"If you won't let me in the door, how am I supposed to kneel?"

The voice rang out, clear and bright.

The Ninth Princess and Heye turned around. Ning Chen had lifted the door curtain aside and was walking in.

The Ninth Princess's eyes lit up and she ran toward him, bubbling over with delight... but after a few steps she stopped short, gave a little humph and turned her face away.

Ning Chen was surprised into a smile.

"Greetings, my lord prince!"

Heye bowed respectfully.

Ning Chen smiled. "Heye's getting prettier and prettier. Tomorrow I'll take you out to the outer city to go play with Butcher Zhang."

Heye knew he was only trying to scare her, and she took the hint. "This servant will be going now!"

Ning Chen nodded.

Once Heye had gone, Ning Chen went over to the Ninth Princess. He found her pout adorable.

"Oh my... Whose little lady is this, so sweet and lovely? Even her angry face is enchanting."

The Ninth Princess's rosy lips curved up a little. She was trying hard not to look too pleased.

Ning Chen suddenly exclaimed, "Wait, isn't this my wife? Tsk, tsk... Half a year away, and how did you get so beautiful? I thought I was looking at a fairy. I almost didn't recognize you."

The Ninth Princess burst into giggles.

Ning Chen reached out and pulled the Ninth Princess into his arms.

She put up a token struggle. "Hmph. Don't think a few compliments will make the Tantai Qingyue thing go away."

"What about Tantai Qingyue?"

The Ninth Princess gave a little snort. "You bring the Holy Maiden of Xiliang home, and you ask me what about her?"

Ning Chen smiled. "I swear, there's nothing going on between me and Tantai Qingyue."

"I don't believe you. She's so pretty."

Ning Chen laughed. "Nonsense. She's nowhere near as pretty as you... If anybody says she's prettier than you, your husband will fight him."

"Liar. She's taller than me, she's bigger than me there, and her butt is perkier than mine."

"But you're young. Youth is an…