Half a month later, Ning Chen and his army brought the spoils back to the southern frontier pass.

Spoils on that scale were bound for the Great Xuan capital, of course.

There was still no news of Zhong Xiuwen and the others.

Ning Chen planned to rest for two days. If there was still no word by then, he'd set off for the capital without them.

Meanwhile, the An Emperor had already received the victory report.

At morning court she sat upright on the dragon throne, with the civil and military officials ranged on either side.

She couldn't keep the delight off her delicate little face.

She was no longer the quirky, mischievous, adorable Ninth Princess of the old days.

By now she could fairly be called a capable ruler.

The An Emperor spoke. "Beloved ministers, before we discuss today's business, this emperor has some good news to share with you all."

She picked up the folded report from the dragon desk and smiled. "This is a victory report the Prince Regent sent back by fast horse.

Beloved ministers, the Prince Regent and his army have taken the Nanyue imperial city and are coming home with a rich haul."

One stone, and a thousand waves.

The whole court was stunned!

First there was dead silence in the hall. Then it erupted.

Disrupting the court was a grave offense... but nobody could hide how shocked they were.

He took the Nanyue imperial city?

No one in any dynasty had ever pulled off a feat like that.

Thanks to this battle, Ning Chen's name would carry its fragrance down the ages. It was enough to make him a legend.

Never mind Ning Chen. Even an ordinary soldier would get a page of his own in the family tree.

Most of the officials took it well enough: a little envy, and beyond that nothing but admiration. This was glory the soldiers had won with their lives, after all.

But the censors were red-eyed with envy... A name in the histories, a page of their own in the family tree: wasn't that what they'd…