Led by Fu Lu, Ning Chen's party came to the front of an imposing compound.

The Hall of Martial Honor!

This Hall of Martial Honor was where Wu received foreign envoys, much like Great Xuan's Hall of the Four Barbarians.

The Hall of Martial Honor had two gates.

A main gate and a side gate.

The main gate was naturally for people.

The side gate was where the livestock and the mules went.

Fu Lu, smiling like a Maitreya Buddha, gestured toward the side gate. "Gentlemen, this way please!"

Shen Min and the others darkened at once.

To make them use the side gate was a naked insult, and nothing else.

Everyone looked at Ning Chen.

Ning Chen's expression was untroubled, a faint smile on his face.

He looked at Fu Lu. "We are the guests. How could we go ahead of Lord Fu? After you, Lord Fu!"

Fu Lu's expression stiffened slightly.

"Marquis Ning is our honored guest. Of course we must treat him with proper courtesy... After you, my lord marquis!"

Ning Chen gave a slight nod. "Very well. Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Fu Lu and the other Wu officials watched Ning Chen and his party with mockery all over their faces.

"Hyah!!!"

Ning Chen squeezed his knees against the horse's belly and gave the reins a light pull.

Diaochan let out a shrill whinny and reared, both forehooves flying high toward Fu Lu and the rest.

The color drained from Fu Lu and the others, and they scattered to either side in a panic, terrified of being trampled.

Diaochan's forehooves came down, and she strode cheerfully away between the Wu officials.

"Keep up!"

Ning Chen said it mildly.

Pan Yucheng and the rest came to their senses and hurried their horses after him.

Ning Chen did not even bother to dismount. He simply rode his horse straight in through the main gate.

Pan Yucheng and the others followed close behind.

The whole party swept in through the main gate in grand procession.

When Fu Lu and the rest came around, their faces were iron-dark.

Insufferable…