At the foot of Mount Huangling there was a detached residence.

Soldiers stood guard in front of the gate.

As Ning Chen and the others came up, the soldiers' hands went to their hilts without thinking.

"Who comes there? The imperial tombs are forbidden ground. Dismount at once."

Ning Chen swung down from the saddle and came forward at an easy walk. "I am Ning Chen. Please announce me."

A soldier came forward and looked closely at him.

"It really is my lord prince... This small man greets my lord prince."

"If my lord prince will wait, this small man will go in and give word."

With that the soldier hurried away.

About half an hour later a familiar figure came out quickly.

It was the Eldest Prince, the deposed crown prince.

"Ning Chen? In snow like this, what brings you here?"

Ning Chen laughed. "I've come to hide with you for a few days."

"Hide?" The Eldest Prince blinked, and then laughed. "I understand. You've made Father Emperor angry."

In the whole Great Xuan there was nobody but His Majesty who could make Ning Chen hide.

"Let's talk inside."

The Eldest Prince said, "Come in, come in."

They came to the main hall, where a charcoal brazier was burning and the room was warm through.

Ning Chen looked around him and smiled. "Are you used to it here?"

"After all that time in the prison I can get used to anywhere... I tell you, this place is wonderful. It's quiet, nobody troubles me. Every day I drink tea and read, and when I'm bored I go out hunting. It's far more comfortable than being crown prince was."

"Don't just stand there. Sit down, sit down."

They all took their seats.

The Eldest Prince had tea brought.

"You've married Huai'an by now, haven't you? Can I call you brother-in-law?"

"I am a man under sentence and ill-omened, and I could not have gone back for your wedding... The imperial tombs are forbidden ground, nobody dares come near, and no news reaches us. Tell me quickly, how did your wedding with…