Prince Qing noticed the way Ning Chen and Feng Qizheng were looking at her. She paused, then gave a coy smile. "What... are you two staring at?"

Ning Chen came back to himself and gave a tactical cough. "Uh... the tip of your tongue is red. That's a sign of too much heart fire. You need to cool down."

Prince Qing arched an eyebrow. "Is my lord prince hinting at something?"

Ning Chen blinked, then caught on at once. "Don't get ideas," he said quickly. "If you need cooling down, I can't help you there. Go find your pretty boys."

He pointed at Feng Qizheng. "Old Feng could help out too."

Feng Qizheng's eyes lit up. What a brother, always thinking of him... But should he say no? His heart belonged to Little Yue, after all. Then again, that tongue of hers really was nimble. A little sacrifice on his part wouldn't hurt, would it?

Prince Qing had no idea how much drama was going on in Feng Qizheng's head. She gave him a disgusted look, then turned her eyes back to Ning Chen. "I think this prince will go with that little singer who looks like you."

Ning Chen's mouth twitched hard. He stood. "It's getting late. I'll take my leave... I'll come bother you again tomorrow morning."

Prince Qing laughed sweetly. "Why not stay the night at this prince's residence? It'd save you the trip back and forth."

Ning Chen smiled. "I don't mind. I'm just afraid you wouldn't dare put me up."

Prince Qing pouted. "Stay for dinner before you go, then."

With the woman emperor away, it wouldn't be proper for Ning Chen and Feng Qizheng to stay at Prince Qing's house, but dinner was fine.

Ning Chen didn't say no.

When they'd eaten and drunk their fill, the two of them left Prince Qing's residence.

Outside, they mounted up and clip-clopped off toward the Hall of Martial Honor.

Halfway there, Feng Qizheng muttered, "That Prince Qing is one horny woman. Good thing I came along with you, or you'd never have held out."

Ning Chen:…