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

Chapter 178 A Step-by-Step Peril, Traps Everywhere

Getting married and then being blocked on the road by someone claiming injustice—I don't recall ever seeing this kind of scene in the novels I've read before.

But now, this unexpected event has occurred.

Moreover, it happened when he was returning to Yuqing Palace with the Crown Prince's concubine.

If these students blocking the road and crying out for justice were acting spontaneously without any organization, Shen Ye felt that his head could be twisted off and used as a football!
However, his immediate priority is to confront this problem.

He felt that the question seemed to be directed at Nian Xialing, but upon closer examination, he realized that it was clearly aimed at him, the crown prince.

If not handled properly, things could get quite complicated.

His gaze fell upon the Ninth Prince, who was furious and had directly dispatched Erlengtai with troops to arrest the man, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

The Ninth Prince and he had a so-so relationship. Accompanying him to his wedding this time was at most just adding another person to the party.

But now, he's putting on an act of loyalty that would lead to the death of a subject for the disgrace of his master, making one wonder if this young brother has other ideas.

"Ninth Brother, Father taught us to remain calm and composed in all things." Shen Ye said calmly to Erlengtai, "Come with me to see what those Imperial Academy students are up to!"

The Fourth Prince, Yunzhen, hesitated for a moment as he watched Shen Ye about to urge his horse forward, but still said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, today is your joyous day. Why don't you leave this matter to your younger brother?"

"I will report any developments to you immediately."

Shen Ye glanced at the Fourth Prince, knowing in his heart that this was a possible solution.

The crown prince is getting married, so there's nothing wrong with not dealing with the problem at this time.

However, the crown prince's reputation will likely face some criticism.

Shen Ye patted the Fourth Prince on the shoulder and said, "Fourth Brother, we'll be going there in a bit, so we'll have to trouble you."

As he spoke, Shen Ye spurred his horse forward.

Watching Shen Ye ride forward, the Ninth Prince's face turned somewhat pale. But in an instant, he regained his composure, glanced at the Eighth Prince not far away, and spurred his horse forward as well.

At this moment, in the middle of the road, hundreds of students dressed in long gowns were kneeling on the ground, some of them holding up a petition and reading it aloud.

"...The conversion of land tax into poll tax made life increasingly difficult for the people. We students, though confined to our studies, have the world in our hearts..."

"For the sake of all living beings and the common people, please execute Nian Xialing..."

"The merging of land tax and poll tax is an absurd change to the ancestral system, and it is against all reason and justice..."

Perhaps it was because of the arrival of Shen Ye and the others that the person reading the document became even more impassioned and resounding.

Although many questions were swirling in Shen Ye's mind, he still said in a deep voice, "Have them nominate two or three representatives to come out and talk to me."

Standing next to Shen Ye, Erlengtai immediately rode his horse to the group of imperial students and said, "The Crown Prince has decreed that you should nominate two or three representatives to come forward and give a reply."

The group of imperial students seemed to realize that something was amiss. After exchanging quick glances, they almost simultaneously shouted, "We all want to see the Crown Prince!"

"We must ask the Crown Prince to stand up for the people of our two lakes."

"At such a young age, his reckless and unbridled behavior is unforgivable!"

……

Seeing these students who only kowtowed and shouted but did not cooperate with his actions, Erlengtai was annoyed.

He gripped the whip in his hand even tighter at this moment.

If it weren't for the fear of causing trouble for the Crown Prince and getting a beating, he would definitely have received one!

Just as he was hesitating, he heard Shen Ye say, "Erentai, tell them, let them shout if they want. I'll wait here. They can come to me whenever they send a representative."

At this point, he turned to Yunqi, who was following behind him, and said, "Fifth brother, you represent me and lead the wedding procession to Yuqing Palace."

"Also, have someone buy more sunflower seeds and nuts to distribute to the onlookers, so that too many people don't gather here."

At this moment, Yunqi felt mostly anger.

Although he was raised in the Empress Dowager's palace and had little experience with court intrigues, he wasn't stupid. He believed that these imperial students dared to cause such trouble because someone was behind them.

It's true that they're targeting Nian Xialing, but it's very likely that they're also targeting the Crown Prince.

If the Crown Prince were to fly into a rage and imprison those who had caused trouble at his wedding, then the literary world would certainly begin to tarnish his reputation.

If the crown prince ignores the matter, it means that the crown prince is protecting him for many years.

As for the Crown Prince receiving this group of people, those people will have a perfect opportunity to attack Nian Xialing!
Using the crown prince's wedding to make a fuss is truly despicable.

If it were him, he would have already ordered someone to beat him up, but now, the Crown Prince is still able to make arrangements in an orderly manner, which he greatly admires.

"Your Highness, should we report this to His Majesty?"

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Father should already know about this."

"However, we should also inform them on our side."

At this point, he turned to Zhou Bao, who was serving him, and said, "Go and report this matter to the Emperor."

With Shen Ye's arrangement, the wedding procession set off again.

Amidst the grand procession and the music and fanfare, numerous snacks and trinkets were thrown out.

In no time, many of the onlookers who had gathered there followed the wedding procession forward.

Seeing the crowd move forward, a student kneeling at the back shouted loudly, "Your Highness, how can you disregard the suffering of the people? Aren't you afraid of what the world will say?"

This question was truly righteous and awe-inspiring. With his shout, the college students, who had already lost their enthusiasm, began to intensify their momentum.

"What are you yelling about? When did the Crown Prince ever abandon you?"

"The Crown Prince is right ahead. He will see you whenever you choose your representatives."

“If you’re all kneeling here, then kneel and wail. The Crown Prince is waiting right ahead.” Erlengtai’s voice was loud, instantly drowning out the voices of the imperial students.

In this situation, the students who came to plead their case looked at each other, at a loss for what to do.

It was the same student who had just shouted. With a quick glance around his eyes, he declared loudly, "We all came here voluntarily."

“We have no leader.”

"We want to see the Crown Prince!"

……

At first, their shouts were loud, but no one paid them any attention.

The weather was still a bit hot, and the voices of the kneeling students gradually lowered.

Some people were already at their limit, but faced with the gazes of their companions, they dared not move much despite their impending collapse.

Time passed slowly, and Shen Ye sat in a teahouse not far away, leisurely playing chess with Yun Zhen, as if he was in no hurry to return to the palace to get married.

Yunzhen felt both anger and anticipation. Although he wasn't the main character in the matter, he understood that the bigger the commotion, the better his chances would be.

This incident is a covert attack on the Crown Prince.

I just don't know who this person is.

But in any case, if he can go with the flow, then he'll give it a push.

"Your Highness, are we really going to wait like this?"

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(End of this chapter)