Chapter 26
A small storefront, yet business was booming. As Ning Rushen and Geng Yan strolled by at mealtime, they found the place packed. In the noisy lobby, only one round table near the window remained empty.NavdqrKqsMdMkUeOPIBecRnRSzKSet
ilzHXnvpPoECHdMGeng Yan ordered a few items and then asked, “How did you manage to get into the palace last night? Did something urgent come up?”pPCjUMxZdFycXzfbBsZukucobSgoeX
mkKvYNQlnvbjqnJNing Rushen absentmindedly replied, “No… just wanted to grab a bite.”caQTwlsbmSosQrtPjGxMWPSaCqaPKB
MShwKcsfcLseoVRHis mood suddenly became complex and hard to express. Seeing Ning Rushen’s casual demeanor, Geng Yan couldn’t help but tease him.HWOPLUoQbPWTmXVfFveNIobTyysMAg
GxDqVMIAKINMHcsAs they began to chat, voices from the bustling lobby behind them interrupted. A waiter hurried over and said, “Excuse me, the restaurant is nearly full. Would you mind sharing a table with other guests?”scrnYIBquKRMZnhIIAULEXTcekVTGV
dHybRouXTIDjeEvDressed in luxurious attire, with fragrant sachets and jade belts, they approached the table. When Ning Rushen looked up, he recognized the young men in noble attire, especially the leader—Yu Tiao.ZfpPzLZuttWvSnFmUZrUqFeOIcsRvu
dhaZmQVOlZlcKyjThe two groups locked eyes, the atmosphere tense.QOhJFZBvZIJCUdbkSICNCbmxTXIJAC
kxzoFzdhVXKsbvqYu Tiao spoke first, neither friendly nor hostile, “Oh, who knew someone was making such a grand display, occupying a whole table. It turns out to be Lord Ning.”OcXGbJdqrTGIawOznxNOxnlWiwvyXI
XzITLAYlMkCrUZSNing Rushen replied calmly, “Oh, so it’s not about sharing a table, but about sharing fathers.”rEkLLVFUoIMPMkafYeLzLLXWKEEaMR
NsRfqFuEpZRszEPYu Tiao was furious. “You…!”pqujUpPnytiKHYuDTXpfBkxEpwFnIS
mEOnvnRGjOeYpefThe waiter nervously wiped his sweat nearby, “Gentlemen, please be civil.”PtiUNVhgvWQIfqdkQXXhIGLsjmYsVN
RRhzmcYWWJuigIPSeeing the young nobles still standing at the table, Ning Rushen was considering whether to trip them with his leg or lie flat on the table to block them from sitting down…UFqkXNnYOLmbUqhkPUwwifuZOgqYKf
TeEqCWNTCrKMgodA voice interrupted, oblivious to the tension, but quite familiar.TsfMhYcFZBkpvxXnhylOlrmxkEMvkg
imaUWNGVZBrqjVjNing Rushen turned and saw Yi Shiyi holding two bags of freshly baked pastries. Recognizing him, Yi Shiyi nodded in surprise, “It’s you, sir.”YydGXTgEBGJWkRUnFIWQsxjgqEkKqZ
dfyBrHGOGgATaCgNing Rushen thought, Why is it you?JPNafabgkhsWMorJhpqWerIHdprpDl
jYbkuaNUceoHjtESeems like buying pastries allows for a flexible schedule.sTQZxGmjjYWiTomDWwvKhOqPUdHcvL
DbcpoNwjmzJAQEWYu Tiao and his friends frowned. “Who’s this?”ATZUPYihEvHgQGPuyqFJqBOsZUeppg
yMProZLNOjLbTLMNing Rushen glanced around and suddenly changed his mind, nodding toward them, “Please, have a seat.”gCembRvBqMjOdyVnChthlJdJRKKqnF
YImBWPeGVvzajTdYi Shiyi graciously took a seat beside them.DpvFcOVLYpgmHGEqmSTlMssYtECMQU
AFGKcYYDJzGmjwXYu Tiao and his friends exchanged glances and sat down as well.QnHOLtEwYZuIZNENrDQskocOCDmBmV
kMqOomdJaDhTcinThe waiter hurriedly brought the menu, calming the situation at the table. Ning Rushen looked at the group in front of him, realizing he had inadvertently brought together people who shouldn’t be together.KqVFcuLUahgyRYhETuDHoDwitBRfts
mKAmuGLMqfUIJrRIgnoring the people across from him, he turned to Yi Shiyi, “What are you doing here?”OxrzBvCxMDMiWfslyPigDtPtMyLhrv
CMIBKAymEsLlMMIYi Shiyi replied, “I lined up for pastries all morning and got hungry. A friend mentioned this restaurant in the west of the city, so I came.”EOAfuZDpnKLBLzHjwoTvmFGsoOHdyF
ukjrwyreQjhWmcrNing Rushen thought, …PegSGOeJwNWVcuHLXlMfeLpGqXExkt
gMXgYihuYAOxEEOAs they talked, the dishes they ordered arrived one after another.IfGCHyiuaDzclWRPWdQXcgyvFyqkPt
BIocelGPEmIvdIiNing Rushen picked up his chopsticks and started to pick at the dishes on the table, while the conversation continued on the other side.qXbYsmIIMaxRerKTdpQQyGIqPiwPqk
XIULVdbsfAFTEta“I heard someone who was seriously injured and sick for a long time, but still seemed able to eat and run.”FQDdTFJETlJMBKPLervSjIcbgisTVG
atxszTqmkPNdsSR“Without adding some spice, how can things be made big?”YkqVnLBkWYhZQsMEWDTXuJMKeMYmcB
JbBgPrCssJPJfPgSnap! Geng Yan slammed his chopsticks down. “You mother——”iYiewfDcJEzEJnBslKZeyhYuiMwQyc
eRiosRaqThrVFuqNing Rushen raised his hand and closed his jaw.jfDcUDYnAcVYxOtwRTimzoidZMumkC
eniWvXhoXyorPPMGeng Yan, “Er…!”bwgEncNbupUxhRBlBtAPMpRVUqjixS
wFkkfocAvYRoDSJNing Rushen caught a glimpse of the grass on the wall gently swaying again, and then changed the subject:EznJDaaYkUcNSOmrIldojaYQiDGKBL
vTULTBgPbAByemI“Discussing court officials in public, do you know what crime that is?”GOCfJQzZWeCLSTmRltqTVdQrBPAXQf
DYwOoRHVEfHdkntYu Tiao was immediately ignited by his words. “What, Lord Ning is going to report to the court again? You can try, let’s see if the emperor will punish you!”pVckQFuDqdGyWaysLNMnmUyQAyxZaS
IWhoyztEDDMOMQYAnother young man from a noble family chuckled, “Don’t forget, Lord Ning is an orphan… Oops, I misspoke. He’s a lone seedling, neither high nor low, probably doesn’t understand the weight of the noble families.”BLpzueTCFCsFddnngOMUBuZOzBTaIT
CrKhYKKsJJiGjsJSeeing their arrogance, Ning Rushen knew they were completely unaware that they were about to be dealt with by Li Wuting—QHaIVdkfdtEPKBmPLnIuyoVRjmWhxH
SVtaccQmgyeHKUIAfter all, their families were not punished when the Cui family fell.WrMWbmIFPlBiOgdJcJmbBdUSfekFDO
HDePMTOXVZKBKujEven after the incident with the horse riding, the Yu family’s examination qualifications were not revoked. They probably thought the young new emperor was still wary.beDkWtIMDRqfgBIuejYMqjJZuKAuYe
FucJokCXOdYywORJust stay out of trouble and you can still get by…tHDMDuwwLzUSevNEDWoScMsnsDnZoJ
LjfdydTaLeDQaZhNing Rushen scooped up some salty tofu brain. He didn’t say anything, but the others became even more arrogant, the conversation even vaguely touching on imperial power…vbzNmqIgRVCnPUGXkPHxjwnqyWpori
MWQhVvbyXeYuhQLJust then, there was a loud bang!bwzBCYmXYionzsnHkSMfaAMREYUBHv
VQZDuvIxtPELriDA dark and chilly long knife slammed onto the table, abruptly silencing the table.OLcIfAdEUwikvpLRuNMJlTtUbkRnly
hBpMiorXkgqODcsShiyi put down his bowl. “Say one more word, and I’ll beat you.”gvEpvUnqkROCSSuRycARFmDFSQNDwv
YpiivcVDrsgVioaThe young men from noble families fell silent.bedjngILxsZbPJzFvySbaIWltPNiak
WAqlpKLJDGDBzKpYu Tiao trembled with anger and muttered, “Evil tyrant!”cnhjtdddyyWzhzsgmcmgYbiviqaWaS
SSsYQtFdEVmpKXkNing Rushen thought of Shiyi’s master and couldn’t help but laugh.etaELOAvPgQxwvciCtNeSprgYWwCSS
HMFXntEgazzshaCThe tense meal ended.hGVMdykBJNsyKKtRZxTmgltDOqLtam
LQtBzTlhsZPyhWUAs Yu Tiao and the others left the table, they couldn’t help but mutter threateningly, “We’ll see.”BpIDCWPRHvQsmFjbPbkRMozEAFqOxi
ZSGNAnrBheKTXiGNing Rushen smiled, “Goodbye.”HCTNEyUFeMBoiaYVdjCbISGshGMfcY
osAcUUKEdxBemcMThe group frowned and left inexplicably.BkfTVCFsKgaVCmOlEyiIbfACRyBKCG
BfTnRuAjDIscgRhAfter lunch, Ning Rushen and Geng Yan left the restaurant and strolled through the streets.eIdWneWYCKktXlqlgEBdVmXliJwJQY
NomOcDAlntMtCqoShiyi was sent back to the mansion along with the baked buns.cfpFpKiNpPjCOlfTjgCKWXdhYIxQYH
vcXGvOzEECwkmTVNing Rushen folded his hands. “Can these noble family kids pass the imperial examination?”HyBIKwEFyGCmkkNYTJNqNuamAXisAf
ztRMpQbbSolrHSEGeng Yan said, “The children of the noble families in the capital have been studying at the National University since childhood, so their starting point is naturally different from that of the common people. Moreover, most of the examiners for the imperial examinations are also graduates of the National University…”meFjTvyISuYCUPIybPIvbsvUdlixlm
VqqtGPhcOUXrZXMNing Rushen understood: It was like an enhanced version of their own school’s advantages.kBFapDcUNsxrGtQSWfgcefPoQkHUHS
dvNQfDzAgmsbEcNWhen the topic turned to examinations, he simply called for Geng Yan, “Let’s go take a look at the Ministry of Rites.”YHfEsGETfdSCSPXEWeOuQWQxuxEoMJ
KvyBKUCstikEBkDThe journey from here to the Ministry of Rites was not far.pmiwnOhwAeQqSobDYGBBtnTWFdYyNr
HbNfyBeZZuIBFUvBefore long, Ning Rushen saw the gate of the Ministry of Rites.kvzPgLUSRGFVSUzoJbMBMOplqrLjjV
YGZVtqxAiyCmgHkAs usual, he walked in as if he belonged there, and from a distance, he heard his friend calling out to him, “Minister Guan—”izpNJIdOiEfCCfDFJXbOIgdUAuOFei
neUdoVzoCFDIYDdJust around the corner, he saw a row of guards standing in front of the hall door.hHgJPOUSDnujLdXTDIMsNhepMHcXEJ
oakKaqdZTYtlyKpNing Rushen’s steps halted, and he instantly felt a sense of foreboding.XwLyUzefzfcEKMktXrZYbZPaAZHgFK
NPmJwKLYgcfQjckThe next moment, De Quan’s smiling face appeared, warmly welcoming them, “Oh, Lord Ning, Minister Geng~ Are you here to see His Majesty, who is inspecting the Ministry today?”EXXyHSzvOpOqRRrNWIxgRaaUQDuQWD
RcFJPFHybWdTZhrNing Rushen, “…”SreEDsVFOFmqanDhdkskVMZALuAWZw
fTVZUHImKhfDDEwHe didn’t know, he was just a little kitten.ivRMgpsKSkjBiHoPINUkWqFqqcMGOn
LRhcBNdyUtcdpaQGeng Yan, “…”BHmfKhKPspwoUBrOforvATSeuHHDqJ
pAyxmQhCQVPMeeZGeng Yan glanced at him quietly.xjcIXjoEASqBcvgpFHTEFIWILJGZGZ
rehpFVzMkOBESZNNing Rushen silently conveyed to him: This time, it really has nothing to do with him.vuPxMXJsNIZMoZbGUtaMbngyOQtYZU
IPwRQfUixPqYhLJThe two followed De Quan inside.fiGDdDeLhhOIKOQDKObwokWMJZEidA
UZfSwzTOQLjydBQInside the hall, officials were waiting, Guan Fan and Huo Mian were there, and Li Wuting was standing in front of everyone, turning to look at Ning Rushen when he heard him.jDNyHXikpWkeRoxUyKzXsrsgPSlPdL
QiuQSSGRKzRLsMa“I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”jTayaMJUraEVIedEHFjsHUpzRDNSmx
vGoohSiibcPimcNAs their eyes met, Li Wuting didn’t ask him in front of everyone, “Are you here to mooch a meal again?” But Ning Rushen inexplicably sensed something in that calm gaze: Ha.ZpawYaBlHxxkSkzogyCgVOrXsTKEGt
PuGAxTRNksMGZSeHe, “…”SQmEjztCaOBsVdYndIMBfLJMRAfitH
yQPPhCEdnUQMKwYIn that moment of eye contact, the gaze across from him suddenly fell.vnYwiwjiNIJIFXzjenqsztjjWzfhSP
LgevXuXxhRBFCcxIt fell on his neck.yuEGkHUPWAnDTsKBuTvqGxILUYQDTv
izDfKTWoybZiJJSJust then, Huo Mian came straight over, “Hey, are you injured?”VvcdtaeyxFkICbyOXETKPjnEWibQeg
PyGFNaviogndiAYNing Rushen touched his neck, subconsciously glancing at Li Wuting.tEVYfyzgGcjtZcMSOrowUwxxIvgryN
hGXwqKfZaMDAoVCLi Wuting: ?BwESitphihlwnhTlbVwAcRMnhYKYCB
TpXSligSqSXaugBNing Rushen replied, “It’s an allergy, I scratched it.”dRHbAPOwUBlxnYrhUwOJKkvNJkyMqS
KKGdUdZcqKVILzOHuo Mian kindly reminded him, “Oh, you shouldn’t eat randomly outside.”kgmGcEmFFxbxITNoTMyorCGYZAIAxF
EDntutyPCgACpKv“…” Outside. Eat randomly.EpBmCsmaLUSqxihygwOGchMNRTUKut
OkaDbtMOsEOiWUDHe stepped on a landmine!vcZnqDoJtwVVOEaPqeCWZEThOoJAkj
PJlIURloehuIyVFIn the next moment, from the other end, there came a faint, almost imperceptible sneer: Hmph.fvZiJGKOpWtHGIkLEeDMHvuhFqHAlz
KcxUZPOglkokGJtNing Rushen braced himself and said, “No, I always eat carefully.”dHACvgrgfoZsvymTazDtLFbZseOrqR
HuhbvzmRnLiyCyrHuo Mian showed a shocked expression once again!mGffsnEHxFBrJKbZxtGwTsrnElPgEV
nSEMEKwLHdKgAIUThe imperial carriage remained at the Ministry of Rites, and no official dared to leave until Li Wuting finished his inspection and left the main gate of the ministry. Geng Yan then tremblingly pulled Ning Rushen along, saying, “Let’s go quickly.”auJaQPObJbnpJlmoIExjuOBhdecwWE
nAMxYKDAcSuWPnTAs soon as the two stepped out, De Quan came running over, saying, “Lord Ning, His Majesty is summoning you.”ySHMiqDYGYvktoOtwzNwyLaFfrLPDD
VNMaFBduDhLInShNing Rushen felt as if an invisible hand was gripping the back of his neck again.KMOjDmZTeeCjtilbeMWcXLhtxMFEfn
wXWJMcUmKqeyDMvHe glanced at the nearby green palanquin carriage, patted Geng Yan, and followed.DovfbaDIVnPBfhKqboCMKLqNloGaKT
hwhWoSRMZYbmPSCThey lifted the curtain and entered the carriage.IzcEWEsLNnaDjaJbPrjIxpszYClyAb
PNmQqvXXBZYgpLUInside, Li Wuting was seated upright, with a finely crafted glass box on the table in front of him.eKfdGZImBYAxajIcyzrNqPqyjLnZed
CInUKXYwVnkUHLCLi Wuting said, “Take the ointment.”AFrDIyvWPfzhChVrnjSorLCVARmNcr
xThHFhffUhuwKjmNing Rushen hesitated for a moment, then took it, somewhat surprised, “Thank you, Your Majesty…”oamgZytipDwjkJeJtiJvPCGGSJxrDR
NNcskKgoyebQxDxThe imperial family even cared about after-sales service?XNOhCOgLuDTKKMwTEKWXSyFtsPcLap
uZprCFmTtpLEGBASeeing him take it, Li Wuting asked, “Have you seen a doctor?”wkGDqeIAdIjQqUtRcDfCWuHayZAakf
OCGlkmGKjOGxtZMNing Rushen replied, “No, it’s just itchy. Scratching it will be fine.”qjaunLtzkqlLtoUeHsjCLtWZXPdfgN
szJtYpALecmOvFuLi Wuting frowned.MGDbLZQNvOeXQoEUrwYORwFSRYCIuw
EDqHZHOxVOnrXwHDe Quan immediately interpreted the emperor’s meaning and pointed out, “How can this be allowed? At least we need to know what you’re allergic to.”cItYABtljlJKCaunxqGgDUGnbQlWxo
CCnlgSYzHljDLfCNing Rushen thought of yesterday’s imperial meal and his throat twitched suspiciously. He calculated, “I can eat it again and eliminate them one by one.”PYFybOHMwmyEzgnzaYAhcpoRlywZga
UUhWjQeiyvGlsghLi Wuting said, “…”NACracapybVHnNabGlYhwKkpJLjFYB
buyKYtpGkapYYIcHe praised softly, “Ning Qing’s medical skills are still so simple.”LYLdiPzBqSjYvdKONsCqumFUSgprKi
MRwhsOXiNpCaTiINing Rushen blushed and said, “It’s all from our own country.”TwBaAXvNMJMyMyELIgGwRcRkwoSXZy
GoJuihoJaQywQlfThe carriage couldn’t stay on the street for too long.yzghDrQveSADTdjmmibfmmcAnOgrTG
OYJjjulBNcmjtmdNing Rushen took the ointment and was about to get off the carriage.EmfaUqQLyViBWOrzCmyPpwabPsDMnP
ihiLWaESvWITazoHe turned to open the curtain, his black hair draped behind him, a ray of light shining on his neck, highlighting the mottled light red marks.RryKFIerfRiiIUWLksQbuStgtnAWuG
RyxhABCwTJOdZXg“Take a cloak.” Someone behind him suddenly said.yAByKEbLtWhiPxVlSLjNgFKxRsEowz
fFLGoTYqyVJdhgTNing Rushen turned his head, puzzled.WvjcaBusLCGDVGmGiXPOZIpSHsYIad
FREATwGljmsHxsMDe Quan had already understood and handed him the cloak.RyQTCdBoEQFyNBjazTefjSIakMboUN
ZbCSnOgLnywyoCXNing Rushen hesitated, “… Your Majesty, I’m not cold today.”EMoLoWkINSDLrBnuHmwYsxASDZrdzR
HCOKFEPQjLAZsgmOr rather, he was feeling heated after arguing.zANVUarwMJeIcCTcneSeRQMXpdCPMh
fPbRHjhXTZoPKpR“Cover up.” Li Wuting glanced briefly, “It’s not appropriate for an official representing the court to wander the streets with such… scratch marks, it’s not dignified.”MywtIpFXqLHCpnaxhIXTxmEtFeICnF
UpdTSiidnUNlSUS“???” What’s wrong?iZnoXEIuDRNOejMozCojYzefkiQAXE
JsoFIvXHUNMHSQUNing Rushen said, “Will it make all the officials of our dynasty feel uncomfortable?”WVGEIGxBhpEgitkaQkXCyEkjspIDAj
CqOjJnSEbGwbEPRLi Wuting replied, “…annoying.”oMkkdGlrYGrSEHabrAijgtxwQqKjLC
haAspbbQnZJQSdOHe then drove the person off the carriage.MXlCynwmQKUaXpgMefLvjAENHEGNvG
uALFsthgcGpsWpTNing Rushen: .oJkJpQaGWuZjSBUmAeITrUyxmQStDf
XILrvLKvAfhyjOEAfter returning home, he still sought out a doctor.BhxyVEAbcabsLjYPObJEGumTpTnSig
RsCHOXwqTqAosSoMedical skills were limited in this era, so although they couldn’t pinpoint the specific allergy, they prescribed some medicine and listed some foods to avoid.biaUgXZfrMWmDSjCUzxzNvUZUfOLoB
viNRvaxIZQRtWYeAfter applying the ointment, the red marks on Ning Rushen’s neck disappeared.OuThTpLRiTEwamhUAsFvYQwDveSOPF
dGIdyFRWTyHDFqBThe interview was in three days.NcnNvzBnfeYcTmKrOYarmEULUBGTiL
jYJNZPOArjNALNGHe leaned on the low couch beside the table in the room.KmmmhzfdegLVhYNCdRwoLGMHyCtsFD
cmNOvJXbXQDvhMuGazing thoughtfully out of the window for a moment, he then got up, took paper and pen, and began to write.AOaKAMIXoGOctSfNCnGJhIrylghKAK
tmDzyPGDNaHMPWxPage after page, the strokes flowed from his pen.pZhCEKCZFOEDHONafSbNrBBYQLoPfZ
ipIsOidFFdHmHobHalf an hour later, Ning Rushen looked satisfied at his masterpiece: Li Wuting had allowed him to express himself freely, so he had done just that.cGJNtpecCHQXAJEFWeyLxRlYgxgDUj
TAZiegPpBpvSLsx…tCeUQbcAKQBiVxafmNyMcnNBfspiHN
iJDEdyqVhyhULKeThe day of the interview arrived quickly.lTAnPRFSLWxPpJWconbjZLFgvtJAsy
KrxiYmkfMqnlUDZThree days later, the weather was clear and refreshing.CaqbClsGRSPlRDTxuIlaOSGSpMUljt
KgJLScDFsGeLfXdNing Rushen changed into a crimson official robe, took the stack of papers he had prepared, and set off for the Imperial Examination Hall.rgBUfAmoEuiCFerZhNlIONjjpJUoXb
rbpdBhDNZXKIyuyAt the same time, in the palace.zJMufPLSKFkzlIWUXXUTtDCPTyVLzm
ejKRmSxQgQsypzXPick One knelt before the throne, faithfully reporting.InmxZBIRKRnagqLQbKTjHSTKMhALbt
LcydezROOqpOrFtHe was reporting on the incident at the restaurant in the western part of the city. Li Wuting stood in front of the steps, listening and then sneering, “In the eyes of those aristocrats, am I so easily manipulated?”HqGVwlRORKlgbaoLWzaBHXEuJarrjV
ZfDlLKqgLAwJTwvPick One added, “The Yud family even said Your Majesty is a tyrant.” The word “tyrant” was emphasized, sounding particularly sinister.VisTAYJVxgsJCxwdrQiviaJuHSSjCm
zmmUyJWuCCgffJrLi Wuting’s eyes suddenly darkened.lCeSrqqitHDhpewTnbTpEeRQHOmgrn
RrQDwHhHbebOdox“How dare you!” De Quan quickly scolded, then turned to Li Wuting, “Daring to slander Your Majesty deserves death! Your Majesty, please calm down. Let Mr. Ning take care of this today!”CrOgENhbkLUDwenhwxshiquQbjIYOr
cTspHxIovwkmWcoThere was a moment of silence in front of the steps.RbDMwlmxiptQUyBoHsTeEkSbbWbtcO
NjPlInyqxBetHEiThen Li Wuting spoke slowly, “I want to see what he plans to do.”zDrHzxCYmJWYZtWLznTgRShsmpTgRw
WuQQixlmUUIANzS“Yes.” De Quan immediately ordered the carriage to be prepared.sLSbmoBHjTzoKSCsJHFVQEkAvkCNeo
gRXLEkfGeCKjBtsJust as the imperial carriage was about to depart, Li Wuting paused.QORWLCuoZKAYgDWJULfExCXdfJLpIi
UZhumctGIULxaOYHe looked at Pick One. “Is that all?”DbpKBsDdRdBAPDCYyBJKISvajYUDSm
YpRixiLIUQcQogtPick One replied, “Yes, Mr. Ning has recently enjoyed eating pancakes and sends someone to queue up for him. From morning till night, every day without fail.”YKLQUJaJAapGtZdNSQODIJUcGrFlNT
QJHTNdeilgzixdPLi Wuting remained silent for a moment. “It’s not easy either.”fQDMsxnsxBJkUxutLifFbGhEFupbZb
BgfRqNQwWEJDNEpPick One became excited, “Not hard!”KrqBfEMQmXSmToYZvGYKYgsmAYdBkT
HIreGnzDPjfTsdALi Wuting glanced at him, “…not talking about you.”FgiYJTTCeXavHMxgStUPlkqrMhksqA
FrSOPrsimxQGcYoThen he left the palace.pXvFsLXIGczkuTTGThtXwqVZYGIfIR
YjtAbTaiXRxQIQHMeanwhile, at the Imperial Examination Hall.gMamtVulANiuDTlFCUJIWAVqNpowUY
CkGBSDEDjavSlPtA curtain was drawn in the courtyard, concealing the view inside. The examinees went behind the curtain one by one to receive their number plates and then entered their respective examination rooms.QLPbMUUxSYhwtTrjxMGEvLbsvtPOGd
UiKWKDnwmsAgixAIn the Jia You Examination Room, Yu Tiao entered.BBXdUpUIrxxGvHHDbOALhLmgAnmFec
faASSpFVgrMOIPnUpon entering, he was surprised to see several familiar faces inside, including the sons of the Wu City Garrison Commander. He was stunned, “What’s going on?”dQxiuFbdgXKSfXGwToKEqGFnBBtcpg
lsASOtbJtrkvkLgThe others looked at each other, “Wasn’t it supposed to be random?”uevJCjSlDvJoTgUcBNmZNpnQfhOncZ
quijNBdcWOaJmALYu Tiao couldn’t figure it out, so he sat down, reluctantly suppressing his anxiety, “Never mind, just pass the interview first.”BGjjDBubvbyWiysqoIehKGAVBKWpAz
KhfoDwuWDEyxPKf“That’s right, we also need to see how Ning Chen will react!”kvsomdatbtyazaKtkXTlMWOTxthHUR
ScLcDIqBxPEVXBJJust as they were talking, footsteps were heard from behind the examination room.MJXWVXUNwgNhMAgIdojwcmhyXjVScf
SeHDmVXtWfdeBPIThe room fell silent instantly.ZZrzvaIOwAMsdNdDaAIZTTQRWjDLsI
lLIHPYcBRfYbuiQAmong the examinees, there was a man dressed in a crimson official robe, with a goose pattern shimmering on top, exuding an air of nobility and clarity.pXfnStqOwIJNwaJxhNFahZLPJCppbi
pFWWGCkzRbvAjBtNing Rushen walked to the front of the chief examiner’s desk and smiled slightly.RtpoBrztoqjWwCSTcjsKpLbFTRepOv
rKTwukVBOEwhuWcIn Yu Tiao’s mind, there was a sudden buzz! His face turned pale, staring incredulously at the person standing in the position of the chief examiner:cWuhkPvIhgchMbfRIMJIXMzzOsXESp
kcFDHvLYQfOPtHiHow could it be Ning Chen!?nBfbzshaaZHDcKzSMqjXtNKrJtmnMG
NmGVVoXXuCkhiulSeveral other sons of aristocratic families were also shocked, as if they had lost their voices.RTSKjwgQsVCzTnSxyOFSlYuNBGCjPH
zZaGRuFksYymprINing Rushen smiled at the stunned group, raised his chin as he did that day at the restaurant, and said, “Please, be seated.”bdVJyhFsmiKkoLZTaFeERJrtqekiew
KVVqBNHYigReDZOAfter saying that, he pulled out a chair and sat down, indicating the start of the group interview without a leader.gdVULhgbVkzQkKGFQOJXPBkyZJdqzw
pKafDYbPEUuidWxdAHcNprzaneXdoaPNysZrzMHSmvNPz