Ning Rushen’s hand trembled, nearly tossing the little prince off his lap.

What was this devilish whisper?

He managed a strained smile. “It’s just… my robe must have picked up the scent of the incense.”

Li Jingyu blinked innocently. “But why would Ning Daren’s robe smell like my royal brother—”

Before he could finish, a large hand clamped over his mouth. “Mmph!”

Li Wuting stepped forward, looking down. “Li Jingyu.”

The use of his full name sent shivers down the little prince’s spine. Properly cowed, he slid off Ning Rushen’s lap and bowed his head in apology. “This humble younger brother knows his mistake.”

Li Wuting turned to glance at De Quan, who was grinning so broadly his pearly teeth shone. A mere look silenced the eunuch, who quickly clasped his hands and said, “This servant will escort the little prince to the dining hall.”

Li Jingyu trotted after him on his short legs, leaving the office ahead of them.

Ning Rushen, still feeling a faint heat prickling under his skin, ducked his head and sniffed himself. “I thought I’d already aired it out…”

As he turned, the movement stretched his slender neck, revealing a patch of pale skin and the delicate curve of his collarbone. The faint scent of incense clung stubbornly to him.

Li Wuting stood half a step away, tapping the desk lightly with his fingers. “What, do you find my incense unpleasant?”

Ning Rushen nearly twisted his neck in protest.

This isn’t about pleasant or unpleasant!

He pressed his lips together. “It’s too pleasant, Your Majesty. I’m finding it a bit overwhelming.”

Li Wuting: “…”

He was silent for a few moments, then turned on his heel and walked toward the door. “Follow me.”

Ning Rushen tugged at his collar and hurried after him.

In the dining hall, the Ministry of Rites officials were already gathered, standing respectfully. When Li Wuting entered, they bowed deeply.

Li Wuting said, “Sit freely. No need for formalities.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ning Rushen dashed past him like a streak of light and plopped down beside a familiar bowl of rice, rolling up his sleeves.

“…”

De Quan’s eyes bulged. “Ahem, ahem!”

Could you use a little common sense, Ning Daren?! Surely His Majesty deserves more attention than your rice bowl!

Ning Rushen froze mid-roll of his sleeves at the sound of that warning cough. Turning, he met De Quan’s intense, meaningful gaze.

Don’t forget about His Majesty!

“…”

Only then did Ning Rushen notice the scene: every official had carefully taken their seats according to rank, forming a respectful circle around Li Wuting. Meanwhile, he was at the opposite corner, as far from the emperor as physically possible.

Swallowing hard, Ning Rushen thought to himself: Didn’t he say “sit freely”?

The quiet dining hall grew even more stifling.

De Quan was staring at him. Li Jingyu was staring at him. The Ministry officials were all staring at him…

Li Wuting, however, merely glanced at him calmly.

Feeling a twinge of guilt under so many eyes, Ning Rushen stood after a moment of hesitation and fetched a large bowl of rice, which he carried over to Li Wuting.

“Your Majesty, this humble servant fetched rice for you.”

The mound of rice overflowed, teetering precariously.

The entire room fell into silence.

Li Wuting studied the bowl for a moment. “Such a thoughtful gesture. I hardly know where to start.”

He added coolly, “This isn’t serving rice; it’s issuing a challenge.”

Ning Rushen: “…”

Embarrassed, he lowered his head. “My apologies, Your Majesty. Allow me to fetch a smaller portion.”

As he moved to step away, Li Wuting stopped him.

“No need. I’m not so hard to please.”

“?”

Ning Rushen turned back to see Li Wuting take an empty bowl and calmly scoop half the rice into it himself.

The room went so silent you could hear a pin drop.

All the officials stared in shock at this rare sight of the emperor doing something so… mundane.

Setting the bowl beside him, Li Wuting said, “Eat.”

Ning Rushen hesitated. “But…”

Li Wuting cut him off, his tone mild. “I said, no need for formalities.”

Left with no choice, Ning Rushen sat down beside him and began eating, albeit more cautiously than before.

But this small portion… isn’t enough for me…

Once Li Wuting started eating, the other officials finally dared to pick up their chopsticks.

From the opposite side, Li Jingyu glanced at Ning Rushen’s bowl, then at his own empty one.

Of course it’s different. Stop trying to fool me.

After lunch, Li Wuting rose to leave, still accompanied by Li Jingyu.

Ning Rushen followed them to the gates of the Ministry of Rites to see them off.

Li Jingyu turned to him with wide, earnest eyes. “Ning Daren, I’ve learned so much today. Thank you for your guidance.”

“…”

The devilish whisper resurfaced in Ning Rushen’s mind.

Taking a deep breath, he replied, “This humble servant dares not take credit. It’s all thanks to Your Highness’s natural talent.”

Li Jingyu opened his mouth to say more but was promptly hoisted into the air.

“Ah!”

Li Wuting, calm as ever, said, “If you’ve learned well, your reward is copying your lessons three more times.”

Ning Rushen was struck by a wave of nostalgia, reminded of his own school days.

“Happy birthday! Here’s another workbook for you to complete!”

Truly, the imperial family was ruthless from top to bottom.

With mixed emotions, Ning Rushen watched as Li Jingyu was bundled into the carriage, sniffling all the way. Just as he was about to turn away, Li Wuting lifted the curtain and looked back.

“Don’t forget the palace examination in a few days, Ning Qing.”

With that, his gaze lingered briefly on Ning Rushen’s robe before he lowered the curtain and the carriage rolled away.

Ning Rushen absently tugged at his collar.

Oh, right. The palace examination is at the end of May… I almost forgot.

The palace examination was held in the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

Officials of the fifth rank and above were allowed to attend as observers.

On the day of the exam, Ning Rushen followed the other officials into the grand hall. The space was vast, majestic, and steeped in the solemn authority of the imperial family.

The officials lined the sides of the hall, leaving the center open.

Ning Rushen found himself near the outermost edge, directly facing the entrance through which the examinees would enter. He idly adjusted his belt.

Front row seats, but no snacks. What a shame…

As he mused, the gong sounded, its deep tone reverberating through the hall.

Li Wuting, clad in resplendent yellow dragon robes, took his seat on the throne. De Quan’s clear voice echoed:

“Announcing the examinees—”

A line of scholars filed in, led by court officials.

Sweeping his gaze over the unfamiliar faces, Ning Rushen spotted one familiar figure: Zhao Shuai, the “Robin Hood” type who had robbed the rich to help the poor.

As he observed, he felt an odd sensation, as if some of the scholars were stealing glances at him.

“…”

Ning Rushen glanced down, checking himself. Was his belt crooked?

The Assistant Minister of War beside him couldn’t help but whisper, “Ning Daren, you were the previous top scorer.”

“Oh… Right.” Ning Rushen finally remembered.

The Assistant Minister: “…”

Everyone here is fighting tooth and nail for that title, and you’re this casual about it?

On the other side, the scholars who had been sneaking glances at him looked like they were suppressing curses.

Ning Rushen didn’t explain further. I’m no longer the top scholar. Now, I’m just Li Wuting’s sharp yet delicate blade.

After an elaborate opening ceremony, the examination began.

Li Wuting, seated above, selected questions from the scholars’ written submissions and posed them directly.

Ning Rushen, meanwhile, completely spaced out.

The hall buzzed with discussions of poetry and statecraft, most of which flew over his head. Just as he stifled a yawn, the sound of papers being turned abruptly stopped.

Li Wuting’s cold voice rang out. “Evaluate the imperial system of appointments. You three, answer.”

The entire hall was stunned.

Three examinees at once? On such a critical topic?

The three chosen scholars stepped forward, visibly breaking into a sweat. One of them managed to stammer out an answer, but Ning Rushen found his voice strangely familiar.

He squinted at them, only to catch Geng Yan wildly signaling at him with exaggerated winks and gestures.

Ning Rushen: …What is he doing now?

As the scholars stammered through their answers, Li Wuting finally spoke, his tone icy.

“Oh? So you believe our appointments are based on charm and good looks?”

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat.

The three scholars froze, then turned as pale as paper, dropping to their knees. “Your Majesty, forgive us! It was all nonsense, a grave mistake! Please, spare us!”

That’s when it clicked for Ning Rushen.

Oh… weren’t these the ones gossiping about me “getting by on my face” earlier?

He glanced at Geng Yan, who smirked knowingly.

Got it now? Geng Yan’s expression seemed to say.

…

So all those gestures were about throwing shade?

The examination continued, but speculation buzzed quietly among the officials. Though no one knew exactly what had happened, it was clear these scholars wouldn’t make the cut.

Geng Yan mouthed again: Payback.

Ning Rushen silently replied: Dream on.

Turning away from his colleague, Ning Rushen thought to himself: Li Wuting never plays favorites. Besides…

He glanced up at the emperor’s composed figure.

It’s not like we have that kind of relationship.

After the examination, Li Wuting announced the results.

“First place, scholar Fan Wanwen. Second, scholar Zhuang Qin. Third, scholar Qi Siyi.”

After appointing several additional positions, he instructed the Ministry of Rites to organize the four traditional feasts for the top scholars.

As the hall emptied, Ning Rushen recalled the names he’d just heard.

Flashes of memory surfaced: after the preliminary exam results had been released, he’d vaguely noticed red marks beside certain names.

Wait… weren’t these scholars the ones with red marks next to their names?

He tried to piece it together but was interrupted when Geng Yan’s face suddenly popped up in front of him.

“Ning Qing, what do you think—”

The loud voice shattered his train of thought. Ning Rushen shoved Geng Yan’s face away. “You’re too loud.”

Unfazed, Geng Yan grinned. “Busy later?”

“No.” Ning Rushen sighed, recalling the three dismissed scholars. “I need to find His Majesty first.”

“Of course, of course!” Geng Yan replied cheerfully.

… Ning Rushen’s fingers itched. He resisted the urge to strangle his overenthusiastic colleague and headed to the Imperial Study.

Inside the study, Li Wuting had just finished washing his hands and was drying them with a towel.

The sight of his tall figure, clad in imperial yellow, grounded Ning Rushen. For a moment, the majestic image from earlier felt tangible, just within reach.

“Your Majesty,” Ning Rushen greeted, peeking inside.

Li Wuting turned slightly. “Why is your neck stretched out so far?”

“…Just eager to hear your orders,” Ning Rushen replied, pulling back.

Li Wuting sat behind the imperial desk. “What would you like to hear, Ning Qing?”

Carefully choosing his words, Ning Rushen asked, “About those three scholars earlier. Did they commit some other offense?”

“Why do you ask?”

“If not, then why did Your Majesty dismiss them?”

The room fell silent for a moment before Li Wuting replied, his tone calm.

“Why do you think?”

Under the weight of his piercing gaze, Ning Rushen felt an inexplicable unease. He scratched his nose. “Surely it wasn’t… because they spoke ill of me?”

Li Wuting paused, then smiled faintly, an unreadable expression crossing his face.

“Oh? Why not?”

Author’s Note:

Li Wuting: Teasing cats is fun.

Ning Rushen: …???