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

Chapter 78 I'm afraid my brothers are suffering.
Compared to the West Garden of Changchun Garden, Yuqing Palace is indeed not a good place to entertain guests.

Although the main hall was luxurious, it was very stuffy.

Even with ice, the temperature doesn't drop immediately.

Shen Ye simply had someone arrange for the meal to be held on the platform outside the main hall of Yuqing Palace.

The barbecue grills improved by the Imperial Household Department crackled with the sound of charcoal fire, and the sizzling lamb skewers, glistening with oil, were infused with the aroma of cumin. Chicken wings on the iron rack burst with juice, and the oil dripped into the charcoal fire, sending up a fragrant aroma that seemed to reach three feet high.

Barrels of wine were lined up one after another, and even more remarkably, they were all placed on ice. Along with the wine, there were also drinks such as watermelon juice and herbal tea.

As the one who hosted the dinner, Shen Ye was naturally the first to arrive.

The arrangements for the banquet were handled by Shi Jingrong, so he didn't have to worry about anything. All he had to do was ensure the guests were well received.

To Shen Ye's surprise, the first guest to arrive was none other than the Fourth Prince, Yunzhen.

With a serious expression, Yunzhen was about to bow formally upon seeing Shen Ye.

Of the dozen or so princes of Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye values ​​the one he values ​​most is Yunzhen, who is the fourth prince.

After all, he had already given up hope and no longer held any expectation for that so-called high position.

Although Yunzhen was harsh in his later years, he did not make things too difficult for the Crown Prince.

It can be said that the original crown prince's family lived quite well when the fourth prince was emperor. When the original crown prince died, the fourth prince even went to visit him in person.

"Fourth brother, let's not be so polite between us!" Shen Ye lifted Yunzhen, who was about to kneel down, up.

Yunzhen solemnly replied, "Your Highness, etiquette must not be disregarded!"

Looking at the serious-looking Fourth Prince, Shen Ye laughed heartily and said, "That was a public place. If we were to be so polite in private, it would be too formal!"

"Come, come, sit down quickly."

Yunzhen glanced around and then said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, this disaster relief effort is of great importance."

"Although I don't have much money, I still want to do my part."

"Here is ten thousand taels of silver. Your Highness, please take it and use it first."

As they were talking, Yunzhen handed over a stack of silver notes.

As Shen Ye received the silver notes from Yunzhen, a sense of emotion welled up within him.

Regardless of what the fourth prince was really up to, his performance was absolutely perfect.

Not only would he gain the favor of the crown prince, but if word got out, even Emperor Qianxi would think that this son was sensible and mindful of the big picture.

However, Shen Ye would never take this money without a clear explanation.

He quickly waved his hand and said, "Fourth brother, I've already secured the funds for disaster relief. I'll tell you something later, and if you decide to participate, then give me the money."

Yunzhen took out 10,000 taels of silver, which his family had painstakingly saved, intending to achieve multiple goals at once.

Firstly, by currying favor with the Crown Prince, he could leverage his position and benefit from his influence.

Secondly, if Emperor Qianxi knew about this, he would surely praise his own performance.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince said that the money for disaster relief had already been secured.

Was this a plan devised by Songgotu for the Crown Prince, or by Emperor Qianxi?

However, regardless of where the Crown Prince obtained this money, it is enough to show that the Crown Prince's power at this time is beyond what I can compare to.

The prince's subsequent words made him stop refusing and instead solemnly say, "Your Highness, whenever you need money, please just say the word."

Hearing this, Shen Ye began to feel quite comfortable.

But upon closer examination, it became clear that the fourth prince had left himself ample room for maneuver in his words.

It didn't say whether or not they would participate in what the Crown Prince was talking about; it only said that they would give him money.

No wonder the fourth brother was able to win in the final competition; his caution and meticulousness are unmatched by ordinary people.

Shen Ye and the Fourth Prince Yunzhen had just exchanged a few pleasantries when the Third Prince Yunzhi walked over with a smile. Upon seeing Shen Ye and Yunzhen, he also came over and bowed respectfully.

Shen Ye didn't really care about these empty formalities.

After all, these things couldn't bring him any benefit.

He also helped up the third prince and exchanged pleasantries with him.

The Third Prince glanced at the Fourth Prince and said in a low voice, "Second Brother, this disaster relief effort is difficult, but Father is watching from above, so you must do your best."

"I have only recently been granted the title of Prince, and I don't have much silver on hand. Please take this thousand taels and use it first."

"If it's still needed, I'll think of another way."

Looking at the silver notes handed over by the Third Prince, Shen Ye felt a surge of emotion.

Although the Third Prince was skilled in both literature and martial arts, he was truly inferior to the Fourth Prince.

Otherwise, the money he sent wouldn't have been a thousand taels.

Although Shen Ye was inwardly complaining, he smiled and said, "Third brother, I appreciate your kindness."

"I have already prepared the disaster relief funds."

"The reason I invited the brothers here this time is not only to have a meal together, but also to give them some benefits."

"You know me, I can't stand seeing my brothers suffer."

Yunzhi was stunned!
The Crown Prince wants to give his brothers some benefits... but what kind of benefits are these?!

However, Yunzhi did not have a chance to ask at this moment. Just then, the Eighth Prince, Ninth Prince, and Tenth Prince walked in.

All three were young, but the slender Ninth Prince and the somewhat overweight Tenth Prince standing on either side only made the Eighth Prince appear even more dashing.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" The Eighth Prince bowed to Shen Ye.

Looking at the Eighth Prince, whose face was full of smiles like a spring breeze, Shen Ye thought to himself, "No wonder he is called the Wise Prince. Putting aside everything else, just one glance is enough to make you feel that he is dignified and imposing."

He did not offer to help the Eighth Prince.

Although he didn't care about etiquette, when faced with the Eighth Prince, who was the main person behind the scenes who had undermined him and brought down the Crown Prince, he simply smiled and said, "Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Brothers, no need for formalities."

“Your Highness, I know you need to work hard for disaster relief. This is a small token of my appreciation. It may not be much, but it is my heartfelt wish.”

As the Eighth Prince spoke, he handed Shen Ye a purse.

Upon seeing the purse handed to him, Shen Ye immediately understood.

It seems that these princes all treat this meal as an opportunity to beg for alms, so they all rush to give me money.

While his status as the crown prince played a part, he was probably more interested in showing off to his father, the Qianxi Emperor.

With that in mind, Shen Ye prepared to decline.

Just then, the Tenth Prince loudly proclaimed, "Second Brother Crown Prince, Ninth Prince and I are still studying in the Imperial Study, and we really don't have much money."

"This ten taels of silver isn't much, but it's my monthly allowance. Second brother, please don't mind!"

Looking at the tenth prince holding up ten taels of silver, Shen Ye secretly sneered.

The tenth prince seems to be poor, but his mother was a noble consort who left all her property to him when she passed away.

So he not only has money, but a lot of it.

However, his mother died young, so no one cared about these things.

The tenth prince was making a scene with ten taels of silver in his hand, which sounded rather unpleasant to everyone.

Moreover, Shen Ye even saw a hint of a smile on the Ninth Prince's somewhat thin face.

　The second update for today is here on time. There will be an extra update at 10 PM. One last thing: please support me if you have any votes!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)