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

Chapter 60 A Bloodbath Caused by an Apricot-Yellow Robe

While Wanfu Garden attracted attention, the most pressing concern for the high-ranking officials in the court remained the imperial examination fraud case in Shuntian Prefecture.

Although Zhang Xuezan is dead, the Crown Prince's wet nurse, Granny Tong, is still among them.

Throughout history, no matter concerning the crown prince has ever been trivial.

In the court debate, the Crown Prince managed to muddy the waters by dragging others into the fray, thus deterring anyone from implicating him.

However, the life or death of Granny Tong is related to the Crown Prince's reputation.

Whether the Crown Prince will save Granny Tong remains a major point of interest.

To not help would be heartless and ungrateful!

Some people have even written memorials, using this as a starting point. These memorials will not say it explicitly, but they will subtly imply that the Crown Prince is heartless.

The benevolent are invincible!
How can someone who lacks benevolence be a ruler of the world?
Of course, if the crown prince were to step in to save the person, it would be tantamount to disregarding the law and showing blatant disregard for discipline.

How can such a disrespectful crown prince be a role model for the world?

Therefore, many things are not about what you do, but about what you say.

In some people's mouths, whatever they say is right.

While they were observing, Emperor Qianxi issued his decree regarding the petition submitted by the Court of Judicial Review.

The Lingpu family was stripped of all favors and rewards, all their property was confiscated, and the entire family was sent to Shengjing to guard the coffin of Emperor Taizong.

As for the others, any official involved in the case will be executed.

Upon seeing this decision, some passionate censors immediately prepared to stand up.

Emperor Qianxi was very lenient towards censors in recent years.

As a result, it frequently occurred that censors would impeach imperial relatives and nobles.

Although these censors were not as powerful as those of the previous Ming dynasty, they still dared to speak out.

However, just as they were about to submit their completed memorial, they saw the memorial that had been forwarded to them:
It was a memorial submitted by the Crown Prince.

The memorial contained only one item: the Crown Prince was to be punished by wearing an apricot-yellow robe for failing to properly manage those around him.

Emperor Qianxi granted the request.

Those who can stand in the imperial court are all shrewd and capable individuals.

Upon seeing this memorial, almost everyone understood that this was an exchange.

The Crown Prince used his apricot-yellow robe, a symbol of his status, to save the lives of Granny Tong and her family.

The fact that the emperor agreed to the crown prince's request...

Such matters are more and more interesting the more one thinks about them. While pondering them, even the most impetuous censor quietly put away his memorial.

It's not acceptable to impeach the Crown Prince for being harsh and ungrateful, after all, he saved his wet nurse's family.

Impeaching him for disregarding discipline is also not an option, after all, the Crown Prince's apricot-yellow robe represents his dignity.

The crown prince, who gave up even the apricot-yellow robe, paid a considerable price.

The fact that the emperor accepted the apricot-colored robe is something that, upon closer examination, can also cause some grumbling.

Emperor Qianxi was very concerned about his image.

If we were to impeach the Crown Prince at this point, what would Emperor Qianxi's reaction be?
However, while the censor remained silent, one place could not.

Inside the Southern Study's duty room, Suo'etu looked at the memorial he had approved and forwarded, and asked his son-in-law Yin Jishan in an icy voice, "Are you sure this memorial is correct?"

Although Yin Jishan was Suo'etu's son-in-law, he was only a little over ten years younger than Suo'etu.

He was not a Grand Secretary, but he was appointed by Emperor Qianxi to serve in the Southern Study.

Faced with Songgotu's fury, he took a breath and said, "Minister Songgotu, you are not wrong at all."

"It's too late for you to get angry now."

Before Yin Jishan could finish speaking, Suo'etu grabbed the paperweight on the table and, without saying a word, smashed it over Yin Jishan's head.

Normally, Songgotu is always all smiles and incredibly kind to everyone. But now, he's genuinely angry!

The paperweight was made of brass, and Yin Jishan couldn't dodge it in time; it hit him directly on the head.

Although he was wearing a hat, a bloody welt still appeared on Yin Jishan's head.

Faced with this undeserved calamity, Yin Jishan did not fly into a rage. Instead, he turned to Suo'etu and said, "Prime Minister Suo, things have come to this, what more do you want?"

After saying that, he stopped trying to persuade him and simply left Suo'etu's duty room.

Looking at the bloodstains in the duty room, Suo'etu gradually calmed down.

He knew that he absolutely could not argue with Emperor Qianxi.

However, it felt as if a fire was burning inside him.

He had gone to great lengths to obtain that apricot-yellow crown prince robe, taking advantage of Emperor Qianxi's deep affection for his son.

What was the purpose? Wasn't it to ensure and solidify the crown prince's position?
Whether in the imperial court or in ordinary times, having the Crown Prince appear in his apricot-yellow robes is tantamount to solemnly declaring to everyone:

This is the prince!

This is a half-king!

This is the future emperor!
However, this very thing, which he believed could inspire endless awe in countless people towards the Crown Prince, was used by the Crown Prince to pay for the lives of Granny Tong's entire family.

This is practically trading gold for dirt.

No, it's replaced with a pile of worthless, stinking dog shit!
The suggestion to exchange the apricot-yellow robe for the lives of Granny Tong's family was likely made by the Crown Prince; otherwise, Emperor Qianxi would never have taken the initiative to propose it.

He understood the Qianxi Emperor as well as the Qianxi Emperor understood him.

Emperor Qianxi was the kind of person who was so concerned with saving face that he suffered for it!

"Come with me to Yuqing Palace, I request to see the Crown Prince!" Soetu said to his attendants.

As for whether it will have any impact, he doesn't care about that anymore!

The attendant cautiously reminded him, "Sir, the Crown Prince... the Crown Prince is currently at Changchun Garden. Is it appropriate for you to go there now?"

Songgotu did not answer, but glanced at his attendant and said coldly, "Prepare the horses."

Upon hearing this, the attendant was even more frightened, knowing that Suo'etu usually rode in a sedan chair.

The fact that he is now riding a horse shows how eager this prime minister is.

He dared not persuade him any further, and could only help Suo'etu mount his horse, and then escort him all the way to Changchun Garden.

As a Grand Secretary, Suo'etu had the right to enter Changchun Garden, especially since he was there to see the Crown Prince. Therefore, his request for an audience was immediately reported to Shen Ye.

Shen Ye was fishing with Shi Jingrong at that moment.

These past few days, Shen Ye has been living a very leisurely life at Changchun Garden. Apart from paying his respects to Emperor Qianxi and the Empress Dowager, he has started his vacation mode.

It was a hot summer day, but as the crown prince, no one dared to let him go swimming.

Since swimming was not an option, they took Shi Jingrong fishing, which was also a way to appease the somewhat jealous Crown Princess.

Sitting by the waterside pavilion, the gentle breeze, combined with the chilled grape juice that Shen Ye had made, created an exceptionally comfortable feeling.

Even Shi Jingrong has begun to enjoy this languid lifestyle.

"Your Highness, I went to see the Empress Dowager this morning. She really liked this grape juice. However, the old lady is getting on in years and only dares to chill it with cold water from the well."

Shi Jingrong said softly, "Because of this, the Empress Dowager also bestowed upon me a pair of these bracelets!"

Looking at the emerald green bracelet on Shi Jingrong's slender wrist, Shen Ye gently grabbed it, preparing to examine it closely, when Zhou Bao came over to report that Suo'etu was requesting an audience.

Upon hearing that Suo'etu was requesting an audience, Shi Jingrong quickly withdrew her hand.

She knew Songgotu's status, and she knew even better that Songgotu was definitely not in a good mood at this moment.

Shen Ye knew perfectly well why Suo'etu had come to see him, and he was prepared, so he said directly to Zhou Bao, "Tell Prime Minister Suo that I am not feeling well and will not be seeing him today."

"Furthermore, tell Prime Minister Suo that a wise man should think thrice before he acts!"
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(End of this chapter)