Ning Chen spun around with a grin. "Father Emperor, isn't your child as handsome as ever?"

The Xuan Emperor laughed despite himself. "What this emperor sees is that you're as shameless as ever."

As he spoke, his eyes reddened and his voice caught. "Good boy. Heaven has been kind to this emperor. This emperor thought there'd be no seeing you again in this life."

Ning Chen was still shaken just thinking about it.

When he'd heard the Xuan Emperor and Consort Zhao had jumped from the gate tower, he'd been scared out of his wits.

Father and son had come within a hair of never seeing each other again.

The Xuan Emperor looked at the officials. "What are you all standing there for?"

The ministers snapped to it and knelt as one. "Your subjects greet Your Majesty!"

Ning Chen paused, then smiled. "You're bowing to the wrong man. Please get up, my lords!"

Everyone looked at one another, baffled. What did he mean, the wrong man?

The Xuan Emperor looked at Ning Chen in surprise too.

Ning Chen smiled. "Father Emperor should know your child has no ambition for the throne... So your child won't be sitting on it."

The Xuan Emperor and the ministers were all stunned.

Ning Chen went on, "I've already agreed with the Ninth Princess. She'll take the throne, and I'll help her rule."

The ministers were astonished.

The Ninth Princess?

The Great Xuan had never had a woman on the throne.

The Xuan Emperor said in surprise, "You're giving the throne to Huai'an?"

Ning Chen nodded.

"Father Emperor, your child knows the Great Xuan has never had a woman take the throne. But the Ninth Princess grew up at Father Emperor's side, so Father Emperor should know her best of anyone... She's filial and kind and knows right from wrong. She'll make a fine emperor, no question.

The Great Xuan is riddled with wounds now. It needs a benevolent ruler to let the people rest and recover and bring the country back to strength... So the Ninth Princess is the perfect choice.

But we'll still…