Chapter 52

The Hu Wei Army camp was very close to the Yu Quan Palace where Ning Yi was detained, and when Prince Chu heard the news, he rushed out under the starry night, bringing only ten guards along, to present himself to the Tian Sheng Emperor.

That night, the father and son had a longer conversation, and what exactly was said, no one could say. Perhaps it had been a conversation between a kind father and a dutiful son, with honesty on both sides, or perhaps it had been an unlimited war of deception, testing words and lies all around.

The night covered the cowhide tent and dampening the faint aroma of burning eaglewood; the pale smoke misted and swirled in the light breeze, and all was hidden in a solemn darkness.

When the day dawned and dew gathered on the green grass around the tent, Ning Yi respectfully exited the tent, his eyes slightly red under the morning light, but when he turned to look in the direction of the Imperial Palace his gaze was as cold as frost.