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

Outside the capital of Chu, the wind was freezing cold, but it could not dampen the enthusiasm of the ministers.

Hundreds of officials lined up in neat rows, dressed in court robes, standing solemnly in the cold wind.

At the front, Shen Wanying, dressed in a fiery red phoenix robe, is particularly eye-catching. She has an upright posture, a dignified face, and her brows reveal the majesty of a mother of the country.

Beside her, the four-year-old Prince Chu Tian was tightly clutching the corner of his mother's clothes. His little face was red from the cold, but he still stood straight with stubbornness.

"Mother, when will father arrive?" Chu Tian raised his little face, his eyes full of anticipation.

Shen Wanying gently stroked her son's hair, her eyes gazing into the distance: "It's almost time. Calculating the time, it should be today."

At this moment, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came from a distance.

On the horizon, a few small black dots gradually became clearer, soon transforming into a mighty procession. Among the waving banners, the faint trace of a dragon flag could be seen.

"It's father!" Chu Tian's eyes lit up and he excitedly pulled his mother's sleeve.

Shen Wanying raised the corner of her mouth slightly, turned around and ordered the ceremonial officer behind her: "Raise the dragon flag and play the triumphal music!"

Suddenly, the majestic sound of trumpets resounded through the sky, and ceremonial music rang out.

All the ministers straightened their clothes and stood solemnly.

As the motorcade approached, everyone shouted in unison: "Welcome Your Majesty!"

The carriage slowly stopped, Chu Ning lifted the curtain, and got off the carriage in the spotlight of the crowd.

He was dressed in a black dragon robe, with a dark golden dragon-patterned sword at his waist, and he exuded an aura of majesty without even being angry.

"My dear friends, there is no need to be polite."

Chu Ning said loudly, but his eyes were immediately fixed on his wife and children.

He walked quickly to Shen Wanying, frowning slightly: "Why did the Queen come to greet you in person? It's freezing cold, be careful not to catch a cold."

Shen Wanying smiled and said, "There's nothing else to do. Tian'er insisted on coming to meet you, so I came with him."

Chu Ning laughed when he heard this, leaned over and picked up Chu Tian: "Do you miss your father?"

"I want to~" Chu Tian responded obediently, wrapping his little hands around his father's neck: "Father has returned triumphantly, and I should go out of the city to welcome him."

Looking at his son's sensible appearance, Chu Ning felt a warm feeling in his heart.

He nuzzled Chu Tian's nose affectionately: "Just right, I brought back the person you want to see the most!"

As he said that, he turned and looked at the carriage behind him: "Come out!"

The car curtain was suddenly lifted, and a petite figure flew out like a swallow and landed steadily in front of Chu Tian.

Seven-year-old Wu Xiuning was wearing a goose yellow jacket and skirt. Her little face was red from the cold, but the liveliness in her eyes could not be concealed.

"Brother Chu Tian!"

She smiled and pinched Chu Tian's cheek: "This time you really become my brother."

Chu Tian bowed politely: "Hello, sister."

He had a particularly deep memory of this sister, both for her literary talent and her martial arts skills.

Of course, his literary talent was definitely no match for his, and he was mainly afraid of the other party's martial arts.

This sister is really brave.

"You are still so old-fashioned."

Wu Xiuning curled her lips and grabbed his hand: "Don't let those old pedants teach you bad things."

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at several Hanlin Academy scholars among the ministers.

Those ministers immediately shrank their necks, obviously having already experienced the power of this little devil.

Are you kidding? This person was the one who stumped several great scholars in the past. They dared not provoke him.

What's more, Wu Xiuning's identity is different this time. With her new status as the Minister of Works, she will be the princess of Chu in the future, and she is someone they cannot afford to offend!

Just as everyone couldn't help laughing, another figure walked out of the carriage.

Wu Zhao was dressed in purple. Although she did not wear a phoenix crown, her every move revealed the imperial demeanor.

She walked slowly to Chu Ning's side and swept her eyes calmly over everyone present.

Chu Ning put Chu Tian down, held Wu Xiuning's hand with one hand, and held Wu Zhao's hand with the other, and announced loudly:

"From today on, Wu Zhao will be my vice-consort, with the same status as the empress!"

As soon as this statement came out, the officials were in an uproar.

Minister of Rites Deng Hongwen's face changed slightly, and he was the first to speak out: "Your Majesty, this... this is against etiquette! Since ancient times, there has only been one empress in the harem."

"Lord Deng."

Chu Ning interrupted him with a half-smile: "I remember when the Great Zhou was annexed by the Chu State, you strongly advocated treating Wu Zhao and her daughter well. Why, do you regret it now?"

Deng Hongwen was suddenly speechless and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The other ministers also looked at each other, not daring to express their opinions easily.

There are two queens in one palace, which is unprecedented in the history of Chu.

Just as the atmosphere was tense, Shen Wanying suddenly stepped forward and took Wu Zhao's hand:

"Sister, you have come a long way and have worked hard. From now on, we sisters will discuss the affairs of the palace together."

A hint of surprise flashed across Wu Zhao's eyes, and then she smiled knowingly: "It's as it should be."

Seeing the Queen's statement, the ministers dared not say anything more and bowed in greeting, "Your Highness, we pay our respects to the Vice Queen!"

In fact, everyone understood that Deng Hongwen's initiative to stand up was just for show.

Everyone knows that Deng Hongwen is Chu Ning's confidant. He deliberately brought up this matter just because he didn't want others to talk about it.

Moreover, the matter of enthroning the deputy queen must be handled by the Ministry of Rites, so it is reasonable for Deng Hongwen to bring it up at this moment.

Their emperor took this opportunity to deliberately give Deng Hongwen a warning, in fact, he wanted to intimidate them.

Think about it, His Majesty the Emperor doesn't even allow his confidants to oppose this matter, so who among these ministers would dare to stand up?

Besides, Wu Zhao was the empress of the Zhou Dynasty. Now she gave up the throne and incorporated the Zhou Dynasty into the Chu State. So what if she was given the position of vice empress?

All of a sudden, all the ministers knew exactly what their emperor was thinking.

After returning to the palace, Chu Ning arranged for Wu Zhao and her daughter to choose a palace first, while he and Shen Wanying went to the bedroom to be alone.

"Why is Mulan not here?" Chu Ning looked around and suddenly asked.

Shen Wanying covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled softly, "Your Majesty is truly a forgetful person. Sister Mulan is pregnant and is about to give birth. She originally wanted to go with me to welcome you, but I stopped her."

Chu Ning slapped his forehead suddenly: "Look at my memory!"

As he was about to go out, he said, "I'm going to see her now."

Shen Wanying quickly stopped him, "Your Majesty, wait a minute. Sister Mulan is currently recuperating. The imperial physician says she will give birth in the next two days. Why don't you let me go and inform her first?"

Chu Ning shook his head: "No need, I will go directly there."

He held Shen Wanying's hand, his eyes full of tenderness: "Thank you for your hard work these days, Queen."

Shen Wanying smiled gently: "It is my duty to share your majesty's worries."

The two smiled at each other, and the tacit understanding between them for many years was unspoken.

Outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the golden roof of the palace, adding a touch of warmth to this cold winter day.

The cold wind blew dead leaves across the palace wall, as if foreshadowing the coming storm.

In the palace not far away, Feng Mulan was stroking her bulging belly and staring out the window in a daze.

In her mind, there was only Chu Ning's figure.