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

Chapter 77 Sharing Happiness, Deep Brotherhood
Shen Ye returned to Yuqing Palace and lay down directly on Shi Jingrong's brocade couch.

Looking at the somewhat dejected Crown Prince, Shi Jingrong felt a pang of inexplicable heartache.

He immediately came to Shen Ye's side, gently took Shen Ye's hand and said, "Your Highness, would you like some water?"

As the Crown Princess, she had many guesses about the Crown Prince's behavior, but she couldn't voice them.

After all, she couldn't exacerbate the conflict between the Crown Prince and Emperor Qianxi.

Moreover, she was very clear that if this conflict intensified, the one who would suffer would definitely be the Crown Prince.

After all, Emperor Qianxi was an emperor.

Offending the Qianxi Emperor is not a good thing for the Crown Prince.

Shen Ye shook his head and said, "I'm not too thirsty right now, I'm just a little tired!"

At this point, he shook Shi Jingrong's hand and said, "I'll take a nap first."

"By the way, have Zhou Bao take my invitation and invite the princes to dinner."

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, Shi Jingrong exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, didn't we just invite him a couple of days ago?"

"If this happens too frequently, it might affect... affect the princes' studies."

What Shi Jingrong was worried about was certainly not the princes' studies.

Her concern was whether Emperor Qianxi would object if the Crown Prince frequently invited his brothers to meals.

After all, although this father-in-law had a reputation for being kind and benevolent, he was not actually a kind and benevolent person.

Especially towards the Crown Prince, they practically used a magnifying glass to demand things from him!

Shen Ye held Shi Jingrong's soft, boneless hand, his heart filled with countless emotions.

Shi Jingrong and he were practically telepathic.

Between two people, many things don't need to be said explicitly, but their feelings for each other are already understood and they know each other perfectly.

He smiled and said, "This time I am acting on imperial orders, so Father will not blame me."

"If I don't treat you to this meal, people might think I'm doing something good and forgetting my brothers."

After all, shouldn't we share the good fortune?

At this point, he changed the subject and said, "Next year, Father Emperor may go to Jiangnan. Let's try to go with him on this trip next year."

"Traveling thousands of miles is better than staying cooped up here every day."

Shi Jingrong hadn't expected the Crown Prince's train of thought to jump so dramatically.

But upon closer reflection, she felt a surge of anticipation.

Which young girl doesn't want to go out and have fun, especially to a place like Jiangnan that sounds so appealing?

The osmanthus blossoms of autumn and the peach blossoms of ten miles!

“Alright, I’ll also mention it to the Empress Dowager later.” Shi Jingrong understood immediately.

Shen Ye stopped talking about anything else and started chatting aimlessly with Shi Jingrong. After a few minutes, Shen Ye fell asleep silently.

Watching Shen Ye drift off to sleep, Shi Jingrong sighed softly.

As the Crown Prince's consort, she understood the pressure the Crown Prince was under.

But what good is understanding? She really has no other choice!

After all, the Crown Prince would be facing the scrutinizing and critical gaze of Emperor Qianxi.

As arranged by Shi Jingrong, news of the Crown Prince's banquet quickly spread throughout the Forbidden City.

Shi Jingrong personally arranged the banquet, and the imperial kitchen opened its doors wide, quickly gathering all kinds of delicacies.

Emperor Qianxi received the news immediately, but this time, he had no interest in going to see it.

He had a vague feeling that the Crown Prince's invitation to the banquet was related to raising money.

In fact, it wasn't just him; the other princes sensed it too.

The eldest prince, who was observing state affairs at the Ministry of War, fell into deep thought after hearing the news.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has invited you and the other princes to dinner at this time, presumably to discuss the matter of disaster relief funds and provisions," Kui Xu, a second-class guard accompanying the First Prince, solemnly said to him.

Kui Xu is Mingzhu's second son. With the passing of his brilliant elder brother, he has essentially become the next head of the Nalan family.

His current rank is second-class guard, and he has been assigned to the side of the eldest prince.

The two men are cousins, so they can speak more freely.

The eldest prince nodded and said, "I think so too." "Cousin, what should I do if the Crown Prince asks us brothers for alms?"

Kui Xu smiled and said, "The Crown Prince's post was given to me by His Majesty."

"And you, are His Majesty's eldest son."

"You should have done your best in whatever His Majesty had arranged for you."

"However, although you have been granted the title of Prince, you have not yet received your first year's salary, and you do not have much money in your hands."

"I think you should do your best."

"After all, His Majesty is watching from up there!"

The eldest prince glanced at Kui Xu with approval. Although he didn't particularly like his second cousin, he found him reliable in his work.

Moreover, he is resourceful and wise.

Having it by my side on ordinary days makes it a good helper.

He immediately said, "If the Crown Prince asks for alms, I will take out three thousand taels of silver."

"After all, this is all I've done."

The eldest prince certainly didn't have that little silver.

Although he had no income, he had some money in his pocket thanks to the subsidies from his mother, Consort Hui, and the offerings from Mingzhu and others who supported him.

However, this money cannot be withdrawn.

Kui Xu nodded and said, "Your Highness should do it this way."

"This is not for the Crown Prince, but for the court and for the Emperor."

While the eldest prince was planning how much to donate, the fourth prince, Yunzhen, was instructing his personal eunuch, Su Peisheng, to organize all his savings.

As a prince observing government affairs at the Ministry of Revenue, Yunzhen was very familiar with the situation there.

Therefore, he also knew that providing relief to the disaster victims gathered in the capital was not a simple matter.

"Two thousand taels of silver is a bit too little." Yunzhen's expression turned somewhat unpleasant after hearing Su Peisheng report his savings.

He was an adult prince, and although he was married, everything was provided by the Imperial Household Department.

As for his own money, it all came from rewards.

Although sometimes the rewards are plentiful, the expenses are also high.

Su Peisheng heard his master's dissatisfaction but was powerless to do anything about it.

He was well aware of the Fourth Prince's financial situation, so he kept quiet.

After pacing back and forth a few steps, Yunzhen said in a deep voice, "Go back to the palace today to see the Madam and ask her to lend me some money from her dowry."

"No matter what, you must raise ten thousand taels for me."

Su Peisheng had followed Yunzhen for many years and knew about the circumstances surrounding the Fourth Princess's marriage into the palace.

Although the dowry was substantial, the cash amount was not very large.

Ten thousand taels of silver was almost the limit of the princess's silver reserves.

He wanted to offer some advice, but seeing Yunzhen's somewhat cold face, he ultimately said nothing.

Yunzhen watched Su Peisheng leave and gently shook her head.

His gaze passed through the open window and landed on a large tree in the Ministry of Revenue's courtyard.

A big tree provides shade!

What he was thinking was that it would be good to take shelter under a big tree!

Although he already harbored improper thoughts, he couldn't reveal the slightest hint of it at this time.

He desperately needs a crown prince right now.

At the Princes' Palace, the Tenth Prince, Yun'e, was discussing the Crown Prince's invitation to dinner with the Ninth Prince. They both had their own speculations about the matter.

So Yun'e said with a smile, "We two don't care how much Eighth Brother pays."

"We are both princes still studying, where would we get any money?"

"If the Crown Prince asks for alms, I will donate ten taels of silver!"

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(End of this chapter)