Chapter 24
Ning Rushen stared at Li Wuting at the door, momentarily caught off guard—dxGwvOFgAjWjvhvVuWmubctSHcxOUC
AfXtapuWbZxEpAJHe then saw Shiyi behind him. Shiyi met his gaze and nodded.ZAQJZVjHTCoFETQCKcNZeyyWpPibZn
DjglTVIgNZdUkKo“Get someone to request leave for you, and go directly to the imperial court!”dMGgjIuqaufiqzorcBTfOouRxaBFkW
dgOGMXajBKwuBzhNo wonder it went from “Imperial Court Jin Yiwei” to “Former Jin Yiwei.”YBmpnFauwsSPXhCegILPSjjoWIUsQh
lhjNMeUuZIngQBlGeng Yan, trembling beside him, bowed, “I, I pay my respects to Your Majesty!”rSVhDEIWkZURuAfzfItpiivmLXxHFC
dPrBzGpnXoLsuNpLi Wuting glanced at him, “No need for formalities, we meet often enough.”qordhGJNPzNNjaIlNiidLHfggbAvWj
qXHlYpfVlgFMEHxLi Wuting withdrew his gaze, then looked at the thin blanket that had just been put down, and walked into the room.XMPjpSpfcsIpCKEPIZHHprIEmQHXdI
QwpmNqXZHSzvMLpNing Rushen only then regained his composure, hastily sat up and saluted, “I, I pay my respects to Your Majesty…” He was wearing only a thin robe, which hung loosely as he sat up, revealing his slender, white figure.CxjvmXGDLYKpudHDYBJCHgbXZIrArT
OWSyivNfYCQEqAILi Wuting’s eyelids flickered, “You’re excused.”VCaVRmdtGrMvoiKKuCAlsjkufouJVB
xQdowPSoVctNOwPNing Rushen lay back on the pillow, facing Li Wuting.zHEwQYOAclyRZAcrjEeZLFDYEFfluV
LlCcctOSxlUMmMhHe had been so irritated by Geng Yan’s shouting earlier, and Geng Yan had only stood by his side, so he hadn’t noticed—lHqIhFJwzuypZImAneyTNCTpNMkQbd
KXpowHPJlytIuhjBut now, facing Li Wuting, he belatedly pulled the thin blanket behind him, and the silky fabric loosely gathered around his shoulders.fBekJBCsIjuqIwpQIslaZffZNPJQHR
hUSkqeltWbEpiqKNing Rushen adjusted the blanket and asked, “Why has Your Majesty come?”efTYhFujCiYcgMogfKAfpQOcFYUdux
pHjrGFXwCbcMZHwLi Wuting finally shifted his gaze back, “I heard Ning Qing was seriously injured and still hasn’t taken his medicine. I came to see how Ning Qing is recovering.”dZsaIISAiZUPzMbpFxhgmUBVnTJPJM
SEgXEONAutkbzvd“…” Shiyi, you’re great.PZjvRXlzHfzZGhSkkJqfohYbwMRXqz
GJQsgpucWdxxPGLNing Rushen lightly quibbled, “It’s that I haven’t taken it ‘yet.'”pDtVnOJlScBzMrZSfpvyrjyagFGrlE
ZBaZqnWKplLGxvT“It’s been so long, you should have taken it by now.” Li Wuting didn’t believe his excuse, glancing sideways at the medicine bowl on the bedside table, he ordered, “Go heat up the medicine.”iuyXAUsuNmxFHfowjCpNelzOevLfzq
niqYreaatOnCczlXing Lan immediately carried the medicine bowl downstairs, “Yes!”NEraJzJPUdoRjRqGWUuvGbGfJafSRs
THiKbmpWWofpLyINing Rushen, “…”goJbsuJtyMVSfUdpfyxJpIzaJPDbty
ueqoRKEWrdXEpRcThe medicine was quickly reheated and brought back.pDAWKWbLiKaMuviZmKAQPAXAvRtmql
GlTOFJzcNulInLRNing Rushen watched as Xing Lan brought over the steaming, dark bowl, unable to resist trembling. Taking advantage of Li Wuting sitting at the bedside, he tried to hide behind him.KClmnXpmRSLnXIPFLtYcPrLqjEaEoL
JRYQNrPGXkYzrpbHe shook his head at Xing Lan with a look of resistance:lfSoZstEChQVAObQxJjRhudlQTPFmt
bEBbQxkAIjOqEqvRed flowers, small bridges, old ladies!SAJxWCLlPtWbEHvQmQjGYZuFxSTUFg
axnjMxSSIOApkkPXing Lan was momentarily at a loss, “Sir…”viIGCRSefSFlqmUbQZejTtlCxhxaQS
XUJeyZizuQtfkCiJust as he hesitated, a hand suddenly reached out and took the bowl.ubOhTxNiODqnuMvxvcZZJmcfxWXRMY
AmVDfEQMBMexRITNing Rushen: ?JwnOBrBxUJcwehwKCQTBAnUZZsHaTL
YjglnrlfqzPYPlKLi Wuting held the bowl of medicine, lowered his eyes, and looked at him, “Where are you trying to hide?”xtgTraEDFvCAnuAxYaKKBaAoagPabg
ptPaduSygMgPjbMNing Rushen, painfully exposed, “…”KNGWkSUHdQLblfeRBUwOJgMIUPsLwP
NIiOKbgUeJNITxLLi Wuting said, “Well, since I’m personally serving you, shouldn’t you drink it?”pkqFaiFWxwEAdDeMxbdRScycWLaKIL
ZpAyLqPeVzxcetfDe Quan immediately laughed and intervened, “Oh, Ning Daren is just being formal. He’s thanking Your Majesty in his heart!”SoXqRMfKkisGJqbHgHlNlDVtzpuqYL
oKHzyIatZogeQEqNing Rushen thought to himself, “…I thank you all.”fgTkXwWXkeZIzXuuEzzqqzkeqmyNXD
uepybCSJihrwgqNThe hot bowl of medicine sat quietly in front of him.ocuSlaXxZfXMrOnodYgEWFhYoGGEpa
QZSfkzJGYNEOZaUWith Li Wuting’s calm gaze still on him from above.WrDrJKugKzKWlOXbhWZpWXtLaXgymk
XWvRzZUiYdFRvHgNing Rushen hesitated for a moment, then clenched his pillow, leaned his head over, and reluctantly drank from the bowl…YavJxDQyidOhwimdCHlnpLDPpEeYZt
GVhcZqdYryFcndnA few steps away, Geng Yan was startled!TPHUdPaZEKHJPIVmXHYxfkYVAKxqru
YiFWDrNIirtKLzxWhen His Majesty says “bring,” do you really dare to make someone bring it up to you!wRvcbvQJeebwdKtAXijdFbHvNJVIjd
YdEWhIeBpkpvPzNHe glanced over nervously.EwzQErAPRWcJImiVeHHybEpipHhRVV
OKwzBofqqnNvHEyBut the person carrying the bowl didn’t seem to mind—dREfOEiYrYgUCQufzRnMsUUngRvunT
oZPwSLdLXWXxDBQLi Wuting watched as the person drank the medicine, holding the bowl steadily and even raising his hand slightly to match Ning Rushen’s drinking speed.eefkQyVGxIiWyreqpvCbAOrABCwbvM
LOeeMxGPHXuwOpZThe person lying on the pillow obediently leaned over to drink the medicine from his hand.AVnKYeShrBBsURFkRGtfwEtYzIfifu
qXfHaFbLVitXdeuIn a daze, Li Wuting felt as if he were feeding a cat.FZhUCydBorBwDxqQoCbZBrJuSptUhL
tLsYzOajrAYMJiAThe bitterness of the hot medicine grew stronger.OlQbIIqhkiivEbIWjMAdxLbrzPUIAq
WrKhXxKiUnDlYFYAfter drinking a few sips, Ning Rushen felt the sour bitterness rising to his head. He vaguely saw the old lady waving at him again…xLRIdWWzwBCBLYAiqHPYHsXPRdyTQk
hGvBfXTkFGJemjoHe trembled his eyelashes, couldn’t help but push the rim of the bowl with his tongue, turned his head aside, and exhaled, “Bitter… Your Majesty, it’s bitter…”MsEnBHHsylHWdMedUzlzthNSOJZSle
AtgqFUifPFSwGbkLi Wuting held the bowl, “Drink it all in one go, or it’ll be even more bitter.”IUiiShSfKPBpOqclfoYRwUroNCGyoG
QXguvkYcsQoiAVlNing Rushen swallowed, tears welling up in his eyes as he looked at the stern face before him. He took a deep breath, leaned over the rim of the bowl, and drank the rest of the medicine.gWEugWKKRtBvJNvJoJpETAafRGwwdR
kLMNurNyxmiRwcz…rFQriAXJgRjVLuMfNzhJSHeacISjtu
gOdLuImhFfrLPgRFinally, he finished the deeply bitter bowl of medicine.pCHVknkMaJhzUCnGjrRtvAQDFmlfha
HrsbTfzuXpDWZvKXing Lan carried the medicine bowl away.rKqwngObIxoAQxmbHmwpxRmAmrFsLz
EVByAztNiBYNwQFSince His Majesty was still present, she couldn’t bring water for Ning Rushen to rinse his mouth. She could only bring some preserved fruits instead, saying, “Please enjoy, my lord.”qxUNFyKcJQSzcGBfLsPGDFLMcviwkJ
kfCGsLgPJFEJjVdNing Rushen, tears in his eyes, accepted them eagerly:meMtHitSwNrdRUbbiStJKRUYWGOEsy
BVlrIYnESAdiltK“Great, I’ll use my tongue to lick them!”QlLGNDXSKuOpdFQIjVBqtceoedmKjp
JjMuGLKqoyzEiTxIn this brief moment when he was reviving with the preserved fruits in his mouth, Li Wuting sat beside him, using a handkerchief to gently wipe off the medicine juice on his fingertips.lUHjcoMFdGfqrlEWtZRGpfzrabQBjf
aNOYThxyjQochiR“How did you bump into it? Didn’t you see the cart coming?”RSJXNSwgFRwWCUKUERQpbEyWpXhZTc
mJpwmdeuHPSXSKX“I, I was trying to avoid it and bumped into the cart.”xfkjCKMzxcWMiaKCMdRVFnIqXnZIDb
RwrPTvcRWOReVIGLi Wuting looked at him silently.jAWOivqXDsbCOaUXIZLbpfKGWpVfUQ
KLxsMUMVHVNtSUWNing Rushen thought about the various possibilities and tentatively said, “Your Majesty, it’s the Yu family.”GhUhOJUJNJRktXMjfsgpwejOujJFdz
kqJRGdmOCIGccEx“Mm.” Li Wuting replied nonchalantly, “Ning Qing, what do you think should be done?”lrZLSthXokcQuFJzwbpQkrjOAeIsGd
lmakFGZdsJCynDMNing Rushen thought, “If I knew, why would I ask you?”VTWmglYvidEkkSNkRFENJONwmthhVu
qxIoqcCaFfofqyrHe met Li Wuting’s deep gaze and paused. A hint of socialist light slowly rose in his eyes. “Naturally, it should be governed according to the law.”coBtmDnelbYusMbWcqBBZpTBMDplHF
QCjcfDhrGMjytPWA light sigh seemed to fall in the room.PbAkZCIQxDmzkyfCvmapVqaIftjWHm
VmBOOtuxYVSobGXLi Wuting then stood up. “Ning Qing, take your medicine properly. I’ll take my leave.”pncARfOKnEnjOcPZQTddHahncubocN
ZtGRsQBIVffaiRSNing Rushen raised his head in confusion. “Your Majesty, please allow me to see you off.”PuhJNgmTtPuXcjEiDRDtmPNvCRzoQC
IZqsNFBDuhWvDGPEveryone in the room bowed to send him off.DwzgJrcuuVXjPiXWDcxtsvSFFKmifh
mJBcZVzxwqPhXvwLi Wuting nodded and turned to leave. As he passed by the quiet and calm Geng Yan at the foot of the bed, he withdrew his gaze, lifted his steps, and left the room.cJjFxdDRARKjLhsAeYUfXoyvDJZiNY
BkcwgHzOtzrnuwuThe next day, during the morning court session, courtiers reported that a member of the Yu family had ridden a horse recklessly in the streets, disturbing the people. The Yu family was in charge of the East City Military Department and had overstepped their duties.xZXTEaYpJEKygyYIdmURkqAHOsLFri
ElgdbkqpWjcUIRrThe Emperor, with a stern expression, ordered the Jin Yiwei to investigate and deal with the matter.RlhoHNJbosalFgxNsyNItPixAuVSOA
gXljgxXxJASiOgKSome keen observers noticed that Lord Ning had not attended the court session that day and remembered that the Ning residence seemed to be near the East City Military Department. They suddenly realized something.fLSSEENFnbhvfZcdpMtoSPDBhJUFlp
bmRLucqcnxPjfxLThe situation in the court began to stir silently.weehCTWdusBDprppQaxxgKacEfETkd
DvTKeiinnreyPjMMeanwhile, Ning Rushen stayed at home to recuperate, enjoying the sunshine and admiring the flowers, living a peaceful and tranquil life, detached from worldly affairs.cNARkEbDhmuInWukcJbgtmDYABGEuw
UsunVmWGplTekGOAlthough his waist injury had looked horrifying at the time, it had not affected his muscles or bones.KmFxDbeiQNMOGpCYZpCHXbZhbFRrzf
ICFEQgsQrDIBDFAAfter resting at home for two days, he was already able to get up and move around.MlZycDgFnGOymzqyaXscakwMKIrhBq
OeryWKpVluhtcCiYan Min had someone move a reclining chair to the courtyard, where Ning Rushen lay drinking tea and reading.qGiElnKNXhNZjDBaDlQfMKRhaHdMFK
kXaThBqnkrkgkIPIn the bright afternoon sunlight, when he was almost falling asleep, a servant, Yuan Liu, suddenly came to report, “My lord, the master of the Yu family is here to see you.”puvIMkLoKrKXwLaHldiyjmkhpmzSBX
ErzdzmlLFSyKjJINing Rushen squinted, half asleep, “Send away the dull ones, let the clever ones in.”SAnyBBoIqFtfoxWwyfmjNjjdSnCgfq
XlcBJGOfmbmRPikYuan Liu replied, “The one surnamed Yu, who bumped into you.”bNcqIPcfBwbzgAxPMXBPssQjWolBOx
MIbtbFPpmvpOQMNNing Rushen opened his eyes wide, “?”mTpGFGkuPIfXGmpOJYxqONRGHiocgp
dnJwGGLOAKqcYozA moment later, Yuan Liu led Yu Lifeng and his son into the main courtyard.FmDMmLcuvpobiGErTJXMunJYDnZCIe
OUoifUEDSgPVHHQYu Lifeng, looking about fifty years old, appeared anxious. Behind him was a young man in luxurious clothing, the same person who had ridden a horse recklessly in the street. He was in his early twenties and wore a reluctant expression.ABjaIaftrPBycUVqGySRWBcDmuuHvF
oKUolBKrpkAPLcnUpon seeing Ning Rushen, Yu Lifeng hurriedly said, “Lord Ning, this old man has brought his unfilial son to apologize!”vQrjArttJHUVNuKPvlmKqmYjIPBxMf
tiFhIJjSVzdZmmZBehind him, Yu Tiao pursed his lips and said, “Lord Ning.”xjwbnuVNRaZLoVgYiWziDhqBeUSukM
XqiGlCrvOLwCmgiNing Rushen lazily lay down and glanced at the two with indifference.fyDBfCtGeLLRslFfexHSYAxiYueOis
tKppIhqXuHIgzHkYu Lifeng continued to apologize nervously, asking his attendant to present the apology gift. “My son is unfilial and has offended you, Lord. I hope you can forgive him for my sake and seek mercy from His Majesty!”lqOmScWCWfHnFCimUqaSFnlfebNLZd
OYBfBOAVUTkmzYQYan Min, standing beside, promptly took the gift without hesitation.GYnyBRdqRFCtoXAIVyGaPQZlsUmLmw
inLmmBXiftHSHigExtortion fees, collected.FZlnpGGTyLgDrUPcjIbGxIFWYrvrxd
AbizqmgNRdRhZguNing Rushen gave him a subtle approving glance before turning to the Yu father and son. “Mr. Yu, you are too serious. Your unfilial son disturbed the people. Why come to me to seek mercy from His Majesty?”LcpNjpsbSAIyXWgeQKrlESYmdalczl
cSfoIbdjGJbKvKNYu Lifeng was speechless.xdaaqydaIcTsTPCzJpUbJGfpjfRIXi
jeRCpKUlkDWkDQMIt was Yu Tiao who couldn’t help but change his expression, “Father, why be so submissive? It wasn’t even me who caused the accident. Instead of begging him, it’s better to go to the other families–“HsjRXGhlvFQyhvbNgWRjWGONGBGYbS
raJPPYchxnPSszy“Shut up!” Yu Lifeng’s face changed, stopping him.GpofgFoUJZryxsGxaMIuKRkKoFkdkb
YUlKnRYKfzMLkSsYu Tiao suppressed his dissatisfaction.yzbbDzZQTGylXiNzrLUwzTGFmzkIPR
PYkwaBYzpGNBIKiSeeing his appearance, Ning Rushen couldn’t help but recall the words he had asked from Shiyi yesterday:qQiGzXtoAiKfylqqggWhUdCkOPSkWY
jHXXCmHdGfrCQgyThe Five Cities Military Department of Dacheng used to be held by the fathers, brothers, and relatives of the palace concubines, commonly known as connections.KceWCWVeZuXmPxoetSwpDLmMLLrJnm
rSqifNPmSYVCJEfSome concubines were favored, and their families were powerful.KeUIwwbraSVfxUxEQejigYdpVmYozb
uecxjcIlkaBpIDrThe noble children who grew up in such an environment still live as if in the reign of the late emperor, still acting wantonly and arrogantly.NrclkCUoTXykNEnswdvgHifroYTdsd
wZXUtBJHDWrKQtaA group of second-generation spoiled children, nothing good to say.pFnZjdfKCcjVpPppxepzbBeVGqAjnu
iIBaRomHVlKLefcNing Rushen yawned, feeling sleepy. “It seems Mr. Yu knows many tricks; I can’t help. Yuan Liu, see them off.”qFBSIYWzRuOTbYQwgLupSyahMknZkE
JEPpSEGWgswTVfX“Yes, please, leave us!” Yuan Liu raised his hand.LUwNFObWWSJZMyiVKZCVXUHeCsICRG
jpJdSWKObkYUjYLYu Lifeng, angry, took Yu Tiao away, feeling resentful.RIUlFwbUIZMxopBKLmRLVHYRZGtslK
RiUbiECAwzaPqumAfter sending the Yu family away, the next two days were much quieter.vdpBnHLQZSjpikesdEbDIzojjxoPLW
okgJLiCikUHjUvyNing Rushen had been lying down for a few days, and his waist injury had almost healed. Just out of a habit of being able to lounge around, he still sprawled out like a cat in the yard, basking in the sun.careKhZAjpkMWHGFhXdTyGFvGQCdRK
avRwEsRCBtgPkIlWhile lounging, there was suddenly a loud “clang!” from the wall!fUGjBIRirvYekQppsAXLXlJpkFhsbh
CcurdpfzVjBqUEgHe was startled and sat up, only to see Shiyi holding a struggling Geng Yan who had fallen in front of him, crying out, “Wahhh…”hanDBwCRPSwMHuaWrFTLQRwlwxEkaB
ZCzVHIaKpxnhSRQNing Rushen: ???mRkWXxxqpKTkeqECnsJFEaOOBksPqL
srooVmjjMcLyCriThe Brocade Guards were always very reckless. Shiyi single-handedly carried a servant but remained unfazed. “My Lord, he was sneaking around on your wall.”LzmBXiqqZPaZDCfDRxjUQwJqPKPJFY
OIXnjMrVSAWtXfPGeng Yan, too angry to speak clearly, said, “He was sneaking around!”oFjQTfdeKNrJKeWYgghAlLaWkDdYkg
scEdAJWJLiKoFGUHe looked complicated, causing Shiyi to let go of the person. “Forget it, he’s just passing by where you came from.”jezqZYUcHlDLvFkZWWogMcKnjvngVD
aMxBJpieCsfUlhpShiyi, “…”psZPZnHrFXsZLcHdqiJxncBOHkvJwv
HjDwypwWLuyYSyrGeng Yan was thrown to the ground with a thud, pointing at the guards, his fingers trembling. “What’s wrong with you, daring to casually throw down an official of the court!”XzLIjTYNtmFkcqJQYwxHaqFozFUtoO
vUJNYnEJAvOMzhwNing Rushen couldn’t say that this was the former Jin Yiwei, so he took the initiative, “Why were you lurking on my wall? Instead of using the main gate, are you here to assassinate me?”rtaxadCWvmnuizTJnejtUWZumcgcQu
yjDIYzYeeeLWzRmGeng Yan, upon hearing this, instantly looked around vigilantly. “Right! I forgot, I just wanted to see if His Majesty is here today. If he is, then I’ll leave.”xPGSFoCTIiRJfNaPiZRfLlLiulzVDL
vZXBrDtMEWEtyCH“…Why bother.”qytywlHRhlLoFuZuIidlIAHLTiVnoj
daeAncFuaomTMJRConfirming Li Wuting wasn’t present, Geng Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.GORVqcPOfDxoZEIecItNRfsyteQpYH
qrAPymdaOqCCVobHe consciously brought over a small stool. “Is your back better? When will you return to duty in the palace?”gMjnbbwvQQtzyzdcCDmzIeNtpfitjE
oeRKPuWhTxfUbycNing Rushen probed, “What, did your father cause trouble again?”jFAPhbLNjgqWErkjXhvPKTtCbNdkJf
UcEHOukBhkymcnkGeng Yan exploded, “No!!!”aOHNfnyfAyBsMTfHwPPXvXVgyGbLZR
cyrAOABTDTSpQXqHe begrudgingly added, “I’m worried for you! Yesterday, I gathered with a few friends and heard from a friend of a friend that you’ve offended the sons of the Yu family. The sons from the Five-City Garrison are now united and thinking of suppressing you.”sUwBPEiADsuEHuNHulWWhGMxLxvNrT
ZlOtSBHuKzcjtTBNing Rushen first sighed at how many friends he had.kUOIEUrHpXMLLuyztHSYcRFbEBAxjK
dqLWbjSQvLLpepAThen he became curious, “How are they going to suppress me?”aaLCcNqhCiVVbyCczaFUJtWvInOSdx
zHXhTcYsmdNfgRG“This year’s imperial examination. Several families have candidates who passed the provincial exam. They said that as long as they can impress the Emperor during the palace exam, there are plenty of ways to suppress you, this ‘former minister of the late emperor.'”XQXxFpGmVqgbJLDztctxMokjXtCgOq
ksFHMansjGpSzEhNing Rushen was speechless.tNYWFhkljBlNDiTnbgHWADePqHhyWj
PzUFPmUQbKfOucX“Do they not know that I am their examiner?”SQBFjkVgWHdHdHgAVUOxDnFCehakTw
oYFjaBBQRdHAhzNDo they know that their newly formed alliance is about to welcome the lucky draw?FaMCQpgnGGMdKgFPMQMbtUUcqfrCvj
NtegaKrERBglteJNing Rushen moved his lips, about to say something.tTlpmdgtBPyehGoimNKpnBaWiLyJbx
iJrCBNVqhmLQwlJBut then, his gaze shifted and he suddenly caught sight of Shiyi standing nearby. Like a gently swaying weed, Shiyi was listening intently to their conversation, ears pricked up.gLMrqJNFTwsnYlSzKbpIqLNbdKxTTf
AsfkEdaVrHwzuaZKnowing Shiyi’s penchant for exaggeration and gossip, if these words were to reach Li Wuting’s ears, they would probably turn into “several families are preparing to unite and overthrow him.”KaTVVWXKEywiDdQCnFCrwRuCXnQcnS
DtyXEVmiojyVpWVNing Rushen thought for a moment, satisfied, “That’s good…”vTUjvxgzZtPGRBqdHIJkPvUNRzSzIw
PZAgQheakLlkpMVIt’s just right to add a bit of fuel to the fire.EIMkhbVMeAqUnbkBlqjRyHnYbVVqLP
PvnZOXMzTQCueDC“What’s good?” Geng Yan suddenly leaned over, “Is it good for you to retire and return to your hometown?”InnUYnSDhTUpPXYhoUJCzjtuXCsDqZ
PdUmUYCiIWuvQRvHe leaned in closer, and his volume suddenly increased.IfhQCksqctrEMBHJOKhIGLfQvGCdQp
kiAUzjujjIFAEGJNing Rushen pushed his head away, “You’re so loud.”QbrxaRAKHPQiKNKGBHUFMRCQoXUsGb
umStzNRvtdVUMer…GzfOlIVcUDVmxcKbUpkGdPGbPAMVbg
JmCwqCawBvwGRWSThat evening, Shiyi appeared on time at the Heart-Caring Hall.TRwSzGAcjaeGVffzaBToaoDUDfHPJx
wrlvKWOWWlshaRuLi Wuting seemed to tacitly approve of his actions, sitting on the low couch with lowered eyes. “How are things going?”uAiYZPqZAqnmWOGZVhgswRnYxZfgIe
tTmyjPXntbUAdzYShiyi replied, “Basically recovered.”ydpbbWeamJYEmdnwRbvgLbsrQfKJsJ
DUGVawkZfIXoWOaLi Wuting nodded, “Is there anything else?”SdEpElPssvKSskYJoVxustszutizCH
gzVUeIaKZCediEL“Yes.” Shiyi recounted the conversations of the visitors over the past few days, then mentioned Geng Yan, “Minister Geng climbed over the wall, saw that Your Majesty was not present, and was delighted.”ZODviZadmnrGYrqBlDOCQiVTbGgiyM
DjRKyUamSdoYYxBLi Wuting, “…”RqPZOrKrnQPLwFKASQauBpVFsLQHOh
gVYgrHEvOvYYvPBShiyi continued, “Then he mentioned several families under the Five-City Garrison.”HEHGphaiXCJyvGhlRcBwpxXsTcxGix
VEXCSEjhTNgNClz“What did he say?”nZBpXiMmJBDutOQweenOZjZbrWNXkS
gpGzyNIGFXBkWQC“I heard that several families are planning to unite and overthrow Lord Ning.”MHfovDhkmdrboNYYvUWJOSuAvFKAQY
VZunlaBvPKTNrnCShiyi glanced over, but saw that Li Wuting remained calm, his expression unreadable.tpFyGDRiznlfTKXKfhcliXATdNUMmS
tLjuIBvbLxFTtaZAfter a pause, Li Wuting spoke slowly, “How did Lord Ning react?”CeGGydQWoDjHgvztFpfPVhuvqPddao
UXohMmikFJcwPlNRecalling the tone, Shiyi replied, “Lord Ning was very pleased and said, ‘That’s good…'” He imitated it perfectly, completely conveying the satisfaction of the person involved.NYenzuQQQoiwgqFIEDuQBpnNYwztnD
YitrJUgWliWJRUKLi Wuting’s gaze grew heavy, “What’s good?”yaOQZcMtEioPepcIPxOCUXxgKKrczw
BDujuHaoucmCyUwRecalling the conversation and confirming there was no objection, Shiyi added, “Good for retiring and returning to his hometown.”tlXxdPviEUYyWjRbzhzXpfdMMSaVBn
vSOyUONrIYiRYjL“…”bZldZKgZSyairNjVfUGQDkpzwOcwRx
nYyELbeJdkXzPDeWith that said, silence fell before the low couch.ieGgNTbERwVlDfSBfnrdOszYbnNjfo
yrnSpWUXzxOoYCmDe Quan tightened his grip on the duster, his heart pounding. Before he could speak, a cold laugh sounded in front of him:RUYytQqXUydLGRlaBnxlUAmmmXiurP
FQXUJYrXizjqueq“Hah, I didn’t know. Is this how Lord Ning thinks?”sQwcIwWExPNxQtCHLXaaSqCdekOkLi
HAPJkilnTvcwapdLi Wuting’s gaze shifted to outside the hall, ordering coldly, “Summon someone into the palace.”RjnkTRZEjCVcsfaaCGWJtXRWWCYPsp
bItghVLCOuzWaHIyGzwLlzuMYhmVDiUcVIssXXQHHUQbe