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

Chapter 49 Your son still wants to learn some foreign languages
Emperor Qianxi had seen many lecherous men!
He himself didn't hide much about it; men know what they're doing.

But this was the first time he had ever seen someone speak of lust in such a grand, justifiable, and... manner.

Challenge your weaknesses!

Are you really sure you're challenging your own weaknesses, and not just lusting after someone's looks?

Emperor Qianxi took a sip of water from the cup, then let out a long sigh.

He looked at Shen Ye and said in a deep voice, "Alright, stop spouting nonsense to me here."

"I ask you, when you asked the Crown Princess to plead with the eldest daughter of the Cao family, were you also trying to challenge your own weakness?"

Shen Ye looked at Emperor Qianxi and thought to himself, "I came here to discuss some matters, how did I end up involving the eldest daughter of the Cao family again?"

I asked the Crown Princess to speak on my behalf about requesting the bestowal of the Cao family's eldest daughter, but is it really appropriate for the two of us to discuss this?

Shouldn't we, an emperor and a crown prince, be discussing important matters?
He smiled and said, "Father, I have heard that Lord Cao Yin's daughter is not only gentle and refined, but also very learned and talented."

"By the way, I heard she also studied Western Latin."

"Your subject believes that people should learn until they die. They should not be content with small progress and become complacent. Learning a foreign language is very useful."

"So, the Crown Princess mentioned it to the Empress Dowager."

Study hard and cultivate your will!
Both of these reasons are very good.

These words even give people a positive and uplifting feeling!

But Emperor Qianxi, upon reflection, felt that something was amiss.

He suddenly had a feeling that he never wanted to hear these words again.

"You are the Crown Prince, how can you speak such nonsense!" Emperor Qianxi reprimanded him coldly.

Seeing Emperor Qianxi's face suddenly turn cold, Shen Ye quickly smiled and said, "Father, please don't be angry. Let's just consider these two things as my youthful infatuation with a young woman."

"It's not worth getting sick over such a trivial matter."

Looking at Shen Ye's innocent face, Emperor Qianxi felt as if he had punched a cotton ball.

I haven't even taught him a lesson yet, and he's already accepted it, even sincerely advising me not to get angry. Now, if I get angry, it'll seem like I'm petty.

This evil!

"Your Highness, a ruler should be dignified and solemn. How can I entrust the country to you with such frivolity?" Emperor Qianxi said with a hint of emotion.

Shen Ye was speechless upon hearing this.

He thought to himself, "Look at what you're saying, it's as if you really want to hand over the empire to me."

But are you really willing to hand over the empire to me?

“Father, the more worried you are, the less you should get angry.”

"For your son, what I hope for most is that you are in good health so that I can continue to be the Crown Prince happily."

"I have been observing the government these past few days and have only just realized how difficult things are in this world."

"If even a small county like Daxing is like this, what about the vast world?"

"Your subject feels more and more that the happiest thing in the world is having someone in front of you to shelter you from the wind and rain."

"And you, Father, are the strongest and most reliable shield for us princes, protecting us from the wind and rain!"

"Therefore, I sincerely hope that I can study happily while I am young, and then enjoy myself to the fullest."

Hearing Shen Ye's words, Emperor Qianxi felt a warmth in his heart. He secretly reminded himself not to be blinded by endless struggles and scheming, and not to lose his love for this son.

Regardless, this was his favorite son, and the son he had raised himself.

Although he is increasingly wary of his son, he also hopes to have a loving father and a filial son.

However, how much of what the Crown Prince said is true?
He had never been a crown prince and didn't know what it was like.

But which of those crown princes from the previous dynasty didn't long for their own ascension to the throne and the continuation of the imperial line?

"Knowing that life is full of hardships, it can be said that your trip to observe the government was not in vain." Emperor Qianxi's voice softened a bit: "But as a young man, all you talk about is enjoying yourself, without any of the vigor that a young person should have."

"Tell me, why aren't you in the capital keeping an eye on your Wanfu Garden? What are you doing here at Changchun Garden?"

Although Shen Ye's expression was sincere, he was actually quite sweaty inside.

However, what he just said wasn't entirely false. If there weren't so many brothers vying for the throne, being a second-generation heir would actually be quite enjoyable. You wouldn't have to work, and you'd have endless money to spend.

"Father, I have come here today because of the matter of Granny Tong."

Emperor Qianxi's originally amiable expression immediately turned cold.

Emperor Qianxi was very annoyed with the Tong family.

It's one thing to manipulate power in the inner palace, but to stir up trouble in the imperial court as well! They don't even know their own worth.

It's an insult to one's intelligence that such a person could have been around for so long without him noticing.

"Are you trying to plead for that criminal slave?" Emperor Qianxi said coldly.

Shen Ye had already had an idea about this matter before he arrived.

However, at this moment, facing Emperor Qianxi's aggressive gaze, he still felt somewhat uneasy.

Unfortunately, the die was cast, and there was no turning back.

"Father, I am also very angry about what Lingpu and Tong Mama's family have done."

"They have betrayed the Emperor's trust."

"Even if they were to be torn to pieces, it wouldn't be too much!"

Emperor Qianxi sat at his desk without speaking, his expression indifferent.

Shen Ye then added, "However, even if Granny Tong has made a thousand or ten thousand mistakes, she has served me for many years after all."

"After much deliberation, I have decided to ask Your Majesty for leniency and to spare their lives."

When Emperor Qianxi heard the Crown Prince's plea, various thoughts raced through his mind.

He was also somewhat conflicted about this matter.

If the crown prince pleads for leniency, it means he doesn't know the gravity of the situation.

Such a heinous crime, yet you still think of being pardoned.

But if I don't plead for leniency, it would seem rather harsh and ungrateful.

When the Crown Prince arrived, he felt that the Crown Prince was not a mean and ungrateful person, but the Crown Prince's plea seemed to lack a sense of proportion.

"So, according to you, they don't need to be punished. In that case, who will still have any sense of awe?" Emperor Qianxi looked up and said to Shen Ye.

Although he had already made a decision, he also wanted the Crown Prince to know that things were not so simple.

“Father, I know that the law is merciless, precisely to deter villains.”

“As for the matter concerning Granny Tong’s family, it is not enough to convince everyone if they are not punished.”

"Therefore, Your Majesty, I humbly request that Your Majesty reclaim the Crown Prince's apricot-yellow robe to atone for Granny Tong's sins."

“Let his family return to Shengjing, give them 100 mu of land, let them cultivate it for themselves, and never employ them again.”

"This can also be considered as me repaying the kindness of Granny Tong for raising me."

Emperor Qianxi's eyes widened in shock. He never expected that the Crown Prince would make such a decision!

The prince's apricot-yellow robe was his symbol.

It could even be said that as long as the Crown Prince wore this yellow robe, everyone who saw him would have to bow and pay their respects.

He didn't know when it started, but he found the clothes irritating.

However, since it was a gift he had bestowed, he naturally couldn't go back on his word and take it back.

Now, the Crown Prince was actually offering this apricot-yellow robe in exchange for the lives of Granny Tong and her family, which stirred up a variety of thoughts in his mind.

Shen Ye watched Emperor Qianxi deep in thought, and inwardly urged him to hurry up and agree. This apricot-yellow crown prince's robe was simply the root of all trouble.

You're an eyesore to me every day, and now that I've finally found a reason to send it back to you, so stop pretending!

"Yunye, do you think it's worth it?"

My new book needs your support, recommendations, anything! Thank you so much to the generous donor, Happy Little Fatty Ming, for the donation.

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(End of this chapter)