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

Chapter 202 I'm a Professional at Making Things Difficult for Others

As the crown prince, Shen Ye has one advantage: he is basically well-prepared for everything and how things are done.

He just needs to do as instructed.

For example, this birthday celebration—when to depart and what gifts to present—was all handled by designated personnel; he only needed to go.

Because it was to give face to the Tong family, Shen Ye didn't need to keep a low profile. He arrived at the Tong family's Duke's Mansion in a grand manner, displaying all the clout of a crown prince.

The two Duke's mansions, one on the left and one on the right, occupied an alley. The Tong family members traveled between the two mansions mainly by carriage.

The entire Tongjia Hutong was now occupied by various carriages and horses.

These carriages and horses were naturally for people who came to offer birthday greetings.

Cars flowed like water and horses galloped like dragons!
Seeing this scene, Shen Ye inexplicably thought of Dream of the Red Chamber, wondering if the Tong family would be like the Jia family, swept away by wind and rain.

"Your Highness, Grand Secretary Tong and his family are waiting at the gate to greet us," Zhou Bao said in a low voice as he approached Shen Ye.

Shen Ye knew very well that, according to the rules, he was representing Emperor Qianxi, and as the Crown Prince, there was no problem with Tong Guowei kneeling to greet him.

But doing so would be utterly useless except for displaying arrogance.

If it meant risking his life to leave a bad impression on the Crown Prince in Emperor Qianxi's mind, Tong Guowei might be willing to kowtow to the point of death.

After all, kowtowing doesn't cost money.

Shen Ye immediately instructed, "Let's walk over there."

At this moment, the people around Shen Ye were basically under his command, and upon hearing Shen Ye's instructions, the sedan chair immediately came to a stop.

Escorted by guards such as Erlengtai, Shen Ye quickly arrived at the entrance of the Tong family's residence.

"Your Highness's arrival is a great honor to our Tong family. Your subject, Tong Guowei, thanks Your Highness for your boundless grace." Tong Guowei, dressed in festive attire, bowed in a loud voice.

Kneeling behind Tong Guowei was another member of the Tong family, Duke Orondai.

Having been dealt with by Shen Ye, Orondai has become much more low-key now.

However, although Orondai was bowing, Shen Ye could tell from his expression that the man was resentful.

As Emperor Qianxi's cousin, Orondai had always been domineering. After being dealt with by Shen Ye, although he was somewhat afraid of Shen Ye, he felt more resentment towards him.

At this moment, he simply dared not show it.

Shen Ye reached out and helped Tong Guowei up, saying, "Grand Secretary, you are too kind. I am here on behalf of my father, the Emperor, to offer my birthday wishes. So I am a guest who is here to offer my birthday wishes."

"You're too kind, Grand Secretary!"

"Please, everyone, dispense with the formalities."

As he spoke, before Tong Guowei could reply, he looked at Orondai, who was standing up impatiently.

"Olundai, come here!" Shen Ye had no intention of ignoring Orondai, who dared to bare his teeth at him.

Although he was there to offer birthday greetings, he was the Crown Prince!
He couldn't cut off Orondai's feet, but putting small shoes on him was very easy for him.

Orondai had no desire to see Crown Prince Shen Ye, but since Shen Ye had invited him, he dared not refuse.

While Shen Ye was greeting him, Tong Guowei glared at him, as if to say, "Watch your step."

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Although reluctant, Orondai still greeted him respectfully.

Shen Yeping looked at Orondai with a smile and said, "Orondai, you're already in your thirties or forties. I didn't really want to talk to you about it."

"But today is the old lady's birthday. In order not to make her worry about you, I will say a few more words to you." "You are already a duke, so you must act like a duke from now on."

"Be loyal in your duties, be tolerant of others, and don't throw tantrums at the drop of a hat!"

"Remember, you're not a child anymore!"

"On your shoulders rests not only yourself, but also the face of the old man!"

"I don't want anyone to say that the person who inherited Lord Tong Guogang's title is a hothead, and I especially don't want your messes to cause the Emperor and the elders any worry..."

Hearing Shen Ye's words, Orondai cursed inwardly!
He felt incredibly frustrated at that moment!
Do I need you to nag me about what I should do in the future?
You've already scolded me once, and now you're saying you didn't get enough of what you said before, huh? You...

Just as Orondai's heart was filled with resentment, Shen Ye sighed and said, "Orondai, I'm saying all this for your own good."

"I hope you remember this well."

Although Orondai cursed inwardly, he still respectfully replied, "This servant obeys the decree."

Although he was reckless, after being taught a lesson by Shen Ye, he learned who could be reckless and who couldn't.

Shen Ye did not reprimand Orondai again, but said to Tong Guowei, "Lord Tong, let's first wish the old lady a happy birthday, and you should take better care of Orondai in the future."

Tong Guowei thought to himself, "How can I control this kid?" But after all, he was the patriarch of the Tong family and Orondai's uncle. Although he felt that he was not capable enough, he still nodded obediently.

The way to offer birthday greetings is all done according to the established rules.

After Shen Ye met with Old Madam Tong, had birthday gifts presented, and exchanged some polite words, he was accompanied by Longkodo to the Fushou Hall, where the Tong family entertained guests, to rest.

Although the name Fushoutang sounds rather rustic, it was Emperor Qianxi who wrote these three characters.

When Shen Ye arrived, Fu Shou Tang already had quite a few people there.

Not only did the princes, including Prince Gong, come, but also all the princes, from the eldest prince down, were present.

The reason everyone came at this time was not only to give face to Tong Guowei, but more importantly, to give face to Emperor Qianxi.

Since they were all acquaintances, they exchanged greetings upon meeting.

As the crown prince, Shen Ye held the most prestigious position and naturally sat in the first seat. Most of the people around him began to talk to him.

In public, people naturally wouldn't talk about anything important; they would just chat about trivial, commonplace things.

Shen Ye casually responded, but inwardly found the birthday celebration rather boring.

Just as he was hoping time would pass quickly, Prince Jian, Yarjiang'a, sitting to the side, suddenly said with a smile, "Your Highness, I recently heard a rumor in the capital. I don't know if it's true or false."

"Many people are saying that the sweet potatoes you planted near the capital can yield 1,500 catties per mu. Is that true?"

Upon hearing Yarjan's words, everyone present immediately stopped talking and began to listen intently.

Most of them had heard about this rumor.

Moreover, many people believe that this was a deliberate attempt to smear the Crown Prince's reputation.

After all, even the best fields can only produce three or four hundred catties of grain at most, so how could this sweet potato possibly produce fifteen hundred catties?

This is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the Crown Prince's reputation, giving him the same infamy as "Why don't they eat meat porridge?"

Shen Ye looked at Yarjianga, who seemed to be seeking advice, and his smile gradually grew brighter: "This isn't true."

"My sweet potatoes can yield at least 2,000 catties per mu!"

(End of this chapter)