Shi Yi’s figure wavered for a moment, as if he wanted to escape but couldn’t.

Ning Rushen, unable to endure the tension, was just about to speak when Shi Yi with his face flushed red, suddenly shouted, “Commander, you’re mistaken! I’m not Shi Yi!”

On the other side, Li Wuting’s face had darkened by half. He rubbed his brow and said to Yin Zhao, “You may leave.”

Shi Yi quickly kowtowed before disappearing into the night.

After dismissing the Royal Guards, Ning Rushen and Li Wuting were left facing each other in awkward silence for a few seconds.

“Have you eaten?” Both spoke at the same time.

Ning Rushen was startled for a moment, “Not yet.”

He had just come out of his bath, his hair still damp, draped over his back. He was only wearing a plain white undergarment.

Li Wuting’s gaze lowered.

The dampness in Ning Rushen’s eyes lingered, and his collar was wet, stained with watermarks. The cool night breeze carried the scent of fresh grass and a hint of dew.

Li Wuting withdrew his gaze and turned to leave, “Hmm.”

“?” Ning Rushen was puzzled by the ambiguous response. As he stood there staring at Li Wuting’s broad back, De Quan turned and winked at him, mouthing the words, His Majesty is inviting you to dine.

Ning Rushen: …?

Li Wuting’s invitation to dine was likely an attempt to break the awkward tension, a casual suggestion.

However, Ning Rushen couldn’t take it lightly.

He returned to his tent, put on his official robes, and tied up his hair. Just as he was about to leave, he ran into the cheerful Geng Yan.

Geng Yan said, “Come on, let’s go eat roasted rabbit!”

Ning Rushen shook his head, “I won’t be going.”

“…What, you don’t eat rabbit?”

“The emperor has invited me to dine.”

Geng Yan’s face twisted as he patted his chest and muttered, “Stay calm, stay calm,” then turned and walked out of the tent with Ning Rushen.

The emperor and his ministers were dining in front of the tent.

A bonfire blazed in the clearing before the tents, with the emperor seated in the central position, while the other officials sat around nearby fires.

As the two approached, Geng Yan said, “By the way, I just saw Lu Zhang, Gong Huilin, and Tan Feng return. Their legs were chafed and bruised. They probably won’t be able to get up for half a month.”

Ning Rushen hummed in response.

Twenty laps… no surprise they got chafed.

Geng Yan then whispered, “Do you think they startled your horse on purpose? Could it be that the emperor figured it out and punished them for you?”

Ning Rushen found this theory absurd.

Why would Li Wuting bother punishing anyone on his behalf?

Just a month ago, Li Wuting had practically been plotting to stop his breath.

“I don’t know if it was intentional or not,” Ning Rushen said, looking toward the faint glow of the bonfire ahead, “But they must have done something else wrong.”

Li Wuting’s punishments were always delivered quietly.

·

When they reached the bonfire, Li Wuting was already seated.

A mountain chicken and antelope were roasting over the fire, sizzling with oil, turning a golden hue in the crackling flames.

Li Yingtang and Li Jingyu were also seated nearby, while De Quan and the palace servants attended to their dining needs.

Ning Rushen stepped forward and bowed, then was granted a seat on the opposite side.

No sooner had he sat down than a palace servant approached with a plate and small knife. 

He hadn’t even had time to say thank you when De Quan gestured at him with his chin, urging, why aren’t you cutting the meat for the emperor?

Ning Rushen: “…”

Holding the knife, he asked, “Shall I slice the meat for Your Majesty?”

Li Wuting glanced at him.

The warm, reddish glow of the fire bathed Li Wuting’s sharp-featured face, giving the young emperor an imposing yet stoic aura, with no hint of emotion on his face, “Hmm.”

Ning Rushen turned to the spit.

The roast mountain chicken had already been mostly eaten by Prince Xuan and Prince Jing, so he could only aim for the roasted antelope, carefully slicing the browned, crispy meat.

The antelope meat was thick and tough, and Ning Rushen felt like he was carving patterns into the surface but couldn’t manage to cut off a single slice.

Just as he was struggling, Li Wuting suddenly spoke, “Is this like the ancient punishment of tattooing?”

“…” Ning Rushen’s hand trembled, and finally, a slice of meat fell off.

He placed the chosen slice of meat onto Li Wuting’s plate with great care, “This is more like a thousand cuts.”

Li Wuting, “………”

Li Wuting didn’t immediately move, leaving Ning Rushen standing there awkwardly for a few seconds. Across the way, Li Yingtang, worried that more inappropriate comments might follow, quickly spoke up, “Lord Ning, is your hand still injured?”

“Uh…” Ning Rushen glanced at the red marks on his palms. They had been caused by gripping the reins too tightly during the horse’s panic.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It’s just a minor injury.”

Suddenly, the plate in his hand was taken away.

Li Wuting said in a light tone, “Ning Qing, eat by yourself. If you can’t cut the meat, ask a servant. Don’t let people think I’m mistreating my officials.”

Ning Rushen blinked, “Understood.”

Soon, with the servants’ help, a plate piled high with neatly sliced meat was placed before him, along with wine, fruits, and vegetables.

Ning Rushen picked up a piece of lettuce.

He remembered something he had seen before—how people ate grilled meat—so he opened his mouth wide, covered the meat with the lettuce, and stuffed the whole thing into his mouth.

Li Wuting happened to catch sight of him, “…What are you doing?”

Ning Rushen’s mouth was stuffed full, almost sealed shut, “Lettuce wrap.”

Li Wuting stared at him.

From his vivid, lively eyes to his puffed-up cheeks.

When Ning Rushen finally swallowed, Li Wuting slowly said, “Where did you learn such a…” He paused, searching for the right word.

“Such a reckless way of eating?”

Ning Rushen, “…”

“It’s how people eat in my hometown.”

“Hometown?” Li Wuting’s tone was unhurried, his gaze steady as he looked directly into Ning Rushen’s eyes, as if trying to peer through him, “I remember your hometown is in Yuchuan.”

“If I ever get the chance, I’d like to see it for myself.”

The deep black of his pupils reflected the blazing firelight, their proximity both intimidating and unsettling.

Ning Rushen held his breath, what’s going on with Li Wuting?

He even remembered where his hometown was. Had he become some sort of local representative now?

Ning Rushen unconsciously licked the corner of his lips, “Yes.”

He would have to figure out a way to teach the people of Yuchuan to eat like this.

In the midst of their intense, slightly suffocating eye contact, a familiar sound suddenly interrupted, “Mm mm hmm hmm mm!”

Both turned their heads.

Li Jingyu, imitating Ning Rushen, had stuffed his mouth full of meat and lettuce, much to the horror of the palace servants around him.

Ning Rushen, “…”

Li Wuting’s vein twitched, “Jingyu, what kind of behavior is that!”

·

The rest of the dinner was much more subdued.

Ning Rushen focused on the grilled meat.

The wood-fired roasting gave the meat a smoky flavor, and the game from the mountains was particularly tender, unlike anything he had eaten in modern times.

The accompanying wine was a sweet fruit wine, not very strong.

Ning Rushen drank quite a bit, and only after finishing the meal did he realize his cheeks had begun to warm.

But under the bright flames, the slight flush wasn’t very noticeable.

After dinner ended.

Ning Rushen’s mind started to drift as his head felt increasingly light. He rose to take his leave, “This official takes his leave.”

Li Wuting didn’t seem to notice anything unusual, “Hmm.”

Ning Rushen wandered off in search of a quiet place to catch some fresh air.

Remembering his previous encounter with visions of the afterlife, he avoided the riverside this time and headed toward the fence at the edge of the camp.

The night sky hung low, stars and moon suspended high above.

The vast hunting grounds were shrouded by the dark sky, and the cool night breeze rustled the grass, bringing a touch of chill.

As Ning Rushen sat by the fence enjoying the wind, Li Jingyu and his attendants arrived, “Lord Ning.”

“Greetings to Prince Jing.”

Li Jingyu waved his hand and plopped down beside him.

Ning Rushen looked at the short legs next to him: ?

Li Jingyu whispered conspiratorially, “Let’s talk about imperial brother’s private matters.”

Ning Rushen: ……

He was beginning to think he must be quite drunk.

Otherwise, why couldn’t he make any sense of the little prince’s words?

Li Jingyu continued quietly, “Is imperial brother treating you differently from others?”

Ning Rushen paused, “Of course not.”

If there was any difference, it was that Li Wuting often wanted to kill him or dig holes for him to fall into.

Li Jingyu was confused, “Then why did imperial brother scold me for eating lettuce wraps, but not you?”

“…”

Ning Rushen saw the pure and innocent look in his eyes slowly darkening, and quickly replied, “Because when I do it, I embarrass myself. When you do it, you embarrass the imperial family.”

Li Jingyu pondered this for a moment.

Got it, we both look ridiculous.

The two of them sat there, chatting incoherently, when Geng Yan’s voice suddenly called from a distance, “Ning Chen—”

Ning Rushen turned around, and the lanterns from the camp illuminated the fence.

Geng Yan jogged over and saw the blush of intoxication on Ning Rushen’s face. He sighed, greeted Li Jingyu, then pulled Ning Rushen to his feet.

“I saw you gulping down wine at dinner. Looks like you’re drunk.”

By now, Ning Rushen’s drunkenness had fully kicked in, and he obediently let himself be led, “Mm…”

When drunk, he didn’t cause a scene; in fact, he became more docile and quiet. His reactions were slowed, and he simply followed along without thinking.

Geng Yan, amused, examined him closely, “You really are like putty when you’re drunk.”

Putty…

Ning Rushen, following the impulse of his thoughts, raised his leg and kicked.

“Ow, you little—!” Geng Yan gritted his teeth, wanting to toss him aside but, seeing Li Jingyu’s curious gaze, restrained himself and half-supported, half-dragged Ning Rushen back to camp.

Their figures soon disappeared among the tents.

Li Jingyu clapped his hands and returned to his tent with his attendants.

…

As a prince, Li Jingyu had his own tent.

When he returned, he found his dignified and steady third brother, Li Wuting, sitting inside, “Imperial brother!”

Li Wuting looked up at him.

After confirming he was safe, Li Wuting asked, “Where did you go in the middle of the night?”

Li Jingyu replied, “I went to chat with Lord Ning.”

There was a brief pause before Li Wuting tapped his knee, “Oh? What did you talk about?”

Li Jingyu said, “Just some private stuff. But Lord Ning got drunk, and the dog… I mean, Assistant Minister Geng took him away.”

Li Wuting’s gaze sharpened, “Drunk?”

Li Jingyu recalled what Geng Yan had said, “Yeah, he was drunk and completely pliant.”

Li Wuting, “…”

The memory of Ning Rushen’s previous drunken state flashed in Li Wuting’s mind—dazed, answering every question without hesitation.

Until he had fallen into the water and lost consciousness.

After that, he hadn’t been able to ask any more questions.

…So what about this time?

Li Wuting lowered his gaze, deep in thought for a moment, then stood up, “I’ll go check on him. You should rest.”

With that, he strode out of the tent.

…

Not long after.

Li Jingyu had just changed into his nightclothes when the tent flap was lifted again. Li Yingtang peeked in, “Jingyu, where’s the emperor?”

“He’s not here.”

“Where did he go?”

Li Jingyu thought for a moment, “As soon as he heard that Lord Ning was drunk and completely pliant, he left.”

“……”

The memory of Ning Rushen tied up in the Imperial Study flashed through Li Yingtang’s mind, and his pupils dilated in shock.