Ning Chen watched Eunuch Quan gloating over another man's misfortune, and there was nothing he could do about it.

He had been punished, and Old Quan's face had opened up like a chrysanthemum in bloom... He stopped just short of saying it aloud: so this day came for you too, Ning Chen?

Ning Chen rolled his eyes. "Stop laughing. I can see what you had for breakfast."

Eunuch Quan: "......"

"Old Quan, you're this pleased to see me punished... Maybe I should think again about looking after you in your old age."

Eunuch Quan's face was still all smiles. "Ordinarily I only ever see His Majesty praising you. It's a rare thing to see His Majesty reprimand you... And why does that make me so happy? Hahaha....."

Ning Chen was speechless.

Eunuch Quan said, smiling, "All right, don't sulk... His Majesty has always raised his hand high and brought it down light on you."

"Somebody bring the thing in!"

The guard who had come with him walked in carrying an exquisite box in both hands.

Eunuch Quan smiled. "Guess what's in it?"

The box was not small. Ning Chen thought about it. "Gold?"

Eunuch Quan looked at him with contempt. "Unspeakably vulgar."

"What is it, then?"

"Look for yourself."

Ning Chen went over and opened the box. Inside, of all things, lay a black python robe.

Ning Chen took it out and shook it open. Two pythons were embroidered on it.

It was a black robe with silver pythons, the cloth first-rate and the workmanship flawless.

Eunuch Quan grinned. "Well? Do you like it?"

Ning Chen nodded, and the pleasure of it spread through him. The python robe was imposing, and black was his color.

Eunuch Quan said, "You hold a double prince's title now. His Majesty gave the order for this python robe, and it took more than a month of rushed work to finish. Put it on and try it."

Since it was only an outer robe, there was no need for privacy... Ning Chen changed into it there and then.

"Old Quan, how is it? Handsome?"

Eunuch…