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

After Deng Hongwen left, it was completely dark.

A cold wind began to blow outside the hall, and fine snowflakes hit the window frames, making a slight rustling sound.

Chu Ning rubbed his brows and was about to get up and go to the back hall to rest when he suddenly heard a clear and pleasant voice coming from the hall door.

"Your Highness, it's getting late. Isn't it time for dinner?"

He looked up and saw the Crown Princess Shen Wanying standing in front of the palace gate. She was wearing a moon-white brocade dress and a silver fox fur cloak, which made her skin look as white as snow and her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting.

She held a glazed palace lantern in her hand, and the warm yellow light reflected on her gentle face, adding a touch of softness.

The coldness in Chu Ning's eyes disappeared, the corners of his lips slightly raised, he strode forward, took her hand, and said softly:

"That's right, let's have dinner together."

However, Shen Wanying did not follow him. Instead, she gently broke free from his hand, took a step back, and knelt solemnly on the ground.

"Your Highness, I am guilty."

Her voice was very soft, but every word was clear, and seemed particularly heavy in the silent hall.

Chu Ning frowned and reached out to help her: "What are you doing?"

He even knew Shen Wanying's personality. Unless it was a very serious matter, she would never do such a thing.

Shen Wanying raised her eyes, her gaze filled with guilt. "If I hadn't begged you to help Shen Zhengqing, the Grand Tutor and Marquis Pingyuan wouldn't have betrayed you, and they wouldn't have let the Sixteenth Prince take advantage of this opportunity... All the troubles of this period are caused by me."

Her fingertips trembled slightly, and it was obvious that she had been tormented for a long time.

Although she did not say it explicitly these days, she knew everything about the turmoil in the court.

Shen Zhengqing's ambition, the Grand Tutor's betrayal, the Sixteenth Prince's conspiracy... every single one of them is closely related to her original plea.

Chu Ning stared at her, emotions surging in his eyes, and finally turned into a sigh.

He leaned over and took her cold hand in his, saying in a deep voice, "You don't need to blame yourself. You had a kind heart. It was Shen Zhengqing who overestimated his own abilities and showed no gratitude. Instead, he took a risk and obsessed with the dream of restoring his country. This is what brought about his own destruction."

He exerted force on his hands, pulled her up, and stroked the corners of her slightly red eyes with his fingertips. His voice was low and firm:

"He's been executed, the past is gone. Why should we hurt our feelings over a dead man?"

Shen Wanying's lips trembled slightly, tears flashing in her eyes: "But, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't..."

Before she finished speaking, Chu Ning suddenly lowered his head and sealed her unfinished words with his lips.

Shen Wanying suddenly opened her eyes wide, and before she could react, she felt a tightness around her waist, and she was lifted up horizontally by him.

Chu Ning strode towards the back hall, lowered his eyes and caught a glimpse of her blushing cheeks, and chuckled softly:

"It seems that I, your husband, must give you a good 'comfort' before I can make my beloved concubine feel completely at ease."

Shen Wanying pounded his shoulder in embarrassment and anger: "Your Highness! This, this is outrageous..."

Chu Ning didn't care at all. He kicked open the carved wooden door of the bedroom, and with a wave of his hand, the heavy curtains fell down layer by layer.

As the candlelight flickered, he leaned over and whispered in her ear, "If you still feel guilty...how about having another child?"

"...!"

The wind and snow are getting heavier outside the window, but inside the palace, it is spring.

For some things, no matter how many words are explained, they cannot compare to the most direct "action".

No matter how much you explain, it would be better to have some intimate contact directly to completely dispel Shen Wanying's concerns.

Only the union of spirit and flesh can make people completely let go of their grudges.

He wanted to comfort his woman in this way!

And this comfort lasted for three full days.

Three days later.

Shen Wanying just came out from the back hall, but her walking posture was a little different from before.

And on this day, envoys from the three dynasties arrived outside the city.

The biting cold wind blew up fine snow particles, swirling in front of the city gate.

The Minister of Rites, Deng Hongwen, dressed in a crimson official robe with a jade belt hanging from his waist, led the officials of the Ministry of Rites, musicians and the ceremonial guard to stand solemnly at the city gate.

The musicians stood quietly on both sides holding chimes and shengs and flutes, while the flag bearer held high the black dragon flag of the Chu State, which fluttered in the wind.

"Sir, the time has come." The Minister of Rites reminded in a low voice.

Deng Hongwen nodded slightly and looked towards the official road in the distance.

Three ceremonial teams were seen coming slowly from different directions and finally converging in front of the city gate.

The Tang Dynasty envoys wore crimson official uniforms and had luxurious ceremonial guards.

The Han envoys wore indigo robes and looked dignified.

The Wei envoys were dressed in dark black uniforms, looking solemn and fierce.

The three great scholars got off the car at the same time and walked steadily to Deng Hongwen.

Pei Yanzhi, the chief academic officer of the Imperial College of the Tang Dynasty, was about fifty years old, with a gaunt face, three strands of long beard blowing in the wind, and a green jade seal hanging around his waist.

Sima Hui, a doctor of the Imperial College of the Han Dynasty, was nearly sixty years old. Although his hair was gray, he was in good spirits and held a scroll of bamboo slips in his hand.

Among the Wei censors, Cui Gaoxuanyuan was the youngest, about forty years old, with sharp eyes and a decorative scholar's sword at his waist.

When the three of them stood still, an invisible pressure suddenly spread out.

The officials from the Ministry of Rites behind Deng Hongwen unconsciously took a half step back, but Deng Hongwen remained straight-backed, bowing with a smile on his face.

"I, the Minister of Rites Deng Hongwen, am hereby ordered by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to respectfully welcome the three gentlemen to our court."

Pei Yanzhi nodded slightly, Sima Hui stroked his beard and said nothing, while Cui Gaoxuan glanced coldly at the guards at the city gate.

After a moment of silence, Sima Hui, the oldest, spoke:

"Sir Deng, we are here to watch the ceremony on the emperor's orders. I'm not sure about the specific procedures for the coronation ceremony, nor are we told about our seating arrangements. Could you please let us know in advance?"

Deng Hongwen calmly pulled out three gold-stamped scrolls from his sleeve and presented them with both hands. "This is the detailed process of the ceremony and the seating chart for the three adults. Please review it."

Sima Hui took the letter but handed it to his attendant without even glancing at it, saying calmly, "Lead the way. We are tired from the journey and need to go into the city to rest first."

"It's natural."

Deng Hongwen smiled and stepped aside to make way: "Please come in, my three lords."

Just as the three great scholars were about to take a step forward, Cui Gaoxuan suddenly spoke up, "I heard that the Crown Prince of Chu recently purged the court of rebellion. Is this true?"

Deng Hongwen paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Lord Cui is well-informed. There were indeed some rogues causing trouble, but they have been purged with swift action by His Highness."

Pei Yanzhi snorted lightly: "Thunderous means? I heard that you are the sixteenth prince..."

"Master Pei!"

Deng Hongwen suddenly raised his voice and interrupted, "The snow is very strong today. Please hurry into the city. The inn has prepared hot tea and a warm stove. You three can relax first."

Sima Hui looked at Deng Hongwen meaningfully and took the lead.

The three delegations slowly entered the city, and the musicians immediately played welcoming music.

The guards at the city gate lined up in neat rows, their long spears flashing coldly in the snow.

While walking, Pei Yanzhi suddenly whispered to Sima Hui: "Deng Hongwen is a man who can keep his composure."

Sima Hui narrowed his eyes slightly: "How can anyone who can serve under that prince be an ordinary person?"

Cui Gaoxuan sneered: "Let's see how long they can hold out."

Deng Hongwen followed the three people half a step behind, taking in their whispers, but still maintained a decent smile on his face.

The snow fell on his official hat and quickly turned into tiny water droplets.

When the team arrived at the posthouse, Deng Hongwen bowed and said, "My three lords, please rest here for the time being. If you need anything, please send someone to notify me at any time."

Sima Hui stood on the steps, looking down at Deng Hongwen. "Sir Deng, we would like to pay a visit to your country's crown prince tomorrow. Could you arrange that?"

Deng Hongwen said respectfully, "I will return to report to His Highness and give you three a reply as soon as possible."

After watching the three great scholars enter the inn, the smile on Deng Hongwen's face gradually faded.

He turned to the official from the Ministry of Rites and whispered, "Add more personnel to monitor the post station. Report every move of the three envoys to His Highness promptly."

The snow is falling even heavier.