Ning Chen saw Eunuch Quan off and rode his beloved Diaochan, clop, clop, clop, to the courtesans' quarter.

He came up to the second floor and found Pan Yucheng and Gao Ziping and a few others drinking.

Ning Chen walked over, looked at Pan Yucheng and said with a smile, "Good, you're here. I had Old Feng go looking for you at the Inspectorate."

Pan Yucheng asked, "You need me for something?"

Ning Chen took out the imperial edict and handed it to him.

At the sight of the edict Pan Yucheng's face changed color, and he immediately made to kneel and receive it.

Ning Chen said, laughing, "It isn't for you."

Pan Yucheng froze where he was and looked at Ning Chen, not understanding.

"It's for Miss Nanzhi."

Pan Yucheng gave a start, and then something seemed to occur to him. He looked at Ning Chen with his whole face full of hope.

Ning Chen smiled and gave a slight nod.

Pan Yucheng took the edict, glanced at it, sprang to his feet and rushed for the third floor with the edict clenched in his hand.

Gao Ziping asked, curious, "Ning Chen, what does the edict say?"

"His Majesty has pardoned Miss Nanzhi from the slave register and restored her freedom."

Gao Ziping and the others went blank for a moment, and then their faces filled with delighted surprise. They were happy for Pan Yucheng.

"You all keep drinking. I'm going up."

Ning Chen called out to them and went on up the stairs.

"Ning, dear!"

Yudie came skipping to meet him, delighted.

Zisu was sitting on the couch in front of the screen with a medical book held in both hands. She turned her beautiful eyes up and rolled them at Ning Chen.

Every time this son of a bitch came, her lips were swollen the next day and her hands ached badly.

Ning Chen went over and sat down right against her. "You don't seem glad to see me."

Zisu shifted away along the couch with distaste, wearing a look that said don't come near me.

Ning…