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

As night fell, the cold January wind brought drizzle, which made a crackling sound on the glazed tiles of the palace.

Chu Ning, wearing a black sable fur coat, walked on the wet bluestone road and came to the "Mulan Hall" where Feng Mulan was.

Two red plum trees in front of the hall bloomed proudly in the cold wind, and the subtle fragrance floated in the air, adding a bit of warmth to this cold winter night.

When I pushed open the carved door of the hall, a wave of hot air hit me in the face.

The hall was brightly lit with candles, illuminating the entire space like daylight.

Feng Mulan was seen wearing thin tight clothes, holding a seven-foot heavy sword, practicing swordsmanship in the open space in the center of the hall.

Her figure was as agile as a swimming dragon, and the heavy sword in her hand was as light as a feather. Every time she swung it, there was a sharp sound of breaking through the air.

Sweat slid down her heroic face, wetting the loose hair on her forehead.

Seeing Chu Ning come in, Feng Mulan's eyes lit up and a bright smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Your Majesty, you have come at the right time. Practice a few moves with me!"

Before she finished her words, she had already jumped up, and the heavy sword in her hand came roaring down like a mountain.

Seeing this, Chu Ning couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Good Mulan, you're still so impatient!"

He flashed, and the black sable fur drew a graceful arc in the air, easily avoiding the powerful blow.

The heavy sword hit the ground with a loud clang, shaking even the candlelight in the hall.

"watch out!"

Chu Ning did not retreat but advanced, kicking Feng Mulan's lower body with his backhand.

This kick may seem light, but it actually contains tremendous force.

Feng Mulan hurriedly drew her sword to defend herself, but was still forced to retreat three steps by the strong wind.

The two of them moved back and forth, dodging and turning in the hall.

Feng Mulan's swordsmanship was vigorous and each move carried the murderous aura of the battlefield.

Chu Ning's movements were agile, sometimes moving between the sword shadows like a fish, and sometimes attacking like a tiger.

Under the candlelight, two figures intertwined and entangled, and the sword shadows and palm winds intertwined into a thrilling picture.

After thirty moves, Feng Mulan's breathing became a little rapid.

She suddenly changed her tactics, sweeping through the enemy with her heavy sword, aiming straight for Chu Ning's waist.

A gleam of light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes. He did not dodge or evade. Instead, his right hand turned into a claw and accurately grasped the sword.

The two men were in a stalemate for a while, and their internal energy surged in the sword, making a buzzing sound.

"Mulan, your swordsmanship has improved again."

Chu Ning smiled, but the strength in his hands suddenly increased.

With a "clang" sound, the heavy sword was shaken out of his hand and fell to the ground with a "clang".

Feng Mulan refused to accept the defeat, and she took a quick step forward, striking Chu Ning's chest with both palms like knives.

Chu Ning dodged to the side, put his arm around her slender waist, and gently touched the back of her neck with his other hand.

Feng Mulan's whole body suddenly went limp and she fell into Chu Ning's arms.

"Your Majesty is cheating!" Feng Mulan scolded, but with an unconcealable smile on her face.

Chu Ning looked down at the beauty in his arms. Her cheeks, flushed from the fight, looked like peach blossoms in March. Her heroic brows were tinged with a hint of girlish shyness. He couldn't help but feel moved.

"My General Feng, have you admitted defeat?"

Feng Mulan snorted softly: "I admit defeat, but..."

She suddenly smiled cunningly, and gently twisted Chu Ning's waist with her jade hand: "Your Majesty must also pay the price."

Chu Ning felt pain, but laughed even more happily.

He picked up Feng Mulan and carried her sideways, then strode towards the inner room: "Then I will make it up to you, my beloved concubine."

An hour later, the blushing noises in the bedroom finally stopped.

Feng Mulan curled up in Chu Ning's arms with a flushed face, her long black hair spread out on the quilt.

She looked up at Chu Ning, her eyes filled with anticipation: "Can you take me with you on this expedition?"

Chu Ning chuckled when he heard this, reached out and stroked her smooth chin, and shook his head:

"No, don't think I don't know. You haven't had your period for half a month. Maybe you can get pregnant this time."

Feng Mulan's mouth twitched at these words, and her eyes widened in surprise. "How come you know all this? Did someone report this to you again?"

Chu Ning laughed and gently tapped her nose with his finger: "Don't forget, you are a concubine now, which is different from the prince's concubine before."

"Many things are recorded by the Imperial Household Department. The Imperial Physician reports to me daily on the health conditions of the concubines in the harem."

Feng Mulan rolled her eyes, two red clouds flying on her face: "No wonder your movements just now were different from before."

She paused, then suddenly said seriously, "But let me make this clear, if I don't get pregnant this time, I will go to the front lines to find you."

Chu Ning looked at her stubborn eyes helplessly. Knowing that this former female general was a man of her word, he could only nod and agree.

"Okay, I promise you, but..."

He added seriously, "If you are really pregnant, you must take good care of the baby in the palace."

Feng Mulan's eyes flashed with cunning, and she extended her little finger: "It's a deal."

Chu Ning laughed and extended his pinky finger to make a pinky promise with her: "It's a deal."

He looked at the gradually whitening sky outside the window and patted Feng Mulan's back. "Okay, it's getting late, let's get some rest."

The next morning, Chu Ning personally saw off Empress Wu Zhao of the Great Zhou Dynasty and Princess Wu Xiuning of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Flags were waving at the city gate and the imperial guards lined up to see them off.

Six-year-old Wu Xiuning was wearing a pink brocade jacket. Her face was red from the cold. She looked at Chu Ning with reluctance.

"I don't know when we'll meet next time."

Chu Ning smiled slightly, bent down and picked her up: "This time, you go back with Her Majesty the Empress first. If you miss me in the future, you can come over anytime."

Wu Zhao, standing by, raised her eyebrows, a hint of displeasure on her cold and elegant face: "No, if you want to lead the army in person, I'm afraid you won't be able to come back this year."

Wu Xiuning's face fell, and her eyes suddenly turned red: "I knew you were lying to me."

After saying that, she broke free from Chu Ning's arms without hesitation, jumped onto the carriage angrily, and didn't even look back.

Chu Ning shook his head helplessly and turned to Wu Zhao: "This child's temper is becoming more and more like yours."

Wu Zhao snorted coldly, but couldn't hide the concern in her eyes: "How is the situation on the front line?"

Chu Ning suppressed his smile and whispered, "As you expected, the Tang Dynasty has indeed mobilized troops within its territory, preparing to support the Wei Kingdom."

"However, Gongsun Yi of the Scorpion Tribe has already sent a letter to their Khan. I believe the Scorpion Tribe will also send troops soon, forcing the Tang Dynasty to not act rashly."

Wu Zhao heard this and her tense expression relaxed slightly: "That's very good."

She hesitated for a moment, then added, "The front line is dangerous, so be careful."

Chu Ning nodded and reached out to adjust her cloak: "Don't worry, I'm still looking forward to playing that undecided game of chess with you next time."

A complicated look flashed across Wu Zhao's eyes, and in the end she just said "hmm" softly and turned to get on the carriage.

Chu Ning stood there for a long time, watching the convoy go farther and farther away and finally disappear in the morning mist.

Until Zhao Yu gently reminded: "Your Majesty, it's time to return to the palace to prepare for tomorrow's expedition."

Chu Ning then withdrew his gaze, his expression becoming resolute again: "Pass the order down, have the cabinet submit the important memorials. I will go to war tomorrow!"

Zhao Yu bowed in response, then hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Feng's side..."

Chu Ning raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said, "Let her have a good rest. Also, pass on my oral order. From today on, two more imperial physicians will be assigned to take turns to look after Concubine Feng's health."

"According to the order."

The cold wind gradually rose, blowing up the fallen leaves on the ground.

Chu Ning looked up to the north, with a determined light in his eyes.

The war is imminent and he is going to fight again!