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

Chapter 34 Where is your bottom line?

Dismissed from office, stripped of his title, and imprisoned!

Each move was more ruthless, more heart-wrenching, and more devastating than the last, making Orondai question his very existence.

He was completely bewildered. Should he be the one filing the complaint, or should the Crown Prince be the one complaining?

What exactly is going on? Why am I the one who got beaten up and wronged?
Feeling extremely wronged, the whip marks on her face stung even more.

Orondai knelt down with a thud, wailing to Emperor Qianxi with aggrieved expression, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's actions against me were purely intentional revenge. He was vindictive and petty because I hit his trusted eunuch, and he dug a pit for me to fall into."

"Your Majesty, please investigate this matter thoroughly and do justice for this humble servant!"

Despite his noble status, Orondai felt somewhat hesitant and timid at this moment.

The reason for this was that he was not facing an ordinary person, but the current crown prince.

Compared to the current crown prince, Orondai's status was far inferior.

No matter how wronged he felt, he could only pray to Emperor Qianxi to make a decision for him.

Instead of directly advising the emperor, like the crown prince, to dismiss him from office, strip him of his title, and imprison him!
He dared not confront the enemy directly and utter words like "deposed crown prince"!

Emperor Qianxi's gaze swept across Shen Ye and Orondai's faces before finally settling on Fahai.

Although he already had a guess about what was going on, Fahai's testimony as a witness was still very important.

"Fahai, tell me, what exactly is going on?"

Fahai was well aware of his crime of deceiving the emperor.

Therefore, when faced with Emperor Qianxi's question, Fahai did not hesitate and recounted the whole story impartially.

Of course, in some areas, he is still quite biased.

After all, the Crown Prince was upholding justice for him. If he couldn't even make his stance clear, how would others view him?

Even Emperor Qianxi probably felt that he was a person without any human warmth.

As Orondai listened to Fahai's account, he felt increasingly that things were not going his way.

Although he had said these things, he knew very well that his words would not do Emperor Qianxi any good.

"Your Majesty, Fahai and the Crown Prince are in cahoots. Please do not believe their nonsense."

Looking at Orondai, who was twisting his head, Emperor Qianxi snorted coldly and said, "Orondai, you say that Fahai is talking nonsense. Tell me, which of Fahai's statements is wrong?"

"When the Crown Prince punished you, there were quite a few guards present."

"If any sentence is incorrect, I will examine it for you one by one."

The Qianxi Emperor's cold voice slowly filled Orondai's angry heart with fear.

Although he likes to act recklessly, he is selective about who he is dealing with.

He also knew how to conduct himself properly with Emperor Qianxi.

Moreover, Emperor Qianxi's current attitude has already chilled him to the bone.

He dared not argue any further and simply lowered his head in silence.

Emperor Qianxi then turned to Orondai and said, "Tong Guogang has been dead for more than three years. How can he rest easy with your nonsense?"

"Issue the imperial decree: Orondai has misconducted and is hereby dismissed from his post as Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard. Tong Guowei is to supervise him, and he is to be confined to his home to study for one year."

In the eyes of the Qianxi Emperor, those who could serve as Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard were all his confidants.

Being dismissed from the position of Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard not only meant a change in position, but also a decline in the emperor's regard for the person.

Although Orondai was still a first-class duke, without a title, his prestige was immediately halved.

Orondai wanted to defend himself, but for a moment he couldn't find a starting point.

He hesitated for a moment, then said to Emperor Qianxi, "Your Majesty, I accept your punishment!"

"However, the Crown Prince's beating of this servant was an act of personal revenge. I urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

Shen Ye stood to the side, listening to Orondai's words, feeling a surge of emotion. This Orondai was simply a stubborn mule; even at this point, he still wanted to take a bite out of him.

However, Shen Ye was not afraid. He solemnly said to Emperor Qianxi, "Father, I have always put filial piety first in my actions."

"This time, I was so angry at Orondai's disloyal and unfilial words and deeds that I whipped him."

Upon hearing Shen Ye's explanation, Emperor Qianxi nodded in approval.

If the Crown Prince can grasp the concept of filial piety, then whatever Orondai says this time, he will be invincible.

Just as Emperor Qianxi thought Shen Ye was about to say something about not doing it again, Shen Ye said in a deep voice, "Although there was a reason for this, I feel that I am still somewhat lacking in self-cultivation."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you confiscate my golden horsewhip so that I may take this as a warning!"

Hearing about this punishment, Emperor Qianxi nodded inwardly. The Crown Prince's words sounded so righteous that even he seemed unable to refute them.

He thought the Crown Prince was just giving him a way out, but he didn't know that the reason Shen Ye was begging for punishment was actually to throw away the golden horsewhip.

When he transmigrated in his previous life, he remembered that the prince in the parallel universe had a major crime: tyranny.

The reason he is described as tyrannical is because he did whatever he wanted, whipping princes and ministers.

Although this gold-threaded horsewhip is beautiful, keeping it will ultimately be a hidden danger.

It would be better to take this opportunity to confiscate the goods, which would maximize the benefits.

Emperor Qianxi did not give Orondai a chance to speak, and said directly: "It is very good that the Crown Prince is able to reflect on himself and guard against arrogance and impetuosity. Do everything according to what the Crown Prince said."

At this point, he turned to Orondai and said, "Orondai, after you go back, have Fahai find an auspicious day to bury his mother in Lord Tong Guogang's cemetery."

"No mistakes."

"All of you may leave, except for the Crown Prince."

After the incident, Mingzhu stood aside without saying a word.

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's arrangement, he respectfully bowed and left, but as he departed, his gaze swept over Shen Ye.

The Crown Prince seems more difficult to deal with than ever before!
Although he only heard the general outline, he had already figured out the sequence of events.

The Crown Prince did not deal with Orondai in the usual straightforward manner. Instead, he used Fahai as an excuse, not only giving Orondai a beating but also causing Orondai to lose his official position.

Could it be that the Crown Prince has found a wise mentor to guide him?

Otherwise, why would the usually arrogant Crown Prince resort to such petty tricks?

Shen Ye paid no attention to Mingzhu's gaze; he was currently pondering why Emperor Qianxi had kept him in the palace.

Once only the father and son remained in the room, Emperor Qianxi said calmly, "Crown Prince, was your beating of Orondai truly motivated by a moment of righteous indignation?"

Looking at the calm Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye knew that if he continued to act at this moment, it would be to look down on the Emperor Qianxi's intelligence.

So he respectfully said, "Father, I am very angry that Orondai slapped Zhou Bao without cause. He did this because he doesn't respect me."

“Not taking the child seriously is not a big deal.”

"However, he does not take the Crown Prince appointed by you, Father Emperor, seriously, which is to show contempt for you, Father Emperor."

"Therefore, I must teach Orondai a lesson."

"Let him know that there are some bottom lines he can't cross!"

Emperor Qianxi nodded. Shen Ye's words made him realize that he had been too indulgent towards Orondai in the past.

He even forgot his bottom line.

Thinking about the bottom line, he looked at the Crown Prince again.

Orondai's bottom line is that he cannot disrespect imperial power, but what should the Crown Prince's bottom line be?

"The Crown Prince believes that Orondai has crossed the line. Then I ask you, where should the Crown Prince's line be?" Emperor Qianxi's voice suddenly rang out.

Happy Dragon Boat Festival everyone! Please support me, vote for me, and keep reading!



(End of this chapter)