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

The night was dark, the snow had not yet melted on the streets of Los Angeles, and the horses' hooves made a dull sound as they stepped on the bluestone slabs.

Pei Yan's carriage slowly stopped in front of the mansion, and the housekeeper had already been waiting at the door with servants.

Seeing that the master had blood on his forehead and his official robe was disheveled when he got off the car, he was shocked and hurried forward to support him.

"Master! What's the matter with you?"

"No problem."

Pei Yan coldly waved his hand, interrupting the housekeeper's exclamation. His eyes were terribly gloomy. "Send out the invitations immediately. I will host a banquet tonight for all the nobles in the court to discuss the matters of today's morning court."

The housekeeper hesitated and said, "But your injuries... I'd better ask a doctor to take a look at you first."

"No need!" Pei Yan shouted sternly, "This matter is a hundred times more important than my injury! Go post it now!"

The housekeeper was so frightened by the scolding that he dared not say anything more and had to hurriedly leave to make arrangements.

In this Pei Mansion, Pei Yan is the boss and has absolute say, so he dare not neglect him.

What's more, Pei Yan's tone was so harsh, something big must have happened.

Pei Yan stood in front of the mansion gate, looked up at the hanging plaque "Pei Mansion", and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the anger surging in his chest, and strode into the mansion.

This time, Empress Wu Zhao insisted on having her own way and wanted to disclose Wu Xiuning's identity. She was simply preparing for the Great Zhou to be incorporated into the Chu State. How could he not know this?

But as a veteran of three dynasties, how could he allow such a thing to happen?

Even if it means he will be torn to pieces for this, he will not hesitate!

Others dare not refute, but he refutes.

Others did not dare to make a report, but he did.

Others don't dare to be the bad guy, so he does it!

Because he has his own beliefs and his own persistence, he cannot let down the late emperor's trust!

Although Wu Zhao usurped the throne, the late emperor did hand over the Zhou Dynasty to her before his death. He had no objection to Wu Zhao becoming the empress.

But if Wu Zetian wanted to incorporate the Zhou Dynasty into the Chu State, it would be absolutely impossible.

Unless, he is dead!

As night fell, two large red lanterns were hung in front of the Pei Mansion, swaying slightly in the cold wind, illuminating the figures of officials coming and going in front of the gate.

They either rode in sedan chairs or on horseback, and entered Pei's residence with solemn expressions. When they met each other, they simply bowed and exchanged a few words in a low voice.

"Master Wang, you are here too?"

"With such a big thing happening, how can I just sit back and watch?"

"Alas, if Your Majesty really reveals Princess Xiuning's background, what will become of the Great Zhou's reputation?"

"That's right. Once this gets out, we'll all become the laughing stock of the world."

"Let's go in and listen to what Lord Sikong has to say first."

Everyone talked in low voices as they stepped into the main hall of Pei Mansion.

However, there was no banquet in the hall. There were only two rows of seats neatly arranged, and not even tea on the table. It was obvious that tonight was not an ordinary banquet, but a conspiracy.

Soon, nearly thirty officials were sitting in the hall, all of whom were important officials in the court.

They talked in low voices, and the atmosphere was solemn and depressing.

Suddenly, a cough was heard from the side hall, and everyone fell silent immediately.

Pei Yan walked out slowly, with a white cloth wrapped around his forehead and faint traces of blood seeping out, but his eyes were still as sharp as a knife.

"Greetings, Lord Sikong!" Everyone stood up and saluted.

Pei Yan glanced around and saw that there were only about thirty people in the hall. His brows frowned slightly.

According to his expectations, at least fifty people should respond, but now it seems that some people have obviously chosen to wait and see.

Sure enough, when the time came, some people still backed down.

However, he did not blame those people. After all, people with different ideals cannot work together. Some people can only share wealth but not adversity.

"It's okay, thirty people are enough." He thought to himself, then raised his hand to signal everyone to take a seat.

With the help of these people, he believed that his plan would be successful.

"My lords!"

Pei Yan's voice was low, but every word was as firm as iron: "I believe everyone is aware of what happened in the court this morning!"

He slammed the table so hard that the teacup trembled slightly.

"The Chu Emperor, Chu Ning, relying on the fact that he once saved Princess Xiuning, actually dared to use this as a threat to Your Majesty, forcing her to reveal the princess's origins!"

Pei Yan's eyes burned with anger. "If the princess is truly the daughter of Your Majesty and Chu Ning, then she is an illegitimate daughter! How can an illegitimate daughter inherit the Great Zhou? If this were to happen, what would become of the Great Zhou's reputation?"

Everyone in the hall had different expressions. Some were angry, some were worried, and some were thinking with their heads down.

"Master Sikong is absolutely right!" An official stood up and said, "This matter concerns the foundation of the country. We must not compromise easily!"

"Your Majesty cannot bear to reject Chu Ning out of consideration for our old friendship, but as his subjects, how can we sit idly by?" another person said in a deep voice.

Pei Yan, noticing that everyone's emotions had been aroused, nodded slightly and continued, "I believe that we should submit a joint petition, asking His Majesty to revoke his order!"

"Yes! Let's submit a joint petition!" Everyone responded.

However, at this moment, an official suddenly spoke up: "Master Sikong, if His Majesty insists on doing this, what should we do?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall instantly became quiet.

Can they stop the emperor from doing what he is determined to do?

Pei Yan narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly: "Good question."

He slowly stood up, his eyes piercing as he spoke, each word clearly emphasized: "If Your Majesty persists in his wrongdoing... then we can only seize control of the palace and block the news until Your Majesty changes his mind!"

"What?" Everyone was shocked.

"Lord Sikong, this... this is an act of insubordination!" said an old minister in a trembling voice.

"The Emperor of Chu is also in the palace. Is he going to be trapped as well?" another person asked in horror.

"How can we control the palace if we have no soldiers?" someone questioned.

Pei Yan sneered: "Don't panic, everyone."

He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes sharp as an eagle: "General Li Junxian, the guardian of the country, is my disciple. He has thousands of soldiers under his command, enough to block the palace gates!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other and the hall fell into silence for a moment.

Outside the window, the cold wind howled, causing the lanterns to sway. The interweaving of light and shadow reflected the frightened or resolute faces of the people in the hall.

Pei Yan looked around at everyone and said slowly, "This matter is of no small importance. If anyone does not wish to participate, you may leave now."

No one in the hall stood up.

He nodded with satisfaction: "Okay! In that case, let's proceed according to the plan."

"Tomorrow morning, we will jointly submit a petition. If Your Majesty still does not revoke your order, General Li Junxian will lead the imperial guards to seal the palace gates and cut off Chu Ning and Your Majesty from the outside world!"

"As for the Chu State..."

A fierce look flashed in his eyes: "As long as the news is not leaked, Chu Ning is trapped in the palace, and the Chu State is leaderless, so they will not dare to act rashly!"

Everyone was silent for a moment, and finally someone whispered, "Master Sikong, your opinion is excellent."

Pei Yan raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a cold smile.

"Everyone, the Great Zhou Dynasty must not fall into the hands of outsiders!"

Outside the window, the moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, and the entire city of Los Angeles was plunged into darkness.

Everyone knows the danger of this matter, but they have no way out now.

Now, they only hope that Her Majesty the Empress will take into consideration their joint petition and revoke her decision!