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

Chapter 27 A mere boy is not worth planning anything with.
Looking at Zhou Bao kneeling on the ground, his body trembling slightly, Shen Ye felt incredibly calm.

He knew perfectly well what Suo'etu meant by "wait".

He was making a blatant statement to Shen Ye: You have to see me today, whether you want to or not!
This kind of behavior is nothing short of blatant blackmail, and even a bit arrogant and domineering!

However, Songgotu had the right to be arrogant. Putting aside everything else, he was the most steadfast supporter of the Crown Prince, and that alone gave him the right to be arrogant.

For example, Longkodo in a parallel universe; or that General Nian, aren't they both born in the Year of the Crab?
They did this because they were convinced that their master needed them.

If it were the former crown prince, he would definitely have met with Songgotu, given his insistence.

Songgotu had used this tactic before, getting the crown prince to make concessions on certain matters.

But now, he was facing Shen Ye.

I've already given up on everything, I don't even need the faction that follows me anymore, why would I care about you!

So, under Zhou Bao's anxious gaze, Shen Ye put down her rice bowl expressionlessly.

He said to Shi Jingrong, "I got up a little early today, I want to sleep for a while."

With that, he walked directly into the inner room.

Shi Jingrong was stunned!
Zhou Bao was also stunned.

They were both somewhat incredulous that the Crown Prince would treat Songgotu so poorly, especially since he was the Prime Minister!

"Zhou Bao, make the arrangements. Suo Xiang is afraid of the heat, so he can stay in the living room. There will be plenty of tea and ice to cool him down."

The Crown Prince's voice came from the back hall.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bao looked at the Crown Princess with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

He was just a personal eunuch, and he dared not speak recklessly in the face of matters of principle, so he could only look at Shi Jingrong.

The meaning was clear: Crown Princess, you must persuade the Crown Prince!

Shi Jingrong hesitated for a moment, but ultimately walked towards the inner room.

Shen Ye was already lying lazily on the bed, looking like she was about to fall asleep.

"Your Highness, isn't this treatment of Prime Minister Su a bit too much?"

"You...you might as well go and see him."

"After all, Prime Minister Su is no stranger."

Although Shi Jingrong's family was not very close to Suo'etu's lineage, she both loved and hated this strongest ally of the crown prince.

What I love is that with such powerful backing, the Crown Prince will have an easy time in the future.

What she hated was that this Prime Minister Suo didn't really take her, the Crown Princess, seriously.

Moreover, it is said that there are women from the Hesheli family who will be entering the palace for this selection.

The place she sought was the Crown Prince's concubine!

Concubines already have a rank, and with Suo'etu around, they might be able to become imperial concubines directly after the crown prince ascends the throne.

The sons of imperial concubines are often considered legitimate sons!

Thinking about all this, the Crown Princess felt waves of disappointment and grievance rising in her eyes. However, for the sake of the Crown Prince's great cause, she suppressed her displeasure and spoke to him.

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye turned his head and said, "If you say you won't see me, then you won't see me."

"I was so sleepy just now, but I can't fall asleep. Could you please read a book to me, Jingrong?"

As they spoke, Shen Ye handed a book from the bedside table to Shi Jingrong.

Shi Jingrong took the book and saw the words "Book of Rites" written on it.

Upon seeing these two words, Shi Jingrong was taken aback.

What did the Crown Prince mean by making him read this book?
Is it that they don't want to offer advice, or that Suo'etu's insistence on seeing them is impolite and therefore should be ignored?

The Crown Prince seems to be becoming more and more unfathomable!

Despite her thoughts, the Crown Princess still followed Shen Ye's instructions and picked up the Book of Rites to read.

The Book of Rites states: "Be respectful in all things, be solemn and thoughtful, speak with composure, and you will bring peace to the people."

"Arrogance should not be indulged, desires should not be followed, ambition should not be excessive, and pleasure should not be excessive."

"The wise are familiar with and respectful, fearful yet loving. They love but know the faults, hate but know the virtues. They accumulate but can disperse, they are at peace but can move."...

Shi Jingrong's voice was clear and crisp; although she was reading, it gave the impression of listening to a song.

As Shen Ye listened to the Crown Princess reading aloud, he became increasingly drowsy.

He felt a surge of emotion; classical Chinese texts seemed to have a more hypnotic effect than mathematical formulas.

If you can't sleep in the future, you can find more books for someone to read to you.

Shi Jingrong read for a while, then looked at the Crown Prince who had fallen asleep, and felt a sense of helplessness.

She put down her book and went to Zhou Bao, who was still waiting, and said, "The Crown Prince is already asleep."

"Just do as the Crown Prince just instructed."

"Remember, you must be respectful to Prime Minister Su."

When Zhou Bao heard this, he was still a little suspicious, but what could a eunuch like him do?

So he could only agree, and then had someone brew a cup of the best Da Hong Pao tea, which he personally carried to the front hall.

"Prime Minister Suo, this Da Hong Pao tea is a new offering from Fujian. Please have a taste." Zhou Bao smiled and placed the tea on the table next to Suo'etu.

Soetu's face turned cold at this moment.

He had come prepared for the Crown Prince's visit, but he never expected to be turned away.

The Crown Prince has disappeared!

It's absolutely infuriating!
He absolutely cannot allow the Crown Prince to act so willfully!
She could not allow the Crown Prince to treat her like this.

So he decided to wait!
He really had no interest in Da Hong Pao tea; it was not like he didn't have any in his mansion.

"Where is the Crown Prince?" Songgotu asked coldly. "When will he see this old minister?"

Upon hearing this question, Zhou Bao's hand trembled. If he hadn't been so skilled, he would have almost spilled the tea on Suo'etu.

He quickly said, "Prime Minister Suo, the Crown Prince is really tired."

"Why don't you come again tomorrow? The Crown Prince is already resting."

Soetu glanced coldly at Zhou Bao and said, "The reason why the Crown Prince has been so lazy these days is because you eunuchs didn't know how to advise him."

"Zhou Bao, His Majesty has just punished those who protected them."

"Don't let it be your turn next!"

Hearing these stern words, Zhou Bao felt his heart tremble.

At the same time, a surge of anger rose in his heart.

Soetu, if you have anger, vent it on the Crown Prince. Why are you venting it on a crippled person like me?
Do you think I'm easy to bully?
However, he could only complain inwardly, while outwardly he still respectfully said, "Minister Suo, you have really wronged us."

"The Crown Prince has his own plans; we are simply following his instructions."

As they spoke, Zhou Bao quickly took the tray and left.

Although he was furious, Suo'etu picked up the gaiwan and drank from it, looking at the gaiwan that was filled with the aroma of tea.

Time passed slowly, and Suo'etu felt as if each day was an eternity.

He looked at the clock; it had already reached five o'clock, but the Crown Prince still showed no intention of seeing him.

He has been waiting for an hour and a half since the beginning.

"Zhou Bao, where is the Crown Prince?" Soetu asked angrily as Zhou Bao approached again.

Zhou Bao respectfully said, "Prime Minister Suo, the Crown Prince has not yet woken up."

"You'd better not wait any longer. The palace gates will be closed in half an hour."

Upon hearing that the palace gates were closed, Suo'etu's expression changed.

Even if he insisted, he still had to abide by the rules of the palace.

After all, the Qianxi Emperor was not someone to be trifled with.

But he was unwilling to leave like this.

As he stood up, a phrase suddenly came to mind: "This fellow is not worth discussing anything with!"
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(End of this chapter)