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

Chapter 116 My child failed the test
For the palace, the crown prince taking a concubine was not actually a big deal.

It was just like Emperor Qianxi choosing a new concubine.

However, for Shen Ye, this matter was really quite serious.

The good habit of going to bed early and waking up early that I had developed on a regular basis was ruined without me even realizing it.

But you can't blame him for this!
If anyone's to blame, it's Nian Xinyue. She's just too beautiful, which has shaken the Crown Prince's resolve. As a result, he couldn't control himself and ended up staying up a little late!
Nian Xinyue was still asleep, a smile playing on her alluring face.

Shen Ye glanced at the pocket watch on the bedside table and saw that it was already past nine in the morning. He knew he couldn't sleep anymore.

Although it's a bit late, the rules I've set for myself cannot be changed.

For example, he insisted on paying his respects to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Qianxi every day.

After all, it's easier to plead for yourself once you've become familiar with the person.

Just as he got up, Nian Xinyue, who was fast asleep, woke up with a start. She looked at the Crown Prince who was about to get up, paused for a moment, and hurriedly got up and said, "Your Highness, I was so sleepy that I forgot to help you get up. Please punish me!"

Looking at Nian Xinyue, who was meek and pitiful, Shen Ye felt his heart pounding. Is this your way of apologizing? You're disturbing my Dao heart!
Oh dear, I can't stay in this room any longer.

Otherwise, before one wave subsides, another will come crashing down, and I'm afraid I won't be able to get out of bed!
No wonder I didn't seem to say much to Nian Xinyue last night. It wasn't because I was bad at it, but mainly because I couldn't resist the temptation.

"I forgive you for your innocence. Get some rest today. I'm leaving now." With the last vestiges of her willpower, Shen Ye quickly stepped out of the room and let out a long sigh of relief.

He was really afraid he wouldn't be able to get over it.

Watching the Crown Prince leave in a hurry, Nian Xinyue felt a sense of relief, but also some doubts.

Does the Crown Prince not like me?

But if the Crown Prince doesn't like her, how could he...?

So much so that she couldn't even do something as simple as helping the Crown Prince get up in the morning.

It is really……

Shen Ye walked to the back hall and saw Shi Jingrong reading a book. She looked up at Shen Ye as he entered, then continued reading.

It was as if they hadn't seen Shen Ye come at all.

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Jingrong, have someone bring me some porridge."

Seeing the Crown Prince's exhausted face, Shi Jingrong felt a pang of sadness, but she still had to fulfill her duty to arrange his meals.

After arranging for Xiaorou to go to the small kitchen to get some porridge, she advised, "Your Highness, let's leave it at that this time, but you can't sleep like this in the future."

"The Empress Dowager and Father Emperor are both watching!"

Shen Ye's face flushed slightly. He rubbed his hands together and said, "Don't worry, my beloved consort, I will definitely pay attention to this matter."

"It's not that I'm jealous, it's just that I'm concerned about Your Highness's health."

Hearing this, Shen Ye was speechless.

You've practically written your jealousy on your face, yet you're still being so hypocritical.

However, he knew very well that at this time, a few words of coaxing would suffice, so he said with a smile, "I understand that the Crown Princess has good intentions."

"Don't worry, this will only happen once, and there won't be a next time."

After hearing Shen Ye's assurance, Shi Jingrong didn't say anything more.

She knew very well that some things are best done in excess, and since the Crown Prince had already listened to her advice, she had to know when to stop.

"How should we reward Consort Nian?" Shi Jingrong asked softly.

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Miss Nian is quite nice. She will pay her respects to you in a little while. Just decide on the reward."

Shen Ye knew that Shi Jingrong was fair and generous, and always followed proper etiquette. Even if he didn't speak up, Shi Jingrong wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for Nian Xinyue.

So Shen Ye simply handed the matter over to Shi Jingrong.

Upon hearing this, Shi Jingrong felt both joy and a touch of resentment.

She was delighted by the prince's trust in her; yet she was also resentful that she had to help him bestow gifts upon the beauties he had just taken in.

As they were talking, Shen Ye had already finished the bowl of porridge.

He put down his bowl of porridge and said, "I'll go pay my respects." "It's a bit late now, how about tomorrow?" Shi Jingrong hesitated for a moment before saying.

The reason she gave this advice was actually to tell the Crown Prince not to go and cause trouble for Emperor Qianxi.

After all, the time spent paying respects takes up a lot of time.

Shen Ye said nonchalantly, "Paying respects to Father is a gesture of goodwill; it's alright if it's a little late."

"It's perfectly normal for a father to scold his son!"

As they were talking, Shen Ye strolled over to the Qianqing Palace.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, many ministers were still waiting.

When they saw Shen Ye, they all quickly came over and bowed.

Yesterday's statistics broadened many people's horizons. While they admired the Crown Prince, they also felt a sense of fear towards this intelligent prince.

After quickly helping the elderly officials to their feet, Shen Ye, led by Liang Jiugong, arrived at the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Qianxi got up very early and had already been dealing with government affairs for half a day. When Shen Ye came in, he was leisurely drinking tea.

"Your Highness, are you offering a greeting for the morning or for the evening?" Emperor Qianxi asked with a hint of sarcasm after Shen Ye finished his greeting.

Shen Ye wasn't afraid of this at all.

He smiled and said, "Good morning, son."

"In addition, I have something else to report to Father Emperor during this visit."

When Emperor Qianxi heard that Shen Ye had something to report, he immediately became interested, because he felt that the Crown Prince had been reporting less lately.

Because the crown prince spends most of his time leisurely.

"Oh, what do you want to report?"

Shen Ye said in a serious tone, "Your subject has realized that he has overestimated himself a bit."

"Your subject failed the test!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi immediately understood.

Looking at the serious-looking Shen Ye, he couldn't help but wave his sleeve and say, "I have a lot of government affairs to deal with here, and I don't have time to waste with you. Let me tell you, you should pay attention to restraint in the future."

"If you don't pay attention again, I'll send someone to take the Nian family back to their home for a while."

"Let Nian Xialing discipline him properly."

Looking at the helpless Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye honestly said, "Father, rest assured, your son will definitely keep your teachings in mind."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Ye prepared to take his leave.

He came to pay his respects in order to play the emotional card later. Now that his goal had been achieved, Shen Ye respectfully prepared to take his leave.

However, just as he was about to take his leave, Emperor Qianxi solemnly said, "I plan to inspect the river embankment of the Yongding River in the next few days."

"You will remain in the capital to oversee the country."

Regent!

Upon hearing those two words, Shen Ye felt as if she had taken on a hot potato.

Why did Emperor Qianxi become increasingly wary of the Crown Prince? It was because the Crown Prince was the best person to supervise the state affairs.

The praise from both the court and the public diminished Emperor Qianxi's prestige.

Now, he has put himself in charge of the country.

There's really no way I can take this job.

Moreover, the disaster relief efforts had only just begun to stabilize, and the stone-paved road leading to Tongzhou was under construction. Why would this cheap old man suddenly want to inspect the river works on the Yongding River?

There was no such indication before.

Is this a coincidence, or is Emperor Qianxi planning something?
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(End of this chapter)