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

The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the glazed tiles of the imperial palace, casting a golden-red glow.

Chu Ning took Deng Hongwen through the numerous palace gates. The guards saluted him one after another, with a hint of curiosity in their eyes.

Although Deng Hongwen tried to stay awake, his face was still pale and his steps were a little unsteady.

Chu Ning glanced at him sideways, frowned slightly, but didn't say much.

"Your Highness, do you need to summon the imperial physician?" a eunuch asked cautiously.

Chu Ning nodded: "Go and ask Sun Simiao to come over and tell him that I have something important to discuss with you."

The eunuch took the order and left. Not long after, an old man with white hair and beard came quickly.

He was wearing the official uniform of the Imperial Medical Bureau and had an exquisite medicine bag hanging around his waist. He was none other than the renowned doctor Sun Simiao.

"Your Majesty the Crown Prince, this old minister pays homage." Sun Simiao bowed.

"No gift."

Chu Ning raised his hand and said, "Master Deng is not feeling well. Please examine him."

Sun Simiao walked to Deng Hongwen and motioned him to sit down.

Deng Hongwen stretched out his right hand, and Sun Simiao placed three fingers on his pulse, closing his eyes and concentrating.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of people breathing.

After a moment, Sun Simiao opened his eyes and reported to Chu Ning: "Your Highness, Lord Deng is in good health and has not been poisoned."

"It's just that the long journey has caused blood circulation problems. I can prescribe a prescription for you and you will recover in a few days."

Chu Ning nodded slightly: "Thank you, Doctor Sun."

Sun Simiao bowed and said, "Your Highness, your words are too kind. This is my duty as an old minister."

He turned to Deng Hongwen and said gently, "Master Deng needs to rest more these days and avoid overworking."

Deng Hongwen forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Doctor Sun, for your concern."

Sun Simiao gave a few more instructions for precautions and then went back to write a prescription.

When only Chu Ning and Deng Hongwen were left in the hall, the atmosphere suddenly became solemn.

Chu Ning walked to the window, his back to Deng Hongwen, and said in a low voice: "Why did this mission to the barbarians turn out like this?"

Why had the envoys of the State of Chu ever received such treatment? Chu Ning was very upset and he had to find out the reason.

If the barbarians did it on purpose, he would naturally not let them go easily.

He has always been the one taking advantage of others. When has he ever been taken advantage of by others?

Deng Hongwen sighed deeply, a trace of fear flashing in his eyes: "Your Highness, you don't know that the situation of the barbarians is more complicated than we imagined."

"Although they are nominally a country, in reality they are a federation of more than a dozen tribes. Although they are ruled by a Khan, the leaders of each tribe have absolute control over their own tribes."

He paused and continued, "This time, I was captured by people from one of the tribes. That tribe is called the Black Wolf Tribe. Its leader is Tuoba Hong, who has a violent temper."

"After I revealed my identity, he not only refused to release us, but became even more aggressive, even threatening to kill me and the entire delegation."

Chu Ning turned around, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "How brave!"

"Fortunately, the Barbarian Khan Ashinamo arrived in time at the critical moment."

Deng Hongwen recalled: "He stopped Tuoba Hong's atrocities and released me. However..."

He hesitated for a moment and said, "I can clearly sense that Tuoba Hong is unwilling to give up, and the look he gives the Khan is filled with resentment."

Chu Ning sneered: "It seems that the barbarian tribe is not at peace."

Deng Hongwen nodded and said, "I suspect someone bribed Tuoba Hong to deliberately target our delegation. Otherwise, given the attitude of the barbarian Khan, he would never treat the envoys in this way."

"It's still possible to bribe the barbarian leader at this time..."

Chu Ning walked over to the desk and tapped his fingers on the table. "Of course it's one of the three great dynasties: the Tang Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, or the Wei Kingdom. Humph, that's a good plan."

He stopped abruptly, his eyes flashing with lightning. "This matter cannot be underestimated. We must investigate it as soon as possible. Since the Barbarian Khan released you, it means that he currently has no hostility towards our dynasty. We can start with this person."

Deng Hongwen bowed and said, "Your Highness is wise."

Chu Ning pondered for a moment and ordered, "When you go down, immediately tell Jia Yu about this matter and have the Jinyiwei cooperate with you in the investigation."

"Remember, this must be done covertly. Don't alert the enemy."

"I understand." Deng Hongwen responded solemnly.

Chu Ning added, "Also, you don't have to worry about the reception of the barbarian delegation. I will personally oversee it."

Deng Hongwen was moved when he heard this.

As the Minister of Rites, he should have been responsible for the etiquette of receiving foreign guests.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince told him not to worry about this matter, clearly out of sympathy for his health not yet recovered.

He bowed deeply, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration! I will do my utmost to uncover the truth."

Chu Ning waved his hand: "Go, take good care of your injuries."

After Deng Hongwen left, Chu Ning called out, "Zhao Yu!"

The palace door opened and Zhao Yu, wearing silver armor, strode in.

He had a resolute face and a heroic look between his brows. Just as he was about to salute, Chu Ning spoke first:

"How's the injury?"

Zhao Yu was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "Your Highness, have you noticed?"

I thought it was perfect, but I didn't expect His Highness to point it out as soon as he opened his mouth.

Chu Ning glared at him. "I'm a top-notch expert after all, how could I not see that? In order to defeat Gongsun Yi today, you forcibly reversed your internal energy to increase your speed."

"Otherwise, with Gongsun Yi's strength, it's impossible for him to be defeated by you so easily. Even if he were to lose, it would take at least three hundred rounds."

Zhao Yu's expression straightened. "That Gongsun Yi is going too far! He's so brazen at the gates of our imperial city. If we don't teach him a lesson, how can we maintain the dignity of the Great Chu?"

Chu Ning walked up to him, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile: "Well done, but don't be so reckless next time. Reversing your internal energy is too risky. If you're not careful, you'll damage your meridians."

Zhao Yu lowered his head: "I admit my mistake."

"Go to the treasury and get some herbs for cultivation. Take whatever you want."

Chu Ning said gently, "Take good care of yourself. There are more important things waiting for you to do next."

A trace of gratitude flashed in Zhao Yu's eyes: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

He saluted with his fists and turned to leave.

After Zhao Yu's figure disappeared outside the hall, Chu Ning walked to the window and looked out into the distance towards the city.

The sun has already set, leaving only a hint of dark red on the horizon.

His eyes gradually became cold, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Gongsun Yi, next, I am looking forward to your performance."

At the same time, in the tent outside the city, Gongsun Yi was sitting at the table with a gloomy face.

His chest was wrapped in bandages, and on the table lay a secret letter he had just received.

Under the candlelight, his expression was unpredictable, sometimes angry, sometimes cold.

"Chu! Ning!"

He gritted his teeth and whispered, "I will remember this vengeance."

Outside the window, a black crow flew quietly and disappeared into the twilight.

No one knew that a bigger storm was brewing.