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

Chapter 273 Life is full of disappointments, but contentment brings happiness.

As Shen Ye bowed to Emperor Qianxi, the emperor asked calmly, "Crown Prince, you just made a grand statement about always wanting something better. What did you mean by that?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye felt a buzzing in his head.

He had guessed that his heartfelt remarks might have been overheard by Emperor Qianxi, but he didn't expect his father to act so unpredictably!

I just asked it so directly!
How can you ask someone this in person?

Shouldn't you pretend you didn't hear that?

The saying goes, "If you're not deaf and dumb, you can't be a good father-in-law."

With your current air of knowing everything, if you were to get into a fight, you'd be the one who loses face.

His heart was in turmoil, but he calmly replied, "Your Majesty, I just carried the sedan chair and I truly understand the life of a sedan chair bearer. It is really not easy."

"When you're being carried, you don't feel anything."

"But when the sedan chair was pressing down on me, I realized how hard they had worked."

"On the way up the mountain, I thought of those who had it even harder than these sedan chair carriers."

“These sedan chair carriers are employed by the Imperial Household Department. In addition to their own salary, they also have official land owned by the Imperial Household Department that they can rent out to cultivate.”

"But the majority of people in this world are those who rent land from landlords and have to pay rent and various taxes in addition to rent. Their lives are probably even more difficult."

At this point, Shen Ye sighed and said, "Life is so difficult, yet they still strive to live. Seeing this, I am deeply moved."

As the saying goes, life is full of disappointments!

"The secret to happiness lies in contentment."

"Therefore, I think I should also learn to be content, only in this way can I live a happier life."

Contentment?

The crown prince said he should be content?
The crown prince's constant yearning for more power hinted at his ambition to become emperor.

The Crown Prince's statement about being content means he wants to be law-abiding and honestly serve as the Crown Prince.

Thinking of the Crown Prince's earlier remarks, Emperor Qianxi's heart was also stirred.

Although he was the emperor, there were many things he couldn't do as he pleased.

What needs to be compromised, we must compromise; what needs to be considered, we must consider.

Contentment? Shouldn't he be content too?
"It's excellent that you have such insights." Emperor Qianxi patted Shen Ye on the shoulder and said, "Your ability to escort the Empress Dowager up the mountain this time is truly a great achievement."

"From this day forward, you may wear your princely robes."

In Emperor Qianxi's view, his becoming the supreme Khan of the grassland tribes was a grand event.

The Crown Prince wore clothes similar to his own to let the tribal leaders on the grasslands know that he was the successor of the Supreme Khan.

This is an immense honor.

It was also a way to solidify the crown prince's position.

Faced with this unexpected windfall, Shen Ye was speechless.

He knew that Emperor Qianxi's reward this time was genuine.

But he had finally managed to take off that apricot-yellow robe, how could he possibly put it back on!

That would only become a thorn in the side of the increasingly aging Emperor Qianxi.

After a moment's hesitation, he solemnly replied, "Father, I know you want to reward me for carrying my grandmother up the mountain."

"But the reason I did this was entirely out of filial piety."

"If I were to ask for your reward, Father, it would only make me appear to have ulterior motives."

"Moreover, it is my duty to be filial to my grandmother and father. If this can be rewarded, then I deserve far too many rewards!"

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to rescind your decree."

When Emperor Qianxi heard the words "duty of one's lot," he couldn't help but laugh.

It is only natural for a son to be filial to his parents.

But in the heavenly realm, this "natural right" is more precious than anything else.

The Crown Prince's words made him feel at ease.

"Since Your Highness does not want a reward, then I will grant you one request."

Emperor Qianxi paused for a moment, then added, "Something you think I can grant you."

Hearing Emperor Qianxi's conditions, Shen Ye was even more speechless.

You promised me one thing, which sounds like a broad promise, but then you added a condition that I think you could agree to. That's a really tight-lipped way of putting it...

At this moment, Shen Ye's understanding of Emperor Qianxi deepened once again.

Emperor Qianxi was actually a contradiction.

He longed for a virtuous wife and filial children, but as the emperor, he subtly applied imperial tactics in almost every word and deed.

Sometimes, Shen Ye felt great admiration for Emperor Qianxi.

I think Emperor Qianxi perfectly combined his life with his imperial strategies.

He thought for a moment and was about to take the opportunity to bring up the matter of moving out of the palace when Emperor Qianxi waved his hand and said, "No need to rush, think it over carefully."

"Whenever you've made up your mind, you can bring it up with me anytime."

As he spoke, Emperor Qianxi waved and left.

Watching Emperor Qianxi leave, Shen Ye gently wiped his forehead.

Although there was little sweat on his forehead, his hair roots were damp.

It's true that serving a ruler is like walking on thin ice; I'll have to be more careful in the future!

Some things shouldn't be said casually.

This response was at least somewhat appropriate; if he had said something wrong, the consequences would have been...

Shen Ye silently reminded himself before returning to his imperial carriage. That evening, Nian Xinyue was summoned by the Empress Dowager and showered with rare and precious gifts, while the Fifth Prince went so far as to bring a whole roasted lamb to drink with Shen Ye!
In the vast camp, the most talked-about topic of the day was the Crown Prince escorting the Empress Dowager's imperial carriage up the mountain.

Although many people felt that the Crown Prince was just putting on an act, on the surface they all praised the Crown Prince for his benevolence and filial piety!

The most aggrieved person here is the eldest prince.

The two white deer made the eldest prince shine throughout the journey, stealing the spotlight.

I wonder how many people have taken the initiative to befriend him.

However, the momentum brought by his two white deer seemed to be completely offset by the fact that the Crown Prince carried the Empress Dowager's sedan chair up the mountain.

Emperor Qianxi personally visited the Crown Prince.

The Empress Dowager bestowed many gifts upon the Crown Prince's concubines.

Furthermore, the Fifth Prince, acting on the Empress Dowager's orders, invited the Crown Prince to drink...

"If I had known this would happen, I would have carried the Empress Dowager up the mountain myself. I could have carried her more steadily than him!" In his own tent, the eldest prince angrily said to Furen.

Fu Lun was his confidant and a staunch supporter of his bid for the throne, so he could only vent some things that were not suitable to say in public in front of Fu Lun.

Seeing the Crown Prince's exasperated state, Floren felt a pang of regret, realizing that he had made a bad bet on the wrong person!
However, once you've placed your bet on the succession struggle, it's extremely difficult to back out.

Even if they choose to invest elsewhere, it will be difficult to earn greater profits.

So, faced with the Crown Prince's emotional breakdown, all Furen could do was comfort him, saying, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's actions this time were just a coincidence."

"Although he showed his filial piety, I believe His Majesty must have seen through his little scheme long ago. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn't have given him no reward at all."

Floren's words of comfort finally eased the Crown Prince's expression considerably.

He said to Floren, "Floren, go back and discuss with the people in the Ministry of Rites how to make the ceremony of presenting the white deer even more grand."

"It would be best if I offered it myself."

Fu Lun understood the Crown Prince's thoughts, and he immediately nodded and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will definitely discuss this matter carefully with the officials of the Ministry of Rites."

"I believe that at that time, no one will be able to surpass His Highness's gift."

The eldest prince stood up and paced back and forth a few steps before saying in a deep voice, "This ceremony should adhere to one principle: it should be reflected that the recipient of the white deer is the Heavenly Mandate Holy Ruler, while the one who presents the white deer is the chosen one."

"These things cannot be said explicitly, but they can be hinted at through certain etiquette."

"Fren, most of the tribes on the grasslands will be coming this time."

"If we can get them to understand and realize this, it will be of great help to us."

When Floren heard the Crown Prince's request, he felt a chill run down his spine.

It's not that he can't do it, but that doing so could very likely have unforeseen consequences.

After hesitating for a moment, he agreed.

After all, he and the eldest prince were already bound together!

"Don't worry, sir, I will definitely do this well."

Looking at the solemn-looking Furen, the eldest prince nodded and said, "Furen, your uncle always praises you for being reliable. The things he entrusts to you never go wrong."

Don't let me down this time either!

Florence nodded and bowed, but said nothing.

Just then, the cry of a deer rang out.

The eldest prince, who was about to say something, quickly walked out of the tent.

Not far from his tent was the deer pen, where two snow-white fawns were leisurely grazing.

The deer call just now came from the fawn on the left.

It was clearly enjoying its meal, hence the deer's call.

Looking at the white deer whose fur was as white as silver under the moonlight, the eldest prince's smile deepened.

A white deer descends from the sky; this is destiny bestowed upon me!

Yunyeop, what do you have to compete with me with!

The carriages rumbled, and the horses neighed!
After traveling for more than ten days, the Rehe Imperial Palace came into view.

For this Emperor's birthday celebration, Ma Wu, the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, arrived quite early.

With ample funds, a magnificent platform was erected on the vast grassland.

As soon as news of Emperor Qianxi's arrival spread, countless fine horses gathered from all directions.

Each warhorse was ridden by a strong, fierce warrior from the grasslands.

However, the moment these people came hurtling towards them, they all respectfully dismounted and knelt on the ground.

"Welcome, Supreme Heavenly Khan!"

"Welcome, Supreme Heavenly Khan!"

"Welcome, Supreme Heavenly Khan!"

……

The sounds of worship echoed like an unstoppable tide.

Upon hearing the greeting, Emperor Qianxi alighted from his imperial carriage.

He was quite satisfied with everything he saw.

After all, he made the vast grasslands submit to his feet.

The imperial horse is ready.

Emperor Qianxi mounted his horse directly. Just as the guards around him were about to ride forward with him, Emperor Qianxi's gaze fell on his sons standing below the imperial carriage.

　Hey everyone, I'm begging for your monthly votes at the beginning of the month! If you have any, give me two!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)