Looking at the smiles of his old subordinates, Ning Huaizhi was also very happy. These were the people who had accompanied him through life and death on the battlefield, and it was already a miracle that they had survived unscathed.

Now that they've given up their peaceful lives and are willing to follow Cheng Yi to the capital to find him, it means they might have to go back to the old days of fighting and killing. Before, their swords were aimed at external enemies, but now they're aimed at internal traitors.

Thinking this, Ning Huaizhi shook his head vigorously, raised the wine bowl in his hand, and shouted to everyone:

"Today, there will be plenty of food and drinks, let's all drink to our hearts' content!"

As soon as Ning Huaizhi finished speaking, the people who had been sitting and joking stood up, raised their wine bowls respectfully to Ning Huaizhi, and then tilted their heads back and drank it all down.

Just as everyone was enjoying their drinks, they suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Is anyone there? Is anyone there?"

Ning Wu, who hadn't been drinking, was helping to take care of the guests when he heard the noise. He rushed over to open the door. The gate of the general's mansion was very grand and imposing. Ning Wu thought there were guests in the front yard, so he only opened it a crack to look out.

Lin Hu stood outside the door with a sheepish grin on his face, accompanied by a group of his underlings.

"Hey, Ningwu, I noticed you guys hadn't been setting up your stalls these past few days and I thought something had happened. But after asking around among the other vendors, I found out you moved to a big house on Jin Street."

Upon hearing this, Ning Wu frowned. Lin Hu had always kept to himself and his family.

Since the young master visited the stall last time, Lin Hu's underlings haven't caused any trouble or given him any special attention. It's rather strange that they suddenly came to ask why he wasn't setting up his stall today.

Thinking this, Ning Wu said somewhat warily:

"It's nothing. I just rested for a few days because my family moved, so I didn't set up a stall."

Lin Hu didn't leave after hearing this. Instead, he stepped forward and tried to peek through the crack in the door. Seeing this, Ning Wu quickly stood up straight and blocked the crack, saying:

"Brother Tiger, you didn't come here specifically to ask me about this, did you?"

Lin Hu chuckled a few times.

"Haha, I just happened to be passing by Jin Street and heard from my younger brother that you had moved here, so I thought I'd come and see if you needed anything and give you some as a housewarming gift."

Ning Wu laughed upon hearing this:

"Brother Tiger, you're joking. Our General's Mansion has everything we need. I appreciate your kindness, but as servants, we don't care about moving house. We'll go wherever our master goes. There's no need for such formalities. So please don't trouble yourself."

Lin Hu felt embarrassed after hearing this, and said awkwardly:

"It sounds quite lively inside. Is there a banquet?"

"Our general has guests, and I need to go inside to help out, so I can't chat with you now. We can talk later when I have some free time."

Seeing that Lin Hu kept asking about the General's Mansion, Ning Wu didn't dare to say more to him, afraid that he might mislead him and get information out of him. So he quickly said goodbye, hurriedly closed the courtyard gate, and didn't forget to bolt it.

Ignoring Lin Hu's repeated knocking, he went straight to the kitchen to find Jiang Yuwei.

"Madam, Madam, just now Lin Hu and his gang arrived at our courtyard gate. I thought they were here to find out something, so I just gave them a few perfunctory replies and then shut them out."

Jiang Yuwei frowned, patted Ning Wu on the shoulder, and said:

“Ningwu, you did the right thing. We must never let anyone else into our General’s Mansion.”

After saying that, Jiang Yuwei went to the front yard to find Ning Huaizhi. It seemed that she couldn't let these old subordinates drink to their hearts' content. Lin Hu's sudden arrival was also strange. They were originally unrelated people, so why did he suddenly care about the General's Mansion?

When Jiang Yuwei arrived at the front yard, she saw Ning Huaizhi still drinking. She greeted the veterans and then pulled Ning Huaizhi aside.

"Huaizhi, we can't let everyone drink too much today. I'm afraid that too many people have come and already attracted attention. If someone breaks in tonight and everyone is drunk, it will be troublesome."

As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei pointed to the doorway.

"Just now, Lin Hu brought a group of his underlings to inquire about information outside our general's mansion, but Ning Wu sent them away."

Ning Huai frowned.

"Who is this Lin Hu?"

"He's a thug from the area where we used to set up our stall. I don't know why he's here today."

Jiang Yuwei said with concern.

Ning Huaizhi patted Jiang Yuwei's hand to comfort her:

"Don't worry about Madam. With my men here, those thugs won't be able to get in. Have Ningwu take away the rest of the wine. I'll explain things to them."

Jiang Yuwei nodded.

"Then finish your meal as soon as possible, and we'll head back to the Prince's residence sooner. There are some things I don't understand, and I need to ask the Prince personally."

Ning Huaizhi turned to look at the veterans who were happily drinking at the table, then turned back to Jiang Yuwei and smiled:

"Alright, but I'm already full. I'll give them some instructions, and then we'll go."

Having said that, Ning Huaizhi went to his seat, raised his wine bowl, and addressed everyone:

"There's plenty of time in the future. Let's stop drinking here for today. Business is more important. I'll offer you all one last toast before heading back."

With that, Ning Huaizhi drank the wine in his bowl in one gulp. Although the others were a little reluctant, since Ning Huaizhi had spoken, they naturally had no objections and quickly finished the rest of the wine in their bowls.

"Everyone must be tired from the long journey. After you've had your meal, please go back to your rooms and rest."

After saying that, Ning Huai waved to everyone and left with Jiang Yuwei.

When they arrived at Prince Jing's residence, Ning Huaizhi slapped his thigh and regretted it:

"Madam, my muddle-headed mind has completely forgotten that you haven't eaten yet. I can't let you go hungry, can I?"

Jiang Yuwei smiled and pointed to the food box in Xia Yue's hand.

“I ate with Aunt Zhou and the others in the kitchen. Look, I brought back Ning Zhao and Ning Wan's portions. They definitely can't go hungry.”

Ning Huaizhi was relieved after hearing this.

"Alright, go find the young master. I'll take the food box back for Ning Wan and the others."

Jiang Yuwei nodded and went to the Prince's courtyard. As soon as she entered, she saw Ning Zixuan practicing martial arts, so she stood and watched for a while until Ning Zixuan finished before walking up to him and smiling:

"Your Highness, all of Huai Zhi's old subordinates have arrived at the General's Mansion today, but there is one uninvited guest. I really can't figure out why he came to the General's Mansion, so I asked you to answer my question."

Ning Zixuan frowned and looked at Jiang Yuwei.

"Who is this uninvited guest you're referring to?"

Jiang Yuwei looked around and, seeing no one else, spoke in a low voice:

"It's Lin Hu."

Upon hearing this, Ning Zixuan involuntarily tightened his grip on the red-tasseled spear.

"You bastard Lin Hu, I completely forgot you even existed!"