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

As Chu Ning's coronation ceremony was approaching, the crowds in the capital of Chu began to surge.

The streets were bustling with people, the cries of vendors could be heard one after another, and envoys, merchants, wanderers and common people from all over the country flocked into the city, making this already prosperous capital even more lively.

However, as the flow of people increases, security pressure in the city also arises.

In order to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble, the soldiers of the city defense camp patrolled day and night, and the inspections at the city gates became increasingly strict.

On every street corner, soldiers in iron armor can be seen holding spears, vigilantly scanning passers-by.

The restaurants, teahouses and red-light districts in the city were bustling with people.

In these places, news spreads fastest and is most easily exaggerated.

Just a few days before the coronation ceremony, a shocking rumor began to spread in the city.

Princess Wu Xiuning of the Great Zhou and Prince Chu Tian of the Chu State posed six questions that stumped three great Confucian scholars from the Tang, Han and Wei States: Pei Yanzhi, Sima Hui and Cui Gaoxuan.

The news spread across the entire capital like a gust of wind.

In the most famous "Zuixianlou" in the city, the window seats on the second floor are filled with elegantly dressed businessmen and literati.

After three rounds of drinks, the topic naturally turned to this rumor.

A middle-aged businessman in a brocade robe slammed his hands and laughed, "Have you heard? Those three great scholars couldn't even answer six questions, and yet they still call themselves 'learned and profound'? What a joke!"

A young scholar nearby shook his head and said, "That's right! I heard that one of the six questions is about starting from Yingdu, traveling west along the Yuan River for 300 miles, then turning north and passing Cangwu Mountain, and finally where you will end up."

"In my dynasty, even a three-year-old child could answer this question, but those three great scholars hesitated and couldn't come up with a clear answer for a long time."

"Hahahaha!"

Another bearded hero laughed heartily, "I think they're just famous for nothing! They usually act so high and mighty, but now they can't even answer questions from two juniors. What a disgrace!"

In the corner, an old man stroked his beard and said slowly, "I'm afraid this matter is not that simple."

"Although Princess Wu Xiuning and Prince Chu Tian are young, they are said to be gifted. Prince Chu Tian, in particular, has been well-read since childhood and is exceptionally intelligent."

"Those three great scholars may have underestimated their enemies for a moment, which is why they were tricked."

"underestimate the enemy?"

A young woman scoffed, "The title of a great scholar is no joke. If you can't even withstand this little test, how can you even talk about 'governing the country and pacifying the world'?"

The discussions in the restaurant grew louder and louder, and the mockery of the crowd became more and more obvious.

Some people even composed doggerel to mock the "incompetence" of the three great scholars.

The news spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and soon it spread throughout the capital.

Not only restaurants, but even brothels were not immune to this practice.

In the "Yihong Courtyard", several singing girls were tuning their instruments and talking in low voices.

"I heard that the three great scholars were so angry that they were jumping up and down in the inn!" A woman in a pink gauze dress covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Deserve it!"

Another woman in green curled her lips. "You usually act so aloof, looking down on us prostitutes, but now you can't even answer a child's question. This is karma!"

An older woman sighed and said, "But this is strange. After all, those three great scholars are world-renowned figures. How could they be so vulnerable? Could someone have deliberately set them up?"

"who cares!"

The woman in the pink dress laughed and said, "The whole city is laughing at them now. I don't think they have the nerve to show up at the coronation ceremony!"

These rumors finally reached the ears of Pei Yanzhi, Sima Hui and Cui Gaoxuan.

Inside the inn, Pei Yanzhi was so angry that his face turned blue. He smashed the teacup in his hand to the ground, sending fragments flying everywhere.

"Chu Ning, this fellow, really has bad intentions!"

Pei Yanzhi shouted angrily, "They deliberately sent those two brats to ask questions just to ruin our reputation! How despicable!"

Sima Hui sat aside, and the feather fan in his hand was rarely waved.

He frowned and said in a deep voice, "It seems Chu Ning has already noticed our plan and has taken the initiative. Now that our reputation has been damaged, even if we make trouble at the coronation ceremony, I'm afraid it will be difficult to shake his position."

Cui Gaoxuan sneered, a sinister look flashing in his eyes: "Does he think this will make us admit defeat?"

"Humph, we're well prepared this time! Chu Ning, just wait and see how I'll ruin your plans!"

Pei Yanzhi was still unwilling to give up. He gritted his teeth and said, "But what about the rumors in the city? Now everyone in the city is laughing at us. I can't swallow this!"

Cui Gaoxuan snorted coldly and said, "The coronation ceremony will be in a few days. We should prepare well these days and not let these rumors disturb our minds."

"Reputation is certainly important, but completing the mission assigned by His Majesty is the most important thing!"

Pei Yanzhi took a deep breath, barely suppressing the anger in his heart, and nodded: "Okay, I'll do as you say, but I will settle this account with Chu Ning sooner or later!"

At the same time, in the Chu State's imperial palace, Chu Ning was standing in front of the window of the imperial study, looking at the street scene in the distance.

The corners of his mouth rose slightly, and he was obviously quite satisfied with the rumors in the city.

"Your Highness, everything is going according to plan." Jia Yu, wearing a crimson official uniform, came in person to report.

Chu Ning nodded gently: "Very good, those three great scholars must be extremely worried now, right?"

Jia Yu replied respectfully, "According to the spies, Pei Yanzhi is furious at the posthouse. Sima Hui and Cui Gaoxuan, while appearing calm on the surface, are secretly plotting."

Chu Ning sneered, "Let them do whatever they want. After their reputation is ruined, who will believe their words?"

Jia Yu hesitated for a moment, then added, "Your Highness, I'm still worried that they might become desperate and do something extreme during the coronation ceremony."

Chu Ning waved her hand and said calmly, "It's alright. I've already laid out a net for them, and I'm just waiting for them to fall into it."

As the coronation ceremony approached, security in the Chu capital became increasingly tight.

The soldiers of the city defense camp took shifts day and night, and the number of patrols on the streets was several times greater than usual.

Although the people talked about the "scandal" of the three great scholars with great interest, more people still turned their attention to the upcoming grand ceremony.

In the posthouse, Pei Yanzhi, Sima Hui and Cui Gaoxuan also began their final preparations.

They knew that this action not only concerned their reputation, but also the interests of their respective countries. They could not fail at any cost.

"Chu Ning, do you think you can defeat us like this?"

Cui Gaoxuan looked out the window at the night and said coldly, "The real battle has just begun."