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

Chapter 441 Now that we've made our move, how can we back down?
The news that Emperor Qianxi was coming to the Hot Spring Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager quickly reached the palace.

Of course, this news was deliberately leaked by Emperor Qianxi, so there was no attempt to conceal it.

Therefore, as one of the highest-ranking people in the hot spring palace, Shen Ye was the first to know this news.

Upon hearing the news, he was first stunned, then his lips curled into a smirk, and he almost burst out laughing.

He could see through Emperor Qianxi's ulterior motives even with his eyes closed.

With the military situation at the front lines urgent, instead of staying in the capital to oversee things, the emperor himself traveled all the way to the hot spring palace to "show filial piety."
Isn't this just blatantly trying to hide something?

Anyone could see the trickery involved.

Heh, Emperor Qianxi can come or not if he wants; he can't be bothered with his mess.

He had initially agreed to the policy of officials and gentry paying taxes together.

As a result, when the scholars started making a fuss, he immediately backed down.

He hid in the hot spring palace and prayed for the late emperor for a month.

Shen Ye went through great lengths to stabilize the situation, not seeking merit but only avoiding mistakes, hoping that Emperor Qianxi would not let his achievements go to waste.

But this old man, instead of doing anything else, cut the tax amount in half!
What was his purpose in doing this? Wasn't it to win people's hearts and, at the same time, to suppress his prestige as the crown prince?
Later, he stood his ground and returned to the palace.

He even sent an imperial edict ordering him to go to the capital to repair the mausoleums of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong.

Tsk tsk, thankfully, he knew it was freezing cold and didn't make him leave immediately, otherwise, he would really wonder if he was adopted.
Why waste his energy on someone who's a professional at kicking someone when they've served their purpose? Shen Ye felt that taking him seriously would be an insult to his intelligence!
Shen Ye even felt an impulse to get up and go to the capital right now.

It's unknown how Emperor Qianxi would react upon receiving this news.

However, Shen Ye suppressed this thought in his heart. Although it seemed to be very satisfying, it also gave Emperor Qianxi an excuse.

It's a method that yields little benefit but is extremely insulting. As the crown prince, it's best not to use it.

After much deliberation, Shen Ye had already made up his mind: he wouldn't need to make any special moves next.

Just remember one thing: do what you're supposed to do, don't take initiative, don't refuse, and don't take responsibility.

As for the matter of military pay, well, a simple "Your subject cannot do it" is all it takes to dismiss it!
Sometimes, a soft nail, though not as hard as a hard nail, can hurt more when it pricks you.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager requests your presence!"

Just as Shen Ye made up his mind, Zhou Bao came over to report.

Shen Ye was genuinely grateful to the Empress Dowager.

Regardless, the Empress Dowager provided her with considerable protection during this incident.

For example, when Wang Yan came here this time, he should have gone to the capital to apologize to Emperor Qianxi, but the Empress Dowager helped him to stop it.

At this time, the Empress Dowager should have known that Emperor Qianxi was coming to pay his respects.

According to the Empress Dowager's thinking, she probably didn't want her son and grandson to fight again.

As Shen Ye pondered this, he walked toward the Empress Dowager's palace.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is on the stage."

As Zhou Bao watched Shen Ye stride toward the palace's defenses, he whispered something.

Shen Ye was taken aback.

Based on his understanding of the Empress Dowager, shouldn't she be in her palace at this time? Why did she go to the stage?

Faced with Shen Ye's questioning gaze, Zhou Bao explained in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager wanted to watch the Flood of Jinshan Temple again today, so she went to the stage."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's request, Shen Ye smiled.

The Empress Dowager is really binge-watching the show, and this is her second time watching it.

However, this also shows that his own production of the Legend of the White Snake is quite popular.

Upon arriving at the stage, Shen Ye discovered that, apart from the Empress Dowager and the Ninth Princess who always accompanied her, most of the concubines had come to watch the play.

They sat in their chairs, watching the performance on stage with great interest.

The performance of "Flooding Jinshan Temple" relied heavily on narration, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of viewers in the palace for watching the show.

"Grandson greets Imperial Grandmother." Shen Ye respectfully bowed to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "The Crown Prince has arrived, please sit down!"

Following the Empress Dowager's instructions, the palace maids serving by her side quickly prepared a seat for Shen Ye.

Watching the battle between Bai Suzhen and Fahai on stage, Shen Ye thought to himself that it was already quite exciting to watch; if special effects were added…

"Your Highness, we have just received a message from His Majesty. He is preparing to come to the Hot Spring Palace to pay his respects."

“It must be tiring for him to run around in this freezing weather.”

"You are still young, go and greet your father for me later."

The Empress Dowager picked up her teacup, took a sip of water, and casually gave her instructions.

Having spent some time in the palace, Shen Ye understood the importance of rules and regulations.

Because of the existence of rules, even Emperor Qianxi could not always act arbitrarily.

As for Shen Ye, the crown prince, he also had to abide by the rules, because most of the rules were in his favor.

The Empress Dowager asked him to welcome Emperor Qianxi, which was perfectly justified. If he refused, he would be disrespectful to both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Therefore, Shen Ye did not refuse on this issue and directly agreed, saying, "Grandmother, rest assured, your grandson will definitely go to greet Father Emperor in advance."

Seeing Shen Ye's good attitude, the Empress Dowager felt much more at ease.

She smiled and said, "Your Highness, I have lived for so many years, from your grandfather to now, and I have experienced quite a lot."

"In my view, many things are discussed between each other."

"Just like a family living together, if you give in a little and I give in a little, then the family will be harmonious and happy." "Harmony in the family brings prosperity in everything. Although this saying has been said to death, it is indeed a wise saying."

"If there is discord within the family, it makes it easier for others to take advantage of the situation!"

Shen Ye looked at the Empress Dowager, who seemed to be watching a show while casually chatting, and knew that this was the Empress Dowager's admonition to him.

The Empress Dowager's advice was only one point: since Emperor Qianxi had already made concessions, she, as his son, could not continue this dispute.

Otherwise, someone will take advantage of the situation.

From the Empress Dowager's perspective, this can be seen as taking care of Crown Prince Shen Ye.

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Grandmother's words are wise words, and I will definitely keep them in mind."

Shen Ye had already made preparations after the news of Emperor Qianxi's impending visit to the Hot Spring Palace arrived.

He never misses anything that comes according to the rules.

But there are things he doesn't want to do, and those are things I absolutely cannot do!

Respect is an attitude!

No matter what, you can't find fault with this.

But when it comes to things that require ability, I'm sorry, I can't do it; I don't have that ability.

Father, you can't blame me for not having the ability.

The Empress Dowager had no idea what Shen Ye was planning. Seeing that the Crown Prince had accepted the matter she had painstakingly explained in just a few words, she was very pleased.

As a grandmother, he didn't want his grandson and son to put up with it.

"I'm relieved that you can listen to what this old woman has to say."

“Your father still values ​​you very much.”

"After all, you are the crown prince he personally groomed."

The Empress Dowager didn't speak very loudly, but her words implied a sense of agreement.

Shen Ye respectfully said to the Empress Dowager, "I will never forget your kindness, Grandmother."

After chatting with the Empress Dowager for a while, Shen Ye returned to his palace. While sending people to inquire about Emperor Qianxi's itinerary, he pondered his countermeasures.

"Your Highness, Nian Gengyao requests an audience."

Shen Ye was taken aback by Zhou Bao's news.

He asked with a hint of surprise, "What brings Nian Gengyao here?"

"He said his family had prepared New Year's gifts for the Empress Dowager in advance and asked him to deliver them ahead of time," Zhou Bao said in a low voice. "However, when he saw me, he said he must pay his respects to you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye immediately understood that Nian Gengyao had something important to discuss.

"Please ask him to come over."

Although it was in the Hot Spring Palace, Nian Gengyao's arrival still brought a chill to the air.

Although Nian Gengyao was dressed quite warmly, he still looked like he was freezing.

Clearly, his journey here has not been easy.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Nian Gengyao bowed respectfully upon seeing Shen Ye.

Shen Ye stepped forward and helped Nian Gengyao up: "What are you doing at the hot spring palace on such a cold day?"

"If you need anything, just have the servants bring it over."

Nian Gengyao looked around and said with a smile, "My mother misses my sister and heard that she is pregnant, so she wanted to come and see her."

"But in such cold weather, I really didn't feel comfortable letting Mother travel such a long way, so I came myself to save her from worrying."

Knowing that Nian Gengyao was just making excuses, Shen Ye still praised him, saying, "Gengyao is not bad."

"With such a filial son like you at home, Xinyue doesn't need to worry about things at home."

"Come on, shall I test your knowledge?"

Next, while pretending to ask Nian Gengyao about his scholarship, Shen Ye casually asked, "Why did you come here?"

"Your Highness, it was Lord Wang Yan's steward who came to our residence. He said that Lord Wang is unable to leave the Ministry of Rites and asked us to pass on a message to Your Highness."

Nian Gengyao said in a low voice, "What Lord Wang says is about the proper relationships between ruler and subject, father and son!"

At this point, Nian Gengyao hesitated for a moment and said, "I have carefully considered Lord Wang Yan's words, and I think they are absolutely right."

"Your Highness, you must not take this statement lightly."

"After all, the whole world belongs to His Majesty!"

What Nian Gengyao is saying now is actually something he has thought of with great care.

He also wanted to advise the crown prince, but he was aware of his own position.

To avoid his advice causing the opposite of what he intended, he tried his best to make his words as tactful as possible.

It's so bad that it sounds a bit awkward.

Looking at Nian Gengyao's appearance and pondering Wang Yan's words that Nian Gengyao had brought, Shen Ye sighed inwardly.

Although he didn't want to admit it, the eight characters "君君臣臣父子子" (ruler, minister, father, son) are deeply ingrained in people's hearts, no matter where they are.

This is probably why Emperor Qianxi had the confidence to come to the Hot Spring Palace!

He felt that as long as the man came over, he should bow his head and continue to do things for him.

Too bad, he was overthinking it!

　The second update for today is here! It's almost the end of the month, so please support me, everyone!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)