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

That night, the snow in Los Angeles became heavier.

Goose-feather-like snowflakes were carried by the howling north wind and slammed heavily onto the glazed tiles of the imperial palace, making a crackling sound.

The vermilion palace walls looked particularly solemn on a snowy night. The palace lanterns under the eaves swayed in the wind, and the candlelight flickered, illuminating the figures of eunuchs and maids walking hurriedly on the palace road.

Outside the palace gate, eight canopies struggled forward in the wind and snow.

The commander of the guards held a palace lantern in his hand. The orange light could only illuminate a small area. Snowflakes hit the lantern paper, making a crackling sound.

"What horrible weather!" Li Chong wrapped himself tightly in his fox fur coat, his boots sinking deeply into the snow.

He looked up at the towering palace walls, a dark shadow weighing on his heart.

Cui Gaoyi walked in front. Snowflakes fell on his gray eyelashes and quickly melted into water droplets, but he looked calm.

"Mr. Cui, what did the empress do tonight..." Wang Yan leaned closer and asked in a low voice, but was interrupted by a gust of wind before he could finish his words.

The wind and snow rushed into his collar, and he couldn't help but shiver.

The eight family heads walked forward, one step deep and one step shallow, leaving behind a trail of messy footprints that were soon covered by the new snow.

The pine and cypress trees on both sides of the palace road had their branches bent by the accumulated snow, and they creaked in the wind, as if foreshadowing something.

Yang Yan suddenly stopped and stared at the swaying shadows on the palace wall - those were the torch lights of the patrolling imperial guards.

He narrowed his eyes, counted the number of lights and shadows, and secretly noted the changes in deployment in his mind.

Zheng Huan, who was walking at the end, suddenly slipped and almost fell, but fortunately he was supported by the guards.

He thanked her and when he looked up he saw the lights of the Linde Hall shining through the snow, as bright as day.

The light was so bright that it hurt his eyes.

"arrive."

The guard leading the way stepped aside, and the palace gate slowly opened. A warm breath mixed with the aroma of wine blew in.

The eight people stood at the threshold, straightened their clothes at the same time, hiding the embarrassment brought by the wind and snow, and then stepped into the magnificent world.

The Linde Hall was brightly lit with candles.

Eight rosewood tables are placed on the left and right sides of the hall, each of which is decorated with exquisite gilded wine vessels, delicacies placed on jade plates, and seasonal fresh fruits.

The maids lowered their heads and poured the warmed imperial wine into the cups. The wine was fragrant, but no one dared to take a sip.

The heads of the eight great families had already taken their seats, however, there was no sign of Empress Wu Zetian in the hall.

A quarter of an hour passed.

The charcoal fire in the hall was burning brightly, bringing warmth and comfort, but everyone's faces gradually became gloomy.

"Humph!"

Li Chong, the head of the Longxi Li family, was the first to lose control. He snorted coldly and rapped the table heavily with his fingers.

"The Empress summoned us, but left us waiting here in vain. It's clear that she doesn't take our eight great families seriously!"

"Mr. Li, please be patient."

Wang Yan spoke calmly, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of the wine glass, his eyes sweeping outside the hall:

"The Empress has always acted decisively. I'm afraid her actions today have deeper meanings."

"A deep meaning?"

Yang Yan sneered, a sharp look flashing in his eyes: "It's nothing more than trying to intimidate us!"

"Are you worthy of using such a petty trick in front of us?"

Zheng Huan sneered, snapping the folding fan in his hand shut. "Wait another half a quarter of an hour. If the Empress doesn't show up, we'll take our leave!"

Everyone agreed, but Cui Gaoyi remained silent.

He sat at the desk with a calm expression, but his sharp eyes were slightly narrowed, and his gaze slowly scanned the hall, as if looking for some clues.

The wind and snow were howling outside the hall, and the atmosphere inside was stagnant.

Just as everyone was growing increasingly impatient, a clear laugh suddenly came from the side hall.

"Why are you all so angry?"

The voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet it carried an authority that could not be ignored.

Everyone was shocked and looked up.

The bead curtain of the side hall was gently opened by a slender hand, and a white figure walked out slowly.

The man was wearing a plain white brocade robe with a jade belt hanging from his waist. He had a handsome face and a smile on his lips, but his deep eyes were as bottomless as a cold pond.

Emperor of Chu, Chu Ning!

"Her Majesty the Empress has something urgent to do, so I will receive you all. How about that?" Chu Ning smiled slightly, his eyes sweeping across everyone's faces one by one.

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

The heads of the eight great families had different expressions. Some were surprised, some were alert, and some had a subtle flash of fear in their eyes.

How could they not know Chu Ning's reputation?

This young emperor destroyed the six kingdoms in just a few years. He used ruthless methods and was merciless to the aristocratic families. He would confiscate their property and exterminate their clans at will. He was worthy of being called the most feared hero of the time!

Cui Gaoyi was the first to react. He immediately stood up and saluted respectfully: "Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Chu!"

The rest of the people also stood up and bowed, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Although Chu Ning was not their monarch, no one dared to be arrogant in front of this emperor who commanded millions of soldiers.

"No need to be so polite, everyone." Chu Ning smiled and raised his hand, motioning everyone to take a seat: "Please sit down."

Everyone hesitated for a moment, but no one dared to move first.

Seeing this, Chu Ning's smile deepened. He did not urge anyone, but walked leisurely to the main seat and slowly sat down.

Not until he sat down did the heads of the eight great families cautiously take their seats, but their backs remained straight, not daring to relax even a little.

Chu Ning picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and said with a smile: "You all have come from afar and must be tired. Her Majesty the Empress has specially ordered people to prepare songs and dances to welcome you all."

After saying that, he clapped his hands lightly.

The sound of stringed instruments suddenly arose.

A group of dancers in light gauze entered gracefully, their sleeves fluttering and their figures graceful.

The musicians played melodious tunes, with the sheng and xiao playing in harmony, and the zither and qin playing in harmony. The whole hall suddenly became lively.

But who among the heads of the eight great families has the heart to appreciate singing and dancing?

Cui Gaoyi frowned slightly, glancing outside the hall from time to time. Wang Yan looked indifferent, but his fingertips tapped lightly on the table, revealing his inner impatience.

Li Chong's face darkened, and the wine glass in his hand creaked.

Another quarter of an hour passed.

When the dancers finished their song, they bowed and were about to leave.

Chu Ning suddenly smiled and said, "I think this song and dance is very good. How about another one?"

Everyone's expressions suddenly changed.

"Your Majesty the Emperor of Chu!"

Cui Gaoyi finally couldn't contain himself any longer. He stood up suddenly, clasped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "We have come to the palace tonight to discuss important matters with Her Majesty the Empress. If Her Majesty is not available today, we should discuss it another day!"

The other family heads also stood up and made gestures to leave.

Seeing this, Chu Ning's eyes flashed with a hint of amusement, but he did not stop him. He just said leisurely: "Why are you so anxious?"

He put down his wine glass and slowly stood up. His white robe glowed faintly in the candlelight. He looked like a banished immortal, but his eyes were as heart-wrenching as the abyss.

"Her Majesty the Empress has entrusted this matter to me."

He smiled slightly, his voice neither light nor heavy, but it exploded in everyone's ears like thunder.

"If you have anything to say, please speak directly to me."