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

Chapter 429 Giving You a Show: The Emperor's Final Warning
When Liang Jiugong saw Mingzhu off and tiptoed back to the Qianqing Palace, he saw Emperor Qianxi holding his imperial brush, writing furiously on a memorial.

Although he didn't dare to peek at what was written, Liang Jiugong knew exactly what was going on.

Suddenly, I felt a renewed sense of wariness towards Mingzhu.

Although this old fox has retired from the court, it does not affect his sharp hearing and keen insight, which is far beyond that of ordinary people.

Putting aside other things, his precise grasp of Emperor Qianxi's thoughts and his ability to fathom the emperor's intentions were quite remarkable:
Does the imperial court only need one voice?
That's the Emperor's voice!

Mingzhu's words were like a tickle on Emperor Qianxi's heart, hitting the nail on the head with a precision that was frightening.

Emperor Qianxi would not change this explanation, nor would he be willing to change it.

In this respect alone, Mingzhu has surpassed the vast majority of people in the imperial court.

Just as he was standing cautiously to the side, trying to remain invisible, he heard Emperor Qianxi suddenly speak up: "To heal the sick and save lives, one must at least give them a chance."

"Doesn't the Crown Prince enjoy watching plays? Have someone arrange for the opera troupe to perform 'The Reconciliation of General and Minister' tomorrow afternoon, specifically the part about him carrying thorns to apologize."

"Go!"

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's order, Liang Jiugong's heart skipped a beat.

He naturally knew what Emperor Qianxi meant.

This is telling the Crown Prince that he must apologize profusely and take the initiative to admit his mistake; otherwise…

Are we really going to force the Crown Prince to return to the capital to raise horses, and then depose him?

Liang Jiugong admired the Crown Prince's skillful methods.

With such a future emperor in charge, the peace and stability of the court is naturally not a problem.

But if the crown prince is deposed, then who should be the new crown prince?

Just as Liang Jiugong was quietly moving back, he heard Emperor Qianxi speak in a low voice: "You have contact with Zhou Bao, don't you?"

These words were like a wake-up call, startling Liang Jiugong so much that he knelt down on the ground with a thud.

My heart trembled as I thought, "Oh no, oh no, is the emperor going to investigate who I've been in contact with?"

Amidst a jumble of thoughts swirling in his mind, he quickly explained, "This servant does indeed have some connection with Zhou Bao. After all, as the chief eunuch of the palace, I often need to consult with Yuqing Palace on many matters..."

Before Liang Jiugong could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Emperor Qianxi.

"Stop! I didn't ask you those questions. I want you to pass on a message to Zhou Bao: Time waits for no one!"

Liang Jiugong breathed a long sigh of relief.

At this moment, he felt a surge of resentment towards Emperor Qianxi.

If you have something for me to do, just say so. Can you please stop pausing like that? You almost gave me a heart attack!

I was afraid you would investigate my connection with Zhou Bao and accuse me of colluding with the Crown Prince!

Although he was inwardly grumbling, Liang Jiugong dared not neglect his duties in the slightest.

"Slave, you obey!"

Emperor Qianxi's orders were carried out very quickly.

So when Shen Ye enthusiastically invited the Empress Dowager to watch the play again, the person on the stage was no longer the delicate Bai Suzhen, but a dark-faced Lian Po.

Faced with this situation, Zhou Bao rushed over in a panic and explained awkwardly, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince, this play was specially arranged by His Majesty."

"They said they could let the Crown Prince take a look!"

After saying that, he carefully added, "It's...it's the poem 'Bearing Thorns to Plead Guilty' by Jiang Xianghe!"

"It'll take half an hour to perform!"

Upon hearing Zhou Bao's words, Shen Ye's expression changed.

What a ridiculous act of carrying thorns to apologize! This old man is forcing me to carry thorns to apologize to him!

But don't you think your methods are a bit too direct?

With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Shen Ye tentatively said to the Empress Dowager, "Grandmother, how about I have them perform the play that Father arranged in my courtyard?"

"Are you going to continue reading 'The Legend of the White Snake'?"

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "Crown Prince, you know your father's temperament. Since he sent you this 'Bearing Thorns to Plead Guilty' proclamation, you should take a good look at it."

"After reading it, you should think about what you should do."

"You've copied the Classic of Filial Piety so many times, I believe you won't let me and your father down."

Looking at the Empress Dowager's solemn expression, Shen Ye cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I will definitely watch this play carefully."

The Empress Dowager glanced at Shen Ye twice, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

She also wanted to tell Shen Yeming that he had many brothers.

However, it is really inappropriate for the Empress Dowager to say such things!
Moreover, the Crown Prince is well aware of this.

The opera "Bearing Thorns to Plead Guilty" was sung very well, performed by a famous actor, and the plot was also very exciting. However, many of the viewers were not paying attention.

For the young palace maids, this play was not as entertaining as "The Legend of the White Snake".

However, the ladies in the palace naturally understood the meaning of the play.

However, at this moment, they all pretended to be ignorant, and none of them wanted to get involved in the mess between the emperor and the crown prince.

This mess is far too big; one wrong move and those who get involved could face utter ruin.

After the generals and ministers finished singing, the Empress Dowager did not allow the performance of "The Legend of the White Snake" to continue, but left directly.

As she left, she said meaningfully to Shen Ye, "Your Highness, I'm old and don't understand any grand principles, but I do know one thing. Just like me, almost all my teeth have fallen out, but my tongue is as nimble as it was when I was young."

After saying this, the Empress Dowager helped the Ninth Princess and walked away.

The Empress Dowager and Shen Ye spoke in a low voice, so not many people heard them.

The Ninth Princess clearly heard it. She glanced at Shen Ye in surprise, a hint of fear creeping into her expression.

As for the concubines present, they all left quickly without saying a word.

After Shen Ye bowed and saw off the Empress Dowager, Shi Jingrong and Nian Xinyue quickly came to Shen Ye's side.

Although both of them were pregnant, they still longed to see a stage play like "The Legend of the White Snake".

But to his surprise, he came to see a play where he was seen carrying thorns to apologize.

Shi Jingrong was well-read and naturally understood the purpose of Emperor Qianxi sending someone to deliver this play.

She knew even better that the emperor had already asked her to apologize, and if she continued to be stubborn, the crown prince would definitely be the one to suffer.

So she gently advised, "Your Highness, His Majesty sent this excerpt from an opera. It seems he still cares about you."

"Otherwise, His Majesty would not have done so."

"The so-called thunder and rain are all the emperor's grace, and there is no enmity between father and son."

"Whether from the perspective of filial piety or from the perspective of the imperial court, you should make a concession!"

Shen Ye took a small step and said, "Jingrong, this matter is not so simple."

“If it’s a minor matter, I wouldn’t mind humbly apologizing.”

"But if we back down from something like this, we'll never have peace again."

At this point, he patted Shi Jingrong on the shoulder and said, "Being the Crown Prince is really tiring for me. I'd rather just live a quiet life."

"Father is in his prime, we can still live a peaceful life for twenty or thirty years."

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, a hint of doubt flashed across Shi Jingrong's expression.

She often saw Emperor Qianxi and knew that this eunuch was at the height of his power, and his current state did not resemble that of someone who was about to meet Emperor Taizu.

Two or three decades of peaceful life and two or three decades of walking on thin ice—thinking about it fills her heart with bewilderment.

She's torn!
However, she knew very well that the Crown Prince, who had been in pain for more than twenty years, was already suffering terribly!

If the crown prince were to remain crown prince for over fifty years, who knows what the outcome would be?

After all, being the crown prince is difficult; that's a well-known fact.

The longer one serves as the crown prince, the more problems one will face!
After some hesitation, she finally said, "Your Highness, I will listen to whatever you decide."

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll try to find a way to help our family."

After letting Shi Jingrong go back to her bedroom to rest, Shen Ye prepared to go back to his study to read. Just as he opened his book, Zhou Bao cautiously walked over.

"Your Highness, Steward Liang asked me to tell you something that you must take seriously."

"He said these weren't his words, but words that a big shot had asked him to pass on."

"He can't say who this person is, but please believe me, the person who relayed this message is doing it for your own good."

"Please do not take this matter lightly."

As soon as Zhou Bao arrived, he said that the person who delivered the message was no ordinary person.

Hearing Zhou Bao say this, Shen Ye rolled her eyes inwardly: Who else could it be but my dramatic old man?

In Emperor Qianxi's palace, there were very few people whom Liang Jiugong valued so highly.

Now that the Crown Prince and Empress Dowager are not in the palace, and Liang Jiugong has given such instructions, the identity of this person is obvious:
It was the Qianxi Emperor!

Only he could make Liang Jiugong so cautious.

After confirming Emperor Qianxi's identity, Shen Ye was both amused and exasperated.

This old man is really interesting.

Instead of saying what you really want to say, you insist on having Liang Jiugong relay your message. You're really trying to have it all!
After secretly expressing his disdain, Shen Ye asked Zhou Bao, "What did you say?"

"time does not wait!"

Zhou Bao hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer again with utmost seriousness and said, "Your Highness, Steward Liang said that these words are extremely important; they are the words of a great man!"

"You must take this seriously."

He nodded to Zhou Bao and said, "Alright, I understand. You can go about your business now."

As Zhou Bao was leaving, he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

After Zhou Bao left, Shen Ye silently pondered Emperor Qianxi's final warning.

He never thought that Emperor Qianxi was a soft-hearted person.

If they had been too soft-hearted, they wouldn't have imprisoned the Crown Prince and the First Prince for so many years.

His warning should not be underestimated.

However, if he were to bow down and admit defeat as warned by Emperor Qianxi and continue to do the same thing, Emperor Qianxi, whose suspicions would only grow stronger, might depose him at any time.

This is not the kind of life he wants.

After the servants had all left, Shen Ye slammed the book down and blurted out, "Fuck you!"

After saying that, he felt refreshed and then casually picked up a book and began to read it leisurely!
(End of this chapter)