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

Chapter 311 If you keep looking, you can always find a problem.

Faced with Emperor Qianxi's question, Shen Ye was in a dilemma.

If I say I don't know, it means I lack sensitivity and seem too slow-witted; if I say I do know, it means I'm not content with the status quo.

After a few quick thoughts raced through his mind, Shen Ye bowed to Emperor Qianxi and replied, "Father, when I was observing government affairs at the Court of Colonial Affairs, I overheard someone mention it."

Shen Ye's words both acknowledged that he had heard about it and clarified that he had heard it while observing the government, thus preventing Emperor Qianxi from making unfounded suspicions!
Emperor Qianxi seemed to completely disregard Shen Ye's explanation, and calmly asked, "Then do you think this matter is true or false?"

Shen Ye knew perfectly well that it was true. However, he couldn't say it directly at the moment.

After feigning hesitation, Shen Ye said, "There's no smoke without fire. I think we need to investigate further to determine the truth of this matter."

This statement is so well-crafted, it allows for flexibility and can be interpreted in any way.

His ambiguous attitude prompted Emperor Qianxi to glare at him: "Can such a matter be investigated so openly?"

The eldest prince, the third prince, and the fourth prince, who were standing to the side, were also silently thinking.

They had all heard about the "Records of Officials' Conduct" and were even intrigued by it.

Although it is unknown how many people were recorded in "Records of Officials' Conduct" or what specific content was recorded, at least having knowledge of the private affairs of hundreds of officials is equivalent to wielding a sharp sword and controlling a very powerful force.

With such a force at their disposal, vying for the position of crown prince is no longer a dream.

They all sent people to inquire about Ren Bo'an, but the results were very unsettling, because this Ren Bo'an was actually in close contact with the Eighth Prince.

They're definitely enemies!

After confirming Ren Bo'an's identity, they all secretly began to stir up trouble in the matter.

Regardless of who's behind this, they all have to lend a hand and stir things up even more, since Ren Bo'an is such a huge threat.

The "Records of Officials' Conduct" is simply a powerful weapon.

They were not surprised at all that the Qianxi Emperor would inquire about it.

If Emperor Qianxi was not even sensitive to this, then he could not sit securely on the dragon throne!
When Emperor Qianxi questioned the Crown Prince, they all pretended to be ignorant, but their eyes were fixed on Shen Ye.

Shen Ye sensed a chill in Emperor Qianxi's words.

He understood Emperor Qianxi's concerns.

This kind of thing is very troublesome to investigate and can easily lead to unforeseen complications.

He knew exactly how to handle such a situation.

However, since he himself is the mastermind behind this, he must distance himself from it and not let people suspect him.

So when Emperor Qianxi asked him, Shen Ye pretended to hesitate and said, "Father, I think that Ren Bo'an may have been wronged."

"Therefore, I believe it is best to investigate thoroughly."

Emperor Qianxi glanced at Shen Ye without saying much, but in his heart he felt that the Crown Prince's reaction was not sharp enough and his handling was not appropriate.

Even the crown prince has his shortcomings.

Strangely, he wasn't angry; on the contrary, he vaguely felt that this was for the best.

After a moment's hesitation, his gaze fell on the eldest prince.

Although the eldest prince had been demoted to a duke, he was still the eldest son of the emperor and was therefore still highly regarded by Emperor Qianxi.

However, many people feel that he is no longer a suitable candidate for the throne.

After all, a prince who created such a false auspicious omen on Emperor Qianxi's birthday would be branded as incompetent even if he wasn't punished.

"Yes, what do you think?" Emperor Qianxi asked in a deep voice.

Seeing the somewhat cold look in Emperor Qianxi's eyes, the eldest prince hesitated for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Father, I believe it is better to kill the innocent than to let the guilty go free."

"Regardless of whether this matter is true or not, at least, Ren Bo'an is no longer alive."

Emperor Qianxi nodded and said, "Then what pretext do you think should be used to kill Ren Bo'an?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that his compilation of the 'Records of Officials' is a sign of ulterior motives!" The First Prince said in a deep voice, "Whoever pleads for him will be listed in the 'Records of Officials'."

Emperor Qianxi looked at the murderous-looking eldest prince without making a statement, and then turned his gaze to the third prince.

"Yunzhi, what do you think?"

"Your subject thinks that what elder brother said makes sense. Ren Bo'an cannot be allowed to live."

The Third Prince said in a deep voice, "However, it is not appropriate to use the 'Records of Officials' as a reason to kill Ren Bo'an. After all, no one knows whether such a document exists or not, and there is no real evidence at present."

"Moreover, once this thing is found, it might cause other unnecessary trouble."

"Your subject believes that we can arrest Ren Bo'an on other charges, force him to hand over the 'Records of the Conduct of Officials,' and then deal with him."

Emperor Qianxi nodded and said, "Your method is not bad, but what if someone with ulterior motives uses this trick to frame others in the future?"

The Third Prince pondered for a moment and then said, "In this situation, I think it is advisable to have the Five Cities Garrison and the Infantry Commander's Office conduct strict inspections."

"From now on, anyone found spreading rumors will be severely punished!" Emperor Qianxi neither agreed nor disagreed with the Third Prince's words, and finally turned his gaze to the Fourth Prince, Yunzhen.

"Yunzhen, what do you think we should do?"

“Father, there’s no smoke without fire regarding Ren Bo’an’s matter. I think we can find a reason to transfer him far away.”

"For example, we could go to Yunnan and Guizhou, and then conduct a thorough investigation of the 'Records of Officials'."

"Yunnan and Guizhou are rife with poisonous miasma, so it's understandable that Ren Bo'an couldn't return." The fourth prince answered Emperor Qianxi's question very calmly.

Emperor Qianxi did not comment on the fourth prince's actions.

He waved his hand and said, "The 'Records of Officials' is deliberately being stirred up by someone. If you find anything, report it to me immediately."

At this point, his gaze fell on Shen Ye and said, "Algishan and his brothers haven't gone to Shengjing yet. Go and see them off."

"They say he's your uncle, after all."

Shen Ye was thinking that he had handled Ren Bo'an's matter well, but he didn't expect Emperor Qianxi to suddenly pull this stunt.

Algishan and his group haven't left yet?
That's really asking for trouble!
Dissatisfaction with Algishan and others was not the most important thing. What was important was that Emperor Qianxi's words echoed in Shen Ye's mind: Go and see them off!
If you go to Hesheli’s house to see Algishan and the others off, you will inevitably have to meet with Soetu.

This is something Shen Ye has been avoiding!
But now, Emperor Qianxi's arrangement makes it somewhat difficult for him to avoid.

At the same time, a question arose in his mind: why did Emperor Qianxi send him to escort Argishan and the others? It was because he was dissatisfied with Argishan and the others for being so slow and not having set off yet.

Or is there another plan? Could this also be a test of himself?
Although he was puzzled, Shen Ye still replied in a deep voice, "Your subject obeys."

"You may all leave." Emperor Qianxi waved his hand, signaling Shen Ye and the others to depart.

As they walked out of the Qianqing Palace, the eldest prince suddenly said, "Your Highness, although Ren Bo'an doesn't hold a high official position, he has a good relationship with Eighth Brother!"

Shen Ye glanced at the eldest prince, who had a slight smile on his face, and said calmly, "In that case, we, as his older brothers, should give the eighth prince a reminder."

"Big brother, the eighth prince grew up in Consort Hui's palace, and you two are quite close."

"I'll trouble you to make this trip and remind Eighth Brother so he won't be fooled."

The eldest prince's face stiffened. What he had just said was actually meant to sow discord between the crown prince and the eighth prince.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince outmaneuvered them.

The Crown Prince could even say something like, "Don't let the Eighth Prince be deceived," so the First Prince knew he couldn't refuse.

"Then I'll go and remind Eighth Brother," the First Prince said, forcing himself to remain calm. "Does Your Highness have any other words for Eighth Brother?"

“My eighth brother has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. There are some things we don’t need to say, but he understands them anyway, so I won’t pass on the message to him.”

At this point, Shen Ye glanced at the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince and said, "If the Third and Fourth Princes encounter the Eighth Prince, they should also offer him some advice."

"Yes, sir!" The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince exchanged a glance and said respectfully.

After exchanging a few more words with the eldest prince and the others, the four of them parted ways.

After returning to the palace and resting for a while, Shen Ye continued to ponder Emperor Qianxi's intentions.

Did Emperor Qianxi think that Algishan and his group were moving too slowly, or did he want to test Etu?
Amidst a flurry of thoughts, Shen Ye said to Zhou Bao, "Go to Hesheli's house and inform Algishan that I will be going to their house tomorrow to see them off."

"Let them raise any difficulties they may be facing."

Seeing Shen Ye's solemn expression, Zhou Bao quickly said, "This servant will take care of it right away."

Zhou Bao was efficient; he returned in about half an hour.

However, after reporting to Shen Ye about his trip to see Algishan, Zhou Bao whispered, "Your Highness, on my way back, I encountered Nian Dongliang."

Shen Ye casually asked, "What does Nian Dongliang want with you?"

“Nian Dongliang asked me to inform the Crown Prince that he seems unlikely to pass this year’s imperial examination.”

“He said he still wanted to continue serving the Crown Prince,” Zhou Bao said solemnly. “Judging from Nian Dongliang’s expression, it seems like he’s heard something.”

Shen Ye knew about Nian Dongliang.

Although this person is slick, he is actually quite capable.

Moreover, with Nian Dongliang around, Shen Ye found it easy to use.

If Nian Dongliang fails the imperial examination in the capital, it will be tantamount to cutting off one of Shen Ye's arms.

After a moment's hesitation, Shen Ye said to Zhou Bao, "Tomorrow I'll leave the palace and go to the Hesheli family. Have Nian Dongliang wait around there. I want to see him."

"Also, after Algishan heard your message, he didn't react at all?"

Seeing Shen Ye's solemn expression, Zhou Bao said seriously, "Your Highness, I can assure you that Lord Algishan's expression is normal."

"I feel that he doesn't seem too opposed to going to Shengjing."

Shen Ye sighed softly. She wondered what Suo'etu would say to her when they met tomorrow.

　The second update for today is here, please support me!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)