Ning Chen had finished making his arrangements and was about to go to the courtesans' quarter to find Yudie when Eunuch Quan arrived.

"Old Quan. Give me two days. I will move out as soon as I find a new house."

Eunuch Quan shook his head. "This eunuch has not come to turn the marquis out."

"Stop calling me marquis. I am a humble commoner and nothing more."

Eunuch Quan let out a long sigh. "Do not hold it against His Majesty. It was very hard for him."

Ning Chen smiled. "How could I hold it against His Majesty? Without His Majesty's favor I would never have had all that glory in the first place."

"May I trouble Eunuch Quan to carry a message to His Majesty for me... His Majesty's grace in knowing him is carved into Ning Chen, and he will never forget it as long as he lives."

Eunuch Quan gave a slight nod. "Very well. I will certainly pass the words to His Majesty."

"One other thing. By His Majesty's order, you may go on living in this house."

Ning Chen gave a slight start. "My thanks to His Majesty."

Eunuch Quan smiled. "You have no post now and no salary. Have you silver enough to get by?"

"What is this? Are you offering to sponsor me?"

Eunuch Quan drew several silver notes out of his robe. "Take these and use them. They are all money you have pressed on this eunuch over the years."

Ning Chen began to laugh.

"Old Quan. I did not expect you to still want to help me at a time like this... I take the kindness as given. Keep the silver. I am not short of it."

He had more silver now than he could spend.

Eunuch Quan pushed the money into his hands. "Don't be stubborn. You spend with an open hand. Keep it by you... This eunuch cannot be of much real help to you."

Ning Chen pushed it back at him. "I truly am not short of silver."

"Truly not?"

Ning Chen nodded.

"Very well then... If…