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

It was a very chilly October night.

Outside the Taifu Mansion, the withered and yellow sycamore leaves rustled in the wind. Occasionally, a few leaves fell on the bluestone steps and were crushed by the soles of passing boots.

Chu Ning was wearing a black brocade robe with the jade belt around his waist still untied, and his face still showed some fatigue from the journey.

The guard behind him raised his hand and knocked on the door, the sound was particularly clear in front of the silent mansion.

"Squeak-"

The old servant at the gate held a lantern, squinted his eyes to see who was coming, and knelt hurriedly: "Your Highness! I will go and inform the Grand Tutor--"

"No need." Chu Ning waved his hand: "I will go in on my own."

In Dugu Xin's bedroom, the aroma of medicine and ink were intertwined.

Lying on the bed, Dugu Xin's face was haggard and his eyes were sunken. Hearing footsteps, he looked up at him.

A hint of surprise flashed in his turbid eyes. It was actually Prince Chu Ning. He immediately struggled to stand up and salute.

"Master, don't move!"

Chu Ning quickly stepped forward and pressed his shoulders. "The autumn night is heavy with dew, and you are still ill. Let's skip these formalities."

"You are a veteran of three dynasties. Now you are seriously ill. Why do you have to stick to etiquette?"

Dugu Xin clutched the corner of the quilt with his skinny fingers and said with a wry smile, "This old minister is ashamed..."

Chu Ning sat down on the stool beside the bed and glanced at the pile of documents on the desk. "Didn't the imperial physician tell the Grand Tutor to rest? Why is he still working so hard?"

"Your Highness has just conquered the State of Jin, and I, an old minister, must take care of domestic affairs."

"The cabinet will handle these matters." Chu Ning closed the memorial without further explanation. "The most urgent matter for Grand Tutor is to take good care of your health."

"Your Highness has destroyed the State of Jin this time and has made your power known to the world. This old minister is extremely pleased." A look of relief appeared on Dugu Xin's face.

Chu Ning nodded slightly: "Grandmaster, you are too kind. This battle is entirely due to the soldiers' dedication. I am just following the trend."

Dugu Xin shook his head, his eyes burning: "Your Highness, there is no need to be modest, it's just..."

He paused, his expression solemn: "Although Jin has been destroyed, Tang, Wei, and Han are eyeing us covetously. If they join forces, our Great Chu will be in danger!"

Chu Ning's eyes turned cold: "Don't worry, Grand Master, I have ordered the border troops to be on high alert and will not give the three kingdoms any chance to take advantage."

Dugu Xin sighed and continued, "The collection of food and fodder and the mobilization of troops are going smoothly, but..."

He hesitated.

"Taifu, please feel free to speak."

Dugu Xin took a breath and suddenly said seriously: "Your Highness, I heard that the concubine went to Youzhou?"

"Mulan couldn't stay idle, so she went to the military camp to teach riding and archery."

Chu Ning chuckled, "She has been learning martial arts with her father since she was young, so there is no need to worry, Master."

"But she is still a concubine in the harem..."

Chu Ning smiled upon hearing this, "Grandmaster, you're worrying too much. Feng Mulan is well versed in military tactics. Going to the army for training would actually help improve the border troops' combat effectiveness."

"I trust her."

Chu Ning interrupted and asked, "Taifu, what do you think of the recent developments in Tang and Wei?"

This question instantly perked up Dugu Xin's spirits, and his cloudy eyes sparkled with brilliance:

"The Wei State is currently rebuilding Hulao Pass, so I'm afraid they're on guard. As for the Tang State..."

Before he could finish his words, he suddenly started coughing violently.

Chu Ning was about to call for help when an old man in green robes appeared from behind the screen. It was the imperial physician Sun Simiao.

He bowed silently and stepped forward to give Dugu Xin acupuncture.

"how?"

After the acupuncture was completed, Chu Ning led Sun Simiao to the outer room.

The old doctor shook his head: "Taifu's five internal organs are all weak, even if he has a hundred-year-old mountain ginseng and Tianshan snow lotus..."

He glanced at Chu Ning's instantly tensed jaw and whispered, "It will extend your life by half a year at most."

The autumn wind blew through the hall, causing the candlelight to flicker.

"Half a year..."

Chu Ning closed his eyes and said, "Use the best medicine. If you need anything, go directly to the Imperial Hospital."

When he returned to the inner room, Dugu Xin had recovered some of his spirit and was staring at the parasol tree outside the window in a daze.

Seeing Chu Ning coming back, Dugu Xin suddenly grabbed Chu Ning's hand: "Your Highness!"

"This old minister has no other request, only that Your Highness..."

He panted heavily: "Add a few more princes..."

Chu Ning held those dry, branch-like hands in hers: "I promise you."

When we left the Taifu Mansion, the sky in the east was already turning pale.

Sun Simiao followed behind him, holding the medicine box, and heard the emperor suddenly ask:

"Really... there's no other way?"

"I will do my best."

The old doctor bowed deeply: "It's just that the Grand Tutor is nearly 70 years old and has suffered the pain of losing a grandson..."

Chu Ning looked at the falling sycamore leaves for a long time before saying, "I hereby order you to take care of the Grand Tutor full-time from now on."

In the morning light, the prince's carriage slowly drove along the official road covered with fallen leaves.

The autumn wind blew up a golden sycamore leaf, which gently fell on the shaft of the cart and then quietly slid into the dust.

East Palace.

Crown Princess Shen Wanying was wearing a lilac brocade cloak, holding a cup of warm ginseng tea in her hand, and pacing back and forth in front of the palace.

Her slender figure was reflected on the bluestone slab, flickering with the candlelight.

"Your Majesty, it's already dawn, you should take a rest first." Xiaoqing, the personal maid, advised in a low voice.

Shen Wanying shook her head, her eyes still fixed on the palace gate: "Wait a little longer."

Just when the maid was about to persuade her again, the guards' announcement finally came from the palace gate.

Shen Wanying's eyes lit up and she quickly walked forward.

Chu Ning's figure appeared under the palace lantern, his dark dragon-patterned uniform stained with night dew.

Just as Shen Wanying was about to salute, he raised his hand to stop her.

"Master, he..." Shen Wanying was about to say this, but she stopped when she saw the fatigue between her husband's brows.

Chu Ning shook his head, took off his cloak and handed it to the attendant: "Sun Simiao has checked it out, at most half a year."

The teacup in Shen Wanying's hand trembled slightly, and the aroma of ginseng tea spread between the two of them.

She whispered, "I will send someone to deliver some high-quality Ganoderma lucidum tomorrow."

"No need."

Chu Ning said in a low voice: "I have ordered the Imperial Hospital to take full care of him. In addition..."

He paused and said, "I will ask the Minister of Works to expedite the construction of the imperial mausoleum's side chambers."

Shen Wanying understood and said softly, "Having the Grand Tutor buried with the Emperor is indeed the highest honor."

Inside the bedroom, a gilded animal-head incense burner emits calming sinking water incense.

When Shen Wanying was changing Chu Ning's clothes, she found that his shoulders were stiffer than usual.

"Your Highness, please take care of yourself."

She whispered, "If the Master knew you were like this..."

The autumn wind blew past the window, making the window paper rustle.

Shen Wanying gently leaned on Chu Ning's shoulder: "Taifu will definitely be pleased to see the grace of the imperial mausoleum."

Chu Ning looked at the coiled dragon pattern on the ceiling of the tent and suddenly said, "I will accompany you today. I may not have time later. There are many important matters in the court that need my attention."

Shen Wanying tucked the corner of the quilt for him: "Your Highness, please don't overwork yourself."

"By the way..." Chu Ning turned to his wife, "The Grand Tutor mentioned the issue of offspring again today."

Shen Wanying's ears felt slightly hot, and she whispered softly, "I understand..."

Chu Ning reached out and stroked her long black hair: "Go to sleep."

The candlelight gradually dimmed and the sun was high in the sky.

Shen Wanying listened to the even breathing beside her, but could not fall asleep for a long time.

She looked at her husband's tired sleeping face and sighed softly.

Without the Grand Tutor, many matters in the court would fall on Chu Ning's shoulders.