Zisu looked at Yudie, dazed, and could not help wondering whether she had been too harsh on Ning Chen.

Ning Chen, for his part, was moved like a son of a bitch.

He had always said Yudie was the one best suited to being a wife — gentle, thoughtful, and quick to understand people.

"Ning, dear, receive the edict first. I'll stay and talk to Sister Zisu a while."

Ning Chen nodded slightly.

He turned and went out to the main hall.

The man who had come with the edict was Eunuch Quan.

Eunuch Quan saw Ning Chen and said, smiling, "Ning Chen, hear the edict!"

"Your subject receives the edict."

Eunuch Quan unrolled the edict. "Ning Chen is possessed of both talent and virtue and has done service to the empire itself. After long and careful thought, this emperor restores him to his office... He is ordered to set out for the Wu Kingdom in three days' time and bring the peace talks about. Do not disappoint this emperor's hopes. Respect this!"

Ning Chen cried out, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for this great kindness!"

Then he took the edict, stood up, and said, "Old Quan. Thanks for the trouble."

Eunuch Quan's face was all smiles. "Marquis Ning. Congratulations, congratulations."

Ning Chen fished out a silver note and pushed it at him, smiling. "And to you, and to you."

Eunuch Quan pushed it back. "You've only just been restored to your former office. This is exactly when you're short of silver. Keep it and use it yourself."

"I can spare this much."

Ning Chen forced it into his hand.

Eunuch Quan did not refuse again. He put the note away in his sleeve and said, smiling,

"In all the Great Xuan, plenty of men have been restored to their former offices... but you are the first man to be restored to his former office in the space of a few months. His Majesty thinks highly of you. Don't disappoint what he hopes of you."

Ning Chen nodded, smiling.

Eunuch Quan drank a cup of tea, talked a while, and…