At the entrance of the Imperial Study, Xiao Rongzi, who was waiting outside, stopped him with a smile, “Minister Ning, the emperor isn’t in the Imperial Study, he’s gone to the Imperial Garden.”

Recently, things had been busy, and Li Wuting seemed to be kidnapped by the Imperial Study every day, rarely strolling elsewhere.

What happened today, was it too much stress building up?

Xiao Rongzi said, “His Majesty found the Imperial Study stifling and went out for some air.”

After thanking Xiao Rongzi, he turned towards the Imperial Garden.

Li Wuting sat by a stone table, with De Quan and a group of palace attendants standing by his side. He hadn’t even changed out of his dragon robe, probably just sat in the Imperial Study for a bit before coming out.

Li Wuting glanced at him, then lowered his gaze and sipped his tea, “Hmm.”

Without saying anything, Ning Rushen prompted, “I heard His Majesty was feeling stifled?”

A snippet from “Ting Hai Fu Chen Lu” suddenly popped into Li Wuting’s mind: “…Ting Jun pressing down on Ning Lang, eyes red, murmured: I feel so stifled.”

Li Wuting took a deep breath, a vein throbbing.

Ning Rushen leaned forward, “Your Majesty?”

His bright red robe stood out strikingly against the pure white pear blossoms, his neck extending slightly as he leaned in.

Li Wuting found the sight even more headache-inducing, “What are you flailing around for, go stand behind me.”

Ning Rushen, “…”

He awkwardly moved to stand behind Li Wuting.

Indeed, he was feeling stifled, his heart unsettled.

He stood behind, throwing a questioning glance at De Quan, who adeptly and nimbly replied with his eyes and eyebrows:

I’m not sure either, it’s been like this since last night, it shouldn’t be Minister Ning’s fault.

Ning Rushen: Could it be Eunuch De’s fault?

De Quan glared: Nonsense! I am the most understanding—

While they were exchanging glances, soul communicating… suddenly they heard Li Wuting’s clear voice, “What are you gawking at.”

De Quan hurriedly kowtowed, “Forgive me, Your Majesty!”

Silence fell for a few moments by the stone table.

Just as sweat began to bead on De Quan’s forehead, a voice from above commanded, “Enough, get up.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” De Quan stood up, tears of gratitude in his eyes.

The emperor’s expression had returned to normal, as calm and composed as usual.

He immediately bowed and stood aside.

**

The emperor was in a bad mood, and even De Quan, who was best at reading the room and flattering, remained silent. The surrounding attendants didn’t dare make a sound either.

Ning Rushen stood behind, not making himself conspicuous.

At that moment, the spring light was perfect, and it was the season for pear blossoms to fall. A gentle breeze blew, scattering petals over the courtyard like snow on the ground.

He tucked his hands into his sleeves and leisurely enjoyed the scenery.

The courtyard was vibrant with spring beauty, the moments quietly delightful.

After a while, De Quan stealthily moved his neck, sneaking a glance towards the emperor.

But he saw Ning Rushen standing behind the emperor. Behind him stood a flourishing jade pear tree, with falling pear blossoms fluttering down.

His profile was clean, his black hair and red robe like a figure in a painting.

De Quan suddenly remembered the time he saw someone holding a blooming pear branch, stunned by their beauty. He hadn’t expected that even withering pear blossoms on one’s shoulders could be so stunning.

It was a vitality so different from the past.

After admiring quietly, De Quan thought to himself:

What a pity… Minister Ning standing behind His Majesty, not letting others see this beautiful scene!

Just then, Li Wuting suddenly stood up.

“Back to the Imperial Study.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” De Quan quickly responded.

As Li Wuting turned to Ning Rushen, “You…” His gaze fell on him, his words suddenly halting.

Ning Rushen looked up, “Hmm?”

As he moved, a pure white petal drifted down, landing on his nose.

A snippet from “Ting Hai Fu Chen Lu” again leapt into Li Wuting’s mind: “…Ting Jun bent down to lick the sugar frost off Ning Lang’s nose: So sweet.”

Li Wuting, “…”

He took another deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose: Toxic.

Ning Rushen saw his furrowed brow, thought for a moment and spoke, “Is Your Majesty worried about this morning’s court session?”

Li Wuting released his hand, looking over, “What do I have to worry about.”

“This morning in court, Prince Xuan was impeached again.”

Ning Rushen paused, then ventured, “Your Majesty, I dare say it seems the Chief Justice of Dali Temple is leading this. The others follow suit… What do you think?”

Li Wuting snorted coldly, “He deserves it.”

Ning Rushen, “…”

What happened, did Prince Xuan offend someone?

Li Wuting’s tone calmed down again, “The obvious maneuvers even Minister Ning can see, yet some think they can fool me.”

Ning Rushen: …Wait, what does “even he can see” mean? Am I the measure of whether one has brains?

“Enough, back to the Imperial Study,” Li Wuting said.

Ning Rushen graciously didn’t hold a grudge, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

As he followed, the pear blossoms in his hair fluttered down, dangling at his collar.

Li Wuting’s fingers twitched, his voice dropping.

“You go back, you’re off duty today.”

“?” Ning Rushen figured, “Then it’s just right, I’ll visit Prince Xuan’s mansion after my shift.”

Li Wuting suddenly paused, a subtle ripple in his calm eyes, “…What for?”

Ning Rushen said, “Just to sit.”

These days, Li Yingtang couldn’t leave the mansion, and he frequently had the Royal Guard send messages, asking him to visit, saying he was drying up.

He thought to himself, you dry up, you drink water.

Am I a nutrient solution?

Li Wuting fell silent for a few moments, then suddenly asked, “When you last saw him, was he normal?”

Ning Rushen recalled, “Energetic, talking nonsense.”

“…”

Li Wuting frowned, exasperated, “Talk less with him in the future. Don’t go to Prince Xuan’s mansion today.”

“Why?”

“Tonight, let the Royal Guard raid his mansion, settle things quickly.”

Ning Rushen: ??

Li Wuting looked into the distance, “To clean up Prince Xuan’s house and all the filth hidden there.”

**

With that said by Li Wuting, Ning Rushen didn’t visit the mansion.

But he was very curious about the spectacle, so he sent Shi Yi to join the excitement on his behalf.

By evening, Shi Yi returned to report:

“…Caught quite a few people, the mansion’s accountant and several servants. Prince Xuan let the Royal Guard raid, didn’t care at all.”

Ning Rushen admired, “Indeed, he’s got a big heart.”

Shi Yi added, “Oh, just when the raid was almost done, Prince Xuan suddenly rushed out, grappling with the Royal Guard over a stack of papers at the mansion’s door, shouting ‘My treasure—’!”

He mimicked it too dramatically.

Ning Rushen closed his eyes and plugged his ears, “…What papers?”

Was it an antique calligraphy from the previous dynasty, or the ledger from a money house?

“I didn’t see. Commander Yin…” Shi Yi slipped, annoyed at himself, correcting, “Their Royal Guard’s leader didn’t respond, impartially took that stack of papers away.”

Ning Rushen: …

Such a clear case of hiding something with “their Royal Guard.”

He waved Shi Yi away, “You rest.”

Shi Yi left, and Ning Rushen lay back in his chair, gently rocking:

It seems the mansion had an inside thief, using Prince Xuan’s jade to deceive.

But what guts and skills could a few servants have?

Thinking of Li Wuting’s calm demeanor, steady as an old dog, he felt someone else was about to be dealt with.

…

The mansion was raided that night, and the case was concluded the next day.

Confessions and evidence were complete, implicating dozens of officials.

The next morning, during the early court, Ning Rushen stood in the line of civil officials, watching a group kneel and weep in front of the dais.

Leading them, the Chief Justice of Dali Temple nearly cracked his skull, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, see clearly! It’s my fault for not investigating thoroughly, I never meant to frame Prince Xuan!”

Above on the dragon throne, Li Wuting watched coldly.

The false accusation case revealed the handiwork of the former Crown Prince’s faction. Although the former Crown Prince was long gone, the conflict between the old faction and the new emperor remained intense, this time reaching out to Prince Xuan’s mansion.

Even the Chief Justice of Dali Temple, who investigated the case, was bought, the evidence irrefutable, leaving no room for his defense.

Ning Rushen watched the Chief Justice weeping bitterly.

And glanced at Prince Xuan, who was proven innocent.

He felt Prince Xuan looked even more sorrowful than the Chief Justice.

“Handle the involved parties fairly,” Li Wuting’s authoritative voice commanded, “Prince Xuan has suffered, grant him Jiangnan as a fief to compensate.”

The land of Jiangnan was rich and beautiful, sufficient to show the emperor’s attitude towards his brother.

The ministers understood.

Ning Rushen also understood: Jiangnan, warm and hospitable, ready to depart immediately.

Ahead, Prince Xuan sobbed, “I… no no no…”

Li Wuting, “Prince Xuan, won’t you accept the decree and thank me?”

Prince Xuan, “Wuu wuu wuu…”

Ning Rushen, “……”

**

Right after the morning court, Li Yingtang hurriedly chased after Li Wuting’s retreating figure.

Ning Rushen saw the situation and followed out of curiosity.

The emperor approached the steps outside the Imperial Study.

Li Yingtang finally caught up to Li Wuting, “Your Majesty!!”

Li Wuting turned around, expressionless, “What is it?”

“We agreed to wait until after the imperial examinations to leave the capital!” Li Yingtang was frantic, “And, and my stack of stuff!”

Li Wuting sneered, “I haven’t punished you yet, and you dare to ask for things?”

Li Yingtang, relying on his anonymous fame, feigned ignorance, “What crime have I committed? Who did I write about?”

Li Wuting, “…”

As they confronted each other, Ning Rushen arrived just in time, with a restrained gossipy expression, “Your Majesty, Prince. What’s going on, who wrote what??”

Li Wuting felt even more dazed, “What are you doing here?”

Li Yingtang’s eyes lit up, grabbing him, “You came just in time, quickly, help me plead with His Majesty!”

Ning Rushen was nearly dragged down the steps.

He was completely lost: Plead for what???

“Ridiculous!” Li Wuting had read the storybooks, well aware of what Prince Xuan was thinking. He glanced at the other’s grabbing hand, frowning, “…Let go.”

Ning Rushen also patted that hand, “Prince, my words carry little weight…”

Li Yingtang didn’t care, crying out, “I can’t leave, I still have my own affairs in the capital! From childhood, I’ve had no achievements, and now I finally…”

Ning Rushen was dazed by his crying.

What did Prince Xuan’s career have to do with him? He was just here for the drama.

In his recollection of their first meeting, he couldn’t understand what had turned Prince Xuan from a person of refined demeanor to this tantrum-throwing state now.

Beside them, De Quan urgently said, “Prince, ah… Prince!”

While being shaken, Ning Rushen’s arm was suddenly pulled.

Li Wuting reached out and pulled him away, and he stumbled up the steps to Li Wuting’s side:

“Pleading with him is useless, go back and pack.”

Li Yingtang pulled him back, “Minister Ning!”

Ning Rushen, “……”

You two brothers better have something to do.

After a bit of tugging.

Li Yingtang suddenly steeled his heart, “If Your Majesty drives me away, I’ll show what I wrote to Minister Ning!”

Li Wuting’s temples throbbed, “You dare.”

Li Yingtang called to Ning Rushen, “Come, follow me back to my mansion and see.”

“Come back here!” Li Wuting commanded sharply.

“Your Majesty can see it, but Minister Ning can’t?”

As the two argued fiercely, veering off-topic, somehow winding around to him, Ning Rushen felt uneasy in the middle…

It shouldn’t be like this; he was just here for the gossip…

After a few words of struggle, Li Wuting finally lost his patience, “Do you really think I won’t punish you!”

The surrounding attendants instantly fell silent.

Amid the tense atmosphere, Ning Rushen coughed lightly. He looked at them, awkward yet aptly voiced the classic line:

“You two… don’t fight over me.”