb

HzdSzlIuhieZcbP

“You’re quite straightforward.” The leader took it, “The court hadn’t responded before, so I thought you weren’t interested.”pFbbHidZiBDENBrXqDknaTNFYapUcV

kibIpdhwhoxcKcA

Ning Rushen: …EAlTMDbyzOhARNvdIcImNoyfqiQlNU

GoUGevoIsmQTqcI

That’s because no one knew what a “contract” was.KHSPTKgrBrRoaFsdjCjluEBgaCIlCq

TibRjlkpJsLQlLf

Thinking of this, his heart began to stir again.BIcAoNdrnwMCycaDODArnAGrDHqDaF

eZSQPtQiSoqgFYQ

While the leader was examining the seal, Ning Rushen carefully studied his expression, “Can I ask you a question?”awfeNFGZRPwNwydwuQJucyNxANWtWP

xrczMrbLJJxlgEq

“What?”KnPjSsPedaYeXaZpccGxmvceqbmsgo

NajLkrLLuNObbVv

“How much is a shirt?”VVBguMEIOYTLWbnUdUBCuTaimqNgZq

yQMSwbULTqSILke

The man was startled and blurted out, “Nine pounds fifteen pence.”bIgGTwnmcFdZsnzUQbDQnssFQMfvcz

SxINtHGbczqFDSj

Holy cow! Ning Rushen matched the code, his excitement surging: It’s him!dMZftpCRnvlSQPyqUCAJvsXfqPdrtv

RRAxjrqyqCzCRMs

Before he could say anything, the man’s gaze fell on the seal, and he suddenly froze—his hand holding the seal trembled, and he looked up abruptly!yjzHavUBTOjowAjzIQzBHtYFbbLgcZ

yJvJQQjudnqBOir

His eyes flickered with a similar mix of caution and curiosity:PcjziVsVwGApXJqTijtqhSQaRtUReB

dqOFwTihMOnfVqe

“You… can you bring me a bowl of five-grain fish noodles?”jvOEHZwHhPugZqFgEjmZRBLZGzyuDR

KhRfscWRRYvpiyH

“?”kLfoCcXiCgeAuxTaSsrVaGyLFgOeFJ

ZpbeAVJhAckzQjc

Ning Rushen’s thoughts came to a halt, his eyes widening: What!?WXnobZpCCiXwSqsjbVrPMSEiOXiIzd

GAQGjEfTuaWNHfl

The table fell silent for a moment, and as their gazes met, they both dropped their pretenses. Ning Rushen finally couldn’t hold back and stood up, “Erkang—!”IfKIuaTvmyCnTaNazaXDuOIGcmzGCI

KcnTARrSPRotBsK

Sun Shaoyong’s excited expression froze, and he slammed the table in anger:BhlYCsWOfcjuAhnnhIhDbVsmVNaQcl

qYnQUpMGbGDgEuX

“…Who the hell is Erkang!!!”LlikdoZJpwCWcLwZMGXXdgECIidHsL

sLQhevTiozEDGCF

·KoYfbfanBFhxMWRlQGQpfxIRftophp

FScmPiAEYVnnFoN

A roar echoed through the mountains.KDcuUFsKDxNESLwUEXZJvVuVLNbGkl

oPSeQtNxsOzUsUe

Sun Shaoyong was about to curse but stopped himself, ultimately overwhelmed by the thrill of the reunion. He grabbed Ning Rushen’s arm and shook it vigorously, “Hey! Rushen, Rushen…!”JURMNnWVcAbdMVuWcPDkiMRizKNVuc

omShcGfgwKXZLft

As if remembering something, tears welled up in his eyes.aRiweOilstecKxrcifOPuMjYIHqAyZ

UdiQYXKXJsFIlbc

Ning Rushen was also brimming with excitement, “Sun Kang!”nBlmFwGPLcWAGzVylTBxIrYgktIwEE

QizXasxdIZEynov

The two of them gazed at each other tearfully for a moment before realizing the surroundings had grown quiet. The bandits and the guards were all staring at them, puzzled.DXxErFLhhqqiXWTrRiUoAfHSqsprLf

KVAOXegwNVKGIVs

Sun Shaoyong quickly waved his hand, “Everyone, disperse.”jVVbiZQRdRRNHNSqJvhmlacCUFPTxA

FNAvsYUByqxafQp

Ning Rushen also turned and instructed, “You all may leave now. I need to have a private talk with the leader.”bhoBCMXLAwsYJENOLkiFlRvBHJdYVs

GcJDEfriauZIgvd

Shi Yi blinked, a thoughtful look in his eyes as he led the guards away.tgmgaBcIptlmTXZmVHyAnLvIYpbZfq

XrpKmKPtBQteJwh

Once everyone else was gone.bfmjiLMSnCUvlWinVFRHPQZFvpDhMs

jogYyjtWNwjgePJ

The two of them finally relaxed, slumping into their seats.KnzbxJGgxMYOjQxCdzYVbxzEsElXya

DWQgmfJgvnodtVk

Ning Rushen, “You still love your fish noodles so much.”YCwxjIzVOIVNNXoXLLXNLWpCcJqRpO

depZeSXdxsbNWsq

Sun Shaoyong, “Cheap and filling.”DWbZrvVQEBHbZHTqmLkqjxZokcKztp

qBCrgryAACKKzhI

Ning Rushen gazed at the sky for a moment, then suddenly remembered the intimidating display earlier and kicked the man, “What was with the grand entrance? Trying to scare… make me rich!?”qiBKrmCuoRppzmWzRJaVYxEKjtLatC

VfrfOmeSEELPdjY

Sun Shaoyong was equally frustrated, “You brought so many soldiers, I was scared too!”pKXLmubYIbncdKiCMLzOejvoxIarqM

htMPSbZmHjBAlGw

“…”ZvQNgrBAtLqqNUWizMXGvUeCgJSdCS

uVBnujiIGqWaDzd

“…”SFZEqnyOrIcFMvslsKdeosduwoVEau

rMQoWWTKXiUqcop

The two of them stared at each other in silence for a moment, then let it go.YJjmhHNXaAThXNmFyquQEpnEghiTdp

mXgAgvNvMSJrrbF

Ning Rushen asked, “What’s your story? How long have you been here?”utEcGwgeSgvHxotiRVkPMYDCtYWhqO

CVXWiwIWwvWKGcy

“About two months.”pVdwsIwlERKgIOqjsoysNePMWxVLIL

jQrCIwwtWUniPJb

That would be around the time Li Wuting led the expedition himself.wvVYMmYnqusUMWPmusdVqWdMesNiHD

fSCKzvRWpqxzgxf

No wonder the bandits in Yaojin quieted down then—it was because a socialist successor had arrived.pVxgGJYWzgrqnrCSrrDikswOYQwzIe

PIdpssWDVfFofJC

Ning Rushen sighed, “How did you convince this group to accept pacification?”bMRkdprVQTcpHPQqhtFIzJCLilCsIw

xJMtGEqKTCguDYN

Sun Shaoyong, “Taught them two months of ideological education.”QbVYxQTinwWqnqxkBtnOKSVPTsKlKO

ufIJqjqiiZVSnNG

Ning Rushen, “…” As expected of the school committee.NaMhdRKJPyNCkqfJrQhnDtykwrgsWe

CGOYbkGevaHmjau

He looked at the man with respect, then heard Sun Shaoyong ask, “How long have you been here? How did you end up here?”eosEpluoxSlpWfqgXGwdakWLZvOsiz

pviOdlmOiUddtAv

“About ten months.”BjKWEPukeGofDIaZDDEHMMSGDQBext

kShMCNSXwVfqhzl

Ning Rushen tucked his sleeves in as he recalled, “I just tripped on the stairs, and when I woke up, I was here. What about you?”SGojLCrJweFIwnKgxpMpHvUuxMfhtN

qIfAMWLnZvAiefY

“Well, isn’t this a coincidence!” Sun Shaoyong clapped his hands, “After you fell, I carried you to the infirmary, but I missed a step and tripped too!”SczxNbWPLxrXKjyVSAZFckRsNEyuKg

VwXReEulDWbmWEp

Ning Rushen, “…”bsaXkpdtMTfwfLxuslpUDBJrzTICAL

poBNZCnVewQIhgv

Such identical falls…ijgocjHDgjCtGOxYamEEqNpsamFwMJ

IJKzFGQcizmsZlw

Wait, does that mean I got hit again?rIPPtHgFNjmbCdCkmzycPguptpYLgs

qIIEwmIUbNphOtl

He moistened his lips and silently looked at Sun Shaoyong.dNLEmVFSAxxuYqCiXLEPHSwETHuhew

SjDBtdluYbEEJAE

Sun Shaoyong, having excitedly finished his story, also realized the issue and fell silent.QSyQUldpRAIhyJobpLDJXeVEnIRZBQ

FXwfhfLFrlQinGz

After a moment, he awkwardly changed the subject, “Anyway… we both fell.”HYOMJkalmyYdGioXuFEDGQQoasZHuq

OTyTeVoAINfLemV

Ning Rushen sighed, about to ask more when his thoughts suddenly paused, “How long after my fall did you fall?”eKzvpLnqYQpoJTdpGjGfbEhICvfKfk

UzqiQGtYaGGiYAm

“Hmm… about half a minute?”PvLyoFSLElRmDQCSEzBKxkHGIXJPct

IRHJOgdqLhEUrUm

Half a minute, roughly six months later than me.YYQlPFDWmwGtDXxVUPbxkTDlipkKGh

pOmcAtQLOLaSoQh

Ning Rushen’s heart stirred: Is it a coincidence?dciauuoDcltTCDmkfhMLYxHAXWjsHT

KqdMWNEFiIMpoqP

Or is the time flow between these two worlds proportional?ArvdGyGRZIXlfTcjnOLpViOXWInsJr

zcBFhBldYwWjBtV

But with only him and Sun Shaoyong here, it’s probably impossible to verify.IJIKcRQxJiBjhONvZRUoiJoMYTSZXU

qaldCMJCKzzcJjv

As he pondered, Sun Shaoyong suddenly slapped the table, interrupting him.LlWNOwZeKwFZszBOrWsURMCOgqegYp

FwgAzHQlURJzIWj

“Hey, weren’t you here to pacify us?”HkOQOeCSIogVniqFgbQHtwytKWhHox

gRNgLZoPDLPkdMV

Sun Shaoyong looked around with a sigh, “Since it’s you, I feel better about it. Let’s get this over with. This little shack is really…”ortvgZxbKtRhgiMuZrxaNREcqqLabL

wPyoFbFSaGUbPca

Ning Rushen glanced around, “It’s quite poetic.”dBEuQMMAGGBDyrLVpMSMamteVUURpz

gktREEckgztBrTQ

“Where’s the poetry in this!?”UXZfQiEIxjlkfuuditoRyyEPnJBsSk

jUouuuweVHhsUxY

“Like ‘The Song of the Cottage Broken by the Autumn Wind.'”BkEQvKfyHQbErVpQkFjRDOMmeKkWsX

AkQYgBzYqbwEcNM

“…”wIAHxYdhGTeKiPidwDLljLPpDJrUIq

QRwspmXfJAGSfgT

A bit poetic, but not much. Sun Shaoyong wiped away a tear of bitterness and looked at him, “You must be doing well, huh? What have you been up to as a court official?”VgHGIWmIsfPGHQJzxVzQnUzZkXAMnW

KAOYYdiVdFghlpW

Ning Rushen thought back, “Just attending court, going to the Ministry of Rites, the Grand Secretariat, and the imperial presence on rotation. Went on a mission to the border, took a stroll through the enemy camp, and came back. Got a big mansion as a reward, and now…”TCnQciGnCXuZiTYpKemWmOINkOLsUY

ZfOUmpJOwxyzXce

He suddenly stopped.wKdNUepXOeeigYKGoHEhaubQsfkeGq

grHdvYbjvvWcTRp

Li Wuting’s face flashed through his mind.euhcTbjuCbuzTWxAVccQNXtHPZYqLA

LpkeTPiQNbWKgmd

Ning Rushen’s heart raced: Now, he’s in a relationship with the emperor…AAgKxGfRfUAKuuBzUgjPeOuxEyieFZ

WLfsXkxdMFZgTyT

“Huh?” Sun Shaoyong had been listening with bated breath but suddenly noticed Ning Rushen’s pause, his gaze drifting, his face flushing slightly with a hint of springtime joy. His radar instantly went off—UmtyummtoiCGYtImkfPHrLkCbdRkBe

zcpfHwvMMGXZRtX

“You… you’re not in a relationship, are you?”NIUcnwLKDfPDcsVYxTljWMkyvQRRzh

wbtCGKRBDXFuBqz

Ning Rushen was startled by his sharpness, pursed his lips, and averted his eyes, his ears turning red.TEfbSdLIMBtxSdvpIsRfusFOjGTuZS

ebAdZczvTUrSJoE

Sun Shaoyong was dumbfounded, “Holy…!?”VxOTXRcyCeWyhdoWDMJwghfzeKpZty

RxIntkCIWKVhNVa

He pulled Ning Rushen back, “You’re really in a relationship? Wait, at your age in ancient times… you’re not already married, are you!?”PymYjYBkJaaFEPzDToNIEXFNBwLmfs

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Ning Rushen covered his ears, his face red, “Well…”lnvNwXEdagtQXcPSIfoBvoSbMCIGKn

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He’d already addressed the emperor’s mother as “Imperial Mother,” so in a way, he was married, right?RGEONoQYnnkMZCzNVnsmfdEMvzBvJf

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“Holy cow, you got married young!”igBEGbRtYAsswjHzkMZbXZKmkvxwnv

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Sun Shaoyong was shocked for a moment, then eagerly probed, “What’s she like? Let me see~”WSroYMexeHuVKORFvgVMMEBZdLzCUy

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Ning Rushen looked at him, “Are you sure you want to see?”QYhRRZsxzDZcpcbkaYveEJbDOaQUlp

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Sun Shaoyong nodded excitedly, “Yes, yes!”xyCWLploraIQnPwnciBOxQcxddxQIw

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Ning Rushen smiled sweetly, “Then pack your things, I’ll take you to meet him.”wZzTczOeSHJgrPStIfuXSvSnjPLXwV

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