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

Chapter 254 Soetu, You Can Die Too
If it were the original crown prince, he would definitely choose to take a gamble given the slim chances.

But what about yourself?
In a parallel universe, after the original crown prince rebelled, Emperor Qianxi did nothing more than depose him and imprison him for life.

It seems that the former crown prince had several more sons during the years he was imprisoned.

This day...

Wouldn't things be better if I hadn't rebelled?

Looking at the aggressive Suo'etu, Shen Ye made a decision in an instant.

He said to Songgotu, "Prime Minister Songgotu, this may really be my last chance to ascend the throne."

"However, the chances of this opportunity succeeding are so small that it's practically no different from suicide."

"Therefore, I will not participate in this matter."

After making this decision, Shen Ye suddenly felt a great sense of relief.

Arguing back and forth is not only exhausting, but it also makes you feel bad.

It's better to just wait patiently!
It would be even better if I could be locked in the newly built courtyard.

Songgotu was originally quite confident that he could persuade the crown prince.

Unexpectedly, the crown prince still disagreed in the end.

If the Crown Prince doesn't get involved, and he takes action himself, although many people will still respond, those who were already wavering will likely waver.

Soetu was unwilling to give up the prestigious title of Crown Prince. He said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, this matter is of great importance. You don't need to make a decision now."

"You can go back and think about it again."

"We have plenty of time!"

"Summon the old ministers again once you've thought it through!"

Looking at Suo'etu, who seemed to have everything under his control, Shen Ye felt a surge of disgust.

What he hates most is the feeling of being used as a pawn.

And this was how Songgotu perceived him at that moment.

Soetu has him cornered!
What he said wasn't wrong. If it was Songgotu who rebelled, then everyone would think that the Crown Prince was plotting a rebellion.

Moreover, his words made it seem as if he was doing everything for the Crown Prince's good!

How abominable!

After a moment's hesitation, Shen Ye said to Suo'etu with a hint of malice, "Minister Suo, although you say you are full of confidence, you yourself know that the chances of success are too small."

"Now is not the time for a coup at Xuanwu Gate!"

“You know in your heart that there are other ways to resolve the current crisis, but you just don’t want to choose them.”

At this point, Shen Ye looked at Emperor Suo'etu and said, "Although your Suo'etu family has great potential, all of that potential rests on your shoulders alone."

"If you're willing to make a sacrifice, end your own life."

"Based on my understanding of His Majesty, he aspires to be a wise and benevolent ruler."

"He certainly didn't want to be remembered as a minister who had forced him for so many years, only to end up rebelling."

"Once you die, your family and those related to your family will all be at peace."

Even if His Majesty no longer values ​​you, it's still better to live a life in a ducal mansion than to die, don't you think?

Shen Ye's tone was light and casual, but it made Suo'etu's expression change drastically.

After the family's secret sale of ginseng was exposed, Suo'etu actually considered many ways to deal with it.

He always felt that there was only one effective solution: if he "died peacefully without illness," then all the problems would be solved.

What Emperor Qianxi truly feared was him. Once he died, the Hesheli family would fall apart, and all the crises would disappear completely.

However, although this idea flashed through his mind, he rejected it immediately.

Because he didn't want to die.

He hadn't yet witnessed the entire Hesheri family's greater glory under his leadership; he didn't want to die, he couldn't bear to die, he...

So he quickly put the idea out of his mind.

He tried to convince himself that this was for the Crown Prince and for the entire family.

But now, when the Crown Prince bluntly stated these words, Suo'etu's heart clenched.

Although he had served as a Grand Secretary for many years, this was the first time he had ever rebelled, so it was impossible for him not to be nervous.

"Your Highness, my death is not a pity!"

"But this matter will definitely become a thorn in His Majesty's heart."

"His Majesty will be even more wary of you from now on."

"They might even be thinking about how to reduce your influence and weaken your power."

"You...you have absolutely no chance of ascending the throne in the future."

"The fate of a deposed crown prince is never good!"

Shen Ye noticed the panic in Suo'etu's expression, which was enough to prove that his words had made Suo'etu feel guilty.

He smiled and said, "The life of a deposed crown prince is not easy, but it's better than living the life of a deposed crown prince ahead of time."

"Prime Minister Suo, doing something you know is impossible is not the choice of a wise man."

At this point, Shen Ye continued, "I don't intend to participate in your rebellion."

"If you insist on doing this, then I will have no choice but to present His Majesty with the list of the military officers we have bribed."

Upon hearing this, Soetu turned deathly pale.

He said, trembling, "Your Highness, don't you know that if you do this, your position as Crown Prince will be..."

"The position of Crown Prince is not a good place. If possible, I would rather give up the position of Crown Prince and be a prince honestly."

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Prime Minister Suo, it's rare for someone to live to seventy!" "What is it that you still can't let go of?"

As he spoke, Shen Ye walked towards the door.

He had already said most of what he needed to say to Songgotu.

That's all!
He had absolutely no confidence in the rebellion led by Songgotu.

Emperor Qianxi had already laid a trap, and you still think you can fight to the death? Such a desperate attempt is actually a death sentence.

As for Shen Ye himself, he had already become a bargaining chip in Suo'etu's rebellion!
The chances of winning are extremely slim, but if he loses, he will be confined to a cell beforehand!

In fact, Suo'etu also knew that the chances of success were slim.

In reality, he was taking a desperate gamble!
Because he doesn't want to die!

In Changtai's residence, mournful music filled the air!
The chanting of monks and Taoist priests sounded even more mysterious against the backdrop of this mournful music, and Shen Ye felt his mood relax considerably as he listened.

He slowly walked out of Changtai's residence, escorted by Algishan and others.

However, he was not truly at ease at this moment, because this was the biggest crisis he had faced since his rebirth.

Why did the affair of Suo'etu and his gang illegally harvesting ginseng come to light at this time?

Who is watching this matter from behind the scenes?

Shen Ye had several suspects in mind.

However, with so many people to suspect, he found it difficult to determine who was secretly behind all of this.

After Shen Ye returned to Yuqing Palace, Emperor Qianxi received news that Shen Ye had met with Suo'etu.

After all, the Songgotu family had always been a place of great interest to him, and the Crown Prince had once again visited the Songgotu family to offer his condolences.

It's a problem if two people don't see each other.

However, what angered Emperor Qianxi was that although the people he sent entered Songgotu's residence, they did not gain his complete trust.

Therefore, they still couldn't go to some key places in Suo'etu's house.

Naturally, no one knew what the Crown Prince and Suo'etu were talking about.

However, these subordinates brought another piece of news to Emperor Qianxi: although Changtai was seriously ill, he could have delayed his death for a while.

Chang Tai died at this time because someone secretly switched his medicine.

The medicine that was supposed to be a gentle detoxifying agent was replaced with a highly nourishing ginseng.

In this situation, Changtai, who was too weak to tolerate the tonics, died after taking the medicine three times.

Although Changtai's status in the Hesheli family was not as high as that of Suo'etu, his title was still very high.

There are only one or two people who can switch his medication and suppress the news.

Even if Emperor Qianxi didn't ask, he would know who did it.

Soetu's elaborate scheme was naturally aimed at meeting the Crown Prince.

What to talk about when we meet, of course...

Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in Emperor Qianxi's eyes.

Since you dare to do this, Songgotu, don't blame me for being ruthless!
However, the Crown Prince...

Is the crown prince really so eager to ascend the throne?

It was because he and Songgotu were on the same boat that...

Emperor Qianxi never served as the crown prince, but he was a puppet controlled by the regents.

When he was young, he was unwilling to be a puppet, so he led his own team to capture the regent.

Is the crown prince also impatient, just like him?
Or……

"Keep a close watch on Yuqing Palace and Suo'etu's residence, and report back immediately if there is any disturbance."

Emperor Qianxi instructed: "Remember, any news from Yuqing Palace must be reported directly to me; no one else is allowed to know."

The eunuch, who was standing with his head bowed, quickly agreed and then carefully left.

Emperor Qianxi's gaze fell once again on the memorial in front of him, but this time, he had no interest in reading its contents.

If the Crown Prince participated in Songgotu's rebellion, should I depose him?

Originally, this should have been a question that Emperor Qianxi would not have hesitated about at all, but now, this question has made Emperor Qianxi hesitate.

Over the past six months, he has felt that the Crown Prince is very qualified.

In fact, he handled many things better than anyone else.

It would be such a waste to depose such a crown prince.

However, since the crown prince harbored rebellious intentions and did not want to abdicate,

After much thought, Emperor Qianxi silently picked up his pen. The Crown Prince and Suo'etu had gone to great lengths simply to keep the Crown Prince in the capital.

According to strict etiquette, the Crown Prince was indeed not suitable to attend his own birthday celebration after his maternal uncle passed away.

Emperor Qianxi picked up a pen, just about to write something, but in the end, he put the pen down.

Giving in to their wishes would be easy, but leaving the crown prince behind would be far too dangerous.

What if a situation arises where "the crown prince ascends the throne, and the emperor quells the rebellion"?

Just as Emperor Qianxi was hesitating, a servant came running over quickly.

Then a letter was presented.

"Your Majesty, news has come from the residence of Songgotu: Songgotu has suffered a stroke!"

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(End of this chapter)