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

After the Crown Prince's defeat in Chapter 147, you will be able to make your appearance.

After Mingzhu stepped down from his position as Grand Secretary, the number of guests at Nalan Mansion decreased by more than half.

Normally, the alley is packed with visitors, but now, the area in front of the Nalan Mansion is clean and quiet.

Xu San, the gatekeeper of the Nalan residence, was very unhappy with this situation.

In the past, his hands would cramp up from collecting so many bags.

Although the bulk of the money from this bag will still be shared with the butler and other stewards, he will still be able to keep a considerable amount for himself.

By collecting bribes at the Nalan Mansion, he had already taken his third concubine.

But now, fewer people come to visit the Nalan residence, and he can't find anyone to accept his gifts.

Let alone realizing his dream of having five concubines, he can barely afford to support even his current three concubines.

Just as he was feeling sorrowful, he suddenly saw a group of people heading towards his mansion.

Xu San immediately perked up. No matter who came, he would always take the bag that was due to him.

He wanted to see if this man was a nouveau riche from a lower prefecture or county; if so, he would have to be more ruthless with his knife.

Every little bit counts!

But when Xu San saw who it was, his face immediately fell.

However, when this person arrived, he still forced a smile and went to greet him.

"This servant greets Your Highness." Xu San quickly took the reins from the man and said in a deep voice.

Prince Zhi nodded to Xu San and casually asked, "Where is my uncle?"

"Master is fishing in the back garden," Xu San said respectfully.

Yun nodded and then walked quickly toward the door.

No one dared to stop the eldest prince at the Nalan residence, so he easily made his way to the back garden of the Nalan residence.

In the pavilion in the back garden, Mingzhu was leisurely fishing with a bright green bamboo pole, while a maidservant was reading a book softly in a clear voice beside him.

Listening to audiobooks while fishing is truly a leisurely experience.

Seeing this scene, Yun-shi, who had rushed over, felt a strange sense of emotion welling up inside her.

After Mingzhu retired from his position as Grand Secretary, although he seemed to be living a leisurely life, he looked much older than before.

He is now becoming more and more like an ordinary elderly person living at home.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Mingzhu stood up and was about to bow when she saw the eldest prince approaching.

“Uncle, there’s no need for such formalities.” As the eldest prince spoke, he helped Mingzhu up and then waved to the woman who was reading, saying, “You may leave.”

The woman who was reading was stunned for a moment, and just as she was wondering what to do, Mingzhu waved to her.

"Uncle's life is truly enviable!" Yun said, sitting down on a bench next to the pavilion.

Mingzhu picked up the teapot and poured Yunshi a cup of tea. She smiled and said, "What can you do if you're not leisurely? After retiring, there aren't so many things to do. You still need to pass the time."

At this point, he glanced at the eldest prince and said, "Your Highness has made great progress by only coming to me now."

The eldest prince blushed slightly upon hearing Mingzhu's words.

Given his relationship with Mingzhu, he should have visited her long ago after she was forced to retire.

However, the words Shen Ye spoke when Emperor Qianxi returned to the capital left him feeling uneasy.

So these past few days, he's been inquiring whether the Crown Prince went to see Suo'etu. If the Crown Prince did go, then he'll come looking for Mingzhu.

Unfortunately, the Crown Prince was too patient and never went to see Suo'etu.

Now that Prince Yu had set up a trap yesterday, he felt he should come and discuss with his uncle what to do next. So he came.

"Uncle, have you heard about what happened at the Prince Yu's residence?" The eldest prince asked Mingzhu directly after taking a sip of tea.

He chose not to respond to Mingzhu's question.

Mingzhu didn't ask his nephew much about the matter; he just smiled and said, "I've heard about it."

"The Crown Prince shouldn't have gone on this trip in the first place."

Yun nodded and said, "I went back and thought about it, and I also feel that the Crown Prince should not go."

At this point, he said in a deep voice, "Uncle, after this incident, I think it's basically impossible for the Crown Prince to collect the debt."

"With Prince Yu taking the lead, no one else will return it."

Mingzhu was very knowledgeable about human relationships and worldly affairs. He nodded and said, "Yes, the Crown Prince's efforts to collect the treasury silver this time have been in vain."

At this point, he turned to the eldest prince and said, "But Your Highness, your opportunity has come."

"You...you want me to take on this task?" the eldest prince asked, somewhat incredulously.

In his view, collecting the treasury silver was a deadly task.

This job is not only easy to be disliked by both sides, but also easy to offend people.

Take the Crown Prince this time, for example; he almost offended two princes.

If you go and collect the debt yourself, how many people will you offend?

Should he still compete for the position of crown prince?

Mingzhu looked at the surprised Crown Prince and sighed inwardly. Although the Crown Prince was brave and valiant, he still had some shortcomings in certain aspects.

For example, he is not good at planning.

In truth, his position as crown prince seems less desirable than the current crown prince's.

But he had no choice; after all, his relationship with him was unusual.

“Yes, it was His Highness who took on this matter.” Mingzhu said solemnly, “I have been thinking about this matter of settling the debts these past few days.”

"Although this matter is very offensive to people, it is something that must be done."

"After all, the imperial court doesn't have much money left."

“If the debts are not cleared, the court will face a very difficult situation in the future. His Majesty, who is wise beyond measure, will absolutely not allow the treasury to be empty.”

At this point, Mingzhu glanced at the eldest prince and said solemnly, "Although this matter offends people, doing it will still leave His Majesty with the impression that I am courageous and responsible."

"The affairs of the world, especially the affairs of the future, do not depend on the imperial family, nor on the ministers, but on Your Majesty."

"As long as His Majesty favors you, what can you do even if you offend the court officials?"

"If His Majesty does not value you, even if the ministers support you, it will not be of much use."

After saying this, Mingzhu sighed. He hadn't finished speaking; he actually had another sentence to say, but he didn't say it aloud.

That line was, "If you don't believe me, just look at this old minister!"

Mingzhu himself had many followers, but with just one order from Emperor Qianxi, he went directly from a Grand Secretary to a retired fisherman.

The eldest prince's eyes lit up immediately, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Mingzhu, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle. I understand now."

"After I return, I will ask my father for permission."

Mingzhu said calmly, "You must be careful with the timing. You must make this request only when His Majesty is disappointed by the Crown Prince's debts."

　The second update for today is here! Please support me, everyone!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)