Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

In the Lizheng Hall, Wu Zhao sat on the dragon throne with a secret letter in her hand.

The candlelight flickered, casting flickering shadows on her beautiful face.

The letter was written by Chu Ning himself. Although the handwriting was a bit sloppy, it was still powerful enough to show through the paper.

The sandalwood incense was wafting in the air in the hall, but Wu Zhao felt that breathing was a little difficult.

She recalled the night three years ago when she and Chu Ning first met. They started fighting over a disagreement and she was eventually captured alive by Chu Ning.

I thought again about everything that happened between the two of them in the carriage and in the room.

At that time, he was full of vigor and vitality, and his white clothes were whiter than snow, but now, in order to save her and Da Zhou, he was surrendered and poisoned by Li Xing.

"Blood spider poison..."

Wu Zhao whispered softly, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the name on the letter. She remembered Chu Ning said that there were not many poisons in the world that could hurt him, and the blood spider poison was one of them. When he said this, there was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, as if he was talking about an insignificant little thing.

"Your Majesty," the personal maid Shangguan Qing'er gently reminded, "It's time to eat."

Wu Zhao pretended not to hear and her eyes fell on the plum tree outside the palace.

That was planted by Chu Ning himself. He said that the plum blossoms, which stand proudly in the snow, are the most suitable for her character. Now that the plum blossoms have not bloomed, he...

"Qing'er," Wu Zhao suddenly spoke, her voice a little hoarse, "Send an order to summon Qin's Prime Minister Zhang Yi to the palace to discuss matters."

Shangguan Qing'er was shocked: "Your Majesty, this matter..."

"Let's use the peace talks as an excuse." Wu Zhao stood up and narrowed her eyes. "The Qin State is not immune from responsibility for Chu Ning's poisoning. Since they are so unkind, don't blame me for being unjust."

She turned and walked towards the inner hall, her skirt fluttering, revealing a jade pendant. It was a token of love left by Chu Ning, with the word "Ning" engraved on it.

Wu Zhao gently held the jade pendant, thinking of their secret. Xiuning... their daughter, now studying at the Imperial College, has the shadow of Chu Ning in her eyes and eyebrows.

"Pass on the order." Wu Zhao said calmly, "Remember, be quick."

Shangguan Qing'er wanted to say something but hesitated, and finally bowed and left.

Wu Zhao walked to the window and looked at the starry sky. She remembered that Chu Ning once told her that if he ever met with an accident, she must protect Xiuning.

She thought it was just a joke at the time, but now thinking about it, she actually had a premonition.

"Chu Ning, Chu Ning," Wu Zhao sighed softly, "You are always like this, calculating everything clearly."

At the same time, in the Qin State Posthouse.

Zhang Yi was packing his luggage as he had just received news of a defeat at the front line where an army of 100,000 had been annihilated. This news frightened him and made him realize that the Zhou Dynasty would never sincerely negotiate peace.

"Master Prime Minister!"

The attendant whispered, "The Empress of the Zhou Dynasty sent someone to convey her order, inviting you to the palace to discuss matters."

Zhang Yi paused, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes: "Tell them that I will leave immediately."

After the palace servant who delivered the imperial edict left, Zhang Yi immediately ordered, "Prepare the horses and go out through the back door."

In the darkness of night, Zhang Yi quietly left the inn with a few trusted men.

They changed into casual clothes and blended into the crowd at the night market. Zhang Yi looked back at the brightly lit inn with a sneer on his face.

"Sir, the city gate is ahead." The follower whispered.

Zhang Yi nodded and was about to quicken his pace when he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves behind him. His heart tightened and he quickly hid in a roadside tavern.

A team of imperial guards rushed past, led by Shangguan Qing'er. She held a token in her hand and shouted sternly:

"Seal off the city gates and strictly check the entry and exit!"

Zhang Yi held his breath until the sound of horse hooves faded away, then he breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the back door of the tavern, where there was an alley leading directly to the outside of the city.

"go!"

Several people quickly passed through the alley and soon came to the city wall. There was a secret door here, which was a retreat route prepared by Qin spies many years ago.

Zhang Yi was about to push the door open when he suddenly heard a sneer from behind him: "Prime Minister Zhang, where are you going?"

He turned around suddenly and saw a man in black standing in the shadows, holding a sword with a cold glow. Zhang Yi's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. He recognized this man, the Jinyiwei leader arranged by Chu Ning here - Zhang Ying.

"I didn't expect that Chu Ning was poisoned and would send you to kill me."

Zhang Yi forced himself to remain calm: "It seems that his condition is better than the rumors say."

Zhang Ying sneered, "Your Highness has long expected that you would escape. Prime Minister Zhang, please."

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Zhang Yi's eyes, and he suddenly threw a hidden weapon from his sleeve. Zhang Ying dodged sideways, and Zhang Yi took the opportunity to push open the secret door and rushed out with his followers.

Outside the city was a dense forest, and Zhang Yi and his companions ran desperately. The sound of pursuers came from behind, and Zhang Yi knew that as long as he passed through the forest, he would reach the rendezvous point.

"Sir, in front!" The attendant suddenly pointed forward.

Zhang Yi looked up and saw several fast horses parked outside the forest. He was delighted and quickened his pace. However, at this moment, an arrow flew through the air and hit him in the shoulder.

Zhang Yi groaned and staggered towards the horse. His followers were shot by arrows and fell to the ground one after another. Zhang Yi gritted his teeth, jumped on the horse, and whipped them hard.

The horse felt pain and ran away. Zhang Yi looked back and saw Zhang Ying standing by the forest, with the bow and arrow in his hand put down.

He wondered why Ying didn't continue chasing?

The question soon had an answer.

Countless torches suddenly lit up in front, and a group of cavalry blocked the way. The man in the lead was dressed in white, and it was Chu Ning.

"Prime Minister Zhang," Chu Ning said calmly, "I hope you are well."

Zhang Yi's pupils shrank sharply. He had clearly heard that Chu Ning was poisoned and bedridden. How could it be...

Chu Ning seemed to see through his confusion and chuckled, "The blood spider venom is indeed powerful, but it's not enough to keep me lying down for half a year."

Zhang Yi finally realized that he had fallen into a trap. He smiled bitterly and said, "The Crown Prince of Chu is indeed a man of foresight."

"Thank you." Chu Ning raised his hand and said, "Please come in, Prime Minister Zhang. The Empress is still waiting for you."

Zhang Yi looked at the dense cavalry around him and knew that he couldn't escape today. He took a deep breath and straightened his back:

"In that case, please let Prince Chu lead the way."

Chu Ning nodded slightly, but his eyes passed Zhang Yi and looked towards Luo City in the distance.

He knew that Wu Zhao must be waiting for news in the Lizheng Hall at this moment. Thinking of that stubborn woman, a hint of tenderness flashed in Chu Ning's eyes.

"Let's go." He turned his horse's head: "Don't let the empress wait anxiously."

The team slowly marched towards Luocheng. In the night, Chu Ning's figure looked particularly tall.

But no one knew that his hands hidden in his sleeves were shaking slightly. The attacks of the blood spider venom were becoming more and more frequent, and he had to complete this drama before he collapsed.

Even though Zhang Yi was the prime minister of Qin, Ying Zheng's confidant, and Qin's envoy, he would still kill him.

Since the Qin State used such despicable means to deal with him, there was no need for him to be a gentleman.

Since the two countries are already in a hostile relationship, there is no need to ease the situation.

Since you've started, let's completely break off relations!