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

Chapter 197 Someone Wants to Harm the Crown Prince

After chatting with Emperor Qianxi for a few minutes, as more and more ministers came to report on matters, Shen Ye tactfully withdrew from the Qianqing Palace.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, Tong Guowei was leisurely waiting for Emperor Qianxi to receive him.

He was both the Grand Secretary and Emperor Qianxi's maternal uncle, so he received preferential treatment!
Even while waiting, there are chairs to sit on and tea to drink.

Seeing Shen Ye come out, Tong Guowei's expression changed in a few moments before he smiled and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Normally, when Tong Guowei saw Shen Ye, he was always very polite, but he didn't smile as much as he usually does.

From those earnest smiles alone, Shen Ye felt that Tong Guowei seemed to treat her in a special way.

However, Shen Ye did not believe that Tong Guowei would bow down to him the moment he revealed his domineering aura.

In my memories of a parallel universe from my previous life, Tong Guowei was a cunning and treacherous old fox.

He was determined to support the Eighth Prince, and even the threats from Emperor Qianxi could not change his mind.

At this point, it's practically impossible for him to change his approach, switch sides, and make a new choice.

Therefore, Shen Ye didn't care at all whether Tong Guowei would side with him.

When Tong Guowei bowed, he remained outwardly calm, but instead smiled and helped him up with both hands, saying, "Lord Tong, you are too kind! You are an elder, you can't do this again."

As he spoke, he instructed the young eunuch standing to the side, "Make sure you serve Lord Tong well."

How could that little eunuch dare to neglect Emperor Qianxi's uncle? But upon hearing Shen Ye's instructions, he still nodded quickly.

After exchanging greetings along the way, Shen Ye headed towards his Yuqing Palace.

He felt much more relaxed when he returned to Yuqing Palace.

The scene of meeting Emperor Qianxi quickly came to mind.

When Emperor Qianxi mentioned the rewards, Shen Ye's mind raced, and she ultimately chose moving out, but Emperor Qianxi declined.

Although Emperor Qianxi's excuse seemed reasonable, Shen Ye detected a deep-seated wariness on the emperor's face:

This old man did not want to leave Yuqing Palace.

The reason for this, besides the instinct of maternal love, is that Shen Ye believes the greater possibility is that Emperor Qianxi does not want him to escape his control.

After all, the palace was Emperor Qianxi's home.

The new courtyard, however, is the Crown Prince's own home.

Although Emperor Qianxi could place his trusted confidants in the Crown Prince's new residence through various means, it was still not as effective as being in Yuqing Palace, where almost everyone he could see was an informant chosen by Emperor Qianxi.

An emperor's mind is as deep as the sea!
It was precisely for this reason that Shen Ye's second request, which was originally to promote Nian Dongliang's official rank, ultimately turned into making money.

He discovered that the only thing Emperor Qianxi seemed to tolerate about him was making money.

If he interferes too much in the appointment and removal of officials, it is not good for him; nor is it good for the person he promotes.

He might even be blacklisted by Emperor Qianxi.

Then the gain outweighs the loss!

As for building a new imperial palace for Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye was thinking of Xiaotangshan.

There are hot springs there. As long as the goal is to build a palace that is warm in winter and cool in summer for Emperor Qianxi, this old man will spend more time there in winter.

When the emperor goes, other princes and ministers will surely flock to him, and many will follow.

It would be much better to seize the opportunity to make a fortune than to be struggling financially now.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Just as Shen Ye settled into his study, Nian Xinyue walked in with a smile on her face.

As Shen Ye waved for her to dispense with formalities, Nian Xinyue's eyes were already filled with tears, and she said with deep gratitude, "This servant knew that the Crown Prince would not stand by and watch someone die."

"If it weren't for Your Highness's intervention this time, my father would have been in grave danger!"

"I will never forget the Crown Prince's kindness."

Looking at Nian Xinyue, who was in tears, Shen Ye thought to herself, "This is also an unexpected bonus."

He immediately smiled and said, "We are husband and wife, one in essence. Isn't it only right that I help you?"

"If you're being distant, then you don't consider me one of your own!" Nian Xinyue glanced at Shen Ye, and was just about to speak when someone outside the study announced, "Your Highness, Lord Ma Qi requests an audience."

Shen Ye was about to put his arm around Nian Xinyue's shoulder and sit down for a chat, but he had no interest in meeting Ma Qi.

He immediately said casually, "Go tell Lord Maqi that I am not feeling well and ask him to come tomorrow."

As Nian Xinyue slowly stood up, she looked at the Crown Prince, who was all smiles and full of energy, with some surprise. She hadn't expected the Crown Prince to refuse a Minister in such a way.

“Your Highness, Lord Ma Qi is a highly regarded minister of His Majesty. Isn’t it a bit…” Nian Xinyue advised in a low voice.

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "Ma Qi came to see me about the same few things."

"It's better to chat with Xinyue than to waste words on him!"

Upon hearing this, Nian Xinyue's expression changed drastically. She quickly said, "Your Highness, the ancestral precepts stipulate that servants who bewitch the emperor and neglect state affairs are... to be executed."

"Please, Your Highness, attend to important matters first, lest His Majesty punish you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye's heart stirred.

He hadn't paid much attention to this ancestral rule at first, but now he was startled.

I don't care if I get punished.

But if Nian Xinyue or Cao Min are punished because of this, then...

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "Alright, I understand."

"You go back to your room first, I just need to see Ma Qi."

Seeing that the Crown Prince had heeded her advice, Nian Xinyue felt a surge of relief.

She quickly bowed to Shen Ye, and then left Shen Ye's study through the back door.

Ma Qi was still dressed formally. After greeting Shen Ye, he solemnly said to Shen Ye, "Your Highness, I am deeply impressed by your report today."

Seeing Ma Qi's solemn expression, Shen Ye smiled and said, "Lord Ma Qi, you didn't come here to tell me this, did you?"

Ma Qi nodded and said, "Your Highness is wise."

"I have come here today because of the three million taels of silver owed in Taicang."

"His Majesty said that this matter has been handed over to the Crown Prince and that I should obey the Crown Prince's orders."

Shen Ye looked at Ma Qi, who had a sincere expression, and smiled, saying, "Ma Qi, now that I've taken over this task from my father, you don't need to worry about it."

"You just need to pay me the interest on the three million taels of debt on time. As for the rest, you don't need to worry about it."

Ma Qi hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

He couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, when will the Ministry of Revenue be able to allocate those three million taels of silver?"

Shen Ye casually said, "It's not three million taels of silver, but two million taels. I want to keep one million taels for the bank to exchange."

"By this time next year, we should be able to allocate these funds."

Hearing Shen Ye's answer, Ma Qi felt a surge of joy.

Although the debt had always existed, for him, the Minister of Revenue, what benefit could a debt bring compared to two million taels of silver?

After talking with Shen Ye, Ma Qi left Yuqing Palace satisfied.

Because he had solved a difficult problem, Ma Qi was in a very good mood. During the meal, his face was relaxed and he chatted happily with his family.

Just as he was in high spirits, his son Fulton suddenly asked, "Father, I heard that the hundred acres of something called... called sweet potatoes that the Crown Prince tried planting could produce 1,500 catties of sweet potatoes per acre. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this news, Ma Qi paused, his chopsticks still in his hand.

A bad feeling suddenly rose in his heart.

There seems to be... a conspiracy going on here!

Someone is plotting against the Crown Prince!

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(End of this chapter)