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

Chapter 42 Virtuous, Gentle, Kind, and Forgiving
As dusk settled, Shen Ye, having finished dinner, was looking at the design plans for the garden he had named Wanfu Garden.

It was called a design drawing, but in reality, it was a drawing made by court painters using charcoal pencils on large sheets of Xuan paper after he returned.

This image is incredibly simple and straightforward!
Four roads crisscross the area, and rows of small houses stand densely packed together, creating a dizzying effect.

However, in Shen Ye's opinion, this was enough.

What he had to do was find work for those refugees.

As for whether the house is aesthetically pleasing or suitable for sale and promotion, there's no need to worry about that too much.

After all, he doesn't live there.

As for how to sell the house, that's even simpler.

Having already figured out a solution, he naturally wouldn't pursue any elegance just because he was selling the house.

"We'll have the Ministry of Works revise the underground drainage design, and then we can start construction," Shen Ye said with a smile to Shi Jingrong, who was standing to the side.

Shi Jingrong also had some knowledge of painting, and she felt dizzy looking at the densely packed drawings.

But the Crown Prince was watching with great interest, so she had no choice but to keep him company.

When Shen Ye looked away from the blueprints, she gently handed him a cup of tea and said, "Your Highness, you don't need to personally oversee the construction. Just instruct your subordinates to keep an eye on it."

"The sun has been blazing these past few days, please be careful not to get heatstroke."

Shi Jingrong said this because she didn't want the Crown Prince to be out in the hot sun on such a hot day.

Shen Ye nodded and said, "Don't worry, my beloved consort."

As he spoke, he reached out and put his arm around Shi Jingrong's waist. His hand was strong, and his gesture was meaningful.

A warm feeling welled up in Shi Jingrong's heart, but she advised, "Your Highness, it's been more than half a month, and you've been staying at my place all this time. It's a bit improper."

"You should also take care of Li Meiren and the others."

Shen Ye naturally knew who Li Meiren was.

She was a beauty bestowed upon the former crown prince by Emperor Qianxi before his formal marriage.

In terms of appearance, she is comparable to the current Crown Princess, but she comes from a humble background, as her family are bondservants of the Imperial Household Department.

To be honest, Emperor Qianxi was truly an excellent father.

Before each of his sons got married, he would bestow upon them a beautiful woman.

Shen Ye's relationship with the Crown Princess has progressed rapidly these days, so he naturally no longer pays attention to Consort Li and the others.

"I understand, we'll talk about it later." Shen Ye held Shi Jingrong's hand and smiled gently.

Although the weather outside was hot and dry, the ice inside made it feel like spring or summer, which really didn't affect the weather at all.

As the face drew ever closer, Shi Jingrong's blush deepened, but in the end, she took a breath and firmly pleaded, "Your Highness, please... please go to Consort Li's place."

"Otherwise, people will say that I am jealous and not virtuous enough."

As she said this, a tear glistened in Shi Jingrong's eyes.

Shen Ye looked at Shi Jingrong, who was looking down. Her skin was so delicate and smooth, and she exuded an indescribable shyness, like a tranquil water lily. Shen Ye's heart softened.

The past two weeks spent with Shi Jingrong have undoubtedly been very comfortable for Shen Ye.

If there's one perk of being the crown prince, it seems to be this beautiful and understanding crown princess.

The memories of the former crown prince let him know.

For the crown prince, the thing he feared most was losing his moral character.

For the Crown Princess, the most worrying thing is that she will be labeled as jealous.

Once this reputation is established, not only will the Empress Dowager inquire about it, but even the Qianxi Emperor will pay attention.

There was even a crown princess who was deposed because of her jealousy.

Looking at the pleading Crown Princess, he could only say perfunctorily, "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you this time, okay?" Hearing this, Shi Jingrong's expression relaxed, but she also felt a little reluctant.

Just then, Shen Ye said, "Anyway, it's still early, why don't you talk to me a little longer?"

Knowing that the Crown Prince was showing concern for her, Shi Jingrong's mood immediately improved.

In reality, the two of them had already discussed all the important matters in the palace; what they were saying now was mostly idle chatter.

For example, Shen Ye asked Shi Jingrong how she used to live at home; for example, what relatives Shi Jingrong had; for example...

Although these words were not particularly insightful, the conversation between the two filled Shi Jingrong's heart with tenderness.

Finally, half an hour later, urged by Shi Jingrong, Shen Ye arrived at the west side hall behind Yuqing Palace.

This is where Lady Li lives!
Having already received the news, Li Meiren was dressed in her finest attire, and under the lights, she appeared even more charming and alluring.

For so many days, she waited helplessly with a heart almost filled with despair, and finally, the man she had been hoping for arrived!
After a brief greeting, Li Meiren couldn't wait to throw herself into Shen Ye's arms...

After the fierce wind and rain, Shen Ye, who was satisfied, was about to rest when Li Meiren, who was lying in his arms, said softly, "Your Highness, there is something that I have been hesitating to tell you."

Shen Ye casually asked, "What is it?"

Shen Ye was quite satisfied with Consort Li. He could only say that Emperor Qianxi's judgment was very accurate.

Lady Li said, "Some time ago, Granny Tong asked someone to come to me for help."

"I want you to put in a good word for me and ask for a favor for Granny Tong's family."

"I heard that Ling Pu and his two sons have been sentenced to death by the Dali Temple, and even Granny Tong is to be executed."

"Although Granny Tong has done many wrong things, she is, after all, your wet nurse."

Li Meiren's voice trembled slightly as she said these words.

Clearly, she knew this was no small matter.

The reason she told Shen Ye this was not only because she had a good relationship with Granny Tong, but also because she felt that Shen Ye's neglect of Granny Tong's family seemed to be against the Crown Prince's wisdom.

So after serving the emperor this time, she mustered up the courage to tell him about it.

Shen Ye didn't have a good impression of Tong Mama's family.

After all, Granny Tong was a notorious rat in Yuqing Palace, and who knows how many things she stole.

However, Li Meiren made a statement that seems to be true: this Granny Tong was the former Crown Prince's wet nurse.

How did Emperor Qianxi treat his wet nurse?
Not only was she granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, but when she went to Jiangnan, she referred to this person as an elder of her family in front of princes, ministers, and gentry!

She placed even greater trust in Cao Yin, the wet nurse's son.

Although Cao Yin's efficiency in handling affairs also played a part.

However, Emperor Qianxi was not unaware of the other things the Cao family had done.

One side showered the wet nurse with gifts and favors, while the other ignored her completely—this is a stark contrast.

There is a good chance that someone will also impeach the Crown Prince for being cold-hearted by nature!
However, once I get involved in this matter, I'm afraid someone will drag me back into this imperial examination cheating case.

Moreover, Consort Li is in Yuqing Palace, while Granny Tong and her family are currently imprisoned in Dali Temple.

The distance between the two can be described as vast.

Under such circumstances, even pleas for mercy could be heard.

Was this done intentionally, or was it just a coincidence?
Shen Ye's eyes slowly turned cold.

Looking at the Crown Prince's changing expression, Li Meiren felt a little panicked, and even her body tensed up.

Although she knew that bringing up this matter was no small thing, she did not expect that it would make the Crown Prince take it so seriously.

Unbeknownst to her, she secretly felt a pang of regret.

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(End of this chapter)