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

Chapter 1428 The Empress Reunited After a Long Abandonment

Within just a few days, the three dynasties launched a bloody purge against the Chu State Jinyiwei.

In the capital of Wei, the city defense forces cooperated with the shadow guards to raid seven suspected Jinyiwei strongholds overnight, and more than 30 spies were beheaded in the streets.

During the Tang Dynasty, Zhangsun Wuji personally led the "Xuanjiawei" to launch a carpet search, and more than 20 Chu spies who had been lurking for many years were eradicated.

The Han Dynasty was even more ruthless. Not only did they execute all the captured Jinyiwei, they also hung their bodies at the city gates for public display.

On this day, in the capital of Chu State, the East Palace.

Jia Yu walked hurriedly through the corridor. As soon as he stepped into the study, he saw Chu Ning simulating border defense on a sand table. The candlelight cast flickering shadows on his handsome face.

"Your Highness, the counterattack of the three dynasties is more fierce than expected."

Jia Yu handed over a secret report: "Our Jinyiwei, stationed in the capital of the Three Kingdoms, has lost nearly half of its peripheral members."

Chu Ning didn't even raise his head, and lightly tapped the location of Maple Leaf City on the sand table with his fingertips: "I have slaughtered so many of their hidden people. It would be strange if these emperors didn't show some appreciation."

He suddenly raised the corner of his mouth: "Have any core members been exposed?"

"Thanks to your Highness's brilliant plan."

Jia Yu showed admiration: "The twelve core members who truly knew the secrets were all safe and sound. The only casualties were some peripheral spies."

He lowered his voice and said, "The correspondence between the emperors of the Three Kingdoms has been unusually frequent these past few days, and the number of pigeons used has tripled compared to usual."

"It seems that you are anxious to give me a great gift when I ascend the throne."

Chu Ning suddenly pressed a black jade chess piece heavily on the position of Yanzhou and sneered, "160,000 border troops are on full alert, Thirteenth Brother is stationed in Maple Leaf City, and Xun Yu has even set up an iron chain formation in Yanzhou. If they dare to come—"

The chess piece was crushed to pieces. "I will let them know what it means to bring shame upon themselves."

Just as Jia Yu was about to take his leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned around. "By the way, Your Highness, the Minister of Rites, Lord Deng Hongwen, has been on a mission to the barbarians for over half a month. Since entering their territory three days ago, there has been no news."

"The three groups of spies sent by the Imperial Guards have yet to report back any news."

"Bang!" The teacup in Chu Ning's hand shattered.

A cold light flashed in his eyes: "How courageous the barbarians are!"

"Immediately send a letter in my name, telling that Vulture Khan - if Lord Deng loses even a hair, I will bury his entire tribe with him!"

Jia Yu keenly noticed that His Highness's aura surged as he spoke, indicating that he was truly angry.

He quickly added, "I think it would be a good idea to invite the barbarians to send envoys to attend the coronation ceremony. If they want to ease relations, they will naturally bring Lord Deng with them."

Chu Ning slowly wiped the water stains from his hands with a handkerchief. "Alright. Also, send a secret order to the commander of the northern border to secretly transfer 30,000 Youzhou cavalry to the Blackwater River for training."

When he raised his eyes, a bloodthirsty glint flashed in them: "If I don't see Minister Deng on the day of my coronation... I will let the barbarians see what a bloody celebration is."

"One more thing."

Jia Yu's expression suddenly became subtle: "The Queen of the Great Zhou has sent a secret letter. She will personally bring Princess Wu Xiuning to attend the ceremony."

Chu Ning's wiping action suddenly stopped.

Under the candlelight, a rare softness appeared on that usually stern face.

Jia Yu secretly raised his eyes and saw that the Crown Prince's fingertips were unconsciously stroking the phoenix-patterned jade pendant that he never took off at his waist - it was "accidentally" dropped when the Queen of the Great Zhou came to visit three years ago.

"When will they arrive?" Chu Ning's voice suddenly became softer.

"The Empress' letter said they have already set out and will arrive in ten days."

Jia Yu carefully observed the prince's expression: "Do we need to prepare for the reception in advance?"

"We will provide the highest standard of reception."

Chu Ning interrupted him, her tone leaving no room for doubt: "I will personally welcome you."

As if realizing his own loss of composure, he regained his usual stern demeanor and said, "Step aside. Remember, the news of the Empress's arrival must not be spread to anyone."

After the study door was closed, Chu Ning took out a scroll from the secret compartment.

Slowly unfolding, the painting shows a little girl in a crimson palace dress holding a sugar man and smiling brightly.

His fingertips gently stroked the name at the end of the scroll. It was a portrait that the empress secretly sent to Wu Xiuning on her third birthday.

"Six years~" he murmured softly.

A flock of night crows were startled outside the window, and the flapping sound of their wings drowned out the second half of the sigh that was drowned in the night.

The night was as dark as ink, and the candlelight in the East Palace swayed gently in the autumn wind.

Chu Ning sat alone at the desk, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the scroll, his thoughts already drifting back to that night six years ago.

"Your Highness, it's late."

A soft female voice woke him from his memories.

Crown Princess Shen Wanying walked into the study holding a green jade bowl. Her moon-white skirt brushed against the green brick floor, bringing with it a faint medicinal fragrance.

She gently placed the ginseng soup on the table, and the warm mist enshrouded Chu Ning's eyebrows.

"This is ginseng soup with snow ganoderma. It's very soothing."

Shen Wanying reached out and massaged his temples, her fingertips applying just the right amount of pressure. "You've been overworked these past few days. You should rest well."

Chu Ning suddenly grabbed her wrist, his eyes burning: "Wanying, I have something to discuss with you."

He paused, his voice lowered, "This time, Wu Zhao will bring Xiuning to the coronation ceremony, and I want to keep the child."

Shen Wanying's hand trembled slightly.

She had long known about her husband's past with the Empress of the Great Zhou, and she also knew what it meant to be raised as a princess in the deep palace.

Slowly withdrawing her hand, she pushed the ginseng soup towards Chu Ning and said, "Your Highness, drink the soup first. It's getting cold."

Seeing Chu Ning drink it all in one gulp, she sighed softly: "I have no objection, but..."

She raised her clear eyes and asked, "If you suddenly announced your identity as a princess, what would the empress think? And how would the Great Zhou court react?"

Suddenly a gust of wind blew outside the window, making the window frame rattle.

Chu Ning stared at the flickering candlelight, his brows gradually furrowed.

He thought of Wu Zhao's eyes that were always unfathomable - the woman's ability to rule the Great Zhou for so many years was not solely due to her beauty.

"you're right."

He finally sighed and placed the empty bowl heavily on the table: "This matter really cannot be rushed."

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the desk, a gesture he made when thinking. "At least we should wait until after the coronation ceremony before finding a chance to discuss this with Wu Zhao."

A trace of heartache flashed in Shen Wanying's eyes.

She knew her husband too well. The prince who was always decisive and ruthless in the court actually had a rare look of uneasiness in his eyes at this moment.

Gently holding his hand, she suddenly smiled: "Come to think of it, the end of October is a good time to eat tonic food."

Chu Ning was stunned for a moment, then he understood.

He suddenly lifted her up and carried her sideways, startling Shen Wanying so much that she cried out, "Your Highness!"

"My beloved concubine reminded me."

Chu Ning walked towards the bedroom with a big laugh, and the gloom in his heart was swept away.

"We really should hurry up. We can't let the East Palace of Great Chu remain so deserted."

He deliberately leaned over to whisper in his wife's ear: "I heard that Snow Ganoderma not only calms the mind, but also..."

"Please stop talking!" Shen Wanying buried her face in his chest in shame, but heard even more joyful laughter coming from above her head.

The candle flames were shaken violently by the wind, casting intertwined shadows on the wall.

Outside the window, a crescent moon quietly hid in the clouds, as if it was ashamed to witness the spring scenery in the room.