His face was flushed, his gaze unfocused and a faint smell of alcohol lingered around him. When Geng Yue saw this, he immediately ordered someone to bring hot water

Not long after, there was a commotion outside the tent. Geng Yan muttered, “That was quick,” and got up to retrieve it but instead, De Quan’s voice came from outside.

As the curtain lifted, Ning Rushen poked his head out and, seeing Li Wuting, seemed a bit dazed. He sluggishly said, “This subject… greets Your Majesty.”

Li Wuting looked at him for a moment, then turned, “Come with me.”

Although confused, Ning Rushen obediently followed.

Li Wuting glanced sideways, and the precise yet troublesome phrase suddenly popped into his mind. 

He’s definitely drunk and easy to handle.

The group circled the camp and arrived at the riverside behind the tents.

This place was quiet and empty, with the sound of flowing water.

Ning Rushen stood with Li Wuting at the shimmering riverbank. The latter dismissed all attendants, including De Quan, to a distance of ten steps before turning back to look at him.

“Do you know why I called you here?”

Ning Rushen absentmindedly blurted out, “To look at the snow, the stars, the moon, and to talk about poetry, songs, and life aspirations.”

“…”

Li Wuting’s forehead twitched, “Am I that free?”

Ning Rushen pressed his lips together, staring at him.

Otherwise, are you planning to dump his body here?

After his initial annoyance, Li Wuting’s face calmed down as he carefully scrutinized the seemingly straightforward expression in front of him, “Since Ning Qing hit his head, your behavior and actions have been very different from before.”

Ning Rushen continued zoning out, “This subject… doesn’t remember the past.”

“You don’t remember the past, yet you still recall baozi with meat filling?”

“Some things are carved into the soul.”

“…” Li Wuting’s lips moved slightly, “No need.”

Ning Rushen had spent most of the day on the road, been startled by a horse, and had some drinks. Now, a mix of alcohol and fatigue was rushing over him, gradually filtering out Li Wuting’s voice.

He vaguely caught a few phrases like “still remember?” and “also don’t know?” … and shook his head at all of them.

By the end, his eyelids were drooping, and he couldn’t help but say, “Your Majesty.”

Li Wuting’s questioning stopped.

Ning Rushen, with his eyes red and looking pitiful, said, “This subject is tired…”

Such words sounded incredibly rude.

What kind of subject speaks to the emperor like that?

But Li Wuting didn’t seem to mind. He stared at Ning Rushen for a few seconds, then suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him closer—

Under the moonlight, all the emotions in Ning Rushen’s eyes were laid bare before Li Wuting, even the faint trembling of his eyelashes was clear.

Li Wuting’s gaze didn’t waver for a moment as he softly asked, “Let me ask you one last question. The twelve Imperial Guards before the Golden Throne… Ning Qing doesn’t remember either?”

If this person had been reborn like him.

Hearing about that event from the fifteenth year of Chenghua, the storm of arrows piercing the heart, would surely stir some reaction.

Ning Rushen was dead tired, “Whether it’s twelve restrictions or eighteen restrictions, this subject has never seen them… I want to sleep…”

Li Wuting, “…”

In one last desperate attempt, he asked, “Who is Shi Yi?”

Ning Rushen, “The thief you sent.”

… It seems everything he says is the truth.

Li Wuting pondered for a few seconds and let go of him, “I overthought it. You can go back.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Ning Rushen didn’t even have the strength to bow. His eyelashes drooped as he took a step forward. Suddenly, he tripped over an uneven patch of dirt, stumbling forward.

In a reflexive grasp, his hand caught onto an arm.

Through the fabric, he could feel the firm, heated muscles beneath.

The heat surged through him, causing all the alcohol to evaporate instantly, his cheeks flushing red, and the red mole on his earlobe blooming like vermilion ink.

Ning Rushen, clinging to Li Wuting’s arm, looked up.

Their gazes met.

The hand on his arm seemed to move slightly.

Ning Rushen saw Li Wuting’s thin lips part slightly, as if he was about to say something. But before he could, a sharp, cold shout suddenly pierced the night from not far away, “Who’s there!”

A flash of cold light cut through the darkness, Yin Zhao holding his blade aimed towards the back of the tent.

Ning Rushen’s sleepiness instantly faded by three points!

He and Li Wuting both turned their heads.

Only to see Li Jingyu tumble out from behind the tent with a “thud,” accidentally dragging Li Yingtang out with him as well.

The two of them, “Ouch!”

Li Wuting, “…”

In a daze, Ning Rushen glanced over at Yin Zhao. 

You really are the expert in exposing the royal family’s missteps.

·

How they wrapped up the scene in the end remained unclear.

The next day, when Ning Rushen woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

His head throbbed faintly, and he vaguely recalled Li Wuting calling him out last night to reminisce, even talking about something like “twelve restrictions.”

What were the twelve restrictions?

Did Li Wuting also drink too much…

Groggy, Ning Rushen washed up and changed clothes. As he stepped out of the tent, the weather was perfect, and most officials had already gone off for the hunt.

He strolled slowly toward the hunting grounds and spotted Li Jingyu.

Surrounded by a group of palace attendants and guards, Li Jingyu waved when he saw him, “Lord Ning, come hunt with me!”

Ning Rushen originally didn’t want to go, but when he looked off into the lush, green forest, his interest piqued, “Yes, Your Highness.”

The guards brought over two horses, one big and one small.

When Li Jingyu saw the larger horse, he didn’t want to ride the smaller one anymore and tugged at Ning Rushen’s sleeve, wanting to ride together.

Ning Rushen, “Your Highness, this subject isn’t good at riding.”

Li Jingyu, “Let the guards lead the horse for us.”

Ning Rushen thought for a moment, “Alright.”

The two of them got on the horse together, and the guard led them toward the hunting grounds. As they approached, they saw Yin Zhao polishing his blade at the entrance.

Ning Rushen greeted him, “Commander Yin, not accompanying the imperial entourage?”

Yin Zhao’s cold face reflected the gleam of his blade, “His Majesty asked me to stay here, saying that guarding the entrance is the most important task.”

“…” Ning Rushen’s mood grew complicated again.

So, you were sent away too.

With a kind heart, he reminded, “Commander Yin, guard the entrance well,” then, carrying Li Jingyu, entered the forest. 

You Royal Guards should watch your mouths.

After bidding farewell to Yin Zhao, they entered the woods.

Seeing Yin Zhao again made Ning Rushen recall last night’s farce, so he asked Li Jingyu, “Your Highness, why were you and Prince Xuan sneaking around last night?”

Li Jingyu replied, “Oh, Second Brother said he wanted to see how the Emperor messes with you.”

Ning Rushen: ……

Do you hear yourself?

Li Jingyu, “Elder Brother doesn’t have a consort yet.”

“?” Although Ning Rushen didn’t see how the two statements were connected, he was still drawn in, “Why?”

“In the past…” Li Jingyu lowered his voice as he nestled into Ning Rushen’s arms, “Elder Brother’s position wasn’t good. He had to protect me, Second Brother, and Concubine Dowager Shu. He also had to guard against people around him, so he’s never taken a consort.”

Ning Rushen was intrigued, “Oh.”

Li Jingyu sneakily glanced at his expression and said, “Elder Brother is very disciplined.”

Ning Rushen nodded in agreement, “His Majesty is indeed a disciplined and upright gentleman.”

But he couldn’t help but think, So disciplined… wouldn’t it be hard to hold it in?

To be so abstinent until now, will his future consorts be able to handle it?

Ah, no wonder he was talking about the twelve restrictions last night. Was it a drunken confession…

Just as he was worrying for him, the head in his arms suddenly popped up.

Li Jingyu stared into his eyes, “Lord Ning, what are you thinking? It seems like I’ve glimpsed a world the Prince shouldn’t enter.”

“…” Ning Rushen pushed his head back down, “Then don’t go there, Your Highness.”

·

The outer edges of the forest were full of gentle wildlife.

As they ventured deeper, they saw mostly rabbits, pheasants, and sparrows.

Everyone began to relax.

Ning Rushen was holding Li Jingyu, letting him use a crossbow to shoot at the pheasants, when there was a sudden rustling from the treetop above. He looked up to see a snake falling—

Ning Rushen, “Crap!”

Immediately, a guard swung his sword, cutting the snake down in an instant.

Just as Ning Rushen breathed a sigh of relief, another guard shouted, “Watch out!” He turned his head to see a green snake darting through the grass straight toward them—

Ning Rushen’s heart tightened as he instinctively hugged Li Jingyu tightly.

The guards quickly drew their bows.

But an arrow came whizzing faster than theirs.

Ning Rushen only felt something brush past his hair, followed by the dull thud of the arrow piercing the snake’s flesh and pinning it to the ground, thunk. 

At the same moment, his hair cascaded down behind him.

Shocked cries echoed around him, “… Your Majesty!?”

Ning Rushen looked up.

Ten steps away, Li Wuting sat atop his steed, his face cold and severe, holding a drawn bow and gazing at them.

Behind him, an arrow had accurately pierced the green snake’s seven inches, the fletching still trembling, as it had passed through a scarlet jade hairband.

Their gazes locked in midair.

Li Wuting saw Ning Rushen still holding Li Jingyu tightly in his arms, his weak shoulders trembling with fear, but still not letting go.

His thin lips pressed together.

From the horse ten steps away, Li Jingyu wriggled, “Lord Ning, you’re hugging me too tight.”

Ning Rushen apologized as he let go, “Sorry, this subject was just too scared.”

Li Jingyu, “Then hold me again and let’s recover.”

Li Wuting, “…”

The guards around them dropped to their knees in a clamor, “We failed to protect His Majesty, please punish us!”

“Brother!” Li Jingyu quickly jumped off the horse and ran over to plead.

“Forget it.” Li Wuting raised his hand, “You all…”

Just as he began to speak, another horse galloped out from the woods behind. Prince Xuan, Li Yingtang, dragged a deer along excitedly, shouting as he arrived,

“Your Majesty, did you catch anything? Look, I’ve caught a—”

He stopped abruptly.

Li Yingtang looked at the bow in Li Wuting’s hand, then at Ning Rushen’s now loose hair, and finally focused on the hairband pierced by the arrow, “So Your Majesty caught Lord Ning…”

He quietly backed away, “I apologize for my poor skills.”

Li Wuting, “… Get back here!”

…

A quarter of an hour later.

The group rode back together.

Li Jingyu was now riding on Li Yingtang’s horse, leaving Ning Rushen riding between the two brothers, feeling a flood of mixed emotions.

Ever since he woke up this morning, he’d been hearing absurd things.

Look, now you’ve upset Li Wuting.

Caught between the two princes, Ning Rushen had no choice but to walk alongside them.

Li Yingtang, trying to make amends, spoke up, “It was rash of me… Lord Ning, you’ve protected Jingyu, you deserve a reward!”

He finished speaking and pulled out a jade piece, “This is a gift from me.”

Li Jingyu also pulled out a pearl, “This is my gift to you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Ning Rushen accepted the gifts.

Both of them then turned their eyes to Li Wuting.

Li Wuting, “…”

Ning Rushen quickly waved his hands, “No need, no need, it was my duty.”

As he said this, his eyes were already wandering toward Li Wuting, as if searching for a reward.

Li Wuting’s veins throbbed, “… Ning Shen!”