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

Inside the East Palace, the flickering candlelight reflected a tense and solemn atmosphere.

The screams of Crown Princess Shen Wanying came from the inner hall, one louder than the other, as if they were going to blow the roof of the entire palace off.

The palace maids came in and out, holding hot water and white cloth in their hands. They looked hurried, with beads of sweat on their foreheads.

Outside the palace, Emperor Chu stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes deep, like an ancient well with no bottom to be seen; calm on the surface but undercurrents surging inside.

His eyes never left Chu Ning who was standing not far away.

Chu Ning has an upright figure, picturesque features, and although his face is a little pale, it still cannot conceal his innate nobility and sharpness.

The Emperor of Chu's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, with mixed feelings in his heart.

He hoped that Chu could win the war with Qin, but he also secretly hoped that Chu Ning would encounter an accident on the front line.

These conflicting emotions intertwined in his heart, like two poisonous snakes, entangled with each other and biting at his sanity.

Chu Ning's voice broke the silence: "Father, the battle on the front line is urgent. I am willing to lead the army to fight against the Qin army in person."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chu frowned slightly, and a hint of surprise and doubt flashed in his eyes.

He had long known that Chu Ning had been poisoned by the blood spider. This poison was extremely vicious. If the poisoned person did not have an antidote, he would become increasingly weak and eventually die of exhaustion.

Chu Ning's proposal to lead the army in person at this time was tantamount to seeking his own death.

However, there was a hint of secret joy in the heart of the Emperor of Chu.

If Chu Ning really died on the front line, he would be able to regain control of the Chu State and no longer be controlled by others.

Thinking of this, a complicated look appeared on Emperor Chu's face.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and swept his gaze across Chu Ning's face, as if examining his true intentions.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, his tone filled with concern and worry: "Prince, you have been poisoned by the blood spider and your body has not yet recovered. The frontline is extremely dangerous and the journey is exhausting. I am afraid you cannot bear it.

It is better for you to stay in the palace and recuperate. I will take care of the frontline affairs."

Hearing this, Chu Ning's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a faint smile.

He had already seen through the Emperor Chu's thoughts. He sneered in his heart but kept silent on his face.

He bowed slightly, his tone respectful but with a hint of alienation: "Father, I am grateful for your concern for me. But the war on the front line concerns the survival of the State of Chu, and as the crown prince, I have no choice but to do my part.

Besides, I have already formed an alliance with the Queen of Great Zhou, and the chances of winning this time against Qin are quite high, so father, you don’t have to worry too much.”

When the King of Chu heard the words "Empress of the Great Zhou", a gloomy look flashed in his eyes.

He knew clearly that Chu Ning had a special relationship with the Queen of Great Zhou, and this alliance was probably more than just cooperation between countries.

Thinking of this, his fear deepened.

However, he remained calm and spoke in a gentle tone, "Since you have reached an alliance with the Queen of Great Zhou, I am relieved. However, how do you plan to arrange things on the front line?"

Chu Ning smiled slightly, his eyes were as deep as a pool, and he said calmly: "Father, don't worry too much, your son will make arrangements."

Upon hearing this, the King of Chu felt displeased.

He wanted to take this opportunity to find out about Chu Ning's deployment, but he just brushed it off lightly.

He suppressed his anger, and still had a fatherly smile on his face: "In this case, I will not say any more, but you must take care of yourself and don't be stubborn."

Chu Ning nodded in response, but his eyes turned to the inner hall.

Shen Wanying's screams gradually faded away, and were replaced by a faint baby cry.

That voice was like the first ray of sunshine in early spring, penetrating the solemn atmosphere in the hall and bringing a glimmer of vitality and hope.

The midwife hurried out of the inner hall, holding a swaddling baby in her arms, her face full of smiles: "Congratulations to the Emperor, congratulations to the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess has given birth to a grandson!"

Upon hearing this, the King of Chu's face suddenly showed joy.

He walked forward quickly, stretched out his hand to take the baby, and said with a smile: "Good! Good! I finally have a grandson! Let me see it!"

However, before his hand touched the swaddling clothes, Chu Ning had already taken the baby into his arms.

His movements were gentle yet firm, as if he was declaring something.

Emperor Chu's hand froze in mid-air, the smile on his face froze slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

Chu Ning looked down at the baby in his arms, his eyes gentle but firm. He said softly, "Father, I have already chosen a name for this child."

Upon hearing this, the King of Chu frowned slightly, and said with a hint of displeasure: "Oh? You have already chosen a name? Why didn't you discuss it with me first?"

Chu Ning raised his head and looked directly at Emperor Chu, his tone calm but unquestionable: "This boy's name is Chu Tian."

"Chutian..."

Emperor Chu repeated it in a low voice, with a complicated look in his eyes.

This name has profound meaning. It not only symbolizes the future of the State of Chu, but also implies Chu Ning's control over the power of the State of Chu.

Emperor Chu felt unhappy, but he knew that it was not appropriate to argue with Chu Ning at this time.

He forced a smile and nodded, "Nice name, nice name."

At this moment, the genius doctor Sun Simiao walked out from the inner hall with a serious expression.

He walked up to Chu Ning and whispered, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess wants to see you."

Chu Ning's expression changed slightly when he heard this.

He looked down at the baby in his arms, then handed him to the palace maid beside him, turned around and walked quickly towards the inner hall.

His back was straight and resolute, as if carrying some unshakable determination.

Emperor Chu looked at Chu Ning's departing back, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

He knew in his heart that Chu Ning seemed to be planning something, but he could not see through his thoughts.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the gloomy face of Emperor Chu.

He stood there for a long time without moving, as if he was thinking about something.

After a moment, he slowly turned around, his eyes fell on the dark night sky outside the hall, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Chu Tian...Chu Ning...between you two, father and son, who will have the last laugh?" He murmured in a low voice, with an imperceptible hint of coldness in his voice.

At this time, Chu Ning had already stepped into the inner hall.

Shen Wanying was lying on the bed, her face as pale as paper, with beads of sweat on her forehead.

When she saw Chu Ning coming in, a trace of relief and tenderness flashed in her eyes, and she called softly: "Your Highness..."

Chu Ning walked quickly to the bedside, held her hand, and whispered, "Wanying, thank you for your hard work."

Shen Wanying shook her head slightly, her eyes gentle but firm: "Your Highness, I am not tired, but... have you really decided about the frontline?"

Chu Ning nodded, his eyes deep as a pool: "Yes, I must go, not only for the Chu State, but also for our children."

When Shen Wanying heard this, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes, but she knew that no one could change Chu Ning's decision.

She gently held Chu Ning's hand and whispered, "Your Highness, please take care of yourself."

Chu Ning smiled slightly, lowered his head and kissed her forehead gently: "Don't worry, I will come back."

Inside the hall, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the figures of two people leaning on each other.

Outside the palace, Emperor Chu was still standing in the night with a deep gaze, as if he was waiting for something.

That night, the father and son inside and outside the East Palace each had their own secrets and plans in their hearts.