Chapter 23
Ning Rushen finished speaking, and the three present were all somewhat quiet.
The air flowed subtly, but it wasn’t clear where the problem lay.
After a while, Ning Rushen carefully pulled his sleeve away from Prince Xuan’s hand. “If you want to argue… don’t pull on my sleeve to do it.”
Li Wuting massaged his temples, realizing belatedly that he had been inadvertently drawn into an argument with Ning Rushen.
“Enough, go back to the mansion and sort yourself out. We’ll give you a few more days of leeway, but don’t continue this endless entanglement,” Li Wuting said.
Seeing that he couldn’t linger, Li Yingtang could only agree, “Alright. May I ask Your Majesty to return those papers to me?”
Feeling a sense of generosity as the person was about to leave, Li Wuting said, “Granted.”
Li Yingtang instantly felt smug. “Hah! I knew you didn’t throw them away!”
Li Wuting turned and instructed his guard, “Go and collect the belongings for Prince Xuan.”
Watching the desolate figure disappear down the steps, Ning Rushen withdrew his gaze, feeling emotional. “Why bother.”
He turned to Li Wuting, curious, “Your Majesty, what exactly is on those papers? Why can’t I see them? It’s like Pandora’s Box.”
There was a momentary flicker on Li Wuting’s calm face, then it settled into a stern look as he replied, “It’s nothing. Didn’t I tell you to speak less with Prince Xuan?”
Ning Rushen’s mouth fell open: …
He was clearly being dragged into this conversation.
The two of them stood on the steps, one higher and one lower, with Li Wuting able to see Ning Rushen’s neat row of small white teeth and the tip of his tongue when he looked down.
“…Why are you opening your mouth so wide?” Li Wuting asked.
Ning Rushen’s tongue moved. “I’m having a chat with Your Majesty.”
If only he could speak without making a sound.
Li Wuting: …
He lowered his eyes and stared at Ning Rushen’s wide-open mouth. His fingertips curled slightly, but he couldn’t help reaching out to lift his chin and close it gently. “No need, it’s bothering my eyes.”
Ning Rushen made a sound of surprise, “Mm…!”
De Quan, who was nearby, glanced over sneakily: Oh my~
Prince Xuan’s departure from the capital was scheduled for the next day at three-quarters past noon.
It felt more like going to an execution than to his fief.
Ning Rushen attended the morning court, estimating that he had enough time to go out of the city to see him off.
As he was about to leave the palace gates, he was called out, “Master Ning!”
Ning Rushen turned around to see Li Jingyu, a young man, walking out of the palace gates, accompanied by the cold-faced Li Wuting.
“Master Ning is also going to see the Second Prince off?” Li Jingyu asked.
“Yes,” Ning Rushen replied, then remembered Li Wuting’s advice to speak less with Prince Xuan. He rubbed his nose and glanced at Li Wuting, “To see him off,” he added silently.
Li Wuting remained silent.
Li Jingyu looked around, wondering if he needed to explain such a trivial matter to his elder brother. After a moment’s thought, he suggested, “Since Master Ning is also seeing off the Second Prince, why not join us on the way?”
Ning Rushen blinked and looked to Li Wuting for approval.
Li Wuting casually replied, “Since Jingyu suggested it, get in the carriage.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highness,” Ning Rushen said before turning to Yan Min, who was waiting outside the carriage. He took a snow-colored cloak and instructed, “You go back to the mansion first.”
After speaking, Li Wuting and Li Yingtang boarded the imperial carriage.
…
The carriage passed through the capital and arrived outside the city gates.
As expected, Li Yingtang was still waiting by the inn, dressed in an elegant and noble moon-white robe, with a jade fan in hand, gazing into the distance with a lonely expression as desolate as snow.
The carriage stopped outside the inn.
When the lonely Li Yingtang turned his head, his eyes lit up!
He saw Li Wuting and Li Jingyu getting off the carriage, his eyes moved, “I knew you would come to see me… Oh! Lord Ning is here too?”
His eyes instantly became even more intense.
When Ning Rushen got off the carriage and met his gaze, he almost stumbled from the intensity. Thinking of Li Yingtang’s desolate departure two days ago, a phrase popped into his mind:
A rekindled fire from ashes.
Ning Rushen forced a laugh, “Your Highness.”
Li Yingtang rubbed his hands together and peeked around, but was quickly interrupted by Li Wuting’s sharp gaze like a frosty blade:
“There’s no need for us to see you off if you’re so eager.”
He restrained his tone, “Of course, we should.”
The two brothers stood facing each other for a few moments, then Li Wuting’s tone softened, “Have you bid farewell to the Queen Mother?”
Li Yingtang bit his lip and whispered, “Yes, yesterday…”
Ning Rushen watched the three brothers chatting about family matters and consciously walked away, gazing at the scenery of the outskirts with his hands in his sleeves.
The vast wilderness, the gentle breeze.
After a while, not far behind him, came the voice of Prince Xuan, “Lord Ning.”
Ning Rushen turned around and saw that the three had finished their family chat.
Li Yingtang opened his folding fan with a rustle, “Take a walk with me, I have something to discuss with you in private.”
Ning Rushen: ?
Li Wuting’s eyes suddenly deepened, showing a hint of caution, “If you have something to say, say it here.”
Li Yingtang said, “It’s a secret talk between women.”
Li Wuting: …
Ning Rushen: Who said anything about women?
Both fell into silence, especially Li Wuting, whose face was as dark as the night. Just then, Li Jingyu’s clothes were pulled down as he looked up in confusion:
“Does Brother Emperor dislike Lord Ning being alone with other brothers?”
“…”
A big hand lifted Li Jingyu up.
Li Wuting glanced at Li Yingtang, with a faint warning, “Go have your girl talk.”
The open countryside offered a vast, unobstructed view.
The attendants stayed behind, and only Ning Rushen accompanied Prince Xuan on a stroll.
Glancing at Prince Xuan’s profile, Ning Rushen couldn’t imagine what secret conversation they could have.
After walking for a while, Li Yingtang finally sighed and spoke, “Leaving the capital, I’m most worried about two people: my mother and the emperor. My mother has the emperor to look after her, but the emperor is shouldering everything alone… I really worry about him.”
“…”
No, you’re the one who’s most worrying.
Ning Rushen didn’t know what to say and could only continue, “The prince and the emperor have a brotherly relationship.”
“Naturally,” Li Yingtang smiled. “Outsiders always suspect our relationship and doubt the fraternal affection between the royal family. But I can distinguish right from wrong, and my heart is as clear as a mirror.”
He pointed to the shallow scar at the corner of his eye. “Have you seen this scar?”
Ning Rushen had noticed it as soon as he saw him.
The scar was not conspicuous, but it was also not easy to ignore. It marred Prince Xuan’s otherwise handsome and elegant face, like a flaw on a precious jade.
He asked, “This is…?”
Li Yingtang said, “You should know, the emperor’s birth mother is Lady Xian. My life was given by my mother, saved by Lady Xian, and protected by the emperor.”
Ning Rushen listened quietly, pondering the deeper meaning.
“If it weren’t for Lady Xian, I wouldn’t have this scar, but would have lost my life instead.”
Li Yingtang gazed into the distance, seemingly lost in memories:
“In the early years, the Crown Prince was dominant and repeatedly harmed his siblings. One year, there was a heavy snowfall in the palace. I was still young, and my mother was punished and confined to the palace. The attendants around me were all sent away by the Crown Prince. He locked me in an old, abandoned palace courtyard, and I was almost frozen unconscious…”
“The emperor and Lady Xian searched the entire palace, and it was Lady Xian who carried me out of the snow…”
A gentle breeze rustled the grass underfoot, creating a soft, rustling sound.
In the vast wilderness, only the tranquil and distant voice of Prince Xuan could be heard.
Listening to him talk about his rescue until his recovery, the story seemed to drift further and further away… Ning Rushen finally couldn’t help but interrupt, “Your Highness.”
Li Yingtang paused, “What’s wrong?”
Ning Rushen refocused on the main point of the story, “So, how did you get this scar?”
“Oh… this!” Li Yingtang seemed to remember, “It was when Empress Consort Xian found me, she was so excited that her fingernail scratched me.”
Ning Rushen looked at Prince Xuan with difficulty:
Your heart is not a clear mirror, but a funhouse mirror, all the important points are distorted.
The two stood silently for a few seconds.
Li Yingtang brought the conversation back, “Anyway, His Majesty is accustomed to bearing everything himself and is not good at expressing emotions. You often accompany him, so I hope you can be more observant.”
Ning Rushen nodded, “Of course.”
Li Yingtang sighed twice, looked at him with relief and ripples, “If you have any requests, feel free to tell me.”
“It is all within my duties, I…” Ning Rushen was speaking modestly and respectfully, but his thoughts suddenly shifted, and he stopped, “I just want to know, what exactly is that stack of paper?”
Why does everyone avoid discussing this with him?
Li Yingtang, “…”
Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly thought of something, patted Ning Rushen’s shoulder, “Next time, find an opportunity for His Majesty to tell you in person.”
Ning Rushen: ?
After the conversation, the two returned to the inn.
Li Wuting scrutinized them, “Finished chatting?”
Li Yingtang, feeling refreshed, “Yes!”
“…” Li Wuting furrowed his brows, glanced at Ning Rushen, who seemed lost in thought, then waved his hand to dismiss them, “It’s time to set off.”
The auspicious time of 3:45 in the afternoon was passing.
Li Yingtang finally reluctantly boarded the carriage and left in a cloud of dust.
After sending off Prince Xuan, the others returned to the carriage.
As soon as Ning Rushen sat down, he heard Li Wuting’s voice beside him, “What were you talking about?”
He pulled the snowy cloak out from under Li Jingyu’s buttocks and straightened it in front of him, “Just some idle chat.”
Li Wuting looked at him.
Ning Rushen remembered Li Yingtang’s intricate and strange heartfelt words, couldn’t help but speak up for him, “His Highness Prince Xuan is pure at heart. If there is any offense to His Majesty in the future, it is purely unintentional.”
“…”.
Li Wuting’s eyebrows furrowed as if pondering the definition of “innocence.”
After a moment, he carefully considered, “Did he say anything to deceive you, or ask you to do some strange things?”
Ning Rushen, full of doubt, leaned closer. “What strange things?”
The carriage passed through the city gate, and the light dimmed. His snow-white cloak was particularly eye-catching in front.
As the carriage swayed lightly, Ning Rushen’s leaning body also swayed, his breath causing strands of hair to flutter, creating a slight tickling sensation.
Li Wuting looked down at him. “To…”
Before he could finish, the light in the carriage brightened again.
Immediately, Li Jingyu’s little head also popped out from behind, stacking on Ning Rushen’s shoulder, eagerly looking over. “What strange things?”
Li Wuting looked at the two pairs of eyes in front of him, paused, and then said, “Nothing, sit properly.”
The two of them retreated, “Oh.”
…
The carriage entered the capital.
Passing through the city and heading back to the palace in the direction of the Ning Residence, after a while, Li Wuting asked outside the curtain, “Where are we?”
“Back to Your Majesty, we’re almost at Dongsi North Street.”
“I’ll make a stop at the East City Military Office ahead.”
Ning Rushen leaned out to peek through the curtain. “Where is this? Should I get off first?”
Li Wuting said, “…sit back. It’s not far from your residence. We’ll drop you off at the next street ahead, and you can walk one street over.”
Listening to this, it seemed he had considered it for him.
Ning Rushen sat back. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Soon, they arrived at the next street corner, and the carriage stopped.
Ning Rushen got up to bid farewell, and Li Jingyu looked around, asking, “Brother Emperor has official duties, should this brother also get off?”
Li Wuting said, “You’ll come with me.”
Li Jingyu nodded. Ning Rushen glanced at the two brothers, bowed, and got off the carriage.
Outside the carriage was a long market street.
There were various stalls on the side of the street, and the whole street was neither quiet nor noisy. At the end of the street, just around the corner, was Ning Mansion.
At this moment, Ning Rushen happened to have nothing to do, so he walked and looked around.
After walking forward for a while, he suddenly heard a commotion ahead—rapid horse hooves mixed with pedestrians’ cries! He turned around to see a young man in luxurious clothes galloping down the street.
The horse galloped fiercely, and in an instant, it was just a few steps away.
Ning Rushen was startled and quickly stepped aside!
The surrounding pedestrians and vendors also panicked and dodged, causing chaos on the street for a moment:
“Quick, get out of the way!” “Move aside, pushcart!”
The arrogant horse passed by like the wind.
Just as Ning Rushen stepped back to a stall, a pushcart unexpectedly collided with him from the side, “Be careful!”
The pushcart banged against the edge of the stall.
At the same time, the cart frame hit Ning Rushen’s waist heavily, “Ugh…!” He groaned in pain, supporting himself on the edge of the stall, his knuckles turning white with effort.
A head of black hair hung down, covering half of his face.
Only a slight trembling of the slender shoulders could be seen, and under the lifted snow-colored cloak, a crimson official robe was revealed.
The surrounding pedestrians were instantly shocked: it was an imperial official.
The vendor pushing the cart collapsed to his knees in fear, “This humble one has collided with the lord, please spare me, lord, please spare me!”
Ning Rushen was in pain, his waist throbbing. He endured it and waved his hand, “It’s not your fault. My mansion is just ahead, go and call someone for me.”
“Yes, my lord!”
In the short moment when the vendor went to call for help,
Ning Rushen finally caught his breath. He looked around at the mess, “The East City Garrison is just two streets away. Who would be so bold?”
A merchant cautiously said, “In response to the lord, that person is Young Master Yu from the Yu Family, which…which manages the East City Garrison.”
Ning Rushen had no memory of these aristocratic families.
Usually, he would ride a carriage to and from the court, and aside from a few colleagues, he didn’t know anyone, let alone the scions of aristocratic families.
He didn’t expect to encounter such an annoying person riding a horse in front of his own home.
In just a few words, Yan Min and Shiyi quickly arrived.
Yan Min was shocked when she saw him, “My lord, how did you end up in such a sorry state!”
“What torment, he was just knocked down.”
Yan Min shouted again, “My lord, your face is even paler than before!”
Ning Rushen closed his eyes and breathed shallowly, “Shh.”
“Your voice is too loud, it’s ringing in my ears.”
He climbed onto Shiyi’s back, patting his shoulder, “Take me back to my room first, then get a doctor for me.”
“Yes.” Shiyi carried him and flew off.
The rushing wind whistled past his ears as Ning Rushen lay on Shiyi’s back, the pain finally clearing his mind a bit:
The Yu Family, isn’t that one of his favorite restaurants?
·
Ning Rushen returned to the mansion and lay on the bed, gasping for air.
The doctor arrived at the mansion shortly after.
As his outer garments were removed and his undershirt lifted, it revealed a large bruise on Ning Rushen’s side, stark against his pale skin, looking terrifying.
“My lord, the impact was severe, fortunately it didn’t injure your muscles or bones.”
After examining him, the doctor also took his pulse. “My lord’s body is weak, with poor circulation of qi and blood. Besides the ointment for external application, this humble one will also prescribe some medicine for my lord’s overall health.”
“Mmm…” Ning Rushen buried his face in the pillow, thanked the doctor, and had Yan Min lead the doctor downstairs to get the medicine.
Feeling exhausted all over, he lay on the bed and slept for a while.
When he woke up groggily, the medicinal soup was ready.
Xing Lan brought the medicine over, and a sour bitterness hit him.
Ning Rushen stared at the dark bowl, took a small sip tentatively, and shuddered at the bitterness, as if his soul was leaving his body.
Xing Lan asked, “My lord, is it good?”
Ning Rushen closed his eyes, “I just had a hallucination, I saw an old woman holding the bowl…”
Xing Lan gasped, “That’s Meng Po!”
“Set it aside for now, I can’t drink this.” Ning Rushen couldn’t handle something so bitter.
He turned his head and saw Shiyi standing at the door.
Feeling that he wouldn’t be able to attend court tomorrow in this condition, Ning Rushen said to Shiyi, “Go and ask for leave for me.”
He wasn’t sure about the rules for requesting leave, but it didn’t matter, Shiyi would know for sure.
After listening, Shiyi nodded and left.
…
In the palace, in the Hall of Nurturing Harmony.
Li Wuting returned from the East City Barracks, dealt with a bunch of government affairs, and just settled down to change into comfortable casual clothes.
“Has Jingyu been sent back?”
De Quan bowed, “The young prince has safely returned to the mansion.”
Li Wuting nodded, then paused. He walked to the low table and sat down, casually picking up a scroll and opening it.
De Quan observed the emperor’s expression and said, “I presume Lord Ning has also safely returned to his residence.”
A faint hum sounded from nearby.
Li Wuting didn’t speak, just turned the pages of the book.
The hall was quiet for a while, then suddenly a faint movement came from outside the hall. Li Wuting looked up to see a familiar yet distant figure landing in front of him—
Shiyi returned to the long-abandoned Hall of Nurturing Harmony and bowed.
Li Wuting furrowed his brow, “Why are you back?”
Shiyi said, “Your… Majesty, Lord Ning asked this humble one to help him request leave, so he won’t be able to attend early court tomorrow.”
“What’s going on?”
“Yujia’s son rode a horse in the street, and Mister Ning got injured.”
As the words fell, silence engulfed the room around the low table.
De Quan’s heart sank: He had just prayed for Mister Ning’s safe return home, and now he was injured!
Moreover, he was injured after parting ways with His Majesty.
Speaking of His Majesty…
He glanced sneakily at Li Wuting’s expression, but saw his face as calm as water, with no hint of emotion. However, with his many years of experience, he feared that his mood was not good.
After a few moments of silence, Li Wuting spoke, “How is the situation? Has the doctor seen him?”
Pick-up replied, “The injury is very serious, but not life-threatening. The doctor prescribed medicine, but Mister Ning finds it too bitter to drink.”
“…”
Li Wuting was speechless at this and felt a bit annoyed. “He refuses to take the medicine because he wants—”
“…He wants me to feed you personally, Ning Lang.”
The dialogue seamlessly appeared, fitting naturally into the scene.
Li Wuting pinched the bridge of his nose: …
He remained silent for a moment, then finally stood up. “In any case, it was I who asked him to get off the carriage. Let’s go, let’s go see him.”
De Quan smiled awkwardly, “How could it be blamed on Your Majesty? It’s all because that Yujia’s son is too arrogant, it’s outrageous! But when Your Majesty visits Mister Ning, I’m sure Mister Ning will be delighted and happily drink the medicine!”
Li Wuting was getting a headache from his repeated mention of “drinking medicine.”
“Alright, let’s leave the palace.”
·
In the main house of the Ning residence.
Ning Rushen had just taken medicine and was wearing only a small shirt, with a thin blanket draped over him.
He was lying down when suddenly a shout came from outside the door, “Ning Chen!”
Immediately after, Geng Yan rushed in like a gust of wind, “What’s going on? I heard from your staff that you’re injured? I’ve called a few friends, they even said they’d come to take you out to play!”
Ning Rushen covered his ears, “Keep it down… What are you guys playing?”
Geng Yan, “We’re going to have fun together.”
“…” Ning Rushen released his ears, “What?”
Did he not hear clearly?
Is the little dog saying something dangerous?
Geng Yan, “Have fun! We’re going boating, remember? You taught us, right?”
Ning Rushen pursed his lips, looking speechless.
Geng Yan didn’t notice his slightly stunned expression and continued, “Now that you’re injured, you can’t go boating anymore. By the way, where are you injured? How did it happen?”
Ning Rushen smoothly changed the topic, “On my waist, I was hit.”
“Gasp… Can I see?”
Geng Yan leaned forward, lifting the edge of his thin blanket.
A gust of cool wind rushed in, causing Ning Rushen to shiver. “Are you still…” He was about to instruct someone to let go when suddenly, he heard a commotion outside, followed by the dimming of the light from outside.
Ahead, there were two hurried and faint sounds: “Heng heng!”
Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat. He abruptly raised his head—
Only to see Li Wuting standing at the door, looking towards him with his hands behind his back. Beside him were De Quan, who was making frantic gestures, and Yan Shu, who was silent as a cicada.
Their gazes met across half the room.
“…”
Geng Yan, by the bed, faced that gaze, his hand trembling inexplicably as he gently covered the thin blanket over himself again.
