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

Chapter 37 I really don't want to do anything

Sitting in the air-conditioned room, Nian Dongliang took out an approval document.

This grain was approved by the Ministry of Revenue to provide relief to the people who had gathered outside Shuntian Prefecture due to the drought.

However, although the approval was granted, the grain could not be delivered.

It's not that they refuse to give it to me, but they keep making excuses and delaying.

So much so that even though he had the approval document, he couldn't produce any grain.

If this continues, it won't be long before the soup kitchens can't even afford to cook soup anymore.

He came to see Shen Ye hoping to ask him to pull some strings and get some food. Unfortunately, he talked for so long that he neglected his business!
"My lord, how is it?" Zhou Xing, the registrar of Daxing County, walked over and asked expectantly.

Nian Dongliang waved his hand and said, "Lord Shen had urgent business to attend to, so I didn't have time to tell him."

At this point, he handed the official document with the approval to Zhou Xing and said, "Go and take another look at Taicang. We don't need all of it, just some to tide us over."

Zhou Xing was somewhat dissatisfied with this answer.

But what could he do when faced with a county magistrate who was two ranks higher than him?

"Yes, sir!" Zhou Xing glanced at the furnishings in the west wing and shook his head inwardly.

In the past, the west wing, although better than where one lived, was still limited in its amenities.

But now?
A large brass ice chest costs at least ten taels of silver.

Moreover, both the teacups used for drinking tea and the exquisite decorations indicate that the owner of this place is not short of money!

I'm destined to be a worker, and while I'm racking my brains over what to do with my chores, others are already leisurely enjoying themselves at the teahouse listening to storytelling.

However, this person is still young and has not yet gone to the Eight Great Hutongs to listen to opera!
"Why haven't you gone to do your errand yet?" Nian Dongliang asked the dazed registrar, displeased.

Zhou Xing honestly said, "Sir, it's too hot outside. Please let me cool off here for a while."

Hearing Zhou Xing's somewhat shameless words, Nian Dongliang could only say, "Have a cup of tea, chilled herbal tea."

……

Shen Ye had no idea that after he left, his nominal colleague in Daxing County was enjoying the shade he had left behind.

He rode in a spacious carriage, escorted by guards, and headed towards Dexing Tower.

The car was spacious, and there was a small ice chest inside, so it wasn't hot at all.

"Zhou Bao, do you think that the eldest daughter of the Nian family that Nian Dongliang mentioned was really rejected because she's pretty?"

While Nian Dongliang and Shen Ye were talking, Zhou Bao stood aside to serve them.

At this time, he was a servant, dressed in a blue robe and a small hat.

When Shen Ye asked him, he thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, it is indeed possible."

"After all, during the reign of the Empress Dowager, there was an imperial edict forbidding overly beautiful and alluring women from entering the palace, precisely because..."

Zhou Bao didn't say what it was, but Shen Ye understood perfectly.

He smiled and said, "Go and find out. If they've been rejected, let me know."

As the Crown Prince's personal eunuch, Zhou Bao was already Shen Ye's confidant. Furthermore, Shen Ye's punishment of Orondai for his sake made Zhou Bao even more loyal to Shen Ye from the bottom of his heart.

Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had actually fallen for a seductive woman who was about to be rejected by the Imperial Household Department during the imperial concubine selection, he hesitated for a moment before cautiously advising, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has already issued an edict."

“If you keep Miss Nian, then… then His Majesty will likely be displeased.”

"Your Highness, please reconsider!"

Zhou Bao's words do make some sense.

But Shen Ye knew very well that he would be the crown prince for nearly twenty more years.

At times like these, all efforts are in vain.

Why shouldn't he enjoy it? He needs to experience a few years of vibrant life first, otherwise, wouldn't that be just making things difficult for himself?
He immediately said calmly, "I know what I'm doing. You can handle it."

Just then, the car stopped, and someone respectfully said, "Sir, we've arrived at Dexing Restaurant."

Hearing this, Zhou Bao quickly opened the car door and helped Shen Ye out of the car. Shen Ye really wanted to tell Zhou Bao that he didn't need to do this, that she wasn't weak and frail.

But faced with Zhou Bao's resentful and frightened little eyes, Shen Ye could only silently accept this treatment.

I cannot let Bo Ren die because of me.

As always, Dexing Tower was bustling with pedestrians.

Standing on the bustling street, Shen Ye felt a strange sense of joy.

But just as he was about to step up the stairs, he heard someone shout, "Ma Er, don't you know that my master can't stand seeing anyone suffer?"

"What are you doing bringing two beggars here?"

Ma Er is a waiter at Dexinglou Restaurant, and he is always very shrewd and resourceful.

Moreover, this person has an extraordinary ability: he can remember almost everyone he has ever met.

At this moment, he had a towel draped over his shoulder and quickly bowed, saying, "Second Master, these are disaster victims from Baoding."

"I sought refuge with relatives, but couldn't find anyone."

“Our employer felt sorry for them, so he couldn’t very well kick them out.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye frowned, but decided to ignore it.

He's not the emperor yet, so it's not his place to concern himself with such matters.

He can't manage everything.

Just as he was about to go upstairs, he heard the man called Second Master say, "Ma Er, don't give me any random excuses."

"Let me tell you, our old man is the kindest-hearted man, he can't stand seeing people suffer."

"Get this person out of here right now, as far away as possible, or I'll tear down your Dexing Building!"

Hearing this, Shen Ye was speechless.

He even had an impulse to ask his grandfather's surname.

Because of this, Shen Ye looked toward the two people who had fallen to the ground not far from the entrance of Dexinglou.

There were two beggars, one big and one small, dressed in tattered clothes and with unkempt hair.

Especially the little beggar; although his face was obscured, the way he squatted on the ground was truly pitiful.

Shen Ye sighed softly.

He wasn't planning to do anything good, but he couldn't just turn a blind eye either.

He then said to Zhou Bao, "Go tell their manager to give them two bowls of braised pork noodles and put it on my tab."

Dexinglou's "Rotten Meat Noodles" may sound like "rotten meat noodles," but it uses only the finest pork.

Upon hearing the arrangement, Zhou Bao hurriedly walked towards the waiter Ma Er, while Shen Ye, surrounded by his subordinates, entered the private room on the second floor that he had reserved.

The windows of the private room were open, and several basins of cool water were placed there. On the octagonal table, candied fruits and other fruits were laid out.

Just as Shen Ye was about to pick up the tea he had poured and take a sip before continuing to listen to the lively story of "The Complete Biography of Yue Fei," he heard someone say, "Giving someone a bowl of noodles, do you think you're being very kind?"

Shen Ye was taken aback upon hearing this.

He traveled with dozens of attendants, including eight highly skilled imperial bodyguards.

It's practically impossible for someone to suddenly appear in front of him.

However, what alarmed him was that the voice sounded very familiar.

He quickly looked up and saw Emperor Qianxi, dressed in a dark green robe, standing at the door, coldly watching him.

Shen Ye was speechless upon seeing Emperor Qianxi.

It can't be such a coincidence, right?

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(End of this chapter)