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

Chapter 29 Do you really think I'm an easy target?

Who is Zhou Bao? He is Shen Ye's personal eunuch, much like Liang Jiugong served Emperor Qianxi.

He represents the face of Crown Prince Shen Ye.

So, in essence, attacking Zhou Bao is actually attacking Shen Ye, the crown prince!
Within the vast Forbidden City, there were only a handful of people who could teach Zhou Bao a lesson.

For example, Emperor Qianxi, the Empress Dowager, and the Crown Princess...

Of course, in principle, the concubines who held power in the harem also had the right to take action against Zhou Bao.

However, these concubines were all shrewd and calculating individuals. As the saying goes, even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner. How could they possibly offend Crown Prince Shen Ye over such a matter?

"What happened to that face?" Now that Shen Ye had seen it, he couldn't pretend not to see it.

Otherwise, people would think that others are kind and easy to bully.

Zhou Bao hesitated for a moment, then glanced cautiously at the Crown Princess without speaking.

Shen Ye noticed Zhou Bao's subtle actions and immediately understood that the Crown Princess was aware of the matter.

He glanced at the Crown Princess.

However, he didn't say anything and continued to look at Zhou Bao.

Seeing that she could no longer hide the truth, Shi Jingrong said to Zhou Bao, "If the Crown Prince asks, then just tell me."

"Your Highness, I was following the Crown Princess's instructions to escort Prime Minister Suo out of the palace when I encountered Orondai on the way. Orondai asked me my name and then, without saying a word, slapped me twice across the face."

Zhou Bao lowered his head, looking aggrieved.

He was truly aggrieved. He had been sent to deliver Suo'etu on the orders of the Crown Princess, but instead, he had been slapped twice across the face.

However, he also knew that Orondai, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, was not only a hereditary first-class duke, but also Emperor Qianxi's cousin, and had always been arrogant and domineering.

When this man was at home, he and his father, Tong Guogang, would fight each other, to the point that Tong Guogang, the emperor's uncle, had to go to his nephew to complain that his son had been killed.

Now he's come up and slapped Zhou Bao twice. Is this guy after him?
I don't think I've ever offended this guy!

"Did he speak with Prime Minister Suo?" Shen Ye asked Zhou Bao, a thought flashing through his mind.

Zhou Bao said in a low voice, "Neither Suo Xiang nor Orondai said anything, but this servant thinks the two of them seem to be at odds."

The two first-class dukes were from the maternal clan of Emperor Qianxi and the harem of Emperor Qianxi.

Both sides should generally maintain some semblance of decorum, regardless of the circumstances.

Now, the fact that the two of them don't even greet each other when they meet basically indicates that their relationship has deteriorated to a certain extent.

Let's not even talk about Orondai. As for Suo'etu, besides forming cliques and engaging in self-serving activities, he was not an easy person to get along with.

When two proud individuals meet, it's natural that neither can stand the other.

Orondai dared not lay a hand on Suo'etu, so he slapped Zhou Bao twice instead.

Such arrogance is a slap in the face to Shen Ye!
Frustrated, Shen Ye said to Zhou Bao, "Go and rest. I'll give you three days off."

"As for this anger, I'll avenge you!"

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, Zhou Bao hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Your Highness, this servant is meant to serve others, and it's common for me to be hit a couple of times."

"Lord Orondai probably didn't do it on purpose."

"I will forever remember your kindness, but I would never dare to think of anything else!"

"I don't want to put the Crown Prince in a difficult position because of this!"

As he spoke, Zhou Bao kept kowtowing repeatedly.

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about it, go and rest first."

Zhou Bao wanted to say something, but seeing Shen Ye's somewhat serious expression, he carefully withdrew in the end.

After Zhou Bao left, Shi Jingrong said to Shen Ye, "Your Highness, Zhou Bao knows what's important."

"As the saying goes, 'A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan.' Orondai is, after all, His Majesty's cousin. If you fall too far with him, it might not look good if His Majesty finds out."

At this point, she seemed to be mindful of Shen Ye's feelings and gently advised, "Why don't you call him over and say a few words to him, Your Highness?" Hearing Shi Jingrong's words, which sounded like she was just teasing him, Shen Ye felt a mix of emotions.

Being the Crown Princess is even harder than being myself!
He gently grasped Shi Jingrong's small hand and said, "Jingrong, don't worry about this matter, I can handle it."

At this point, he continued, "Since Zhou Bao has something to do, let Xiao Rou arrange for me to go and observe the government affairs."

Shi Jingrong readily agreed to the request.

However, she was still a little worried, fearing that the Crown Prince might cause some trouble regarding the Orondai matter.

After all, Emperor Qianxi had just punished Yuqing Palace not long ago.

Just as she was pondering how to change Shen Ye's mind, she heard Shen Ye say, "Jingrong, what do you think about the two of us moving out?"

Should we move out?
Shi Jingrong was taken aback!
Is the Crown Prince still allowed to stay elsewhere?

Just as she was wondering, Shen Ye told her about his request to Emperor Qianxi to establish a residence outside the palace.

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's request, Shi Jingrong was immediately tempted.

Although she was the Crown Princess, a woman above all others in the palace, she felt quite uncomfortable here, with everyone watching her every move.

She was actually a little envious of her sisters-in-law, such as the First, Third, and Fourth Imperial Concubines, who were able to live separately in their own residences.

After all, separating from the family means taking charge and becoming the head of the household.

Unlike me, who not only has many mothers-in-law, but also a father-in-law who loves to worry.

"Your Highness, is it really possible for us to separate?"

Shen Ye smiled and said, "It all depends on human effort."

As they chatted, the night grew deeper, and Shen Ye's experience the previous night led him to stay overnight at the Crown Princess's place.

Just as Shen Ye had begun his somewhat decadent lifestyle, Emperor Qianxi, who had spent half a day reviewing memorials, was summoning Zhao Chang.

The first thing Zhao Chang reported was the news that Suo'etu had gone to see the Crown Prince.

Emperor Qianxi was not surprised to hear this news.

After all, at this point, it would be unreasonable for Suo'etu, as the person in charge of the Crown Prince's lineage, not to offer some advice.

Emperor Qianxi was able to tolerate Songgotu's actions this time.

However, Zhao Chang's next words surprised Emperor Qianxi greatly:
The Crown Prince did not meet with Suo'etu.

What's happening here?
"What's wrong with the Crown Prince?" Emperor Qianxi still valued the successor he had chosen.

Zhao Chang respectfully said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince sent someone to tell Prime Minister Suo that he is tired today and wants to rest, so he will not see him."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi's expression turned somewhat cold.

He said with some dissatisfaction, "If you can't even handle this little bit of fatigue, how can you achieve great things!"

Zhao Chang dared not respond to Emperor Qianxi's evaluation of the Crown Prince; he obediently lowered his head, as if he had not heard anything.

"Did Songgotu go back?"

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Suo sent someone to inform the Crown Prince that he could wait." Zhao Chang said, not daring to delay, "The Crown Prince did not see him until half an hour before the palace gates were locked, when Prime Minister Suo had no choice but to leave Yuqing Palace."

Upon hearing Zhao Chang's subsequent report, Emperor Qianxi's expression changed repeatedly.

He was both annoyed by Suo'etu's arrogance and felt that the Crown Prince was being somewhat irresponsible, leaving his most trusted assistant to wait in vain all afternoon.

This would be extremely damaging to the relationship between the ruler and his subjects.

In the end, however, he said nothing.

But his brows relaxed slightly, almost unconsciously.

My new book is starting! I'm asking for your support, everyone! I'll take all your votes, add it to your favorites, and keep reading!

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(End of this chapter)