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

On a cold October night, the moon is as cold as a hook.

Jia Yu walked quickly along the bluestone pavement and passed through the numerous palace gates, his black cloak fluttering in the night wind.

When the guards outside the imperial study saw that it was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was also the Imperial Censor, they all bowed their heads in greeting, but no one dared to step forward to stop him.

"Master Jia, why are you here to see the emperor so late at night?"

The eunuch chief, Zhao Ming, came forward with a smile on his face, his narrow eyes narrowed into slits. "Your Majesty has retired. Would you like to come back tomorrow?"

"I have an important matter to attend to."

Jia Yu's stern face looked even more fierce under the light of the palace lanterns, and his sharp eyes swept across Zhao Ming like a knife.

"If this delays military and national affairs, can Chief Steward Zhao afford it?"

The smile on Zhao Ming's face froze, and beads of sweat oozed from his forehead.

He knew too well the methods of the Jinyiwei chief in front of him, and he understood even more the delicate relationship between the Crown Prince and His Majesty.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally bowed and said, "Master Jia, please wait a moment. I will pass the message on immediately."

In the imperial study, the Emperor of Chu was sitting in front of a desk in his bright yellow nightgown, holding a pen, his eyes flashing with a fickle gleam.

Upon hearing Zhao Ming's report, he suddenly stopped the red pen in his hand, and the ink spread a scarlet color on the memorial.

"Didn't I say that I wouldn't see anyone tonight?" The Emperor of Chu's voice was terrifyingly gloomy.

Zhao Ming fell to his knees, resting his forehead against the cold gold brick. "Your Majesty, please forgive me! But Lord Jia said this is a matter of great importance, and I dare not stop him."

"Humph!"

The King of Chu sneered and slammed the brush in his hand down on the table: "Jinyiwei, what a Jinyiwei!"

There was a cold glint in his eyes: "Let him in."

As Jia Yu stepped into the hall, he immediately felt the pressure coming towards him.

"I am here to see you, Your Majesty!"

He bowed respectfully, but did not hear the word "no need to bow".

The King of Chu sat on the dragon throne, looking down at the prince's confidant.

"The prince asked you to come, didn't he?"

The Emperor of Chu got straight to the point, his voice piercing with chill. "Go back and tell the Crown Prince that I have made up my mind. The succession ceremony will be held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year. Tell him to prepare for his ascension."

Jia Yu maintained his saluting posture, but his heart was already in turmoil.

The King of Chu was so tough that he didn't even give the other party a chance to speak. It was obvious that he was well prepared.

He raised his eyes slightly and noticed the map spread out on the imperial desk - it was the border defense map of the Yanzhou area.

"His Majesty!"

Jia Yu carefully considered his words: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's grace. However, the three kingdoms are now eyeing the throne covetously. If you ascend the throne at this time..."

"Lord Jia!"

The King of Chu suddenly raised his voice and interrupted forcefully, frightening Zhao Ming who was standing beside him and making him tremble all over.

"You are in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so you should be most aware of the current situation in the world. It is precisely because of the three kingdoms surrounding us that I want the Crown Prince to ascend the throne as soon as possible to reassure the people!"

Jia Yu sneered in his heart, but his face became more respectful: "Your Majesty is wise, but the generals at the front have to return to watch the ceremony when the crown prince ascends the throne."

"This way, our front lines will be left without anyone to command them!"

"enough!"

The Emperor of Chu slammed the table, and the teacup on the table shattered. "I think you have forgotten your status! Remember, you are standing in the Imperial Study, not the Eastern Palace!"

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.

Jia Yu knew that further probing would only backfire, so he immediately kowtowed: "I am deeply terrified. Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered in my heart."

The Emperor of Chu snorted coldly, turned around and said, "Withdraw. Remember my words and convey them to the Crown Prince without missing a word."

Seeing the Emperor of Chu's resolute attitude, Jia Yu could only play the trump card he had prepared in advance: "Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor is a veteran of three dynasties and is also your mentor."

"Now the head of the Grand Tutor is hanging high above the city gate, and the people passing by are pointing and talking. This is really damaging to the dignity of the royal family!"

Emperor Chu's fingers unconsciously stroked the armrests of the dragon throne, and a trace of pain flashed in his eyes.

The kind face of the Taifu seemed to appear before his eyes again - the old man who taught him to read and write and accompanied him through countless cold winters and hot summers.

"His Majesty!"

Jia Yu lowered his voice and said, "As long as you revoke your order, I guarantee that the head of the Grand Tutor can be buried tomorrow, and..."

"enough!"

The King of Chu suddenly interrupted in a harsh voice, but his voice was no longer as resolute as before.

He took a deep breath and looked out at the dark night outside the palace with a complicated gaze: "The evidence is irrefutable that the Grand Tutor is colluding with foreign enemies. The order to hang his head for public display was issued by the Crown Prince. I have no right to interfere."

Jia Yu keenly sensed the hesitation in the Emperor's tone and immediately stepped forward. "If Your Majesty agrees to postpone the succession, I, this humble servant, am willing to guarantee with my own life that not only will the Grand Tutor be buried in peace, but he will also be granted a privileged burial site west of the Imperial Mausoleum."

He paused deliberately: "I heard that it is in the direction of the Taifu's hometown!"

The King of Chu clenched his fists violently, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Jia Yu's move hit the nail on the head - the Taifu's greatest wish during his lifetime was to be able to see his hometown from afar after his death.

If I can accomplish this, it will make up for the guilt in my heart.

The copper clock in the hall was ticking, and time seemed to stand still.

Zhao Ming stood outside the hall, breathing very lightly, for fear of disturbing this dangerous game.

"Lord Jia!" The Emperor of Chu finally spoke, his voice terribly hoarse. "Do you know what you are doing?"

He slowly stood up, his bright yellow dragon robe gleaming coldly in the candlelight. "You're using my teacher to threaten me?"

Jia Yu immediately knelt on the ground: "I dare not! But I cannot bear to see Your Majesty and the Grand Tutor..."

"Shut up!" The Emperor of Chu overturned the imperial desk, and the writing brush and ink scattered all over the floor.

His chest heaved violently, his eyes mingling with anger and pain. "What a loyal subject! What a considerate Jinyiwei commander!"

Suddenly, the Emperor of Chu sneered, "I'd like to ask, is this your idea or the Crown Prince's?"

He leaned over and approached Jia Yu, and the scent of ambergris mixed with a sense of oppression hit him in the face.

"The Crown Prince sent you here just to use the Grand Tutor to threaten me?"

Jia Yu frowned, not expecting the emperor to change his expression so quickly. He wanted to explain: "Your humble servant..."

"That's all."

The Emperor of Chu straightened up, his expression suddenly calm. "Three days from now, I will personally go and take the head of the Grand Tutor. The matter of burial with him... I will discuss this with the Crown Prince in person."

He turned to look at the territorial map hanging on the wall, and his voice suddenly became vague.

"But this succession ceremony must be held as scheduled."

Jia Yu was shocked - the emperor would rather give up the opportunity for the tutor to be buried in peace and insist on passing on the throne?

There must be a plot that is more important than the friendship between teachers and students!

"Your Majesty, please think twice!" Jia Yu wanted to persuade him again.

"Go back."

The Emperor of Chu had his back to him, his voice filled with unquestionable authority, "Tell the Crown Prince that on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, I want to see the new emperor ascend the throne. If he still has any filial piety, he should understand my painstaking efforts."

Jia Yu knew that continuing to pester would only backfire, so he had to kowtow and leave.

The night wind blew, but Jia Yu didn't feel cold.

He walked quickly through the palace corridor, replaying every detail of the imperial study in his mind - the Emperor of Chu's unusual persistence and the map of Yanzhou.

This all points to a terrible guess.

The lights of the East Palace are visible in the distance.

Jia Yu tightened his grip on the jade belt around his waist and his steps became more hurried.

He must immediately report what he saw and heard tonight to the Crown Prince - the succession of the King of Chu might very well be an elaborate trap!