Li Jingyu seemed to be contemplating the connection between “evil warding” and his second imperial brother. After mentally equating the two, he lifted the piece of gauze in his hand.

Ning Rushen couldn’t take it any longer. “Just put that down already.”

He quickly snatched the gauze and stuffed it under the seat cushion, but couldn’t resist glancing at Li Wuting.

Li Wuting felt a sharp pain in his brain. He wanted to say something but, with Li Jingyu present, had to hold back and keep things calm. He said in a low voice:

“Jingyu, don’t let your second brother know about this.”

Li Wuting pursed his lips. “It might not sit well with him.”

In the corner, De Quan was nearly pressing himself into the side wall of the carriage.

When the carriage stopped, Li Jingyu couldn’t wait to hop out.

As soon as he was gone, Ning Rushen finally turned to Li Wuting with a mix of complex emotions, having recovered from his initial shock and embarrassment. “Your Majesty, you…”

De Quan immediately started apologizing, slapping his own hands. “It’s all my fault! I just grabbed it without thinking! Ah, look at these hands of mine!”

Watching him clap like a seal, Ning Rushen felt both pity and understanding: as the head eunuch, he took the blame for the emperor every day.

The meaning in his gaze was too obvious.

Li Wuting’s temple throbbed. “Ning Chen!”

Ning Rushen quickly nodded along. “Yes, yes, De Quan put it there.”

“…”

In the tense silence, Li Jingyu’s voice came from outside: “Huh? Why haven’t Imperial Brother and Lord Ning come down yet?”

Then his mouth was covered: “Shh… Don’t rush them…”

Li Wuting, at the end of his patience, stood up. “Get off the carriage!”

De Quan scrambled over to lift the curtain.

As he lifted it, bright sunlight and the fresh scent of the countryside flooded in.

Li Wuting stood up, his tall figure blocking most of the light. Ning Rushen looked at his straight, upright back and, thinking about the piece of gauze under the cushion, felt like a fire was warming his heart.

His ears began to heat up, making it hard to sit still.

Just as Li Wuting bent over to step out, Ning Rushen couldn’t help but quietly whisper behind him, “Your-Your Majesty, even if you like… don’t use what I’ve already used…”

A large hand suddenly gripped the door frame.

Li Wuting turned his head, his gaze deep. “I don’t like it.”

Ning Rushen pursed his lips. “Oh.”

The two stood there at the carriage door, Li Wuting towering over Ning Rushen. A few steps away, Prince Xuan’s eyes sparkled: Lord Ning’s ears seemed to be a bit red, and his expression was both embarrassed and annoyed…

Hehe, hehe…

In the two breaths he took sneaking a peek, Li Wuting had already gotten out of the carriage. His cold, sharp gaze cut off Prince Xuan’s prying:

“Back already?”

Li Yingtang decided not to push his luck. “I greet Your Majesty.”

Li Wuting looked him over. “You think Dragon Boat Festival is enough of an excuse to return to the capital? Just a quick visit to your fief and you’re back? Is Jiangnan too hot to handle?”

Li Yingtang took a deep breath, savoring the scent of the capital. “I have a deep love for this land.”

Seeing through him, Li Wuting let out a short, mocking laugh.

Once Li Wuting had finished with his sarcastic remarks, Ning Rushen finally had the chance to bow. “Greetings to Your Highness, Prince Xuan.”

“Oh, Lord Ning,” Li Yingtang replied, turning his head, “No need for formalities between us.”

Ning Rushen was perplexed: Seriously, does he really think we’re close like that?

Li Wuting couldn’t listen anymore. “Enough, get on the carriage.”

·

The group all got on the Qingling carriage.

Li Jingyu sat on Li Wuting’s right side. Li Yingtang, meanwhile, was assigned to the “evil warding” seat, with an empty spot between him and Li Wuting.

Ning Rushen glanced around, then filled in the empty spot on his own.

The carriage set off back toward the city.

Li Yingtang started chatting, “Haven’t seen you in over a month, Lord Ning. How have you been? How’s your waist?”

Ning Rushen touched his side. “Pretty good.”

He thought for a moment, then added, using Li Wuting’s words, “I’m lively enough to sing and dance, full of energy.”

“…” Li Wuting glanced at him.

Li Yingtang looked both regretful and pleased. “Oh, very good, very good…”

Ning Rushen: “?”

What’s with that weird, mixed expression?

After a few exchanges, Prince Xuan suddenly leaned close to Ning Rushen’s ear, about to whisper:

“By the way, last time…”

Ning Rushen, sensing something was off, instinctively shielded his ear and leaned away!

His back bumped against a solid arm.

The smooth fabric of his official robe brushed against the Emperor’s dark sleeve, and he shifted slightly, looking up at Li Yingtang’s blinking face.

Li Yingtang looked puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Above him, he felt a gaze.

Ning Rushen moved back a bit more, awkwardly holding his ear. How was he supposed to explain that his ears were sensitive?

He cleared his throat and said, “Your servant’s…”

Just as he was about to speak, Li Wuting’s voice fell over him. “He has ear sensitivity; don’t get so close.”

Li Yingtang immediately backed off. “Oh, oh, understood.”

Ning Rushen looked up at Li Wuting with a questioning glance: Hm?

Li Wuting looked down and met his eyes, a slight smirk tugging at his lips, as if to say:

Trying that same trick on me again?

Ning Rushen: “…”

He turned back around, slightly fidgeting.

Li Wuting didn’t say anything else, only glanced once at the “rescued” ear before looking away and focusing on Li Jingyu, who was leaning forward curiously.

Recalling how Li Jingyu had been talking into Ning Rushen’s ear before they left, Li Wuting’s fingers curled slightly on his knee:

So kids can, but men can’t.

…

Soon after, the carriage arrived back at the palace.

Li Yingtang disembarked and bowed. “I’ll go pay respects to my mother, Your Majesty.” He then pulled the curious Li Jingyu along with him as they walked off into the distance.

Ning Rushen, holding the carriage frame, was also ready to disembark. Just as he was about to step down, Li Wuting looked at him and pursed his lips:

“De Quan.”

De Quan rolled over quickly. “At your service, Your Majesty!”

“Take care of that… later.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, as you command!”

Li Wuting turned to Ning Rushen. “Is that acceptable?”

Ning Rushen looked a little stunned.

His new, somewhat forgetful brain had nearly let it go after Prince Xuan’s interference, but Li Wuting had made a point of handling it.

A strange warmth spread through his back. “Yes… it is.”

Li Wuting nodded. “You may go.”

Ning Rushen left the palace and returned to his own carriage.

Only then did it dawn on him: he might not be entirely accustomed to the strict formalities yet. In retrospect, had he been a bit too casual with Li Wuting?

But Li Wuting hadn’t reproached him and had even thoughtfully asked, “Is that acceptable?”—perhaps to show his innocence.

Ning Rushen thought about it. Maybe Li Wuting really was unaware.

After all—

For someone as upright and principled as Li Wuting, it was hard to imagine him being tangled up in romance or desire.

·

Two days after Prince Xuan returned, it was Dragon Boat Festival.

Besides the various celebrations prepared for the people, a banquet was also held at the palace, inviting court officials of the fifth rank and above.

On the day of, Ning Rushen dressed up and entered the palace.

The evening was upon them, and the palace was ablaze with lights.

Red pillars and golden tiles gleamed under the lights, the clear pool outside the banquet hall reflected serene ripples, casting delicate light and shadow on the palace walls.

The main table was reserved for the royal family.

Ning Rushen took his seat among the officials, and before long, he saw Geng Yan sneaking over and sitting beside him.

He turned. “Are you here to assassinate me again?”

Geng Yan rolled his eyes. “We’re sitting together to chat.”

Ning Rushen, “Chat…”

Geng Yan gave him a sharp look. “Say that word and I’ll slap you with a tile!”

Ning Rushen sighed. “You’re so sensitive.”

He hadn’t even said anything yet.

As they were talking, the Emperor’s arrival was announced.

Li Wuting walked in, wearing his elegant and dignified imperial robe, surrounded by palace attendants. Beside him were Prince Xuan, Prince Jing, and Prince Xuan’s mother, Consort Shu.

The group took their seats at the main table.

Ning Rushen glanced at them from afar.

It was his first time seeing Consort Shu. She appeared poised and graceful, serene and noble.

And Li Wuting’s demeanor toward her seemed highly respectful.

Geng Yan leaned in. “What’re you looking at?”

Ning Rushen, “A loving family.”

“…”

Geng Yan was speechless, then added, “Well, of course. Consort Xian, when she was alive, was very close to Consort Shu. After Consort Xian’s passing, His Majesty and Prince Jing were fostered under Consort Shu. She’s practically His Majesty’s second mother.”

Ning Rushen mused:

Did she know her dear friend used her nails to poke her son’s face?

Geng Yan, “What are you thinking?”

Ning Rushen, “Nothing, just some royal family secrets.”

Geng Yan, “???”

He wanted to ask more, but then a young eunuch approached, holding a tray with a drink and stopping before Ning Rushen. “Lord Ning.”

Geng Yan looked horrified: Serves you right for talking royal secrets!

Ning Rushen’s chopsticks froze. “Eunuch?”

Had the poison come already?

The young eunuch bowed politely. “This is a non-fermented fruit drink for you, Lord Ning.” He set the drink down and respectfully retreated.

“…”

After he left, Ning Rushen and Geng Yan exchanged glances.

Only Li Wuting would have the eunuchs serve fruit drinks.

Ning Rushen licked his lips: What’s this? Worried he’d get drunk and dance with the performers?

Geng Yan was left dumbfounded. “What’s this about?”

Ning Rushen explained, “Last time I drank, I, uh… let loose in front of him.”

Geng Yan was in awe and regret. “Too bad, I was hoping to mess with you after you got drunk.”

“…?”

Ning Rushen calmly stomped on his foot.

Geng Yan, “Ow!”

After a few drinks, Consort Shu excused herself.

She seemed to have something to say, and Li Wuting left with her.

Once they were gone, only Li Yingtang and Li Jingyu were left.

Ning Rushen saw Li Yingtang whispering something to Li Jingyu, his expression growing more and more radiant.

The look made Ning Rushen inexplicably nervous.

He quickly took a sip of his fruit juice to calm down:

…Definitely something possessing him.

The banquet hall was filled with fine delicacies and lively toasts.

Ning Rushen busied himself with his food. When he looked up again, the main table was empty.

With the royal family gone, the atmosphere relaxed considerably.

Ning Rushen, feeling full, got up and wandered outside.

The pond by the banquet hall was the same one he’d “gurgled” into last time; the environment was cool and quiet. Since he hadn’t been drinking, he strolled over with ease.

As he walked, he noticed a group of palace servants by the lake.

Looking closer, he saw Prince Xuan in a pavilion, bent over his work, writing furiously with the palace attendants standing outside, as if he were performing some ritual.

He blinked and took a few steps closer.

In the pavilion, Li Yingtang was passionately creating.

During dinner, he had coaxed some tidbits from Li Jingyu—something about “red gauze” and “two weeks of lethargy”… Now, stuffed with food and brimming with ideas, he was on fire with inspiration!

Right as he was getting into it, he heard a voice outside:

“Your Highness, Prince Xuan?”

Li Yingtang froze, turning to see Ning Rushen. “…”

Oh no, it was Ning Lang.

Ning Rushen’s eyes drifted to the stack of papers. “What are you doing, Your Highness?”

Li Yingtang, “…Literary work.”

Could this be the infamous stack of paper?

Intrigued, Ning Rushen leaned in. “Can I take a look?”

Li Yingtang took five seconds to process “take a look.”

While he was deciphering the phrase, Ning Rushen had already moved closer. The next moment, Li Yingtang suddenly snapped back, grabbing the papers and stuffing them under his outer robe!

Ning Rushen raised an eyebrow: ?

Li Yingtang, “Better not. You…”

He stopped mid-sentence, looking at Ning Rushen thoughtfully for a few seconds. “The Emperor hasn’t shown you yet?”

Ning Rushen shook his head.

“Oh? Being all secretive with you…”

In the shadowy night, Li Yingtang pondered for a moment. Then, with a mischievous grin, he lifted the edge of his outer robe, revealing a corner of the papers, like some kind of mischievous child:

“Are you sure you want to take a peek?”