The woman emperor's eyes were full of shame and anger, and she glared at Ning Chen.

"How did your skill get this good?"

Ning Chen said, smiling, "Because I have great responsibilities now. I have to protect you, and I have to protect the child."

The woman emperor said, smiling, "Then come to the Wu Kingdom and help me."

Ning Chen blinked, then shook his head gently. "Wait a while. When I can't make my way in the Great Xuan any longer, I'll come and throw myself on you."

The woman emperor made a sound. "The Great Xuan emperor has shown you nothing but favor. Reduced to commoner and restored to your former office in two months — it has never happened before in the whole history of the Great Xuan. You, unable to make your way in the Great Xuan?"

Ning Chen's smile was brilliant. "I owe getting my office back so fast entirely to my wife playing her part so well."

The woman emperor had long been used to his nonsense. She only glared at him.

Ning Chen looked at her, and his eyes were gentle. "This army of yours taking the field must have eaten up a lot of supplies."

"All the way here I saw a lot of broken armor on the Wu Kingdom's soldiers. Has the Wu Kingdom's treasury run into trouble?"

The woman emperor's fine brows drew together, and there was worry in her face.

"The Wu Kingdom has been at war year after year, and the treasury is empty... Song Tiancheng spent without limit and made war for the sake of war. The people are drained dry and the whole nation is worn out."

"Everything in the Wu Kingdom is waiting to be built up again. To get its strength back it will need several years of rest and recovery, I am afraid."

Ning Chen smiled, reached into his robe and brought out a thick sheaf of silver notes.

"Three million taels. Take it and use it."

The woman emperor gave a start. She had never imagined Ning Chen could produce so much…