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

Chapter 4 Killing someone with a borrowed knife

Back in the East Study, Shen Ye glanced at the not-so-large wall clock and realized it was only a little past eight o'clock in the evening.

Before the time travel, this time of day was basically when nightlife was just beginning. Even if people weren't going out, they were usually engrossed in playing on their phones.

But now, where is he going to find a phone?

Shen Ye picked up a book at random, but after only glancing at it twice, he couldn't bear to look at it anymore.

Although the original crown prince left him with a good foundation in classical Chinese and he could understand the contents of the book, who would have the time to pick up the Book of Rites and read it?

After flipping through a few pages out of boredom, feeling a bit drowsy, he prepared to rest on the bed in the study.

Just as he put down his book, a soft knock sounded on the door.

Shen Ye frowned, wondering why there was something else going on at this time. He said, "Come in," and saw his personal attendant, the eunuch Zhou Bao, walk in.

Zhou Baocai had only been Shen Ye's close follower for a short time, so he looked a little nervous when he came to see Shen Ye.

"Your Highness, which concubine's residence would you like to stay at tonight? I'd like to make the arrangements for you."

Upon hearing this somewhat hesitant question, Shen Ye suddenly realized.

Although he didn't have the same privilege as Emperor Qianxi, who could choose his concubines before bed each night, he still had a personal eunuch to supervise him.

Currently, there are four palace women of the rank of Cai Ren or above in Yuqing Palace.

According to the original crown prince's memory, his most beloved concubine was Consort Li.

However, now that Shen Ye had spent several days relaxing, she had no intention of going directly to the harem.

He casually said, "I'm resting in the study today, you may leave."

Upon hearing this response, Zhou Bao's forehead sweated considerably.

For him, who had just become the Crown Prince's personal attendant, this position was his path to advancement, but it also made him feel extremely apprehensive.

After all, his predecessor had been executed by the Qianxi Emperor just a few days earlier.

"Yes." Zhou Bao left cautiously.

Lying on the bed, which was luxuriously decorated but felt a bit hard to Shen Ye, he couldn't help but let his mind wander.

Now that I've decided to lie down, how should I do it?
Are they oblivious to what's happening around them? Or are they indulging in wine, women, wealth, and power?
As a normal person, Shen Ye almost immediately chose wine, women, wealth, and power. After making his choice, Shen Ye wondered what Emperor Qianxi's attitude would be when he found out what he had done.

It seems that I don't need to worry about Emperor Qianxi's attitude.

If you're already lying down, why bother with all that other stuff?

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Ye drifted off to sleep.

I can't sleep alone. It seems I'll have to hire someone to sleep with me tomorrow.

The sun still rose, and Granny Tong entered the palace early in the morning, her face full of joy.

When she returned home last night, she had already discussed it with her husband. Although the Crown Prince had not agreed, the reward money for the Xishan Ruijian Camp would still be paid.

As for where this money came from, it was simply a matter of finding several wealthy scholars and promising them places in the next provincial examination.

The Crown Prince wouldn't care how many he promised; they could promise two more.

Furthermore, since the ruthless Xishan Ruijian Camp wouldn't be going to settle accounts with the Crown Prince, this time, their own income of twenty to thirty thousand taels of silver was more than enough.

Thinking of the gleaming silver coins, Granny Tong's smile widened even more.

Although she was just a servant, Granny Tong had her own room in Yuqing Palace. Although it wasn't big, it was decorated very luxuriously.

Moreover, the expenses there were only slightly less than those for the Crown Princess.

After taking a sip of the tribute-grade fragrant tea, Granny Tong let out a soft breath.

Even before the crown prince has ascended the throne, their family's fortunes have already improved.

Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, won't he be able to take off from where he started? Even if I can't become the Lady of the Imperial Household, I still have to earn a title for my family.

It should still be hereditary!

Just as Granny Tong was happily imagining the future, she suddenly felt that something was off about today.

After a careful look, everything seemed normal.

Just as she was about to ponder, she heard the door being gently pushed open, and two maids dressed in palace attire walked in.

Walking in front was none other than Xiao Rou, the Crown Princess's personal attendant.

Most people treat Xiao Rou with utmost courtesy, after all, she is a favorite of the Crown Princess.

But Granny Tong was different.

In her view, she was the Crown Prince's wet nurse, and even the Crown Princess had to give her some respect.

Why should I give a maid a nice look?

So she remained motionless, not even lifting her eyelids, and continued to quietly drink her tea.

"Granny Tong, the Crown Princess requests your presence." Xiao Rou's face was adorned with a radiant smile.

Faced with Xiao Rou's radiant smile, Tong Mama felt a strange sense of displeasure.

What a shameless slut!

Laughing so happily, who are you trying to seduce?
Even if you smile obsequiously, your master won't win the Crown Prince's favor, and you'll never become one of his close associates. And when my niece grows up two more years, this Yuqing Palace…

With that thought in mind, Granny Tong said calmly, "Miss Xiaorou, the Crown Princess has a plan, and this old servant should go there immediately."

“But the Crown Prince requires this old servant to go and report to him every morning. This old servant can’t be divided in two by himself.”

"Please inform the Crown Princess that this old servant will go to see the Crown Princess immediately after seeing the Crown Prince."

If it were any other day, Xiaorou would definitely be very annoyed to hear such words.

After all, a subject should die for his master if he is disgraced. By saying this, Granny Tong is clearly using the Crown Prince to suppress her own Crown Princess.

But today, her expression held a hint of slyness.

That old hag only thought about using the Crown Prince to intimidate her young mistress, but she didn't expect that this time, getting rid of her was the Crown Prince's doing.

So Xiaorou said calmly, "Granny Tong, our Crown Princess is seeing you this time on the Crown Prince's orders."

"You'd better hurry over there."

Hearing this, Granny Tong was unwilling, but she dared not say anything more.

After all, not long ago, Emperor Qianxi had killed several of the Crown Prince's close associates.

If he disobeyed the Crown Princess's orders without a legitimate reason, and Emperor Qianxi found out, the consequences would certainly be unimaginable...

Granny Tong immediately stood up and said, "I was just about to pay my respects to the Crown Princess."

Yuqing Palace wasn't very big, so it didn't take long for Granny Tong to arrive at the rear hall where the Crown Princess resided.

Looking at the head eunuchs and palace maids standing respectfully in the back hall, Granny Tong suddenly realized what was going on.

The reason why I felt something was wrong today was very simple: the eunuchs and palace maids who used to report to me every day had all gone to the Crown Princess's place.

She had a vague sense of foreboding.

Looking at the Crown Princess, who was dressed in formal attire and exuded an even more awe-inspiring aura, Granny Tong hesitated for a moment before respectfully saying, "This old servant greets the Crown Princess."

Shi Jingrong stared at Granny Tong expressionlessly, her demeanor unchanged from before.

She said calmly, "No need for formalities, Granny. Xiao Rou, bring Granny a stool."

Upon hearing this, Xiaorou quickly grabbed a stool and placed it next to Granny Tong.

Tong Mama's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was now greatly relieved. After expressing her gratitude to the Crown Princess, she sat down with ease.

In her view, she was the Crown Prince's wet nurse, and her family were his confidants. It was perfectly normal for her to have a seat in front of the Crown Princess!
Shi Jingrong asked a few questions about Tong Mama's health, which made Tong Mama feel very comfortable. However, just as she was about to relax, the Crown Princess said calmly, "Mama, the Crown Prince is very concerned about your health."

"In order to allow you to enjoy your old age in peace, he told you to stay at home and enjoy your life there, and to come to Yuqing Palace only on holidays and festivals."

"Furthermore, your retirement allowance will be delivered to your residence every month, according to your rank as a concubine."

For an ordinary nanny, this would be a long-awaited blessing, but for Granny Tong, it was a bolt from the blue.

The monthly salary of a talented woman is ten taels of silver, which is quite a lot according to current prices. After all, the annual salary of a seventh-rank county magistrate is only one hundred and twenty taels of silver.

However, this amount of money is far less than the immense benefits that Yuqing Palace offers.

Granny Tong was taken aback for a moment, then stood up and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince will absolutely not let me leave Yuqing Palace."

"You are spreading the Crown Prince's orders incorrectly."

"I need to see the Crown Prince!"

Shi Jingrong looked at Tong Mama, who was acting somewhat like a shrew, and said calmly, "Tong Mama, this is Yuqing Palace."

"With the Crown Prince watching over us, would I dare to relay his orders?"

"You have been in the palace for many years, do not lose your dignity."

The last sentence, spoken by Shi Jingrong, sounded somewhat stern. It was these final words that instantly brought Tong Mama to her senses.

She then realized that this was not the place for her to throw a tantrum.

So after a moment's hesitation, she said, "Your Highness, I really can't bear to part with the Crown Prince, so I was rude for a moment. Please forgive me."

"I want to kowtow to the Crown Prince as a way of saying goodbye."

Shi Jingrong said without any anger, "Granny Tong, the Crown Prince has already given instructions that he will study hard these two days and will not see anyone."

"If you are so inclined, why not help the Crown Prince recite the 'Sutra for Increasing Blessings and Longevity' a few more times?"

Faced with the Crown Princess's impeccable response, Tong Mama felt a deep sense of powerlessness. She realized that she had no power to resist the Crown Princess at all.

Helpless, she had no choice but to obey and take her leave.

However, as she walked out of the inner hall, her heart was filled with resentment.

Just as she was pondering how to resolve her own crisis, a young eunuch rushed over.

The young eunuch's face lit up when he saw Granny Tong, and he quickly said, "Granny, Master Ling asks you to quickly tell the Crown Prince that the scholars who took the provincial examination in Shuntian Prefecture are causing a disturbance at the examination hall, claiming that there was cheating in the provincial examination! They are now carrying the tablet of the Great Master of the Imperial Academy and heading towards the Temple of Confucius."

"We urge Your Highness to make a decision as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing this, Granny Tong felt her head buzz for a moment.

The sorrow just moments before instantly turned into fear!
She knew that the real disaster was about to strike!
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(End of this chapter)