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

Chapter 294 Don't panic when things go wrong, file a complaint first.

"Liang Gong, do you think this was an accident, or was someone deliberately sabotaging it?"

Shen Ye took a sip of tea and asked Nian Gengyao in a calm tone.

At this time, no matter what happens in the capital, Shen Ye is powerless to intervene.

Therefore, at this moment, the most important thing for him is to remain calm and steady.

Nian Gengyao was always arrogant and conceited towards others, but he was exceptionally cautious when facing his brother-in-law, the Crown Prince.

He prided himself on being both scholarly and martial, but the Crown Prince seemed to be better than him in every way.

Although the Crown Prince hasn't taken much action these days, the few things he has done are all admirable.

Especially before he arrived, he was amazed and deeply impressed by the enthusiastic descriptions of the hunting scenes on the grassland.

I wish I could be there!
He was as wise as Guan Zhong and as skilled in martial arts as Yue Yi!
I don't know who it was, but they actually used the words used to praise Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period to describe the Crown Prince.

This made Nian Gengyao, who had always thought he could be compared to Zhuge Liang, feel a little hurt.

Upon hearing Shen Ye's question, he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, I would never believe that there was no one behind this, not even if you beat me to death."

"After all, with the Ministry of Revenue and the Crown Prince in charge, even if someone hears that the money from Yuqing Bank has been lent to the Imperial Household Department, no one will believe that the court and the Crown Prince cannot repay this money."

"Only someone with ulterior motives could stir up trouble and create panic, causing something like this to happen!"

"Therefore, I believe that as long as the court is determined to investigate thoroughly, it will be able to capture all those who are behind this matter!"

Seeing the confident Nian Gengyao, Shen Ye patted him on the shoulder and said, "Gengyao, you've come all this way to deliver this message. You must be tired."

"Let Xinyue find you a place to rest. Maybe we really need your help with this."

Nian Gengyao said respectfully, "If there is anything you need, Your Highness, please give your orders. This servant will do his best to fulfill them."

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Remember, we're family, no need to be so polite."

At this point, he turned to the servant beside him and said, "Take Nian Gengyao to find Consort Nian."

After seeing Nian Gengyao off, Shen Ye paced back and forth a few times before heading towards Emperor Qianxi's tent.

Emperor Qianxi's camp was heavily guarded, with soldiers guarding the outside and personal guards inside.

However, this situation was not an obstacle for Crown Prince Shen Ye. With Liang Jiugong's announcement, Shen Ye arrived at Emperor Qianxi's tent.

Emperor Qianxi was reading a book, and beside him, a young and beautiful woman was gently massaging his legs.

Looking at the leisurely Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye thought to himself: He really knows how to enjoy life!
"Your subject greets Your Majesty." Although he harbored resentment towards Emperor Qianxi in his heart, Shen Ye still bowed respectfully.

Emperor Qianxi put down the book in his hand and said, "No need for formalities."

"You've been traveling all day, why aren't you taking a break? Why are you rushing to see me? Is there something you need?"

Shen Ye hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the maid.

Emperor Qianxi understood Shen Ye's meaning. He waved his hand and said, "Zheng Chunhua, you may leave now. I will come to find you later."

Upon hearing this name, Shen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

In a parallel universe scenario, this person would be the one who, along with the Crown Prince, presented Emperor Qianxi with a hat.

She's actually quite good-looking.

The former crown prince wasn't particularly skilled in other areas, but he truly had an eye for beauty.

However, Shen Ye had no intention of sending Emperor Qianxi another hat of the same kind, so he didn't even look at Zheng Chunhua.

He didn't look at Zheng Chunhua, but Zheng Chunhua secretly glanced at Shen Ye.

There are many legends about this crown prince in the palace.

Nowadays, the most common saying is that the crown prince is wise, comparable to Guan Zhong in literature and Yue Yi in military prowess.

Zheng Chunhua, seeing the Crown Prince for the first time, naturally wanted to take a good look at what he looked like.

As expected, the Crown Prince's appearance did not disappoint Zheng Chunhua.

Unfortunately……

As Zheng Chunhua left, Shen Ye then said seriously, "Father, I have come to you to complain."

"Whom are you going to accuse?" A hint of seriousness flashed in Emperor Qianxi's eyes.

Shen Ye said in a deep voice, "Father, I want to sue the brothers Ma Qi, the Minister of Revenue, and Ma Wu, the Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department."

Emperor Qianxi was taken aback, thinking to himself that the Crown Prince had really clashed with his close advisors.

Otherwise, why would they impeach these two people?

He didn't object to this situation; in fact, he was somewhat pleased with it.

Did those two offend you?

“Father, these two people are really going too far. They control the treasuries of the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Household Department, yet they know that the reserve silver of my Yuqing Bank cannot be touched, and they used the excuse of the Emperor’s birthday to transfer the reserve silver of Yuqing Bank.”

Shen Ye looked at Emperor Qianxi and said with utmost solemnity, "For the sake of Father's birthday celebration, I am willing to make some arrangements."

"But after they transferred the silver, they spread rumors that the silver from Yuqing Bank had been transferred."

"Neither the Imperial Household Department nor the Ministry of Revenue will repay this money."

"Therefore, the silver deposited in Yuqing Bank cannot be withdrawn."

"This led to a situation some time ago where many depositors rushed to Yuqing Bank to withdraw their money, and some even tried to rob the bank's vault."

At this point, Shen Ye bowed to Emperor Qianxi and said, "These two people are so heartless and utterly wicked. I beg Your Majesty to do justice for your son." Emperor Qianxi frowned. He had seen the memorial about Yuqing Bank, but he hadn't paid much attention to it.

After all, he has too many things to do every day, so he doesn't care about such trivial matters.

But now, such a small matter has actually involved two of his trusted confidants, which has forced him to take it seriously.

"You say they spread rumors, but do you have any evidence?" Emperor Qianxi asked directly, getting to the heart of the matter.

You can't say it was just the two of them who did it.

We must rely on evidence.

"Father, I believe that only you, my brother Ma Qi, and I know about the transfer of these two million taels of silver from Yuqing Bank."

"This rumor was certainly not spread by Your Majesty, and I would never do such a thing."

"Your Majesty, I believe that this must be because the Ma brothers are holding a grudge against your reprimand, which is why they have been blinded by greed and committed such a heinous act."

"Father, please take a closer look!"

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, Emperor Qianxi felt a sense of reasoning in his heart.

The Crown Prince's analysis was reasonable and well-founded, and it seemed quite correct. In this matter, besides the Crown Prince, the first people to suspect were the Ma brothers.

The Crown Prince's frequent punishment of Ma Qi is a plausible motive.

Emperor Qianxi pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Summon the brothers Ma Qi to an audience."

Liang Jiugong, who was standing in the corner of the tent, hurriedly ran out. He dared not wade into such muddy waters.

In no time at all, Ma Qi and Ma Wu walked in.

The two men looked relaxed, clearly indicating that Liang Jiugong hadn't revealed anything to them this time.

"Ma Qi and Ma Wu, the Crown Prince just said that you spread rumors that the deposits at Yuqing Bank could not be redeemed, thus causing a run on Yuqing Bank by depositors. Is this true?" Emperor Qianxi said coldly after the two men bowed.

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's question, Shen Ye slightly pursed her lips.

Although Emperor Qianxi claimed he was going to stand up for them, his questions revealed his bias towards the Ma brothers.

Ma Qi and Ma Wu never expected that Shen Ye would actually sue them, and that the lawsuit was about Yuqing Bank.

Ma Qi, feeling guilty, panicked for a moment.

Thinking to myself, "This matter has only just been resolved. Could it be that the Crown Prince has already found a handle against us?"

That's really bad luck!
Although he was flustered inside, he calmly asked, "Your Majesty, what evidence does the Crown Prince have to accuse me?"

Upon hearing this question, Ma Wu angrily replied, "Your Majesty, please see the truth. Although I cannot boast that I am utterly loyal, I am absolutely devoted to Your Majesty."

"I absolutely have not done such a thing. Please provide evidence, Your Highness."

Seeing the aggrieved expressions on the faces of the Ma brothers, Emperor Qianxi solemnly looked at Shen Ye and said, "Crown Prince, please speak to them."

"Yes, Father!"

After bowing to Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye solemnly said, "Ma Qi and Ma Wu, transfer two million taels of silver from Yuqing Bank to the Imperial Household Department."

"Only the four of us know about this."

"Of course, neither Father Emperor nor I could tell you that Yuqing Bank had transferred the money meant for paying out depositors to the Imperial Household Department. So, only you two brothers should spread this news."

"Currently, in the capital, because someone is spreading rumors that Yuqing Bank's treasury is empty and it has no money to pay out deposits maturing next year, many people are rushing to Yuqing Bank to withdraw their money."

"If you didn't do this, then who else could it be?"

Hearing this, Ma Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

Since he had already made full preparations for this, he would never let himself get caught up in it.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, my brother and I are innocent!"

"When we were discussing this matter, there were only four of us, but quite a few people knew about it when we withdrew the silver from Yuqing Bank."

"The official in charge of this matter at the Ministry of Revenue, as well as several treasurers at the Imperial Household Department, all know about it!"

"Perhaps one of them leaked this information."

"Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, please investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Upon hearing his brother's words, Ma Wu echoed, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, we brothers can assure you that we did not do this."

"We dare not, and absolutely will not, do something that harms others and ourselves."

Seeing the Ma brothers' loyal and righteous appearance, Emperor Qianxi's expression relaxed a little.

The Ma brothers were people he was comfortable using, so he naturally couldn't bear to get rid of them.

He then said in a deep voice, "Yunye, what Ma Qi and his brother said makes sense, and I also think it wasn't them."

Hearing Emperor Qianxi say this, Ma Qi and Ma Wu looked even more relaxed.

At this moment, Shen Ye solemnly said, "Father, even if the brothers Ma Qi and Ma Wu did not promote this matter, they cannot escape their guilt."

"The use of funds from Yuqing Bank is a secret of the imperial court and is not allowed to be leaked."

"However, such matters were leaked from the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Revenue, leading to this unmanageable situation."

"Your Majesty believes that these two must be severely punished as a warning to others!"

　Hey everyone, here's the first update of the day! Please support me, if you have any votes, give me one.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)