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

Chapter 255 The Emperor's Mindset: Prescribing the Right Medicine
I had a stroke!
Emperor Qianxi not only studied traditional Chinese medicine, but also had some understanding of Western medicine.

Therefore, he knew exactly what a stroke was.

Soetu has suffered a stroke!

Just when he had laid a trap and was about to make his move, the man suffered a stroke!
It sounds like a joke.

However, Emperor Qianxi felt that the joke wasn't so funny.

His first thought was: Was Suo'etu's stroke real, or was it faked?

Many things are so deceptive that they seem real, and even the real can appear deceptive!

Throughout history, there have been many who deliberately feigned madness or illness to avoid disaster, ultimately achieving their own goals.

For example, Emperor Taizong of the previous dynasty relied on feigning madness to deceive the emperor.

For example, the guy who swore an oath by pointing to the Luo River was actually faking illness.

He acted as if he was about to die, but in the end, he sent all those who thought he wouldn't live much longer away to their deaths.

and also……

Thinking of this, Emperor Qianxi almost immediately concluded that Suo'etu's illness was probably feigned!

He wanted to use this to numb himself and lower his guard, so as to achieve his own goals.

Playing this game against himself, could this be the plan he and the Crown Prince had discussed?
"How could Songgotu have suffered a stroke?" Emperor Qianxi asked without changing his expression.

The person who reported this said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, it is said that he suffered a stroke because he was overwhelmed with grief over the death of his nephew."

This answer almost made Emperor Qianxi burst out laughing.

If the information I received is correct, it was Suo'etu himself who sent away this nephew.

The purpose was to force the crown prince to meet with him, so that the crown prince would stay in the capital.

Haha, now they're putting on a show of "missing their nephew so much that they had a stroke," do they have no shame at all!
"Do you think this Suo'etu really had a stroke, or was it faked?" Emperor Qianxi asked the person kneeling and bowing.

The man cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, our people have not yet made contact with Suo'etu, so we dare not speak presumptuously."

"However, Songgotu's family has already invited imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to treat him, and I think we should hear news soon."

Upon hearing this, a hint of coldness appeared on Emperor Qianxi's face.

He genuinely didn't believe that Suo'etu would have a stroke.

How could someone have a stroke under such circumstances?

"Who do you think would be most suitable to visit the sick?" Emperor Qianxi asked his subordinates again.

The subordinate lowered his head even further and said with difficulty, "Your Majesty, this is a matter for you to decide on your own, and this servant dares not say a word!"

Emperor Qianxi also felt that his question was rather difficult for others.

In fact, he already had someone in mind to visit him.

Regardless of whether Suo'etu's stroke was real or fake, he was not prepared to let this opportunity slip by.

So he said in a deep voice, "Someone, summon the Crown Prince."

The eldest prince, Yunshi, and Suo'etu were sworn enemies!

Sending him to visit the sick would be absolutely the most appropriate thing to do.

However, just after making this decision, Emperor Qianxi ordered in a deep voice, "Also, summon Mingzhu over."

Mingzhu was Suo'etu's old rival and one of the people who knew Suo'etu best.

Wasn't Suo'etu ill?

Then let these two people go "visit" together.

I'm sure they'll bring me a satisfactory answer.

Yun-se and Myung-joo arrived at almost the same time. It wasn't that they were together, but rather that Yun-se was out observing politics, making her harder to find than Myung-joo.

Since retiring from his position as Grand Secretary, Mingzhu has basically stayed at home studying quietly.

So if you look for him, you'll always find the right person.

Although the two met at the entrance of the Qianqing Palace, neither dared to say anything. After exchanging a glance, they respectfully entered the Qianqing Palace.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

"Meet my father!"

Emperor Qianxi looked at the two people bowing below and said calmly, "No need for such formalities."

"I called you two here today because there's something I need you to do."

"Song'etu suffered a stroke, did you know?"

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's words, Mingzhu and the eldest prince's expressions changed.

The eldest prince couldn't help but show his delight and said, "Really? That's really... really a pity."

After her initial surprise, Mingzhu's expression became even more solemn.

He hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, Suo'etu has always been in good health. I heard that he has been growing vegetables every day recently. How could he suddenly have a stroke?"

"Your Majesty... I simply cannot believe it!"

Mingzhu was a smart man. Although he did not believe that Suo'etu had a stroke, he still brought up Suo'etu's previous health condition.

From this point of view alone, no one can find fault with it.

Emperor Qianxi was a clever man, and he naturally understood the unspoken meaning in Mingzhu's words.

Mingzhu didn't believe it, and neither did he himself.

He said in a deep voice, "The weather is unpredictable, and people are subject to change. No one can say for sure about these things."

"I am deeply saddened by the sudden stroke suffered by Songgotu."

"You two go on my behalf and find out what caused Suo'etu's stroke."

"He is a veteran official!"

"He is an old minister who has done great things for the court. You must find out whether Suo'etu's stroke was framed. If so, I will punish him severely." Not only Mingzhu, but even Yunshi understood the meaning behind Emperor Qianxi's words.

Emperor Qianxi simply did not believe that Suo'etu had suffered a stroke.

Or perhaps Emperor Qianxi suspected that Songgotu's stroke was fake, which is why he sent them over to verify it.

Mingzhu dared not object to Emperor Qianxi's orders. In fact, he was also very eager to know whether his old rival, Suo'etu, had truly fallen.

If so, then...

Yun hesitated for a moment before saying, "Father, should we also send the Crown Prince?"

"After all, he was close to Suo'etu. If he didn't visit him in the hospital, people might gossip."

Seeing his eldest son's meek and submissive demeanor, Emperor Qianxi's mood immediately soured.

This boss, who clearly isn't very bright, is actually trying to outsmart him. Isn't that ridiculous?
Doesn't he realize that his little schemes are nothing but a joke in some people's eyes?

Emperor Qianxi glanced at the eldest prince and said indifferently, "The crown prince has not been feeling well these past two days, and he has only just recovered. How can I bear to let him overwork himself again?"

"Go quickly and come back quickly."

At this point, his gaze fell on Mingzhu and he said, "Mingzhu, the eldest prince is young and inevitably acts rashly!"

"This visit to the sick person will be led by you."

Mingzhu looked at Emperor Qianxi's slightly cold gaze and knew that this time, she couldn't refuse at all.

Moreover, if anything goes wrong, he will face the wrath of Emperor Qianxi.

Therefore, he said in a deep voice, "This servant will definitely handle this matter well, thoroughly investigate the truth behind Prime Minister Suo's stroke, and will absolutely not disappoint Your Majesty."

Emperor Qianxi nodded, then waved his hand and said, "Then you may go."

After the eldest prince and Mingzhu left the Qianqing Palace, the eldest prince, who had been holding back for a long time, said gloatingly, "Uncle, heaven really has eyes!"

"How arrogant Songgotu used to be! Heh heh, I never thought he'd have his day!"

"A stroke? Good thing! Why didn't he just die?"

Mingzhu looked at the eldest prince, who was so excited that he forgot himself, and pondered for a moment before saying, "Prince Zhi, this trip to visit Suo'etu is no small matter."

"His Majesty is very curious to know whether Songgotu is truly ill."

"Wait a moment, go to the Imperial Hospital and fetch two reliable imperial physicians."

"In addition, I know a doctor who is quite skilled at treating strokes."

"We absolutely cannot afford to make any mistakes this time."

"Otherwise, it will be very troublesome."

Although Yun is a bit simple-minded, he grew up in the palace and is therefore very sensitive to certain things.

Seeing how serious Mingzhu was, a sense of unease arose in his heart.

His expression was grave as he said, "Uncle, do you suspect that Suo'etu's stroke this time was staged? Is he plotting something?"

Mingzhu said, "I hope I'm just overthinking it!"

Just as the two were rushing to Suo'etu's residence, Shen Ye also received news that Suo'etu had suffered a stroke.

After talking with Songgotu, he put all his troubles aside.

In any case, he had already made it clear to Songgotu that if Songgotu insisted on acting recklessly, he would have no choice but to confront Emperor Qianxi.

Ever since he transmigrated and became the Crown Prince, Shen Ye felt that the original Crown Prince had dug many pits for him.

Only now did he realize that the biggest pitfall the former crown prince had dug for him was the soldiers and generals he had tried so hard to support.

He thought that these people would naturally disperse once he stopped spending money.

Unfortunately, I oversimplified things.

I wonder if Emperor Qianxi would have agreed to him living a secluded life in his own courtyard.

Although he was a time traveler, he was just an ordinary person, neither a master of palace intrigue nor an expert in political maneuvering.

He really didn't have many good solutions to this situation.

Since I'll be rendered useless sooner or later anyway, I might as well just give up now.

Just as Shen Ye was leisurely listening to Nian Xinyue play the piano, Zhou Bao sent him this message.

Upon hearing this news, Shen Ye's first reaction was that it was impossible.

Because when he saw Suo'etu today, Suo'etu seemed to be in pretty good health.

How did he suddenly have a stroke?
But then Shen Ye thought about it again and realized that Suo'etu's stroke seemed quite normal.

He rejected Songgotu's plan!
Furthermore, he told Songgotu that he wanted to confess this matter to Emperor Qianxi.

When Suo'etu discovered that his plan had failed, coupled with his concern for the safety of his family, it was not impossible that he suffered a stroke due to anger and frustration.

After all, Suo'etu was not young.

But did Suo'etu really suffer a stroke?
In Shen Ye's view, Suo'etu's stroke came at a very opportune time, because because of his stroke, Emperor Qianxi would probably have to save face when dealing with Suo'etu's family.

After all, even a wise ruler needs to pay attention to the mutual understanding between the ruler and his subjects.

"Your Highness, I heard from Xiao Duozi in Qianqing Palace that His Majesty sent Lord Mingzhu and the First Prince to visit the sick."

Seeing Shen Ye hesitate, Zhou Bao whispered his report.

Upon hearing this news, Shen Ye's first thought was that Emperor Qianxi really knew how to use people.

Emperor Qianxi also suspected that Suo'etu was faking it, so he sent Mingzhu to visit him when he was ill.

After all, the person who knows you best is not necessarily yourself, but your opponent.

Songgotu's biggest rival was Mingzhu.

Whether Songgotu suffered a stroke or not, we should know once Mingzhu returns.

　The second update for today is here! Hey everyone, please vote for me at the end of the month!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)