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

In November in Luocheng, light snow mixed with cold wind shrouded the entire imperial city in a solemn atmosphere.

On the sycamore tree outside Fengyi Palace, a few withered yellow leaves trembled in the wind and were eventually knocked to the ground by fine snowflakes.

The ambergris in the golden beast furnace in the hall rose in wisps, but it could not dispel the biting cold.

Wu Zhao sat upright on the gilded phoenix chair, her slender fingers tightly gripping the armrests, her knuckles turning white from the force.

Her phoenix eyes flashed with cold anger as she stared at the stubborn figure in the hall.

Pei Yan was kneeling in the center of the hall, his official hat already taken off, his gray hair scattered on his shoulders, and there was a shocking bloodstain on his forehead - that was the mark left by him hitting his head against the ground just now.

"His Majesty!"

Pei Yan's voice was hoarse but firm: "If Princess Wu Xiuning is really the daughter of you and Chu Ning, then she is an illegitimate daughter. How can she inherit the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

"I, this old minister, would rather see blood spilled in Fengyi Palace today than allow such a ridiculous thing to happen!"

Wu Zhao's face became even uglier.

She didn't expect Pei Yan's attitude to be so tough. If she hadn't ordered the guards to hold him back in time, this veteran of three dynasties would have really committed suicide in response.

The other ministers in the hall were silent, only Di Ying stood aside, his brows furrowed, his eyes shifting between the empress and Pei Yan.

"Pei Qing!"

Wu Zhao suppressed her anger, her voice as cold as the wind outside the palace: "I remember that you are a veteran of three dynasties, so let's put today's matter aside for now. Come, send Master Pei back to the palace!"

Two guards stepped forward to support him, but Pei Yan suddenly shook off their hands and staggered to his feet.

He looked around at the ministers in the hall, and finally his gaze fell on Di Ying: "Prime Minister Di, you are also a minister entrusted by the late emperor. Are you going to watch His Majesty hand over the Great Zhou Dynasty to someone else?"

Di Ying's lips moved slightly, but he didn't say anything in the end.

Pei Yan sneered, turned around and strode out of the hall, his back looking stubborn and lonely.

Wu Zhao looked at Pei Yan's departing back, feeling both angry and worried.

She just wanted to announce that Wu Xiuning was the child of her and the Chu Emperor Chu Ning, but the other party was so radical. If her relationship with Chu Ning was announced, or even if the Great Zhou Dynasty was incorporated into the Chu State, this person would definitely oppose it to the death.

The atmosphere in the hall was so solemn that it was almost suffocating. All the ministers kept their heads down and remained silent, fearing that they would get into trouble.

"Everyone, please leave." Wu Zhao waved her hand tiredly.

After all the ministers left, Wu Zhao stood alone in front of the window, looking at the light snow falling outside.

While I was deep in thought, I suddenly felt a burning sensation in my waist.

She turned around and saw Chu Ning had already come out from the inner hall, with his right hand naturally around her waist.

"Angry?"

Chu Ning said with a smile, a hint of teasing on his handsome face: "Yesterday I told you that this matter would definitely encounter obstacles. Although you were prepared, it seems that the resistance now seems to have exceeded your expectations."

Wu Zhao rolled her eyes at him, slapped his mischievous hand away, and said sternly, "Pei Yan represents the conservative faction of the Great Zhou Dynasty. His attitude today must have anticipated our plan."

She walked over to the table, her fingers unconsciously stroking a memorial: "I originally wanted to proceed step by step, first announcing Xiuning's identity, then announcing our relationship, and finally annexing the Great Zhou into the State of Chu."

"But Pei Yan stopped me from the beginning, which forced me to reconsider."

Chu Ning walked behind her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders: "Are you hesitating?"

Wu Zhao was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "I haven't implemented this plan yet. I still have room to make amends."

“Once it’s implemented, there will be no turning back.”

Seeing this, Chu Ning chuckled and said, "How difficult is that? Since he's against it, let's get some people to agree first."

He walked around to Wu Zhao and lifted her chin. "Di Ying is a very smart person. I have met him several times."

"Although he didn't express his opinion just now, I believe he knows what's going on. How about this, I will meet him in person."

Wu Zhao thought for a moment, then finally nodded and agreed: "Okay, I'll send someone to call him back."

A quarter of an hour ago, outside the main gate of the palace.

Di Ying helped the staggering Pei Yan down the stairs.

The cold wind mixed with fine snow hit their faces, but Pei Yan was completely unaware and just held Di Ying's arm tightly.

"Prime Minister Di, you and I are both ministers entrusted by the late emperor. Are we just going to watch that woman hand over the Great Zhou Empire to the State of Chu?"

Di Ying frowned: "Master Pei, please be careful with your words!"

Pei Yan sneered: "She's just a woman! The late emperor entrusted the country to her before his death, hoping that she would protect the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty, not hand it over to others!"

He pushed Di Ying away violently, stumbling a few steps before he could regain his balance. "I, Pei Yan, would rather die than allow such a ridiculous thing!"

Di Ying looked at the stubborn back of his colleague, feeling mixed emotions.

Although Pei Yan was stubborn, he was indeed loyal.

He stepped forward and whispered, "Master Pei, why are you so extreme? Perhaps His Majesty has other considerations."

"Consideration?"

Pei Yan turned around, his eyes bloodshot. "Her affair with Chu Ning and the birth of Wu Xiuning was already a scandal, and now she wants that illegitimate daughter to inherit the Great Zhou? Is the next step to announce the merger of the two countries?"

He grabbed Di Ying's collar and said, "Prime Minister Di, if you still have any loyalty to the Great Zhou, join me in stopping this!"

Di Ying gently pushed Pei Yan's hand away: "Master Pei, please calm down. This matter is of great importance and requires long-term consideration."

Pei Yan let go of his hand in disappointment and staggered towards his carriage.

Before getting in the car, he turned around and glared at Di Ying fiercely: "Prime Minister Di, if you don't want to get involved in this matter, then remain neutral! But I, Pei Yan, will never sit idly by!"

The carriage slowly drove away, leaving two deep tracks in the snow.

Di Ying stood there, snowflakes fell on his shoulders, gradually accumulating into a thin layer.

He looked at the carriage going away, a look of helplessness on his face.

At this moment, a eunuch hurried out of the palace gate. Seeing that Di Ying had not left yet, he breathed a sigh of relief and hurried forward to salute:

"Prime Minister, Her Majesty the Empress invites you."

Di Ying frowned: "I just came out, and Your Majesty wants me to go back?"

The eunuch lowered his head, not daring to look directly at him, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty has important matters to discuss. Please ask the Prime Minister to return to the palace immediately."

As a eunuch, he didn't dare to say anything more, not to mention that he didn't know why the Empress summoned Prime Minister Di.

Di Ying looked up at the gloomy sky. Snowflakes fell on his eyelashes, blurring his vision.

He vaguely felt that he was standing at an important crossroads.

After a moment's silence, he straightened his clothes and said, "Lead the way."

Some things cannot be avoided. After all, he is the prime minister. The empress will definitely consult him on such an important matter.

He felt a headache just thinking about revealing Princess Wu Xiuning's identity.

If this continues, the Zhou Dynasty will sooner or later be incorporated into the Chu State.