Eunuch Quan had no idea what any of that meant, but it sounded impressive. What did it mean, Old General Chen had beaten Fan Taihe's brains loose?

The Xuan Emperor's expression was strange. "Fan Taihe says in the memorial that his leg was not broken by Old General Chen. He broke it himself in a fall, by accident, and Old General Chen had nothing to do with it."

"And he begs this emperor not to punish Old General Chen over the matter."

Eunuch Quan was struck dumb and staring. There really was something wrong with the man's brains.

The Xuan Emperor looked at Eunuch Quan. "Would you say Fan Taihe has taken the wrong medicine?"

Eunuch Quan bowed his head and said quietly, "Your Majesty, this is a good thing. It appears Lord Fan's broken leg had nothing to do with Old General Chen after all, and it was all a misunderstanding."

The Xuan Emperor gave a cold snort.

"A misunderstanding? He was beaten in front of every official in the court as they came out of it. Were all those pairs of eyes blind?"

"These censors want a name and not their lives, and Fan Taihe above all. He is the head of the censors. How could he pass up a chance like that to make his name?"

"Somebody has plainly got a hold on him and forced him to change his story, and the reason he gives is so stiff that this emperor is embarrassed for him."

"Quan Sheng. Go ask Ning Chen afterward... What did he trade with Fan Taihe to make the man change his story?"

Eunuch Quan gave a start. "Does Your Majesty mean this is Young Master Ning's work?"

"Who else could it be? And if this emperor has not guessed wrong, the censors he beat senseless today will also change their story and say they fell down."

The Xuan Emperor paused and said with narrowed eyes, "It appears Ning Chen has got a very serious hold on Fan Taihe. He would not have changed his story otherwise."

Eunuch Quan said quietly, "Your Majesty,…