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

Chapter 26 The Crown Prince is Playing a Grand Game

Shen Ye showed no impatience in the face of the Crown Princess's question.

In this vast palace, if there is anyone who is his most loyal comrade-in-arms, it is the Crown Princess.

After all, the two of them were destined to be bound together, sharing both loss and fortune.

Although I've already decided to give up, having another comrade-in-arms, especially one who can help me with daily tasks, is still very necessary.

For example, he could let the Crown Princess manage Yuqing Palace, and then he could just be a hands-off manager.

Therefore, Shen Ye did not hide anything and told the Crown Princess about the situation.

Shi Jingrong's face immediately turned very ugly.

She had been well-versed in literature since childhood, and coming from a family of high-ranking officials and nobles, she was exceptionally intelligent. Therefore, she was very clear that although the Crown Prince's actions seemed to be very satisfying, they were extremely offensive to people!

This offended almost every civil official in the imperial court.

You could even say that pointing at a monk and calling him bald!
However, she dared not speak directly, since her relationship with the Crown Prince had just been repaired. If she were to criticize the Crown Prince, the current warmth would be gone.

However, I can't not say it.

"Your Highness, I admire your ability to refute those ministers."

"However, most of the civil officials in the court rose through the imperial examinations. If you generalize like this, aren't you making too many enemies?"

After Shi Jingrong finished speaking, she looked at Shen Ye with some trepidation.

This was already her most tactful advice; whether the Crown Prince would listen or not depended on his mood.

Shen Ye wasn't angry, after all, Shi Jingrong was doing it for his own good.

He knew very well that what the current Qianxi Emperor wanted was a crown prince who was feared by his ministers, not a crown prince who was supported by them.

Take the Eighth Prince from the parallel universe as an example. So what if the ministers support him?
He was completely controlled by Yongzheng, who had obtained the edict of accession to the throne!

Even those ministers who had grievances against Yongzheng after he ascended the throne followed his orders and ruthlessly dealt with the Eighth Prince's faction.

Shen Ye smiled and said, "The arrow is on the string and must be released. They've already bullied me, so there's no need to save face."

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now."

Seeing that Shen Ye was not angry, the Crown Princess breathed a sigh of relief.

She knew that the Crown Prince was somewhat stubborn and self-willed, and would not listen to advice.

It's already quite remarkable that he wasn't angry and even offered a couple of explanations!
While the two were chatting, the food was served. Just as the Crown Princess had said, the food was quite light this time.

Pickled cucumbers, salted radishes, stir-fried dried bamboo shoots, and a plate of pan-fried tofu make for a very appetizing meal.

After spending half a day in court, Shen Ye picked up a half-bowl of prepared green rice and began to eat.

Shi Jingrong picked up a roster from the kang table beside her and said, "Your Highness, this is the roster for this year's imperial concubine selection sent by the Imperial Household Department."

"Please see if there is anyone who needs to ask for a favor."

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the imperial concubine selection was not only for choosing imperial concubines, but also for arranging marriages for princes and nobles.

Shen Ye didn't stand on ceremony when the Crown Princess handed him the booklet and casually flipped through it.

It must be said that the Imperial Household Department did a very meticulous job in this regard.

The list of most of the women selected for the imperial examinations not only recorded their backgrounds but also their figures and appearances, which were, of course, just simple descriptions.

For example, when you turn to the page about Cao Yuan, the eldest daughter of the Cao family in Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau, it says that she was beautiful, virtuous, filial, and talented. Although there are not many words, there is a lot of praise.

Looking at the reviews, Shen Ye casually said, "She'll do."

Although the Crown Princess knew that the Crown Prince might be selecting people when she handed him the list.

However, upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, she still felt a slight unease.

However, the Crown Princess did not show it on the surface.

She took the list from Shen Ye, looked at Cao Yuan's name on it, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Is the Crown Prince going to promote the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau?"

It's really not fair to elevate the Jiangning Manufacturing Bureau.

He'd read too much of the Four Great Classical Novels and now wanted to see people from parallel universes. "I just heard their son is quite good-looking," Shen Ye replied without any attempt to hide his feelings.

What's wrong with a crown prince who's just lying down enjoying himself?
However, Shi Jingrong didn't think that way. She looked at the person next to her who was eating and felt that he had changed a lot.

For example, she no longer gets close to Granny Tong and her husband, and she seems to get much closer to herself as well.

Previously, the relationship between the Crown Prince and the civil officials seemed to be good, but now he has turned against them.

Furthermore, he chose the eldest daughter of the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau!

What he values ​​is not that young lady, but the Cao family of Jiangning Textile Bureau, who are highly regarded by His Majesty.

The Crown Prince is playing a very big game, but I don't understand it yet.

However, no matter how much she didn't understand, as the Crown Princess, she had an unshirkable responsibility to support the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, I will go and plead with the Empress Dowager in advance to try to get Miss Cao to come to our Yuqing Palace as a concubine."

Shi Jingrong's serious words made Shen Ye feel flattered. He waved his hand and said, "Just say it."

"If the Empress Dowager doesn't agree, then forget it."

Just then, Zhou Bao, the personal eunuch who was serving outside, came over and said, "Your Highness, Grand Secretary Suo'etu requests an audience."

As the crown prince's maternal uncle, Emperor Qianxi allowed Songgotu to request an audience with the crown prince at any time.

However, as the crown prince grew older, Songgotu rarely visited him.

This is also a way to avoid suspicion.

Now, Suo'etu is disregarding the need to avoid suspicion and has come directly to request an audience, naturally because Shen Ye's cheating scandal in the imperial examination has become too big.

Thinking about Suo'etu's purpose, Shen Ye said directly to Zhou Bao, "Tell Suo'etu that I'm tired today and we'll meet again later."

Shen Ye didn't know when he would turn back, but he just didn't want to see it.

Shi Jingrong and Zhou Bao were both taken aback.

As Shen Ye's close associates, the two of them knew best what Suo'etu meant to the Crown Prince.

Now everyone says that the leading figure in the Crown Prince's faction in the court is Suo'etu.

Some even say that the reason the crown prince's position is so secure is because of Songgotu's strong support.

In the past, Songgotu rarely requested an audience, but now, contrary to his usual behavior, he has come to see the Crown Prince, yet the Crown Prince refuses to see him. This is rather...

Zhou Bao wanted to speak, but after glancing at the Crown Princess sitting to the side, he kept quiet.

Let the Crown Princess speak on this matter.

As expected, the Crown Princess did not disappoint Zhou Bao. She said softly, "Your Highness, Prime Minister Suo is a Grand Secretary and also the late Empress's uncle."

“If we do not see him, it will easily cause controversy.”

At this moment, many memories of the interactions between the former Crown Prince and Suo'etu flashed through Shen Ye's mind.

In the original Crown Prince's memory, Shen Ye felt that the original Crown Prince not only relied on Suo'etu, but also feared him.

Although this fear is not much, it can never be erased.

The faction led by Songgotu not only failed to help the Crown Prince ascend the throne smoothly, but also cost Songgotu's entire family dearly.

While it's true that Songgotu acted too arrogantly, the Crown Prince, along with the Grand Secretary, were almost capable of changing the world.

Thinking of Suo'etu's fate, Shen Ye casually said, "Let them criticize."

"I just don't want to see it!"

"Tell Minister Su that I'm tired and won't see him!"

Upon seeing this, Zhou Bao quickly went to report, and within half an hour, he arrived and said, "Your Highness, Prime Minister Suo says he can wait!"

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(End of this chapter)