Chapter 18
In the hallway outside, several tense voices echoed, “It seems no one was seen…”mzQDCfDKekSiKufQGlJdQNzyFUCTcN
HOArYtRkeYAgUcmThe sound of their voices, mixed with footsteps, gradually moved away toward the stairwell.PuHKAaIYRLRBCbTuKcEhyTQQRhYGCs
JdatCgSTMXcEJJAInside the room, Li Wuting slowly released his hand from covering another person’s mouth.xwrgARHzgoIvidsSBjhjdoYKuooDnX
XSzulkshQzpKNHyOnly when he looked down did he notice that the person in front of him had bright red ears peeking through black hair, a dazzlingly red mole, and a trembling waist.aXUiIKXubhPKChuNzxDdtZcizPpjWt
WnXQToCLaRsvXvQNing Rushen, with a trembling waist, turned his head, “Your Majesty, I…”xSbjWRvJYFRKxYKYjxJOJoCGbzTOeE
lQokYrizqPvcTofBefore he could finish, Li Wuting spoke first, “What, can’t you withstand such vigorous shifting?”ywVtNTyshKGFFqovHlVjnzXLHKSXle
TpUXMphtHFezAuhLi Wuting did not hurry him, his gaze resting on a screen in the room, waiting quietly.EDYJHCazJoFlHTKRTHvKMlpaHpqRdm
WblCPBQcRPahKxTApart from his identity as an emperor, Li Wuting was also a proper gentleman.XfnJwFahiPddaJTpamjWlTDzjgNEUQ
fFZILJTNGdHsTzMHe rubbed his reddened ears, waiting for the lingering heat behind him to fade, and then, regaining his composure, said,cOjWohNckjGtyuoGeBTEAZKukKKbUB
eQXzMUukSZumMlp“I saw someone who looked like a student sneaking around… I just came to check.”SRZqOHhJmPujjXaHpfLAPgBWWEvnTr
NVlIGOvMriNXOMUWitnessing how “just” it was, Li Wuting snorted with laughter, “Heh.”dUcsxBsQURNYFKoiZZAVkKdlSOtYVn
uJSuluZPDLNSqVv“…”EZReoyIEidoUQjtsoqsiTCiBNjlVoz
kmKeJWmzzobpaNjNing Rushen diverted the subject, “I heard them trading leaked exam questions.”ZVjylJGqzRECZzcCpVcwCanxDpPJLh
tqLJreUvmLiOJmeAfter a few moments of silence, Li Wuting spoke, “I know.”mgBPIQxmnhdIBeUVtIwZUsJryWwbvx
gLaFylTmdodpljV“?!” Ning Rushen widened his eyes.wHFupJJevGxGiNylJJRbKSbNummqFA
chvXIndTxUlHzJrYou know and yet allow people to trade! To boost the GDP of Dacheng?YGtfKWnxcFYuKhMdBFxejNdkuvIfts
QygystCSgEHFTxRHis gaze was too direct.NihjxFJbLxESXAMbbVQhybePwlyfop
tygihuKjJgjHOFMLi Wuting glanced at him, “It is leaked questions, but not entirely.”HtAZjCeojEMeYzxPkWRAUieoXtluae
ccwcMJuPIPhSNkyNing Rushen pondered, “A riddle is being leaked?”YkUmsKxUCvEjECeMhBJtXeMhppqjhZ
yXqPOGuilYOFBnpOnly part of it is leaked, and the rest is left for others to solve?tyxzaPgpwbmuJhjNykEvbAVpOvYqqX
koAZfswGmYGSdBZ“…” Li Wuting, “What’s leaked are fake questions.”KNhfxkTwpvgbFXoRAbUAFDvoJItxFp
DFjGcWtzsNthTzbThis was a case that had happened in a previous life.bNFmQISPrcvwjjTahgNUPIZcSIwjlN
JgYyDPSZRiCgGOSThis time he had already had the Jinyiwei on watch, just not expecting the location to be here.zJuSzZEbXXfLMJDfvBPdakrBGkvGXc
aOgXZjpEGFtniZJUntil just now, when he saw the words “Moon Fairy Residence.”eFvYgxfuSPUdpUTQmyvTrVXIRABKqc
DVdWlcfzkWBQRjONing Rushen digested the dramatic twists and turns, then looked around again, “Where are Eunuch De and the guards?”tqGrbFmbBNXdZHPpcxoJhUoZveiChL
bZwllZAMOgANliM“I didn’t let them follow; only the emperor and the Jinyiwei know of this matter.”BUHNXGCZDGkLtVFacTXobejKOVzVmB
CmLEYHiASNBLQBrLi Wuting looked at him, “Now, Ning Qing knows too.”tWBrttmvVkSykpVvCRjiqxvGRxLRnJ
MhRlpsJvACBeEBtNing Rushen admired, “Like adding wings to a tiger.”FTUlGaLpJbZoERmupbUjQNVICenAOi
irTmsInOZXspcdGLi Wuting moved his lips, about to say something but then held back. He walked to the window, lightly pushed it open to look down.RcOKKNLdBKzwRzgJfSlADUOOcVkogZ
TqkgnswZszgbzlHJust as he opened it, a head squeezed in front of his chest.hXrQqOdwEGYXTFQGqKWBCNFTzeXDUo
YDcFGtWnhYDMzwrNing Rushen skillfully leaned against the window crack, “I’ll also take a look.”UCdciHaBBnfHacXcryiMgxjJyoXNyW
tMFaOdGQhTnXkxULi Wuting, “…”wGCieLOmQvRApgMHSOzyzYktvIoPjo
VDMEEBKFmaGwwpMWhen he leaned in, he was no longer trembling.wbqWPFvnQptriJuaWYEaAYXnJEdBGC
CUphxwmADnyoEkhThe window directly faced the street outside the inn.rSRCQvDTEjKSiHDLmebzPMnEQUPcYJ
KRUHGPBBntkUyQwJust now, several young men hurried out of the inn, with their voices faintly drifting up:ykYGDLNdsWwIhvokxhlyABFSKMvrUF
NFDLwdmYpkZsZNu“They say it’s due to disrepair, it makes noise with the wind.”uOhPIYPNwwZWjJzVVaBTxxxYhktLNp
UKeVQXEGskretXq“That scared me… let’s hurry.”oFvKadPCgcEHIQwYbCGiIJWyHoNZNI
KpeiIwJjxurqMzFThere was no more movement outside the room; perhaps the person behind had hidden to avoid the immediate threat.rXYtZBwsSoYlpHxFcFReCqtKbaucRi
JrAOIyXShFLcAoQLi Wuting spoke lightly, “They’ve gone.”ejQDlSsIHrVGsrTAWpTijSJLdLGiUV
VkJohTGmoAFwwJCNing Rushen closed the window and followed, “Hmm, yes.”CLZhLHLIyncvsOzUqzvcIjWAZIikFm
yuWjEwsUVNPsvpC…ZxFACAHeyZjveoWlnnZFkXnzDgGCUR
aOIAjjBEcNOPXILThe two encountered no one else as they went downstairs.RtzWWhIkacuipMQuXNtFGokjQSZyDd
WqlrOuVQPtjjIviWhen they reached the lobby on the first floor, the previously listless innkeeper suddenly straightened up. He composed himself and bowed to Li Wuting.oVloqrVsmpgfbolRoiWegjOPxvWyZJ
vgwTUMteOURNwrGNing Rushen was slightly stunned, then looked at Li Wuting.kqipdXXdDhCqMPMaNASkmvmYUHDGYY
wRjRgPvAZsLQVLELi Wuting kept his gaze forward, “Jinyiwei.”VoHgJrcrvwnJhsxSqspmMPfunsUVmA
NKrMObINitzeuHZSo “due to disrepair” came from here.uSksSYuxBXgiUALzenMjcXwnJgMDUe
ZiVdnAzLjKlrDEnNing Rushen was astonished, “There are actually reliable people in the Jinyiwei!”zOBlNBNViyjvNYqFeTangqhnQviyTs
sXKxnCrsuUXWlEuAs soon as he said this, both paused.oAgmVMEFjccmbVZcQFlXRJjUePgSQN
HXmCdziNenUjAkQNing Rushen closed his mouth; sometimes silence is more powerful than words.feGiHnYSIUrNSAxkjmCjwfvAYQAVpt
OhPxQwlbfEUvcAXIn this tense silence, they returned to their carriage.CVJlBKdVHGjgeSesLSfnYdpBmpxnxm
LqgvKtmeYDUMwMRDe Quan, seeing Ning Rushen return, suddenly smiled brightly, “Oh~ Minister Ning has come back with the Emperor again?”YrpZgiZcmMXGYrnEDJmAsknMlhHIdL
JghjmmORQpTLSrANing Rushen reflected, “If I hadn’t followed the Emperor, I might not have come back at all.”dYlqfQWFkprsvobGJRPCheMxXBUbfU
WAxmGCBjlVWcboEDe Quan was instantly confused.rWfpQIJJzgjnbztFTAEbSUMddnNLLg
bTTngdKivAVIDAtWhat happened, did they go to some shady place?ufOQAZxvlhQUhGXzNSIOEFvjkfFRYY
QwxLyLiENCLoFEYBack in the carriage.ZWiYIsyNgaQtatPUCxcyIWEzIaekbE
pKSYTijmsRggajfAs the curtain dropped, they continued towards Ning’s residence.wrslENdohSwpmbDEVDQTqrlIcdLeeW
lnVmcSLzaJXhrJwAfter a while, Li Wuting’s voice suddenly broke the quiet in the carriage:hpCVWKFZKEuIAIXrCKKmcMyedlvGnb
SRRMnjrXaHlDChH“Among those students just now, there might really be talented individuals. Yet I chose to let the situation unfold…”NczdjpuaAPxBstoJQTcUgKgLWtcWfE
ORcsHSndtcRLRpe“How do you see it, Ning Qing?”bsiHrgBpwcXXXjrFiHHYagUJmAQyox
kLxhmDiviqHubiwNing Rushen was refilling a plate of pastries and nearly choked.gIezdBSvPARCOTbciWxvlzUukPhTWT
dxEAijzrpBqAfIpHe, of course, was peering through the window crack.HlIUUWnpOTKbTXzqztlOhoyZoGhzlT
mCJcKudtYHlVNMZFacing Li Wuting’s gaze, he replied, “Talented but without virtue, entering court would only bring trouble.”DIUgKAkPiXpjCoNGtGQtaJmVffSxHN
CWkloiSATzwqGfXLi Wuting, “…”NOKUEoPPqDYvHaPQbtucxjHZVvDWNt
rJBfuPaKuyxmMoWLi Wuting gave him a look, his expression inscrutable.uKwFllAhHQPCXXuhITEUgqGWdUylFB
gwfkLdNrXOfgOwsNing Rushen straightened his back under his gaze, “What are you looking at, Your Majesty?”oGjLRVuWDqrEgAwRjNwEPONNUcxRfm
DJvDsUUwsiZhLsqLi Wuting spoke casually, “I’m looking at what kind of ‘zi’ Ning Qing is.”aWlqztiJfQkcxxmCUuigfVgJUePBAz
ZVYdBnHYVCTGffUNing Rushen: ?OkkrZzFqdHeKioHcVBjCsriftgcbhG
XFnpWZtKwCuxxIL…QKszHuCDzQGEVwTtafgUuPBJZsvYkb
YhMNHhZiLbnalWFThe carriage stopped not far from the entrance to Ning’s residence.wVrxNMpElGTIeOxTemLebFncczbeMD
mBoFYIhEJpAfEhuNing Rushen stepped out of the carriage and bumped into Shiyi, who was leaving the mansion, “What are you doing here?”MSMeYQPvaxiFlhNHGDXrFsBXElcNgR
ddbNSTBKXDmPLWTShiyi approached him, “Yan Guan didn’t pick you up, and fearing you were kidnapped, sent me to find you!”yUbKKmNYNgFiuAtTNuTCxmXuBYUYHI
UtInpXrhdhtYDws“…”EVmlKOTVXNCFxHReefZaPCzqADCJEn
uslpDEhCWkQPWaiBehind him, the carriage was quiet.pbEIbtQFxbApgQdQYMrSvPGdkKKsRh
vjDIeSVmvIWsJrbNing Rushen whispered, “Let’s not talk about it.”kulYAKaPHYejGWLkapSonTHAegClcR
dsGIbjobZbLxxDeYour bandit leader is sitting in the back.McnooMbhseYMMPXiHVJfyHoiuJVZSr
CjofBqnSqyHezaQShiyi, confused, “What happened? Hey, that carriage looks familiar…”EBCKOUxGKFyAjFGAAhxlpMJJzaleKN
SafsuBPyfFixXHeNing Rushen turned him around, “Let’s go back to the mansion.”IdgOYADZJxlIuqfxqonJkCIxpeZxJd
PxChSxvBYOvVKqa…tPqBnbhaZsuHohAjSmqRndRqdOisIV
kHfqMynYmrljpOrShiyi’s return to the imperial court seemed indefinitely postponed.JetPFUYigzKlvMvgmtkEwBORSnzdGF
viVALGZWNcVczAnYet Ning Rushen had to attend court as usual the next day.bmpnayCWngJrPAPGyOVNjTNTwqhgna
SdRFcrpnXgHAhLMAfter the court session, Huo Mian tried to pull him aside to visit the general’s mansion. Remembering De Quan’s overly expressive looks, Ning Rushen, in a rare moment of inspiration, said, “Maybe next time, I need to serve at the imperial study today.”TazGVcnQmDydoNjulIwNCCHWUSBBGa
OgsQwSKnGHSZDSbSaying this, he headed to the imperial study.QvUDflJhwSBMrooaQObgRIDoClVAcn
bijCjGbQZaMdeXMAfter being announced, he entered the study and was met by De Quan’s overly enthusiastic gaze.cKyhWjXFlDRDSdseXmPbDjnMoahvju
zYDQLVzwKrYbOVdNing Rushen paused, “…”aXbGgexQqoCEQCyXFhdAOmFTLgPOAX
ehTVpnEQkGQshmSIt was too much; it was almost sickening.MUrgAVwrWhxPWhxMDRFKoOIdGtnAvt
NsBCjWwLyHYdtLKLi Wuting looked up from his desk, “What are you here for?”mVCtFuqFeinBoOxtQxArcWTeUKcIbH
ULhyLDscujZBjQXNing Rushen replied, “Your servant is here to serve at your side.”seDyeADyhbsEIpOPowkeYQOvyOcHzz
tuXJanIdJUjIKnLLi Wuting tapped on the desk, “Aren’t you going to the general’s mansion to admire the valor of my Dacheng soldiers?”GhXQHEdUQiEyLNzYpVMqfiJoIlLRoF
tOhgwObsixnYTYA“No, my constitution doesn’t agree with it.”ilEFudNeEpVeVgEcwiqczCcIoqxMSV
SdZDLslolBBfSgU“…”xpMCAaVqwHwCxrcyNdDCuCmnVFjkzr
BluWGaoDgftDriSA few moments passed, “Fine, come over and grind some ink for me.”mPBBeXYXwDMjFJeYxlvfOQHgqVWBLs
QouIXglmhwLUZzt“Yes, Your Majesty.”SGZyOvrVkOLuiCdbWbAiUtnNxBMuPG
wDIprSuRDgZlDsfNing Rushen walked over, just as he was picking up his sleeves, an announcement came from outside:GIxUCLTQWJLfQPICGzTdeWgAkezeaz
XWjgNSqEkQqjqJZ“Your Majesty, Prince Xuan requests an audience.”JLlEWEdHNxhbVjWpQqCDMuYtFDMkFk
OyClvryNHQLalcELi Wuting’s brows twitched slightly, “Let him in.”YMokdxzxWIRknxDeynaXFwpefyPXsj
HQLaLJetzGtEYauSoon, Li Yingtang entered with a fan in hand, “Your Majesty, the weather is quite nice today, how about—eh? Minister Ning is also here.”MEyGnxRcaqypfXqRroHICAcqluzwfI
LhxslQTpuVgfgDuNing Rushen, “Prince Xuan.”dEkkzLgtkvxyOGAJWTJRKFoLVDBIAm
uHzKnfFXpLRpcOULi Wuting looked at him indifferently, “What is it?”rFHEsBgaweTnfEWpLjMErWTigmuQRI
drouLRllBFhtdyWLi Yingtang returned to the matter at hand, “I’ve prepared a splendid feast at my residence given the nice weather, and I invite Your Majesty to grace it with your presence.”bQeZqcjGQxHSQlaeLOBqqjcCvUMZQo
THBVabGnQqlvrQJ“Heh, is the royal brother using emotional appeals again to avoid going to his fief?”kNxnXUyUDLRbAYxvJFArXOHPEWsbyC
UDZepinqRtfELQT“…That’s not the case.”nwqFnrhfHpwGKsDcqKfxyWuoXAkkJF
bNDaCsVlorHXjbmLi Wuting watched him quietly.VGKJggCXHqRueWAbrbsRKTkmZBSRnE
xcuWKiCidGwlQhYLi Yingtang then sighed, “Fine, I’ve prepared a table. The empress mother isn’t here, nor are my brothers; I’m all alone…”WikuXTKIDXxhwwTrghVQOiatUJAsxf
gDiWFgcJccRNjhWLi Wuting interrupted, annoyed, “Alright.”poiWYoonPcdodItWaHxgWXPWKGGwUb
UJMYiokpDTHIWWzAs Li Wuting stood up to go to Prince Xuan’s mansion, Ning Rushen prepared to slip away.EBhIDqDFlecsjrgpbUvSpAcKMrRDIi
aeKPPokUBUWLIpXHowever, Li Yingtang suddenly stopped him, “Oh, Minister Ning. You come along as well.”UAwLkDMuqjsCSkiCCCNVaJwJmdFQTt
nLzUXyGRTBWrnVONing Rushen: ?hZgdkWMTOYKevrNaIXwSzZADOmZrUc
bFsIAfdcjvjHiuWHe waved his hand, “Thank you, Your Highness, but I’d rather not.”BfbJSZfvdxLTgFHlcsvJzMdGUUirsf
vfzunAgLRbPaWGeLi Yingtang, “Come on, Jingyu is there too, he’s been missing you for a long time.”fldGtbuUZJizjGfYifNtbdMhoJQsCt
iSmlTezlypCiGIL…So much for “alone without brothers”?UGnyBAsiopwSpqpCrOSoSbVWzpQkXu
aDgKjFOjkXMUmcbNing Rushen glanced at Li Wuting.skVSjrQghciqBSPiJsXbjGCKPVSdKQ
KeKvwfTMXEUiiWXSeeing that there was no sign of refusal on his behalf, he reluctantly nodded, “Yes.”nhMUPeQuKXNmuMuIwpmMgYdNAYOENV
fuiaACuQBZNxZVTNing Rushen was perplexed as to why Prince Xuan had invited him, but considering the prince’s eccentric personality, it somehow made sense.vNRUKjhiqxyMoGCoGpeVpGcvFoAsSH
IYFdQljbtFcEOAQHe followed Emperor Li Wuting through the front courtyard into a small garden surrounded by blooming crabapple trees.neItaBvTXGdlPhGIjJITcSfIIyCYiF
ZEhVuljgeVFQKYVIn the center of the garden was a stone table where Li Jingyu was already enjoying some pastries. Upon seeing them arrive, Li Jingyu ran up excitedly, “Imperial Brother!”JufVVpmqUUsinLdmvoWhiwIQwKXQFA
zZqMJCgVsjyxtnXCrumbles of pastry fell from his hands.nEzmHuydVbESMOspalrUoYauHPwuyN
prhBGmefknmPjOqWith a quick movement, Li Wuting redirected the little one towards Li Yingtang. Li Yingtang caught Li Jingyu’s arm, brushing off the crumbs back onto his own clothes, “Eh, Jingyu.”FWuhjOFCKIjhZSsKVYFiQKiFscXJzX
tRuNGWvvvpkPKhyNing Rushen observed, “What profound brotherly affection.”jPRCqivcQRJmLzAbFpAHHYQPAIWExK
cHKKPZvBXVLHmCsLi Jingyu turned his head, “Minister Ning is here too!”zgbXshggRCxvmXZvepBNcwfRfYGmLM
tPrpdraBhTLmjrZNing Rushen, reassured by his clean hands, greeted him politely, “Your Highness.”WeUgqustmFGDmwRQeqeWgojmuuwdNC
HZlysDFEenMOWFtAfter exchanging pleasantries, they all took seats around the stone table.RfyMXwhSDHgqwlGYhXfJCLOkCNTxab
ejLeYrpZBLwhBFELi Wuting sat next to Li Jingyu. Ning Rushen was about to reserve the seat next to him for Prince Xuan when the latter quickly took the seat across from Li Wuting!lBAeughMQwOoKiITayYgujcEAaTiBR
XXyhfTjLfGdmncsNing Rushen touched the stone bench, wondering, “Is this bench heated?”rChGDqghOsuMOLXhKzxGCEqvZxJKQs
oHqOXHFzCzhLTTvWith only one seat left, he sat down next to Li Wuting.YbxtODEfQftREHrsAmZdhpTDTvMczB
BIqPjidJZsgzOjJThere was still some time before the meal.vSyAzWPsJbnuzivqFCegpisSRrJpqy
BImgNMaPDZJDwRyLi Wuting started quizzing Li Jingyu on his studies.UmubNtcrdBblOMgkLZoQOsxQPUifjo
zgrLmgoTvJBWRkFNing Rushen was nibbling on a pastry when suddenly a folding fan poked his arm. He turned, “?”WZTqgdmkJFfsmKuSQEhzQagucTAuWG
djhrFsSkGQSvQAVPrince Xuan leaned in, whispering with a hint of mystery, “I heard you were with Huo Mian going to the general’s mansion yesterday, but then the Emperor called you back to the palace?”gIzaLVKpBqBBQCzonToneOfSExckuR
fLEXZjPmvaqxTCR…Who was spreading these stories everywhere!eNohEXIlgvRcVZjzGnGjkIPywQUylp
uAqMVKhiuJrlsYs“Yes, Your Highness.”ltNSCVhkzvJoUCbysKZhIlgQumoxtX
cpfmJElnawzxGBoPrince Xuan’s curiosity was piqued, “What did the Emperor call you back for?”TfVxUSeDyDFfqwHcmhzgsyIORIRqpx
ZKySdBUBScNVRGKTo arrange? To bind? To punish??whRjJMyheAiQcCQIolUGqHvGyxNdjN
KXLDqgaDYzisuoSNing Rushen replied dryly, “He called me back to pick up junk.”SNpVLoHfXhghgWvMWHTzVoWKjCgMJU
JDhaEsryFwrmbmiPrince Xuan was baffled, “…What?”UUYtniUcZGPQvqbQfsozzFYvycgdCq
tBVRZeblSNlDZcdTheir conversation, filled with misinterpretations, went on for a while. By that time, Li Wuting had finished discussing studies with Li Jingyu.VNcomCQXsIjpXkGeqswGfomARQMAJb
dlZyIJwVPyEkNbd“Off you go, Jingyu.”zbOwSZMkbDDsSpwaYyrQnkSFdPNuca
lKwFxEVORJQrPqCLi Jingyu hopped off the stone bench.AhVMUuczZYebGmmCdQvzTDdcQwuEsL
iicbgKkfXOOEiMTLi Wuting glanced over at Ning Rushen’s side, “What are you discussing?”eRexGncAAOJlBITDwPyplLARJCbKTo
ZLxiVDRfwvmyXOpNing Rushen, gauging Prince Xuan’s reaction, replied, “Some matters the prince cannot comprehend.”AHpMnNUxgjROHFKXdPvazRJbpaCbbE
ZsICycrZuVdhykELi Wuting’s brow furrowed slightly, “That’s a broad range.”LQUjxyhEcFwIxgWKYAgvceOOTrrJSf
YJLsPYXoVlBYlJCPrince Xuan was puzzled.XSuHCLKhyiiGmLHRzKozHcRhCkpqvd
YBJoQQKiTzZwQswLi Wuting added, “If there’s something to discuss, tell it to me.”XUBHqzCjfZIDCNOhRqvsctZIboLaIV
YoBSdfpNfhgzHVtPrince Xuan dropped the subject, “Oh, right.”CsxGEKfoaUpymxghKhxWFqHqlcgdev
zKOSikNUXTVBrlGNing Rushen stood up, “I shall take the young prince for a walk elsewhere.”xvJqwUvZcPxnveQqWSFJqdiSgaJBln
JKHeBlzNqbXNmAm“Alright, just don’t go too far.”yGxAkNUwuBmBwUOGWjyHEqoEXjmDOE
UaQOTQSEtDNMdbt“Yes, Your Majesty.”gVufdymnWCatsndCEyXSSqrbkfxvTp
dxJQEbZpdgCAPyJLi Wuting watched them not wander too far, so Ning Rushen and Li Jingyu made their way to the nearby garden courtyard.GoPxfaAIrhpMcDErSZootkdkBTwpUe
BxalaxLlXCFejLyThis courtyard was also beautifully decorated.tDrWLxFjetlRlCtuDJXOxGssyDUvcs
HUbXfxvUVIkxkttLi Jingyu, familiar with the area, led Ning Rushen around, explaining, “There used to be a big peach tree here, but the Second Imperial Brother climbed it and broke it, so it’s gone now.”UCmrlJQeNMZuNZCXAPfgwatWdgJSsF
koxXqPvyMGuudSPNing Rushen was amazed, “A tree big enough to climb and break?”sagRlvMHlZLIGxpfmBVxzodJWsRfXP
FEMvyyessNxVirtLi Jingyu corrected, “No, it was the Second Imperial Brother’s leg that broke. The Imperial Brother then had the peach tree moved to the palace.”ddzxhpUHYFabfeTXtRyGIbvqVPCRXu
eXojRfjOvqZYgen“…” Ning Rushen didn’t quite know how to respond, “Wow.”ABmrrTCSxkZbTJNmaQdHQkHVTENbuN
bkARWTipQhlsxdhAfter touring the area, Li Jingyu led them to a side wall of the courtyard.IPSgGnvpfKACzEurwopCuOaohiGUpg
VqBSzhtdErjiqSpThis wall was carved with many intricate designs, including several peach blossom shapes with large gaps that allowed views into the neighboring garden, creating a unique scene.tdArkvfEFZbxyxpNPXLUpkaJMNeHnu
RNBoeqgVQscGbdvAs Ning Rushen admired the wall, Li Jingyu dashed over and skillfully shoved himself into one of the openings, hanging half-out of the wall.raJkZBCaUMaSUAsBGGMyocVpygpKWX
zHRGqepmiUoTmqC“…”rnhhJxKUDMKvGwdcFdghsKBPvPzCEB
oGJsygENOynADCuThe maids gasped in shock, “Young Highness!”ICSVZgNilJIAKUsgKcnxjkZWSKyCig
gzqsyheGJrPddCsLi Jingyu waved them off, “It’s fine, I used to hang here often.” After saying this, he looked expectantly at Ning Rushen, “Can Minister Ning do it?”RpFBdsvnuhhUCyTGaTkjjijmIlPtGA
PrDSWQKlVAlyuygNing Rushen assessed the situation, “I can’t fit, but I can stick my head through.”HbJcOQALsRWjvrziJReoiRnzWdpPay
CtXzedjaBopeCuwWith that, he found a slightly larger gap and pushed his head through.hMoZdYEaCrnRokHlwYfjLlmwMeWSJM
riedkOvWZFZdLGz“…”ykknskCsZRRJWDRrpZIVcjejzRkGlo
GmuYhwMZwEmCfXbThe two of them, faces pressed against the wall, looked at each other.KSsbXQubmOHePWRcTHrUwDkAvmpmFd
oNvKbJuGdpmLHzyLi Jingyu broke the silence first, “Minister Ning, it feels a bit cramped.”TmgcAoKkpvRNhQBkqblWBuKLoRYAMv
cGSHGgSLmgtFLTYNing Rushen agreed, “It is, Your Highness.”mbgotJhQPkRnRxlSTjchEEmxAlMIMj
KiWlRNwbHcPgjuJAfter a few seconds of eye contact, they both tried to adjust.EHReapyTneDlmPBgZJuhkLpnvRyHNF
ouWFzJgXGWxzGWN“…Ah, stuck.”WOIFdfsljHrIVuSoUvWEURCjKgEqxd
JXXPIIHbBeeYiGMThe pupils of the maids dilated in panic.rHewBATgHFtQFuowIhybNuKnoTmKvg
SHzVYsUKLcfbNMKIn the garden full of crabapple blossoms.XKoSQInjRTcInOoCAPQEWlKKxMcadA
jaIkIrCXrjdBMOoLi Wuting and Li Yingtang sat at the table, surrounded by a scattering of pale pink petals, creating a pleasant scene.zjTOLqdVyWSmFytdMXILTDmtjIzJcw
NjdLtEtFJLlrXGD“Your Majesty, the matter of going to the fief is not urgent, I think…”iBDyOCZfSsoaHpeeJdnbznUvHYjcVO
JEnCHvSZmkYaYCh“There’s no need to discuss the fief anymore.” Li Wuting sipped his tea, his gaze lowering, “The situation in the capital is not simple, your staying here serves no benefit.”BpRsvhJLARxiypoplGWqNSWibRueXR
ekWMkZtBxbIDlOELi Yingtang sighed in frustration, resignedly, “Then I will set off after the imperial examination is over.”yxNIlRUViGIdVggECnOvniFUfjsMwa
AzfcsWMgwqNUYquLi Wuting considered this and tentatively agreed.oKeAjTItzJySptdAYhdswOWGFYfnGI
rGBZXLZAbeCIBAOSpeaking of the imperial examination, Li Yingtang added, “By the way, I heard Your Majesty appointed Minister Ning as an examiner for the metropolitan exams?”tWcnkRoHzgLFtqpQVqwWcjdtknvqRO
omvCMUtQLrpLLPi“Yes, what about it?”CJgBNYxwsLeUJzaCwUtkpYGYZvLTRr
hcRsyqVXGmqjLTO“Minister Ning hasn’t hurt his brain, has he? No problems?”CFvETIFpXiBDmuURIYMRbyWqbNVAwA
VtIBqrNjDupJLSxThe teacup was set down with a clink.HDwdBmNJYkETFqxcnKmYHPlXNBfahV
nlhIWkYMTOMLghHLi Wuting, recalling something that seemed to tug at his lips, said, “He just doesn’t remember things… his brain is fine.”CzmyqtzjPzrdajJsJdIJFhRqfZTndm
PmHyHYgqSBEtuyMAs they spoke, a maid ran up in a panic:cSVgEQpNZOgFUIbGVHWDURgTNHioEX
CGkZKhsXbezEwNo“Your servant greets the Emperor, Prince Xuan!”oFnWpHlPrOdRpVUcnuYpCUiEcGAEeu
rhfpvInXbWegmFlLi Wuting asked, “What causes such alarm?”MWMnnhbcjdLudrmBmbZjNiZAjIWBCz
hujVnuajEebHbDp“Your Majesty, there’s trouble! Prince Jing and Minister Ning are…”dUpzTrunXjAixXXCgMkOOLHjlBDbJN
wvujbpDgDfxxDZCLi Wuting frowned, standing up with Li Yingtang.PxESdOsTnvUqfLTRthVYfNqpbCFHYL
adXjWfNnlQYqpAiBy the time they arrived at the neighboring courtyard wall under the maid’s guidance, they saw the amusing sight of a large and a small figure neatly stuck in the carved wall, casually chatting:tTpnoXmBxKjlSwmgzwQkIjkpfLmQCf
rgefwnvlLfeNWVa“Young Highness, how long ago did you ‘often hang’ here?”frsgZTWbHpFVPCgehUXstiRtWyCXBa
LVfhUlgChpbeMkU“When I was about four or five.”UaMCoTLtLHYPYfNvvpinXoxvFAioWG
vnXCTYcPnySsbxE“Well, you’ve grown since then, Your Highness.”ynXemZZgUhxhjwySlSbUMXJDOZRiUa
DpVvrGwWoWJBvdZLi Wuting, “…”SxOloKrutaxXbAjzszYXPBwSaCAygw
aIGJQrqJiOMnZZlLi Yingtang, “…”kJnHfPeaDDlIEwutwkvNyGFsfPPQSp
AyBxjGcElTtBrCvLi Wuting’s vein twitched as he walked around to the other side of the wall.aWHxcgaYmkajiJddMMCMOAgAyyFFXR
eLpayDbdNSvQcqnIn the carved floral wall, Ning Rushen and Li Jingyu chatted, waiting for someone to help them out, when suddenly the light dimmed—myJAGgJKKdVoQuYhlRKKxMdSaHCevC
ijMJBPcrCMOdaCgLooking up, Ning Rushen found himself face-to-face with Li Wuting’s stern, shadowed expression.TlZJEkNSjTpgiyARugwrSuXYAeELKE
uEJMHQlNVqcXSGP“…” Gulp.UAPLPNJgAirjWVeqJlxJvlQXkkzeGH
QISyqMLKeyPPVSwIn the slightly suffocating silence.vwBGLFbzNqCNiMFLTJdHIbkCMZAtOL
uXiWDUCGYBHcGhCLi Jingyu stretched out a hand, “Imperial Brother, help.”txqQzoTcIPDjozRGjAcuaSyUxZTdZv
QQAhDujYQypTpRaNing Rushen squeaked, “Your Majesty, help.”DcVzkNNKpxzPkUkkVVIaaKnsVLfdIB
EqAOzQdUekCqpyPQBQWcmPkRiGFlSTuyVFaAQGAUCssdr