Seeing Li Wuting standing still, Ning Rushen took a step toward him with a bounce.

The step was a bit too far, almost bumping into Li Wuting. Ning Rushen was startled and stumbled sideways to avoid him!

Li Wuting suddenly reached out, grabbed his belt, and steadied him, “Falling back into old habits?”

“…” Memories of faking a fall in the Golden Luang Hall flashed back.

Ning Rushen steadied himself and said, “I just twisted my ankle badly.”

Li Wuting took a deep breath, unable to bear it any longer, and pressed his forehead, “It’s been a quarter of an hour.”

An unspeakable understanding spread between their gazes.

Following this ladder, Ning Rushen let down his leg, and bounced on the spot in surprise, “Ah, indeed.”

The examination halls covered a vast area, spanning three streets and an alley, with high walls and dense, neatly arranged booths.

This inspection by Li Wuting was spontaneous and casual, dressed still in his archery attire without any announcement, accompanied only by a few discreetly chosen guards.

Following Li Wuting into the entrance of the examination halls, a tense and solemn atmosphere hit them.

He took a slight breath and heard Li Wuting ask, “Does Ning qing have any recollections of this place?”

Ning Rushen shook his head, “I wouldn’t dare to revisit even in my dreams.”

Li Wuting, “…”

Managed by Fan, who was guiding them, chuckled, “Lord Ning jokes, but you were the top scholar from here.” As they moved further inside, he said, “Your Majesty, this way.”

With the emperor’s presence, officials gathered to greet him.

With more officials joining, Ning Rushen naturally stayed back.

Li Wuting began inspecting the examination area without further teasing him, his imperial demeanor more pronounced. He engaged in discussions with the accompanying officials.

Listening from behind, Ning Rushen heard questions that cut to the core of issues.

The tour of the examination halls took a long time.

Ning Rushen reflected afterward. The conditions in the ancient examination halls were truly harsh; so many candidates crammed into one yard. The partitions were mere shelters, cold in winter and hot in summer, locked in for days on end with all necessities enclosed.

Decades of preparation for this final moment of success.

But it was also a limitation of the times; there was no helping it.

As he was pondering with his sleeves tucked, he suddenly heard Li Wuting’s voice ahead, “Ensure they have the best possible accommodations, and take the funds from the Ministry of Revenue.”

Managed by Fan bowed in compliance, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ning Rushen looked up.

Between two rows of officials, he saw Li Wuting’s figure, stern against the backdrop of a slightly desolate yard. His eyes, however, did not carry the aloofness of a superior, but held the populace in them.

Caught off guard, Li Wuting had already turned to leave.

The latter took a few steps to meet his gaze, stopping in front of him, “Does Ning qing have any questions?”

“No…” Ning Rushen’s thoughts returned, “Is there enough money?”

He remembered the state treasury being nearly empty half a month ago.

Li Wuting’s lips curled slightly, apparently in a good mood, “We’ve seized a few estates; for now, it’s sufficient.”

…Almost forgot about that.

Ning Rushen sighed lightly, “Take from the people, use for the people.”

Li Wuting, “…”

Managed by Minister laughed awkwardly, “That’s not quite how that saying goes, Lord Ning.”

·

After inspecting the examination halls, the imperial procession started back to the palace.

Ning Rushen had arrived in a modestly styled green bamboo carriage brought by Li Wuting.

Now standing at the entrance of the examination halls, he pondered how to return home.

His day had been shuffled around by Li Wuting like guessing a covered bowl game. He wondered if Yan Min would come to the examination halls to pick him up.

Just as he was thinking, the curtain of the green bamboo carriage was lifted.

De Quan peeked out from the curtain, gesturing impatiently, “Lord Ning, why aren’t you getting on? You’re making His Majesty wait!”

Ning Rushen: ????

Amid the gaze of the officials that read “as expected, the favorite,” he climbed into the carriage, the curtain lifting to reveal Li Wuting’s stern face.

Li Wuting, “What are you dawdling for?”

Ning Rushen, “………”

Don’t act like we agreed to leave together.

He remained silent for a few seconds before smoothly getting in and saying, “Thank you, Your Majesty,” and comfortably snuggled next to Li Wuting in the carriage.

The carriage passed through the streets of the capital.

Inside, everything was arranged neatly and comfortably, with silky cushions beneath them and a gentle fragrance wafting. There were tea and snacks on the low table.

Li Wuting sat squarely in the middle, sipping tea occasionally.

Ning Rushen sat next to him, his eyes frequently landing on the snacks.

If they aren’t eaten, they’ll go bad, right?

He subtly swallowed.

At first, Li Wuting ignored it, but as Ning Rushen’s swallowing became more obvious, he finally couldn’t help but say, “If you want to eat, just take some.”

Ning Rushen’s eyes lit up, reaching out, “Is that alright? It seems a bit improper…”

Li Wuting huffed, just about to speak.

Suddenly, the carriage jolted sharply, screeching to a halt!

Ning Rushen’s hand halfway there, his body suddenly leaning forward—“Hm…” his hand bracing against what turned out to be smooth, warm fabric beneath—a solid muscle against his palm.

He looked down to see his hand resting on Li Wuting’s thigh.

A few strands of hair had fallen and twined around Li Wuting’s fingers.

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

But when he looked up, Li Wuting’s expression was calm, as if nothing had happened. Even the fingers brushed by hair hadn’t moved, only giving him a glance.

Ning Rushen bit his lip, “Your Majesty, I…”

Before he could finish, the carriage shook again.

He braced one hand against the table, and his other hand landed on Li Wuting’s thigh again. Trying to avoid contact, he ended up even closer than before.

His palm slid along the bulging curve towards the inside—

This time, the muscle beneath his hand tensed suddenly.

Then his wrist was grabbed.

Li Wuting’s grip was firm, lifting him away as he looked outside the carriage, “What’s the disturbance outside?”

A guard’s voice came trembling, “Reporting to the master, we’re passing through a busy district. Some kids are playing in the street, and we were worried about hitting someone.”

“Master, should we clear them away…”

“No need,” Li Wuting interrupted, “Has Our Dynasty reached a point where we can’t even tolerate children playing in the streets?”

He instructed, “Just go slowly.”

“Yes, as you command.”

The carriage resumed its gentle pace.

Ning Rushen’s palm still retained some warmth.

But more than that, he was dwelling on the conversation just now and Li Wuting’s expression when he spoke.

He looked at Li Wuting, his eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Li Wuting glanced over, “What is it?”

Ning Rushen came back to his senses, “Your Majesty cares for his people like his own children.”

Li Wuting seemed to think of something, his expression cooling slightly.

His eyes drooped, reflecting Ning Rushen in their dark depths, “We are not lenient with everyone. Does Ning qing understand?”

Ning Rushen nodded, “I understand, like with certain unfilial sons.”

Li Wuting, “………”

·

Finally, the carriage passed through the busy streets.

Outside the carriage, it gradually quieted down, likely entering a rarely traversed alley, only the sound of the wheels rolling over cobblestones audible.

Throughout the ride, the carriage curtains were drawn.

Ning Rushen, feeling stifled, leaned close to the window and lifted a slit to peek outside.

The surroundings were indeed secluded, with no one passing through the long alley.

Feeling a bit bolder, he stuck his entire head out to breathe some fresh air.

Inside the carriage, Li Wuting watched as only his neck and below remained visible.

De Quan, who was attending, busied himself, “Lord Ning, hanging your head out of the carriage, what does that look like?”

Ning Rushen comfortably draped his head, “It’s fine, no one will pass by.”

Li Wuting’s gaze deepened, “Have you considered the misfortune of someone passing by and seeing this scene?”

What do you mean by misfortune passing by?

Ning Rushen imagined it for a moment, then sighed, “Not a wasted trip.”

Li Wuting, “……”

Li Wuting, “Get back in here.”

When the emperor spoke, Ning Rushen reluctantly complied.

Just as he was about to pull his head back, the carriage turned out of the alley. Coming out of the alley right opposite another street corner, he saw several scholars dressed in fine clothes standing in front of an unassuming inn.

The group seemed somewhat hesitant and nervous, exchanging glances, one even clutching at his waist.

Then, tugging and pulling, they quickly entered the inn.

Ning Rushen watched their figures disappear into the building and sat back in the carriage, slowly mulling over the scene.

With the imperial examinations approaching, and wearing the hat of an “examiner,”

he couldn’t help being more alert than usual.

“Lord Ning seems content enough at the window to forget his worries,” Li Wuting remarked.

“My lord, not at all,” Ning Rushen casually replied.

Perhaps feeling that his response was too mundane, Li Wuting gave him another look.

Ning Rushen was pondering things at the moment, with no mind to banter with Li Wuting.

Those young men looked suspicious, could they be examinees?

But perhaps he was overthinking.

If he alarmed the imperial presence over mere speculations, it would be making a big fuss over nothing. Besides, if he disturbed the innocent examinees, wouldn’t that ruin their prospects?

His thoughts shifted rapidly.

Soon, Ning Rushen made up his mind, “Your Majesty, allow me to alight here.”

Li Wuting, “What, do you prefer the air outside?”

“……”

Since when did he start with the sarcasm?

Ning Rushen said, “I remembered I need to buy some things nearby.”

Li Wuting tapped his fingertips on the tabletop, then instructed outside, “Stop the carriage.”

The carriage came to a smooth stop.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ning Rushen said as he prepared to get off, feeling a bit too conspicuous in his crimson official robe, “Could Your Majesty lend me a cloak… it’s a bit cold.”

Li Wuting looked at him for a moment, “De Quan.”

“Yes.” De Quan quickly fetched a cloak and handed it over.

Ning Rushen draped it over himself, the dark cloak with silver threads, wide and thick, almost covering his ankles, likely Li Wuting’s own.

He thanked him and hurriedly jumped off the carriage.

…

Ning Rushen alighted from the carriage.

The guard asked, “Master, shall we leave?”

Li Wuting murmured an affirmation.

The carriage slowly started, he paused, then lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

He saw that draped figure swiftly entering an inn.

His gaze lifted to the inn’s name, Moon Fairy Dwelling

Li Wuting stilled, “Hold on.”

·

Ning Rushen stepped into the inn.

The inn was small, and due to its secluded location, the lighting wasn’t great. Half of the lobby was in shadow, the attendant barely lifting his eyelids, “Are you stopping for a meal or staying overnight?”

Ning Rushen looked upstairs, “I’m looking for someone.”

The attendant didn’t bother further, as if it were usual.

Subtle movements could still be traced up the stairs. Ning Rushen carefully followed up, all the way to the top floor, the fifth floor.

The corridor on the fifth floor was eerily quiet, with several rooms in a row.

It was unclear which room those young men had entered.

He followed the sound of footsteps, eventually reaching a room at the end of the corridor where faint voices could be heard inside, “Is the banknote ready?”

“It’s ready… Are the questions real?”

“Hmph, if you don’t trust us, you needn’t have come.”

A young voice became anxious, “Sir, please don’t take offense, a thousand taels isn’t a small sum. Moreover, the imperial examination questions are always securely kept; just wanted to make sure to set our minds at ease.”

Ning Rushen’s breath tightened.

It really was a clandestine trade of examination questions!

Soon, there was a rustle inside, like someone rising from behind a screen, followed by the sound of a jade token being tossed.

“See for yourself.”

“It’s actually…!”

What was it actually? Ning Rushen leaned closer to the door crack.

Probably due to the secrecy of both parties’ identities, there was no one guarding outside. He leaned in closer, wanting to see if he could catch a glimpse through the gap.

But unexpectedly, the door, aged and slightly loose, made a noise as he touched it.

“Who’s there!?” Inside, a voice called out alertly.

Ning Rushen’s heart leapt, and he turned to leave. Suddenly, a large hand from behind reached out, covering his mouth—

“…!”

Before he could react, he was pulled into a room diagonally across the hallway.

The door closed the next second, and the sound of the door being broken in echoed outside.

Inside the room, someone was holding Ning Rushen from behind, his mouth covered, his heart pounding, the broad palm nearly enveloping half his face, a large, warm body pressing against his back.

He was about to struggle when he suddenly smelled a familiar faint fragrance…

Li Wuting leaned close to his ear, “Don’t make a sound.”

The shock-induced heartbeat gradually steadied.

Following was a deep, husky voice directly entering his ear.

Ning Rushen was held tight in Li Wuting’s arms, enveloped by the light scent and warm breath.

He couldn’t speak, and involuntarily, his waist trembled, and his ears heated up.