Chapter 27
They had memorized the Four Books and Five Classics, and had studied political history and strategies, confidently arriving here.kgAlJsdpraQPRnZqHermItglzQDrnm
EbiVYNnSIRvLiRjNing Rushen kindly explained, “The exam papers are on the desks. You have fifteen minutes to discuss among yourselves. During this time, everything you say or do, every frown or smile, will be part of my assessment.”bbluZiMXmzFSUDlQZKVMpzmBayibOe
hcrFIEGVVzWubkMAfter saying this, he adjusted his clothes casually and added, “Oh, I almost forgot to mention, only the most outstanding performer will be selected in this assessment, and the rest will be eliminated.”TimYTFUcJpxGyOYWkZZFMElmwqHYlJ
TkiGUrNXPCxguHH“Only one person will be selected!?” There was an instant uproar in the room.HwUInHUcAqOnfaBFVEQLSuYerOSkWi
EvVOEhyISrDknHxEspecially among the aristocratic families under the command of the Five City Garrison, they looked at each other, their expressions changing slightly, quickly avoiding eye contact.YBwYsDYpZFooPWIFhKUdWlNWIQaOUd
HxIYBScXHtwCBXHOnly selecting one meant either you die or I live.tXwulThBcpMFuKNNBukJDqKYGhQwWh
JdcfjHTZzOyvkGLNing Rushen noticed the subtle change in the atmosphere in the examination room, sat back satisfied, leaned against the chair back, and nodded:pYykNVCcUhjfNdDlxJxnBgWhckZFmL
QnNSMLbdMzQVfkm“The desks are arranged in a semicircle facing me. Let’s begin.”KwTtBdCWvxidOxfzWldZDzMfYKEBAM
BBYRReroWDOpGBwNing Rushen propped his chin and calmly said, “Begin.”GLjJBhxbSyuPDgviWmCAxSDzBzjEZY
gIyXjQsXumlPbsMRustling sounds filled the room as exam papers were taken out, and the candidates anxiously and blankly opened the exam paper and looked up:HiBiodTQTULQrveiyYKXvundHbBbXe
VLbyIAbkHNiExny“Your name is Xiaoshuai, a second-generation official from a wealthy family in the capital. Currently, you are a junior official in the Ministry of Works, with superiors but no subordinates.XJFYxGOSXaoinWvdCaMObdZALSFYqI
YxEwAOjCdOhuMLXOne day, a sudden rainstorm causes the river bank to burst. The Ministry of Works is ordered to repair and rectify the river bank…”QoOaDLvlsqjfiqQVlJUwoAGbPxgKar
DVbrQicidNTyiRBThey continued to read with ease:NxcVqcnBKTmqlxzVuKqChXxMGxTTtk
jMfFLYxtFvtmUkp“…but found that the treasury was empty. So, you applied to the Ministry of Revenue for a budget of five million taels. The Ministry of Revenue stated that the Ministry of Works still had a surplus of silver and did not approve.xyuiSczSuMdugnGRPRihJzJJQiejMK
JWpDNUcFRUeYiFqYou are now tasked with solving this problem.yckFnokKmbOPeYSlqTVDtZpGxsRXpS
EjNsAEeGcCStvVORequirements:CrLjHXPQIDiKrtlstcXkbTcOqzTtUd
eWzsPPHZTJujPZq- Fifteen minutes to organize and articulate your views.
- One person will be selected to report and present to the examiner.
- If no conclusion is reached, all will be eliminated.”
The candidates were startled: …!CrsEqMbLJqkSDAQHzTcXaHrWnmNOjX
XzbtWUtYtTDEiDFWhat kind of question was this, wasn’t this just a waste of time!? And what’s with that last small print…BppSbutbdaDFMprcDzUiFtWCwFSlTq
vjPGVccmugjZkbgThey glanced at Ning Rushen, the chief examiner, but he was just leisurely propping his chin, showing no intention of speaking, completely leaving it to them.IWqOpAxNajIMKrrIuYDkDhuqoFnhmI
GUSNgRQvuZNEtsKHowever, his eyes were clear and full of scrutiny as they swept over, causing the candidates to tremble.EXbSkjyrFVomWKtfEWMBPlXsTlhBFm
PVzuxPCkLECSSjHFinally, one of the aristocratic youths cleared his throat and spoke first, “In my opinion, we should first explain the pros and cons to the Ministry of Revenue…”zfHMrnETOHjWxfXfmwBdWhwkbDaVZq
hqFYfANlsRGFckuNing Rushen sat comfortably, listening to the discussion.mCBoSCFMxpCUDGKvmlwWwytKFtyevY
lxKdYYVEKcmWrQEWith one person starting, others joined in.aLSQrPsUMRpkYTKQsUXfYPrXEZOQkR
HNPzOaipoHGwMWHHowever, due to the hasty preparation and lack of experience, several people often spoke at the same time, either not giving way to each other or causing awkward pauses.qCgClLsbkQOMYIfqSseUWjPTMGhmnV
yoYXqKiOYAlQKui…mZlfZOxaxqxyGoxvscSTnJiKJWLcsv
vKFjDQVaVKEKoXXHalf of the time passed unknowingly, and the debate in the room continued unabated.TAAXgysiXYBNaMjbSFoXjraQIpnQFJ
hjHeOJoreALMKhdYu Tiao hadn’t yet recovered from the shock before the exam, and was caught off guard by this cruel competitive mechanism, his mind in chaos.QRThDVhnQdTUGoDzfDLmdcMNDlfiIR
qGXvcxrkqRGncAuHe couldn’t get a word in several times, and finally, seizing a gap, he said impatiently, “I believe we should report to the Emperor and order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds!”dqfMJkucPqOojEbySkYvvuJKqbIROp
AyCRlbtqtyYFqRDBefore he could finish, someone else interjected:fuRaqnxERQqIEkyycuVhoazOqHVzVs
anGAecDvQdXjYho“Brother Yu, you’re too reckless. The low-ranking officials in the Ministry of Works don’t even have the chance to attend court. Moreover, do you really want to completely offend the Ministry of Revenue?”OAVSdzZKMIpnkNNCBoPFtoduPLMRJQ
ipItGJTtgPTriAWNing Rushen looked at the speaker—ZvJsdNIsComCVNGAXYgNcKipozsPtf
HQygTQakKlsEAPRIf I remember correctly, isn’t this one of the noble youths who allied with Yu Tiao?kxpPNXHgEEqLWKVyzutfKpNlpivTBv
sGoJQtPzQQeYxFnLooks like they’re going to fight… Good fight.MsZnLmXqdJvbEQXPjzIonwxlcqmpGo
hvwvujJWrbyhlJfYu Tiao’s face indeed showed a look of wanting to tear someone apart.dfQMruEJLgLhqWZlDZcmVYONWVCLVd
qLfHxOpRPmYHQizThe small hourglass on the table was about to run out of sand.sLmkpQmufUHJWNQIpOPLqRSGgvpwVu
auQDvaQjvmhLptOThe scene was still at a stalemate, with no one standing out.LVloGTbWLZgdsXfXuivuwvMkbgGIHb
iXXEKLfbvWvrTahJust then, a voice suddenly came from the bewildered examination hall, with a resolve to gamble everything:yLGkGLdzTDJPysOZOinbwduwyrRtxr
mosytRICEKUWuXS“I’m willing to have my father come and pay this money!”nemqISdWjMiIbipqWWKtQKRZmUQrIA
ObNXYPuTUbjKIDGThe words were like a thunderclap.bmYFhvSyWGomDrOxlJJcXmOScQRyLw
sFvrlIZxHiYJWGKAll the examinees quieted down, staring in astonishment at the speaker.hjJjsPLsMEQkooKMRSbIuAVtUAngJg
dmkuCdYIxrfwPfjEven Ning Rushen slightly opened his mouth:nNMBVQPJAyAXaKsOkvuQHojkQjZCnW
pRlWIJSziVVPoWjWhat a filial son, risking everything to help the poor!IAYWhVsSZRzEaMkPMMSfWvohVYlLep
qHHDHBNxpEjXnLmHe sat up straight, admiringly looking around, “And what’s your name?”ZxStOhsfrWpRoXTjbsSjVsZWBrjTSi
NubIioZlKbWlMHg“I’m Zhao Xin… no, Zhao Shuai.” Zhao Xin quickly scanned the question and replied nervously.xwtGivMbyYiThMiwNcTkAcJluzwHct
fnHVGaXmMElAgcdNing Rushen smiled and nodded, “You’re good.”fmcKXOCistCMSqvyysMxDJnGfbJHdH
bLyRvUerMBtflLFZhao Xin suddenly became excited, his cheeks flushed red.mzRhFghbuSFakkgoEYmLSQqabxnGQR
psXzkrtJepzfVRnThe other examinees were greatly shaken! Everyone was having a serious discussion, yet this ‘fearless’ fool suddenly appeared, completely outshining them all?veLTIIcVFtQSwIelyfWbQVzHwgfitX
YyeOnIARmmZVWiRFor a moment, everyone followed suit:FvkXqlBWFNKkKnxwINIcmKBDQIajQf
QaJEpKgxbVRXLYs“Very well said! My father is willing to pay double the money!”lmfHblZQYSstPtyyqkVTlBdMrFHeOE
cnbaaMedQDdHGAZ“Alleviating the emperor’s worries is the duty of a subject. My whole family is willing to donate to help the people of the two provinces!”hLTPnPQPMPosCvbLUVvsKDKMouxOuz
uFKxAxgEVWGfQaTOne examinee, caught off guard, decided to go all out, “I… I’ll donate all my ancestors’ savings to water conservancy!”qFnTqxKxPDGyWSgrnSuXNhulychPLx
LRoowgyoptLfoyTSeeing these noble youths acting like bodhisattvas, Ning Rushen couldn’t help but want to applaud and praise:fTQvDgiqirEOohgkkWrPVPuIndVVvs
ZojRVXoOQTNxBUcYes, that’s it, keep rolling them in!NgpYniJTFmpyEjOJbSHhvuWRwFqeaJ
wuncxmwymBHjsyRThe evil feudalism can only be defeated by the evil capitalism.NMvqKvFJiOTRzPBVMESPyeVSuzgzHg
FruQOWRcyGZoGxS…XwGflRgqqyYpmEAksdsTRefGdeUnjO
zSDuqFrXcGlFCPuFinally, after two quarters of an hour, the interviews were over. A group of second-generation officials volunteered to donate their ancestral homes.fjGnszANpeYCmaiCDGZpAqPINwUsPz
nrALISlkVthrVqZNing Rushen leaned back in his chair, looking at the examinees in the field with anxious faces, as if waiting for a death sentence—especially the defeated Yu Tiao and his companions—and smiled kindly.bijmwEuCyKfKHrUecUdbSGxBDfqSLf
KDiBxoaAGLToMhnThen he said the cliché phrase, “Go back and wait for the news.”UUuQEFNdTJcPjsUoFpDMsjXCKnDdGo
rBpjNCCuBkCYokb“Yes, Master Ning…”nYaCNMlovWZPcDMTBHFGZDYmyxYJlb
eDkNPWGSTAwjNCVThe examinees dispersed unsteadily, as if they had just escaped a great disaster.HQvSBwXOjbflhpYVZlMuGogmAPqVPC
TVTvlinKCvohFidNing Rushen stretched lazily in his seat and stood up, walking towards the back of the examination room.SjCsZdpFOVLXhuhLuRSuFHSQEpgigb
xZQZdVGGnzXhWbUBehind the examination room was a room for the supervisors.aKNpgGNccXdGeyWtultWbdplRZuCeJ
VThmYntrfAYopOSAs soon as he lifted the curtain and entered, he was greeted by a group of people—qTPevVQiwIyVOYlMGIIdyfQCiSzpip
FFvBeKVDJLezanXPalace maids and guards stood quietly on both sides. De Quan, carrying a dust brush, squinted and smiled at him, while seated in the supervisor’s position was the current emperor, Li Wuting.iogwobNlhWiAobeYeqJqcULWyuMFGV
DoawLSfzvaoUaIrThe emperor had personally come to oversee the exam.uDQMlpXYfWLYUmHUUgoeqDQfMtLGnV
joxGclhOcPmKzDvNing Rushen was stunned and paused in his steps: ?FQalujwfNAPbuhcdgxaWdPnBzQzpoN
EHVPKwtGctmByIZLi Wuting sat on the throne, his demeanor as steady as a mountain, with a faint smile on his cold and handsome face as he looked towards him.icdyKFhmnbUaHxyNUTDrLVILHdfSXr
wehOQCNBLCdvcIl“Ning Qing, come here,” Li Wuting said.lwIsfpzySFMfzOBzJVpzIHOiesqxRZ
ivGXZxmqxZmBvDq“…”pKKgRRoAlzuKiLdsLdfdRGpVVgyEib
aiitoQOBikMABPwNing Rushen hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly approached.nOnfghLnIppcvPYezimGMWROfMDaZx
EAQdsZNhmupjIapHe stood in front of Li Wuting and bowed, “Your Majesty.”ZGeQQJnSHeRTujdYZdsjnqgUldsCqH
BOnXvQzNxTDYuDkLi Wuting raised his eyes and asked, “Ning Qing, where did you learn this method of interview?”JprVISOGwxGLagLxXxjxOcRwQgIrJp
VsMXXyqfDuKPFpCNing Rushen honestly sighed, “It’s the wicked result of tens of thousands of exam candidates.”aXhplyTGXSBtwibRYtSpJrAbmJRngk
VGJVutrdLilgQfLLi Wuting chuckled lightly, “Indeed wicked.”IGPBPYhBLsTCxNIUmvpRfDcIpTcxls
tTpJSoWVBYnCFdQHe paused and asked again, “What does ‘卷’ mean?”mbvjCpXvGCQkKlrFyXQvUbABOjSEuD
ltfirqkcFSgdGpP“It means…” Ning Rushen thought for a moment, then succinctly explained, “The opposite of my diligent efforts.”sEKmkrULanXDYptvgXtfUWRxfIhiEC
UejXHFjeJPIiDdILi Wuting seemed to understand, “It means overly diligent.”rKNiepHMeMwxHjRjUIvbFCDEKdFxsA
GhvpTwohGmmMrkC“…” Did that mean he was extremely lazy?BzTFrOQZtdMzNuoKOAhRrdfoCAqNTE
MAaLUkjOqLDFHrzNing Rushen’s eyes flickered with a hint of humor.QzlyKGRgkPTdarmQVVIqSOEBVITVmf
YiDqKzztbfaMyHALi Wuting met his gaze, then suddenly pursed his lips and said, “I was joking.” He stood up, walked past him towards the door, and said, “As Ning Qing said earlier—like fish fighting for bait.”nSpzTzHfAzcGZWHngmyKwOuWATxQYD
EfPnEybphqUCVqbNing Rushen watched Li Wuting’s back and suddenly felt a kind of sobering feeling, as if he was being looked down upon.uzAWPWYjSHqUKZWexrrRheQUQgbhbv
oWGdQSaHEnxCIwwExcept for defaming his good character.txqonfWnSuTSRCQYBTxuBlXGTFYHXl
cgJtDRqnGzguwAn“Sir, sir…” De Quan bowed and followed, gesturing to him to keep up with the emperor’s entourage.vlJdiQPATWXVZHWylvXVZLVFmGjoms
ZjmdfMcFkuJkuFfNing Rushen graciously followed suit.MBnoGdIOdTnNieJgixIrccPdnmJPwP
EEZTwPDsrBwOJzlAfter leaving the examination room, the interviews in other examination rooms were not yet over.xWFCshSXoTygYIxGxkWnwYWMdNPAwd
lRMnOccrLCIWEDfOnly Ning Rushen spent about two quarters of an hour dealing with a group of second-generation officials, while the rest of the examination rooms still had a long assessment time ahead.sommHFAUrhINgAvUhLbJVZFqXTwOLQ
WajlgnyucVZNAXtNing Rushen asked, “Does Your Majesty want to listen in?”JjNetnNKuvcLMTecJKYVfxPhIbDgUw
qsxIUkOOZRrTBVl“No need,” Li Wuting said without looking at him, “It’s just a repetition of scriptures and essays.”SHmpHRielfQXmlrytrVWdGZRypVqia
hDtfoEWFEyiRbGNNing Rushen glanced at him again.aIdfhiPbHrtHtpbaZWDeQHatyKNcwx
BjKKZHRkVwEiBeySo, you came specifically to watch my performance…GhCJkFQeJxaCzdQztdjuApeMnhwRJy
jsHxjpXnYKkSdtF“What are you looking at?” Li Wuting glanced at him.LlkhEHdeyDsWsFYllfyoQCzXuGLMNZ
ZlLzzxWVtSoCazHNing Rushen expressed his gratitude, “Does that mean I handled it well?”jhvMkcrRuGJbfsDguKhcbCdCNtPzjU
qzhveLMCxqQakSzWith a snort beside him, “All you did was mess around.”TPbBdRYCquudDkKIfASFLkNyUriyqS
yyUjJnvgagGyWWJNing Rushen: Understood, it means I did a great job.QWluewVQEVQBINtQoxxfloIVUvJRjl
eCMTBfRrIzksMllWithin a few sentences, they had already left the Imperial College.XmzCicTvNeJYIQdAFfhPKwEaUxxdCe
TuROuGnLLzcgnjtBoth of their carriages were parked outside the gate.SYSkQQvZjOrOgnEgglCuJgznpuNGUk
SYvWYmZVmpmxmuCTaking advantage of the last moment, Ning Rushen quickened his pace to get closer to Li Wuting’s side and whispered, “Which talent has caught His Majesty’s eye?”KnuwOAEvdULAyoivRcqMewVIbETddF
HbTYLVIPKYddIXULi Wuting was a bit taller than him.wSUGXuqOgOfNdGgpjpobSBmLxpmnpF
OPfSXSjkpcBpuqDWhen he looked down, he saw someone lifting their chin and inadvertently leaning against his shoulder.JVtkZgbxLcqcBVsQbBwNWOhWibpUAZ
OSjxMRUxEOKqCKEThe curve of the jawline was soft and inviting.efaqOmaqMdLjUiqEGAvTRmiaaTVlYx
tZiyZmSflwglrKfLi Wuting asked, “Curious?”lKyLbkKqGODeRPdJzNQzMcTddTvSUH
GuqKXygqbyqBecrNing Rushen nodded eagerly, “Yes.”acdynktVmweFgsyxRCbVxLOwevqJNv
HShLvJvebYmfJiQThe Ning residence’s carriage was just a few steps away, and Yan Min by the carriage was looking over eagerly.xaXUoBkbFofCfSWPJzehzSZXnxcSuo
pMKqIQNNWHRUnQCLi Wuting glanced sideways and then lifted the back collar of the person’s crimson robe with two fingers, lifting them towards his own carriage. “There are too many people outside. Let’s talk inside.”mAfVBVjPiqotDpyEadeHiaOQTQlvvN
FfyXmjqrTvXamJU“…” Ning Rushen: ?ktNBxjNWdfhwGLLhbFsEhVvvqGsCMY
cyMnWDHanrGJVHTSkillfully, the person was lifted into the carriage.KlrTZATHEqGSJRZDIPNeUmqjpITvWp
UsvSlqHrGSrYCisAfter Ning Rushen took his seat, he pulled back the curtain and pointed to Yan Min outside, indicating for him to follow back to the residence.tifhIwiGwSCJHMAfSjylYHSfXSQKqe
sPibnkyqHanFatGThe carriage started to move lightly.GavoQhrJkTSOetzHJpaItLsUsnRhmO
gGOAnZmBoEYlwXtHe withdrew back inside and looked at Li Wuting. “Your Majesty?”TlOnqFyncgpuPfgTaiaojXDUJshsSh
dmKvkeaUqAtmqIELi Wuting asked, “Who do you think I’ve chosen?”SHNJwTpzaYASAaxtLpzwTZwBAWweVp
mPyaHtjTLXWCKEyNing Rushen guessed, “Zhao Shuai?”HNCcPirgnnsERvatFtiAkdjhAFxKzI
mVXMZpIUoHYHkmo“…” Li Wuting skipped this alias, “Yes.”nWXSojnuvdaZiXZjfHzqehoYJIumeT
KxsQXHbNjdoeAfI“He’s quite smart. But is his background with the aristocratic families stable?”sOkpoNEpHJaaxHNMCTApmaNQFyTudi
eONBvzrYcRmGXAz“These families are all the same to me. If I want to choose one to be a strong supporter, I’d rather pick someone a bit more awake and intelligent.”oeVPegkaTyBflrpTkUrZtuRgZpompx
rDxUUrWGAwcEHTDNing Rushen looked at Li Wuting’s calm profile.ClsmmQJrevNyxhWPBcPuxWzxvLLnpC
zbcfRBDFuBdrLwXIt seemed that for him, all living things were no different, nothing special.pKLrluabeFcyONowymRxRLKRQwAGuN
VfIGajEPiTsPawnNing Rushen was taken aback, “Then how were the Jin Yiwei selected?”BIiRBTFGGfXjSDsgWBTRGljzBHVwRX
RitukUgiPOjCstiOne didn’t interfere.lhRskbxOHOqzktFnZhQCzFsJVLaDMV
FKEDuSJUkQGXRKe“Ning Qing.”FpBMDxNybAGXVqeDzytpsnVbeGOeBh
FYxYPNjVwxekHBlNing Rushen wisely closed his mouth in time.xDmEtXbxYpldPRodoTcmoDNhiKohBb
rTXLCOScbPDAvnyThe carriage arrived at the Ning residence’s gate in no time.PblwJBXKhrYWEZwuzbGtvsAjMyzHkI
OoygFZMtzfyYZVwNing Rushen opened the curtain and was about to get off.FcusbOHuFuoZUKVgNiJLSuBPpWJTNp
YHkuxlHfqVWEXGEHe saw Yuan Liu welcoming loudly towards the Ning residence’s carriage a few steps away, “Sir!”fCUyxsGKXVEiPmpHlXVhDcmjYFgwEK
aCfpzTIfdvcQocgFeeling somewhat embarrassed, he spoke up, “I’m here.”UoZNCymhSiJZOQykXFCPDosPvbWweQ
BXQrrzHmyQFXnjy“…” Yuan Liu turned his head, “You… over there?”mybgHInHLNIdAXBOhcgPJIzVvWztrR
oAGuWNukomjwljA“Car-pooling.” Ning Rushen saw that Li Wuting had no intention of showing himself, so he jumped off the carriage.kFZjVDbdLsZEOFUebtSLXgOXMCaDUJ
JumMGPJPyMdClsoHe heard some commotion from the gate, “What’s going on?”iiotvdiJQiiKmptRSRshjXrBYxUwRs
sOivpZexhJkGXYbYuan Liu said, “The little guard caught a pigeon!”vaANBhNJNNznnkUTVuezebvyAXJowX
vCvbPoOJPwNJGKMNing Rushen took several seconds to realize who the “little guard” was, then reacted: Xiao Shizi.XhUwBSvlpWJSbIXwpMZMasIJOnsZHa
OObQTeIrAgoGYSdHe gave Yuan Liu a deep look: You’re quite good at picking up on things.gBaXQfSwpERJzdvlctcCJueuaZwpID
YAQyrorplRkxBwk“In that case, let him…”XWYazPpZrgRtmLWmfxSNqjFHsakyie
pOjBgESdNACyEcCMid-sentence, Shiyi came out holding a flapping pigeon. “Sir, I caught a plump pigeon.”HnFhapItIMkAyPPPNsQfsIPndSWiBf
dNRYiYWwHYilpkhThe words “plump pigeon” had already characterized the pigeon.FDYiHQtsnUvYIfMbUqSCnUyQEfdBTT
ERBXPPOAJxejoTpNing Rushen couldn’t help but move his throat, playing in his mind:WVtnPvUcSvZAeAndDCwHeltasSrwHB
tirIMHNBhStWlcGThe plump pigeon, plucked and hung for soup, even the Geng dog next door would cry in envy…pKcmttdDEbPjhxSblkQwfwsFXVfKwb
MiABbrWMhrbKoTbHe ordered, “I like stewed dishes.”rNwExmJvdRbRRLtQiTyNmVIROCbJIB
bwMiHpzuBALaofoAs he spoke, the curtain of the carriage behind him suddenly lifted.cCZxwJAwsAuJAaWGcgSviVwqWBmejN
XthsEXLdyJUIQRzLi Wuting leaned out for a glance.XigRuBJCmZuxTPULXkCZSqJQlYknVL
IKdVukVWLZcDXehHis gaze fell on the pigeon, ignoring the sudden silence in the surroundings. He furrowed his brows, got off the carriage, and disregarded the pigeon.MTgEjIPYqFYakoPQsmjdyemJZLiLFk
CeTBQyVZjXfoiWbNing Rushen glanced sideways. “What’s wrong?”pDGjnbcyIJlcdzMXsSytYjDAkwHOFT
QiMKVlhiXjhAwPU…Don’t you like stewed dishes?QVeAyCGEVOITukWLBNWHZqYXHpadxe
TxoBZaiNQGXKcyBA large hand suddenly reached out and picked up the pigeon from Shiyi’s hand. Li Wuting lowered his eyes and flicked through the dense feathers above the pigeon’s legs, then flicked out a small tube.sESCyAYKQVQWVdbtQWzoLKDRiceIqZ
jbxRxPzCPCYHKuZNing Rushen was shocked: What is this? Is this still just a pigeon?MQQmExJVIdyoKkOSzoHIYWOsLQHUTA
AzOQpZNmqlNbEzbHe hurriedly clarified, “Your Majesty, I’m not familiar with it—”ytTaRRYUoFnlGqBgIUakMvcCVZkFMy
HlOBrOUEJmZeYfb“I know.” Li Wuting emptied the tube, “I am.”BaTLOpcwcmdbFSLupjCRnkJduNRhqD
MEzjxrfBYMOAipuNing Rushen: ?SRlKaBzunvfDLNbBphotivbqYcjouP
UJvpzmjFhfuUzQtA roll of thin paper fell into his palm. Li Wuting glanced down for two seconds, indicating for Ning Rushen to open it.vbpcILKqLRzTxMQSXQKYaPgPEakAwL
UwAWyDypekevolwNing Rushen took it with suspicion and unfolded the paper.LJUpiJDWqsKxBoJOTKOULcDvbxMJbu
ngnfpNWqURKjfhHOnly then did he realize that this thin as a cicada’s wing paper was actually a long article:uxuMVZokpsBYQsfuXDrcWvvTNlcPcC
nknCwyAoqUNJpAT“Ning Lang (crossed out) Ning Daren, greetings in writing.DdGRsypIFrJQDYwGBOsjrnvIUeNiJe
mfDcBTXjHJrcUJXIt’s been many, many days since we last parted, and I have missed you very much.WHUMXwVPjZqItFjAvToybjuQgCwUvJ
RFepGEwmzLqNDCSI heard from Jing Yu that since that day we parted, you have not been able to get up from your waist for many days, and you have not been able to attend the early court. I am far away in the south, still very worried.nhrLZofcKKigkPxChmDNwZnMcnicPl
cYBKOmaubKgDFjkAlthough the land in the south is rich in talents, it is far less inspiring than the capital city… I wonder if Ning Daren and Your Majesty are well lately? Every time I ask about Your Majesty, he remains silent and replies with ‘hehe,’ which makes me quite disappointed.pKJJdaRKOXUoDwSzWibddhPlFpDHdk
VfBlenfEGsQmUvBI specially wrote this letter to Ning Daren, hoping to hear about your recent situation.”GOEiamPlikaCxXamlhdbFnqthkUpku
gGGkcQZorkMVNaDThe corner of the letter also had a private seal “Ying Tang.”CdCCZnmxnrsBpCKLuUZgSbrHxVaKEV
PsHdCRaPbUwbfxJBut even without the signature, the identity of the sender was clear to him.UGhVGbQUEXufhOkPYgoUWGGEmRUJJi
SmMQQrNNhBuPAggNing Rushen: …tdzBGYVndtgCwAXHLfaTkHvFvZFtpy
RmwzpMtosNcAAtIHe glanced at Li Wuting next to him, who had hit the mark. The latter’s face was dark, and his gaze fell coldly on the letter.tYmeMeySkkVmHQSzFDUwTyVxQEXIVs
qsTEtjWNyvcxfPrNing Rushen silently handed over the letter.pxAAwKQrQIWEwkYxLTRhTOWegqdkDp
uOCmWHxcPgZOKgYHe thought to himself, Prince Xuan, don’t blame me. It’s your own fault for being so unlucky. The first time you sneakily tried something, you were caught by His Majesty?DSoSVpJIVDOTIRuGkFtPeoeZauEKbp
kWudDBJFJqOHWDPLi Wuting took the letter, smirked after a moment:kaYDgZlohyDqSznWfFZCTFvcDsQLns
ZkXdjQVixOsvXeu“De Quan, fetch a pen.”cGompQfBImcfPtCOsVrtxDRupViYJS
YqbRHngBuQlGmni“Yes, Your Majesty.” De Quan turned and fetched a pen from the carriage, dipped it in ink, and respectfully handed it over.ONgDdndGrsmsxYfXDOaQzekVqEfWFH
tGOxzNzzpvNSFmbLi Wuting turned the letter over, and with a pen, he wrote two words: heheIRFyzfgsVEmZYAKaOKuahJpSoWSowH
gLFcHwqFMaKvDcWAfter writing, he rolled up the letter, put it back in the tube, and released the pigeon.tvwYyTijdvlpeAUCgpSCMWyEiBSnhv
DdkTEHtTaRTYKDaWith a flutter, the fat pigeon escaped from the pot.jNkeBabUbiUAfYWSMyjZEdTiSfxmBP
yzNTJqQosfzVecrNing Rushen looked in the direction where the pigeon flew for a long time. Li Wuting’s voice came from beside him, “What, reluctant?”SEbVNYmmzFoELdVJhcAOJiUEBaKmnJ
nUkGUGflMyVbcZN“No, I’m just lamenting… Prince Xuan probably didn’t expect that the letter sent to my mansion would be replied by His Majesty.”tRmfBLEKZaHdJXQHGLaiBwqWonxhhp
vXlNJCkkPWEecIoLi Wuting suddenly fell silent.hWHKgJfwomdafmFDwMsVGXNAraDwyg
JtcfhlPyavMLVSAThe letter sent to the Ning Mansion was replied by him.CIatTlfVEQLBEMpNzRLwtEGkflSEMR
SdNxuHtGFoYozixThinking of Prince Xuan’s reaction after receiving the letter, Li Wuting pinched his temples, and his headache returned.WotqiJzqAuBwrBwFSjUcEMkahqJbrC
VfYKKNjzQwUeJGIYfPURrVbaIUYTFZqPSOuuLeChlyQll