Feng Qizheng pushed the silver notes on the old clan head. "If you really forgive me, you'll keep these silver notes."

The old clan head shook her head. "Besides the Yin-Yang Gu, the Yuliu clan grows tea, supplied only to the imperial household. Her Majesty rewards us handsomely every year. Take your silver back."

Ning Chen watched the old clan head and Feng Qizheng tug the notes back and forth, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Being alive was wonderful!

He breathed in a deep lungful of fresh air, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Kang Xiao had really put him through the wringer this time.

Kang Xiao and Kang Luo. Neither of those two brothers was an easy customer... He'd have to find a chance to pay them back.

He'd been in the Wu Kingdom a good while. It was time to go back to the Great Xuan.

Ning Chen thought it over. Once he got back, he'd deal with Zhang Tianlun first and keep the Great Xuan's territory whole, then deal with Nanyue and Xiliang.

That afternoon, Ning Chen took his leave of the Yuliu clan.

"Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!"

On the way back, Ning Chen rode hard, in bright clothes on a spirited horse.

Spring was well underway, warm and full of flowers. It was the perfect time for an outing.

On the way there, Ning Chen had been asleep the whole time.

All this while, because of the gu, he'd either been asleep or, when he woke, listless and drained.

Now that he was well again, Ning Chen couldn't help letting loose.

Two days later, Ning Chen and his men were back in the Wu capital.

The Ning'an Army stayed at the Hall of Martial Honor as before.

Ning Chen took Feng Qizheng and the others to Prince Qing's residence.

Prince Qing wore an elegant long blue gown with water sleeves, her soft breasts half bare, as coquettish as ever.

She looked Ning Chen up and down. "All better?"

Ning Chen shook his head. "No."

Prince Qing looked startled. "No? Her Majesty told me they'd found…