Ning Chen waved it off and smiled. "Now that you're in Xuanwu City, it's just like coming home. Don't keep thanking me. We're family. No need to be so polite!

Nie Liang, did you see the Emperor Emeritus before you left?"

Nie Liang shook his head. "I didn't get the chance... Ever since you left, the Emperor Emeritus has stayed in the Emeritus Palace. He hardly ever comes out."

Worry flickered deep in Ning Chen's eyes.

"I suppose Zong Sibo has the court all to himself these days?"

Nie Liang nodded.

Ning Chen's mouth twisted. Zong Sibo was a deep one. Even he had misjudged the man.

Zong Sibo was probably leading the new emperor around by the nose now.

The Great Xuan. The palace. The Thousand Autumns Hall.

Pipes and strings played sweetly, and seductive singing girls danced gracefully.

The new emperor lounged with an arm around each of his two newest favorite consorts, drinking Immortal Dew with his eyes half closed, enjoying himself thoroughly.

He had driven Ning Chen out of the capital.

The command of the Great Xuan's armies was his.

Now that he'd come into his own, he had finally let himself go.

"Right Chancellor."

The new emperor raised his wine cup and looked at Zong Sibo, who knelt on a mat below him to the right.

Zong Sibo quickly raised his own cup, toasted him across the distance, and drained it in one go.

"Any news of Ning Chen lately?"

Zong Sibo answered respectfully, "To answer Your Majesty, Xuanwu City was only recently finished, and there are a thousand things to see to... Ning Chen has been run off his feet.

Your Majesty, this old subject recommends ending trade with the Wu Kingdom."

The new emperor frowned. "Do you know how much income trade with the Wu Kingdom brings the Great Xuan every year?"

Zong Sibo said, "Your Majesty, the biggest winner from trade with the Wu Kingdom isn't the Great Xuan. It's the Wu Kingdom and Xuanwu City.

Our Great Xuan is already rich, with a strong army and good horses... It's the Wu…