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

The next day in the East Palace, the sky was clear after the snow.

Last night's heavy snow turned the entire Chu Kingdom palace into a world covered in silver.

Crystal icicles hung under the eaves, reflecting colorful light in the morning light.

Several red plum trees in the East Palace courtyard bloomed proudly in the snow, and their subtle fragrance mingled with the sandalwood scent rising from the palace.

Chu Ning stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, his dark python robe making him look as tall and straight as a pine tree.

He stared at the bamboo branches outside the window that were bent by the snow, and his slender fingers unconsciously stroked the jade pendant at his waist.

The sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on his chiseled profile, making his eyes appear as deep as a pool.

"Your Highness."

Jia Yu walked on the snow, and his black official boots left clear footprints on the snow.

He was wearing a black fox cloak, with unmelted snow still on his eyebrows and eyelashes, and the white breath he exhaled quickly dissipated in the cold wind.

"Minister of Rites Zhou Yanru went to the posthouse this morning and held a secret meeting with the envoys from the three kingdoms for nearly an hour. He then disguised himself and went to the Scorpion Clan's envoy camp outside the city."

The ground dragon in the hall was burning brightly, and the silver charcoal in the charcoal basin made a slight crackling sound.

Chu Ning turned around upon hearing this, and the green smoke rising from the gilded incense burner blurred his expression.

He suddenly chuckled, his laughter carrying a bone-chilling chill: "It seems they can't wait any longer."

He raised his hand to clear away the smoke in front of his eyes, revealing a pair of eyes as sharp as an eagle.

"How dare you be so presumptuous right under my nose? You really don't take the Jinyiwei seriously."

Jia Yu's face changed slightly, and he immediately knelt on the ground. His cloak slipped off due to his big movement, revealing the scarlet official uniform embroidered with a Xiezhi inside.

"Your Highness, forgive me!"

"Okay, this matter has nothing to do with your Jinyiwei. They are just too anxious."

Chu Ning chuckled: "You are so impatient, you are really seeking your own death."

"Zhou Yanru has become very capable. Others may not know the Jinyiwei's capabilities, but doesn't he know it?"

Jia Yu heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, fearing that Chu Ning would think the Jinyiwei were incompetent and punish them.

He rubbed his red, frozen fingers, a playful smile playing on his lips. "Lord Zhou probably thought the snow would conceal his whereabouts, but he didn't know that the Jinyiwei's secret sentries could even count how many plum petals were on the soles of his shoes."

A gust of wind blew outside the window, and the pine branches covered with snow rustled, scattering a cloud of fine snow foam.

Chu Ning walked to the rosewood table, ran his fingertips across the spread-out map, and tapped heavily on the border of the three countries:

"It seems that they really intend to take action during the coronation ceremony."

The undried cinnabar mark on the sheepskin map was as glaring as blood.

"Your Highness is wise."

Jia Yu pulled a secret letter from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "According to spies, envoys from the three kingdoms have been in frequent contact with scholars in the city these past few days. In my opinion, they do not want to resort to violence, but only want to use their status as great scholars to stir up trouble at the ceremony."

"Since these three dare to have such thoughts, why not take the initiative and capture them first and put an end to them once and for all!"

As he spoke, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and lightly stroked his neck with his right hand.

This action caused the iron wristband on his wrist to flash with a cold light, and the fine cloud patterns on it were faintly visible in the light and shadow.

The warm room suddenly became quiet, with only the dripping sound of the copper clock.

Chu Ning stared at Jia Yu. He suddenly chuckled, startling the sparrows foraging outside the window.

"After all, they are envoys who came to observe the ceremony. If they die in Chu..."

Slender fingers picked up a black jade chess piece on the table and said, "Wouldn't this give the three kingdoms a reason to unite and send troops?"

The chess piece landed on the chessboard with a "pop", causing tiny ripples in the teacup next to it.

Jia Yu bowed in understanding and said, "It is my fault for not thinking things through."

But after a pause, he still said with some concern: "Although these three are only great scholars, sometimes the power of words is greater than that of force!"

"Even if we can't kill them now, we must prevent them from causing trouble at the coronation ceremony!"

Chu Ning thought about it for a moment, then chuckled, "Since Lord Jia is so worried, I'll find them something to do. Those two little guys have been complaining about being bored these past few days."

"Go and invite the Crown Prince and Princess Wu Xiuning."

Chu Ning suddenly ordered, tapping the table with his fingers: "Just say I got an interesting game."

The attendant took the order and left, making the snow under the corridor crackle under his feet.

About a quarter of an hour later, silver bell-like laughter came from outside the hall.

Six-year-old Wu Xiuning, wearing a bright red feather satin cape, rushed in like a ball of fire, the golden bells in her hair jingling as she jumped:

"Your Highness finally remembered me!"

Her delicate little face was red from the cold, but she couldn't hide the joy in her eyes.

The three-year-old Chu Tian behind him saluted politely, his green brocade robe still covered with dustings of snow.

"My son, please see your father."

Chu Ning's stern brows softened.

He reached out to catch Wu Xiuning who was rushing towards him. The little princess's cloak was filled with the cool fragrance of plum blossoms.

"I have been busy with government affairs these days..."

Before she could finish her words, Wu Xiuning pouted her cherry lips and said, "Madame Zhao makes me recite The Instructions for Women all day long. It's so boring!"

She pulled Chu Ning's sleeve and shook it, and the gold bracelet on her wrist made a crisp sound.

Chu Tian stood quietly aside, but his black and white eyes would occasionally glance at the military book on his father's desk.

Chu Ning noticed his son's gaze and raised the corners of his lips slightly: "I called you here today because there is something fun."

He gestured to Jia Yu to unfold a scroll and said, "The envoys from the Three Kingdoms are all great scholars of our time. You can go to them with any of your strange questions."

“Can I ask them why the ants line up?”

Wu Xiuning's eyes lit up and she couldn't wait to interrupt.

She stamped her feet excitedly, and the pearl drops on her deerskin boots dangled.

Chu Tian couldn't help but take a half step forward: "Child... I want to know if the stars in the desert are really bigger."

Scattered snowflakes began to float outside the window, landing on the window lattice and forming a thin layer.

Chu Ning laughed heartily at their words. "These are the questions that the three great scholars are best at. I believe they will give you satisfactory answers."

"If you are not satisfied with the answer, just keep asking until you are satisfied!"

After saying this, he stroked the tops of the two children's heads and said to Jia Yu, "Send more people and make sure they are safe."

He specifically glanced at the gilded bronze plate on Jia Yu's waist - that was the certificate for mobilizing the secret agents of the Jinyiwei.

Jia Yu understood, and the agate pendant on his official hat swayed slightly as he bowed. "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will personally lead the troops to protect the Crown Prince and Princess Xiuning!"

After saying that, he took the small hand warmer handed to him by Wu Xiuning. The little princess was chattering about the list of questions she needed to prepare.

Before leaving the hall, Chu Tian suddenly turned around and said, "Father, my child..."

Before he could finish his words, Wu Xiuning dragged him out: "It will be dark soon if you dawdle any longer!"

The young master did not forget to straighten his clothes even as he staggered. His pretentious and mature look made Chu Ning smile.

When the footsteps faded away, Chu Ning turned and looked out the window.

The snow fell heavily again, fluttering down like torn cotton wool.

He reached out and caught a snowflake, watching it transform into water droplets in his palm: "Zhao Yu, you also go and watch them secretly."

After all, they are your own children. Even if you send them to cause trouble, you must ensure their safety!

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will definitely protect the Crown Prince and Princess Xiuning!" Zhao Yu, whose injuries had just recovered, responded, bowed, and left quickly.

The show is about to begin!