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

In the Xiyuan Hall, the charcoal fire was burning, dispelling the winter chill.

The cold wind was howling outside the window, but it was warm inside the hall.

Seeing the Emperor Chu remain silent, Chu Ning coldly questioned, "Father, how do you explain your collusion with the Scorpion Tribe and the sale of military rations?"

Emperor Chu had calmed down at this moment. He slowly picked up the wine glass, took a sip, then looked up at Chu Ning and said lightly:

"I have been staying in the palace with several beautiful concubines for a while now, just wanting to have a few more children before I die. How can I have the extra time to collude with the Scorpion Tribe and sell food?"

After hearing these words, Chu Ning was stunned.

He had imagined that the Emperor of Chu would quibble, be angry, or even deny it, but he had never imagined that the Emperor of Chu was actually busy having a baby?

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Why do you suddenly want to have a baby?"

The Emperor of Chu put down his wine glass, his expression slightly dejected. "I had eighteen princes, but now only four remain. A hundred years from now, how will the history books describe me? 'The Emperor of Chu is incompetent, his descendants are dwindling'?"

Chu Ning was speechless for a moment.

For an emperor who is about to abdicate, what he cares about most is the evaluation in history books.

If the King of Chu had few offspring throughout his life, later historians would certainly mock him for having "a thin dragon essence" and even doubt whether he really possessed the power of an emperor.

But on second thought, Chu Ning's brows furrowed instantly: "If Father had a few princesses, it would be fine, but if he had princes, wouldn't you be afraid that they would seize power from me?"

The King of Chu shrugged his shoulders and said indifferently: "That is their own business. It has nothing to do with me."

He is not Chu Ning's opponent, but he can have a few more sons!

Since he couldn't defeat Chu Ning, he might as well take revenge in this way!

He wanted to leave a few potential opponents for Chu Ning before he died!

If any of these princes are gifted, they will definitely covet the throne in the future.

He himself cannot shake Chu Ning's rule, but he can sow the seeds of disaster and make Chu Ning restless for the rest of his life!

Chu Ning's eyes darkened, and he finally understood the Emperor Chu's intention!

"This revenge... is really unique." Chu Ning sneered.

However, this also indirectly proves one thing - the person who colluded with the Scorpion Clan and sold military rations was indeed not the King of Chu.

Thinking of this, Chu Ning snorted coldly: "If father is not afraid of dying early, then create more people!"

After saying this, he turned and strode away, his back looking cold and resolute.

The King of Chu looked at his back, a smug look in his eyes, and whispered to himself, "I am no match for you, but if I give birth to ten or eight more sons, I don't believe they will all be your match!"

His fingers tapped lightly on the wine glass, his voice low and cold: "Last month, I begged you to spare the Grand Tutor, but you didn't even give me this little bit of mercy... Then, naturally, I won't let you have your way!"

Chu Ning walked out of the Xiyuan Palace, and the cold wind blew towards him, blowing away the depression in his heart.

He looked up at the gloomy sky, his mind churning with thoughts.

He was not afraid of the revenge of the King of Chu.

If there really are princes who dare to covet the throne, he doesn't mind letting them see what true imperial methods are!

But right now, he has something more important to do - to find out who is behind the collusion with the Scorpion Clan!

"Zhao Yu." Chu Ning called out coldly.

Zhao Yu immediately stepped forward and bowed, "Your Highness."

"Find out who in the court has been secretly communicating with the Scorpion Clan recently."

Chu Ning's eyes were icy: "Especially those officials who have old ties with the Grand Tutor."

Zhao Wushuang's heart trembled, and he immediately clasped his fists: "I understand!"

Now that Gongsun Yi, the envoy of the Scorpion Clan, is staying in the palace, it is inevitable that someone will take this opportunity to cause trouble and take the chance to go to the Scorpion Clan camp outside the city to contact the Scorpion Clan envoy.

If we can continue searching along this line, we will definitely be able to find out the other party's true identity.

However, before leaving, he still had something to arrange.

Outside the Xiyuan Palace, the wind was cold and the dead leaves were rolling on the ground.

Chu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, his black python robe rustling in the wind. His eyes were cold as he looked into the distance at the flickering candlelight in the hall, with a faint sneer on the corner of his mouth.

Not far away, the eunuch chief Zhao Ming was walking quickly through the corridor with his head down when he suddenly felt a sharp gaze falling on him. He looked up and his heart trembled - the prince was actually staring at him!

A layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on Zhao Ming's back.

He is the confidant of the Emperor of Chu and has served His Majesty for more than twenty years. Now the Emperor of Chu is about to abdicate. A new emperor appoints new ministers. The Crown Prince... is he going to remove himself?

He suppressed his fear and quickly stepped forward, bowing with the utmost respect. "This old servant pays homage to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. What are your wishes?"

Chu Ning's expression was calm, but his gaze was as sharp as a knife. "Manager Zhao, what are the origins of those beauties in my father's palace?"

Zhao Ming was stunned. He didn't expect that the prince was concerned about this matter. He felt a little relieved, but then he thought again and felt something was wrong - why did the prince suddenly care about His Majesty's beautiful concubine?

He did not dare to neglect it and quickly replied: "Your Highness, these beauties were sent by the Grand Tutor's son, Dugu Sheng."

"Later, the Grand Tutor and his son were executed, and they lost their support. Your Majesty, feeling sorry for them, favored them."

Before he finished speaking, a cold light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes, and he sneered: "Dugu Sheng?"

That's it!

Dugu Sheng was such a sinister and cunning person that he planned this before his death?

He probably had a plan in place long ago when he sent Meiji into the palace - if he failed, he would make these women become trouble and create hidden dangers around the King of Chu!

Chu Ning's eyes were deep, and murderous intent gradually rose in his heart.

Fortunately, this person was executed by his own order last month!

But... he has to be on guard against his father's means of revenge!

Chu Ning tilted his head slightly, his gaze landing on Zhao Ming, a half-smile on his face: "Steward Zhao, you've served the Emperor for many years, and your loyalty is commendable. Now that the Emperor is about to abdicate, it stands to reason that you should follow him into retirement."

Zhao Ming's heart tightened and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Is the prince going to drive him away?

However, Chu Ning changed the subject, his voice low and cold: "But I can give you a chance."

Zhao Ming suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

Chu Ning's lips curled slightly, and his tone was light, but every word was as sharp as a knife: "If you can prevent those women from getting pregnant, I will allow you to continue to stay in the palace and continue to be your chief steward."

Zhao Ming's pupils suddenly shrank and his face turned pale in an instant!

The prince wants him to... take action in secret and kill the King of Chu's offspring!

His lips trembled, and he was about to open his mouth to defend himself, but Chu Ning had already turned around and strode away, leaving only a few cold words to drift away in the cold wind.

"Manager Zhao, please think about this carefully."

Zhao Ming froze in place, sweat dripping down his face.

If he refuses, he will be punished by the prince; but if he agrees, he will be betraying the King of Chu!

But...does he have a choice?

Just as Chu Ning was about to step out of the courtyard, Zhao Ming's trembling but resolute voice finally came from behind him:

"Your Highness! This matter... I will definitely live up to your trust!"

Chu Ning paused slightly, and a playful smile slowly appeared on the corner of his lips.

well.

In this deep palace, it is the smart people who live longer after all.

Chu Ning nodded slightly and then walked away.

No one is allowed to covet Chu Ning's throne!

Be it the Emperor of Chu or those enemies hiding in the dark, no one can stop him!

However, now that the clues are gone, how can we force the other party out?