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

The scorching August sun was still fierce, burning the official road outside Kyoto.

Dust rolled in the heat wave, and the distant scenery was distorted.

At the city gate, civil and military officials had been lined up waiting for a long time.

Minister of Rites Deng Hongwen kept wiping the sweat from his forehead, and the back of his official uniform was already soaked.

From time to time, he looked up at the end of the official road, then lowered his head to tidy up his clothes.

"Here it comes!" Minister of Personnel Lu Xiuwen suddenly exclaimed.

At the end of the official road, a cloud of dust was seen rising, and faintly visible were the dragon banners fluttering in the heat wave.

In the front was a team of cavalrymen in silver armor, followed by a hearse pulled by eight black horses. The black coffin was covered with the flag of King Zhao of Chu.

Chu Ning was wearing a black dragon robe and riding a warhorse at the front of the team, his face as cold as iron.

Queen Shen Wanying walked slowly forward, holding the five-year-old Crown Prince Chu Tian's hand.

She specially changed into a simple and elegant phoenix robe today, and only pinned a white jade hairpin in her bun.

The deputy queen Wu Zhao on the left is wearing a purple palace dress, and the eight-year-old Chu Xiuning stands beside her obediently.

The imperial concubine Feng Mulan on the right is dressed in tight clothes, with a sword at her waist, looking very heroic.

"Mother, I hear the sound of horse hooves!" Chu Xiuning suddenly raised her little face and said crisply.

Wu Zhao gently patted her daughter's shoulder and signaled her not to speak.

This time, a prince of the State of Chu died, and he was the prince who had the best relationship with Chu Ning. The atmosphere in the entire Kyoto city was very depressing.

For this purpose, the Minister of Rites Deng Hongwen specially sought him out to discuss what kind of rituals and music should be used to welcome the emperor when he returned to the court.

Logically speaking, triumphal music should be used for a triumphant return, but this time because of the death of King Chu Kuang of Zhao, triumphal music was obviously inappropriate.

Finally, it was at her suggestion that the Ministry of Rites used the song "Soul Returns to Hometown".

Thinking of this, she turned to look at Deng Hongwen: "Master Deng, we can start now."

Deng Hongwen took a deep breath and raised his hand to signal.

Suddenly, the low and solemn music of "Soul Returns to Hometown" sounded, the music was like crying and complaining, echoing in the hot air.

All the officials bowed their heads, and the atmosphere was so solemn that it was almost suffocating.

When the procession reached the city gate, Shen Wanying led everyone in bowing deeply, "I, along with all the civil and military officials of the court, respectfully welcome Your Majesty back to the court and to welcome the soul of Prince Zhao back to his homeland!"

"Welcome, Your Majesty, and welcome the soul of King Zhao back to his hometown!" All the officials shouted in unison, and their voices echoed at the city gate.

Chu Ning reined in his warhorse and swept his eyes over everyone's faces one by one.

He did not dismount, but nodded slightly: "No need to be so polite."

The voice was hoarse and tired.

His gaze passed over the three concubines and fell on Deng Hongwen: "Master Deng, how are the funeral arrangements?"

Deng Hongwen stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the funeral preparations are complete. It's just that the officials from the remote areas have not yet arrived. However, they will all be here within three days."

"very good."

Chu Ning nodded: "Then the funeral will be held in three days."

After a pause, he asked again, "Have you arranged the place I asked you to prepare?"

"We have found a cool and shady place to place the coffin. Your Majesty, please follow me."

Chu Ning waved his hand and the team continued to move forward.

When entering the city, the people spontaneously knelt on both sides of the street, and many of them sobbed softly.

King Chu Kuang of Zhao had a very high reputation among the people. When the news of his death came, the entire capital was shrouded in grief.

Deng Hongwen led the team to a special cellar in the west of the city.

Pushing open the heavy stone door, a gust of cold air hit me in the face.

In the center of the cellar is an underground river, and a white marble platform is built on the riverside.

The soldiers carefully carried the coffin onto the platform. The whole process was solemn and dignified.

Chu Ning stood in front of the coffin and reached out to gently stroke the cold coffin lid.

His fingers trembled slightly, and his voice was so low that it was almost inaudible: "Brother Wang, you can rest here for three days. After three days, I will bury you in peace."

When we left the cellar, the sun had already set.

Chu Ning refused the imperial carriage and walked back to the palace alone.

The three concubines followed silently behind him, and no one dared to disturb him.

Inside the Yangxin Hall

Shen Wanying personally brought a bowl of iced lotus seed soup: "Your Majesty, thank you for your hard work on the journey."

Chu Ning took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

The coolness of the lotus seed soup relaxed his tense nerves a little.

He looked around at his three concubines and said softly, "I have not been in the palace during this period. Thank you for your hard work."

Feng Mulan couldn't help but step forward and said, "Your Majesty, I will go with you to avenge the King of Zhao!"

The death of King Zhao also ignited the anger of this heroine, and she wanted to go to the battlefield and kill the enemy immediately.

"Sister Mulan!" Wu Zhao hurriedly spoke out to stop him. She was worried that this would make Chu Ning lose his mind and make the wrong decision.

Chu Ning waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "It's okay."

He looked at Feng Mulan, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes: "I will make arrangements for revenge. Your most important task now is to take good care of the child."

Then he looked at Wu Zhao and asked, "Why don't you see the Minister of Revenue Liu Shouren today?"

Wu Zhao sighed deeply, "This time, our dynasty is facing both the Tang Dynasty and the Han Dynasty from both the east and the west. Lord Liu has personally gone down to collect grain to ensure food security."

"Now that I've heard the tragic news about King Zhao, I'm rushing back as fast as I can. I expect to be back in two days."

Chu Ning's expression changed slightly when he heard this.

He was fighting on the front line and hardly ever cared about the issue of food and grass. All this was the confidence given to him by Liu Shouren.

He walked to the window and looked at the darkening sky: "Lord Liu, you have indeed worked hard."

After a moment's silence, he suddenly asked, "Has anyone from Prince Zhao's residence come to report the news?"

Shen Wanying said softly, "Princess Zhao hasn't eaten or drunk anything for three days. I've sent people to watch over her day and night, fearing something might happen."

"I understand." Chu Ning interrupted her: "You all should leave. I want to go see the Queen's wife."

"Your Majesty!" Shen Wanying said anxiously, "You've been traveling all the way. You should rest for a while."

Chu Ning had already strode out of the hall, leaving only one sentence: "No need to follow."

As the night deepened, Chu Ning's dragon chariot sped along the quiet streets.

A white banner was hung high in front of the gate of Prince Zhao's mansion, and the mansion was all in plain white.

When Chu Ning stepped into the mourning hall, Princess Zhao, who was kneeling in front of the coffin, swayed and almost fainted.

"Mrs. Wang!" Chu Ning's voice finally trembled a little.

Princess Zhao slowly raised her head, tears still lingering on her pale face.

She wanted to stand up and salute, but was stopped by Chu Ning.

"Mrs. Wang, there's no need to be so polite!" Chu Ning asked softly.

Princess Zhao took out a blood-lettered letter from her bosom and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, the King of Zhao is gone, and I do not want to live in vain. Please bury me with the King!"

"After I die, Your Majesty, please take care of the prince's two children."

Chu Ning's face changed drastically. Just as he was about to persuade her, Princess Zhao's head suddenly tilted and she died with blood coming out of all her orifices.

It turned out that she knew Chu Ning would be coming back today, and also knew that Chu Ning would be coming back to the palace, so she had already taken the poison in advance!