Gu Yichun said, "Eunuch Zhang, this way, please!"

Eunuch Zhang clutched his face and shrieked, "Ning Chen, you dare make me catch locusts? I was sent by His Majesty..."

"Let's go. There's only the city lord of Xuanwu City here. No His Majesty!"

Gu Yichun grabbed Eunuch Zhang by the collar and hauled him off like a chicken.

Ning Chen smiled. Gu Yichun was catching on fast!

Then his gaze landed on Lü Li.

Lü Li's expression shifted, and he hurried to squeeze out a fawning smile.

"Lord Lü, please have a seat!"

"No, no, no... In my lord prince's presence, this official has no business sitting down. This official is fine standing."

Ning Chen didn't insist. He asked in a low voice, "How is the Emperor Emeritus?"

Lü Li knew perfectly well how close Ning Chen and the Xuan Emperor were. He said quickly, "The Emperor Emeritus is doing well. His health is excellent... Just recently he gave the Right Chancellor a good hard whipping."

He knew that when Ning Chen left the Great Xuan, the Right Chancellor had blocked his way with armed men and there had been a clash... Ning Chen would surely enjoy hearing about the Right Chancellor getting beaten.

Ning Chen paused. "You're saying the Emperor Emeritus whipped Zong Sibo?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"It seems the Right Chancellor gave His Majesty the idea of having Prince Wu lead an army against the Gaoli Kingdom, to make Prince Wu a man without honor or decency. The Emperor Emeritus was furious. He took a whip and gave him a good hard thrashing."

"Ha ha ha..." Ning Chen roared with laughter. "Who knew the old man had that kind of temper in him? I've never once seen him hit anyone."

Lü Li said quickly, "The Right Chancellor was whipped black and blue all over. It was pitiful!"

Seeing how happily Ning Chen was laughing, Lü Li knew his flattery had hit the mark.

Anyway, it was just him and Ning Chen here. No one would ever know he'd spoken ill of the Right Chancellor.

Keeping Ning Chen happy was…