That day Ning Chen went out walking with the Xuan Emperor.

They came up in front of the traveling palace that had burned, and the Xuan Emperor's face went still and heavy.

He gave Ning Chen a look. "Quan Sheng tells me you have kept the civil and military officials outside?"

Ning Chen nodded. "I have!"

"Because of this strange fire?"

Ning Chen made a sound of assent. "Reporting to Your Majesty, that is only part of it. Your Majesty's body has been weak lately and I was afraid they would set back Your Majesty's recovery, so I took it on myself to keep them outside."

Ning Chen had not said it outright.

But the Xuan Emperor understood well enough. There was something strange about the way that fire had burned.

Lately not one person, from the princes down to the ministers, had come to see him. The Xuan Emperor understood perfectly what Ning Chen was guarding against.

The Xuan Emperor's brows drew together. "That fire was set by somebody, wasn't it?"

Ning Chen nodded. "It was!"

The Xuan Emperor said, low, "Who?"

Ning Chen hesitated, and then said, "Your Majesty, do not think about any of it now. What matters most is getting your health back quickly... When we are back in the capital, your subject will give you the answer."

The Xuan Emperor glared at Ning Chen. "You still dare keep it back in front of this emperor? Tell me who, quickly. This emperor wants to know now."

"Your Majesty, the witnesses and the evidence are all in the capital."

The Xuan Emperor started, and inclined his head slightly.

Seeing that the Xuan Emperor was getting a little tired from the walk, Ning Chen said, "Your Majesty, should we rest at the open pavilion up ahead?"

The Xuan Emperor nodded once. "Very well!"

They came to the open pavilion, and when the Xuan Emperor had sat down Ning Chen had tea brought.

"Ning Chen, you sit too!"

The Xuan Emperor had drunk half a cup of tea, and he pointed at the stone bench opposite as he said…