Lei An said, "Diaochan is my lord prince's warhorse."

Bai Qingfan made a small sound, with the look of a man who has suddenly seen the light. "My lord prince's warhorse is black too?"

Lei An said, "Exactly!"

Bai Qingfan laughed. "So that's it! I didn't have any paints ready, and the ink is black, so all I could paint was a black horse.

I've never seen my lord prince's warhorse. It's all just a coincidence."

Everyone was taken aback for a moment. He had a point. The ink was black. He couldn't very well have painted a white horse.

Bai Qingfan went on, "Only a tall, magnificent steed like that could set off my lord prince's presence. Who'd have thought that painting whatever came to mind, I'd capture something of the splendor of my lord prince's own warhorse?"

Ning Chen narrowed his eyes but laughed. "No wonder they call you an expert—I mean, an artist... Not just good at painting, you're first-class at bullshit too.

This prince likes this painting very much. This prince will have it mounted and hung in the study. Thank you, Master Bai."

Bai Qingfan bowed and said, neither humble nor overbearing, "My lord prince is too kind! It's my honor to paint for my lord prince."

Ning Chen smiled. "Come, let's keep drinking!"

The wine went three rounds and the dishes went five flavors.

Ning Chen stood. "Everyone has things to do tomorrow, so let's call it a night. Go get some rest!"

With that, he took Xiao Yanxi's hand. "Wife, let's go get some rest too."

Yuan Long and the others gave Ning Chen and Xiao Yanxi knowing looks.

Xiao Yanxi's lovely face flushed crimson.

The smile on Bai Qingfan's face was extremely stiff. He was already trying very hard to keep his expression under control.

Ning Chen led Xiao Yanxi out by the hand, leaving before the others.

Feng Qizheng looked on, full of envy, then burst out angrily, "Those goddamn Xiliang dogs wrecked Xiguan City so bad there isn't even a pleasure house left. In weather this cold, just the thought…