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

Chapter 124 Be on time for work; latecomers will not be waited for.

Although Ma Qi felt in his heart that this debt would be difficult to collect, as the Minister of Revenue, he still did his job meticulously.

He knew very well that the Ministry of Revenue was implicated in the debt collection matter.

As the head of the Ministry of Revenue, Ma Qi was also implicated.

In this situation, Tamazi must do his best.

After all, if the money couldn't be recovered, Emperor Qianxi could reduce the punishment when he wanted to hold someone accountable.

This is his greatest expectation.

However, getting the money was indeed a difficult task, so he convened a meeting of all the vice ministers and senior officials in the Ministry of Revenue for a whole day, and only managed to come up with a barely usable plan.

After confirming that nothing was missing, he hurriedly went to Yuqing Palace.

In the past, when he needed to see Emperor Qianxi, he would go to the Qianqing Palace. Now that the Crown Prince was overseeing the country, he came to the Yuqing Palace, which made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

But you have to adapt, even if you don't like it.

After all, the crown prince is the regent.

Thinking of the Crown Prince overseeing the country, he suddenly realized that he had been so busy collecting debts today that he hadn't attended the Crown Prince's morning court session at Yuqing Palace.

It can hardly be called an early morning court session, because the Crown Prince said he only summoned him because of an urgent matter, and he also worked at Yuqing Palace at fixed times.

“Eunuch, please inform the Crown Prince that I, Ma Qi, the Minister of Revenue, request an audience.”

Ma Qi barely knew any of the eunuchs in Yuqing Palace. It was better to be acquainted with Liang Jiugong in Qianqing Palace, even though they weren't very close.

The eunuch he called "Grandpa" was aware of the Minister of Revenue.

He said with difficulty, "Lord Ma Qi, the Crown Prince is not in Yuqing Palace."

Ma Qi was stunned. He never expected that the Crown Prince would not be in Yuqing Palace.

How is this going?

"Where is the Crown Prince?" He asked directly, disregarding everything else, because he was in a hurry to report on the matter of recovering the debt.

The young eunuch hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Crown Prince accompanied the Crown Princess to the Earl's residence. If Lord Ma Qi has anything to discuss, he can come over at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow."

"The Crown Prince said that he handles urgent matters in the main hall of Yuqing Palace every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM)."

Upon hearing this, Ma Qi realized that it was already past Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

However, the order to collect the debt was issued by Emperor Qianxi. If a day were to pass like this, wouldn't Emperor Qianxi be furious?
Ma Qi was conflicted. He knew that the Earl's Mansion the little eunuch mentioned was the Crown Princess's family home.

If he were to follow the Crown Princess to her family home, it would be like clinging to her like a leech; that would be going too far.

However, under the current circumstances, if I don't work harder and do my best, it seems I won't be able to explain myself to Emperor Qianxi!

"How many matters did the Crown Prince handle today?" Ma Qi asked with a hint of curiosity.

The eunuch hesitated for a moment, then said very tactfully, "Two Grand Secretaries have come to report on matters, and the Crown Prince has already arranged for their memorials to be delivered to His Majesty."

Ma Qi instantly understood that the Crown Prince hadn't done anything.

On his first day as regent, he hasn't addressed any issues at all. This is just too much...

With a series of thoughts flashing through his mind, Ma Qi was at a loss for words!

At this moment, his eagerness to report to the Crown Prince immediately diminished considerably.

Shen Ye was unaware that Ma Qi had come to see him; he was currently accompanying Shi Jingrong to the Shi family home.

As for the regent, he was always on time and wouldn't wait for anyone who missed his shift.

Because prior notice had been given, the Shi family had already made preparations to welcome them.

According to Shi Jingrong, she didn't want to make such a big fuss about returning to her own home.

However, she couldn't resist Shen Ye's insistence on taking her back to her parents' home to relax, so she had no choice but to go back with him.

Although she was the Crown Princess, Shi Jingrong was also truly homesick.

Moreover, being pregnant now, she missed her family even more. However, after arriving at the Shi family's residence, she nervously asked Shen Ye again, "Your Highness, will there be any problems with us coming back like this?"

"What problems could there be? My father has entrusted me with overseeing the country outside the palace."

"As for the palace, you have already spoken to the Empress Dowager, and she has agreed."

"And didn't the noble lady in charge of the harem agree to that as well?"

When Shen Ye spoke of the noblewoman in charge of the harem, he deliberately emphasized his words.

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, a blush appeared on Shi Jingrong's face.

Because the benefactor Shen Ye mentioned was herself.

She approved her own departure from the palace again.

Although she was a little nervous, Shi Jingrong was filled with joy after seeing her family whom she had been longing for.

As for Shen Ye, he was invited to the hall for tea by Shi Jingrong's brother.

Because Shi Jingrong's father was serving as a governor in another province, the person in charge of the Shi family now was Shi Jingzhong, who served as an assistant secretary in the Ministry of Revenue.

When facing Shen Ye, Shi Jingzhong couldn't treat the person in front of him as his brother-in-law, so he spoke very restrainedly and cautiously.

Although Shen Ye wanted to change this situation, it wasn't so easy.

Fortunately, he was good at talking nonsense before he transmigrated, so Shi Jingzhong relaxed a lot as he talked eloquently.

"Jingzhong, you're working at the Ministry of Revenue. How much of this money do you think you can get back?" Shen Ye asked casually after hearing that Shi Jingzhong had participated in the Ministry of Revenue's discussions.

He was just making conversation to ease the awkwardness between them.

Shi Jingrong is the Crown Princess, and she is also pregnant, so the Shi family and Yuqing Palace are inseparable.

Shi Jingzhong did not shirk his responsibility in the slightest when it came to Shen Ye's question.

“Your Highness, it’s not easy to get it back. Some people have their reasons, while others simply don’t want to pay.”

"Those in high positions of power who do not want to repay their debts, while ordinary officials who are in debt take a wait-and-see attitude, watching those in high positions of power."

At this point, he said in a low voice, "Before Ma Qi, the person in charge of the Ministry of Revenue was Lord Xiong Cili, who wanted to collect these debts back then."

"But in the end, not a single penny was recovered, and Lord Xiong ended up retiring to his hometown."

Shi Jingzhong said, "Although many people say that Lord Xiong is getting old and wants to return to his hometown."

"But I think things are not that simple."

Shen Ye nodded. Although Emperor Qianxi wanted him to collect the debt, he was not prepared to personally take charge.

Once Ma Qi of the Ministry of Revenue has prepared the petition for collecting the debts, it will be time for him to shirk his responsibilities.

Just as the two were talking, a man who looked like a butler came to Shi Jingzhong's side and whispered a few words in his ear.

Seeing this, Shen Ye did not speak, but Shi Jingzhong said with utmost sincerity, "Your Highness, the steward just received a message."

"They say the day after tomorrow is Lord Mingzhu's fiftieth birthday."

"The Nalan family is preparing a grand banquet to celebrate Lord Mingzhu's birthday."

On his fiftieth birthday, a cold smile flashed in Shen Ye's eyes.

Although he didn't care much about the political situation, he knew that Emperor Qianxi would deal with Mingzhu and Suo'etu in the near future.

Even at a time like this, this person still wants to celebrate their fiftieth birthday.

They really asked for it!

Shen Ye casually said, "Since it's Lord Mingzhu's birthday, you should go and attend."

"It's fine!"

　The third update of the day is here! Please support me, everyone, and vote!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)