Ning Chen watched the Right Chancellor's back with narrowed eyes and gave a small, contemptuous laugh.

"Hurry off and talk it over with your master."

Ning Chen said it under his breath.

Beating the grass to startle the snake was exactly what he wanted.

The man behind the Right Chancellor was buried too deep. Without beating the grass and startling the snake, it would be hard to make him jump out.

When court broke up, the Xuan Emperor did not go to the imperial study. He went to a room.

The old man in the room saw the Xuan Emperor and rose in a hurry to make his bow.

"Enough of that. Your legs are bad. There is no need for it."

As he spoke, the Xuan Emperor walked over and sat down. "This emperor restored Ning Chen's office a little while ago."

The old man brightened. "Then can this old subject go home?"

"Not yet." The Xuan Emperor shook his head. "When Ning Chen comes back from the Wu Kingdom, this emperor has one more thing that needs doing."

The old man's face fell.

"Your Majesty. It is two months to the Wu Kingdom and back. Is this old subject to hide in here for two months?"

The Xuan Emperor said, smiling, "The man who really tried to kill you has not been found. Go outside and you are still in danger. Sit quietly here."

The old man's face went sour.

Out of the palace, Ning Chen rode to the Inspectorate.

"Young Master Ning!"

The red coats at the Inspectorate gate saw Ning Chen and their faces filled with delight. It had been a while since anyone had seen Ning Chen.

Ning Chen swung down from the saddle. "Call me marquis. I've been restored to my former office."

The men brightened.

"We greet Marquis Ning!"

Ning Chen laughed and tossed them some odd bits of silver. "When you're let off, take the brothers out for a drink on me."

"Thank you, my lord!"

Ning Chen walked into the Inspectorate, smiling, and made his way to the first department.

"Ning…