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

Chapter 583 The Imperial Court Unsheathes its Sword: Killing Someone by Destroying Their Spirit

The imperial court was solemn and dignified!
The moment His Highness the Crown Prince spoke, the old ministers' legs went weak!
This man didn't give Yu Changyuan any face at all, and bluntly asked, "You have someone pulling the strings behind you, don't you?"

That's not all. The next sentence is even harsher, actually comparing Yu Changyuan to "Jiang Chong"!
Who is Jiang Chong?

That was the "professional troublemaker" who caused Emperor Wu of Han and his deposed crown prince Liu Ju to become enemies and ultimately had their entire family wiped out!

A witchcraft scandal nearly wiped out the Crown Prince's entire family, leaving only Liu Bingyi, his sole heir...

Upon seeing this comparison, Yu Changyuan's face turned green on the spot.

That wasn't all; the Crown Prince then added insult to injury:

To put it bluntly, Yu Changyuan was instructed by someone!

Well, once he said that, everyone who pleaded for him would have the word "suspicious" stuck on their foreheads, and they wouldn't be able to wipe it off.

Even seasoned veterans like Zhang Ying and Tong Guowei were keeping their necks down and dared not openly lend a hand.

Why?

After all, they had agreed to depose the crown prince from his position as regent.

Not only did they agree, they also cited Emperor Qianxi's imperial edict as their reason.

At this critical juncture, who would dare to step forward?

Tong Guowei had a well-thought-out plan: Yu Changyuan isn't one of my people.

What does this have to do with me?

So he flicked his sleeve and calmly said, "Your Highness, I have no objection."

After saying that, he simply stood aside, clearly unwilling to participate.

Zhang Ying was in a real bind!
He knew that Yu Changyuan was someone Liu Shixun had brought in.

At a time like this, if I don't speak up, what if this guy starts making baseless accusations in jail? Wouldn't that be troublesome?
As for whether the Crown Prince would hold a grudge... he couldn't care less about that at the moment!

So he forced himself to speak:
"Your Highness, Yu Changyuan is, after all, an official of the imperial court, and a censor. If you intend to execute his entire clan, shouldn't you first consult the Emperor?"

“Yu Changyuan can be imprisoned, and his family members can also be imprisoned.”

"Should we proceed after His Majesty's approval?"

Upon hearing Zhang Ying's words, a glimmer of hope for survival flashed in Yu Changyuan's eyes.

His lips trembled slightly, but in the end he didn't dare to say a word.

Crown Prince Shen Ye glanced at him and asked casually:
"Prime Minister Zhang, what are you trying to do to give the Emperor some work?"

Zhang Ying gave a dry laugh: "Your Highness, I am speaking of the rules."

"After all, these weren't ordinary people they killed."

Shen Ye sneered inwardly:

In his eyes, Yu Changyuan was already a dead man.

Since Zhang Ying wanted to stall for time, he could also take the opportunity to test his father's attitude.

I've already thrown out the threat of "witchcraft and sorcery," now it's up to Father Emperor to respond.

So he waved his hand and said, "Alright, then let's do as Zhang Xiang says."

"Wei Zhu, write down the results of this court meeting and Lord Zhang's suggestions in a memorial and submit it to Father Emperor."

Zhang Ying's face darkened:
Well, the Crown Prince is just digging a hole for me!
Although he wasn't afraid, he felt incredibly frustrated.
Zhang Yushu is a real bastard; he handled this matter very poorly!

Not only do I put in the effort but I also get no credit, and I have to clean up his mess.

However, that son of a bitch Zhang Yushu is far away in Jiangnan, where he is having a good time.

Even if you curse his ancestors for eight generations, he won't hear you. Even if you have a lot of resentment in your heart, you can only endure it at this time.

After the Crown Prince led the court officials in bowing towards the Sumeru pedestal, the grand court assembly came to an end.

While everyone outwardly bowed and took their leave, they were already gossiping about it privately.

Tong Guowei deliberately lingered until the very end, walking side by side with Zhang Ying while leisurely saying:
"Lord Zhang, you have truly disappointed us this time!"

"Being manipulated without even realizing it."

"We were used as pawns and manipulated..."

The words were left unsaid, but were already dripping with sarcasm.

These sarcastic remarks infuriated Zhang Ying, but she couldn't refute them.

Whose fault was it that we let the cat out of the bag and made such a big mistake?

He could only smile wryly and say, "Prime Minister Tong, the Crown Prince's heart is as deep as the sea; what can be done?"

Zhang Ying's words made Tong Guowei stop laughing.

With the Emperor on the throne, the Tong family is naturally secure.

If the crown prince ascends the throne in the future, my family might be in trouble.

Even if I live to see the end of my life, I still won't be a match for the Crown Prince.

Not to mention his own sons!
Zhang Ying continued:
"Eighth Master's trip to Jiangnan this time is indeed an opportunity."

"I believe that after this incident, the gentry of Jiangnan will definitely feel the benevolence of the Eighth Master."

In our Jiangnan region, there is a saying: "The benevolent are invincible."

Tong Guowei smiled knowingly:
"Eighth Master is not only shrewd and capable, but also kind and benevolent, a rare gentleman!"

"He dislikes being nitpicked and never let go of minor flaws."

"Of course, if he didn't have any weaknesses at all, he'd be much less troubled, wouldn't he?"

Zhang Ying exchanged a glance, cupped her hands in a respectful gesture, and then they went their separate ways.

The two of them have already said their piece, so there's no need to say anything more.

Watching Tong Guowei's departing figure, Zhang Ying sighed.

He shook his head as he walked:
Previously, it was Tong Guowei and the Eighth Prince who were trying to win over Jiangnan, so he had a very high and mighty attitude.

But now, the roles have reversed, and it's Jiangnan who's begging the Eighth Prince! If the Eighth Prince's investigation turns out to be... well...

Sigh, never mind, let's get through this first!
But why did the Crown Prince specifically choose the Eighth Prince to investigate this case?

Knowing full well that the Eighth Prince's investigation was destined to yield no results, why did they still let him go?
Could it be due to the combined opposition from us?

Something's not right, is it?
Just as Zhang Ying was pondering this matter with puzzlement, the Tenth Prince Yun'e had already been summoned to the study of Yuqing Palace by Shen Ye.

Shen Ye, who had changed into casual clothes, was holding her son and playing with him.

Seeing that Yun'e was about to bow, he immediately waved:

"Tenth Brother, we're all brothers, so don't stand on ceremony. Come and see your little nephew."

Yun'e felt a warmth in her heart: Her second brother, the Crown Prince, truly considers her one of his own!

He leaned closer to look at the little baby. The baby was fair-skinned, with a pouty little mouth, and could blow bubbles. The baby was very endearing.

I couldn't help but ask:

"Your Highness, has the child been named yet?"

Shen Ye sighed and said, "The formal name will have to wait for the Emperor to bestow it; there's no decree from the military camp yet."

"However, the Empress Dowager has already bestowed upon him a nickname, which is Bodhisattva Bao."

Upon hearing the name, the tenth prince couldn't help but chuckle:

"The Empress Dowager is truly skilled; this name is both beautiful to hear and has a good meaning."

Shen Ye looked at the Tenth Prince, who seemed to be sighing with emotion, and smiled, saying, "I think so too."

After a few pleasantries, Shen Ye got down to business: "Tenth Brother, what do you think about sending Eighth Brother to Jiangnan to investigate a case?"

Yun'e immediately perked up: "Second brother, isn't that sending lambs to the slaughter?"

"My brother must be working with Zhang Ying and the others. They won't be able to find anything out and will just be doing us a favor for nothing!"

Shen Ye smiled: "Tenth Brother has made progress! But, I have my reasons for letting him go."

"I called you here today for another matter—are you acquainted with Gerli's son, Gerdu?"

The tenth prince immediately perked up. Now that he was in the capital, although he was no longer under the supervision of Emperor Qianxi, he dared not act too recklessly.

However, once you go to Jiangnan, things will be different.

In Jiangnan, who could possibly restrain him?

"Your Highness, if you want me to go to Jiangnan, then that's the right thing to do!"

"Your Majesty, I will investigate this matter thoroughly and find out who is behind it."

Seeing the Tenth Prince rubbing his hands together in anticipation, Shen Ye smiled and said, "You don't need to get involved in investigating this case."

"I called you here today because of Ge Li's matter."

"Do you know Ge Li's son, Ge Du?"

Yun'e was a little disappointed:

I wasn't asked to go to Jiangnan to investigate a case.
But he still answered honestly, "Your Highness, my relationship with Ge Du is quite good."

“Ge Du should know that his father died unjustly. Although those who controlled the river were the ones who carried out the attack, the mastermind behind it was the real culprit.”

“Tell Ge Du that the Eighth Prince is going to investigate the case. If he wants to avenge his father, he should ask the Eighth Prince to help his father.”

"Only in this way can we possibly find out who is behind this."

"Otherwise, his father would have died in vain, and would only die with a grievance!"

Yun'e's eyes lit up: I understand!

No wonder the Crown Prince entrusted this matter to the Eighth Prince; he was setting a trap for the Eighth Prince.

If the Eighth Prince honestly investigates the case, he will naturally fall out with Jiangnan and offend the Jiangnan faction.

If he were to cover it up, Ge Li's people would hate him to death, and even the nobles who followed him might feel disheartened because of this.

After all, nobody's a fool, we all support you.

But you, who clearly had the opportunity, not only did not avenge us, but instead protected our enemies.

Simply because this enemy can bring you greater benefits.

Have you ever thought about how we feel?
What a brilliant, open scheme!
The tenth prince clasped his hands in a fist salute to Shen Ye and said, "Second brother, the crown prince, I understand what to do. Just watch."

As they were talking, the tenth prince took his leave.

The Tenth Prince's execution ability is indeed top-notch!
It was only a short while before the Eighth Prince emerged from the Ministry of Justice.

Just as he was pondering where to go for some new food that evening, he saw Ge Du, dressed in mourning clothes, suddenly kneel down on the ground with a thud.

The voice was incredibly mournful: "Eighth Master!"

The Eighth Prince shuddered in fright, then looked again:
Behind Ge Du was a group of relatives and friends dressed in mourning clothes, all kneeling down in unison.

Ge Du burst into tears, crying with heartbreaking sorrow.
"Eighth Master! I beg you to do justice for my father! He was murdered!"

"He was murdered while carrying out the task assigned by the Emperor!"

"Please, Eighth Master, find the real culprit so my father can rest in peace! Our whole family will forever remember your great kindness!"

These words were filled with blood and tears, each sentence piercing the heart, leaving the Eighth Prince's head buzzing.

He watched helplessly as the officials on duty and passersby quickly surrounded him, forming layers upon layers of people.

The Eighth Prince was in a difficult position, his scalp tingling with fear, and he had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward to help him up.
“Ge Du, you, you get up first... I will definitely investigate the matter of Lord Ge Li thoroughly.”

As soon as he uttered the word "clear," he felt incredibly uneasy, his mind a complete mess.

Ge Du seized the opportunity to grab his sleeve, pretending to wipe his tears and snot on it:

"With Eighth Master's words, my father's spirit in heaven can finally rest in peace!"

The Eighth Prince was stiff all over, unsure whether to pull his sleeve back or not.

Second Brother Crown Prince, your "generous kindness" truly moves me to tears!
This trip to Jiangnan is already a hot potato even before it's started...

(End of this chapter)