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

Chapter 62 Deep Love Leads to Deep Resentment

Soetu's face was so gloomy it seemed like it could be wrung out of water, and he stormed out of Changchun Garden.

He hadn't expected that even at this point, the Crown Prince still wouldn't see him!
Not only that, the Crown Prince also sent someone to tell him to think twice before acting!
There are many interpretations of "think thrice before you act," but why strike a loud drum with a heavy hammer?

As intelligent as Suo'etu was, he immediately understood what the Crown Prince meant when he heard those words.

Think of danger, think of retreat, think of change!

The Crown Prince is making me consider resigning!

You make it sound so nice, but if I were to step down, who would protect you, the Crown Prince!
The energetic and spirited eldest prince!

The Third Prince is skilled in both literature and martial arts!

The Fourth Prince is a diligent worker!

The fifth prince, favored by the Empress Dowager!

The Eighth Prince, whose reputation for virtue has already begun to spread far and wide!
These brothers are all showing off their unique abilities. Can you manage to keep them all in check?

Without me sheltering you from the wind and rain, how could you possibly secure your position as crown prince!
Without me giving you your own lineage, you would be able to...

"Father, what should we say to the Crown Prince?" Arjishan, the son who was waiting outside Changchun Garden, quickly came up to his father and asked as soon as he saw him come out.

To his son, who had just become a second-class imperial guard, Suo'etu snorted and said, "What can you say? What else can you say!"

Hearing these two consecutive questions, Algishan was momentarily stunned.

He had always been afraid of his father, Suo'etu, so when he heard Suo'etu speak like this, he immediately dared not say another word.

Just then, Suo'etu said, "Make the arrangements."

"No matter what happens to the Crown Prince in the future, our people should not pay any attention to him."

"Since he wants me to resign, then I'll resign cleanly and show him!"

Upon hearing his father's words, Algishan's expression changed.

Ignoring his fear of his father, he quickly advised, "Father, this... won't the Crown Prince harbor resentment towards us?"

Soetu snorted and said, "It's much better to harbor resentment than to harbor fear!"

"Since he feels he doesn't need us anymore, he might as well just back out cleanly and decisively! It'll save us all the trouble!"

"go!"

Without offering any explanation to his son, he rode off on his horse.

Watching his father leave, Algishan was filled with trepidation, but dared not ask any more questions.

After Songgotu left, Zhao Chang knelt in the Qingyuan Study of Emperor Qianxi.

Beside Emperor Qianxi was a bowl of chilled watermelon juice.

Ever since Shen Ye started juicing fruit and then chilling it, Emperor Qianxi, though he said it was a bit wasteful, actually started using it.

He's rich and powerful, what's wrong with him drinking some juice?
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Suo requests an audience with the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince still refuses to see him!" Zhao Chang knelt on the ground and said respectfully.

The affairs of Songgotu and the Crown Prince were of utmost concern to Emperor Qianxi, and he would immediately receive reports of any slight movement by these two.

After all, one of these two men was the chief Grand Secretary, and the other was the emperor's heir.

If the two of them join forces to undermine him as emperor, then he will basically be out of trouble!

Therefore, as the crown prince grew older, this alliance became increasingly worrisome to Emperor Qianxi.

When Emperor Qianxi heard that Shen Ye had disappeared again, his smile widened.

"He's not entirely senile."

Zhao Chang continued, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince sent a message to Suo'etu, saying that a wise man should think thrice before he acts!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi's expression turned solemn, but this solemnity slowly transformed into a sense of relief.

He naturally didn't think that the Crown Prince's words were meant to encourage Songgotu to think more carefully before acting.

He understood what it meant to think thrice.

The Crown Prince urged Songgotu to resign, a statement that, while somewhat cutting, ultimately benefited the Crown Prince if Songgotu were to relinquish his power.

As thoughts raced through his mind, Emperor Qianxi once again considered Suo'etu's character.

Despite his respectful demeanor, this man is actually quite arrogant. He's unlikely to heed the Crown Prince's wise advice.

Even if he himself gave him these reminders, he probably wouldn't listen.

He was indeed loyal to the Crown Prince, but his loyalty stemmed from his hope that the Crown Prince would ascend the throne as soon as possible.

As this thought arose, Emperor Qianxi's face grew even more somber.

He looked at Zhao Changdao and asked, "Did Suo'etu leave directly?"

"Song'etu did not leave immediately, but sent someone to deliver a message to the Crown Prince: 'To be close to virtuous ministers and keep away from petty men is the reason why the Former Han Dynasty prospered; to be close to petty men and keep away from virtuous ministers is the reason why the Later Han Dynasty declined.'"

Zhao Chang was quite talented in writing, so when he said this, there was a certain intonation and rhythm to his voice.

Upon hearing Zhao Chang's words, Emperor Qianxi's face immediately darkened.

Shen Ye could understand it, and Emperor Qianxi understood the meaning even better.

However, he didn't say anything, but his killing intent intensified.

This map of Suo'etu is a bit too valuable to keep!

"Has the Crown Prince done anything else these past few days?" Emperor Qianxi regained his composure.

As a confidant of Emperor Qianxi, Zhao Chang was able to guess the emperor's thoughts very accurately.

As the Crown Prince grows older, His Majesty's love for his son is turning into suspicion.

The more she used to love this son, the more suspicious she is now.

"Besides paying his respects every day, His Highness the Crown Prince would take the Crown Princess fishing and have someone cook some delicious food for him."

There's nothing else.

"Even the eunuchs and maids of Yuqing Palace rarely go out."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi snorted and said with considerable dissatisfaction, "How can someone who is so fond of pleasure shoulder the great responsibility of a thousand years?"

"It's all my fault for spoiling him!"

Zhao Chang looked down at his nose and focused on his mouth, seemingly oblivious to His Majesty's lamentations.

He could report the Crown Prince's actions to the Qianxi Emperor, because he was acting under orders.

However, he could not comment on the crown prince under any circumstances.

The crown prince is the heir apparent, while he is merely a subject.

Emperor Qianxi waved his hand at Zhao Chang and said, "You may leave now. Continue to keep an eye on the movements of Suo'etu and the others."

"Yes!" Zhao Chang replied and quickly left.

After Zhao Chang left, Emperor Qianxi turned his attention to the Crown Prince's recent activities: fishing at the waterside pavilion, having iced juice made, and trying to improve the barbecue equipment. He seemed particularly interested in grilled fish and lamb skewers...

The only serious thing the Crown Prince did seemed to do was check on the princes' studies every day.

He showed particular concern for the Ninth and Tenth Princes.

Is the Crown Prince considering resigning?
Is the crown prince, who is considering resignation, truly contemplating it, or is he merely displaying an attitude to lower his guard?

Emperor Qianxi tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his expression constantly shifting.

Judging from the Crown Prince's warnings and attitude towards Songgotu, it doesn't seem like a pretense.

However, if the crown prince loses his support and his health deteriorates, will he still be able to maintain order in the country after ascending the throne?
Emperor Qianxi silently looked at the various memorials on his desk, and finally his eyes fell on two names.

Soetu!
Mingzhu!

Thinking of those two people, he sighed softly, but the determination in his expression remained unchanged.

For him, some people are not necessarily disloyal.

However, the strength of these people has made him wary!
It's not that he doesn't trust his ministers!

However, he cannot fully trust anyone.

　During the new book launch period, I hope you'll all support me! I want all the collections, recommendations, and monthly votes!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)