Ning Chen inclined his head slightly. Yudie is right. Acting the fool really is easier than acting clever.

But for a man to act the fool for more than ten years is no easy thing. It takes enormous will.

He decided to keep a close watch on the Fifth Prince.

Ning Chen ate a little, drank a bowl of the Nine Yang Decoction for Nourishing the Source, and then bathed and went to bed with Yudie waiting on him.

In the small hours Ning Chen thought of what Yudie's body could take, and went no further. He had his arms around her and was about to sleep when Uncle Chai's voice came from outside.

"Fourth Young Master. Are you asleep?"

Ning Chen answered, rose and threw a robe over himself and came out... because Uncle Chai would not disturb him at this hour unless it was important.

Uncle Chai saw Ning Chen come out and said quickly, "Fourth Young Master, come and look at this."

Puzzled, Ning Chen followed Uncle Chai to one of the guest rooms.

There was a faint smell of medicine in the room.

On the bed inside lay a woman, very beautiful, and white in the face.

Gu Yichun was standing watch beside her.

Ning Chen was at a loss. "Who is she?"

Gu Yichun said quickly, "Somebody left her at our gate."

"Who left her?"

Gu Yichun shook his head. "Somebody knocked with the ring. When we went out there was nobody to be seen, only this girl, hurt, lying at the gate."

Astonishment came over Ning Chen's face. He was the court's rising man now, and there was no shortage of people sending him presents, but this was the first time anyone had sent him a wounded woman.

Ning Chen asked, "Has her wound been dressed?"

Gu Yichun nodded. "Her wound has been dressed."

Ning Chen thought for a moment. "Get a physician for her... Set men to watch her. Tell me when she wakes."

Gu Yichun bowed. "Yes."

Early the next morning Gu Yichun came to report that the woman had woken.

"Come…