Chapter 3
Li Wuting stared silently at the small walnut for a long time before speaking suddenly, “Shi Yi.”VxqWcKgjmhWRyljZCxgSNaUNhFccZR
VQvlhUBtxsTrAyAFrom the shadows in the corner of the imperial study, a figure silently emerged. Li Wuting glanced toward the door, and the figure disappeared back into the shadows.vlzViwSddzVFJsJedlkSnmvsXqrCyJ
oxfByDzkaFopkjyHalf an hour later, Ning Rushen finally returned to his carriage.GlCsjHJWDLIMOhXMIFnIeeNbhxbyvO
YjtyGwVdmZydKMCYan Min lifted the curtain for him. “Your lordship doesn’t seem to be in a good mood?”LrraERMdnvxbsucmqVCBbVAYFMzvzm
RYYAEjUAUPkSxCMNing Rushen sank into the cushion, gazing deeply out of the window. “Losing it is a blessing, gaining it is my fate.”xHUEAtFqDyPUvAcsgzvzwYswZTVAew
GEMcwRcCsBEcfqq“…” Yan Min thought: He’s already rambling.aVvTwhSVtnMEOHaaJkwvGFgqFlVnal
kWfZWDzInmEWqPD“Shall I call for a doctor to check on you, my lord?”vnsnTLIseBqZsWfzoZjGsEWNWDFgIK
uVVztIQMURlETNZ“No need.” Ning Rushen collected his thoughts again. “Once we return, gather everyone in the household. I have something to announce.”viOFnlKtUhbpyXVteYLXfQQFrJjYgc
TmRXxUCdfUQrFReBefore dropping the curtain, Yan Min took another glance inside the carriage. The fruit plate was already empty. “My lord, have you finished all the walnuts?”WhtEugwaNJVJMdVAQGNzpWhOPiqgvP
aqcIwTdkLOabTHlThe mansion wasn’t grand, but it exuded a certain elegance, befitting an official of the fifth rank. There was nothing to criticize.DNrTvyvYXynrmLXGgUQgFtUddVPDhP
mwQDLchNJdDlqOYAfter returning to the Ning residence, Yan Min gathered all the servants.ghbRtNQqgausdKTnTjWgurOJrhshYD
GRzypyFeNnpsJjFNing Rushen pulled out a large armchair and sat in the courtyard, a plate of fruits and snacks by his side. He scanned the dozen or so servants in the yard, thinking:RdxPwiJMjzcIohiIPEvkehKzHZbROQ
GAYSQlhorjvpPOQResigning from office isn’t an option, and my memory is fuzzy.TfRropiydGooXunMiChNyOtMLfSueZ
UHMCMVoTMdcRhPsI’ll just take it step by step and first figure out what’s related to me.rLlkwpxQvBXRUFjlomFvohbgdugZel
xhdGOyFyaHexevU“Everyone is here, my lord,” Yan Min said.XkCUWWsMlvoVWBdxKqNjNrcEfixqHX
UICKjGIFGMXfKahAll the servants lowered their heads nervously, waiting for orders.thdluuaJiFRfmTrLqYGTpWNEJrXkHI
vzxmrOfrydswhDI“Everyone is here, right?”siifGZPxdJjBZqumexJsicNiDiCLoK
MlKzdujefqNVHsgNing Rushen set down his teacup, straightened up, cleared his throat, and said, “Alright, compliment me.”lJnFIghorBgKdqcniBanjoQwuxRMeS
HulwsKgDivXKHtg“…”CIfdCgxiHVjuFcBELDCxtFzmeQdFEO
UjxKABHUDzVSpRNEveryone looked up in confusion: ?qtsTzGBBqJlmeeFgIrzeKqoRkqSdcy
vupimccaaKIPZuYThick-skinned, Ning Rushen repeated, “Compliment me.”wEdBZLUzZKNVrJSPYXxdCMZPmSefRW
RovznVxZSPEOGwFEveryone exchanged glances, unsure what to do, until the maid Xinglan, being the most perceptive, quickly praised:pThXxqEpVIoNIGEigiHdrBsZineJyy
vwCMHcGhnARhQXH“My lord, your grace rivals the moon, your talent is unmatched. Truly worthy of the top scholar who once dazzled the capital!”lOQFennfKGwDJZLsquJMfrfNpyofWK
ULEeDUpeIrIKvTEThe others finally caught on.zxbltgNgLjVqtkRyIrdCLNUKhLGhTx
GrZLJaaLiHcVVwaIn an instant, the courtyard was flooded with lavish praises, blooming like a garden in spring—ZfFHoKoVGrSgRiHVWQcgcCPdeqOcpj
NcMsacxhOUAVprzNing Rushen listened for a while and gradually pieced together the situation:iQlGYQRMoXnEmMdeZtSUlgIMZYAIOh
JIyxCSayoAltNiC“Ning Chen” was not yet of age, the youngest fifth-rank official in the court. Orphaned at a young age, he had risen to the top as a commoner, earning the favor of the late emperor and entering the Hanlin Academy, climbing the ranks effortlessly.gHUIoGuKYOITmjUbAvviXmtrSLirGK
ZKnXvWpKwoTiAnbLater, he had backed the right side in the imperial succession, helping Li Wuting ascend the throne.QXgIxKRkXJUphXdjWSQKsXPneppMJE
bSYZRkzfMaueRoBOutwardly, he seemed to have a brilliant future.GeNGuXcqjGQDmbqZQDmkJbOyChuXbN
hqzYQVAVimZCauISo how had “he” offended Li Wuting?JXKVmNybjWEyWeUQGFTPDMoIXwHWVZ
SYmxzLFclkWRGpm…gKjWrgpfkmvpaipUWOROhfYzlfasup
JPYFCnUhnclzynHThe compliments in the courtyard began to dwindle.mYZNanDDqyCpXqGEWYdfwQJZxUaOlG
SjrtvaoVfXerKkhThe servants were running out of words, even resorting to praising how he once ate an extra bowl of rice.TcWeRpgCIJvvhWHcxVqHIxvoUyZtzI
jahkeiJXpXdPzQUNing Rushen raised his hand to stop them. “That’s enough.”zvYBLOSVhhBZRItNuSSXPdsFDGCwxW
SpVPSqISQqTjZqeEveryone let out a collective sigh of relief.BEHDvZaRkahCGUQYrRwntmSIeItXxn
CzDqmNXblIOjXAONing Rushen then said, “Now, start insulting me.”IcivpfyOHPLdYWWFwMIhLBmTVdTvfe
lcanHuGlDGgOVqU“…” The entire courtyard instantly dropped to their knees!oaEqLZrfFErreynqqUtJclmjOmzpPC
VXgFKLQAwCPVVRQOutside the unnoticed courtyard wall, the shadowy figure lurking there also trembled slightly.uUtfNyxZPGXNNQsXrMUhQKbdNODqwl
mldhfTHFvDoKllN“We wouldn’t dare, my lord!”pTHwypGGmmZSUFYUaXSiUQJKQjMIhq
cJPBewqAzDjpgtrNing Rushen sighed. “Stand up.”IzYdgUNjauMYSphkhAOZXvqxiPqeuv
runKVTitYWyINUfHe looked at the trembling group, thought for a moment, then said, “One insult, one tael of silver.”rwTmFHCBNHZVlcMYOYREPiQOUoGfla
XwcAarIRCSpOtrBA dozen faces hesitantly lifted.TLhYsqzleoxFkhmZlMtQXAWpxnlQll
oGudgHepIyosWWQNing Rushen expertly cracked open another walnut. “The first one to speak gets ten taels.”PSxWwEioQcbPQUUqZZQYHkBQDODSAh
oigOiZsYijlIwFFIn the next second, Steward Yan bellowed in a booming voice, “My lord, were you reincarnated from a starved ghost?!”NptRpfxIQhyAvXuyBIxGnPbkGGlACX
aznbcedaXeEQhdDNing Rushen: “…”BglMBhBUiocpMVGCckRLxKbypnrFUv
ANVhtvEgEtMkQXQ·aRjKjQSIpjXErZdlYbEQANeFHjlLep
mZjECIcasXtJegiNing Rushen spent the entire afternoon paying to be insulted.PUTWPXtVcqHJiaqdlZEaVXpessYLSp
fnvAZTVCptJnXnzAt first, he listened eagerly, but by the end, his face grew numb.oZbKopGbfiSAwTsndRpYgbwTiogkhs
lXStofMFcHuZbiG—It was mostly trivial, petty matters, backhanded compliments, and the insults gradually strayed further off course. Towards the end, a young maid even blushed and shyly scolded:qiKCjsVFjclaoyRtHLpIIyUfhsTOMP
DbRlKyRxjOUpChH“Your robes are always open… you’re such a… disgrace to men’s virtue.”vWUttlgYoCzpUSwjAlTrakdOHCalxg
UMRJnPVuIWHBKXENing Rushen felt his head spinning and ears buzzing.FUbNhGYBxocpTUWCJchYAvxtRWJUTg
IoVcGYNRZRMafwqWhat was all this nonsense?JZduUsZKphBGPUbUXHsvEUHQmvdoSk
bocPwWBsrOWQUcFAfter all that, he hadn’t gleaned anything useful. No clue about his enemies, and still no idea how he had offended the new emperor.vWRrgDzVYlxDslfkpZztpERrmoIrJs
oJnYAJYziMDrBOj“That’s enough,” he said tiredly, waving his hand. He instructed Yan Min to distribute the reward silver and headed back to the main house. “I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up before the evening banquet.”jYoeclOhjOtxuevEGQevHAiXSrrpzh
fxbaKNTkWYmMGhnYan Min, clutching the silver with reverence, bowed deeply. “Yes, my lord.”vqFKawUFHtQIWeXSWfydxdqGAzfqNT
BPFJLJeIbLRWeyS…qQHzaIPKjTYJoNlOCpBMfNnnZKPYtJ
gddbdKSAgZoOrwXIn the imperial study at the palace, a figure knelt silently before Li Wuting—it was Shi Yi, the Jinyiwei (Embroidered Uniform Guard) assigned to spy on Ning Rushen.CzBelsjYwSXqSYChVdmvxyrIqTybMe
lEOYSrXVMoPqZERThe room had long been cleared of others.GRHtoxcnSRmJoQalAYHNnVFYLzAlVv
tWXwXqSknPzNBoQLi Wuting looked at the shadowy figure kneeling before him. “Speak.”qZDsLOdrCQDZxCNVlHlNbgTVdGkiTG
uhhlnRKNWBUXhvRShi Yi kowtowed and reported every detail of Ning Rushen’s return to his residence, leaving nothing out.EJSKkKPbBEbmXTroBWwUsVzgncALci
lsvyAtWBARFfzQiWhen Li Wuting heard about Ning asking his servants to praise him, he let out a faint scoff.jxLGtGkvjzGeDwUtLcvjgbhppFYwZR
cBPOifpZqdMXbmIBut then Shi Yi continued, “After being praised, Lord Ning said: ‘Insult me.'”EOQHdigVVgbMwfRLeqEEUzfGQvIXll
yeWMJSCnZaclWLH“‘For every insult, I’ll give you one tael of silver.'”gmIlYHwqZcJmzATiGdGtNcBdKUnUJI
kLMWGrDhGugUxxHLi Wuting’s expression turned strange.VXeTvygSVnudOPsDTeMLrSRGgDrjha
bURtJrzhluHfqBhShi Yi, in perfect mimicry of Yan Min’s booming voice, said, “The steward then asked, ‘My lord! Were you reincarnated from a starved ghost?!'”ErrBMnWThWfuWcitArgpoQomvmncjs
hWhoqgFAPiFKwGnLi Wuting nearly choked on his tea.VzzqdeFEpBCEWAMkUudcdChDzVfRMb
wvdpGVDoRkbkOVFShi Yi, utterly oblivious, continued his report. “Another maid scolded shyly, ‘My lord, your robes are always open… you’re such a… disgrace to men’s virtue!'”eZpuPtMyZBbWWPPPrEjxzIaHAyXkug
yShYaHpliuZMvtOLi Wuting: “…”WxsqnUgGcgeKUtaleKttfHigLRxjyr
tbULHhziqFXpbbWShi Yi added, “Lord Ning blushed and discreetly pulled his robe shut…”ysmALfkzVdcgNQRDTlWLSpMRyOSQTl
jNeQOJEPsTxNhUdLi Wuting interrupted, “Shi Yi.”OHrseEYfdTawGRHpTfnZftSXrNWaqI
AUXIBGFKPUQRkBhShi Yi immediately silenced himself, lowering his body even further.DdPdrEaDNiabhGKFsiURNXjCnKbUXQ
vktsMAdTftxgmKCLi Wuting stared at the Jinyiwei before him, feeling like his mind had been stuffed with a bunch of absurd and trivial matters. Rubbing his temples, he sighed.CCeIuEYGBfKxweSPZWmjuDZYUqdKut
SkWvfdxMSYObupkAfter a moment, he spoke, “Leave, and continue your surveillance.”iuomWVqMDMSykrhYDmQOeJKngTsUCg
HyStUHcNXaTYtVgShi Yi kowtowed again.oiaSenMXNeKCxddpaFDqLWuKLsGbXa
SUhVyuctnspWjgNJust before leaving, he heard the emperor’s voice, now with a dangerous edge, “And next time, if you bring me this nonsense again, don’t bother coming back.”jBmYiWZccaeilAyhQXXvcTJexoQVtH
rorkXwmDyGPxHCD“…Yes, Your Majesty.”zpgVDXmDtvqrAxnbJToqTGfeAchknb
SkQvtzJXpaXnMVA…dJFDZIQNSFwGHPQLdHoFJSqrsUYakS
ijLhzHLaTYkLoMHNing Rushen slept until nearly dusk.DPoFXkPQNHqYiZwAUSvfvHtNSHRYPm
SwAHSyRnGVQhiRyWhen the knocking on his door came, his mind was still foggy. The windows were tightly shut, and the room was dim. In his grogginess, he almost thought he was back in his dormitory.uoaWtOmhxbvsylZzjrfpRtuElOvLsD
virDdHcEFAYoMCLNing Rushen propped himself up, mumbling as he called out to his roommate, “Erkang—it’s so dark in here. Why didn’t you turn on the light?”iMyFnUEkIGpunQIUOOnADfwJSQazHH
TauWbiELfhdnJnlThe door creaked open, and a familiar voice answered, “My lord, it is I, Yan Min.”oOugsCoPSDxygRgxdFbVwvMhEYNPHA
vcIsRdFzmfYnpjgThe lamps were lit, casting a warm glow across the room.qnpFrlYEqESOMjLaIrHJbMmewScnUc
KdAGljVxSQtyUWNYan Min stood respectfully by the bedside.EKKzOKDTcNMkKjbqExLYeSCKNhlEkx
knuQlbiKFbWuPPRNing Rushen snapped awake.bbCrmOdhybrbacApwZGEWUoOWsAnAO
uDRzKEWGGTDegnoHe nearly forgot—he had traveled to another era.OPrjxZysoStQYmTTssWZDoAhIsiBIc
beCAuhddwFrZojwRubbing his throbbing temples, he patted around the bedclothes, mumbling, “Erkang, where’s my robe?”FaPXWrZqCpqlljvrnXGNwpJqCSbjib
tDyIkrldNyRxvfU“Your lordship’s outer robe is hanging on the rack,” Yan Min said as he handed over Ning’s cloud-patterned red robe. “And I am Yan Min.”QjExHceUBOPwmELPQpqUcsuxAQOfqo
yhtjIvJEFsccVmPNing Rushen took the robe, refusing his help to get dressed. “Alright, I can do it myself. You can leave now, Er… Yan Kang.”mCYWlUtcnBPEjQXoTTUotaOGMkZfVY
PNtkQDcoMflnZBqYan Min: …QTKdgUSCIENCJaBROLMWtHJWsPYfub
CNEOmTekYcmvNteBy the time Ning Rushen entered the palace, the sky had already darkened.UoRhrHZYpItFybgbazwDeSEUUAzjzF
lwrFkwqdfEeLxtYThe banquet had been fully prepared, with golden pillars and beams gleaming under the bright lights. Under the guidance of the eunuchs, Ning took his seat among his fellow Hanlin Academy colleagues, seated far from the main table at the front.MRUtEQYtjICEokJRDydqabrcoiNAHB
gOckppjOshkPPMeA short while later, the imperial procession arrived in grand fashion.jzoFMQKQOdostZAyzwScvwFyzWxgTb
eDhIEzbzeIPzAttLi Wuting, dressed in dark robes, took his seat above them all.ceFuiFEFjTOTZDZeZXLeSEqqNyMYeI
sIhIdPzRoaOraYQNing Rushen glanced at him from a distance, and Li Wuting seemed to notice, his gaze briefly resting on Ning with a subtle, unreadable expression. But with the dazzling lights and dancers in the way, Ning couldn’t be sure.AJeIuvxboTatFIePHQJClubDaoVijB
AXyZTUKiBntCfGYHe rubbed his chin, thinking, Probably just my imagination.cCvuYqNzySSkQGoVmEkFlsEvKzcHNe
ZJmFSjOZUmOZDgjAfter the rituals and formal greetings, the atmosphere gradually loosened. As the wine flowed, the emperor rose and left the banquet, and the mood became even more relaxed.YSjVsvTqjxXYDKelDdRClCddFvGZLQ
acbxWKBGqAKaCTaNing’s colleagues all raised their cups toward him with enthusiasm. “We hear that Lord Ning will be serving directly before His Majesty starting tomorrow! The emperor’s most favored official!”foRODtTXHIyllQhySfvovxlTfLcoZA
GKUCkRvKJAnbxYtNing Rushen: Who’s been tattling now?rmGSiiEvGBuGNbDYpBpfQtguHkINRj
xVxpbOZIgRSOxRY“Ha! Don’t act like you don’t know! The imperial decree was delivered to the Hanlin Academy this afternoon. We all know!”NHYRqGsbpxOtqvaZWiZxSVivyJHsNW
mDxqcupbMeIJWarNing choked on his wine: So it’s from the emperor himself!HGidGchDEswRUxIgZPrzYGVmTghXwb
wKKEmlQzkyVJwjCThe toasts came one after another, and Ning Rushen found himself getting hotter with each drink. Just as he was contemplating an escape, a familiar mocking voice rang out nearby, “Hmph, retiring to the countryside?”MICoDtdmcvWdnjItzOEsYsNwVXydjq
tkCYwQKJywttnDfHe snapped his head up.pzUmWzaZjcSVCBhApYfMvviRGhcqCp
EQiRNBjZDzIDIDQThere stood Geng Yan, holding a cup, with a look of disdain.rvnHlrXcNTnAzUyVUJfVKxZepItWbK
FfnfssadXmFwozIA perfect shield! Ning grabbed onto him as if he were a lifeline, pulling Geng in front of him as a human barricade. “What? You have something important to discuss with me?”WAwYNXWAFQnAoDNxjqUHPyIvTXqsTs
SeLtPDpmMYbbsijGeng Yan looked bewildered. “Huh?”nxfpLyjWcNnGtJxPqkGSpluorYuttq
VOUeVPrFPLxjQtkNing furrowed his brow. “A personal ailment?”cSfCcikVfQmcSITVnDyUccRBlNGkNJ
JIjWzbGoxsbGogJ“…” The colleagues who had been coming to toast them exchanged awkward glances and quietly dispersed.LWnmCImEAmpGvsNifPKCuepdvaljId
DZWdRgMiyDjZvXCGeng Yan finally realized what was happening and slammed his hand on the table. “You son of a—”QbsDRFueLGtZWUGjxIOglOefJyxsDA
nBatXWoLVXvfFFyNing hurriedly poured him a cup of wine and handed him a walnut. “Calm down, calm down.”FaBxyMEuMIvulzFqRCZBNxDasGGOCP
tbKLRCrZieqcaay“Shameless!” Geng cursed before glaring at him. “Hypocrite.”vwzRVQSkCJenAZGIAfnovotHcwyPHh
tGLnCOMWymsTvugNing sighed and explained, “I really did request retirement, but the emperor insisted on keeping me in the imperial study.”hhmWqglilJlNOJRqPuichnidSqhQZG
GaIjTmzuYBEWYStHe was being sincere, but even he felt a little guilty as he said it. A quick glance confirmed his suspicion—Geng Yan’s fists were clenched in his sleeves.QQMiHFRqwCnALOKGJeFFYhLPrdMlIg
bfPGXEmsTgpTbHu“…”yDLmarSNMgCXlxcMfgIUYmffqnVJsA
GubCGQYLTwbrXmrNing sighed again. “Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger.”XsUQxOQRukeDcPdrDStATpjKkwGLzZ
OxjyiKBMOcXQQamThe knife-like gaze softened slightly.jZKRczgsMomFLKekYolRuXpnVTCFhy
YQXxPEzsMqYOzKUHe swirled the wine in his cup with melancholy. “I wonder how long I can hold on.”wrArJcGFNUdwYnovWgYLZUvgzGXrgL
gggoIlJGREdcxtQThe tense sleeves gradually relaxed.UsRHMZpXNuRZzYQmagyWTjPjHpAnYK
aSAVHmDcgFVYzXnGeng Yan, after considering Ning’s predicament, nodded. “That’s true.”rJWFzLInToBtNAZpTseMOfZapbrVPS
aXBgpyUGizsaEFhNing took a sip of his wine, feeling quite pleased. He’s surprisingly easy to fool.LXNwcDhvfxClsFZVXyhxbckuBzXcpX
NeiGJnIuArxGoZBTaking advantage of the moment, he glanced toward the emperor’s empty seat. “Why hasn’t His Majesty returned yet?”nLqSbGejQenQagfwvhyXCddxhRnPCi
rkPqgldcxcBUpMKGeng Yan gave him a strange look. “You don’t remember?”QRAIAMlHfsNXznuWigUhGAYloNLWXp
WRkEgktNjNRdJmnNing blinked. “Remember what?”WWsORyslVHtUqasHabFGMPUWplGaPP
KdvyUmGyuUVUdnCGeng leaned in and whispered, “The emperor is probably at Changning Palace. His late mother, Concubine Xian, used to live there.”eNcPkNsSLXQUdJWpPjtgEhUTOlUEXC
kidoiwVuqiFPsQU…sUMRzVzkOipMDgkfdGUFbHOYqlYYxP
XQygVNQFURdtGcQAs the banquet drew to a close, Ning had overheard a fair amount of palace gossip and drank more than enough wine. The heat and alcohol surged within him, making his head spin and his body flush.qeLBQHZIgADSekFZnXWcBrPOkNHfsM
yDHRUFWnLCkDiACHe excused himself from the banquet.UAhYtloHBrUBLjsjKAOQwIyBUMjuBK
roFWNGhiLNFRxfXOutside the palace hall was a tranquil lake, hidden behind a canopy of trees, cool and peaceful in the night.GRbXldfEIrDWDijwzqKOOveYiKvtBJ
kBbUzporASZijkDNing sat on a stone near the lake to cool off, letting the evening breeze blow over him. He pulled open his robe, his flushed face and neck reflecting the shimmering light of the water.aoGvlxjBFUzjTdSFYTiSPjLlAHYLCa
fvosPnFVvQdQzJjAfter sitting there for a while, he faintly heard De Quan’s voice coming from the path nearby, “Your Majesty, it’s cold tonight. Please put on a cloak.”xFkqCXKzjsesWTogCuhQvlQGUvdMVK
OukFoupdFKwhqkaThere was no response in the quiet night.aXhGHSpYyiDUdKNLqKxMSigEIxNHNa
xbmAMXnsnyQUNrUThe emperor? Ning stood up groggily.TsfWMWFcOxeNqstjSqYUjjotTAzspJ
sqjfFNlMGCYcKLcThe grass at his feet rustled, and immediately, De Quan’s sharp voice rang out, “Who’s there?!”uzWarfaMAMcuCGVWfJIsQmWFkpPFXS
VzkwiZzNxtuARVKA row of bright palace lanterns instantly illuminated the path by the lake. Ning looked toward the light, and his flushed face and bright eyes were suddenly caught in everyone’s sight—KPzVyzTUVvCYNPtHQEMihaBfjLCujO
GFSgzCGxsBASgfDThe once serene atmosphere shattered.xkPtxIlHxZZqsndoHsDVZOsRGAMCiX
OeavLyzHShECkksDe Quan, startled, exclaimed, “Lord Ning?”jwFLlijQXiGDKREQqrpDqKsuWwRBme
TKRiYKVxHbxCXOKNing Rushen stood frozen, not responding.xQkjKcMDJnbDIzajpxYZwgbovxypOo
UsVJkWeRaKQdnBAHe looked at Li Wuting, who stood in the night in his thin robes, and absentmindedly blurted out, “Your Majesty, perhaps you should wear a cloak.”npGILarOpIzYXLjCRXzCEUUbEIPbVZ
smBdnbvmnGoPhbDLi Wuting: “…”IEzgwVyqSBQPXQTbcujEoQixdxErTg
FCgLwyCGPupIICzNing’s hair had fallen loose, some strands slipping into the open collar of his robe, his whole body radiating the heat of alcohol.gWVsUXpNNggduPZZCZXZCOlIlLzwXF
NdpnUXjmbYPvfaEThe moment Li Wuting saw him, the Jinyiwei’s report flashed through his mind:ehMkaapRfLOOeCRmzbirUiCHrRDeWY
WmjlmpvEtSvYgCdStarved ghost reincarnated, disgrace to men’s virtue.VoUPCnexTAQWrfVNqNbbGFsHcjJdVA
mJmPDgAUYjhuuwGSeeing Ning standing there so casually, De Quan was already panicking, stammering, “Oh no, Lord Ning must be drunk! Hurry and bow to His Majesty!”IAhObrqozLGUccVWeSqbNsrvduDmdR
pdAZviLpoCvFWfYThough Ning’s mind was hazy, he still understood what was being said. He took a few unsteady steps toward Li Wuting.ghcvGtiCJlktwgfltReXSzfGAiafzs
EvYIPhoOhQSvLCcDe Quan gripped his duster tightly, terrified that Ning might accidentally offend the emperor.VJFaKppRgmrQpJpXxGhCyTkmKJbhcS
WkghKlQMImcYwBzNing stopped in front of Li Wuting, swaying slightly as he bowed. “Your humble servant greets His Majesty.”yYMWkshWPyEMAnZKrnwTyuRtrDIgMX
fAmvzpmnagLfWaWLi Wuting glanced down at him. “Why are you here?”aAsQqnoyxiYOvaLJSTpyRBhTIYfIpy
vUzetWpaGktqGBg“Cooling off.”xiMHbrErXLzncbCPwdMWcjeUDKWoSw
yMTGNxlsYjMTDOs“This is not a place you should be,” Li Wuting said, his expression betraying no emotion. “Go back.”ZAGzXvqLzKsfldQLyqHfRCvYgszBCf
plGyEqSmUrSslNz“Oh.” Ning Rushen blinked once, then sluggishly added, “Your servant takes his leave.”hTEqCOvLlsMunJmtpHsYKDPhIawoma
FTqbwcbHfVLUneBHe turned and began to walk away, his crimson robe fluttering in the breeze, the silver embroidery on his belt accentuating his slender waist.FYzrfLnsyyDVrmotuCLIoUcMYYMLYe
EFGcAfQTdpmobaULi Wuting glanced at him briefly before averting his gaze. His voice remained calm, “Return to the Yangxin Hall.”QRMoInJKqRGONBleiCuUhQXUQcGEks
wCrEHtblKxToBwS“Yes, Your Majesty.” The rows of palace lanterns swung as the entourage turned to leave.EjCrgZiJxmImambrmdHPqkPUMnxEQX
MixlodwYcaocwvlThey had barely taken a few steps when suddenly, from not far behind them, there was a loud “splash” from the lake.CdJHAldoaBgKgweJvlosNiXamQWcvM
vyMJNswXoRwBpEpLi Wuting turned his head.wVshVmKDzATdOMBAQmNtSfnRrFdEYd
wuDGvDyUXlkIzjtThere, the figure who had just been wobbling away had somehow managed to fall headfirst into the lake, his upper body now submerged, and he was slowly sinking further down the bank, bubbles rising with every second.tahpCnMGirBVsfGQGLTVyPKNWdzfNk
fkTMhQoxBkHqNhO“…”kGsjWtByQXUFfvECKKlMoMDxuqganH
SruZZJZCPWOLrmhDe Quan’s face went pale in shock. “Lord Ning!”WqPGPeqgPqelMQnvfcNsWVpTAyTraM
lboygpSAWLjivkNThe palace servants rushed towards the lake, but Li Wuting’s voice suddenly rang out, “Hold on.”TZPIXTYbaCnNvQerDMttwuoDDezsrM
RqKQnwgDZCdVkDY“Your Majesty?” De Quan looked up in confusion.dKUhPIXodlPZtHcJTCIMTKtCCzjNuS
olJuPpASemDVCQzFor a brief moment, Li Wuting’s gaze darkened, though it was fleeting.yxjJqggfRxysQgGIYSToNJFgEwYHzu
DFKfJmQIQzcLncTHe glanced again at the bubbles coming up from the water, then, pressing his fingers to his brow in exasperation, said, “…Forget it. Pull him out.”dvjWPYWQSCOppiDKLksHUFovAotPmr
doAFTsYrfjulFABQHMWdBLXfqHtBPKwdtbBwaPRnrHSrQ