The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 10: Someone set up the scheme, someone else added fuel to the fire.

Fulu Street, Nalan Mansion!
As a Grand Secretary, Mingzhu held a high position and great power in the entire court, so the area outside the Nalan Mansion was as bustling as ever.

There were governors and viceroys returning to the capital to pay homage to the emperor, prefectural and county officials coming to the capital to make arrangements, and even more officials from the capital who wanted to find connections.

However, Mingzhu had neither the time nor the inclination to meet these people. In his small study, where he usually read, he was receiving someone he couldn't refuse:

His nephew, the eldest prince!
The eldest prince, Yun, is tall and slender with striking eyebrows, giving him an air of heroic wisdom.

And this eldest prince, just like his appearance, can be described as both scholarly and martial. A few days ago, when Emperor Qianxi personally led an expedition against Galdan, this eldest prince made great contributions.

Therefore, this time, the title of Prince was directly conferred.

As the emperor's eldest son born out of wedlock, and also the eldest son who was deeply favored, the flame in Yunshi's heart slowly rose unconsciously.

They are all His Majesty's sons, so why can't I be the emperor?
You may be the legitimate son, but I am still the eldest son!

Moreover, a true man is born between heaven and earth; how can he remain subservient to others for long!

Yun wants to seize the throne, so naturally he needs to find helpers.

His best, and natural, helper was none other than Nalan Mingzhu, whom he should call his uncle.

In reality, Myung-joo was just Yoon-se's cousin, but after realizing that this cousin played a crucial role, Yoon-se treated Myung-joo even better than his own uncle.

Mingzhu had always wanted to ensure the continued prosperity of his family, so he and the eldest prince, Yunshi, hit it off immediately.

The two became very close.

"Didn't I tell you not to come here unless it's important?" Mingzhu said to the eldest prince as she changed out of her court robes.

As a smart man, Mingzhu knew very well that although he and the eldest prince were relatives, they would avoid seeing each other as much as possible.

After all, they hold a special position, and who knows how many pairs of sharp eyes are watching them from behind the scenes!
The emperor, high above all others, was all-knowing and watching over everything.

The eldest prince said, "Uncle, don't worry. I've already come up with a reason for visiting you this time. It's to visit my second uncle who is ill."

Mingzhu frowned slightly but didn't say anything.

Although he knew that the Crown Prince's reason could not be hidden from the Emperor at all, he had a vague feeling that His Majesty did not seem to be opposed to their contact.

After all, the Crown Prince was growing up, and there was widespread praise from both the court and the public.

As the chief Grand Secretary, Songgotu not only held a high position and wielded great power, but also had many followers.

These two, working together, were enough to sideline Emperor Qianxi.

Emperor Qianxi did not want to get involved himself, so he naturally wanted to elevate Nalan Mingzhu and the eldest prince.

Only in this way can the power of the crown prince be balanced.

"Why did you come in such a hurry? Is there something you need?" Mingzhu asked solemnly after taking a sip of tea.

The eldest prince glanced around and, finding no one else, said with a hint of excitement, "Uncle, I heard that the person responsible for the cheating scandal in the Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination was that person!"

Although there was no one else present, the eldest prince still did not mention the crown prince's name.

Although the word "that person" was simple, both he and Mingzhu knew exactly who it referred to.

Mingzhu glanced at the eldest prince, her expression turning serious as she said, "You weren't the one who exposed this, were you?"

He was actually a little anxious at this point, afraid that his nephew would expose the matter without consulting him at all!
Haste makes waste. Those who are destined for great things must have enough composure to remain still and observe the situation, whether the winds are calm or the waves are turbulent. If they don't even have this level of composure, they might make a mistake and cause some kind of disaster.

The eldest prince protested his innocence, saying, "Uncle, how could I possibly hide anything from you?"

"I didn't do this at all."

"I had no idea the Crown Prince was involved before this happened."

"To be honest, I do admire the Crown Prince a little now."

"How dare he do such a thing!"

Mingzhu nodded gently and said, "It's good that you don't know." Mingzhu had also noticed that the Crown Prince had tampered with the provincial examination, but he did not act rashly.

He knew in his heart that the Crown Prince had been established as the Crown Prince for more than 20 years, and his position was already deeply entrenched.

It's unlikely that a single case of cheating in the provincial examination could bring down the crown prince.

He must play the long game, wait for the right opportunity, and patiently wait for his chance!

Unexpectedly, someone was faster than him and exposed the matter directly.

"Uncle, do you think this matter will upset Father Emperor..." The eldest prince didn't finish his sentence, but the expectation in his expression said it all.

Mingzhu shook her head and said, "That shouldn't be the case."

"After all, he still has the Sacred Heart."

Upon hearing this answer, the eldest prince's expression immediately turned sour.

Although he knew Mingzhu was right, he was still unwilling to give up.

They are both His Majesty's sons, so why was he born as the Crown Prince?
Why should I have to be inferior to him?
Amidst a flurry of thoughts, he said with a hint of anger, "Uncle, is his position really so unshakeable?"

"Constant dripping wears away a stone; just wait and see," Mingzhu said calmly. "Even the best imperial heart will eventually be exhausted."

"Moreover... the Emperor's heart is unfathomable!"

Mingzhu originally wanted to say something else, but in the end, his words turned out to be about the unfathomable nature of the emperor's heart.

The eldest prince quickly calmed down. He glanced at Mingzhu's somewhat gray forehead and asked, "Uncle, who do you think did it?"

"I don't know, but whoever it is, his current target is the Crown Prince."

“At times like these, we all need to lend a hand,” Mingzhu said calmly. “You go ahead and get busy; I’ll take care of the rest.”

Although the eldest prince did not know how Mingzhu planned to arrange things, he knew that his uncle was always meticulous in his work.

So he doesn't need to worry about this matter at all.

He smiled and said, "Thank you for everything, Uncle!"

After seeing the eldest prince off, a shadow crossed Nalan Mingzhu's eyes.

Although those who can deal with the Crown Prince are all allies, this also shows that some people are already losing their patience and want to get involved.

Who could this be?
As the names of the princes who had been bestowed honors flashed through his mind, he couldn't help but shake his head.

That's a bit hard to guess!
……

Although Emperor Qianxi bestowed titles and rewards upon his princes, since the bestowals were recent, the princes, despite being married, still reside within the palace.

In the southwest corner of the palace, there is a special area, which is the Princes' Residence where Emperor Qianxi arranged for his sons to live!

The eldest prince lived in the first residence in the west, the third prince in the second residence in the west, and the fourth prince lived in the third residence in the west!

When Shen Ye arrived at the West Third Institute, although it wasn't exactly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, it was still filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Palace maids and eunuchs came and went in an endless stream.

Shen Ye didn't come alone this time; he brought the Crown Princess with him. Their arrival naturally attracted everyone's attention.

The moment the two arrived, a tall, serious-looking young man who appeared to be around twenty years old quickly walked over.

"Your subject pays respects to the Crown Prince!" The man was about to kneel on one knee as he spoke.

Seeing the person about to kneel down, a thought inexplicably popped into Shen Ye's mind: Should he make him kowtow?
Should I still kowtow?

A new week has begun, please give me your support!

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(End of this chapter)