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

In the early morning of the tenth day, as soon as the sky turned pale, the entire capital of Chu was already in an uproar.

Zhuque Street was covered with freshly picked peony petals. The imperial guards, dressed in brand new black armor, lined up along the street, their swords at their waists gleaming coldly in the morning light.

Thirty-six dragon flags fluttered in the wind on the city gate tower, and musicians from the Ministry of Rites tuned the chimes and drums. The air was filled with a solemn atmosphere mixed with agarwood incense and gunpowder smoke.

Chu Ning, wearing the crimson gauze court robes of the crown prince, stood on the city wall. The jade pendant with dragon pattern on his jade belt made a crisp clinking sound as he turned around.

Zheng Yuanpei, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward quickly, holding the jade book of welcome. "Your Highness, the scouts report that the Great Zhou ceremonial procession is less than three miles from the city gate."

Before he finished speaking, the outline of a gilded carriage hood appeared on the distant horizon, and the Vermillion Bird flags held high by three hundred Yu Lin Guards danced like flames in the morning sun.

"Play the Jiushao!" As the Minister of Rites waved the command flag, seventy-two musicians struck the bronze chimes at the same time.

Amidst the resounding sound, Chu Ning led the crowd down the city wall, and the silver armor of the white horse cavalrymen suddenly surged like snow waves.

Zhao Yu followed closely behind, holding the sword at his waist, and suddenly lowered his voice: "Your Highness, the Queen of the Great Zhou is here!"

Chu Ning raised the corners of his lips slightly, and his fingertips brushed across the dark lines on his cuffs.

At this time, the Great Zhou delegation was within a hundred steps. The six dragon-drawn and phoenix-drawn chariots in the front suddenly lifted the embroidered gold curtains, and an apricot-colored figure jumped out like a young swallow into the forest.

"Big bad guy, here I come!"

The clear and melodious voices of children echoed through the long street. Wu Xiuning tapped the driver's shoulders with her toes, and the ribbon decorated with silver bells around her waist drew streams of light in the air.

"Be careful!" Zhao Yu's sword had just come out of the scabbard three inches when he saw Chu Ning's wide sleeves rolling like clouds.

The embroidered shoes kicked by the little princess in the air contained a strong wind. When Chu Ning turned sideways, the tassels of the jade crown did not move at all, and his right hand formed a claw to grab the other's ankle.

Wu Xiuning actually did a somersault in mid-air, and with two fingers together, he struck at the vital point at his throat.

Before the onlookers could even cry out in surprise, Chu Ning had already changed his move to "Snow Blocking the Blue Pass". His left palm created spider-web-like cracks on the bluestone slab, and he used the force to soar three feet into the air.

The two figures intertwined like butterflies in the morning light. The golden bracelet on the little princess' wrist suddenly shot out, and Chu Ning's jade hairpin broke with a sound. The moment his black hair was scattered, he grabbed the silk ribbon around the girl's waist with his backhand.

"You're cheating!"

When Wu Xiuning was held in his arms, her cheeks puffed up like peach buds in early spring. The tassels of her golden hairpin wrapped around Chu Ning's fingers, reflecting tiny spots of light in the sunlight.

Suddenly, the sound of rings and pendants could be heard on the bluestone road, and eight palace maids holding peacock feathers stood on both sides.

Wu Zhao came slowly, dragging a phoenix-tail skirt with twelve pieces of gold thread. Behind the tassels of her nine-phoenix-holding-pearl hairpin, her sharp eyes flashed at Chu Ning's fingertips.

"It seems the rumors are true. The toxins in the body of the Crown Prince of Chu have been completely cleared."

Wu Zhao's fingertips brushed across the little princess's sweaty hair, but her eyes were fixed on Chu Ning.

Chu Ning handed Wu Xiuning to Zhao Yu, smiling: "Thank you for the Empress's concern. I don't have to worry about toxins in my body anymore."

At this time, the Minister of Rites spoke up: "Your Highness, the auspicious time has arrived. You may enter the city."

Chu Ning nodded slightly

Nine salutes shook the dew off the eaves, and the ceremonial guards of the two countries merged into a brilliant torrent.

When Wu Zhao's phoenix chariot passed by, the sound of ceremonial music rang out again, and the people who had been leaning forward retreated one after another at the signal of the white horse cavalry.

"Please." Chu Ning waved the gilded and silver-inlaid ceremonial fan, and the crowd marched towards the city in a mighty procession.

"Welcome Her Majesty the Empress of the Great Zhou!" The officials from the Ministry of Rites who came to greet her bowed in greeting.

Chu Ning did not arrange for Wu Zhao to stay in the inn, but in the Eastern Palace!

It was mid-winter, and a thin layer of frost covered the glazed tiles of the East Palace. Warm orange light danced in the bronze sparrow lamps on both sides of the corridor.

Chu Ning personally led Wu Zhao through the three-layered vermilion lacquered palace gate, and the intertwined sleeves of their clothes were reflected on the gilded floor tiles.

Zhao Yu held Wu Xiuning's hand and waited outside the hanging flower gate. The little princess kept looking back, and her pigtails decorated with silver bells jingled in the cold wind.

"Take Tian'er to the warm room to play."

Chu Ning took off his black fox cloak and wrapped it around Wu Xiuning. He tapped the girl's eyebrows with his fingertips and said with a smile:

"The dancing puppet you requested last time is already in Tian'er's study."

Wu Xiuning's eyes suddenly lit up like stars, and she suddenly grabbed Chu Ning's jade pendant and whispered, "I want to stay a little longer this time~"

Chu Ning was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Don't worry, you will stay here for two months this time."

Only then did Wu Xiuning leave with satisfaction following Zhao Yu.

The moment the palace door closed, the scent of agarwood mixed with ambergris suddenly became strong.

Wu Zhao was just raising her hand to take off her Nine-Phoenix Hairpin, and the wide sleeves embroidered with gold thread slipped down. Chu Ning suddenly put his arms around her from behind, burying his nose in the black hair on the back of her neck. The fresh fragrance like pine snow was also wrapped in the coldness of travel.

"Seven hundred and thirty-one days."

His voice was as hoarse as rough sandpaper: "It's been so many days since we last met!"

Wu Zhao suddenly turned around and rolled her eyes: "If you really miss me, why don't you follow King Zhao of Yan and build the Golden Terrace?"

The candlelight reflected in her eyes, like two dancing blue flames in the snow.

Chu Ning was about to speak when he saw her suddenly smile, stand on tiptoe and press her lips to the corner of his slightly cold mouth.

This dragonfly-like kiss carried the familiar scent of rouge, and when it left, Chu Ning tasted a hint of sweetness.

"I know."

Wu Zhao wiped the rouge from his lips with her thumb: "You have been dealing with the alliance between Jin and the three dynasties."

She was suddenly lifted into the air, and her twelve-piece golden-thread phoenix-tail skirt swept the memorials off the table.

Chu Ning's breath was hot against her ear: "Why not just merge into our Great Chu? Why keep dividing us?"

The sound of children playing could be heard outside the window, and Wu Xiuning's silver bell-like laughter penetrated the carved window lattice.

Wu Zhao suddenly stopped Chu Ning's hand that was reaching into her clothes: "Ever since she found out about her life story, she's been thinking about you every day. Wait a little longer... wait for the day when you drink from the Yellow River..."

"I want everyone in the world to know."

Chu Ning untied the jade belt around her waist, and the sound of metal collision startled the crows perched under the eaves.

"The Queen of the Great Zhou is not only my ally..."

The moment the brocade curtain fell, he bit her trembling earlobe and said, "You are still the mother of my child."

Cheers suddenly broke out from the direction of the warm room, and Wu Xiuning could be vaguely heard shouting, "This puppet can really do somersaults."

Wu Zhao chuckled softly in the midst of their lovemaking: "You... um... are using puppetry here..."

The unfinished words turned into a long sigh.

Half an hour later, Chu Ning entwined his fingers with her loose black hair and said with a smile, "It's been a long time since we last met, but your abilities haven't diminished at all."

Wu Zhao rolled her eyes and punched him lightly on the shoulder: "Why, do you hope that my ability will be worse than before?"

"Or do you think I'm getting old and starting to miss my youth?"

This is a life-threatening question!

Chu Ning quickly laughed: "You worry too much, how could I possibly have such an idea."

"Today, I will accompany you well!"

After saying that, he turned over and pressed on her.

Wu Zhao was not afraid at all and went straight to meet him.

Today is destined to be a fierce battle.