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

Chapter 427 There is no unfaithful or unfilial crown prince in the world.

On the small stage of the hot spring resort, Xu Xian and Bai Niangzi were drinking realgar wine, all lovey-dovey!
The actors who played Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen were all from a professional small opera troupe trained in the palace, and they made a living by their acting skills.

With a flick of her water sleeves and a captivating gaze, Lady White Snake looked at Xu Xian with deep affection. Her performance was so earnest and heartfelt.

Although the background music was mostly left to the imagination, and the instrumental ensemble only played a few notes at key moments, it did not affect the audience's complete fascination and enjoyment, who were so engrossed that they didn't want to blink.

The Empress Dowager, in particular, is a die-hard fan of the Legend of the White Snake, watching the series more enthusiastically than anyone else every day.

When they see something touching, they wipe their eyes and occasionally curse Fahai, that old bald monk, for meddling in other people's business.

It's a pity that even though Shen Ye's script is brilliant, the actors still need time to rehearse, so only two episodes can be squeezed out a day.

In these two episodes alone, the actors were so engrossed in memorizing their lines that they would get dizzy and forget their lines from time to time. Once, the actress playing Xiaoqing called the man "sir" instead of "official" on stage, which caused the whole audience to burst into laughter.

This forced Shen Ye to send someone with the script to squat by the stage, ready to "prompt and save the day" at any time.

Even so, "The Legend of the White Snake" became a huge hit throughout the hot spring palace and became a top-rated drama.

The concubines would gather in groups to watch every day, and the fourteenth prince would "reserve a seat" in advance every day, even more enthusiastically than if he were attending class.

This show is so addictive, it's addictive!

After Bai Suzhen downed a mouthful of realgar wine, the second episode of today's show ended here again.

"Huh? It's over again?!" The Fourteenth Prince wailed, his face full of resentment, as if he thought, "I could watch another hundred episodes."

Not only him, but the audience members below the stage were all still not satisfied and wished they could tie the actors to the stage and have them continue performing.

The Empress Dowager smiled and said to Shen Ye, "Crown Prince, you always end each episode at the most crucial point. Are you deliberately trying to make people itch with anticipation? My heart is also filled with anxiety and worry."

Shen Ye chuckled: "Grandmother, this is called 'suspense,' it ends at the crucial moment. You'll still have to come back for more updates tomorrow, won't you?"

"Don't worry, tomorrow will be even more exciting, I guarantee you'll enjoy it to the fullest."

The Empress Dowager was so intrigued by what she heard that she turned to her personal maid and told her to come early the next day.

She then said to Shen Ye, "Once this play is fully rehearsed, I must watch it all in one go and satisfy my craving for opera!"

Shen Ye thought to herself: "Grandmother, this isn't like watching a TV series. If the actors had to act for three days straight, they'd be exhausted and foaming at the mouth..."

But he still obediently said, "Of course, I will have someone prepare soft cushions, a heater, and osmanthus cakes that Grandmother loves, so that Grandmother can enjoy the view to her heart's content."

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction, glanced around, and seeing everyone enthusiastically discussing the plot, lowered her voice and said to Shen Ye:
“Grandson, look at what’s being portrayed in this play. The principles of the world are always the same, it’s all about fathers and sons, husbands and wives. There’s no such thing as holding a grudge overnight.”

"Since some mistakes have been made, it's better to admit them sooner rather than later. Delaying them might lead to unforeseen changes, and it could be misled by those with ulterior motives."

"Look at Xu Xian in this play, so infatuated with Bai Suzhen, yet he still listens to Fahai's deliberate instigation. With Fahai's meddling, didn't it still lead to marital discord? If you ask me, men are just too easily swayed!"

"There are many people in the imperial court who are worse than Fahai. At least Fahai was a real monk. These people may appear virtuous on the surface, but they might not be so honest behind your back. They will find all sorts of ways to get back at you."

Shen Ye knew that the Empress Dowager meant well and was grateful, but he had no intention of backing down.

If we back down now, wouldn't all our previous insistence become a joke?
Moreover, he has already decided to lie down and become a "Buddhist crown prince." If he is deposed, so be it. It's better than enduring twenty years of frustration. Not to mention whether he can ascend the throne, he would probably have become depressed from the frustration long ago.

He said with a smile, "Grandson understands Grandmother's concern."

"But what my grandson insists on is related to the future of the country."

"Now is the critical moment. If we back down, all our previous efforts will be in vain."

"So your grandson has decided—to fight to the bitter end!"

After saying that, he waved his hand casually and said with a grin, "If things really can't be done, your grandson will stay here with Grandmother and watch 'The Legend of the White Snake' every day."

The Empress Dowager heard the stubbornness in his words and sighed, "Alright, alright, you've grown up and have your own ideas. Your grandmother can't force you."

"But you must remember that sometimes taking a step back can open up a whole new world."

Being too stubborn is not necessarily a good thing.

After watching the play for an hour, the Empress Dowager was tired and returned to the palace to rest, surrounded by a group of palace maids.

Although Shen Ye was only the "producer," she was exhausted. After arranging tomorrow's rehearsal, she slipped back to her own courtyard to drink tea.

Slumped in his armchair, having just taken a sip of tea, Zhou Bao came to report: "Your Highness, Master Wang Yan requests an audience! He's waiting outside!"

Shen Ye almost spat out his tea. Master Wang? Coming here in this freezing weather, are you here to force me to write an article?
Speaking of the Crown Prince's tutor, Wang Yan, he was quite a remarkable person.

His moral essays are first-rate, and he quotes extensively from classical texts when writing memorials to the throne. But if you ask him to offer advice... he becomes a bit "textbook conservative," only able to repeat the same old phrases like "the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed" and "the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues cannot be violated."

Shen Ye initially wanted to pretend to be asleep and not see, but then he thought that since he was idle anyway, he might as well see what this old scholar was going to do today, so he waved his hand and said, "Please come to Master Wang's study for tea."

As soon as Wang Yan entered, Shen Ye greeted him warmly: "Teacher, what are you doing here in this freezing weather? If you need anything, you can just send a message through a servant. What if you get frostbite?"

Wang Yan was a scholar who valued etiquette. Even though Shen Ye told him not to bow, he insisted on kowtowing properly.

Shen Ye couldn't stop him; he could only watch helplessly as the old man knelt down, trembling, as if he were paying homage to his ancestors rather than paying respects to the Crown Prince. Shen Ye had no choice but to quickly help him up: "Teacher, how have you been lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This old minister's bones can still hold up, and the cold weather is no problem."

Wang Yan changed the subject: "This old minister was able to come this time with His Majesty's special permission; otherwise, I would not have been able to see you."

Shen Ye raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. Well, this is an ambassador who has come with imperial authority to persuade people to surrender!
He remained calm and waited for Wang Yan to continue.

"Your Highness, although I was not present when His Majesty returned to the palace, I have heard about it."

"To say something you may not like, this old minister was truly worried for you at the time!"

Wang Yan said solemnly, "Your Majesty is not only your father, but also the ruler of all the people and the nation."

"Disobeying His Majesty is a capital offense!"

"His Majesty has only allowed you to reflect on your mistakes at the Hot Spring Palace; this is already an extraordinary act of mercy, an immense grace!"

“As a subject, you should admit your mistake; as a son, you should admit your mistake even more.”

"This is not only loyalty, but also filial piety!"

"There is no unfaithful or unfilial crown prince in the world!"

Wang Yan spoke his last sentence with such conviction, as if he had returned to the classroom where he used to teach the Crown Prince.

He actually pulled out a copy of the Classic of Filial Piety, saying, "Your Highness, look, it says here..."

Just as the live demonstration was about to begin, Shen Ye quickly interrupted: Here we go again, isn't this the classic "loyalty and filial piety blackmail"...

He calmly retorted, "Master Wang, Yunye cannot agree with what you said."

"The principle of taxation for officials and gentry is a major policy of the court, concerning the fate of the nation. If it is not implemented, the court will sooner or later follow in the footsteps of the previous dynasty."

He counted on his fingers for examples: "Think about it, didn't the previous dynasty leave Wang Yan speechless with a series of combined punches?"

“This matter concerns the survival of our ancestors’ legacy, and I absolutely cannot back down.”

"I believe that obedience is not necessarily loyalty and filial piety; preventing the Emperor from making mistakes is true loyalty and filial piety!"

Wang Yan was somewhat bewildered by this set of "modern rhetoric" and was momentarily speechless.

It's true that he's well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, but where have you ever seen this kind of keyboard warrior-style rebuttal from the internet?
After thinking it over, he realized he couldn't reason with Shen Ye, so he had to change his strategy:

“Your Highness, the fact that His Majesty sent this old minister shows that he still cares about you.”

"Moreover, in recent days, many people have submitted petitions hoping to reduce the tax burden on officials and gentry, but His Majesty has remained silent. This is all due to His Majesty's deep love for his son, and he is clearly waiting for your opinion!"

"If you submit a memorial of apology, His Majesty will certainly not continue to make things difficult for you."

"I urge Your Highness to reconsider, and not let any people take advantage of this situation."

He leaned closer and said mysteriously, "This old minister has also heard that the Crown Prince was ordered to study behind closed doors, which is probably also related to you."

Shen Ye rolled his eyes inwardly: Boss is courting death again? Just as expected! With his IQ, it's a miracle he's even grown up safely.

He looked at Wang Yan, who had a sincere expression on his face, and personally poured tea for his teacher. "I appreciate your kindness, Lord Wang. I know you mean well."

“If it were anything else, I would admit my mistake without a problem. As you said, as your son, filial piety comes first.”

"But this matter concerns the future of the court, and I cannot comply. I cannot back down."

“I’m afraid that if I step down, I’ll never be able to go back.”

After saying that, he changed his tone and said seriously, "Master Wang, it's cold and the roads are slippery today, so you don't need to go back. I'll have Zhou Bao arrange for you to soak in a hot spring, experience the newly built hot spring pool, and also prepare some snacks and a change of clothes to relax."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan knew that the Crown Prince was about to "send off" the guests.

He'd said everything he needed to say, but he was still not satisfied.

He paced back and forth a few times, and just before leaving, he lowered his voice and said to Shen Ye:

"Your Highness, haste makes waste."

"Some things can't be done now, but we can wait until the time is right."

"Everything will fall into place naturally, and you won't have to worry about any backlash."

Shen Ye understood: Wang Yan was implying that he should carry out sweeping reforms after he ascended the throne, at which point he would have great power and could do whatever he wanted.

Shen Ye nodded with a smile, but inwardly she was cursing: Teacher, you have no idea how long my father can endure!
Waiting for him to retire? I'm afraid I'll have to wait from a handsome young man until I'm old and gray!

By then, let alone implementing new policies, we probably won't even be able to read the words on the memorials! If I bow my head now, I'll have to suffer for twenty years!
Who can stand this?
The next twenty years or so are going to be incredibly tough!

(End of this chapter)