Chapter 31
Ning Rushen keenly sensed a hint of danger, but his curiosity got the better of him.MDeCzrfFzfnLTJGyeDacUJOzNaDtYx
nrcYRuhwuGsCPEeLi Yingtang then rustled out the stack of papers.FqVREEMoRqUlHPmwsenkqNOmuYBALS
FnzzokoKKqrHcDMHolding the stack of papers in front of him, Ning Rushen hesitated, feeling as if he was about to open Pandora’s box.PUirQLlTHCIJnvMiOxZJHRuTDmvgWf
BoWyzIanAXDDXHyAt that moment, Li Yingtang’s eyes lifted, and a hint of urgency appeared on his face, even using a bit of scarcity marketing:cyxJKsATnFpDzWHiCiXlznAYfvOgLV
rbAeIQcxkQtPWqcHe saw that the freshly inked pages had been stuffed into an outer robe by His Majesty Xuan.qsGTzAHBLANyBRbfRvtEihMwUIhouF
MgGbWOBOjgulFNi『… Silken threads and curtains entangled, that hand caused a blur of ink and the crumpled carriage swayed, his tears flowed down as he pleaded: Spare me…』AxByvTKfmEsewRjwOakhXQdFFGAqsk
TRsEVAtQDNgUFVBHis hand trembled, and his ears turned red with a roar—aWXpjTUdgGbsvaDCoyIAaHTXNorvXB
mzQbGthFkwBJNYAIt was actually smut! His Majesty Xuan was quite something!qzEYfAbOLKCJQqwgkmVYFbNfFFsETW
ughPPIkrMmegpvyNing Rushen was greatly shaken, continuing to read further.fBvokKlJqyDHdOdowLUuJyruVihVMA
gPpmfZnKEkCgLDgJust as he saw a character for “monarch,” he suddenly heard a commotion behind him. The next moment, a gust of wind passed by his ear—mingled with the startled greetings of palace attendants, “Your Majesty!”qCAWGBgCFJIOdLyVqFeNlhGbvdedXZ
COrppYUqccsSdCbA large hand suddenly covered his eyes from behind.IWfAxAZVZlwXgzQmkLIWmOIkMIDNGx
PwJGBRWXFVixWCM“Mm!” His vision plunged into darkness.biJneQTvexhSToMuVWEdMhFigDDzzI
ZzyIBbnBcEqYsyPNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, his back pressed against a familiar chest, and he heard a low, cold voice full of anger from above, “Li Yingtang!”eCGSFauNwdMJgnXGUPZgmADEijJYvZ
kLOsZJzbpbehkrD“…”tZeQYBjItfZRCJUcNkFNHaxvfNuGUS
CrdbAizELVxQTpyThe paper in his hand was snatched away by someone, and Ning Rushen’s heart pounded, “Your, Your Majesty.”ILFEDvUzgYDmMChPieMIyDSjqcsbne
muBGuhLQurGRsorWhat was happening? It seemed like he was caught red-handed.ZwTIQLSkkFpjGpMBoEYAHRrGFcNoqE
tpEPXRzeQiVwVqKAfter he spoke, the chest behind him seemed to calm down a bit.SMdtldVyBcfkcREhUUcfVrIIlHZGIM
qAPyamzdLpWFQqhLi Wuting looked down.DeXsPqgVExgcjlUguvKjJBXFBBDXZB
NnLQMhKGbcYFdoUIn the deep night, a bit of warm light from a palace lantern slanted into the pavilion, and the ear beneath his gaze was as red as vermilion, with a red mole looking even more striking.rbrnCugpReJvKFAQQRGcJuWjQOyJYe
FGvYtuUBOUOySlzLi Wuting released his hand.ebdyyesIbqrRjnriOWQLBoDWUKQovu
BfSYPjKZmcYzxhSHe then coldly glared at Li Yingtang, “You have some nerve.”QWALjTaIumFwPGDPnNcUKvuGEiTIDx
oWDGvfpiiLlVDLxNing Rushen regained his sight and saw Li Yingtang trying to remain calm, one hand still secretly hiding the paper.VEGRxCAGauCAwvCxHUvZTUtRSbKNyG
xmQpmESCAmxUSdl“Have I committed a crime?”wvOWENPAOuKbwEjbfAYxJnFUMROzLi
IlYiZSWbLqtJwtdLi Wuting paused, “Disturbing the peace before the throne.”SlJcNoXzhFdXTlykbzFxcoJcWYIHxW
sAQIsllBLZEAFufNing Rushen, “…”oTSQJnskpQWcHSloVPQCwgkpJCWvOt
bBpFdDVecGNWLtBThe atmosphere in the pavilion grew even tenser. Seeing the situation deteriorate, Li Yingtang took off before Li Wuting could speak, “Ah, I just remembered I need to accompany my mother consort, I must take my leave!”wyUvCUmYycvTgucDKdGulGIAuepIWx
lpnGUZtdHcgEiUkHe then quickly disappeared into the night.llPyScnPRDXstoVPXrLmCaqdjIinVv
ecUZCAaXCCKRpBHWith Li Yingtang gone, only Ning Rushen and Li Wuting were left in the pavilion.xqQDaTbmwFgbbEYhoHnxFqZLbNFTAM
mWDEGxyoCHXiQfzNing Rushen felt a bit awkward, having been caught red-handed with smut by his superior. But glancing at Li Wuting’s expression, he seemed even more uneasy.ZxrgNJvFpJSmnQqVwCqjyFOVSwKHkL
kRapdFTXPDDNdTbSuddenly, Ning Rushen recalled: Oh, Li Wuting had also read it…qHLIRpiSkymnuaVnuJAGUCerSWNCiG
GbzanoEKJkwgtAfSo now they were smut book friends.yTacaClwfyPwmSpWXlClEwGpELGyJW
zHQmTSxYQVDJrhAThe air felt a bit still.omhEVvTsdJiTUZBlidSOivRErVYbjj
fbHLbprjVCqwUmNNing Rushen softly spoke, trying to ease the tension, “Your Majesty, it’s really not a big deal…”NuzKjMubgHpxrooatTOfolYlWVUqIN
ajoHWxExJaTzmzdAs soon as he started, Li Wuting looked over, his eyes deep, “You think it’s no big deal?”DjnorlCqMfeJRuxyzOBpsukaxnCyeP
GAxfIgHYByVBvHfNing Rushen nodded, “Yes, quite normal.”nHcauqzMxdgUiBJMKFWxcPAnpFyMEJ
etmnUjcZfHMCVgILi Wuting, “Quite normal?”DGmXTumgGIeDdIBSSXhuOClmStMVLB
uFANJqYYXoPbfYk“…” What was wrong?YOzPEnNmSpVZDjOmGaelQCrzgnhZBe
qMibdKMogxNNbgQThey had discussed much worse in the Twelve Forbidden Topics; this was nothing.OyQVGUUleHGsjBUFefXYsnuHgFzsiB
OUPVkNRspSPnKRuThe two stared at each other for a moment.OsZBSCSPUjCTcxPvuNRzTTpYwjmEbb
uhCmxysjoIhvABwLi Wuting lowered his eyes, seemingly in thought, then suddenly asked, “What exactly did you see?”MBDuWBfluzePnjrQqKqFJJzamLohcE
ZfjSxjLSRYcvAVgNing Rushen was startled for a moment: Could he even say this?TsMzwKKHsZYhXbjWvtxHEQyDADGzAK
PpzWFONvmJuawYIHe mumbled, “Just… this and that.”iZYlkUBtOuJupWlhmIvRlTEfCsOtbk
mCyGNhyvnXAtRPTLi Wuting was silent for a moment, then asked bluntly, “Did you see the protagonist’s name?”avruPzwYKqJNWyBTGnJkfmenPGxfBb
vgtyhLVIddmOmAS“…There was something with ‘monarch.'”MjIykwXeWaTugoJejPjRzbkiJRbHph
XwCVGfqqdynISsi“Just that?”kKORDcEEZgdinexWDWsivSPhKpjzEH
IWcZraxIuEHKIabNing Rushen leaned in, seeking clarification, “What else?”LMaiNvynVrvqhsKZlxaQTbtKRVOIop
lLBBHUnwjgDcHxvLi Wuting scrutinized him for a moment, seeming relieved, then pushed Ning Rushen’s head back, “Nothing else. I told you to speak less with His Majesty Xuan to avoid filling your head with nonsense.”PznNWtLxwTczaKRqpoGgpyRNVxAmhU
JGuiRGPyDBhSdYwNing Rushen reassured, “Rest assured, Your Majesty, my mind is still completely empty.”zGNjazKCsALorUMoYBNPKyWaSjVAbZ
NjNxkEMJhPzFNhO“…”EYxQJaGZBKdOqoUYNDPnuABgDFpwIk
TGwnCTnUqUzYWcPAfter a moment of speechlessness, Li Wuting’s lips twitched slightly, “Forget it. It’s fine to be empty. Tomorrow, come with me to restock.”XBBaGfHmnOZNancJMTIEkmTjmheWnj
YraFeHNXiwGngnJ“?!” Ning Rushen: What???XPYXaQYlXvTXShfbyhCLpwVtTUPhnj
HlOYSRldfBTNSkm·gHUAUNCDIxZgNLmEMpXIeCzQjPIzLX
qdJcsjEecnbhszqThe next evening.kBpnXjrBMsQogzSxoGUcCetLDPaNJQ
ChQnfzJFYASwzwxNing Rushen, following orders, accompanied Li Wuting to a bustling night market in the city.bqAkMDnsIwMYzdvPmhgOShzOsnKvqL
BiioOVpScjfonlXIt was the busiest time of the evening.iUwVFQsZvQtrRUpQwWtTQEVrSfzrXE
MLQLZhSpjlsCgwHThe market was festively decorated, with lion dances and dragon parades. Vendors were loudly hawking their wares, and people in new clothes with herbs pinned to them were laughing and chatting.aBSTHpqlNFTzYaWZyTHQCAUGkoyKCW
UHOkWXXvjYesEELAccompanying them were De Quan and a few plain-clothed Jin Yiwei.sSaSnwbpLjsunEcXUkAQvNilkWVjcL
naTJbsXVBekHIGrLi Wuting was dressed in a sky-blue robe with silver embroidery, standing out in the crowd with his clear and distinguished appearance.mIcCgOwyeNYSfbvUSLbejVJMISzEyo
LnJyNdaejGOEEIHNing Rushen walked to one side, his eyes dazzled by the bright lights and Li Wuting’s luxurious attire. In a moment of distraction, he bumped shoulders with a passerby and stumbled into Li Wuting’s side.ompahalgAvrVTizTwGkrXwBQUsbAjC
VwVymvdUXSInCvRLi Wuting turned his head, “…”hsuoqbCTHFGDFiVgOmtkhJNtifQVYp
TBfQXEQNLyJyAiZNing Rushen apologized, “I lost control.”vbNTtZMAYkyDnkPDSHsocGZjiHvEGI
WAPQUntFEoVwRSyLi Wuting took a deep breath, restraining himself from commenting on Ning Rushen’s choice of words, and scanned the surroundings, “Your eyes are wandering. Didn’t sleep well?”HifgnKFXWtVNWPXyNFwfliphwIUMJw
rQYzSrUelFoAWAoNing Rushen, dazed, “Mm.”LOMIHJeVfrYzsaYpMVFYXYnqXeunHH
OAjFTrKUBCiwiGGNot mentioning it was better, because once mentioned, he remembered again.GcOjeKPBkvHTYKHaxjMDUqJOBNjOYy
wtIiaenbGNpOItuHe hadn’t slept well last night, his dreams filled with silken threads and curtains, a swaying carriage. He vaguely saw a familiar crimson curtain, entangled in some way, only remembering that the curtain was tightly pulled, one end firmly tied to the carriage frame…LcdezYcjmbDpLXvPGJKlwSOumenoSS
odMeuMmcmpaAdpIWhen he woke up, he was covered in a cold sweat.ttjMvqLShxzhGtmonEjQlKvLYEpMcj
BXxvhobTDofhHEUHe still hadn’t fully recovered.EblGGCJTjUlcyryxhAxMrnytmCdszR
DTbdpJyIerqWYsGHis Majesty Xuan’s collection really packed a punch.dCqXRHHRsmunbeLGsabpzExKRysval
vgvabBRUSTYtpHsNing Rushen was lost in thought when he suddenly heard Li Wuting call, “De Quan.”qCoRjgHWpUCtDtFxDKQdDMsvFKyarO
zrgtNYAwFPWncKBNearby, there was a stall selling candied hawthorns, their red, glossy surfaces glistening. De Quan, perceptively, responded, turned, and bought a skewer, handing it over, “Lord Ning.”WXpFiWoNJjXNPQHqgUlrzNgwuUTenZ
qqiohDmHkzYRXOCNing Rushen: ?GrkwLGFyKYCPKWvhlJHUbSUMoSKZYA
jhSONkAIaPKzUFbLi Wuting, “Clear your head, so you don’t bump me into a stall.”aEFCjaOEUKfAJmhjJCeyyoMBvDKZWf
ZQHCGJVMjbmodmT“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”mELmiGswikQbIGdaEEAQUcPFGzohAS
zkbdIgtuyFiYHdQThe sweet and sour taste of the hawthorn stimulated his taste buds.FheYHdgXMpUxiFGnlTxgvQhcLcCxWv
wiwZUxdnaNBnELkNing Rushen instantly felt much more awake.idvaMPsTAvcfFwsqaMDFEGyZFSMXod
PYWVLsxKcRUGALDHolding the large, bright red candied hawthorn, he looked at Li Wuting, his eyes visibly brighter, “I’m clear-headed now.”TiUzvaSWnsmiBbdYbmvAJwppsJQWTB
AyKhsdQdQjoBOpsLi Wuting glanced at him and chuckled.QomXjIbwxtYbIggjrfnBPHRANHajfe
GjzORHpUtRMwKUZHaving opened the door with candied hawthorns, Ning Rushen continued to snack his way through the market. Perhaps because it was a rare festival, Li Wuting didn’t stop him.LphYbamYfZuMKgFxPkcDoulQkJlksH
HYIopyJCRTwiRHKBy the time Ning Rushen was satisfied, they had toured most of the market.xaIuGnRgDRsrZksWXBPTmZFVwJgPfM
lZBXySUReRvAiFEThey stopped by a street near Huaiming River, watching the boats race on the riverbank, surrounded by cheering onlookers.kiILuqhZGLicTubHcZXCEOviTaqTDi
sxXGgXDVipXjVUjThe emperors he had read about were all different.vcLpciXfZdfoghUunTkXcmEeSSbeLU
QHxupJpkafaYpGHNing Rushen glanced at Li Wuting beside him, “Your Majesty, do you usually feel stifled? Do you wish to share in the joy of the people?”RCNSzFvtAcRhNUyKPePnQheKdbYspY
KCVVFRzgoWCktjG“… Stifled.”vrFlBkMnTiSsjZyQjhGJWyEDplASUr
OQroFAPoJUrLeEpLi Wuting ignored the first part of his sentence and gazed at the bustling, cheerful street market in front of him, “The joy of the people is my joy. If I stay in the high positions of the palace every day, how can I share in the people’s joy and suffer their hardships?”ZwBUEiKvuWSZhxyuhgVwVjAghNhmMa
PmEiihBEZzBNLIPNing Rushen looked at him, his heart stirred.yjHaKfpNkSWvBOQueMRSSHFgselFSx
ibpUeHBZXBkxGGJLi Wuting turned to him, “What, did I say something wrong?”ltAtbZUVHbUSjxaktFphlNMscBYvIl
PBTeXtvnJqTMbyv“No… what Your Majesty said is very true.”mmQCyqyAfhTEjCnVRyETWPukuQkLaJ
DkAwVJVBBAnJlTGTheir gazes met, and in Ning Rushen’s eyes reflected the surrounding warm yellow lights, his gaze seemed to hold countless unspoken words.bvOuqDEzBlkMYnDXwwXWVKgzGAsgLR
eCPrJuwNvsFNdQFLi Wuting lowered his eyelashes and softened his voice, “What does Ning Qing want to say? Just speak freely.”QXEdHnKqfgKoiyDnuWbuDTsHWHquSe
zNpMDozgcUOFkhtJust speak freely.BPvJqIEKRwrSvfFNlnBmqCtxPFmWae
XYMmbWAJiRygllVNing Rushen then turned his head and looked around, releasing those countless unspoken words, “Your Majesty is wholeheartedly for the people, but how can such expenses be borne by the small national treasury alone? In my opinion, we should seek sponsorship from the major families—”zqyPVVRtfIcwkoiJAFdMHHXbsbGBob
uxGEAIoDDdbkbRZAs he spoke, he pointed around, “Like those dragon boats, the lanterns on the riverbank, and the lanterns along the ten-mile street, all should be funded by the families. In return, we… Your Majesty can grant them naming rights, and in the corners, note: Sponsored by such-and-such family…”PpBetwqooMYMSGRHZTSVmqLPyAsuai
wabOwLqeJWvqJuJPerhaps he didn’t expect the countless unspoken words in Ning Rushen’s eyes to actually turn into real words.PEWBPbLBfxrTyFMzjchWrnXWgjUOjk
aqHqGYLUSTVcUIXLi Wuting was completely taken aback.fKDGzKyJUnGRhnNjtAAHeMpGCWEYUH
qodleFQlUxIyAkbHe couldn’t get a word in edgewise throughout.cAYScUoQIajPelTJRtsiKYlntiyBMO
zvvsMkKMHRSEiAZNing Rushen passionately elaborated on his grand vision, even asking for a bowl of icy dessert halfway to soothe his throat. When he finished painting this vivid picture, he saw that Li Wuting and the group of Jin Yiwei beside him were all silent.PqohimAoAFZjTvjxTGMwuomorrxfWH
xDtyjMMfDxIbWamLi Wuting’s expression was unreadable.FOHMUhSiLgCaHuzDdnEMLySlPOtegW
jeAbxwpbaomulHXThe Jin Yiwei looked at Ning Rushen with a mix of respect, as if thinking: He really knows how to exploit.LQBOsofZjnDJluKoIvYMVyAXJWsTEc
BVnwOKrRUsqLJSbNing Rushen, “…”VkkUyCIToAoBkbYlEBEUNriQXUgnIE
ltnArlTOHjCynpmHe lowered his eyelashes and gently tried to make amends, “This is an opportunity for their reputations to spread far and wide. Your Majesty… is truly a benevolent person.”QqSrcKDmhzKMSFhUyiTNYuaNmSKlrY
WoYAwPEllEDmRKlLi Wuting, “…”iHjOxdNKOgELYOjpQVadOlQpvzWbpy
ETaZoNQVbsSbqZJAfter a moment of silence, he lowered his head and examined Ning Rushen’s head.kksPdVZLlfuvakRBAXKqoqafnUbyuj
yYAIVHFcosBLkkwNing Rushen instinctively touched the top of his head, “What’s wrong, Your Majesty? Am I bald?”sLPnRESaSfkFjFqpknQSYthsQkygDb
xQEvorRzfCrtPNb“Not at all,” Li Wuting said pointedly, “It’s pitch black.”gcJRPNdydcVqvTKROBCAEClvsnLNtM
XwOYTIPvVKyoPDONing Rushen: …CuurFIuCGXfPcBKSzOECwRKETrGIGO
lIVUPjTgrCdwBGj·KSSGZUHJcYzxfjQIeSZBkLRMUpcSBb
hdZgtUGIQaLFlMDThey had almost finished touring the night market and were preparing to leave.WkdxFkuKPZQGVPOhOVUphHXlSGnGja
ubAFuFXmZzRZXJVThe group walked along the Huaiming River bank towards the exit of the night market. After a while, Li Wuting said, “What Ning Qing said is very good, cutting expenses to benefit the people. You will be in charge of this matter.”LWbaYmTaoLVfFxVIqacPtbkyyUcpZm
vGSbZROLMyAxujHNing Rushen: ?iVwHtkbxstzSmdeSFUHnQJkBZKGRKe
iNzOroCtQkFkIyrHe glanced at Li Wuting, his mouth slightly open, “Your Majesty, shouldn’t this be the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Revenue?”luakgAHBtYHUbiIXIPxvgTVJlqufQk
GdAHJcMEHXkDUtM“They are not as capable in this area as Ning Qing.”tJIwbvayYbzrOwRZwFMLnNYddNtlGs
deYFgYomHYDhMHfLi Wuting said it casually, then glanced at him, “Ning Qing seems to have a talent for fighting fire with fire.”HRiMViGOXkiHUlqigRxBVkcNLrZdfW
VefWWGbVJtNpKbgNing Rushen squinted slightly: Was it an illusion?rNGTFqXdOSbTXpPnsaJVoHcniVuvRW
YEaPZkflgzIyqsVJust now, his lip movements seemed to say, “Fighting evil with evil”…hGmItVrlDNSvodfuouTmJsLhAsGdvc
cKPmVGASJrqmcieWhile talking, they had already exited the night market, and the crowd gradually thinned out. Li Wuting seemed to be in a good mood, with a faint smile on his lips.yrkvvLyRuzFLXWgbasiVCzerNXYasx
flVBiLtaEwLkvmY“We’ll discuss this matter after the festival. Let’s go, let’s return to the mansion.”pzVvBfDGDWVMQbaoCGSwZQBrbjDgBu
BGigunXVfmCyxwWNing Rushen’s attention was quickly diverted: Let’s go?yGeGMEqWscOxMPxuaXWxVmzUwejifU
PSrCADgoyFgpBOmBy the sound of it, Li Wuting intended to escort him back?bdIHyRgJHEJYIBOwGWVwunGreGDoCv
MjflxTviHpGhorOHe felt flattered, waving his hands, “How could I trouble Your Majesty! I can walk back by myself.”LTDihLCdpUQnLMFlNtgiQRZnOWdEgn
OVZIaMGuYOFavkeLi Wuting didn’t stop walking, “I’m afraid Ning Qing will be bumped into on the street again like last time.”VAOKvIlBpvSOivoBfCqHYpWfrMRotR
PxjoQRAFbeHexmiNing Rushen’s cheeks reddened slightly, his eyes softening.yFAmXgMupbOQhRiVnAHhmDSQiFIjrp
JFnjhpsfPtJcePWLi Wuting, “And then someone will accuse you.”yNTyKsybXEucnQqgfvjSXpphZYcMuf
yooOfRhsMqBARwzNing Rushen, “…”EhSqJhovmOFINxZXmtffyUArdLwgDz
MZMLyFErFKhQRSTHe really shared the people’s hardships.QNFrnwyUpaQIbZecHJrkBqjPvJndpf
mzTouDWmyHeSLJhThe Ning mansion wasn’t far from here, so they walked.iDHWiGjEsrevZyBZatVITZhrLGWcPp
FFFIKMAapKVNvzrFrom this direction, they could pass through a small alley that circled behind the main courtyard of the Ning mansion, which was quiet and less crowded.MnmEjLyFyIjdYnLodTZCxPjFyuMvLk
lmvysMJwTbxDCGcNing Rushen and Li Wuting walked into the alley and, just after turning a corner, saw two figures climbing the wall of the main courtyard in the dim night.ndCDZWOvfpoiHlqzctMsvhQbjozqbI
UDKJkjPfiLgTmuJBoth stopped simultaneously.ITdXHCfHQXMzBDtYqssrePTtcgmgll
omctwOIghDAzmwjUp ahead, Li Yingtang was climbing on Geng Yan’s shoulders. A casual conversation drifted from below the wall:IGJzgUyEUeFRVZMPAKfifbNxpAlHAx
sQvbwjSdPPMAHWu“You said you often meet His Majesty here, is it true?”oChXtVeWGYKXRlEStHdnxApoGlALSl
SVLzKpsIofcjxVl“Nine times out of ten. My lord, have you climbed up?”fDCRhnCdcHvAkaxyeqPQBqpCtwUUsH
wISaPbvepoeELte“Almost there. It’s so dark in the courtyard.”osRIbFakKlaxSswxYTPIPjmysWGmYb
SCTIRKGrwUXpGGrNing Rushen, “…”VwsvdFzjqrwTgxVJKMuihCAxmZhMAT
PLUysPoHwCJGrOtLi Wuting, “…”pYZzfRhiGHjkIgnuGzIBAkIezLzOcq
ggrgNweTtrzJMmhAfter a long pause, Ning Rushen whispered, “Your Majesty, am I seeing a pervert?”uCVmMePMChnPZiwXTvHlIDapAUFRau
IiXVvLuBjcYWbCOUfauUDjKchhiUcsYUITITpCgZVxoII
RoKRpyqVOsWysGUVkWtSQthyskKNEmEmOMLPiflZkyhpy