Ning Chen was still trading nonsense with that painted slut Prince Qing when a servant hurried in and bowed. "My lord prince, someone has come from the palace."

Prince Qing paused. "Show them in!"

"At once!"

The servant withdrew and soon came back with a sharp, capable-looking woman.

Ning Chen knew her. She was the woman emperor's personal maid.

The first time he'd come to Prince Qing's residence, she was the one who had driven him there.

As soon as she came in, the maid brought out an imperial edict. "Prince Qing, hear the edict!"

Prince Qing dropped her lazy air at once. She rose, took two steps forward and knelt. "Your subject receives the edict!"

The maid's voice rang out clear: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Beimeng, in league with the Jiao Kingdom, has sent a hundred and fifty thousand troops and taken Manyue City in our Wu Kingdom. This emperor has led the army out to take the field in person. While this emperor is away, Prince Qing will act in matters of state. Respect this!"

Prince Qing froze. She'd never imagined the woman emperor would go to war herself.

"Prince Qing, you have yet to receive the edict."

Prince Qing came back to herself and said quickly, "Your subject receives the edict!"

Ning Chen was stunned too. He'd come thousands of miles to the Wu Kingdom, and just when they were about to see each other, the woman emperor had gone to take the field in person.

The maid turned to Ning Chen. "My lord prince, Her Majesty asked this servant to pass a few words on to you."

"Go ahead."

"Her Majesty says she's very sorry. She wanted badly to see you, but this came up suddenly. You lead armies yourself, so she trusts you'll understand."

Ning Chen nodded slightly. He did understand... Once a city fell, its people were lambs waiting for the slaughter.

Right now the woman emperor was racing the clock.

The sooner she reached Manyue City, the better the chance its people had of staying alive.

Ning Chen frowned…