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

When Di Ying stepped into Fengyi Palace again, no other ministers were seen in the palace.

The incense in the golden beast furnace was replaced with new ones, and curls of green smoke swirled in the hall.

To his surprise, the person waiting for him was not Empress Wu Zetian, but Emperor Chu Ning of Chu.

Chu Ning stood in front of the window with his back to the palace door, and his slender figure was outlined with a silver edge by the snow light outside the window.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around, a gentle smile on his handsome face.

Di Ying quickly bowed and saluted: "Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Chu!"

Chu Ning nodded slightly: "Master Di, there is no need to be so polite."

He gestured for a seat. "Actually, I invited you here this time."

Di Ying's heart trembled, but he remained calm on the surface: "I wonder what instructions His Majesty the Emperor of Chu has?"

Chu Ning did not answer immediately, but walked to the table and personally poured a cup of hot tea for Di Ying.

The aroma of tea dispelled some of the chill.

He then spoke, "I'm sure you've seen Pei Yan's attitude just now. You should also be very clear about the intentions of Her Majesty the Empress and me. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

This straightforward question caused the teacup in Di Ying's hand to tremble slightly.

He understood that he had to express his stance today. There were three options before him: one was to support the empress.

The second is to support Pei Yan in opposing the disclosure of Princess Wu Xiuning's identity and completely stand against the empress.

The third is to remain neutral!

Di Ying put down the teacup, looked up and looked directly into Chu Ning's eyes: "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. I need time to consider it."

Chu Ning chuckled: "Master Di is a smart man. He should understand that some things cannot be delayed."

He walked over to Di Ying and lowered his voice, "I know what you're worried about, but have you ever thought that the merger of the Great Zhou and the Chu State might be a good thing for the people of both countries?"

"Years of war have brought countless lives to the people. If we can achieve peaceful reunification, wouldn't that benefit all people?"

Di Ying remained silent.

Chu Ning continued, "People like Pei Yan are pedantic, clinging only to so-called orthodoxy, unable to see the broader situation. Is Lord Di going to follow his example?"

Outside the hall, the snow was falling even harder.

The snowflakes hit the window frames, making a slight sound.

Di Ying looked at the falling snow outside the window, his mind full of thoughts.

He knew that his choice at this moment would determine the future of the Great Zhou and his own destiny.

"His Majesty the Emperor of Chu."

Di Ying finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse: "If I choose to support you and Her Majesty the Empress, can you guarantee the well-being of the people of the Great Zhou?"

A hint of joy flashed in Chu Ning's eyes, and he nodded solemnly: "I swear in the name of the Son of Heaven that after the two countries merge, the people of Da Zhou will enjoy the same rights and treatment as the people of Chu."

Di Ying took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and bowed deeply to Chu Ning: "In this case, I am willing to serve Your Majesty."

At this moment, Di Ying's name changed.

Chu Ning smiled with satisfaction and reached out to help Di Ying up: "With Prime Minister Di's help, this will definitely be accomplished."

He pulled out a secret letter from his sleeve. "This is the plan I and the Empress have drawn up. Take a look at it first."

Di Ying took the secret letter and read it carefully.

As he read deeper, his brows sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed.

When he finished reading the last word, everyone was stunned. Although he knew that the empress wanted to incorporate the Great Zhou into the State of Chu, he did not expect it to happen so soon.

"How?" Chu Ning asked.

Di Ying closed the secret letter and said in a deep voice, "The plan is thorough, but Pei Yan's group cannot be underestimated. If we want to implement it smoothly, we must first stabilize them."

Chu Ning nodded: "This is exactly what I want to ask Prime Minister Di."

Di Ying thought for a moment, a look of determination flashed in his eyes: "I have a plan!"

"Oh? Tell me in detail." Chu Ning became interested.

He still had a high opinion of Di Ying. This Prime Minister of the Great Zhou almost single-handedly managed the Great Zhou in an orderly manner.

Otherwise, Wu Zetian alone would not be able to properly handle the Zhou Dynasty.

In fact, many political affairs of the Great Zhou Dynasty were handled by Di Ying, who was familiar with everything about the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Since Di Ying offered the advice on his own initiative, he naturally wanted to listen carefully.

Soon, Di Ying told his plan.

Chu Ning burst into laughter upon hearing this, patted his shoulder and said loudly: "If this can be accomplished, Lord Di will continue to be the Prime Minister in the future, sitting in the cabinet, in charge of the affairs of the Great Zhou Dynasty!"

Since Di Ying has made his choice, and it is almost so perfect, he naturally won't be stingy.

He always treats well those who submit to him.

Di Ying bowed and said, "Your Majesty, there is no time to lose. I will go down and handle it right away."

Then, seeing Chu Ning nod in agreement, he turned and left.

Chu Ning looked at Di Ying's departing back with a smile on his face. His plan to unify the world had taken another step forward.

Once the Zhou Dynasty can be incorporated into the Chu State, it will be much easier to deal with the Tang and Han Dynasties in the future.

The incense in Fengyi Palace gradually faded away, and the sound of pearl curtains could be heard from behind the screen.

Wu Zhao walked out slowly from the inner hall, her crimson skirt sweeping across the jade floor, and the jewelry around her waist made no sound at all.

Chu Ning turned his head and saw that her delicate jaw was slightly raised and there was an unmelted frost in her phoenix eyes. He knew that the empress was still angry.

"how?"

Chu Ning leaned against the gilded table and smiled, tapping the teacup Di Ying had used with his fingertips. "I told you Di Ying would agree, right? This man is a man of real talent and learning, a talent we can use!"

The snow outside the window reflected Wu Zhao's profile. She suddenly sneered and pinched her palm with her fingers in her sleeves.

"Di Ying is my prime minister."

She deliberately emphasized the word "I" and glanced at the remaining tea on the table. "Doesn't he have talent? Don't I know?"

Chu Ning's eyes fell on her tense neck, knowing that she was still brooding over Di Ying's words "Your Majesty".

He suddenly reached out and put his arm around her slender waist, whispering in her ear, "What's the difference between you and me?"

His warm breath brushed against her earlobe: "What's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine."

With a "pop", Wu Zhao slapped the back of his hand away, and the gilded armor scratched a shallow mark on Chu Ning's wrist:

"That's a good idea you have!"

When she turned around, the hair ornaments in her hair swayed violently, and the tail feathers of the Nine Phoenix Golden Hairpin brushed past Chu Ning's nose, bringing up a whiff of ambergris.

Chu Ning didn't get angry but laughed instead, and his hearty laughter made Wu Zhao raise her eyebrows.

Then, he suddenly lowered his voice and said, "By the way, what does Her Majesty think of Di Ying's suggestion?"

Wu Zhao walked to the window and looked at the plum branches bent by the snow.

The icicles under the eaves reflected a cold light, making her pupils flicker. She suddenly broke off the icicles hanging from the window frame.

"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be successful."

Chu Ning's eyes flashed, and he stepped forward and draped the fox fur coat over her shoulders: "Then it's time to start the deployment."

When he ran his fingers across the back of her neck, he felt the tense muscles relax slightly.

"nature."

Wu Zhao raised her lips sharply and let him fasten the belt of her fur coat. "I will order someone to invite the heads of the eight great families to Luocheng as soon as possible in the name of preparing for the Lantern Festival."