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

The February morning light streamed into the bedroom through the carved window lattices, making the golden dragon patterns on the brocade quilt sparkle.

When Chu Ning opened his eyes, he found that Queen Shen Wanying had already woken up and was leaning on her arms, staring at him with tenderness in her eyes.

Her long black hair fell on the pillow, and a few strands playfully found their way into his clothes.

"Your Majesty is awake?"

Shen Wanying's voice was lazily filled with the morning air, and her fingers gently stroked the wrinkles between his brows.

"You were busy so late last night, why didn't you get some more sleep?"

Chu Ning grabbed her hand and placed it on his lips, kissing it: "With the Queen by my side, how can I sleep?"

His eyes fell on Shen Wanying's slightly red ears, and he couldn't help but chuckle. After eight years of marriage, she was still so shy.

Shen Wanying pulled her hand back and glared at him in feigned anger: "Your Majesty is always making fun of me."

As he was about to stand up, Chu Ning pulled him back into his arms.

The curtains on the dragon bed swayed slightly, waking up the canary guarding outside the tent. It flapped its wings and jumped a few times in the gilded cage.

"Wanying~" Chu Ning buried his face in her neck, sniffing the familiar jasmine scent: "If Zhao Yu hadn't arrived in time last night..."

Shen Wanying's body visibly stiffened for a moment, then she hugged him tighter: "It's all over, Sister Lan and the Second Prince are safe and sound."

She ran her fingers through Chu Ning's scattered black hair, gently soothing a frightened child. "Divine Doctor Sun also said that although the Second Prince had a difficult birth, he is in very good health."

The sound of palace servants sweeping snow came from outside the window, and Chu Ning finally let go of his arms.

Shen Wanying took the bright yellow dragon robe hanging on the screen and put it on him skillfully.

Her fingertips trembled slightly as she tied the jade belt. Chu Ning held her hand and found it was as cold as snow.

"You're afraid." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

Shen Wanying raised her face, the morning light casting a soft outline on her delicate features: "Your Majesty, I am just worried..."

She bit her lower lip and said, "The Great Zhou has only been annexed for a short time. If we start a massacre over this matter, I'm afraid it will shake people's hearts."

Chu Ning's eyes suddenly turned cold.

He turned and walked towards the bronze mirror, fastening the last button himself. "Wanying, do you know what the consequences would be if those assassins succeeded?"

Shen Wanying's face turned pale instantly as reflected in the mirror.

"Lan'er will die of dystocia, and my prince will also die in the womb."

Chu Ning's voice was terrifyingly calm: "And all this happened right under my nose!"

Shen Wanying hurried forward and put her arms around his waist from behind: "That's not what I meant."

"I know."

Chu Ning placed his hand on the back of her hand and sighed, "You are kind-hearted and always try to win people over with virtue, but some people..."

A cold light flashed in his eyes: "We must teach them a lesson with blood."

Shen Wanying put her face on his back and stopped trying to persuade him.

She knew that Chu Ning was no longer her husband, but the emperor of Great Chu.

Three bells rang outside the window, signaling the start of the morning court session.

"Your Majesty, it's time for you to attend court."

Shen Wanying stepped back and bowed solemnly: "I will go and look after Sister Lan and the Second Prince."

Chu Ning looked at her deeply, then turned around and strode away.

Shen Wanying watched his tall figure disappear outside the palace gate, her fingers unconsciously tightening the handkerchief.

She knew that there would be a bloody storm in the Golden Palace today.

Inside the Golden Throne Hall, the morning dew on the gilded coiled dragon pillars had not yet dried.

Civil and military officials stood on both sides in complete silence.

When Chu Ning stepped into the hall, everyone felt a biting chill.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" All the ministers knelt in unison, their foreheads touching the ground.

Chu Ning didn't call out immediately.

He walked slowly up the jade steps, and the hem of his black dragon robe swept across the steps, making a rustling sound.

When he turned around and sat down, his eyes swept across everyone in the hall like a knife.

"Dear ladies!"

His voice was soft, but it sent chills down everyone's spine: "Someone actually attempted to assassinate my capital."

Minister of War Deng Hongwen's knees trembled noticeably.

"Last night, Imperial Concubine Lan had a difficult labor, so I sent someone to fetch Divine Doctor Sun, but they were ambushed by assassins on the way!"

Chu Ning suddenly raised his voice and slammed his palm on the dragon table, making the teacups clink. "If General Zhao Yu hadn't arrived in time, my beloved concubine and my son would have died!"

The hall was so silent that even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

Cabinet Minister and Minister of Revenue Liu Shouren was the first to step out, the back of his official robe already wet.

"Your Majesty, I bear the blame for this serious incident. Please punish me!"

Immediately afterwards, Minister of Rites Deng Hongwen, Minister of Personnel Lu Xiuwen and others came forward to apologize.

Only Zhao Yu, who was standing at the head of the military officers, stood with his back straight, his eyes burning with anger.

Chu Ning sneered: "This matter has nothing to do with you, my dear ministers."

He slowly stood up and walked down the jade steps step by step: "But I am making this clear today - anyone who knows about this and doesn't report it will have their entire clan executed!"

The last three words exploded like thunder, and Chu Ning's eyes roamed over everyone's face, trying to find clues.

However, everyone lowered their heads and did not dare to look him in the eye.

"No words? Very good."

Chu Ning stopped in front of Ling Haoran, the Minister of Justice. "Lord Ling, please speak."

Ling Haoran took a deep breath, stepped out of the group, and bowed, "Your Majesty, preliminary investigations have shown that the assassin was able to accurately track Divine Doctor Sun's whereabouts. This must be due to a leak from within the palace."

He paused and said, "I suggest that we start with the eunuchs and palace maids who have been exposed to this information."

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes: "Tell me more specifically."

Ling Haoran pulled out a list from his sleeve: "Last night, His Majesty ordered Divine Doctor Sun to enter the palace. There are about fifteen people who know about this."

"This is the list of all the palace servants on duty last night. Your Majesty, please review it."

Chu Ning took the list, glanced at it, and suddenly sneered: "Fifteen people? Very good."

He threw the list back to Ling Haoran: "Within ten days, I want a result."

"I obey your order." Ling Haoran bowed and withdrew.

When the bell rang to dismiss the court, all the ministers left the hall as if they had been pardoned.

Chu Ning stood alone in the center of the empty Golden Palace. The sunlight shone through the glazed tiles of the dome, casting a blood-red spot of light at his feet.

"Your Majesty." Zhao Yu returned without knowing when, and bowed. "I have sent people to keep an eye on any suspicious individuals."

Chu Ning looked at the snowflakes flying outside the palace and whispered, "Who do you think it could be?"

"I dare not speak rashly." Zhao Yu lowered his head: "Your Majesty has been on the front lines for the past year and is not very clear about the situation in Kyoto City.

"Even if there are Jinyiwei in the city, I'm afraid they won't be able to fully grasp everyone's movements."

Chu Ning's eyes flashed coldly, "Do you think the Ministry of Justice can find out the results within ten days?"

Zhao Yu raised his head abruptly. "Your Majesty, I believe in Lord Ling's ability. However, the conspirators this time are hiding very deeply, and I'm afraid they may not be easy to find."

Chu Ning slowly clenched his fists, and his knuckles made a crisp sound.

He remembered Shen Wanying's advice, Concubine Lan's painful groans during childbirth, and the child who almost didn't have time to open his eyes to see the world.

"Let the Royal Guards continue their investigation."

He only said these few words in the end, but Zhao Yu knew that a storm was inevitable.