Chapter 9
After regaining his composure, Li Yingtan couldn’t help but slap his fan in indignation, angrily saying, “How dare that old thief!”
Having vented his anger, he then realized something and asked, “…You entered the Prime Minister’s residence?”
“Yes.” Shiyi did not dare admit that he had entered as a thief. Bowing, he said, “Please, Your Majesty, punish me!”
Cui Haoyuan, from the outside, had cleaned up well, likely hiding all incriminating evidence within his residence. Even if something was secretly found, it wouldn’t be appropriate to publicly present it; if nothing was found and their identities were exposed, it would instead put Li Wuting in a passive position.
Unless they could strike a fatal blow, they could not rashly make a move.
Li Yingtan was worrying about this when he heard a voice beside him saying, “It’s alright, it’s just an hour earlier than planned.”
A cool side profile was illuminated against the backdrop of a vast stretch of pear blossoms blooming behind, with the springtime air carrying a sense of sternness, “Imperial guards, heed my command, mobilize the Northern Command of the Brocade Guards—surround the Prime Minister’s residence.”
Ning Rushen was bound hands behind his back, leaning against a pile of firewood by a salted fish stall.
The room was too remote, not a sound could be heard. The passage of time became blurred, only the light dimming outside the door and windows was visible.
Dusk was approaching.
Ning Rushen moved his limbs, regretting:
His clothes were torn too much, letting in drafts, now his body was as cold as a fish-slaying knife.
Why hadn’t Li Wuting come to raid the Prime Minister’s residence yet?
Surely they didn’t need to hold a motivational meeting before the raid.
He endured alone for a while, when suddenly a burst of noise came from outside. Mixed with the subtle sound of the wind, it headed straight for his room.
Ning Rushen’s heart stirred, and he looked up.
The next moment, the door was pushed open with a “clang.”
A Brocade Guard, clad in the imperial flying fish robe, stood at the doorway, his sharp eyes seeming to falter for a moment when they landed on him. Then, gripping his embroidered spring saber, he strode over.
“Commander Yin Zhao of the Northern Command, at your service, Lord Ning.”
It was actually the head of the Brocade Guards.
Ning Rushen pushed himself up with the support of the firewood pile.
Having sat for too long, he felt a bit dizzy upon standing, and his black hair slid in front of him as he bowed his head, making his complexion appear even paler, “Thank you for your efforts, Commander Yin.”
Yin Zhao couldn’t bear to see him like this and offered a hand in support.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ning Rushen caught sight of the thick fabric of the flying fish robe, his gaze seemingly coveting it…
Yin Zhao, “…”
He draped the cloak he had brought over Ning Rushen, “It’s by His Majesty’s command.”
The cloak shielded against the chilly dampness of the spring night.
Ning Rushen snuggled into the cloak, somewhat surprised, “Thank His Majesty for me.”
He then looked outside, “And the others?”
“Surrounding the Prime Minister’s residence, awaiting orders outside.”
Yin Zhao said, suppressing the fierceness in his brow, with urgency, “We shouldn’t delay, I will escort you out.”
Ning Rushen nodded, then gestured to the hemp rope on his wrists to Yin Zhao, “Commander Yin, this.”
Yin Zhao efficiently reached out to untie the knot.
Ning Rushen instructed, “Tie it in front, and remember to expose the red marks from the chafing.”
“…”
Yin Zhao paused for a moment, casting a look full of unspoken words at him, then retied the hemp rope, revealing a patch of rubbed red amidst the snow-white skin.
He extended his long arm, swiftly carrying the satisfied Ning Rushen away.
·
Ning Rushen was escorted through the Prime Minister’s residence.
The family members and servants inside were so frightened that they hid in their rooms, while all the guards were called to the entrance, leaving the path almost deserted.
Approaching the gate, Yin Zhao set him down.
The two stood far behind a courtyard column, with Yin Zhao instructing Ning Rushen, “Wait here for a moment, then we can go out.”
Ning Rushen turned, “What, does my entrance involve some of your scheming?”
Yin Zhao, “……”
Yin Zhao, “Just watch quietly.”
Ning Rushen cooperatively looked towards the entrance.
He saw the deep twilight pressing down on the distant horizon, with lights blazing both inside and outside the Prime Minister’s residence. The Brocade Guards were neatly lined up outside, facing off against the residence’s guards.
Cui Haoyuan’s voice came from ahead, ringing clear:
“You rabble of hawks and hounds, dare surround my Chancellor’s residence! Have you forgotten the late Emperor’s edict, seeking to bully your master and obliterate your ancestry?”
Ning Rushen glanced sideways at Yin Zhao, embellishing the story, “He’s calling you a bird dog.”
Yin Zhao glanced over, silent.
The brocade-clothed guards outside the residence also remained silent, only tightening their grip on their embroidered spring swords.
Seeing this, Cui Haoyuan angrily retorted, “Very well, very well… I will just waste away with you all. Even if the imperial guards were to come today, do not dream of stepping into this Chancellor’s residence!”
As his words fell, a commanding and cold voice rose from outside the gate:
“What if I came in person?”
The entirety of the gatefront fell into a sudden silence.
From behind a courtyard pillar, Ning Rushen slightly widened his eyes: Li Wuting?
Through the layers of guards, a figure in dark robes emerged from behind the brocade-clothed guards. Even without seeing his face clearly, one could still feel the intimidating aura.
It was the Emperor himself.
Cui Haoyuan was abruptly stunned, “Your Majesty!?”
Li Wuting stood with his hands behind him, “Chancellor Cui, such grand courage.”
“The old official did not know of Your Majesty’s personal visit, and begs for forgiveness. However—” Cui Haoyuan’s words took a turn, “What does this mean, Your Majesty? The late Emperor had decrees, except for treason…”
“Chancellor Cui first violated the late Emperor’s decree, thus will be treated without exception, disregarded altogether.”
“When have I ever defied it!”
Li Wuting’s eyes were as cold as stars, “Daring to bind the Prime Minister personally sealed by the late Emperor’s decree, does Chancellor Cui still acknowledge the late Emperor?”
Cui Haoyuan’s eyes widened in confusion.
The Prime Minister personally sealed by the late Emperor’s decree…?
…
Ning Rushen, facing the wind and ‘eating melons’, his eyes hurt from the blowing but he couldn’t bear to blink. He was enjoying himself when he heard a voice next to him, “Let’s go.”
A force from his arm, he was whisked away by Yin Zhao—
Their cloaks billowing with a whoosh.
The lights in front of the gate cast their figures.
Li Wuting was confronting Cui Haoyuan, lifting his eyes at the noise.
He saw a figure arriving with the wind, his face as white as snow, his hair disheveled.
Though the dark cloak concealed his figure, it still revealed the torn crimson robe beneath, his pale wrists rubbed red by hemp ropes.
Their gazes collided midair.
Ning Rushen’s eyes were moist, the corners of his eyes burned red, appearing as if he had suffered a great injustice, his expression was pitifully beautiful.
Li Wuting was momentarily shaken.
Although he had heard reports from Shi Yi, it was nothing compared to the impact of seeing it with his own eyes.
His brows, rarely angered, now showed a hint of fury:
Murder, plunder, conspiring against court officials… Cui Haoyuan, what wouldn’t you dare!
Li Wuting’s expression turned frosty, his voice stern, “Daring to apply private punishments to a court official, Chancellor Cui truly covers the sky with one hand!”
“………”
Cui Haoyuan was left dumbfounded.
He stared blankly at Ning Rushen, as if trying to see a flower bloom from him, “Not, Your Majesty, this person… Scholar Ning? When did he come to my house? Who used private punishment?”
Li Wuting saw him still daring to quibble and sneered coldly, “If it wasn’t Minister Cui who used it, could it be he inflicted it on himself?”
Ning Rushen was being escorted back to Li Wuting’s side.
Hearing this, he bowed his head, tugged at his cloak, and gave it a gentle shake.
Cui Haoyuan suddenly realized he had fallen into a trap!
He stared at Ning Rushen as if he were seeing a fox spirit, tears of blood seemingly in his eyes, “You…! What a venomous mind!”
The only minister of the current court who received “the late emperor’s oral command.”
In a few words, he made the new emperor “defy the decree.”
What a play of emperor and minister! It turned out to be the knife that pried open his fortress-like defenses. There was no need for further argument, Cui Haoyuan choked on a mouthful of blood, pointing at the emperor and minister, trembling…
However, Li Wuting no longer spared a glance. He stood with his hands behind his back, his shoulders wide and back straight, as if bearing the dusky clouds overhead.
He raised his big hand, “Cui Haoyuan disregards the law, defies the imperial command, and his crime is tantamount to rebellion.”
“North Zhenfu Division, seize him.”
In an instant, the menacing Imperial Guards rushed into the minister’s mansion.
…
The flames brightened half of the dusky sky.
Inside the Prime Minister’s mansion, cries of alarm and wails filled the air, as the Imperial Guards ruthlessly searched and arrested people.
Ning Rushen stood behind Li Wuting, wrapped in his cloak.
The bright flames cast a shadow over Li Wuting’s stern profile, as he quietly watched the minister’s mansion, a dark fire seeming to brew in his eyes.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”
De Quan, observing the emperor’s expression, said softly, “Minister Cui… I mean, the criminal Cui family, although they acted recklessly and committed such evil deeds, after all, they can be punished for this.”
Li Wuting’s chill did not subside, “At the last moment, they still try to deceive me. I see the Cui family has never taken me seriously!”
“Ah, but hasn’t Your Majesty taken care of them now?”
Ning Rushen listened to their conversation, glancing sideways frequently.
He saw Li Wuting exuding a cold aura and couldn’t help speaking up, “Your Majesty, there are no outsiders here, do we need to be so genuine?”
Truly, a minute on stage requires ten years of work off stage…
The cold atmosphere was instantly broken.
Li Wuting and De Quan turned their heads to look.
Li Wuting paused, as if he didn’t understand, “What?”
“I know Your Majesty understands my hard work,” Ning Rushen said, looking relievedly at the overturned minister’s mansion.
Ledgers were carried out; luxurious gold and jade jewelry scattered on the ground; Yin Zhao drew his sword across Cui Haoyuan’s old face, eliciting a bloodthirsty cold smile…
After enjoying this scene of punishing the wicked and delighting the people, he moved closer to Li Wuting and lifted a corner of his cloak, revealing…
“It was not in vain that I ruined a piece of clothing and braved the cold wind all afternoon.”
Li Wuting looked down at him.
After Ning Rushen finished speaking, he met those calm eyes and modestly sought recognition, “I handled this matter quite well, didn’t I?”
………
After a long silence.
Li Wuting’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, “Hmm.”
·
The final tasks of the Xiang residence were handed over to the Jinyiwei.
Ning Rushen followed the imperial procession back to the palace, as he was to report the event from the beginning once more.
The imperial procession went directly to the Imperial Study.
After sitting down to start on his duties, Li Wuting had Ning Rushen, whose clothes were still drafty, taken to a side hall to change.
The attendant was again the same Xiao Rongzi as before.
The torn clothes were removed and set aside, and Ning Rushen changed into a snow-white cloud satin shirt, bowing his head to tie his belt, and the jade ring was also tucked back at his waist.
Xiao Rongzi, keen-eyed, noticed this and bowed even lower.
He thought to himself that Lord Ning was not out of favor at all, but clearly had the Emperor’s heart!
After changing, Ning Rushen also donned a cloak and turned to see Xiao Rongzi almost burying his head in his knees, “…Eunuch Rong, are you picking something up?”
His head shook like a rattle, “No, no… Lord Ning, please.”
What’s going on? Ning Rushen blinked and proceeded to the Imperial Study.
Inside the Imperial Study.
Li Wuting was seated behind the imperial desk, still in that dark attire.
Ning Rushen adjusted his cloak, about to kneel, but heard Li Wuting look up and say, “Sit. Lord Ning has suffered, no need for formalities.”
Ning Rushen, “…”
The last time it was this sarcastic was, well, the last time.
He lifted his robe and sat down at the edge of a low couch, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Li Wuting glanced at him lightly.
Ning Rushen was nervous: logically, after dealing with the Cui family, Li Wuting’s mood should have been good. But it seemed not purely good, as if uncertain.
Just like Li Wuting’s expression now, as if wanting to laugh but not.
It made one uneasy.
“What does Your Majesty wish to hear in my report?” Ning Rushen broke the ice.
Li Wuting’s slender fingers rested on a page, tapping it, “Did Lord Ning go to the Xiang residence on his own?”
Ning Rushen nodded.
“Did you tear your own clothes?”
Ning Rushen nodded again.
“And did you tie the ropes yourself?”
“…” That wasn’t the case. But Ning Rushen had already promised not to betray Shi Yi, so he simply took the blame, “It was I who tied them.”
As for how the Jinyiwei found out, he wasn’t sure.
“Heh.” Li Wuting suddenly let out a cold laugh and threw the book aside. He stood up and walked to the low couch where Ning Rushen was seated, looking down at him, “You tied them yourself?”
“I didn’t know Lord Ning had such skills.”
Ning Ruchen looked up and met that gaze, “…I do have some unique talents.”
Li Wuting’s gaze traveled down from his features, settling on the slender whiteness of his neck, where the delicate Adam’s apple seemed to tremble nervously.
Li Wuting suddenly reached out—
Whoosh, the clasp of the cloak was pulled away in one swift motion.
The dark cloak, adorned with silver and dark patterns, slipped down from Ning Ruchen’s shoulders, draping over his snow-white outer garment.
Li Wuting tossed the clasp aside onto a low table, leisurely saying, “Tie it. Tie it for me to see.”
Ning Ruchen, “……”
He looked at the clasp and then at Li Wuting, “Actually—” He had just moved his lips when the image of Shi Yi surfaced in his mind.
He remembered Shi Yi curling up…
He remembered Shi Yi’s large eyes, not even in his twenties yet. So young, with life just beginning…
Ning Ruchen moistened his dry lips.
Then, bracing himself, he picked up the clasp, “Yes, I will tie it for Your Majesty to see.”
…
Li Wuting stood in front of him, silently watching.
De Quan dared not speak, nor did the palace maids and eunuchs.
For a moment, the only sound in the Imperial Study was Ning Ruchen’s quiet fumbling. The dark clasp twisted around his wrist, passing through and around, but it remained loose and unsatisfactory.
Ning Ruchen twisted and turned for a long time, almost creating a complex knot.
Unable to secure it firmly on either side.
Just as he was pondering where to start while holding one end of the clasp, a hand suddenly reached over, grabbing the end of the rope and pulling—
“Uh…” The loop tightened instantly, suddenly binding his hands together. His arms were pulled up, suspended in mid-air.
The slender, jade-like fingers suddenly curved, somewhat dazzling in the light. From wrist to sleeve was a swath of frosty white, making the scarlet mark around his wrist strikingly conspicuous and ambiguous.
The dark clasp wound from his wrist through his fingers, leaving a light imprint that disappeared into Li Wuting’s palm.
Ning Ruchen looked up, meeting Li Wuting’s handsome and cold face,
“Does Ning Qing need a hand?”
A tassel dangled right from the base of Li Wuting’s palm.
Ning Ruchen felt the tassel brushing against his palm, his fingers touching Li Wuting’s, a wave of warmth.
He slightly moved his wrists and nodded in praise, “Your Majesty’s assistance has truly hit the spot for me.”
Li Wuting chuckled indifferently.
While they maintained this delicate posture, suddenly, a clear voice called from outside the Imperial Study:
“Imperial Brother! I also wish to join the spring hunting in a few days!”
The voice of Prince Xuan followed closely, “Jingyu, you must not shout or rush about recklessly. His Majesty is busy with important matters! And I, too, wish to go…”
The two hurried to the door, and their voices stopped abruptly.
Ning Ruchen felt a light shake around his wrists and turned his head towards the sound.
In the quiet air, their gazes intersected.
Li Yingtang looked at the scene inside the Imperial Study and blinked.
The six-year-old Li Jingyu also blinked.
With his hands suspended in mid-air, Ning Ruchen started to speak as naturally as possible, “This humble official greets the two princes—”
The next second, Li Yingtang quickly covered Li Jingyu’s eyes and mouth, hurriedly pulling him away, “Let’s go, Jingyu. Don’t look, don’t look… you’re still young.”
Li Jingyu, “Mmm, mmm, mmm!”
Li Wuting, “………”
