Ning Chen said with a smile, "All right. When Your Majesty is well, reward your subject with a hundred strokes of the rod and your subject will be willing."

"But Your Majesty cannot eat any more."

The Xuan Emperor glared at him. "You dare ill-treat this emperor?"

Ning Chen had to laugh. "Your Majesty has not been awake long and your body is weak. You must not eat and drink to excess. It has to be little and often."

The Xuan Emperor made a sound. "Give this emperor two more mouthfuls."

Ning Chen shook his head. "No!"

"This emperor orders you. Bring the bowl here."

Lin Wen dropped to his knees and said quickly, "Your Majesty, my lord marquis is right. Your Majesty's body has only now begun to mend and you must not eat too much. It sits undigested and it sets back the recovery."

The Xuan Emperor snorted, and then turned the talk. "How is Quan Sheng?"

Lin Wen said quickly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Eunuch Quan's body is mending fast."

"That is well... Ning Chen, send some of this meat congee over to Quan Sheng!"

Ning Chen nodded. "Your subject obeys the command!"

Ning Chen went to the next room.

Eunuch Quan had been moved to the next room.

He had barely come in and had not had time to say a word when Chen Chong ran in. "Ning Chen, the new emperor and the Right Chancellor and the rest of them have all come."

Ning Chen started, then sneered. "Quick off the mark, aren't they... Keep them outside. Not one step into the imperial park."

Chen Chong shook his head. "These men stand high and hold power. I'm afraid the Dragon Guard won't be able to stop them."

Ning Chen snorted. "Come on. Let's go and see!"

The Dragon Guard could not stop the Fifth Prince and the rest, right enough.

They forced their way through, and the Dragon Guard did not dare lay hands on them.

They forced past the Dragon Guard's line, but they could not force the Ning'an Army's.

The Ning'an Army was…