Ning Rushen kept silently repeating his lines as he walked through the doors.

Following De Quan down the corridor, he turned a corner and looked up to see Li Wuting seated behind the imperial desk. The soft glow of carved silk lanterns illuminated his sharp, jade-like features, giving him an air of cold detachment.

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped nervously. “Your Majesty, this humble servant greets you.”

His words fell into silence—Li Wuting didn’t respond.

He stared at Ning Rushen, his expression unreadable.

Recalling De Quan’s instructions, Ning Rushen took a deep breath and, just as Li Wuting’s thin lips parted to speak, he rushed ahead:

“Your Majesty, where’s my robe?”

“…”

Li Wuting abruptly froze.

It seemed the question caught him off guard, and whatever he was about to say got swallowed back down. After a moment, he closed his lips again, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

Ning Rushen blinked: Huh? Did I say something wrong?

He glanced out of the corner of his eye toward De Quan, who was now pointedly avoiding his gaze.

What’s going on? Ning Rushen thought.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Li Wuting spoke, his voice low and slightly hoarse from disuse. “Your robe?”

Ning Rushen nodded. “Mm.”

Li Wuting tapped his desk with his fingers. “You’ve been absent for seven days, and now you show up just to ask for your robe?”

“…”

No, Ning Rushen thought, I came because you summoned me.

Unsure of Li Wuting’s mood, he cautiously offered, “Or… Your Majesty could keep it for now?”

What do you mean, I should keep it?

Li Wuting’s temple throbbed. “No need. It’s in the side hall. Go fetch it yourself.”

“Oh… Yes, Your Majesty.”

The side hall was just behind the Imperial Study.

It was empty, with no palace attendants guarding the area.

Familiar with the layout, Ning Rushen quickly found his way there. As he scanned the hall’s arrangement, he thought to himself: Li Wuting didn’t say where the robe was kept.

So, he began rummaging around.

After turning over drawers and cabinets to no avail, a thought struck him. He suddenly recalled that time in the carriage.

He turned toward the low couch, hesitated briefly, and walked over.

The couch faced away from the hall entrance. Ning Rushen propped a hand on it and bent down to search. Lifting a jade pillow, a flash of crimson fabric appeared under the warm light—

And then, a hand reached over from behind him, picking up the robe before he could.

The thick carpet muffled any footsteps, so Ning Rushen hadn’t noticed anyone approaching. Startled, he spun around, his knees hitting the edge of the couch as he sat back abruptly.

A dark sleeve brushed against the back of his hand.

Propping himself up on the couch, he looked up.

Li Wuting stood in front of him, holding the crimson robe in one hand and looking down at him. “Did it really take you this long to find it?”

Looking up, Ning Rushen’s dark hair and sleeves fanned out behind him. They were so close that their knees almost touched.

He reached for the robe. “The placement was… quite creative.”

Li Wuting: “…”

When Ning Rushen tugged at the robe, it didn’t budge. He frowned slightly. “?”

The cool fabric of the robe rested in Li Wuting’s hand, as if quelling the heat in his palm.

Li Wuting’s gaze lingered on him. “Are you planning to take the robe and run? I summoned you, and you haven’t even asked why.”

Immediately, Ning Rushen put on a look of keen interest, stroking the metaphorical tiger’s fur. “Oh? I’m all ears, Your Majesty.”

Li Wuting: “…”

He chuckled softly. “Heh. Once Ning Qing (My Lord Ning) returned ‘home,’ it was as if a bird had found its nest. Time flew by unnoticed. Even the street vendors know of your recent successes—everyone except me.”

Ah, crap.

Ning Rushen had completely forgotten about reporting his progress.

He tightened his grip on the robe, his fingers curling uneasily.

“Well?” Li Wuting’s calm voice cut through the silence.

Maintaining his hold on the robe, Li Wuting didn’t let go.

Forced to face Li Wuting’s steady, penetrating gaze, Ning Rushen reluctantly began his report.

Each of them held one end of the robe.

The dimly lit side hall reflected a warm glow off the smooth fabric, creating an oddly intimate atmosphere. The sensation made Ning Rushen feel inexplicably awkward.

Especially as he spoke, and Li Wuting occasionally responded with a soft “Mm,” his gaze lowering.

It gave Ning Rushen the distinct impression of being a schoolboy forced to admit his mistakes—both humiliating and exasperating.

As he hesitated mid-report, it finally hit him:

Did I fall into the pit that De Quan dug for me?

After a detailed report that lasted over a quarter-hour, the room fell silent for a few moments before Li Wuting spoke, his tone softening. “I knew Ning Qing would do well.”

With that, he released the robe, letting it fall onto Ning Rushen’s lap.

The soft fabric draped over him as he caught it, and the candlelight reflected a faint blush on his fair cheeks.

“Is Your Majesty satisfied?” Ning Rushen asked tentatively.

Li Wuting’s gaze dropped. “Mm.”

Ning Rushen, hopeful, asked, “Then… I won’t be punished?”

Li Wuting chuckled softly. “I’m not that petty.”

If he wanted to be strict about etiquette, how many officials would dare sit on a couch and report to the emperor?

Relieved, Ning Rushen thanked him. “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”

He lowered his head to neatly fold the robe. “Next time, if I leave something behind, Your Majesty can simply summon me or have it sent back.”

“No need for the hassle,” Li Wuting replied coolly. “Besides, Ning Qing seems to go through robes quite quickly.”

Ning Rushen thought of the pile of robes he had taken from Li Wuting and felt a pang of guilt. “Your Majesty is considerate as always.”

“Hah.”

Old accounts and new grievances settled, Ning Rushen followed Li Wuting out of the side hall.

As soon as they stepped out, De Quan hastily ducked his head back, pretending to stand innocently by the door.

Ning Rushen: “…”

He’s practically got his neck twisted from craning to eavesdrop!

Li Wuting gave De Quan a passing glance before addressing Ning Rushen. “Go on now. And don’t let your new post make you forget your old duties.”

“I’ll juggle both!” Ning Rushen promised.

Li Wuting, now accustomed to his odd phrasing, didn’t comment further.

Just as Ning Rushen was leaving, Li Wuting added, “Oh, and stop trying to make two male pigeons lay eggs.”

“…”

Dazed, Ning Rushen returned to his mansion.

The first thing he saw upon entering the courtyard was the pigeon cage.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he hadn’t even put his robe back in his room before calling everyone over.

Sweeping his gaze across their familiar faces, he finally asked, “Did you all know those pigeons are both male?”

Yan Min, Xing Lan, Yuan Liu, and Shi Yi: “Yes.”

Ning Rushen: “…”

He took a deep breath before snapping, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?!”

Yan Min looked puzzled. “What’s wrong with male pigeons?”

Oh, right. Yan Min didn’t know he’d been trying to mate them.

Suppressing the dizziness washing over him, Ning Rushen pointed a trembling finger at Shi Yi. “What about you?”

If even Li Wuting knew, it must have been Shi Yi who spilled the beans.

Shi Yi remained calm. “I thought you were trying to prove something.”

Ning Rushen gaped at him: Prove what?!

That willpower can defy biological facts?!

Shi Yi added, “So… can we eat them now?”

“…Forget it.”

Reflecting on his recent futile efforts to turn straight into gay, Ning Rushen felt deeply remorseful. He opened the cage, grabbed the two fat pigeons, and said, “Let them go. Find me a female instead.”

With that, he tossed the pigeons skyward.

Whoosh!

The two plump pigeons flapped heavily for a moment, then flew right back. They landed, turned to glare at him accusingly, then stubbornly stuck their tails up and hopped back into the cage.

One even cleverly nudged the door shut with its beak. Clang!

Ning Rushen: “…”

Ning Rushen: “???”

Yan Min observed, “Well, you’ve been pampering them every day, feeding them like royalty. It’s only natural they’ve grown attached.”

Ning Rushen peeked at the cage over his robe. “Oh.”

With his sustainable development plan officially scrapped, Ning Rushen resigned himself to raising two pigeons that were neither edible nor reproductive.

The robe he retrieved from the palace smelled faintly of the same incense as Li Wuting. He wore it the next day, finding its soft fragrance oddly comforting.

As a faint warmth rose up his back, Ning Rushen tugged at the collar to let some air in. It must’ve absorbed the scent while being stored after being washed.

Yan Min walked in just then. “My lord, what are you flapping about?”

Ning Rushen let go of the collar. “Airflow.”

“…?”

At court, after the morning session, Guan Fan invited Ning Rushen to join him at the Ministry of Rites again.

Having learned his lesson, Ning Rushen waved him off. “You go ahead. I need to check in at the Imperial Study first.”

As he approached, he heard voices inside.

Peering in, he saw Li Jingyu speaking with Li Wuting. Both turned to look at him as he entered.

Ning Rushen greeted them. “Your Majesty. Little Highness.”

Li Jingyu’s eyes lit up. “Ning Daren!”

Li Wuting gave a faint, amused snort as he watched him.

Ning Rushen asked, “Does the Little Highness have something important to discuss with His Majesty?”

“I’m reporting on my studies,” Li Jingyu replied.

Ning Rushen nodded. That had nothing to do with him. “Then this humble servant shall take his leave.”

“Leaving so quickly?” Li Wuting suddenly stood. “There’s no need for lessons today. Jingyu, you’ll accompany me to see how Ning Daren performs his duties.”

“…”

It wasn’t far to the Ministry of Rites.

Ning Rushen led them to his office. Li Wuting had changed into casual attire, accompanied only by De Quan and two guards.

The emperor’s unexpected visit startled everyone. Even Shi Yi and Lu Wu, who were shamelessly freeloading as usual, instinctively dropped to their knees.

Li Wuting waved dismissively. “No need for formalities.”

He took a seat beside the desk with Li Jingyu and gestured at Ning Rushen. “Just proceed as usual. Don’t mind me.”

Proceed as usual?

Your usual seat is my footstool! Ning Rushen thought as he adjusted his robe and sat down. “As Your Majesty commands.”

Visitors streamed in all day, each one intimidated by Li Wuting’s imposing presence, even if they didn’t recognize him.

Buoyed by this, Ning Rushen became even more skilled at fleecing them. He started out restrained but soon became so engrossed that his eyes sparkled and his cheeks flushed. He entered a flow state of sorts, completely unaware of Li Wuting’s quiet scrutiny.

The emperor watched as Ning Rushen, with his delicate yet animated features, deftly maneuvered through the tangled politics of the capital’s noble families. His seemingly slight figure radiated a commanding presence that turned negotiations into easy victories—leaving his opponents grateful rather than resentful.

Li Wuting’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles.

After the first wave of visitors had been dealt with, the posted bids had already climbed severalfold.

Ning Rushen finally had a moment to gulp down some tea: glug glug glug.

Li Wuting surveyed the room, then waved dismissively. “Everyone, leave.”

“Yes!” The room emptied in a rush, leaving only Li Wuting, Li Jingyu, Ning Rushen, and De Quan.

With the room cleared, Li Wuting asked, “Jingyu, what did you learn from this visit?”

Ning Rushen almost choked. What’s he asking Jingyu to learn from me?

…Political skullduggery?

Li Jingyu looked thoughtfully at Ning Rushen.

Reluctantly, Ning Rushen offered his advice: “Use the most innocent face to say the most devious words.”

Li Wuting: “…”

Ning Rushen: “Did you get it, Little Highness?”

After a moment’s thought, Li Jingyu nodded. “Got it.”

As noon approached, Li Wuting stood. “Let’s eat here at the Ministry.”

At those words, Ning Rushen and Li Jingyu both shot up from their chairs—

And immediately collided.

Li Jingyu bumped his knees on Ning Rushen’s and stumbled forward into his arms. “Ow!”

Ning Rushen caught the boy, who promptly buried his face in Ning Rushen’s chest.

“?” Ning Rushen looked down. “Little Highness?”

What was he sniffing?

The boy wriggled, then looked up and earnestly declared, “Ning Daren, you smell like my royal brother.”

Ning Rushen: “…”

Li Wuting: “…”

Author’s Note:

Ning Rushen: Did you learn it?

Li Jingyu: I learned all the wrong things!

Li Wuting: …