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

In the golden autumn of October, the Chu Imperial Palace is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.

When Chu Ning's procession arrived at the palace gate, the Emperor of Chu, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, was already standing on the jade steps waiting.

This unexpected move surprised all the accompanying officials. You know, even if the prince returned in triumph, according to etiquette, the emperor only needed to wait in the Taiji Hall.

"My son, I will meet my father."

Chu Ning stepped forward quickly and was about to pay his respects when the Emperor of Chu held him back.

"My son has worked hard."

The King of Chu patted Chu Ning's shoulder, his eyes filled with satisfaction: "This battle was well fought, it demonstrated the might of our Great Chu!"

The father and son walked side by side through the numerous palace gates.

Chu Ning noticed that his father's steps were a little slower than when he left Beijing half a year ago, and there were a few more strands of white hair at his temples.

The imperial guards knelt along the way, and the palace maids lowered their heads to avoid them. Only the autumn wind blew the fallen leaves across the red walls, making a rustling sound.

The pavilion in the imperial garden had already been arranged.

On the round table made of golden nanmu wood were placed some of Chu Ning's favorite side dishes: steamed sea bass, honey ham, seasonal vegetables, and a pot of warm osmanthus wine.

The King of Chu dismissed his attendants, leaving only his personal eunuch Zhao Ming to serve him ten steps away.

"I know everything about the situation in the north."

The King of Chu personally poured a glass of wine for his son and said in a very low voice: "The three dynasties have joined forces. They are not here with good intentions."

Chu Ning picked up the wine glass and used the movement of drinking to hide the shape of his lips: "Father, don't worry. I have observed along the way that the Tang-Wei coalition forces are just pretending."

He picked up a piece of sea bass with his chopsticks and said, "Li Ji's 50,000-man army set up camp thirty miles outside Yecheng and didn't even send scouts into Wei territory."

"The situation in Wei was even more ridiculous. All those who withdrew were the old, weak, and sick. The elite troops were hidden in the valleys near Yanzhou."

The Emperor of Chu raised his eyebrows slightly: "You mean..."

"They're waiting."

Chu Ning put down his chopsticks and tapped the table lightly with his fingertips: "Wait for the big guy to make the first move, wait for us to lose our composure, or..."

A cold light flashed in his eyes: "Wait until winter."

"Deploying troops in the cold winter is a major taboo in military strategy."

“That’s why they said there won’t be a fight this year.”

Chu Ning poured his father another glass of wine and said, "I have ordered Xun Yu to reinforce the defenses of Yanzhou. As long as there is enough food and grass, it won't be a problem to hold out until spring."

The Emperor of Chu nodded slightly, then suddenly changed the subject: "Have you visited the Grand Tutor?"

Chu Ning paused for a moment, "I haven't had time yet. I was just about to ask Father, why are you suppressing the news of such a serious matter as the Grand Tutor's serious illness? You're even hiding it from me."

The autumn wind suddenly became fierce, making the copper bells on the corner of the pavilion jingle.

The King of Chu looked towards the rockery in the distance and was silent for a long time before he said, "This is the Grand Tutor's own idea."

"A month ago, the Grand Tutor suddenly fainted during the morning court session. The Imperial Physician examined his pulse and said..."

The Emperor of Chu's voice was a little tense. "They say he's been ill from overwork, and all his internal organs have been damaged. At most... he'll have about half a year left."

Chu Ning clenched his fists suddenly, his nails digging deep into his palms.

The Taifu who was devoted to the people and even helped him was actually terminally ill?

"The first thing the Grand Tutor did after waking up was to ask me to keep the news secret."

The King of Chu sighed, "He said the battle on the front lines is raging and he can't distract you. He also said that four of the six ministers are out in the field supervising the supply of food and wages. If word of his serious illness spreads, there will be unrest in the court."

A dead leaf fell on the table, and Chu Ning stared at the veins of the leaf in a daze.

He understood the good intentions of the Grand Tutor.

The autumn harvest is approaching and conscription is underway. If the court is unstable, the food and wages of the soldiers on the front line will be a problem.

"What did the imperial physician say? Is it really... incurable?" Chu Ning's voice was dry.

The Emperor of Chu shook his head. "The Imperial Physician has been on duty day and night, using every precious medicinal herb, but they can only provide some relief."

He suddenly lowered his voice, "However, the Grand Tutor is in good spirits. This morning he submitted a memorial recommending Zhou Yan, the Minister of War, to join the cabinet."

A gleam of light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes.

Zhou Yan is the Taifu's disciple, and the Taifu is trying to pave the way for his future.

"My son, I understand."

Chu Ning stood up and saluted: "Tomorrow morning, I will go to the Taifu's residence to visit him."

Emperor Chu nodded.

Outside the pavilion, the old eunuch quietly reminded everyone that the dinner time had arrived.

The Emperor of Chu stood up and straightened his dragon robe, returning to his majestic image as an emperor.

But when he turned around, Chu Ning still heard the Emperor Chu say softly:

"The Grand Tutor said that if you were the emperor, you would definitely be able to protect this beautiful land."

The autumn wind suddenly blew away the whisper and blew down the osmanthus flowers in the garden.

Chu Ning looked at Emperor Chu's back, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes.

In the distance, palace lanterns lit up one after another, like a river of stars, illuminating the road leading to the Taiji Hall.

After the banquet, Chu Ning returned to the East Palace under the moonlight.

The clear laughter of children could be heard from the inner courtyard in the distance. The palace lanterns in the corridor cast two figures, one big and one small, on the window paper, making it look particularly warm.

"Daddy!"

Chu Tian, who was less than three years old, had sharp eyes. As soon as he saw Chu Ning, he broke free from his mother's hand and ran over with his short legs.

The little girl was wearing an apricot-yellow brocade jacket, with a red string tied in her bun, and her chubby face was flushed from running.

Chu Ning's stern expression softened instantly. He bent down and lifted his son high up in the air: "The sky is heavy again!"

He spun around in the air, causing the child to giggle.

"Did you listen to your mother?"

"Tian'er has finished reciting the Thousand Character Classic!"

The little fellow puffed out his chest proudly, and suddenly leaned close to Chu Ning's ear and whispered mysteriously, "I even secretly sent a box of preserves to Grandpa Taifu..."

Chu Ning's smile faltered slightly, and he handed the child to Shen Wanying who followed closely behind.

The Crown Princess wore a light blue skirt and a white jade hairpin in her hair. She looked like a lotus emerging from the water in the moonlight.

She took the child, her eyes full of tenderness: "Your Highness is back."

"Ah."

Chu Ning reached out and brushed away the fallen petals on her shoulder, then instructed the maid Xiaoqing beside her: "Take the young princess down to rest."

After the maid carried Chu Tian away reluctantly, Chu Ning pulled Shen Wanying to sit on the stone bench under the corridor.

The cool autumn night breeze blows, carrying with it the fragrance of osmanthus.

"Wanying, how much do you know about the Grand Tutor?"

Shen Wanying's fingertips trembled, and the water in the teacup rippled slightly. "The other day, when the imperial physician came to check on the patient's pulse, he mentioned that the Imperial Tutor had caught a cold."

She raised her eyes to look at her husband's tense face, "Could it be..."

"Father said that the Grand Tutor might..." Chu Ning's voice was hoarse, "Only half a year left."

With a "clang", the teacup in Shen Wanying's hand fell to the ground.

She hurried to pick it up, but the broken porcelain cut her finger. Bright red blood oozed out, looking particularly glaring in the moonlight.

"How could this be?"

Her voice trembled: "Last month, the Grand Tutor came to the East Palace to test Tian'er's homework, and he was still energetic."

Chu Ning took out a handkerchief and bandaged her, his movements gentle but his brow furrowed. "Taifu always reports good news but not bad news."

Shen Wanying suddenly grabbed his hand and said, "Your Highness should go to the Grand Tutor's residence immediately."

"But I just came back..."

Chu Ning looked ashamed: "I didn't even have time to eat with you."

"Why do husband and wife have to talk about this?"

Shen Wanying straightened his collar, her fingertips brushing the dust from his armor. "The Grand Tutor has made great contributions to the court, and he needs you even more right now."

The sound of a drum was heard in the distance. Chu Ning took a deep breath and stood up.

In the moonlight, his figure was as tall as a pine tree, yet filled with an indescribable loneliness.

"I'll ask the kitchen to warm up the ginseng soup. You can take it to the Master."

Shen Wanying gently instructed, "Also, Your Highness, don't be too sad."

Chu Ning nodded, and when he turned around, he stopped again: "Taifu, have you tried the candied fruit that Tian'er sent?"

"I heard that the Grand Tutor was very happy after receiving it and used one immediately."

Tears welled up in Shen Wanying's eyes: "He also said that the little prince and the prince have very similar personalities."

The night wind suddenly rose, sweeping across the courtyard with fallen leaves.

Chu Ning's figure striding towards the palace gate appeared particularly resolute under the moonlight.

He knew that the Grand Tutor's time was running out.