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

Chapter 327 Not only will they deal with your people, they'll also file a complaint against you.
The tactic of making an example of someone to scare others is indeed effective!

But if you do the opposite and kill a monkey to scare the chickens, the effect will be even more amazing!
This time, Tong Guowei personally intervened, losing face, but ironically, this made the disbursement of silver by Yuqing Bank much smoother.

Seeing that the situation had stabilized, Shen Ye gave Nian Jinfu a few instructions and then left with Zhou Bao.

However, Erlengtai still left a few guards at Yuqing Bank to help maintain order.

As soon as Shen Ye returned to the palace, he went straight to the Qianqing Palace without saying a word!
Having worked his way up from the bottom for so many years, he knew all too well that this time he had gone against Emperor Qianxi's wishes, and Emperor Qianxi must be furious.

With Emperor Qianxi's intelligence and wisdom, he should have known his intentions in doing so.

But the explanation still needs to be given—this is not just about stating the situation, but also a matter of attitude.

Of course, in addition to explaining, Shen Ye also had to complain!

Even the wicked know to file a complaint first; if you're in the right, you should file a complaint first!
In this matter, although Tong Guowei claimed he was unaware that Tong San was receiving a salary, did he really not know?

As the chief Grand Secretary, knowing the nation was in dire straits and with his own family's wealth piling up, he not only failed to understand the lack of funds in the Taicang granary but also took the lead in collecting his salary. This is a grave offense!
Even if you are the emperor's uncle, I am still the crown prince.
You can sue, and so can I!

Outside the Qianqing Palace, there was never a shortage of ministers queuing up to see the emperor.

Upon seeing Shen Ye approach, everyone's eyes held a strange look, but their manners remained impeccable.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Li Guangdi greeted him with a smile.

Shen Ye knew that this former Minister of Personnel and current Governor-General of Zhili would be Zhang Ying's successor after gaining some experience.

He immediately replied with a smile, "When did Master Li return to Beijing?"

"I just arrived today." Li Guangdi still had a faint smile on his face.

He used to be the Crown Prince's tutor, but their relationship was never very close.

However, ever since Shen Ye started calling him "Master" whenever they met, the relationship between the two seemed to have eased considerably.

At the very least, Li Guangdi would occasionally offer Shen Ye a few subtle hints.

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Master Li must be tired from your journey. When do you have time, let's go to Yuqing Palace for a cup of tea."

"I've been reading Mencius recently, but I've encountered quite a few difficulties."

"When you have time, Master Li, please give me some pointers and clear up my doubts."

Li Guangdi was renowned for his study of Mencius, and upon hearing Shen Ye's words, he was very pleased: "It is my honor to be able to enlighten the Crown Prince."

As the two were talking, Liang Jiugong walked over, glanced at the Crown Prince first, and then whispered to Li Guangdi, "Lord Li, His Majesty invites you in."

Li Guangdi was stunned when he heard Liang Jiugong's greeting.

Although the order of arrival for an audience with Emperor Qianxi was based on first come, first served, this rule was observed only by the officials, not the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince can cut in line at any time!

After all, he was a semi-ruler and the son of Emperor Qianxi, so Emperor Qianxi granted him such privileges.

But now that the Crown Prince has arrived, His Majesty has actually summoned me in first... This...

Li Guangdi hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Eunuch Liang, what about the Crown Prince..."

He didn't say what he was about to say, but Liang Jiugong understood what he meant.

In fact, Liang Jiugong needed Li Guangdi to deliver this message, and he said with a helpless expression, "Lord Li, this is His Majesty's will."

He seemed to be saying this to Li Guangdi, but in reality, he was saying it to Shen Ye: Your Highness, it's not that I didn't report it, nor that I interfered; it's His Majesty who made you wait here.

This is His Majesty's punishment!

After saying this, Liang Jiugong secretly winked at Shen Ye.

Although Shen Ye disliked Liang Jiugong's way of relaying messages, she still returned a smile.

Li Guangdi cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Ye, then followed Liang Jiugong inside.

Although he didn't know what had happened, he didn't want to get involved at a time like this.

Your Highness and Your Majesty, it's most important for us to protect ourselves!

Shen Ye scoffed at Emperor Qianxi's petty trick of leaving him hanging. Before he transmigrated, he had been left hanging before!
He stood calmly to one side, chatting casually with several ministers who had come to see Emperor Qianxi.

Li Guangdi reported quickly; in less than fifteen minutes, he came out with Liang Jiugong.

Liang Jiugong's expression, however, was not good.

He was truly in a dilemma, but he couldn't disobey Emperor Qianxi's orders.

"Lord Cheng, His Majesty requests your presence!"

Lord Cheng, who was talking to Shen Ye, turned pale when he heard Liang Jiugong's words!
He originally thought that His Majesty would only ask the Crown Prince to wait a little while, but he did not expect that he would end up ahead of the Crown Prince in line.

Although the current scene clearly shows His Majesty and the Crown Prince vying for power, he is caught in the middle and finds it very difficult.

He could only give Shen Ye an awkward smile and quickly followed Liang Jiugong inside.

Shen Ye glanced at the people queuing behind him and knew in his heart: if he continued to wait like this, Emperor Qianxi would definitely call them in one by one, leaving him out in the cold!
This might be his punishment for embarrassing the emperor in front of Tong Guowei.

A surge of anger welled up inside Shen Ye, and he wanted to storm off. However, while walking away would feel satisfying, it would only strain the father-son relationship further, making the conflict even more pronounced.

Of course, in the end, it is oneself who suffers.

Who told him to be the crown prince, not the emperor!
But should they continue waiting? Shen Ye was unwilling to do so.

So after a moment's hesitation, he turned to the minister behind him and said, "Lord Xu, must your matter be reported to His Majesty now?"

Lord Xu was on pins and needles, feeling extremely uncomfortable with the Crown Prince waiting behind him.

When the Crown Prince asked him this, a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he stammered, "Your Highness, this servant has already submitted a petition to request an audience, this..."

Shen Ye had a faint smile on his face: "Lord Xu, everyone has to go to the toilet sometimes. If you have an upset stomach and can't stand it anymore, it's understandable to go to the privy."

"What do you say?"

Lord Xu immediately understood—although being persuaded to leave by the Crown Prince might displease His Majesty, it was still better than being caught in the middle.

Lord Xu glanced at the Crown Prince twice, then suddenly clutched his stomach and said to a young eunuch, "Young eunuch, my stomach is upset. Please take me to the privy."

The young eunuch had served outside the Qianqing Palace for many years, and he was well aware of what was happening. He said nothing and silently led him away.

Shen Ye glanced at the departing Lord Xu, but before he could speak, the others reacted immediately. Someone clutched their stomach, looking pained, and said, "Ouch, my stomach is a little uncomfortable too. I'll go to the yamen too."

"I haven't submitted my manuscript yet!"

"I have something urgent to attend to, I need to go take care of it first!"

"Oh dear, I have something to do too..."

In the blink of an eye, the ministers who had been waiting in line vanished like a gust of wind.

Looking at the empty corridor, Shen Ye chuckled to himself. These ministers were indeed shrewd and perceptive, having navigated the political arena for so many years. They understood everything at a glance.

Thus, Shen Ye was left alone outside the Qianqing Palace.

When Liang Jiugong accompanied Lord Cheng out to report, he was stunned to see the empty scene:
"Where is Lord Xu?" Liang Jiugong asked the young eunuch standing to the side in astonishment.

"Lord Xu has a bit of an upset stomach and has gone to the privy's quarters." The little eunuch glanced at Shen Ye as he spoke.

Liang Jiugong was extremely astute; he immediately realized that the Crown Prince had done something wrong. However, he still deliberately asked, "Where are the other officials?"

"The other adults either have stomach problems or have urgent matters to attend to," the little eunuch said in a low voice. "They all said they would come back later."

Helpless, Liang Jiugong approached Shen Ye and said, "Your Highness, this servant must go and report again."

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Eunuch Liang, it's almost lunchtime. I went out to distribute salaries and haven't eaten yet!"

"If Father is too busy to see me right now, I'll just have to have a meal at Qianqing Palace!"

Liang Jiugong chuckled twice but didn't reply.

He really didn't want to get involved in this battle of wits between father and son, nor could he afford to. His job was simply to relay messages.

Emperor Qianxi was stretching his muscles at this moment—he had been sitting all morning and was indeed a little tired.

He was quite pleased that the Crown Prince had arrived so quickly.

After all, this rebellious son, no matter how ruthless he may be in front of outsiders, is at least very sensible and knows what is important when he is with me.

However, he made Tong Guowei lose face in front of him, so he had to be taught a lesson and punished.

That's why Emperor Qianxi deliberately ignored him.

This will teach this brat a lesson!
No matter how capable you are, you cannot escape my grasp!

"Why did you come in alone?" Emperor Qianxi asked in surprise when he saw Liang Jiugong enter alone.

Liang Jiugong replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, some of the other officials have stomach problems, and others have encountered urgent matters, so they have all gone to attend to their own affairs... Only the Crown Prince is waiting for you now!"

Emperor Qianxi understood immediately and snorted coldly, "That bastard! Does he think that I'll see him like this? Humph! Let him keep waiting!"

Seeing that Emperor Qianxi was still angry, Liang Jiugong wanted to persuade him but dared not. After hesitating for a moment, he finally mustered the courage to stammer, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince said... he went to collect his salary and has been busy until now without having eaten. If you are not available to see him now, he plans to have lunch in the Qianqing Palace!"

"This servant believes that the Crown Prince has indeed been busy all morning, and is probably quite hungry by now..."

Emperor Qianxi snorted and said, "Let him in."

Liang Jiugong was overjoyed, feeling a relief on his brow, and quickly agreed and withdrew.

Although I don't know how things will develop next, at least I'm no longer caught in the middle of this uncomfortable situation between the father and son!
"Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence." Liang Jiugong whispered a reminder, "Please be careful not to displease His Majesty again."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye nodded to Liang Jiugong.

He straightened his clothes and strode into the Qianqing Palace.

Upon seeing Emperor Qianxi, just as he was about to bow, Emperor Qianxi frowned and looked at him coldly, saying, "Crown Prince, you have truly made progress!"

"You even dare to disobey my decree!"

(End of this chapter)