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

Prince Chu's Mansion, backyard, inside the house.

Shen Wanying looked at Chu Ning's bloodshot eyes with a look of distress, and a hint of worry appeared in her eyes:

"Although the imperial examination is very important, you have been eating and sleeping with the other candidates in the examination room for more than ten days. This is really hard on you."

Chu Ning drank the lotus seed soup that Shen Wanying made for him and said with a smile: "It's impossible. I have suffered a lot before, let alone it's only been ten days."

Shen Wanying sighed: "You have been marking papers in the examination room these days, and Kyoto City has become a mess."

Chu Ning's eyes lit up, he became interested, and asked, "What happened? Tell me."

I have been marking papers in the examination room these days, and have not been paying attention to worldly affairs.

Shen Wanying did not keep the person in suspense and briefly recounted what had happened in the past few days.

After obtaining authorization from the emperor, the prince's confidence increased. With the support of the Ministry of Justice, he thoroughly investigated more than a dozen princes in the past few days.

Whether it was the princes' residences or properties, they were all checked.

But in the end, nothing was found.

More than a dozen princes were no exception. They used the power of their ministers to impeach the crown prince in the court and investigate his property.

In just a few days, the two sides attacked dozens of times, with both sides winning and losing.

However, the emperor seemed to have no way to deal with this. Instead of stopping it, he allowed the princes to fight each other.

The ministers in the court seemed to have discovered the emperor's thoughts. Since the emperor did not stop them, they naturally became more outrageous.

However, due to the fight between the two sides, their respective industries were affected, and the wealthy families gained a lot of profits.

But the Crown Prince and the Prince were not fools. They realized that something was wrong. Plus, today was the day the results were announced, so both sides stopped fighting today.

But whether the two sides will continue is unknown.

Chu Ning couldn't help but shake his head after hearing this. He picked up a silk scarf and wiped the corners of his mouth. He put down the teacup and smiled:

"It seems that Father wants the Crown Prince to practice his skills. My brothers will become stumbling blocks."

This made Shen Wanying's face change slightly: "Father is still young and strong, why does he want to train the prince so early?"

Chu Ning shrugged: "Perhaps the death of my second brother and eighth brother during this period made my father realize something, so he wanted to train the prince in advance.

However, these things have nothing to do with us, as long as we make this imperial examination a success."

Shen Wanying was silent.

Although Chu Ning did not mention the words "fighting for the throne", she could clearly feel that everything Chu Ning did in recent times was in preparation for fighting for the throne!

But Chu Ning didn't say such things, so she didn't ask more questions.

As Chu Ning's woman, she supports Chu Ning unconditionally!

And she also understood that Chu Ning didn't say these words in front of her because he didn't want her to worry too much.

Picking up the dishes and chopsticks beside her, Shen Wanying said softly, "You haven't rested for so many days. Take advantage of the remaining three days and have a good rest. I'll take the dishes for the servants to wash."

But just as she turned around, Chu Ning hugged her from behind, put his cheek against her ear, and whispered:

"Just let the servants do this kind of thing."

The man's hot breath hit her face, and Shen Wanying blushed instantly.

Just at this moment, Chu Ning touched her all over, making her feel powerless.

"Don't... You haven't showered yet, and it's still daytime..."

"How about...we go take a shower together?"

"I...I'm not going!"

Shen Wanying's face flushed red, and she quickly held down Chu Ning's hands.

Chu Ning was not satisfied and wanted to continue.

But at this moment, the voice of Xiaoqing, Shen Wanying's personal maid, came from outside the house:

"Your Highness, Lord Liu Shouren requests to see you."

Chu Ning, who was interrupted, did not stop, and frowned and said: "Just say that the king is asleep!"

This is the critical moment, how can we stop?

But Xiaoqing explained: "Master Liu said he wants to see you for something important. If you don't go out, he will wait in the living room."

These words made Shen Wanying realize the seriousness of the matter. Given Liu Shouren's character, he would not come here easily unless something big happened.

"Let's go out and take a look. Maybe something really happened." Shen Wanying pushed Chu Ning's hand away.

Chu Ning took a deep breath, tried to suppress the desire in his heart, and gently pinched Shen Wanying's cheek:

"Take a shower and wait for me obediently. I will be back soon!"

After saying that, Chu Ning turned around and left without paying any attention to Shen Wanying's pouting face.

Front yard, living room.

Liu Shouren paced back and forth in the hall with an anxious look on his face. His anxiety was visible to the naked eye.

Even though the maid had placed the fragrant tea on the table beside him, Liu Shouren had no intention of tasting it at the moment.

Just then, footsteps were heard and Chu Ning came in from the side hall.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Liu Shouren hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

Chu Ning waved his hand and said with a smile: "Master Liu, there is no need to be so polite. Why are you so anxious to find me? What happened?"

Liu Shouren smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness, something big has happened..."

"Don't be in a hurry, Lord Liu, please sit down and have a cup of tea to moisten your throat first." Chu Ning said with a smile while motioning Liu Shouren to sit down.

Although Liu Shouren was anxious, he knew that Chu Ning was a man of his word, so he had to sit down and casually drink a sip of tea before continuing:

"Your Highness, something big has happened. All the candidates on the list have received invitations from the Crown Prince and the princes. It is said that they want to recruit this group of people."

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes, and a hint of coldness flashed across his face: "Humph, they really have bad intentions!"

Knowing that the imperial examination could not be stopped, choosing to use such despicable means to win over the candidates was not a bad idea.

As long as this group of people are won over, the imperial examination will completely lose its original purpose.

These people who passed the imperial examination were meant to check and balance the aristocratic families, to kick these officials out of the court and to prevent the crown prince and princes from colluding with the aristocratic families.

But now, this group of people are being won over by the crown prince and the princes. How can this be checked and balanced?

Thinking of this, Chu Ning asked coldly: "Has anyone agreed to come?"

As long as you agree to keep the appointment, it most likely means you agree to join us.

Liu Shouren smiled bitterly and said, "Most of the candidates agreed. After all, they didn't dare to offend the crown prince and the other princes.

Moreover, even the top three all agreed!"

Chu Ning couldn't sit still immediately after hearing this: "The top three also agreed to attend the appointment? Whose invitation did they accept?"

Liu Shouren said in a deep voice: "Liu Yunqing went to the Fourth Prince's residence, Yang Wentao went to the Crown Prince's East Palace, and as for the first place Deng Hongwen, it's a bit strange. He accepted the invitations of all the princes, and it's not clear who he is going to join."

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes as he said this: "This Deng Hongwen is quite interesting. Waiting for a good price? Haha, I am interested in him!

Sir Liu, please take my invitation and tell them that I will host a banquet at my house tonight!"

If others can invite, why can't he?