Chapter 4
The palace attendants scrambled to pull Ning Rushen, who was gurgling and bubbling, out of the water, pressing the accumulated water out of him.BsdsNNEtdPaYsfLoaCfcYNEhgfRyZc
QuguKAZybkOTdNSLaid flat on the ground, Ning Rushen had yet to awaken. His wet hair and court attire clung tightly to him, his complexion pale as jade, lips tinged with an unhealthy red.YreDWrDEjXnLyImrCHLnrzMZKQmhZS
QxJoKYklMhXuEqO“Yes, Your Majesty,” De Quan directed the attendants, casting a glance around, “First, take Lord Ning over to… the pavilion there.”GcQBNUGMfhACvpKVmCvixlUloCkaiG
IUuYtPcwDBfnEywA section of pale wrist dangled from the sleeve. As it passed by Li Wuting, suddenly, the emperor spoke, “Wait.”NQaLNNypalEytysDhUckOgmEFaNyCI
BhDTVRWxwcVNkVdNing Rushen was placed on a couch, his wet clothes already changed.yKmHUdgXZaJKCFbDmnntENTEptHzNR
SsCjkqfgZQuClUHThe imperial physician, under Li Wuting’s intense gaze, trembled as he took the pulse, then administered acupuncture. Pondering why the emperor was also here, he heard Li Wuting inquire, “How is he?”rBusMurNYqGzSnDrVnZVKJkshLORVM
gXoEXoVxguPJWfFLi Wuting pursed his lips, “Check his head as well.”QBMhilybTWzvmdqCpfMfjcBiGyJoqO
BINstiwsuXecXjz“Yes.” The physician dared not ask more, only obediently checked Ning Rushen’s head as commanded. After a while, he reported, “Lord Ning might have previously suffered a head injury, risking latent issues. However, this fainting spell was merely due to excessive drinking and the chill from drowning…”xxojwUGlbrIMGDnsIFYkKbTlVhmrWG
lCSQTYztPnxTLHhThe physician wisely fell silent.cFdgwUNnybrSPHMNJCYjlaKtWsFRUD
ptBEsiiAyKmbvXzLi Wuting indifferently commanded, “Everyone, leave.”gjNZlQwGmlSJWPCDrmmuioykRKxnju
YAXYIqRVJKxBgJNHis word “everyone” left no room for the palace attendants to stay; they all followed the physician out.uczAtJBMpJpEJqxJpXVMQgUGqGBUhH
nzGgkxFoWXyFJEYDe Quan, unsure of the emperor’s mood, speculated, “Shall I wait outside?”WrXKOEIuEmKPelgkazvjbdBaZhkLjB
CVCfWTVIrCmJwUd“Yes.” De Quan bowed deeply, retreating.iDlgUEiBlTbWeqcYuiesDWiQVRPvCD
TuMlMblDaUJQYHyBefore leaving, De Quan stole another glance at the person lying quietly on the couch—recalling today’s inquiry in the imperial study, the sudden imperial decree, and that subtly deep “Wait” by the lakeside at night.tHRFGsLFBoiSxxQjykiveNEBqfEvtJ
WvnWloREzuUvCVcThe more De Quan thought, the more alarmed he became, utterly unable to fathom the emperor’s thoughts.GFunVDGwquJeXZZedfOAfziWKKPsDj
SOEzeoZSdOXHjFkWhat exactly were the emperor’s feelings towards Lord Ning?cighfwCnNYlhJVhktPgIFowgUaujVE
mfWgxKJgEnXTMRcSoon, all attendants had exited.WmqfnGNQghpMaZZNtmhzpKptJXfGYR
AcIWnGIADJoehdCIn the side hall, only Li Wuting and Ning Rushen remained.AWewLxtsrFuvJfTYfqRcVQJNBAfmrW
bJkGpjGDGzHkxACA thin blanket covered Ning Rushen, his snow-colored undergarment nearly blending with his skin tone. His face turned towards Li Wuting, long eyelashes vulnerably drooping.lNKukCnXgXzvXIYMUhgQpGhEWZGnMX
DJNZyTrbzwkHobxLi Wuting stood before the couch, eyes downcast in contemplation, “What are you plotting this time…”elktXNhVuxcZaaUbaJAvOqECHrkDpe
iMCCUmmjQGTKrSSThe person on the couch unconsciously furrowed his brows.gNbrOfmdgCMwQaUmqddAMrjRVulnCE
ayiJKyTDoFkJkuJLi Wuting leaned over, lifting the face, “Did you really damage your brain?”aNPNDXmALNXIhAksbntKDUTZSDIYdS
joFikJIyvPaThFXThe person in a deep slumber did not awaken, yet his lips moved slightly, barely forming a word: “Pfft.”cMeTlpEvixGbqGYFuLxHhrBjVYoTwf
ypcFcDgzRftQvdRLi Wuting, “…”CtjKoQAjXMhcsUucQmsMEltuuUZzII
YDdTcolRxbfKedKHe released his hand, pulling the blanket over that half-exposed face, and turned to leave the side hall.WpxHoiAmCdPBnKVVOeSegBYPDtNMDC
xYoyiaSfsiQpfxv…ssdZVDoOcQzZNHchyiEKVosXpdjONZ
RiADkMCuYcAGKcsNing Rushen did not know how long he had been unconscious.ZQDllOugsvafgpClbXtZgcSrUnamBh
McbulnziqFphZrkUpon waking, only one thought crossed his mind: I’m split open.DnaVulUnnKzcoLEFfEzeRjbzIIKHen
DnTxktPaSubuLyGHis head throbbed painfully, his throat ached, and he couldn’t stop coughing, coughing until he saw stars. Only after a young eunuch handed him a cup of water did Ning Rushen manage to catch his breath after a few gulps.tqmcIwDuTzvxFAfuMwHOouQWduiPun
JWQlkaaxEmLBeNqLooking around, he found himself lying on an unfamiliar couch.DjpuwqmZZrdtKBtnjzwnQYbmmONnbN
yLsIDwOHBcpWuxYThe room was luxuriously decorated, even heated from below.YGtJeFnSXwLuQrjolMicnrhncglEgh
lHWszWVeEkVKWAs“Lord Ning is awake,” the young eunuch bowed.uNwqjCTHHqbpqcQNBveocVvbkAqTmb
FNmCKHcDrJARtkp“Who are you?”hosUDopvRgRrGCqhGncQXhptrPGgeU
NglyZPBGCXnMaCO“I am Xiao Rongzi, commanded by His Majesty to attend to you. Is there anything uncomfortable, my lord?”MEDEgXLwtzaDsqPmRYQBUFlmynUxjj
VSAJKlJeNAYxDddNing Rushen struggled to sit up, “Everything is uncomfortable… Where is this?”iFAMizLpNrIdRDVAXWAAenKiDfrbbK
UAWcZOqWBQZvUGLXiao Rongzi had never seen someone so blunt, “To answer my lord, this is the side hall of the imperial study. After you fell into the water, His Majesty had the imperial physician examine you and sent a prescription to your residence.”dwijcPtjcVrnDlRoIzljFOjtMlQbxK
nZDGdSKDGfIFeovFalling into the water…egZoTxcPMANcZfACCYbjZUNZZyxflf
ZtmRafspEqIlVRkNing Rushen’s waterlogged brain finally began to work.NogSZulaNPXNaDSYSpcmalzbqiAZcB
SAZxqKMfLHhtCvoHe recalled encountering Li Wuting by the lake after the palace banquet, and after parting, he had dizzyingly slipped into the lake.wgZTCVgXidBgrCxEKrHjWEExQGoNte
YPfRTypurQHiXOiNing Rushen muttered to himself, “Not to mention, the flowers by the lake were quite vibrant, and that bridge…”ygmnCYYvCoBJjxSfErPuSvGdMkSCAu
rXWuUKNndSrmYzmXiao Rongzi listened with a heart pounding in terror.lIWHMDjHCxsTFJRwDUzNFYFkrfrfga
cnFRZEjdTEBFiKRFlowers and a bridge? Lord Ning must have seen the flowers of the other shore and the Bridge of Helplessness!mwUbGWRTaPBpIFQHXhrjQWjsvxFdkW
AgDxFejJHzgIwgNUnaware of Xiao Rongzi’s horrified expression, Ning Rushen slipped on his shoes and stood up, “May I ask, where is His Majesty?”viuGpbFshWsKckXoRGWSPNVsTcqWDH
HdSxuIWbUxbFUjBXiao Rongzi looked at him with reverence, “To answer my lord, His Majesty is reviewing documents in the imperial study!”hALexbOXbLWEdzfTyJrnItAYTXsSFe
IyoofvTFxQxrEfg“Thank you.”nQfYQDCXyZAjIUnhMRKpJPlWxTBqwn
agKrQSCZdlEBBCtNing Rushen straightened his attire and headed towards the imperial study.bGFBHjyBJjIQZSxRmLtzRdVnwBfXET
JxbPIHoyEPpiSDB·FvBkgKZAKUmWRjKaYmSNXZnTPNOMIY
wvkBhzejZciLJYyUpon seeing Li Wuting, the latter was meticulously reviewing documents behind the desk. A slight furrow marked his brow, the young face bearing the weight of imperial authority, as if nothing could shake his resolve.YpDECtGwVjgWrWIlgeFYkUYtHQkNnz
RrVMzgWPUVUoegZNing Rushen, now conscious, stepped into the imperial study, his mind and body aching from the ordeal yet undeterred by the physical discomfort. The encounter at the lake, the slip into its cold embrace, and the subsequent rescue—all replayed in his mind as he approached the emperor.gOUwhvNTfotCxVtWUkokLgimSXGidY
FbiDbDFRgNwMUfDNing Rushen paused momentarily on the spot.rmVdIxGvwwJWvmIeBeXyGTFHJRvHgf
pwgYDOLmVohfGlbHe had never met another emperor, but if one were a wise ruler, he imagined they would probably be just like this.OnQkSWwSFSDqNnscYDlkOpcakoHFSM
mZWtyqEYAZEynlX“Your Majesty,” Ning Rushen collected his thoughts.IuicnTahqpsAZyZfGEOHkVsDpKtEgq
BXXKVJFDdfnejfAThe person behind the imperial desk, upon hearing this, looked up at him, “It seems that not only are you skilled physically, but you also don’t follow the beaten path.”RLXbRIQVzBOQXcwMHbuoXmmTEzKVYK
mJqnyBknzQEhTSeNing Rushen, “……”QfyyibCtrtxKlGWRrQBoIXrRyPnPBv
WEKETPsIxGLsFIhHe retracted his thoughts. What an incompetent ruler!SjddZXdZOpwarrsArsrPITScXMXHJM
HTgtXOveJHKjonjTaking a breath, Ning Rushen spoke up to confess his fault, “I was unseemly after drinking, disturbing the imperial presence. Please, Your Majesty, punish me.”XtwYYqZxFtgtbPWPUYPlIWCjYqbRuN
CHZNQqUQCElhEOILi Wuting hummed, “And how should you be punished?”PnpuUXMzfVhZWVxQJzeGcIWjIxNldV
VhzAWjHQzSbsEUbNing Rushen was startled by the question, thinking it was just a courtesy.MdSvZqRthoRLjUrXybAWFurUnUDLZr
uQEADhoaXJTTAfJAfter a moment, he ashamedly lowered his lashes, “Just have me reflect behind closed doors…”xkljRGIHDtLQkXrAREeJmaPWTtDaDy
HWYyxvRfqKzOTEJA cold, insightful laugh fell, “Heh.”PCSrtdyMuoJxOwxhfcbbXMVKGWnpyl
uByntEyCpclXnPzNing Rushen, “……”ODDZHWYHTCPKSdKVNcRDDGWMOaYNoC
uxeguWBAmEJKTmtThe memorials on the desk were set aside, and Li Wuting, without bothering with his rambling, said, “The palace gate is already locked. I will have De Quan escort you out. Once you are well, come to the imperial study to serve—understood?”zsCpBIabZZAFUTEFNHPinygYGZPuFX
zhlSHiqKlbvcnoDThe last sentence was uttered in a light tone, yet it contained a warning.hRYhDTTJOyrALKMOrHCLfHHUxFSTvB
wxxajOQQNMhYsiFWarning him not to defy the imperial edict again.mLLSnoqRpGmLQLXeMJswmiHOrNNvdF
njMVLOYYtcTNEDWNing Rushen obediently bowed his head, “I, I will obey the edict.”KtQPVainpKACPghyVfTINOuEuHjnHq
NHfRiYPofhTrVVd…mGQMILBPlqOEIfgqNOSxaIsdOtGnHk
JnniIQChmwWBhvRHowever, being compliant was not in Ning Rushen’s nature.LDOoXkKgWOSFhQjVGaGXxAOPobnswe
QhwRgYzpjsEEsfnAfter resting at his residence for a night, he had someone call for the city’s physician the next day.WVolvYHFncgWdiklSOKGOXuedMHTsS
bzQQsKqHrmjgWLsThe physician checked his pulse and reviewed the medicine he had taken, then happily praised, “The doctor who attended to the lord has exquisite skills and uses medicine brilliantly. I am ashamed to admit my inferiority. Congratulations, my lord, you should recover very soon!”CqPQPWLOhTHoFpwlOYQjETxYTtvxCm
LkmvrdMwAZpVUquNing Rushen felt as if a thunderbolt had struck!zwSRPSdLhEbEiVwWkbValBftSsSQoL
FUBzcuYrHUKHQEWHe desperately grabbed the physician, “I don’t need to recover so quickly. Can’t it be something that takes ten days or half a month to heal?”QfjXPTPiHTUfDycgyHsLpGqRJWqeuP
qhWXgqRTsySTRTDThe physician was in a difficult position, “I prescribe medicine, not poison.”fvguZFwTniYMdLLtyOsuZZIduuHwgw
TXBOzwgNQWFZDJoNing Rushen, “……”swYuUIVPeGqVUvUkRkJWrIYNQpRzKh
TQZNOOUdhLrwmPCAfter sending away the powerless physician, Ning Rushen could only lie in bed properly, taking his medicine and recuperating.vPQpRgXFGgWCmfvkxaSohnLitdocgI
AOEsdUWossbJgMJNews of his illness spread far and wide.KsOTMsEhEppLlshwHyZXeBOkpYXLuT
BPTdZHLepGIzBzbIn the following days, a wave of court officials visited one after another, almost breaking down the threshold of Ning’s residence. Under the guise of “visiting the sick,” they came with the intent of fostering good relations.UZAeUONgVgRiiipmWVqHFDyparabEr
XIPVzvFLkxaXSZQNing Rushen declared to the outside world that he was “so ill he couldn’t tell humans from animals,” and had Yan Min send them all away.jIBIlexmCmqFCjMhXxGQujBnvhYaBy
wqvsXOUROvvoArjWhat a joke, why would he want to socialize while on sick leave?QZJDjjKVUMGrRMqBvAqVtuRhcFjAWP
xroGddIHVwlcUoa…eLOWBFNgMpUtgYdKijfmiwoptIxnys
WtytDQGjJlyScxPWhen Geng Yan entered the courtyard, he saw Ning Rushen, who claimed to be “so ill he couldn’t tell humans from animals,” lying on a soft couch in the sun, the sunlight casting a fine shadow through his lashes onto his eyelids.dbBHQfxSWSqaSYWWjEqEktCruWRjEO
OiUBasuYWFADUUiThe pale blue veins under his skin were faintly visible, his complexion as translucent as porcelain.vvgrrUOCubvYSkvAwwkZKlNNqWYhcz
DLIhbMEPYtONHOt“Yo,” Geng Yan greeted, “Look at you, all in disarray.”aISLVSmIshvCjNWdIqCixqLddLgcae
CnocZYWgIFZlBejNing Rushen’s eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes to look at Geng Yan, standing in front of the couch, thinking to himself that this kid was really persistent, always putting extra effort into humiliating him.BeZIoyNGVtfgJybcxWRHnkcYDCxJfj
LfHleMSjCIdsINzHe lazily pulled the blanket around him, “How did you get in here? Didn’t I have Yan Min turn away visitors?”XFnWlxmXisCVqrkTwKOJmaAoDVIfas
MMVZNaFHbbWKmSsGeng Yan matter-of-factly, “Climbed the wall, of course.”bcfRQYfqBtpcALnKuSAEwOVRABJNuS
jElLwCbQFpjOEDsNing Rushen praised him, “…Hmm, impressive.”zlfTTqVjCZkWfUkCGCJtkSvpSfKPhi
JMGlJmVeUvYubIM“Eh.” Geng Yan lifted his chin, “Did someone break into your place?”FSuXcGoGRidviCgPlIbGimzuWwnhcS
SOHCjWUpDWKzMph“What?”CZjXGXdGcvQkzMywNPhABLdFAVDVMD
tNyDhUHmQWQqQXQ“I saw a gap in the wall of your courtyard, particularly easy to climb over.”dFiiLlUmngBlYOkQMyKXQncFcOAIDJ
CGRZzHQINZfWoFPNing Rushen was at a loss for words, “So you just climbed in?”FchgBFICKIIQpPJYYDOpTnmxGLvalx
YVzXdGsjMfYGrhCGeng Yan, “Yeah.”ojkctvpqKzFfpIIKDqhnlvAlOAqmUn
OGtXLxEFCygQqHf“……”qYGXjDiiVIGGbHCkxPPSwXtrPjVlHz
OTvYcLdiluOgEJJA thought suddenly struck his mind: In this world, there were no paths to begin with, but when many people walk the same way, a path is formed.wcuLYtZiUcKjjtzklIaheNdAFBtKtz
mrWrBjaKlOLvAMhNing Rushen shook his head, “Let’s talk about the break-in later. You specifically climbed in, surely not just to see my face?” he said, lifting his eyes to look at him, his gaze clear and penetrating, showing no signs of the drowsiness from before.YYUyfOreLwGDbkfXhSqWzfWhBmUaWg
nKyBzlugNHmsmJVGeng Yan’s expression became serious.ruWMbJAVCUuwjKZjQcDjUWpziYjZKw
wtXGgtJNKUJSHnSHe remembered the news his father mentioned recently. If it was Ning Chen, maybe he could hear some rumors from the imperial court.MTfUlnzDiMLNLgzHrINADrwrvgNhXF
ReoxsodVGFjSmAoGeng Yan, for once, showed a serious side.BmsIhRnixWFzIoccFgMYxSWZrwrjaz
BDySEKcxhScEXRcNing Rushen sighed lightly, “I knew it. Is it about…”DYWWMhdZqoDGUiRjUKYQSkVVwArEOj
yZmzGDzEccBfUuoGeng Yan took a deep breath, “Yeah.”pHwNUlRhPuKMBQSnqciAtoyjcKlImn
CEhfaSMTacXpUzVNing Rushen, “Still about the hidden illness?”utseckqMLufySqphjgBBvXJNDwtymA
DWDPQRgetNCzZQE“……”TqaUfwWGQvoiOXcBBKWiTTlqitHdim
pDlxmwpKYAIcukrNo!!!lzgrIvFFRRyeyFzQsZtXrAVWDDiEBK
oZahNHsiTgsZlHoGeng Yan exploded, “You dare to bring that up again!!!”PTFNXfAVOHHaJOSKEMChfRKdlnwCjO
RpzrhshVmoBwTAJ·uEquyIMCyakQDNkqWAAkQoASHlTalT
WILGkAEaeLRwFWlThat night, Shi Yi once again appeared in the imperial study as usual.hSkSsKxyFZXqJdtFUVnFFniLCadUCN
gWkxmpQjLFoaPWTLi Wuting was looking through documents, “Did you find out?”fJIBKfPFiuxkrSBtAJWFmkkNVRGIDc
bTFvYUDTHVeeeFm“Yes.” Shi Yi knelt on one knee, head bowed, reporting, “On the night of the palace banquet, Lord Ning was persuaded to drink a lot. He didn’t spend much time talking with the other officials. The only one he had a private, lengthy conversation with was the son of Minister Geng, Geng Yan.”BWjiQlmQKgLXXlcfAjgQOEXIixJSbF
XSFuUleKGMirYVhThe son of the Minister of Revenue, Geng Yue, Geng Yan.kKCVVUdkfRxDQewMtAtruIXCPqsIho
DnyEBGiFaXPfmpSWas this instigated by Geng Yue, or…pdZVnQFJLfkuGrAKzRFpnctWKUlaIm
kIRRuDTvRSUWiJNLi Wuting’s gaze darkened, “What did they talk about?”dtqScSUJpJzfxUwfoxwAkXXkYqiGPt
fWHJxAYUCItgyBbShi Yi paused awkwardly for a moment, “Uh, it was said to be about a hidden illness.”KcHHlQHRUmTZZhkYShhcjwEYwNNCUu
pGTmNPRDRUKgBmJLi Wuting, “……”yOnzqEUKtFiyDsBJOVmXYDRsUnFSKV
wUjyooFAgCxHaKkShi Yi added, “After the conversation, Lord Ning went alone to the lakeside to sober up. He was staggering, indeed seemed quite drunk.”PdytJXTlQgeQNHVLcKZFQqwVudHjTO
jxAidzAQrQzKrIYLi Wuting pressed his brow, “You mean, the encounter and falling into the water were both accidents?”zdANmvdVLDjwSJDAOZFExWPxPgMpTt
SnVcCoeTdvgKEOS“I dare not make unfounded statements.”EsTmVpuKRTkCdQaURCjqHzkjzqaGtn
XtBnPrflJJsWYdA“Enough, continue.”AhQzevlJaVkKveBKCgtNoPwYztGPCQ
JwFKAgRIJLKFvcA“Yes, these past few days Lord Ning has been recuperating at home. Many court officials from the six ministries have visited, but all were turned away at the door.”wpuvMcxDbLrlibNpLztTZZcHOSdzkK
vpHoFFzrboQPWxTLi Wuting tapped his fingertips on the desk, “Didn’t see anyone at all?”WdNvbLUcrHbLXOsabnKCeAJJSNsWPJ
nNNNAWBDKgyQmGV“He was forced to see one. Geng Yan climbed over the wall and talked alone with Lord Ning for about half an incense stick’s time.”TJDwJwodxjHpBtvqoPIxvbejmPROYw
QsUWshDOUHYjhBf“What did they talk about again?”rQSWIynzSuClboSlFjRUdbhpDKJaPy
WGebSkcXUWYysos“Still, the hidden illness.”LBdnNDAihZRMUbnlROTxiFflghJncl
zFsQojOPaEABSIV“……”NnDIhcOqduOUnnEsKvZgybMRtQrRQR
wVXPizLCEgZiqMuEven Li Wuting couldn’t help but react, “The son of Minister Geng has… an illness, and instead of seeing a doctor, he talks to a colleague about it?”CLZQIZFyKvEmFnfUwssafyZyASurFy
GyiUhKQcMLxZXUtShi Yi remained silent, his inner turmoil evident:GsvvPJYLcKBOkmPMSCOrawZgDUuPDh
NkLsZIACpUaverdHow would he know!yKeCLamkzzaXEsSfSzKkKpzeaSVbwS
QFfQyxtyCVqwqYNAlthough he was a member of the imperial secret police, serving the Emperor by handling the most private affairs— he had never imagined it would be private to this extent! Having to listen to officials discuss their hidden ailments with each other.erMtfZlLUnNOghuvJFwQhlnkqhrAKe
RsqapuDBJLWSjDSThe imperial study fell silent for a few moments.tcliygnviUmKFuLSGSPNMeoJNiQMtI
gBehKCTdHEUSaOPLi Wuting pinched the bridge of his nose, then quickly returned to his usual demeanor, “Is he well now?”PiiJdoOKmrtdzAzhNSFRpSOWhVPwrM
egZJmsnHFWMSFggIt was clear whom “he” referred to.QEBEFnBepYFFJAzIXIOoEBEvCrXhBz
GBRdwLLaNOnxCRYShi Yi replied, “He appears to be still recuperating.”CrmeoPtBAerkPsqcJtWcQmePccUhUF
hgKnpbQBqeYJxdX“Is he pretending to be ill, or is he really not well?”nlFJJNXizpdqiwELBbdIzWrncsCLBS
TACGoSJNLfDPPCh“Lord Ning appears sickly all year round. From a distance, it is not appropriate for me to inquire too closely. So…”NdNgkBCfFIofVttkkycNLzcIGPhYzm
TQDfnfFFDFgKJpKThe Emperor’s calm voice came from above, “Do you need me to teach you how to handle your duties?”PPEvhNtHyDGzoHAYsETtRRwIWMLlLz
LmwnRvmSLDhCBZTShi Yi immediately felt a chill, bowing deeply, “Your Majesty, forgive me, I will report to you first thing tomorrow morning!”kcbxVugcFrazxcrQiYWrRcRiMNMGAb
OyHILQlnngmAJOn·KefJcDDPRHLOvBENGupEmuCouKLhGI
kxCbBypWYtgbLkBAt night, during the hour of Hai.QdZrWSwGOgApwULUikIXTYUgQGqpfH
WjzKycFCEWvUeNaMost of the servants in Ning’s residence had already retired for the night.ileqeEpbQqjOoUHQRkLztfdlhMZJkL
XBLKoVZxXlOSYHoShi Yi, familiar with the route, used the cover of dusk to glide across the rooftops and land on the roof of the main house.yoaiOYnVAGLBECQSklCqGdRSnEbUfc
oPvgQSyHbYXbaQIHe gently lifted a tile to look down but saw the bed curtains drawn around the bed. It was impossible to discern even the silhouette of the person on the bed, let alone investigate whether his illness had truly improved.JwsnJeKOTZIxOqMBXxlZaOLUgNMnUz
cyIlnTJIACLnWCdShi Yi lay on the roof, pondering for a while, then had a stroke of inspiration.VTAdxGODsrWHYCsbRUWYGNsVHmJSev
NRJrgHhNeSHczCFHe replaced the tile and tossed a small pebble at the window lattice: clack—uWWLhhWfAhzQAEEiyjvyHBFFGPCoXV
qCBYAndFRXsxegMHey, are you asleep?wizrcpXnXDtlkUHsqWwRjwKqAsujGf
lmuGoRkFvzhKpIQ…gkvKthnFOJSuuBdVxITQtjGgpgALcE
OoMsqQFHLMnsqfiInside the room, Ning Rushen had just finished drinking the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician and was starting to feel sleepy.GlFsPgrDXUsYFcYNCEfUEeQRjvPOyz
tSoLzntJNdOpYivHe was just about to fall asleep after tucking in the blanket when he suddenly heard a sound from outside the window: clack.CVoXSOXZPYYhbDPpTbRRuKrIcYixom
aRqAwVYmtqPiLmzIt sounded like a pebble hitting the window lattice.fcuEUWBMzNFsHPQvetyEMiXGGsQHyL
rUSmltlHPeTEDNqNing Rushen instantly woke up, pulling aside the bed curtains, “Who’s there?”gerjpFzOYfLREzZeYnBNWrXOjYjjiR
iEebEyZYSEoTdpyThe room was pitch dark, and it was silent outside.YoZZpBxOszXXbUxWJdoyQJxKDxsDsq
kUPEhpahezDnMagWas it the wind? He looked out and then lay back down.iOSvrulxrubQZPHTDswypNsyfHYvwb
nydfCImKjlWVVSdAnother half an incense stick’s time passed.XASsDTJbVqcxDQEUOccuDonhMVaEfq
EASvxYBORRjjueUJust as Ning Rushen’s consciousness was slowly drifting into light sleep, he suddenly heard another clack on the window lattice!CgNdNBBBvUObLNEdqjiPqEhesFvMOP
JAdzjeifAnZOcNLHe abruptly woke up and turned to look outside.TMZaZdImXihUpePpskOjCIhCngsYhD
hsdpWpQVFJbYYXSThe words Geng Yan had said during the day suddenly flashed through his mind: Did someone break into your place?AxKlxqwtxAwwQBMQeeDlgeUtiQEdpI
oniFhOAaYTxTBIt“……”jhSimQEVYQecuyWntyUkHQitaSaJFu
UCzHoYiOCDjchUbHe had been worried about spreading his illness, so he had already sent Yan Min, Xing Lan, and the others away from the courtyard earlier. Now, wanting to call out loudly, he also feared being silenced by a murderer.oyJMiJiUzOGTsJmZzcTozjCZlrcyVI
jejzMINrlEDmklHNing Rushen thought for a moment and then slapped the bed to stay alert:XKkThaOGPdMEYTpCTQSunNvGipwvvb
dodAxmrfWKjWqcpI’m not asleep yet, little thief, go away!GYJeEmBDfcGyZmVcVfDdwNVMeekKMQ
JBmDrISgoIzuVzoIt was quiet outside the window for a long while. Ning Rushen guessed the thief had left, pulled the bed curtains closed, and tried to sleep again.IidtHUlQLPlOOjTcgAwPFWqgAxLgzh
oHPCPHqsmQmgTGDAnother half an incense stick’s time passed.gSFAEAwrGLRFmpoftXGcGCnTVsGsgU
pIGVcPYEbOjTeVEVery consistently, a clack came from outside the window lattice.djwIesGNnbCsIySqEFUnNhsJTURsnQ
JgyKhcYXKrhuaBzNing Rushen, “…………”CETMOBdXVizYZWpkXRvIOkSWDvIfwe
JNUdshMbpVJVrFQNing Rushen jerked awake, nearly on the verge of a nervous breakdown—WFCYThiyRtAEzDWkIQGctmNweCXTpB
lVZcSZnkWTOYGgFWhere the hell did this sneaky bastard come from?RkiVsEFccHXEJfOBmkjjGMLyGBJXFf
GoseNHrNoehYcbWWas it really necessary? Was it really fucking necessary to keep testing whether he was asleep or not?!WZdoFunCxhMkloEdvzpBkSBdyFlmdL
mczGUmXqJleSZSPIf you’re going to steal something, just hurry the fuck up!eUkagFoIDUzBadKFYvmzVPplqQQKuo
stPTazZAdtziUolFurious and dizzy, he decided to just get up and light a lamp: Fine, fine, you don’t want me to sleep, right?tpfIjeWcqGqYgdfZXBDlNQWITgtvHF
ZCNVPUjbULcHmdWThen nobody sleeps.NSInUGwfveIoAtpTTOlmCmPZoloqTo
bpzYTiOcJorGbnQThe candlelight flickered dimly.mnxubNEOqtPyPpGaxLagWcPDZMhFsn
cGMJWidSscXTPSBNing Rushen wrapped himself in a blanket, sitting on a low couch, listening to the “tap, tap” sounds, enduring a night of stiff sitting across from someone until dawn…qSkltDUvMgedOUREjcHGwXPBjXpMEY
TycuVtomHGROqJYThe next morning.QSsebwdIbMwSbiOwGhtOTiuerscouB
wnxhYVBBumgYjwKYan Min came to knock on the door to wake people up.egXBdXsBiaelzlTOFYvMMGALUoxtjV
kqtqsFRjYSbhFedAs the door opened, there stood Ning Rushen in a snow-white robe, barefoot, with bloodshot eyes staring straight at him.bDJMsgTHFPohwzGEklCmeqziccNhhp
IAIegwGIaTIQPZmYan Min stepped back in shock, “My lord?”NdrRuMgvfFPAESRorcHtpsOGpPpjvq
qdFCrNMZXKcPFiMNing Rushen still looked a bit dazed, “If you don’t sleep, I don’t sleep, and the King of Hell will have to massage my back.”gHHYrsPDsXzoMUFKSpKvpaRpsimiLy
jhXDmMDYnjgwsRmYan Min was horrified, “Ah pish! My lord, what inauspicious things are you saying!”wNMHXgOEnFrhmxKPmyFZUpdEYZjXnp
HkDCmfDOqYycYkH“…” Ning Rushen came to his senses, took a deep breath, “Uncle Yan, keep watch outside for me, I’m going to get some sleep. And—find ten formidable guards to surround this courtyard starting today.”qtSBFROskpmfXJNQfQffHxSTIMyvLb
XihAEPXNYGYGcEgYan Min panicked, “What happened?”kvfLtjnQPjDqnDQuKNfvTRMgCpAyIV
FTthZBjFhuIpSJqNing Rushen shook his head tiredly, preferring not to say more. Then he turned back into the room, drew the curtains around the bed, and fell asleep with a thud.ePAJONKwlxCyvhyrsamneyubPnZRpP
mNaKQsucSHrkcLWIn his groggy sleep, he thought:XEgAsCzaIYvMtUBLYEYuCtioAbHOxP
GdcQQhWYZeJytTqI better not let him know where that sneaky bastard came from.BGZUENJLLzPIDFlZodGmanRCtSFJWr
uHZTZSXAvvGioLt·WKvMXBFyUzfJhEmhURdcJzMimRZcsM
TuREXVbGspjWHmmWhile Ning Rushen went back to catching up on sleep, Shi Yi still had to report back.KzrarRAudgbicKgAVQvIQYYEOOnhJc
XSoJWUZrxtCVUZxLi Wuting had just finished the morning court when he saw Shi Yi, with eyes red as blood, kneeling in the imperial study.YeDkvaDMSTLQOumJPAuszeeifcVsLK
VqJtjPfuPVEATTc“Your Majesty, it seems Lord Ning is truly ill.”EpMdDXcwVaQqmFNDECoURlBAhdnPSW
qSfYGmEJxXQjJzGLi Wuting didn’t ask why Shi Yi’s eyes were so red— the imperial guards had their own methods.OdCICMZErZvYWFdajyNdATqPBlhHBi
dxPaDUJCxQoVyHuHe gestured for the report to continue.zSkMBEYyEYaFVKbbNKptWisMmTeocD
CXZEpQFjKuMEcBNShi Yi’s voice was hoarse, “Lord Ning has suffered greatly from his illness, not sleeping all night.”uGMAWZEtbRqnyPdlPzMRpkVEhsZyCI
HXIrmlwueYMQyyXLi Wuting frowned, his gaze sharp, “Is it that serious?”jtBUOWdwqvNfkLvANCATNaXNrnFgnR
iiCGMinidFUqkYdShi Yi, having endured a night of agony, was emotional as he spoke, “Your servant has not uttered a single lie! Since last night, every hour on the hour, I would throw a pebble towards his window.”IstocEQAWOQSIqmlDScwFnqTkNqwdF
jCryBtFPhQcLYSA“Every hour, throw one, and then another hour, throw another… all the way until dawn. Every time I threw one, he was awake!”aDQzJIwjVMCNpFovYBvaMOhRdVqCNb
jVOVHlPiZHvRzVEShi Yi murmured softly, “Lord Ning’s condition, I fear, is not good…”qRxfJNLNJwUDoPLUxXVFJYUkxAAgme
qJmZnCsbdryJeJKThe imperial study fell into silence.boTyTTaVixGHfWNwOoyZvQNxIcZZLk
MUmTLJEhScVXfTcLi Wuting looked at the loyal imperial guard kneeling before him, his expression complex, and for a long time, no words were spoken.ufEnXpPaYUHUBEjfozaQzpvyiDGZCL
FXEeYogCHGZAEuHOUWgyTfSpEuzBaDLUFPwXvxtwTvfMr