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

Chapter 259 Good Fortune Brings One to Immortality
The emperor himself issued the order!

The Crown Prince personally presided over the event!

Three princes are guarding them!

Mingzhu, the former Grand Secretary, was by my side!

With such a display of power and scale, anyone who encounters it will be completely bewildered!
Anyone who hears the sound of prayers must exclaim: "The Emperor's grace is boundless!"

But to be honest, once everything was in place, Shen Ye, who was in charge of the whole thing, didn't have anything to do!
On the prayer platform, dozens of eminent monks were chanting sutras, and incense smoke filled the air, with plumes of smoke rising straight into the sky.

It seems that only with such a grand ceremony can the emperor's sincerity be conveyed to the gods and Buddhas, so that they may bestow their mercy!

Soetu's body still lay quietly in the center of the prayer site, his eyes still open, but much dimmer than before.

He couldn't open his mouth and couldn't speak.

Normally, the monks who help him would feed him some water.

As for food, that won't do. After all, during such a sacred prayer process, he is waiting for the protection of the gods and Buddhas; how can he defile them by eating?

After glancing at Suo'etu's double, Shen Ye stepped out of the prayer hall.

Outside this main hall, not only were monks guarding it, but the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince each led two shifts of imperial guards to stand watch, making it virtually impossible for even birds to cross.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Just as Shen Ye was about to go back to rest, Mingzhu came over and respectfully bowed to Shen Ye.

Shen Ye disliked Mingzhu, after all, this guy had always helped the eldest prince and opposed him.

However, the habits he developed in his previous life allowed him to maintain good manners.

"You're too kind, Prime Minister!"

“Prime Minister Ming once taught me books, so he can be considered my teacher. There’s no need to be so formal.”

Shen Ye's words sounded comforting, but they actually offered no real substance.

However, Mingzhu frowned slightly.

Although he felt that the eldest prince's chances of becoming the heir to the throne were getting smaller and smaller, the increasingly gentle crown prince made him feel like he couldn't find a way to deal with him.

He coughed and said, "I dare not forget the proper etiquette between ruler and subject."

Shen Ye smiled and prepared to leave.

There's no point in wasting time talking when we don't see eye to eye.
However, now that Mingzhu has come looking for him, she doesn't want Shen Ye to leave now.

He turned to Shen Ye and asked, "Your Highness, do you think Prime Minister Suo can pull through this?"

Shen Ye looked at Mingzhu and said calmly, "Minister Ming and Minister Suo have worked together for many years."

"As the saying goes, it takes a hundred years of cultivation to share a boat ride. The fact that you two have been able to work together for so many years must be a predestined relationship from your previous lives."

"Do you think Prime Minister Suo is able to pull through this?"

Mingzhu didn't feel embarrassed when she heard this question.

He said calmly, "If this were in the past, I might have had other ideas."

"But now that we've both stepped down from our positions as Grand Secretaries, we've become less attached to those past grievances."

At this point, Mingzhu said with a touch of emotion, "I really hope that he can stand up again."

Mingzhu kept his eyes fixed on Shen Ye, as if trying to see some change in Shen Ye's expression.

Shen Ye knew that Mingzhu was testing him, so he smiled and said, "Good people are always blessed!"

Mingzhu continued, "I also hope that good fortune will come to Suo Xiang."

"The Prime Minister's health has always been very robust!"

“I remember when he used to be on duty at the South Study, he could stay up all night and act like nothing had happened.”

"I was no match for him back then!"

"After he retired, he still grows vegetables in his yard, and I heard they are growing quite well."

"How could it have collapsed so suddenly?"

Mingzhu's words seemed to express her concern about Suo'etu's sudden illness, but Shen Ye knew that Mingzhu was actually raising her own doubts.

Soetu was in such good health, how did he fall ill?

Is this map of Suo'etu authentic?
Mingzhu dared not say these words aloud; he could only observe Shen Ye's reaction through these seemingly caring remarks.

Shen Ye also had great doubts about Suo'etu, and he had even concluded in his heart that this Suo'etu was a fake.

However, he remained calm in the face of Mingzhu's probing.

"People experience sorrow and joy, separation and reunion; the moon waxes and wanes. Who can say for sure about such things?"

"Prime Minister, you must take good care of yourself!"

Seeing that she couldn't get the answer she wanted from Shen Ye, Mingzhu could only say, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will take good care of myself."

Just as Shen Ye was about to leave, Liang Jiugong hurriedly walked over.

"This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister!"

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. Father Emperor summoned you here. What are your plans?"

Liang Jiugong glanced at Mingzhu and said with a smile, "Your Highness, His Majesty is worried about Prime Minister Suo, so he sent this servant to check on his condition."

"Furthermore, His Majesty said that the Crown Prince should tell this servant whatever arrangements he has."

"This servant will report to His Majesty as soon as possible."

Liang Jiugong's arrival may seem insignificant, but Shen Ye knew it was a sign of Emperor Qianxi's high level of attention to this prayer ceremony.

Although he had himself, the eldest prince, Mingzhu, and others with him, Emperor Qianxi was still afraid that something unexpected might happen.

For example, Soetu really stood up!

Of course, this possibility is practically nonexistent.

Whether it was the eminent monks performing the rituals or the imperial guards, most of them were Emperor Qianxi's confidants.

Many of them would report what they saw to the Emperor. It could be said that although Emperor Qianxi himself was not present, countless eyes were watching the prayer ceremony closely on his behalf.

“Since it is the Emperor’s arrangement, Prime Minister Ming, let’s go with Liang Jiugong to see Prime Minister Suo.” Shen Ye, as the highest-ranking person here, said to Mingzhu.

Mingzhu naturally wouldn't object to Shen Ye's arrangement.

As the three of them spoke, they walked back towards the main hall where the blessing ceremony was to be held.

Inside the main hall, the fourth prince, Yunzhen, was sitting cross-legged.

He has great faith in gods and Buddhas, so he took this blessing ceremony very seriously.

He sat cross-legged, even with his eyes open, chanting sutras along with the high monks.

But his gaze never left Suo'etu's body.

He was a smart man and knew very well what this prayer for blessing meant for Songgotu.

Therefore, his primary task now is to do his job well!
Upon seeing Shen Ye, Liang Jiugong, and the others approach, he quickly stood up and said, "Your Highness."

He did not greet Liang Jiugong and Mingzhu, because his status was higher than theirs.

Mingzhu and Liang Jiugong dared not challenge the cold-faced fourth prince.

Because the fourth prince was a serious man, both of them were somewhat intimidated by him.

"How is Prime Minister Suo?" Liang Jiugong asked.

He came on behalf of the Qianxi Emperor, so when the time comes to ask questions, we should ask them.

The Fourth Prince said, "Prime Minister Suo is still the same as always. He just drank some water, but he didn't swallow much."

"I hope the gods and Buddhas will protect me."

Although the Fourth Prince knew very well that far too many people wanted Suo'etu dead, he still had to say the usual platitudes on the surface.

Liang Jiugong smiled and said, "Fourth Prince, you've worked hard."

"Where are the Hesheri family members?"

Liang Jiugong didn't ask about the Hesheli family in front of Shen Ye, but he asked the Fourth Prince. I wonder if he heard Emperor Qianxi's instructions.

The Fourth Prince calmly replied, "Algishan and the others are all praying in the outer hall."

"As instructed by the Dharma King, no relatives or relatives may leave the outer hall at this time without his permission."

Liang Jiugong said, "They've worked hard too."

"His Majesty said that I should go and see them as a way of expressing my condolences."

Shen Ye naturally wouldn't object to such a meaningful expression of condolence.

He immediately said to Mingzhu, "Prime Minister Ming, let's go together."

"Fourth brother, you'll have to work hard today."

The Fourth Prince glanced at Shen Ye, Mingzhu, and Liang Jiugong before saying, "Your Highness, this matter is no trouble for me."

As he spoke, he sat back down on his prayer mat.

Shen Ye didn't say much, and led Mingzhu and Liang Jiugong to the outer hall.

Inside the outer hall, everyone, including Arjishan and Suo'etu's brother Fake, was reciting the Diamond Sutra.

Although they read in low voices, and some of them clearly only opened their mouths without making a sound, their expressions were solemn.

Upon seeing Shen Ye, Liang Jiugong, and the others arrive, Fa Ke and the others were the first to stand up.

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "His Majesty is concerned about Prime Minister Suo's prayers and specially sent Chief Steward Liang to visit him. If there is anything you need Chief Steward Liang to report to His Majesty, you can speak now."

Although Arjishan is the son of Songgotu, under the current circumstances, it is still his uncle Fake who can speak.

Fa Ke knelt down and said, "Your Majesty's boundless grace will never be forgotten!"

"My elder brother suddenly fell seriously ill, and medicine could not save him. Thanks to His Majesty's kindness, we were able to ask the Dragon Elephant Dharma King to pray for his recovery."

"Your Majesty's kindness is as heavy as a mountain, and we servants will remember it forever."

Liang Jiugong smiled and said, "This old servant will certainly report the intentions of all the officials to His Majesty."

"His Majesty said that while praying for blessings is important, all of you must also take care of your health!"

Algishan stood behind Fake and the others, but his eyes were secretly sizing up Shen Ye.

He had a lot to say to Shen Ye, but he didn't know how to say it and was filled with anxiety.

What happened to the father's stand-in?

Is the father, hiding in the secret room, getting impatient now?
Also, could you perhaps reveal a little bit about the fact that your father is a stand-in to the Crown Prince?
Various thoughts weighed heavily on Algiersan, making him feel very uncomfortable.

With Mingzhu and Liang Jiugong here, this is not the time to talk.

When the Crown Prince is alone, should I go and see him?

Just as Algishan was lost in thought, Liang Jiugong continued, "Everyone, there's no need to worry too much. This old servant believes that Suo Xiangji is blessed by Heaven, he..."

"Dang, Dang, Dang..."

Before Liang Jiugong could finish speaking, the bell suddenly rang.

The bell rang five times before stopping.

Mingzhu's expression changed drastically upon hearing the bell ring a certain number of times.

His lips trembled, but he didn't speak.

Liang Jiugong's expression also became somewhat stiff.

Just then, someone shouted: "Respectfully send off Minister Suo, may he ascend to the Pure Land of Buddha!"

As the shout rang out, hundreds of people responded in unison: "Respectfully sending off Minister Suo, may he ascend to the Pure Land of Buddha!"

(End of this chapter)