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

Chapter 18 The Difficulty of the Emperor's Heart
The South Study, in the sweltering heat, felt like a giant steamer.

The eunuchs and servants serving around them were all soaked, but they didn't dare to move much.

At this moment, the owner of the South Study was in a fit of rage.

Inside the South Study, the two enormous ice chests emitted a chilling aura that made the entire room feel somewhat cold.

But what was even colder was Liang Jiugong's heart.

Emperor Qianxi had been cursing for half an hour while looking at the contents of the memorial, and showed no sign of stopping.

Judging from his appearance, His Majesty is furious.

Faced with His Majesty's furious outburst, Liang Jiugong could only listen silently, making sure he didn't utter a sound.

"Liang Jiugong not only manipulated the imperial examinations and sold official titles, but he also murdered people to cover it up. How could I have such a stupid son!"

"Did he think that killing Zhang Xuezan would solve everything?"

"Did he think that by finding an old, lonely prison guard to do this, no one else would be able to find anything?"

Did he think that would make things over?

Does he think no one knows he did it?

Hearing these questions, Liang Jiugong had no desire to answer, but facing Emperor Qianxi's gaze, he could only bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, the matter has not yet been investigated."

"Perhaps it was a lackey below who carried out this matter under the master's name."

The reason Liang Jiugong said this was not because he favored the Crown Prince.

Rather, he knew in his heart that only Emperor Qianxi could speak ill of the Crown Prince in this palace, and as for others, it was best not to cross that line.

Once you touch it, you might die without a burial place at any time.

Emperor Qianxi snorted and said, "Using his name? Heh, how could he not know about such a big matter?"

"Moreover, this money..."

Emperor Qianxi did not continue speaking, but the meaning behind his words was very clear.

That's how the money ended up in the hands of the Crown Prince.

Liang Jiugong lowered his head and remained silent. At this moment, he really hoped that His Majesty would treat him like a fart and let him go quickly!
Just then, a young eunuch cautiously walked in.

He carefully approached Liang Jiugong and whispered a few words to him.

Hearing the little eunuch's words, Liang Jiugong's face relaxed considerably.

With Zhao Chang here, I no longer have to face Emperor Qianxi's wrath alone.

"What is it?" Emperor Qianxi looked at Liang Jiugong, his voice unfriendly.

Liang Jiugong hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Chang requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi frowned and asked, "What is he doing here?"

"Xuan!"

Zhao Chang was in charge of the secret guards under Emperor Qianxi, wielding great power and enjoying the emperor's deep trust.

However, Zhao Chang had come once an hour ago, so his return now was definitely not an ordinary matter.

Aside from being a little pale, Zhao Chang had no other distinguishing features. If you threw him into the palace, he would just be an ordinary middle-aged eunuch.

However, he was a terrifying figure in the palace.

Although his position of power was not as prominent as Liang Jiugong's, it was even more fearsome.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Zhao Chang bowed respectfully to Emperor Qianxi.

Facing this trusted confidant who had followed him since childhood, Emperor Qianxi regained his composure and said calmly, "You've come to see me so late, is there something you need?"

"Your Majesty, I have received some information that Zhang Xuezan's death has caused resentment among many officials."

"Some are even planning to use tomorrow's grand court assembly to publicly submit a petition demanding a thorough investigation into Zhang Xuezan's death and the corruption in Shuntian Prefecture."

Upon hearing Zhao Chang's words, Emperor Qianxi frowned.

Although he was the emperor and had been on the throne for many years, he was well aware of the power of the civil officials united.

Although he is no longer in the Ming Dynasty, he still faces many situations where he is hesitant to act for fear of harming others.

A thorough investigation into Zhang Xuezan's death will ultimately point the sword at the Crown Prince. Was Zhang Xuezan's death a blunder by the Crown Prince, or was he framed?
The thought of being framed inexplicably brought the image of Suo'etu to his mind.

In such a situation, what should Songgotu do?

Thinking of Suo'etu, Emperor Qianxi took two slow steps in the room before saying calmly, "I understand. Have someone keep a close eye on him."

"Report any new information immediately."

Hearing this, Zhao Chang was a little surprised.

In the past, whenever it involved matters concerning the Crown Prince, Emperor Qianxi would generally have them find a way to resolve the issue.

When he came to report, he had already thought about how to mitigate the impact of this matter, but he did not expect that Emperor Qianxi would only let them stand by and watch.

Is the Sacred Heart absent?
If that's the case, then I should make corresponding adjustments in some aspects as well.

"Yes!"

Zhao Chang agreed and took his leave.

Emperor Qianxi returned to his desk and picked up another memorial. The memorial contained names, followed by numbers.

Li Yuanhui: Five thousand taels!

Chu Shijie: Five thousand taels!

Chen was deprived of five thousand taels!
……

Looking at these names and thinking about their names in this provincial examination, Emperor Qianxi's expression grew increasingly cold.

Why would a prince who lacks nothing need so much money?

The moment this question crossed Emperor Qianxi's mind, his expression grew even more grim.

After putting down the memorial, Emperor Qianxi prepared to rest. Just then, a eunuch from the Imperial Household Department came in carrying a tray filled with exquisite green plaques.

Upon seeing these signs, Emperor Qianxi waved his hand; he was already annoyed and had no interest whatsoever.

Just as the eunuch was about to leave, he suddenly asked, "Where will the Crown Prince rest today?"

The eunuch was taken aback for a moment, but still replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince will be sleeping in the Crown Princess's quarters tonight."

Upon hearing this answer, Emperor Qianxi snorted and then waved for the eunuch to leave.

He stayed in the East Study for so many days, but now he's gone to the Crown Princess's residence. What does this mean...?

In fact, it wasn't just Emperor Qianxi who couldn't sleep at this time; in a mansion on the left side of the palace, Grand Secretary Suo'etu was also unable to rest.

In his hands was a memorial identical to that of the Qianxi Emperor.

The memorial clearly listed names and amounts of money.

At this moment, Songgotu's expression was filled with anger and disappointment. He said without any restraint, "Utterly foolish, truly utterly foolish!"

"If you need money, where can't you get it?"

"Why must you try to get ahead in the provincial examination in Shuntian Prefecture?"

"He just didn't know..."

Suo'etu didn't say the last words, but the meaning behind them was very clear.

Hearing what Suo'etu said, a man sitting to his left said, "Minister Suo, now that things have happened, we need to resolve the issue."

"Mingzhu and the others are planning to make a big deal out of Zhang Xuezan's death."

"Tomorrow morning court will be the time for them to make their move."

"We need to take precautions as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Suo'etu sighed and said, "How could I not know all that you're saying!"

"But given the current situation, it won't be easy to cover it up!"

The man sitting to the left said calmly, "Minister Suo, we can only take it one step at a time in this matter."

"The key lies not in us, but in the Sacred Heart!"

Songgotu nodded, but finally said slowly, "The Emperor's heart is unfathomable!"

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(End of this chapter)