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

Chapter 46 Advancing is difficult, retreating is difficult, loyalty and filial piety are difficult to reconcile.

"Meanwhile, Jin Wuzhu was sitting upright in the central command tent..."

Upstairs at Dexing Tower, the story of Yue Fei was being told with great enthusiasm, and the listeners below would occasionally cheer with a word or two.

Looking at Shen Ye, who was sitting in the private room, leisurely drinking water, without a trace of sweat on his face, Nian Dongliang felt a pang of resentment.

Look at how well they live their lives! They spend their mornings listening to music in teahouses and their afternoons strolling the streets.

As for myself, I'm as busy as a dog.

Not only is my throat extremely dry, but because of my visit to the Wanfuyuan construction site, it feels like I have sand in my mouth.

However, although he felt resentful, he dared not complain.

Because the third-rank General in front of them was someone who could connect with the Crown Prince.

To have the Crown Prince help sell a house is probably a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

He had guesses about Shen Ye's identity, but even if he had the courage, he wouldn't dare to guess that Shen Ye was the Crown Prince.

The difference is just too great!

This gap limited his perspective.

When faced with Nian Dongliang's question, Shen Ye only said that he had been the Crown Prince's tutor since childhood, and now that the Empress Dowager's birthday was approaching, he had given the Crown Prince this idea.

For Shen Ye, if Nian Dongliang guessed it, he would just admit it openly.

If Nian Dongliang can't guess, then the two of them can just keep it a secret. He doesn't want to reveal his identity on his own initiative.

After all, I still get along quite well with Nian Dongliang.

Wouldn't it be a lot more fun if the young pillars of society bowed and made obsequious gestures?

"Sir, could we build more Wanfu Garden?" Nian Dongliang picked up a cup of cold tea, drank it all in one gulp, and then asked with a fawning tone.

Shen Ye casually asked, "What, does someone want a house?"

"That's right. In the past two days, quite a few people from the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers have come over, ostensibly on official business, but in reality, they just want the qualification to buy a house at half price."

“Even some censors from the Censorate sent messages saying they hoped to get two houses at half price.”

At this point, Nian Dongliang exclaimed repeatedly, "This is the first time I've realized that I, the magistrate of Daxing County, am actually so important."

Seeing Nian Dongliang's distressed expression, Shen Ye casually said, "If they want it, you should just give it to them."

"Anyway, the cost of building this courtyard wasn't too high. Even if we sell it to them at half price, we won't lose money."

"The important thing is that the more they ask for, the more wages the disaster victims who do the work can get."

At this point, he suddenly turned to Nian Dongliang and said, "Elder, this matter concerns the Crown Prince."

"If I find out who dares to mess with this matter."

"Then don't blame me for being rude!"

Nian Dongliang, who had been joking around with Shen Ye like a close old friend, felt a tremor in his heart when he heard what Shen Ye said.

For the first time, he felt fear in this seemingly harmless young man.

"Lord Shen, please rest assured, even if I am completely ignorant of the seriousness of the matter, I will absolutely not allow anyone to tarnish the Crown Prince's reputation. I cannot bear such a crime."

"Don't worry, if anything goes wrong, feel free to hold me accountable."

Seeing Nian Dongliang's shocked expression, Shen Ye patted Nian Dongliang on the shoulder and said, "Old man, I trust you to handle things."

Shen Ye wasn't exaggerating when he heard the praise.

Some time ago, Zhou Bao had already made an excuse to visit the eldest daughter of the Nian family. According to Zhou Bao, this eldest daughter of the Nian family was so beautiful that she could bewitch a king.

Now, she has already been eliminated from the initial selection of imperial concubines.

Meanwhile, the Nian family was preparing to choose a suitable husband for her.

After hearing Zhou Bao's report, Shen Ye had the idea that Nian Dongliang was a reliable person.

Nian Dongliang gently wiped the sweat from his forehead, then said in a deep voice, "Lord Shen, there is another matter I have to report to you this time."

"As Wanfuyuan's reputation grew, many businessmen came to inquire about it, wanting to buy it."

Seeing that Shen Ye did not speak, he quickly said, "Lord Shen, these merchants did not intend to buy the houses at half price; they are willing to buy them at the original price." "In fact, quite a few have suggested that they can raise the price."

Shen Ye was not surprised by this situation.

After all, places where powerful figures gather have always attracted many wealthy people.

Shen Ye did not object to this point.

He casually said, "Old man, you can handle this matter. I trust your abilities."

Upon hearing this, Nian Dongliang felt as if he had found a kindred spirit.

He quickly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate will certainly not let you down."

Just as the two were talking, a middle-aged man with a serious face walked over.

Upon seeing the man, Shen Ye frowned.

Because this man was one of the eunuchs in charge of Yuqing Palace, he was basically not allowed to leave Yuqing Palace unless necessary.

He glanced at Nian Dongliang, who immediately understood, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Shen Ye, and then carefully left.

"Greetings, Your Highness." The middle-aged man was about to kneel down to pay his respects when Shen Ye had someone help him up.

"What is it?" Shen Ye asked in a deep voice.

He knew that Shi Jingrong would never send anyone to find him unless it was something important.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess asked me to inform you that the Dali Temple has submitted a memorial regarding the Ling Pu family's involvement in the Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination fraud case."

"Lingpu and his two sons were beheaded, and Granny Tong was ordered to commit suicide."

The middle-aged man said this with a serious expression, "Princess Consort, please make your preparations as soon as possible."

How did Shi Jingrong know that the Dali Temple had submitted a memorial? Someone must have told her.

He'll find out who told him when he gets back; Shi Jingrong will definitely tell him.

Therefore, Shen Ye now needs to consider the matter of Granny Tong's family.

According to Shen Ye's feelings, the deaths of Granny Tong's family were not unjust at all.

However, Granny Tong's identity is different.

She was the former crown prince's wet nurse.

If, at this critical juncture, the Crown Prince shows no sign of reciprocation, then he would be cruel and ungrateful.

However, if the Crown Prince is rescued, he will also be implicated in the corruption within the Shuntian Prefecture, which would likely damage his reputation.

Furthermore, if he pleads for leniency, he might be accused of favoritism and abuse of power, making him unfit for important responsibilities.

No matter what you do, it's a difficult problem that's hard to decide whether to go forward or back.

Shen Ye nodded and said, "I understand. You may leave now."

As the middle-aged man left, Shen Ye couldn't help but rub his forehead.

This crown prince is truly inhuman.

Under the spotlight, no matter what you do or don't do, you'll be criticized.

It is precisely for this reason that many princes are impatient and want to take charge of the family.

Only when you are in charge can you be considered right no matter what you do, in the eyes of many people.

This alone is enough to tempt many people to take the gamble.

He could be indifferent to the life or death of Granny Tong.

However, if he is left unattended, his image as a filial son may become a joke.

After all, he had a son who had also taken great care of his wet nurse!

While complaining, Shen Ye was also filled with emotion. As the crown prince, even lying down was difficult!

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(End of this chapter)