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

Chapter 21 Overturning the table
Shen Ye's mind was racing, but he had already stood up from his seat.

At this moment, the sun shone on him as well, and his apricot-yellow prince's robe, like the emperor's dragon robe, shone with a light that stung the eyes.

Some of the court officials looked away, but the princes present all narrowed their eyes.

Although they couldn't say anything at that moment, their minds were filled with all sorts of thoughts.

This thought boils down to one sentence: I can take his place!
However, the eldest prince's gaze was somewhat direct, while the other princes' gazes were more subtle.

The fourth prince, in particular, was the first to look away when everyone's attention was focused on the crown prince.

Moreover, his expression changed the fastest.

Nothing unexpected happened!

Shen Ye couldn't see the expressions on the faces of the people below, because the sunlight was also dazzling to him.

"Your Majesty, I believe that what the officials have said makes sense."

Shen Ye said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Soetu nodded slightly. At this time, the Crown Prince should not offer any explanations; let Emperor Qianxi make the decision.

Based on his understanding of Emperor Qianxi, no matter how angry he was about this matter, Emperor Qianxi would ultimately protect the Crown Prince.

After all, deposing the crown prince is no easy task.

Mingzhu kept his head down. He knew that it would be difficult to bring down the Crown Prince with Zhang Xuezan's death alone, but perseverance would lead to success!

When Emperor Qianxi's disappointment with the crown prince grew, that was when the crown prince was deposed.

Emperor Qianxi looked calmly at the dazzling bright yellow. He appeared neither sad nor happy, but deep down, he felt a vague unease.

It's uncomfortable to find someone else in your own place.

He brought this discomfort upon himself, so although he felt uncomfortable, he could only endure it.

But this discomfort gave him a strange idea.

"However, in my opinion, what everyone is saying is only a temporary solution and cannot fundamentally eliminate the cheating in the imperial examinations."

Shen Ye's voice was neither loud nor soft, but it immediately reached the ears of everyone present.

The ministers present were stunned upon hearing this.

However, no one stood up to refute this, because since the establishment of the imperial examination system in the Sui and Tang dynasties, cases of cheating in the imperial examinations have occurred frequently. No matter how wise and powerful the emperor was, he dared not say that he could eliminate cheating in the imperial examinations.

Emperor Qianxi already had a guess about the Crown Prince's reaction.

He believed that, with the advice of wise men, the Crown Prince would surely say that everything was in the Emperor's hands.

The reason he brought up the crown prince was actually partly due to this intention.

Such behavior undoubtedly diminishes the Crown Prince's prestige.

But to everyone's surprise, he made a shocking statement.

Soetu's expression was rather unpleasant; Shen Ye's words did not align with his plans.

The Crown Prince should speak less and admit his mistakes more.

Instead of just popping out like this.

But in the current situation, he couldn't stop the Crown Prince.

"What does Your Highness think is the best way to fundamentally address the problem of cheating in the imperial examinations?" Mingzhu asked, his expression respectful, as if seeking advice.

However, his words put the crown prince in a difficult position.

If the crown prince cannot give a clear answer at this point, it will give people the impression that he is all talk and no action.

How can a crown prince like this win the hearts of the people?

"Good question, Mingxiang." Shen Ye smiled at Mingzhu, as if to say that the two of them were on the same page.

Although Mingzhu felt a little uneasy in her heart when faced with Shen Ye's smile, she responded with a smile on her face.

As he spoke, he cupped his hands toward Emperor Qianxi and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that the reason why there is cheating in the imperial examination is that the talent selection ceremony of our Great Zhou has become something that some people privately give away.”

The fact that the imperial examinations had become a privately administered system caused the expressions of the high-ranking officials from the six ministries present to change drastically.

Because the Crown Prince's words might implicate them.

Gao Shiqi, the Minister of Rites, was the first to step forward and say, "Your Highness, in all the previous talent selection ceremonies of our Great Zhou Dynasty, only the talented were chosen." "How could it have become something bestowed privately?"

"If Your Highness feels that you have time for any particular imperial examination, please point it out. We will respectfully listen to your guidance."

Gao Shiqi is neither a princeling nor a member of the Mingzhu faction.

There was no conflict between him and the Crown Prince.

However, he had to speak out because he was the Minister of Rites.

The Ministry of Rites has always been responsible for matters related to the imperial examinations.

Now the Crown Prince says that the imperial examination has become something that some people can privately bestow, which is like pointing a finger at the neck of the Ministry of Rites and cursing them.

In this situation, he had no choice but to step in.

Even if he were to contradict the Crown Prince, he would still have to question him; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to lead his subordinates in the Ministry of Rites in the future.

When people's hearts are in disarray, it becomes difficult to lead a team.

Faced with Gao Shiqi's questioning, Shen Ye smiled and said, "Minister Gao, please wait a moment."

At this point, his gaze fell on Yu Hualong, the censor standing behind him.

"Yu Hualong, I have something to ask you."

Yu Hualong was among the crowd, savoring the taste of victory.

The Crown Prince said that the imperial examinations had become something that could be privately administered, which pleased him from the bottom of his heart.

He felt that the Crown Prince said such things simply because he had been thrown off balance by his attack.

Even if my attack doesn't bring immediate benefits, Mingxiang will definitely remember it.

Just as he was secretly pleased with himself, he heard the Crown Prince call out to him.

This inexplicably stirred a sense of unease within him.

However, he immediately comforted himself, thinking that the Crown Prince was now in dire straits, and if he handled things properly, he might even gain more credit.

So he stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Highness, my memorial just now was written with a public-spirited heart, hoping to restore a bright and just world to the imperial examination system of our Great Zhou."

After saying that, he mentally gave himself a thumbs up.

Before the Crown Prince even asked, I said that I was acting impartially.

If you make things difficult for me, that's revenge.

Emperor Qianxi was somewhat disappointed that Shen Ye had called out Yu Hualong.

How can the Crown Prince control his ministers with such a method of revenge? How can he possibly succeed...?

Yu Hualong's words made him smirk slightly, as if the Crown Prince had met with a snub.

However, Yu Hualong has sharp teeth and a sharp tongue, so he should be dealt with strictly in the future.

Shen Ye said calmly, "Of course I believe you, Censor, that what you said is true."

"I summoned you here only to ask you one thing: in which year did you become a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)?"

Yu Hualong was a little confused when asked this question, but he still answered honestly, "Your Highness, I am a third-class Jinshi in the special imperial examination of the twenty-sixth year."

Yu Hualong, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the 26th year of the Qianxi reign, was able to become a censor in less than ten years, indicating that his career path was relatively smooth.

In fact, not only Yu Hualong, but most people were filled with doubt at this moment, wondering why the Crown Prince was asking these questions.

Is it useful to ask this question?

Just as Yu Hualong was wondering, Shen Ye continued, "May I ask who your tutor was back then, and who your mentor was?"

Upon hearing this question, Yu Hualong's expression changed.

Mingzhu, who was standing to the side, also looked somewhat embarrassed!

He naturally knew who Yu Hualong's mentor was.

The Crown Prince is trying to drag himself down with him!

My new book is starting, please support me!
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(End of this chapter)