Ning Chen rode into the palace and went straight to the Hall of Cultivated Heart.

The moment Nie Liang saw him, he came over. "Greetings, Prince Regent!"

Ning Chen swung down from his horse with a smile. "No need for ceremony... How've you been, Commander Nie? Been borrowing Nie Feng's name to fool around in the courtesans' quarter?"

Nie Liang's weathered face went red. "Thank you for asking after me, my lord prince. All's well!"

Ning Chen smiled, took a letter from inside his robe and held it out. "Nie Feng is doing fine in Xuanwu City. This is a letter home he wrote you."

"Thank you, my lord prince!"

Ning Chen handed him the reins. "I'll go in and see Her Majesty first. On your next rest day, come by my place and I'll buy you a drink."

Nie Liang lowered his voice. "Her Majesty already knows you're back, my lord prince. She's waiting for you inside... She's been in a bad mood lately. It's great that you're back. It ought to cheer her up."

"Her Majesty's in a bad mood because of the missing prisoner?"

Nie Liang nodded.

Ning Chen grunted to show he understood, then turned and walked into the Hall of Cultivated Heart.

Inside, the An Emperor sat behind the dragon desk, her eyes bright and her little face glowing. Ning Chen bowed. "Your subject greets Your Majesty. Ten thousand blessings and golden peace to Your Majesty!"

Even the An Emperor's voice had turned soft and sweet. "You may rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The An Emperor said, "The Prince Regent must be tired from the journey... Heye, a seat for him, and tea!"

Heye bowed. "Yes. This servant obeys!"

A young eunuch carried over a chair.

Heye served the tea.

Ning Chen didn't sit right away. Instead he looked at Geng Jing, who was kneeling off to one side, and teased, "Why is Lord Geng on his knees? What did he do wrong?"

Geng Jing looked deeply embarrassed.

The An Emperor's voice was grave. "Geng the Purple Coat, you may get up."

"Thank you, Your…