Return to the Imperial City

The Little White Horse's mournful whinny still echoed in his ears, but Ning Chen's heart was like stone, cold and unyielding.

Ultimately, Ning Chen was the most ruthless person in this world, both to others and to himself.

The black wheelchair rolled forward, over the flagstones, through the accumulated snow, leaving two long, unending tracks.

Two days later, Ning Chen returned to the Imperial City. After more than three months away, he was back again.

Here were people he trusted, people he feared, people he disliked, and even more, people he wanted to kill.

The Imperial City still held his legends; they had been retold countless times in every street and alley.

The marriage alliance between Great Xia and Zhenji Kingdom was very successful. Ning Chen recalled the woman named Xia Miaoyu. Miaoyu, wonderful mind and eloquent words, deeply hidden talent, an innate genius, second to none.

He still remembered the stunning sight of her slender hands catching a life-threatening arrow. A woman like her couldn't remain silent forever. Zhenji Kingdom was too small; it couldn't hold a phoenix that had already spread its wings for long.

The Xia Emperor was no simple character; Ning Chen had always believed this. Otherwise, how could he have suppressed the several astonishing princes of Great Xia's past, leaving them unable to raise their heads?

In the Imperial Palace ahead, the person who truly made him wary was this Xia Emperor. He had thought more than once that the Xia Emperor had wanted to kill him for a long time.

The reason was simple: he possessed something beyond this era, and he had displayed it before the Xia Emperor twice.

The first time, perhaps no one paid much attention, but the second time, in front of so many people, the entire Zhengqi Hall was practically blown to ruins. The Xia Emperor couldn't have failed to notice.

Back then, to get out of the palace, he hadn't cared about the consequences, planting a seed of trouble that now became the most concerning reason for his return.

Returning to the palace was no simple matter for him now. If he dared to swagger in, he probably wouldn't see Grandson again in this lifetime.

With no immediate solution, Ning Chen planned to wait at Lingyan Pavilion for two days. Many people in the Imperial City were qualified to enter the palace; he needed to find a way to get a message inside.

If Qing Ling could leave the palace for a trip, then whether he entered or not would be irrelevant.

When Ning Chen arrived at Lingyan Pavilion, it was still noon. Li'er was dozing on a stool in the hall, her small head nodding adorably.

After many days, the little girl hadn't changed at all. Her delicate face held a hint of a young girl's naive charm, a little silly.

There was another woman in the pavilion. Upon seeing the young man in the wheelchair, she was instantly startled, swallowing the yawn she was halfway through.

Ning Chen grinned. He recognized her as the woman who had brought him pen and ink that day when he beat Changsun Yunxuan—a very beautiful woman, but a bit timid.

The woman was stunned, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Then her face flushed, and she turned and walked upstairs.

Ning Chen felt helpless. Was he really that terrifying?

Just then, Li'er groggily woke up. She looked around, then stood up unresponsively, took a couple of steps, and suddenly froze, letting out a surprised "Ah!"

"Li'er."

Ning Chen chuckled, calling her name softly.

Li'er's little mouth drooped, and tears immediately welled up, making her look utterly pitiful and heartbreaking.

"Be a good girl, Li'er, don't cry."

Ning Chen turned his wheelchair closer, gently ruffled the little girl's head, and then wiped the tears from her small face.

Li'er sniffled and stopped crying. Only then did she notice that Ning Chen was in a wheelchair. Tears involuntarily flowed again, and she anxiously asked, "What happened to your leg?"

"It's nothing, just a fall," Ning Chen said with a slight smile.

Li'er felt a little relieved, wiped her tears, and asked, her face streaked with tears like pear blossoms in the rain, "Did you see a doctor?"

"Yes, I did," Ning Chen answered patiently. Not only had a doctor seen him, but even a Xiantian Realm expert had.

"When did the doctor say it would get better?" Li'er asked with concern.

"Soon," Ning Chen answered casually. If the Xia Emperor would give him a Xiantian Pill, it should be soon.

However, that was as much a pipe dream as him going north alone to kill the Xiantian Realm expert of the Northern Mongol Royal Court.

"Young Master Ning, you've been well."

Just then, a beautiful young woman in a moon-white dress approached. Her skin was like solidified cream, her eyes like a bright moon, and a hint of allure in her brows was skillfully concealed. It was Yue Hanyi, the owner of Lingyan Pavilion.

After many days, Ning Chen didn't want to dwell on the past. He politely complimented her, saying, "You've been well. Miss Hanyi is becoming more beautiful."

"Thank you for the compliment, Young Master," Yue Hanyi stepped forward, smiling sweetly. "May I ask how Young Master Ning has been doing at the Academy?"

"Hmm?"

Ning Chen's eyes narrowed. The implication of her words was extraordinary. There were only a handful of people in the world who knew he was at the Academy, so how did Yue Hanyi know?

Of course, he hadn't expected to hide it from everyone, but it shouldn't have been common knowledge.

When the Sword Enshrined took him back to the palace that day, it must have alerted some people in the palace. Each palace would have its own informants, but those capable of embedding informants in Weiyang Palace were definitely few.

Could it be that Lingyan Pavilion was connected to one of the palaces in the Imperial Palace? This Yue Hanyi had given him another "surprise."

"Miss Hanyi, I truly underestimated you before," Ning Chen said calmly. Yue Hanyi's words just now had undoubtedly revealed her identity. This Lingyan Pavilion, located in the most prosperous part of the Imperial City, was indeed more than just a simple pleasure house.

"You flatter me, Young Master," Yue Hanyi smiled.

"Miss Hanyi, I'm a bit tired. Could you perhaps arrange a room for me?"

Ning Chen cut the conversation short, not wanting to continue. He wasn't interested in getting involved in the struggles between the various palaces right now. He had no interest, and no time.

Yue Hanyi was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected Ning Chen to refuse so directly. A faint sense of discomfort flickered within her, though she didn't show it on her face. She smiled appropriately and said, "There's a room prepared for young master in the back courtyard. Hanyi will take you there now."

"No need. Li'er can take me."

With that, Ning Chen turned his wheelchair and headed towards the back courtyard. He had lived there for over ten days and was quite familiar with it.

Li'er glanced at her mistress, then scurried after him. Her little mind was filled with confusion—why were the two of them being awkward again?

"The room's nice."

After Li'er led Ning Chen into the room, he looked around and gave an objective assessment.

"Isn't it? I cleaned it myself!"

Li'er lifted her small head, seeking praise.

Ning Chen chuckled, turned his wheelchair to the bed, and looked at the dazzling array of maiden's hair ornaments and accessories spread across it. He pointed at them and said, "Don't tell me you prepared these for me too."

Li'er's face flushed. She quickly stepped forward and gathered all the hair ornaments. How could she have forgotten about these things?

"These things aren't cheap. Where did you get so much silver?"

Ning Chen asked curiously. She was just a little maid who served tea and water; her monthly allowance was pitifully small. How could she afford these things?

Hearing Ning Chen's question, Li'er looked a little embarrassed and said somewhat hesitantly, "After that fierce woman took you away that day, Sister Yi decided to temporarily give me your forty percent share of the profits."

Ning Chen broke into a wry smile. It was clear what had happened: the little maid had money now, and when she saw pretty hair ornaments, she must have been itching to buy them. She couldn't resist and bought them all.

Seeing that Ning Chen wasn't blaming her, Li'er became even more embarrassed. She fidgeted and said, "When I've saved enough money, I'll pay you back."

"Heh heh, take your time saving. I'm not in a hurry."

Ning Chen laughed. He didn't have much use for that much silver anyway. In his eyes, the little maid being happy was more important than anything.

Since Yue Hanyi had decided to give Li'er the profits, he wouldn't say anything more. With this silver, if Li'er wanted to leave in the future, she wouldn't have to worry about money, at the very least.

Thinking of this, a weight was temporarily lifted from Ning Chen's heart. He looked at Li'er and couldn't help but smile oddly. Without him realizing it, this little maid had become a small rich woman.

Beside him, Li'er felt uncomfortable under Ning Chen's gaze. She picked up her hair ornaments and was about to run off. "You rest first. I'll come call you for dinner."

After the little maid left, the smile on Ning Chen's face gradually faded, replaced by a terrifyingly grim expression. He had underestimated the power of the various palace's informants within the Imperial City. It seemed that the news of his return to the Imperial City had, in all likelihood, already been exposed.

This was fine too. Weiyang Palace would probably soon learn of his return. He just needed to convey what he wanted to say through these informants back to the palace.

Grandson was so intelligent; he would surely understand his meaning.

Ning Chen had a blind trust in Grandson. In his view, Grandson was omnipotent.

In the words of his previous life, he was Grandson's devoted fan.

Outside the main hall of Weiyang Palace, Qing Ling received a note from a palace maid. After unfolding it and reading it, a hint of surprise flashed across her beautiful face. She then quickly walked into the main hall and, looking at Grandson on the main seat, softly said, "Empress, Ning Chen has returned to the Imperial City."

On the main seat, Grandson frowned slightly upon hearing this. "What's he doing back at a time like this? Is he tired of living?"

A trace of worry appeared in Qing Ling's eyes. "Empress, regarding His Majesty..."

"Silence!" Grandson snapped, stopping Qing Ling from continuing.

"Send people to keep watching him. Report back immediately if there's any movement."

"Yes."

Qing Ling acknowledged, then quickly walked out of the main hall to make arrangements.

In the Great Xia Heavenly Edict Hall, the Xia Emperor sat high on his dragon throne, meticulously reviewing memorials. He didn't miss a single word or phrase, scrutinizing every matter.

The next moment, a figure appeared silently in the hall, kneeling respectfully before the throne. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Ning Chen has returned to the Imperial City."

The Xia Emperor raised his head, his expression calm. He said indifferently, "Send people to watch him. Do not allow him to leave the city by half a step. If he resists, kill him."

"Yes."

The Shadow Guard received the order and vanished.

In the Western Palace, the most beautiful woman in the world sat behind a gauze curtain. In front of her, a palace maid knelt respectfully on the ground, a hint of imperceptible fear on her face.

"Are you sure the Ning Chen who returned to the Imperial City is the one who took that letter?" a questioning voice came from behind the gauze curtain.

"On that day, wheel marks and horse hoof prints appeared where the bandits were killed. And ten days ago, messy wheel marks also appeared where Guard Xiao died in battle. If it's not a coincidence, then this person is most likely Ning Chen," the palace maid replied.

Behind the gauze curtain, a faint, cold smile flickered across Wan Nishang's delicate face. She murmured, "How can there be so many coincidences in this world? Judging by the dates, Steward Liao has very likely died as well."

The palace maid lowered her head, not daring to speak.

She had indeed searched in the direction Steward Liao had left, but unfortunately, the snow had been too heavy a few days ago, and there was no trace left...

Within this short span of less than a quarter of an hour, the three most powerful palaces in the Great Xia Imperial Palace all reacted to Ning Chen's return. Their commands differed, and their objectives were even more so.

Ning Chen had also guessed that his whereabouts had been exposed, so there was no need to deliberately hide. After a short rest, he openly left.

There was still some time before nightfall. He needed to make a trip to Du'an Pharmacy.

The injuries on his body couldn't be suppressed indefinitely. The shopkeeper was a divine physician, a powerful figure who had once revived the severely injured Mu Chengxue with just a few needles. He should have a solution.

However, when Ning Chen arrived at Du'an Pharmacy, he ran into the last person he expected to see.

Yue Ling, the frail woman who had gifted him the Ink Sword.

Yue Ling still wore a light blue dress, elegant yet unostentatious. A faint smile graced her beautiful, though slightly pale, face, making her look exceptionally lovely.

As Ning Chen saw Yue Ling, she also spotted him. Their eyes met, and they exchanged a gentle smile, free of awkwardness or feigned familiarity.

"Are you seeing a doctor?" Yue Ling asked, her voice soft and pleasant.

"For an injury," Ning Chen replied.

"What a coincidence," Yue Ling murmured, naturally moving behind Ning Chen and gently pushing his wheelchair.

"It truly is," Ning Chen nodded. He hadn't expected them to meet again so soon.

Inside the pharmacy, the shopkeeper initially paid no mind to the approaching pair, but then suddenly looked up, staring at Ning Chen in the wheelchair with a shocked expression.

"Brother Ning, what happened to your leg?"

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