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

The wind was howling coldly, and the early January snow began to fall again.

Under the eaves of the inn, the ice sharpened like knives, flashing a cold light in the morning light.

Sima Hui stood in front of the window, looking at the backs of Wu Xiuning and Chu Tian as they left. The two little guys left a series of cheerful footprints in the snow, which were soon covered by the new snow.

"This can't go on like this."

Sima Hui's voice was low and cold. He turned to look at the other two people, the candlelight casting a deep shadow on his face.

"We will only become more and more passive. If we are constantly entangled by these two brats in the posthouse, how can we contact those scholars in Chu who are dissatisfied with Chu Ning?"

The crackling charcoal fire in the inn could not dispel the chill in the hearts of the three people.

Cui Gaoxuan frowned, his fingers unconsciously stroking the patterns on the jade pendant around his waist.

Outside the window, the footsteps of a team of Jinyiwei walking through the snow could be clearly heard.

"The Imperial Guards are keeping a close eye on us now!"

Cui Gaoxuan lowered his voice and said, "If we try to contact them openly, they will be immediately controlled."

"They are our trump cards. We are going to publicly attack Chu Ning at the coronation ceremony. Without these people, how can we, the three old bones, shake Chu Ning?"

Pei Yanzhi suddenly slammed the table and stood up, causing the teacup on the table to jump.

"Are we just going to sit there and wait for death?"

He growled in a low voice, his gray beard trembling. "I suggest we leave the inn early tomorrow morning! While it's still dark, people are most tired."

Outside, the wind and snow were getting stronger, hitting the window frames and making a rustling sound.

Cui Gaoxuan was silent for a long time, and finally he sighed: "Since both of you believe that we should take this risk, I will also sacrifice my life to accompany you!"

The three of them reached an agreement and decided to take action at 5:00 AM tomorrow.

Pei Yanzhi immediately summoned his trusted guards and whispered, "Prepare the ladder and wait by the backyard wall at 3:30 AM tomorrow."

At the same time, the lights in the East Palace were brightly lit.

Zhao Yu took the two little ones through the palace gates and reported the details of the post station.

Chu Ning sat upright in the main seat. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, and his laughter echoed in the hall.

"well done!"

Chu Ning's eyes flashed with approval: "Those three old stubborn people must be extremely worried right now, thinking about how to get rid of you."

Wu Xiuning wrinkled her nose, her face full of anticipation: "I've done you another big favor today. Can you go see Her Majesty the Empress of our dynasty?"

She tugged at Chu Ning's sleeve and shook it: "She came all the way from the Great Zhou to attend your coronation ceremony. You can't just keep ignoring her, right?"

Chu Ning was stunned when he heard this, then burst out laughing: "Little clever boy, when have I ever ignored the Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

He leaned over and pinched Wu Xiuning's cheek: "I often visit her when you are not around. But since you said so, I will go there in a moment."

Chu Tian tugged at Zhao Yu's clothes and said, "Master, I want to learn new spear techniques!"

Chu Ning smiled and waved his hand: "Go ahead, let Zhao Yu take you to the martial arts training ground. You have made great contributions today, and you deserve a good reward."

Wu Xiuning cheered, pulled Chu Tian and ran out, and before leaving, she turned back and made a face:

"Don't forget to go see Her Majesty the Empress!"

As the night deepened, the snow fell heavier.

A thick layer of white snow accumulated on the glazed tiles of the East Palace, shining coldly in the moonlight.

Chu Ning stood in the corridor, looking at the shouts coming from the direction of the martial arts training ground, a smile on his lips.

"Your Highness, do you want a sedan chair prepared?" the eunuch asked softly.

Chu Ning shook his head: "No need, I just want to take a walk."

He put on a fox fur cloak and walked into the snow alone.

The boots made a "crunching" sound as they stepped on the snow, leaving a series of deep footprints behind them.

Afterwards, Chu Ning went to see Wu Zhao, the Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the two had another in-depth conversation.

At the hour of Yin the next day, the inn was completely silent.

Pei Yanzhi and the other two were already dressed and were making final preparations.

Sima Hui hid several secret letters in a secret pocket close to his body, while Cui Gaoxuan repeatedly checked the seals he carried with him.

"remember!"

Pei Yanzhi lowered his voice and said, "After leaving the posthouse, we will split up. Brother Sima will go to the south of the city to contact the Confucian scholars, Brother Cui will go to the west of the city to meet that person, and I will go to visit some old friends in the Chu court."

At three quarters past three in the morning, a ladder was indeed set up against the wall of the backyard.

Several guards looked around vigilantly, and after confirming that there was no one around, they signaled to the three great scholars.

Pei Yanzhi was the first to climb the ladder, and his gray beard was soon covered with snowflakes.

He cautiously stuck his head out. The street outside the inn was empty, covered with thick snow.

"Safety."

He whispered, then clumsily climbed over the wall.

His old body made him move slowly, and he stumbled when he landed, almost falling into the snow.

Sima Hui and Cui Gaoxuan followed closely behind.

The three of them had just gathered together and were about to split up when suddenly torches lit up all around them!

Dozens of Jinyiwei rushed out from the darkness and surrounded the three people in an instant.

"Where are you three going?"

A clear voice came from the crowd.

Jinyiwei commander Jia Yu walked out slowly, his black cloak fluttering in the wind and snow.

He had a half-smile on his face and his eyes were as sharp as a knife.

Pei Yanzhi and the other two turned pale instantly.

Sima Hui's lips trembled, and Cui Gaoxuan subconsciously reached for his waist - where a dagger was hidden.

"Jia...Lord Jia?"

Pei Yanzhi forced himself to remain calm and forced an ugly smile: "The old man and the others just wanted to come out... to see the snow scene."

Jia Yu raised his eyebrows and walked slowly closer.

His boots made a terrifying "crunching" sound with every step they took on the snow.

"Why don't you go through the main gate to see the snow? Why do you have to climb over the wall?"

He suddenly leaned over and picked up a letter from Cui Gaoxuan's feet. "What is this? A letter from home?"

Cui Gaoxuan's face turned pale - that was the secret letter he was going to give to the spy planted in the State of Chu!

Jia Yu casually opened the letter, glanced at it in the light of the torch, and suddenly burst into laughter:

"What a righteous act! The three of you are so elegant! Even bringing this 'letter' with you to enjoy the snowy scenery?"

Cui Gaoxuan suddenly jumped up and tried to snatch the letter, but was held down by two Jinyiwei.

Jia Yu sneered and waved his hand, saying, "Please return to the inn and continue enjoying the snow. The coronation ceremony is imminent, so it would be best for you to rest and recuperate."

In the wind and snow, the three great scholars looked particularly embarrassed as they were "escorted" back to the inn.

It was not until this moment that they realized they had fallen into a trap again!

Their every move was within Chu Ning's calculations. No matter what they did, Chu Ning could always be prepared in advance.

Even set traps for them in advance!

Jia Yu stood there, looking at the secret letter in his hand, a sneer on his face: "Pass the order, arrest this man and hand him over to His Highness for punishment!"

In the distant bell tower, the morning bell rang.

It's almost bright.

The three great scholars had completely lost their temper.