This official is so weak

VFTpauvUHmyNsXFTable of Contents

Chapter 3

Li Wuting stared silently at the small walnut for a long time before speaking suddenly, “Shi Yi.”VxqWcKgjmhWRyljZCxgSNaUNhFccZR

VQvlhUBtxsTrAyA

From 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

oxfByDzkaFopkjy

Half an hour later, Ning Rushen finally returned to his carriage.GlCsjHJWDLIMOhXMIFnIeeNbhxbyvO

YjtyGwVdmZydKMC

Yan Min lifted the curtain for him. “Your lordship doesn’t seem to be in a good mood?”LrraERMdnvxbsucmqVCBbVAYFMzvzm

RYYAEjUAUPkSxCM

Ning 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

TmRXxUCdfUQrFRe

Before 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

aqcIwTdkLOabTHl

The mansion wasn’t grand, but it exuded a certain elegance, befitting an official of the fifth rank. There was nothing to criticize.DNrTvyvYXynrmLXGgUQgFtUddVPDhP

mwQDLchNJdDlqOY

After returning to the Ning residence, Yan Min gathered all the servants.ghbRtNQqgausdKTnTjWgurOJrhshYD

GRzypyFeNnpsJjF

Ning 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

GAYSQlhorjvpPOQ

Resigning from office isn’t an option, and my memory is fuzzy.TfRropiydGooXunMiChNyOtMLfSueZ

UHMCMVoTMdcRhPs

I’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

UICKjGIFGMXfKah

All the servants lowered their heads nervously, waiting for orders.thdluuaJiFRfmTrLqYGTpWNEJrXkHI

vzxmrOfrydswhDI

“Everyone is here, right?”siifGZPxdJjBZqumexJsicNiDiCLoK

MlKzdujefqNVHsg

Ning Rushen set down his teacup, straightened up, cleared his throat, and said, “Alright, compliment me.”lJnFIghorBgKdqcniBanjoQwuxRMeS

HulwsKgDivXKHtg

“…”CIfdCgxiHVjuFcBELDCxtFzmeQdFEO

UjxKABHUDzVSpRN

Everyone looked up in confusion: ?qtsTzGBBqJlmeeFgIrzeKqoRkqSdcy

vupimccaaKIPZuY

Thick-skinned, Ning Rushen repeated, “Compliment me.”wEdBZLUzZKNVrJSPYXxdCMZPmSefRW

RovznVxZSPEOGwF

Everyone 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

ULEeDUpeIrIKvTE

The others finally caught on.zxbltgNgLjVqtkRyIrdCLNUKhLGhTx

GrZLJaaLiHcVVwa

In an instant, the courtyard was flooded with lavish praises, blooming like a garden in spring—ZfFHoKoVGrSgRiHVWQcgcCPdeqOcpj

NcMsacxhOUAVprz

Ning 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

ZKnXvWpKwoTiAnb

Later, he had backed the right side in the imperial succession, helping Li Wuting ascend the throne.QXgIxKRkXJUphXdjWSQKsXPneppMJE

bSYZRkzfMaueRoB

Outwardly, he seemed to have a brilliant future.GeNGuXcqjGQDmbqZQDmkJbOyChuXbN

hqzYQVAVimZCauI

So how had “he” offended Li Wuting?JXKVmNybjWEyWeUQGFTPDMoIXwHWVZ

SYmxzLFclkWRGpm

gKjWrgpfkmvpaipUWOROhfYzlfasup

JPYFCnUhnclzynH

The compliments in the courtyard began to dwindle.mYZNanDDqyCpXqGEWYdfwQJZxUaOlG

SjrtvaoVfXerKkh

The servants were running out of words, even resorting to praising how he once ate an extra bowl of rice.TcWeRpgCIJvvhWHcxVqHIxvoUyZtzI

jahkeiJXpXdPzQU

Ning Rushen raised his hand to stop them. “That’s enough.”zvYBLOSVhhBZRItNuSSXPdsFDGCwxW

SpVPSqISQqTjZqe

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.BEHDvZaRkahCGUQYrRwntmSIeItXxn

CzDqmNXblIOjXAO

Ning Rushen then said, “Now, start insulting me.”IcivpfyOHPLdYWWFwMIhLBmTVdTvfe

lcanHuGlDGgOVqU

“…” The entire courtyard instantly dropped to their knees!oaEqLZrfFErreynqqUtJclmjOmzpPC

VXgFKLQAwCPVVRQ

Outside the unnoticed courtyard wall, the shadowy figure lurking there also trembled slightly.uUtfNyxZPGXNNQsXrMUhQKbdNODqwl

mldhfTHFvDoKllN

“We wouldn’t dare, my lord!”pTHwypGGmmZSUFYUaXSiUQJKQjMIhq

cJPBewqAzDjpgtr

Ning Rushen sighed. “Stand up.”IzYdgUNjauMYSphkhAOZXvqxiPqeuv

runKVTitYWyINUf

He looked at the trembling group, thought for a moment, then said, “One insult, one tael of silver.”rwTmFHCBNHZVlcMYOYREPiQOUoGfla

XwcAarIRCSpOtrB

A dozen faces hesitantly lifted.TLhYsqzleoxFkhmZlMtQXAWpxnlQll

oGudgHepIyosWWQ

Ning Rushen expertly cracked open another walnut. “The first one to speak gets ten taels.”PSxWwEioQcbPQUUqZZQYHkBQDODSAh

oigOiZsYijlIwFF

In the next second, Steward Yan bellowed in a booming voice, “My lord, were you reincarnated from a starved ghost?!”NptRpfxIQhyAvXuyBIxGnPbkGGlACX

aznbcedaXeEQhdD

Ning Rushen: “…”BglMBhBUiocpMVGCckRLxKbypnrFUv

ANVhtvEgEtMkQXQ

·aRjKjQSIpjXErZdlYbEQANeFHjlLep

mZjECIcasXtJegi

Ning Rushen spent the entire afternoon paying to be insulted.PUTWPXtVcqHJiaqdlZEaVXpessYLSp

fnvAZTVCptJnXnz

At 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

UMRJnPVuIWHBKXE

Ning Rushen felt his head spinning and ears buzzing.FUbNhGYBxocpTUWCJchYAvxtRWJUTg

IoVcGYNRZRMafwq

What was all this nonsense?JZduUsZKphBGPUbUXHsvEUHQmvdoSk

bocPwWBsrOWQUcF

After 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

fxbaKNTkWYmMGhn

Yan Min, clutching the silver with reverence, bowed deeply. “Yes, my lord.”vqFKawUFHtQIWeXSWfydxdqGAzfqNT

BPFJLJeIbLRWeyS

qQHzaIPKjTYJoNlOCpBMfNnnZKPYtJ

gddbdKSAgZoOrwX

In 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

lEOYSrXVMoPqZER

The room had long been cleared of others.GRHtoxcnSRmJoQalAYHNnVFYLzAlVv

tWXwXqSknPzNBoQ

Li Wuting looked at the shadowy figure kneeling before him. “Speak.”qZDsLOdrCQDZxCNVlHlNbgTVdGkiTG

uhhlnRKNWBUXhvR

Shi Yi kowtowed and reported every detail of Ning Rushen’s return to his residence, leaving nothing out.EJSKkKPbBEbmXTroBWwUsVzgncALci

lsvyAtWBARFfzQi

When Li Wuting heard about Ning asking his servants to praise him, he let out a faint scoff.jxLGtGkvjzGeDwUtLcvjgbhppFYwZR

cBPOifpZqdMXbmI

But 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

kLMWGrDhGugUxxH

Li Wuting’s expression turned strange.VXeTvygSVnudOPsDTeMLrSRGgDrjha

bURtJrzhluHfqBh

Shi 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

hWhoqgFAPiFKwGn

Li Wuting nearly choked on his tea.VzzqdeFEpBCEWAMkUudcdChDzVfRMb

wvdpGVDoRkbkOVF

Shi 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

yShYaHpliuZMvtO

Li Wuting: “…”WxsqnUgGcgeKUtaleKttfHigLRxjyr

tbULHhziqFXpbbW

Shi Yi added, “Lord Ning blushed and discreetly pulled his robe shut…”ysmALfkzVdcgNQRDTlWLSpMRyOSQTl

jNeQOJEPsTxNhUd

Li Wuting interrupted, “Shi Yi.”OHrseEYfdTawGRHpTfnZftSXrNWaqI

AUXIBGFKPUQRkBh

Shi Yi immediately silenced himself, lowering his body even further.DdPdrEaDNiabhGKFsiURNXjCnKbUXQ

vktsMAdTftxgmKC

Li 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

SkWvfdxMSYObupk

After a moment, he spoke, “Leave, and continue your surveillance.”iuomWVqMDMSykrhYDmQOeJKngTsUCg

HyStUHcNXaTYtVg

Shi Yi kowtowed again.oiaSenMXNeKCxddpaFDqLWuKLsGbXa

SUhVyuctnspWjgN

Just 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

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ijLhzHLaTYkLoMH

Ning Rushen slept until nearly dusk.DPoFXkPQNHqYiZwAUSvfvHtNSHRYPm

SwAHSyRnGVQhiRy

When 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

virDdHcEFAYoMCL

Ning 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

TauWbiELfhdnJnl

The door creaked open, and a familiar voice answered, “My lord, it is I, Yan Min.”oOugsCoPSDxygRgxdFbVwvMhEYNPHA

vcIsRdFzmfYnpjg

The lamps were lit, casting a warm glow across the room.qnpFrlYEqESOMjLaIrHJbMmewScnUc

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Yan Min stood respectfully by the bedside.EKKzOKDTcNMkKjbqExLYeSCKNhlEkx

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Ning Rushen snapped awake.bbCrmOdhybrbacApwZGEWUoOWsAnAO

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He nearly forgot—he had traveled to another era.OPrjxZysoStQYmTTssWZDoAhIsiBIc

beCAuhddwFrZojw

Rubbing 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

yhtjIvJEFsccVmP

Ning Rushen took the robe, refusing his help to get dressed. “Alright, I can do it myself. You can leave now, Er… Yan Kang.”mCYWlUtcnBPEjQXoTTUotaOGMkZfVY

PNtkQDcoMflnZBq

Yan Min: …QTKdgUSCIENCJaBROLMWtHJWsPYfub

CNEOmTekYcmvNte

By the time Ning Rushen entered the palace, the sky had already darkened.UoRhrHZYpItFybgbazwDeSEUUAzjzF

lwrFkwqdfEeLxtY

The 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

gOckppjOshkPPMe

A short while later, the imperial procession arrived in grand fashion.jzoFMQKQOdostZAyzwScvwFyzWxgTb

eDhIEzbzeIPzAtt

Li Wuting, dressed in dark robes, took his seat above them all.ceFuiFEFjTOTZDZeZXLeSEqqNyMYeI

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Ning 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

AXyZTUKiBntCfGY

He rubbed his chin, thinking, Probably just my imagination.cCvuYqNzySSkQGoVmEkFlsEvKzcHNe

ZJmFSjOZUmOZDgj

After 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

acbxWKBGqAKaCTa

Ning’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

GKUCkRvKJAnbxYt

Ning 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

mDxqcupbMeIJWar

Ning choked on his wine: So it’s from the emperor himself!HGidGchDEswRUxIgZPrzYGVmTghXwb

wKKEmlQzkyVJwjC

The 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

tkCYwQKJywttnDf

He snapped his head up.pzUmWzaZjcSVCBhApYfMvviRGhcqCp

EQiRNBjZDzIDIDQ

There stood Geng Yan, holding a cup, with a look of disdain.rvnHlrXcNTnAzUyVUJfVKxZepItWbK

FfnfssadXmFwozI

A 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

SeLtPDpmMYbbsij

Geng Yan looked bewildered. “Huh?”nxfpLyjWcNnGtJxPqkGSpluorYuttq

VOUeVPrFPLxjQtk

Ning furrowed his brow. “A personal ailment?”cSfCcikVfQmcSITVnDyUccRBlNGkNJ

JIjWzbGoxsbGogJ

“…” The colleagues who had been coming to toast them exchanged awkward glances and quietly dispersed.LWnmCImEAmpGvsNifPKCuepdvaljId

DZWdRgMiyDjZvXC

Geng Yan finally realized what was happening and slammed his hand on the table. “You son of a—”QbsDRFueLGtZWUGjxIOglOefJyxsDA

nBatXWoLVXvfFFy

Ning 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

tGLnCOMWymsTvug

Ning sighed and explained, “I really did request retirement, but the emperor insisted on keeping me in the imperial study.”hhmWqglilJlNOJRqPuichnidSqhQZG

GaIjTmzuYBEWYSt

He 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

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Ning sighed again. “Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger.”XsUQxOQRukeDcPdrDStATpjKkwGLzZ

OxjyiKBMOcXQQam

The knife-like gaze softened slightly.jZKRczgsMomFLKekYolRuXpnVTCFhy

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He swirled the wine in his cup with melancholy. “I wonder how long I can hold on.”wrArJcGFNUdwYnovWgYLZUvgzGXrgL

gggoIlJGREdcxtQ

The tense sleeves gradually relaxed.UsRHMZpXNuRZzYQmagyWTjPjHpAnYK

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Geng Yan, after considering Ning’s predicament, nodded. “That’s true.”rJWFzLInToBtNAZpTseMOfZapbrVPS

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Ning took a sip of his wine, feeling quite pleased. He’s surprisingly easy to fool.LXNwcDhvfxClsFZVXyhxbckuBzXcpX

NeiGJnIuArxGoZB

Taking advantage of the moment, he glanced toward the emperor’s empty seat. “Why hasn’t His Majesty returned yet?”nLqSbGejQenQagfwvhyXCddxhRnPCi

rkPqgldcxcBUpMK

Geng Yan gave him a strange look. “You don’t remember?”QRAIAMlHfsNXznuWigUhGAYloNLWXp

WRkEgktNjNRdJmn

Ning blinked. “Remember what?”WWsORyslVHtUqasHabFGMPUWplGaPP

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Geng leaned in and whispered, “The emperor is probably at Changning Palace. His late mother, Concubine Xian, used to live there.”eNcPkNsSLXQUdJWpPjtgEhUTOlUEXC

kidoiwVuqiFPsQU

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As 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

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He excused himself from the banquet.UAhYtloHBrUBLjsjKAOQwIyBUMjuBK

roFWNGhiLNFRxfX

Outside the palace hall was a tranquil lake, hidden behind a canopy of trees, cool and peaceful in the night.GRbXldfEIrDWDijwzqKOOveYiKvtBJ

kBbUzporASZijkD

Ning 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

fvosPnFVvQdQzJj

After 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

OukFoupdFKwhqka

There was no response in the quiet night.aXhGHSpYyiDUdKNLqKxMSigEIxNHNa

xbmAMXnsnyQUNrU

The emperor? Ning stood up groggily.TsfWMWFcOxeNqstjSqYUjjotTAzspJ

sqjfFNlMGCYcKLc

The grass at his feet rustled, and immediately, De Quan’s sharp voice rang out, “Who’s there?!”uzWarfaMAMcuCGVWfJIsQmWFkpPFXS

VzkwiZzNxtuARVK

A 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

GFSgzCGxsBASgfD

The once serene atmosphere shattered.xkPtxIlHxZZqsndoHsDVZOsRGAMCiX

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De Quan, startled, exclaimed, “Lord Ning?”jwFLlijQXiGDKREQqrpDqKsuWwRBme

TKRiYKVxHbxCXOK

Ning Rushen stood frozen, not responding.xQkjKcMDJnbDIzajpxYZwgbovxypOo

UsVJkWeRaKQdnBA

He 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

smBdnbvmnGoPhbD

Li Wuting: “…”IEzgwVyqSBQPXQTbcujEoQixdxErTg

FCgLwyCGPupIICz

Ning’s hair had fallen loose, some strands slipping into the open collar of his robe, his whole body radiating the heat of alcohol.gWVsUXpNNggduPZZCZXZCOlIlLzwXF

NdpnUXjmbYPvfaE

The moment Li Wuting saw him, the Jinyiwei’s report flashed through his mind:ehMkaapRfLOOeCRmzbirUiCHrRDeWY

WmjlmpvEtSvYgCd

Starved ghost reincarnated, disgrace to men’s virtue.VoUPCnexTAQWrfVNqNbbGFsHcjJdVA

mJmPDgAUYjhuuwG

Seeing 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

pdAZviLpoCvFWfY

Though Ning’s mind was hazy, he still understood what was being said. He took a few unsteady steps toward Li Wuting.ghcvGtiCJlktwgfltReXSzfGAiafzs

EvYIPhoOhQSvLCc

De Quan gripped his duster tightly, terrified that Ning might accidentally offend the emperor.VJFaKppRgmrQpJpXxGhCyTkmKJbhcS

WkghKlQMImcYwBz

Ning stopped in front of Li Wuting, swaying slightly as he bowed. “Your humble servant greets His Majesty.”yYMWkshWPyEMAnZKrnwTyuRtrDIgMX

fAmvzpmnagLfWaW

Li 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

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“Oh.” Ning Rushen blinked once, then sluggishly added, “Your servant takes his leave.”hTEqCOvLlsMunJmtpHsYKDPhIawoma

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He turned and began to walk away, his crimson robe fluttering in the breeze, the silver embroidery on his belt accentuating his slender waist.FYzrfLnsyyDVrmotuCLIoUcMYYMLYe

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Li Wuting glanced at him briefly before averting his gaze. His voice remained calm, “Return to the Yangxin Hall.”QRMoInJKqRGONBleiCuUhQXUQcGEks

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“Yes, Your Majesty.” The rows of palace lanterns swung as the entourage turned to leave.EjCrgZiJxmImambrmdHPqkPUMnxEQX

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They had barely taken a few steps when suddenly, from not far behind them, there was a loud “splash” from the lake.CdJHAldoaBgKgweJvlosNiXamQWcvM

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Li Wuting turned his head.wVshVmKDzATdOMBAQmNtSfnRrFdEYd

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There, 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

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“…”kGsjWtByQXUFfvECKKlMoMDxuqganH

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De Quan’s face went pale in shock. “Lord Ning!”WqPGPeqgPqelMQnvfcNsWVpTAyTraM

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The palace servants rushed towards the lake, but Li Wuting’s voice suddenly rang out, “Hold on.”TZPIXTYbaCnNvQerDMttwuoDDezsrM

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“Your Majesty?” De Quan looked up in confusion.dKUhPIXodlPZtHcJTCIMTKtCCzjNuS

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For a brief moment, Li Wuting’s gaze darkened, though it was fleeting.yxjJqggfRxysQgGIYSToNJFgEwYHzu

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He 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

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