The crown prince, standing bowed to one side, heard what the Xuan Emperor said. His eyes brightened for an instant, then went back to normal.

Ning Chen frowned slightly. The Xuan Emperor had indeed talked about abdicating when he was gravely ill.

At the time he'd thought the Xuan Emperor was only talking. He'd never expected him to mean it.

But the Xuan Emperor really was worn out, and Ning Chen wanted him to get some proper rest too!

Besides, abdication was not something he had any right to meddle in.

Ning Chen bowed. "Father Emperor, this is a matter of great weight. Your child respects whatever Father Emperor decides.

If Father Emperor is willing to set down the realm of the Great Xuan, your child will go with you through all eighteen prefectures!"

The Xuan Emperor chuckled. "What, you think this emperor can't bear to part with the realm of the Great Xuan? This emperor has been to the edge of death more than once, and worked this out long ago. Nothing is worth clinging to.

Back then, when the late emperor placed the Great Xuan in his hands, this emperor was very surprised, because he was not the late emperor's most outstanding son... All these years, for the Great Xuan, this emperor has worked himself to the bone and never dared slack off for a moment, for fear of failing the late emperor.

Now the Great Xuan is flourishing, the country at peace and the people content, and the late emperor and the ancestors of the imperial house have not been let down... This emperor is getting old. It's time to rest and enjoy some peace and quiet.

From now on, the Great Xuan is in the hands of you brothers!"

The crown prince dropped to his knees with a thud, terrified. "Father Emperor is in his prime, and the Great Xuan can't do without you... Your child's learning is thin and shallow, with no talent for governing. Please, Father Emperor, withdraw the command!"

The Xuan Emperor looked at him. "Do you mean that?"

The crown prince said…