Besides Kang Luo there was another old acquaintance. The Nanyue State Preceptor.

Ning Chen despised the Nanyue State Preceptor from the bottom of his heart. The man was strong on the outside and dry within, all show and nothing behind it... On the surface he was all bared teeth and claws. Underneath he was good for nothing. (TL Note: 外強中乾, "strong outside, dry within" — from the Zuo Commentary, where it describes a horse that looks fit for a chariot and will fail the moment it is put to work.)

If he had once dared to throw so much as a stone at Ning Chen, Ning Chen would have thought the better of him.

Nor did he understand why a man of Kang Luo's quality always had to bring this embroidered pillow along on an embassy. Unless the man is his real father.

Ning Chen turned a brilliant smile on Kang Luo and waved at him warmly. "Little Kangzi. Long time no see. I've missed you terribly."

The Nanyue State Preceptor stared at Ning Chen with a face like a man whose parents had died.

He would never forget Ning Chen forcing him to his knees in the Great Xuan's court. Then being cheated out of a million taels of silver with a forged map of the border defenses. Then being driven out of the Great Xuan's capital in the middle of the night.

Kang Luo was the one rival Ning Chen grudgingly acknowledged, and he showed it. Once the shock passed, a smile came onto his face. "It has indeed been a long time. My lord prince looks better than ever."

Ning Chen smiled. "You're not doing badly yourself. Still as handsome as ever, dressed like there's been a death in the family."

If you want to look good, dress like a mourner.

Kang Luo was always in white from head to foot.

Tantai Qingyue looked at him out of the corner of her eye. It is a miracle Ning Chen is alive. How did that mouth of his get him where he is?

Kang Luo's mouth twitched. He…