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

Chapter 265 Transformation from Fish to Dragon: All Werewolves
Shen Ye originally thought he had considered the impact of the Bai Lu incident to be serious enough, but when he returned to Yuqing Palace, he realized that he had underestimated it.

The entire Yuqing Palace was abuzz with discussion about the two white deer. Women like Shi Jingrong, Nian Xinyue, and Cao Min all had their brows furrowed and their expressions grave.

Especially Princess Shi Jingrong, whose brows were furrowed. If it weren't for the child in her belly, she would probably be pacing back and forth anxiously.

"what happened?"

Seeing Shi Jingrong's anxious and uneasy appearance, Shen Ye asked with concern.

“Your Highness, a white deer is an auspicious omen that is hard to come by. Even though the First Prince encountered one, it doesn’t necessarily mean he will have the good fortune.”

"If you ask me, it's clearly His Majesty's virtuous rule that moved Heaven, and it just so happened that his subordinates encountered this."

Shi Jingrong took a breath and gently comforted her.

Standing to the side, Nian Xinyue chimed in, "Yes, Your Highness, auspicious omens are just a temporary phenomenon."

"You have been the crown prince for many years, and no one can shake your position."

Cao Min didn't say much, but silently brought over a cup of tea from the side and handed it to Shen Ye.

Seeing the three women beside him looking as if they were facing a formidable enemy, Shen Ye smiled instead: "Big brother encountering an auspicious omen is a good thing!"

"Don't worry too much, I know what I'm doing."

Hearing Shen Ye say this, Shi Jingrong felt much relieved. She gently sat down next to Shen Ye and said, "Your Highness, some people in the palace are saying that you have presented a birthday gift that is even better than the white deer. Is this true?"

Shen Ye was stunned for a moment, then understood.

In the Qianqing Palace, when he said that opinions on his gift would vary, only Emperor Qianxi, the eldest prince, and a few others, including Liang Jiugong, were present.

The possibility that Emperor Qianxi and Liang Jiugong would reveal this is extremely small.

Emperor Qianxi would not stoop to such petty tricks.

As for Liang Jiugong, although he wouldn't put all his eggs in one basket when it came to the succession to the throne, he was also a sensible and pragmatic man who knew very well what he could and couldn't say.

Therefore, this news could only have been released by the eldest prince.

The eldest prince had been cultivating his influence in the palace for many years, and his mother, Consort Hui, was one of the four consorts in the palace. It would be very easy for her to spread a rumor.

Thinking of the birthday gift he had prepared, Shen Ye smiled and said, "I think my gift can benefit all people, and is much better than two white deer that can only be looked at."

After becoming pregnant, Shi Jingrong almost always obeyed Shen Ye's every word.

She also felt that the Crown Prince was becoming more and more composed in both his speech and actions.

I never say anything excessive; and I never do anything I'm not sure about.

This alone gave her even more confidence in the Crown Prince.

But what gift could please the Emperor more than a white deer?
She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't ask.

Just as the atmosphere in Yuqing Palace had eased somewhat, Zhou Bao strode over and said, "Your Highness, the Thirteenth Prince requests an audience."

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "Please invite Thirteenth Master to the study."

Although Shi Jingrong, Nian Xinyue, and the others wanted to talk to Shen Ye, they all tacitly retreated to the back hall when they saw that he had things to do.

Shen Ye did not go to the study, but stood at the door of the study waiting for the thirteenth prince.

Although the thirteenth prince is still young, it's never wrong to be overly polite.

The thirteenth prince deserves the utmost respect.

The thirteenth prince was clearly not expected that the crown prince would actually be waiting for him at the door. Overwhelmed with excitement, he quickly bowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Highness!"

Seeing the thirteenth prince about to kowtow, Shen Ye pulled him back.

"Thirteenth brother, I've told you many times, don't bother with these formalities."

"We brothers don't do this."

Despite Shen Ye's forceful support, the thirteenth prince was ultimately unable to perform the proper bow.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two arrived at Shen Ye's study. Zhou Bao served tea and then quietly left.

The thirteenth prince spoke with some urgency: "Your Highness, I heard in the palace that my elder brother acquired two white deer, which greatly pleased Father Emperor."

"He also spread the word that you had prepared a birthday gift that could rival Bai Lu's. I think that you are doing this with malicious intent."

Shen Ye picked up his teacup, took a sip, and calmly said, "If my brother likes to cause trouble, let him do whatever he wants."

"You don't need to worry about such a small thing!"

The thirteenth prince pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I've heard that this white deer is a top-tier auspicious creature, and it's very difficult to raise."

"In case the Crown Prince's birthday gift isn't as good as this white deer, I think this white deer might fall ill one day!"

The thirteenth prince, Yunxiang, spoke subtly, but his meaning was clear:
As long as you, the Crown Prince, nod your head, you don't need to worry about anything else. I'll take care of this white deer for him!
Looking at the young but determined thirteenth prince, Shen Ye was speechless for a moment.

He suddenly felt a little sorry for Emperor Qianxi. His sons were all incredibly strong and ruthless, practically all werewolves.

It's no wonder that Emperor Qianxi had a hard time being a father!

He immediately waved his hand to stop him, saying, "Thirteenth brother, we don't care whether the white deer is an auspicious omen or not, but it is something that Father values, so you are not allowed to act recklessly."

"Also, you must remember, no matter how rare a white deer is, it's still just an animal. How can it compare to us?"

"Even if my elder brother obtains the White Deer, he cannot shake my position as Crown Prince."

"Besides, even if it could shake my position, it's not worth the risk for you."

At this point, Shen Ye continued, "You're my brother, not my subordinate. Don't risk your future so easily." "Also, remember, if you don't want others to know, don't do it in the first place!"

"Some things, once you do them, will leave a trace!"

"Only by avoiding risky things can you avoid putting yourself in danger!"

At this point, he patted the thirteenth prince on the shoulder, his tone much gentler: "I am very touched by your kindness."

"But we absolutely must not think about dangerous things again!"

The thirteenth prince was determined to destroy the White Deer mainly to repay a debt of gratitude—his sister's revenge was only possible thanks to the crown prince's intervention.

If it weren't for the Crown Prince's intervention, the Emperor probably wouldn't have used the Rehe birthday banquet as an opportunity to intimidate the grasslands and avenge his sister.

He was genuinely grateful to the Crown Prince, and upon hearing that the First Prince was using the white deer to create momentum and imply that he was the "chosen one," he couldn't help but want to take action.

The eldest prince is so shameless!

They actually spread rumors that His Majesty is a sage ruler, which is why white deer have appeared in the world.

His eldest son was someone favored by Heaven; otherwise, Heaven wouldn't have allowed him to present a white deer to Emperor Qianxi.

Although the eldest prince did not allow others to continue spreading his words, he used this method to disseminate a message to the entire world: he was the one destined for greatness.

This could be considered something that could shake the crown prince's position.

The crown prince was appointed by Emperor Qianxi, but was the eldest and most virtuous prince, favored by Heaven? Could he also inherit the throne?
Shouldn't the Qianxi Emperor also consider this aspect?

“Your Highness, if it were just a matter for me, I would never take the risk. But since it concerns Your Highness’s position, I cannot tolerate it.”

Shen Ye patted the thirteenth prince again and said firmly, "Don't worry, everything's fine."

"My father will not change my position as crown prince because of two white deer."

"If that's the case, wouldn't whoever gets a bunch of white deer be the one who owns the world?"

Shen Ye continued, "My birthday gift is more useful to Father than the white deer, so you don't need to worry."

"Focus on practicing martial arts and be ready to avenge Fifth Sister at any time."

After carefully observing Shen Ye's expression and concluding that Shen Ye did not seem to be lying, the Thirteenth Prince nodded and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I have been diligently practicing martial arts and have not dared to slack off in the slightest."

While Shen Ye was comforting the thirteenth prince, in the main hall of the Ministry of Justice, the young eighth prince was patiently feeding a pair of golden eagles raw meat.

Sunlight streamed in, making the golden eagle's feathers shimmer with a golden luster.

Looking at the two lively golden eagles, the Eighth Prince's smile grew even brighter.

“Eighth Prince, these two golden eagles are so magnificent, I think His Majesty will be very pleased with them,” Ren Bo’an said with a smile, standing beside the Eighth Prince.

After feeding the last piece of raw meat, the Eighth Prince picked up a snow-white handkerchief to wipe his hands before saying, "What a pity, it still can't compare to my elder brother's white deer!"

The two looked at each other and laughed simultaneously.

"Old Ren, this matter... won't go wrong, will it?" the Eighth Prince asked in a low voice.

Ren Bo'an solemnly said, "Eighth Master, please rest assured, we have important leverage over the eldest master's disciple."

"If we want, we can ruin his reputation and exterminate his entire family at any time."

"This time, he only has to pay with his own life, so it's a win for him."

At this point, Ren Bo'an said, "Don't worry, it will be handled cleanly, leaving no flaws in any detail."

The Eighth Prince glanced at Ren Bo'an and sighed inwardly. He didn't like Ren Bo'an, but he desperately needed someone like him right now.

This person must not be allowed to live!

The thought flashed through his mind, but he continued aloud, "Old Ren, do you think the Crown Prince's side will make a move?"

"If the Crown Prince could take action, that would be even better!"

"When the white deer dies, Father's birthday gifts will be for me, the golden eagle."

Ren Bo'an gazed at the golden eagle and said leisurely, "Even if the white deer doesn't die, in the end, the only one that can remain is your golden eagle, Eighth Master."

"A golden eagle soaring through the sky is far superior to a mere white deer running on the ground!"

"Eighth Prince, you will definitely not lose out on this Emperor's birthday celebration."

Seeing the smile on Ren Bo'an's face, a hint of joy flashed in the Eighth Prince's eyes.

He patted Ren Bo'an on the shoulder and then exclaimed, "With Mr. Ren's help, I am truly thriving."

"I only regret that I was unable to meet Mr. Ren sooner."

Ren Bo'an respectfully said, "Eighth Master is destined by Heaven and will surely transform from a fish into a dragon and rule the world."

"It is a great blessing for me to be able to follow the Eighth Prince."

The Eighth Prince gripped Ren Bo'an's hand tightly and said with deep emotion, "I have sworn brotherhood with you, sir. I swear here that I will never betray you!"

"In the future, we shall share wealth and prosperity!"

　The second update of the day is here! Please support and recommend, everyone! It's almost the end of the month! Votes are truly useless if you don't cast them!

(End of this chapter)