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

Chu Ning stood in front of the palace gate, watching the Emperor Chu's dragon chariot gradually disappear at the end of the palace road.

The autumn wind blew the candlelight against his face, but it could not extinguish the doubts rising in his heart.

The words his father said before he left, "Remember to invite other dynasties to watch the ceremony," kept echoing in his ears, like a blunt knife rubbing against his heart.

"I specifically instructed that envoys from various countries should attend the ceremony..."

Chu Ning's slender fingers unconsciously stroked the jade pendant on his waist, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"What exactly is Father planning?"

He turned and went back into the hall. The agarwood in the gilded beast furnace had burned out, leaving only a wisp of green smoke rising.

Chu Ning stared at the wisp of smoke that was about to dissipate, and suddenly sneered: "Zhao Yu!"

The palace door opened, and Jinyiwei Commander Zhao Yu appeared at the door like a ghost: "Your Highness."

"Immediately summon Liu Shouren, Lü Jianye, Jia Yu, and Ling Haoran to the palace."

Chu Ning's voice was colder than the wind and snow outside the palace: "Remember, go through Xihua Gate to avoid the eyes of the emperor."

Half an hour later, the charcoal fire in the warm room of the East Palace was burning brightly.

Four trusted ministers sat on both sides and listened to Chu Ning's story with serious expressions.

Minister of Revenue Liu Shouren was the first to speak: "Your Highness, since His Majesty has taken the initiative to abdicate, why not go with the flow!"

The old minister, who was over sixty years old, stroked his gray beard and said, "After all, it's better to ascend the throne legitimately than..."

"Master Liu, this is wrong!"

Jia Yu suddenly interrupted, his hawk-like eyes gleaming coldly in the candlelight.

"Your Majesty's behavior is extremely unusual. Three days ago, you were assisting the Crown Prince in reviewing memorials, and now you suddenly want to abdicate?"

He turned to Chu Ning and said, "Your Highness, I suspect there must be something fishy going on here."

Minister of Personnel Lü Jianye coughed lightly and said, "Master Jia is absolutely right. His Majesty has always loved to hold power. Even if he doesn't have it now, he won't give up the throne so easily!"

He lowered his voice and said, "Once you give up the throne, Your Majesty will have nothing!"

"absurd!"

Ling Haoran slammed the table and stood up. The powerful Minister of Justice showed displeasure and said in a deep voice:

"Your Highness now controls seven out of ten of the world's armies, and most of the key positions in the six ministries are held by His Highness. Even if Your Majesty has some plans, what can he do?"

The atmosphere in the warm room suddenly became tense.

Liu Shouren and Ling Haoran advocated ascending the throne, while Jia Yu and Lu Jianye insisted on finding out the true intentions of the King of Chu first.

Both sides held their own views and the debate became increasingly heated.

"You two lords are being too cautious."

Ling Haoran sneered, "If Your Highness hesitates any longer, I'm afraid the night will be long and full of dreams. Those officials below are all waiting for your merits!"

Jia Yu responded sinisterly, "Lord Ling, are you so anxious to be considered a loyal minister? Have you ever considered that if this is a setup by His Majesty, it's to get Your Highness to ascend the throne hastily so that he can take advantage of the situation..."

"enough!"

Chu Ning suddenly spoke, and placed the teacup in his hand heavily on the table.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Chu Ning stood up and walked to the window, looking at the autumn wind that was getting stronger outside.

After a long pause, he turned and said, "Master Jia, within three days I want to know who the emperor has met recently and what he has said."

"Master Lu, go check the Imperial Observatory to see if this auspicious date is real."

He glanced at the four of them, "As for the matter of ascending the throne... Sir Liu, please prepare according to your father's wishes, but remember, keep everything simple."

Finally, he looked at Ling Haoran and said, "The Ministry of Justice should pay more attention to the security of Kyoto City these days, so that no one can take advantage of us."

The four of them agreed in unison. Chu Ning waved his hand and said, "Everyone, leave. Jia Yu will stay."

When there were only two people left in the hall, Chu Ning lowered his voice and said, "Send a team of elite soldiers to keep a close eye on the emperor's bedroom. Remember, they must be familiar faces."

Jia Yu's eyes flashed: "Your Highness is worried..."

"I hope I am overthinking this."

Chu Ning looked at the flickering lights outside the window and murmured, "But this throne came too suddenly."

On a late autumn night in October, candlelight flickered in the East Palace. A cold wind howled outside the window, blowing withered yellow leaves against the window frames, making a rustling sound.

Chu Ning stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the dark night, with an unbreakable gloom between his brows.

"Master Jia!"

He suddenly spoke, his voice low and cold: "I have thought about it over and over again, and my father's sudden proposal to pass on the throne must have a deeper meaning."

Jia Yu, standing at the side, bowed slightly, his black brocade robe gleaming coldly in the candlelight. "Your Highness, please understand. Your Majesty's actions are indeed strange."

Chu Ning turned around, a sharp glint flashing in her deep eyes: "Humph, my father has a plan, don't I have a countermeasure?"

"On the surface, I asked Liu Shouren to prepare for the coronation ceremony, but in reality..."

He paused, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table: "I do not wish to ascend the throne at this time."

Jia Yu's eyes flashed, and he immediately understood: "Your Highness wants me to persuade His Majesty to retract his order?"

"good."

Chu Ning nodded slightly. "But given my father's temperament, he won't change his mind easily. This persuasion... is just superficial."

The hall fell into a brief silence, with only the ticking of the copper clock.

Jia Yu pondered for a moment and whispered, "Your Highness, do you want me to take this opportunity to test your majesty's true intentions?"

Chu Ning sneered, "Master Jia is indeed insightful. I can ascend the throne anytime I want. Why rush?"

He walked slowly towards the center of the hall, his figure lengthened by the candlelight. "Father has suddenly behaved so strangely. There must be something fishy going on. If I don't figure out his motives, I won't be able to sleep or eat."

Jia Yu's expression was solemn. "Your Highness is right in your concern, but I wonder what plans Your Majesty has."

Chu Ning suddenly stopped, his eyes sharp as a knife: "Now the Tang Dynasty, Wei State and Han State are plotting to attack Yanzhou."

"If I ascend the throne at this time, the generals on the front lines will definitely return to the capital to watch the ceremony..."

His voice suddenly turned cold: "If the three dynasties' coalition forces take advantage of the situation and invade, Yanzhou will be in danger!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Yu's expression suddenly changed: "So that's how it is! Your Majesty is going to..."

He stopped talking abruptly, cold sweat soaking his back.

Chu Ning said coldly, "So, Lord Jia, when you go there, you must find out the emperor's true intentions."

"Remember, no matter what he says, pay attention to the changes in his expression."

Jia Yu knelt on one knee and clasped his fists solemnly: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will definitely fulfill your mission!"

Chu Ning extended his hand to support her: "Go ahead, but remember, you can't let Father know my true intentions!"

Jia Yu understood and knew that the prince was reminding him to be careful.

He bowed deeply, turned around and strode away. His black cloak drew a sharp arc at the entrance of the hall and quickly blended into the vast night.

Inside the palace, Chu Ning stood alone in front of the window, looking at Jia Yu's receding figure, muttering to himself: "Father...what on earth are you planning?"

Outside the window, a cold moon quietly climbed up the branches, casting a cold light, shrouding the entire palace in an eerie silence.