Ning Chen had been tempted to take a few jabs at Yan Zhuoying, but he swallowed them.

He swung down from his horse. "General Yan, get up, get up!" As he spoke, he raised Yan Zhuoying to his feet with his own hands.

Yan Zhuoying was stunned. He could hardly believe it, and he was moved.

He had never expected Ning Chen to help him up personally. It was more dignity than any defeated general could hope for.

"My lord prince, this guilty officer..."

Before Yan Zhuoying could finish, Ning Chen clapped him on the shoulder and smiled. "Enough of that. No more blaming yourself... The Dragon Guard exists to protect the emperor. When Zhang Tianlun held power, following him was only natural. It isn't your fault.

If anything, this prince should thank General Yan for seeing his error and opening the gate. You saved the soldiers of our Great Xuan from having to fight and kill their own.

General Yan, on behalf of the soldiers of the Great Xuan, this prince thanks you!"

Ning Chen cupped his fist and began to bow.

Startled, Yan Zhuoying caught hold of him. "My lord prince, you can't! This guilty officer only did what he should have done."

Ning Chen smiled and patted his shoulder. "General Yan, you're a man who knows where his duty lies. Come, follow this prince into the city.

Yuan Long, tell the army to enter the city at once."

"Yes, sir!"

Yuan Long went off to carry out the order.

Ning Chen rode into the city with Yan Zhuoying. He looked at the soldiers kneeling on all sides and let out a booming laugh. "Get up, all of you. The ground's cold. Nobody needs to kneel.

This prince said before that any man who surrenders will be spared... Now this prince will add one thing: for any man who surrenders, the past is forgiven."

Yan Zhuoying and the others looked deeply grateful.

Sparing a man who surrenders and forgiving his past are two very different things.

Yan Zhuoying dropped to his knees. "This guilty officer, Yan Zhuoying, thanks…