Several days later, Ning Chen and the others reached the capital at last.

The officials of the court, civil and military, were not waiting outside the gate to meet him.

The Xuan Emperor had meant it that way to begin with, but on reflection, with Ning Chen a plain man with no rank now, having the whole court go out of the city to meet him would indeed have been unsuitable.

Ning Chen had Feng Qizheng escort Zisu and Yudie back to the Ning residence.

He and Geng Jing went straight to Old General Chen's house.

Old General Chen's funeral was already over. All Ning Chen saw was the spirit tablet.

Ning Chen knelt in front of Old General Chen's spirit tablet, looking at the cold carved characters on the spirit tablet, his eyes red and the tears running down.

It was the first time he had wept since he came into this world.

Thinking that the old man who had doted on him was now parted from him for good, Ning Chen felt as though a knife were turning in his heart.

In front of Old General Chen's spirit tablet he swore that he would find the true murderer and avenge Old General Chen with his own hands.

When he had made his offerings to Old General Chen, Ning Chen went with Geng Jing into the palace to be received.

The two of them came to the imperial study, were announced, and went in before the throne.

"Your subjects greet Your Majesty."

Ning Chen and Geng Jing said it together and knelt.

"Get up."

The two of them rose.

The Xuan Emperor looked Ning Chen over. "You have been crying."

Ning Chen nodded. "I have just been to make offerings to Old General Chen."

The Xuan Emperor sighed and waved Geng Jing out.

When Geng Jing had withdrawn, the Xuan Emperor looked Ning Chen over with a hint of displeasure in his face.

Some months without seeing him, and there had been times when the thought of Ning Chen put him off his food.

But the boy seemed to…