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

Dugu Xin was eventually killed under Chu Ning's strong request!

At this moment, in the East Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated Chu Ning's stern face.

On his way back, he summoned the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jia Yu, and the Minister of Personnel, Lu Xiuwen.

The night outside the window was as dark as ink, but the hall was filled with a suffocating atmosphere of tension.

Jia Yu was dressed in a crimson official uniform, with a resolute expression on his face, standing respectfully in the hall.

Chu Ning tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk and said in a deep voice, "Did you take note of the twenty-seven people who pleaded for Dugu Xin at the gate of the palace today?"

"Your Highness, I have recorded them all in the book." Jia Yu bowed, his voice low and firm.

"it is good."

A cold light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes: "Keep a close eye on these people. If there is any unusual movement..."

He paused, his tone suddenly turning cold: "Have the Jinyiwei take him down immediately, no need to ask for permission."

"The minister obeys the order."

Jia Yu bowed deeply, then bowed and left the hall.

The heavy palace door slowly closed behind him with a dull sound.

Only Chu Ning and Lu Xiuwen were left in the hall.

Lu Xiuwen's temples were already gray, but at this moment he felt his back was soaked with cold sweat.

He secretly raised his eyes and met Chu Ning's scrutinizing gaze, then quickly lowered his head again.

"Lord Lu!"

Chu Ning suddenly spoke, her voice eerily calm: "You should be very clear about the reason why Dugu Xin poisoned me, right?"

Lu Xiuwen trembled all over and the tablet in his hand almost fell to the ground.

Of course he knew that Dugu Xin's only grandson Dugu Yan was killed in an assassination attempt last year, so he took the risk and colluded with the barbarians to poison him.

What shocked him even more was that his second son, Lu Chang, also died in that assassination!

"Your Highness..."

Lu Xiuwen's voice trembled, his legs softened and he fell to the ground: "Your humble servant...your humble servant..."

Chu Ning walked slowly up to him and looked down at him. "I brought this up today because I want to know if you, like Dugu Xin, harbor resentment towards me."

Lu Xiuwen banged his forehead heavily on the gold brick, making a dull sound. "Your Highness, please understand! I have followed Your Highness since Bingzhou, and it has been almost seven years now! Your Highness has promoted me all the way, and only then could I reach my current position!"

He raised his head, tears welling in his old eyes. "Chang'er's death was caused by Shen Zhengqing colluding with the remnants of the Zhao Kingdom."

"Now that the thief Shen has been executed and our great vengeance has been avenged, how dare I...how dare I harbor any resentment towards Your Highness?"

Chu Ning's eyes were as sharp as a torch, as if he could see through his soul: "Really?"

"I swear on my life!"

Lu Xiuwen's voice choked with sobs: "Although I have lost my beloved son, I also know that the three kingdoms are now watching us covetously. The Great Chu is at the brink of extinction. If I sacrifice public interest for personal gain, wouldn't I become a sinner for all eternity?"

The hall fell into a brief silence. After a long moment, Chu Ning suddenly leaned over and personally helped Lu Xiuwen up:

"I am very pleased that you have such awareness."

He patted my trembling shoulders and said solemnly, "I am truly heartbroken about Dugu Xin's affairs, but the three kingdoms are now plotting to attack Chu. Our Great Chu cannot afford internal strife."

Lu Xiuwen quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. I will do my best to help Your Highness stabilize the government."

"For the sake of the Chu Empire, I will not hesitate to die!"

Chu Ning nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, with your words, I feel relieved."

He turned and walked towards the imperial desk, waving his hand: "Go down."

Lu Xiuwen bowed and left the imperial study. He didn't breathe a sigh of relief until he walked out of the palace gate.

As the autumn wind blew by, he realized that his official uniform was already soaked with cold sweat.

In the imperial study, Chu Ning stared at the flickering candlelight with a changeable look in his eyes.

He whispered to himself, "I hope these ministers can understand this truth..."

Although the current Great Chu seems to be united, there are still many things that need him to solve.

Otherwise, once the three dynasties really work together to attack the State of Chu, the State of Chu must respond with all its strength, both militarily and politically.

He didn't want problems to suddenly arise in the country when he was facing three dynasties.

Lu Xiuwen was one of the officials who had followed him the longest, and he was also a member of the cabinet and the Minister of Personnel. He was the person he least wanted to see get into trouble.

That's why he took the initiative to find the other party and give him some instructions.

Fortunately, Lu Xiuwen was reasonable and did not involve him in Lu Chang's death, otherwise it would have been really troublesome.

In the midst of contemplation.

As soon as Lu Xiuwen stepped out of the palace door, he heard hurried footsteps outside.

Zhao Yu hurried into the hall, bowed and reported: "Your Highness, His Majesty's carriage has arrived outside the palace gate."

Chu Ning frowned slightly and paused the red pen in his hand.

Why did my father suddenly come at this hour?

He put down his pen, straightened his clothes and said, "I am here to welcome you."

The autumn wind was blowing outside the palace. As Chu Ning reached the steps, he saw the Emperor of Chu's dragon chariot had arrived.

He was about to salute, but saw the Emperor of Chu walk straight past him without even a glance.

Chu Ning frowned, waved his hand to signal Zhao Yu and others to leave, and followed in alone.

The flickering candlelight in the hall made the Emperor Chu's expression look gloomy and uncertain.

Chu Ning personally poured a cup of hot tea and offered it: "Has Your Majesty, Father, ever had dinner? Why not..."

"No need."

The Emperor of Chu interrupted coldly, "I am very angry today."

Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat, and he stood with his hands hanging down. "I wonder why my father is so angry?"

The King of Chu suddenly turned around, his eyes flashing like lightning: "I have decided to pass the throne to you during the Lantern Festival."

"what?"

Chu Ning's pupils suddenly shrank: "Father, this matter..."

"The Ministry of Works will immediately begin constructing the throne platform. The Ministry of Rites will issue invitations within three days to envoys from various countries to attend the ceremony."

The Emperor of Chu spoke rapidly, each word sharp as a knife: "I have ordered the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to select an auspicious day, which will be the fifteenth day of the first lunar month."

Chu Ning took a deep breath and asked, "Why did Father suddenly pass on the throne? But what did I do wrong?"

"wrong?"

The King of Chu suddenly sneered, "What have you done wrong, Chu Ning? The military order is in your hands now. All the officials in the six ministries are your subordinates, and all the ministers in the court follow your lead."

He slammed the table and said, "I, the emperor, have long been a mere figurehead, a puppet of yours!"

The candlelight in the hall suddenly jumped, casting the shadows of the father and son intertwined hideously on the wall.

Chu Ning said calmly, "I have absolutely no such intention!"

"enough!"

The Emperor of Chu shouted, "I am not here to listen to your explanation. You must take this throne whether you want it or not!"

He gasped: "I am tired and don't want to be this puppet emperor anymore!"

Chu Ning slowly stood up, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

He had known that his father had resentment towards his taking power, but he had never expected it to erupt in this way.

"Please allow me to think about this for a few days."

He finally bowed and said, "Father, please reconsider!"

"No need!"

The Emperor of Chu flicked his sleeves and turned around: "I have drafted the imperial edict and will announce it to the world tomorrow."

When he reached the palace gate, he suddenly stopped and said, "By the way, remember to invite other dynasties to come and watch the ceremony!"

Looking at the departing back of Emperor Chu, Chu Ning stood in the hall, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at his waist.

Outside the window, an autumn wind blew dead leaves against the window frame, making a rustling sound, as if it was some kind of ominous omen.