Xuanwu City.

Ning Chen had just come back from the army camp when the doorkeeper hurried out to meet him and took his reins. "My lord prince, you have a visitor!"

"A visitor? Who?"

"He talks like someone from the capital of the Great Xuan. From his voice, he sounds like a eunuch."

Ning Chen was surprised. "Where is he?"

"Waiting in the main hall!"

"All right, I'll see him!"

Ning Chen went to the main hall.

To his surprise, the Ninth Princess was there too, talking with someone who had his back to Ning Chen. It sounded as if they were talking about the Xuan Emperor.

"Ning Chen, you're back?

The moment she saw Ning Chen, the Ninth Princess's pretty little face lit up, her voice all sweetness.

The Ninth Princess was a sweetheart by nature.

The man she'd been talking with turned around. "Greetings, my lord prince!"

"It's you?"

Ning Chen was a little surprised. It was the edict-bearer from the palace, who was also one of the Shadow Guard. They went way back.

"The Emperor Emeritus sent you?"

The man of the Shadow Guard nodded. "Yes!"

"How is the Emperor Emeritus keeping? Is the old gentleman well?"

The man of the Shadow Guard was silent for a moment. Then he took something wrapped in oilpaper from inside his robe and held it out in both hands.

"My lord prince, the Emperor Emeritus ordered me to deliver this into your own hands, no matter what."

Ning Chen took it and unwrapped it, surprised. "An imperial edict?"

The man of the Shadow Guard said, "It's the Emperor Emeritus's proclamation!"

Ning Chen gave a small "Oh" and opened the proclamation. When he saw what it said, he froze on the spot!

"What did Father Emperor say to you?" The Ninth Princess leaned in curiously to look too. One look, and she was too stunned to say a word. It was a long while before she cried out, "F-Father Emperor wants you to go back and take the throne?"

Ning Chen was completely blank.

The writing was definitely the Xuan Emperor's…