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

The dim morning light filtered through the carved window lattices into the bedroom, illuminating the room in a half-bright, half-dark manner.

The night passed in a flash, and when it was noon the next day, Wu Zhao woke up and felt sore and weak all over, as if she had experienced a fierce battle.

She slowly opened her phoenix eyes, and was shocked to find that she was naked. The quilt had slipped down to her waist, revealing her skin as white as mutton-fat jade.

The morning breeze blew by, bringing a hint of coolness that made her shiver involuntarily.

Suddenly, a handsome face appeared in front of her, with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a nose like a hanging gall bladder. His eyes, as deep as a pool, were staring at her with a half-smile.

Chu Ning supported her head with one hand, and played with a strand of her black hair scattered on the pillow with the other hand, her eyes full of satisfaction.

"Awake?" His deep voice, hoarse from waking up in the morning, was particularly touching.

Wu Zhao's face instantly turned red as the crazy scene of last night emerged involuntarily in her mind.

She pulled the blanket over and wrapped it tightly around her proud figure, but because of her big movements, her private parts were exposed.

Chu Ning's eyes wandered and his Adam's apple rolled unconsciously.

"It's not like I haven't seen this before. Why is Your Majesty so stingy?"

Chu Ning chuckled, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing: "You were the one who took the initiative last night..."

"Shut up!"

Wu Zhao was both embarrassed and angry, and she glared at him, but the lingering lust in her eyes made him look completely intimidating.

She looked around hurriedly, searching for her clothes, but found them all over the floor in a mess—the dragon robe and Chu Ning's clothes were tangled together.

The gold belt hung on the corner of the bed, and even the imperial crown, which symbolized supreme power, lay tilted on the footstool.

Outside the window came the deliberately suppressed footsteps of the palace servants, and Wu Zhao was shocked to realize that it was already late.

She sat up suddenly, but gasped because of the pain in her waist.

"What time is it? Why don't you wake me up?" There was a rare panic in her voice.

"The court will be held at 11am, and it's already 11pm!"

Thinking that all the civil and military officials in the court had been waiting for her in the Golden Palace for more than an hour, Wu Zhao was so anxious that she wanted to get out of bed.

But Chu Ning grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into his arms with a little force.

"I saw that you slept soundly, so I sent someone to inform the ministers to cancel court today."

His warm breath sprayed on her ear: "Let's say that Her Majesty the Empress was reviewing memorials until late last night and is feeling unwell today."

Wu Zhao felt relieved a little after hearing this, but then she frowned again.

She, the dignified Empress of the Great Zhou, actually missed the morning court session because of her indulgence in sex. If this were to get out... Thinking of this, she couldn't help but bite Chu Ning's shoulder fiercely:

"It's all your fault!"

At this moment, she had lost the majesty and domineering aura she had in the court, and her eyes and eyebrows were filled with the coquettishness of a girl.

Chu Ning's eyes darkened. He couldn't let go of Wu Zhao like this.

He chuckled softly and whispered in her ear, "Your Majesty the Empress didn't say that last night. Who was it that hugged me and said, 'Chu Lang, don't stop!' Who insisted on riding on me..."

"shut up!"

Wu Zhao's ears turned red with shame, and she covered his mouth with her hand: "If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will..."

She was speechless for a moment and couldn't think of the right words to threaten her.

Chu Ning took the opportunity to kiss her palm lightly, and she was so startled that she immediately retracted her hand.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore."

He smiled and stood up, his muscular body outlining perfect lines in the morning light. "Didn't you say you were hungry? I'll have someone bring you food."

Wu Zhao sat on the edge of the bed wrapped in a brocade quilt, watching Chu Ning calmly put on his outer robe and call the palace servants to prepare hot water for washing.

The palace maids came in with their heads lowered, breathing very lightly, for fear of seeing something they shouldn't see.

Only then did she realize that her relationship with Chu Ning was probably already known to everyone.

After the palace maids left, Wu Zhao found her inner garment from among the messy clothes and put it on.

Chu Ning handed her a crimson robe with a dragon pattern and tied the belt for her personally.

His fingers accidentally brushed across her slender waist, causing her to tremble again.

"Stop it." She slapped his hand away and tried to keep a straight face: "I have something serious to discuss with you."

After washing up, the two of them went to the side hall to have their meal.

The exquisite rosewood dining table was already filled with various breakfasts: crystal shrimp dumplings, bird's nest porridge, and osmanthus cake, all of which were Wu Zhao's favorite foods.

She sipped the lotus seed soup and looked up at Chu Ning who was eating elegantly across from her.

"I have considered what you said."

She put down her jade chopsticks, her expression gradually regaining its former dignity: "Although I want to agree, I am afraid that the noble families and civil and military officials in the country will not agree."

Incorporating the Great Zhou Dynasty into the State of Chu was definitely not something she could decide with just a decree.

This is equivalent to handing over the entire Zhou Dynasty. How could the old ministers in the court agree to it easily?

Not to mention the complicated aristocratic families - they have been operating in the Zhou Dynasty for generations and have deep roots. Once they are incorporated into the State of Chu, their interests will inevitably be damaged.

Chu Ning picked up a piece of jade shaomai and placed it in her bowl. He said slowly, "I know your difficulties, so I stayed here this time to help you solve these obstacles."

He put down his chopsticks and looked at Wu Zhao with a burning gaze: "Now that the Tang-Han alliance has been formed, although they each have their own ulterior motives, they must be united in dealing with us."

"Only by truly uniting the Zhou and Chu nations can we unleash our greatest combat power."

Wu Zhao remained silent. Didn't she understand this truth?

If Chu Ning had not personally taken command in this battle with the Han army, the Zhou army would probably have been defeated long ago.

The Zhou Dynasty's army seemed huge, but in reality its combat effectiveness was far inferior to that of the elite troops of the Tang and Han Dynasties.

"I know the benefits of joining the Chu State."

She sighed deeply, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the rim of the cup. "But there are too many obstacles before me."

Chu Ning suddenly reached out and covered the back of her hand: "So I'm here."

His palms were warm and dry. "Tell me what obstacles there are. I will clear them for you one by one."

Wu Zhao did not pull her hand back, but gently turned her wrist and interlocked her fingers with his.

"The attitude of the ministers in the court is ambiguous, but the veteran ministers, led by veteran minister Pei Yan, will definitely oppose it. The military is easier to persuade, after all, your last command has already impressed many generals."

She paused. "The most troublesome are the eight great families—the Cui family of Qinghe, the Wang family of Taiyuan, and the Zheng family of Xingyang... They have enormous influence in the local area. If they unite to resist, even I will be wary."

At this point, she suddenly looked at Chu Ning nervously: "You don't want to suppress it with force, do you?"

She clearly remembered how decisive and ruthless this man was on the battlefield.

Chu Ning laughed upon hearing this and reached out to scratch the tip of her nose: "In my beloved concubine's mind, am I such a bloodthirsty person?"

Seeing Wu Zhao glaring, he quickly changed his words: "Okay, okay, it's Her Majesty the Empress."

Then he said sternly, "The key to governing a country lies in combining firmness with flexibility. Killing people to establish authority may be effective quickly, but it will cause endless troubles."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Tomorrow morning, at court, you will test the ministers' opinions. I will listen from behind the screen and see which ones are stubborn and which ones can be won over."

As he put down the teacup, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes: "As for the aristocratic families, I have my own way to make them willingly support the merger."

Wu Zhao was skeptical: "What are you going to do?"

"It's very simple."

Chu Ning raised his lips to a meaningful smile: "Benefits, as long as the conditions are attractive enough, there is no corner that cannot be pried open."

He lowered his voice and said, "For example, allowing them to participate in the western trade routes, or granting them mining rights."

Wu Zhao's eyes lit up. This is indeed a good idea!

What the Zhou Dynasty's aristocratic families lacked most were trade routes and resources. If sufficient benefits could be exchanged, the aristocratic families would definitely agree.

"But before that," Chu Ning suddenly leaned in close and kissed her lips, "We have to deal with those stubborn old men in the court first."

Wu Zhao hit him lightly but was not really angry.

She thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Okay, tomorrow morning I will spread the word and see their reaction."

Chu Ning smiled with satisfaction and served her another bowl of Tremella soup: "Eat more, you consumed too much last night."

"you!"

Wu Zhao glared at him in embarrassment and anger, but was defeated by his mischievous gaze. She could only lower her head and drink the soup to hide the blush on her face.