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

Chapter 74 When the fake is true, the truth is also false

Upon hearing Liang Jiugong convey Emperor Qianxi's decree, Shen Ye knew why Emperor Qianxi wanted to see him.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked Liang Jiugong, "Has His Majesty eaten?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, not yet." Liang Jiugong was a little confused by the Crown Prince's question. Shouldn't the question be, "Why is the Emperor looking for you?"

Why are you asking if I want to eat?

On the way there, Liang Jiugong kept thinking about whether he should answer if the Crown Prince asked Emperor Qianxi why he was looking for him.

Unexpectedly, they asked about food.

"Then let's not wait until after lunch, I'll go to Father's place for a free meal!" Shen Ye didn't wait for Liang Jiugong's reply before casually instructing, "Zhou Bao, go tell the Crown Princess that she doesn't need to wait for me for lunch!"

As he spoke, Shen Ye strolled leisurely towards the outside of Yuqing Palace.

As Liang Jiugong watched Shen Ye walk away first, a feeling inexplicably rose in his heart: the Crown Prince in front of him was different from before!
Although the previous crown princes were extremely arrogant, they always hesitated and felt caught in a dilemma whenever they went to see Emperor Qianxi.

The current crown prince, however, is more carefree.

What's wrong with the Crown Prince?
Despite his doubts, Liang Jiugong quickly followed the Crown Prince and said calmly, "Your Highness, Lord Yu is a man who rarely praises others."

On the surface, this statement seems to refer to Yu Chenglong, but in reality, it tells Shen Ye that Yu Chenglong praised him when he met Emperor Qianxi.

Looking at Liang Jiugong's smiling face, Shen Ye felt a surge of emotion.

Putting everything else aside, this Chief Steward Liang truly deserves to be called a trusted confidant who has served Emperor Qianxi for many years.

Whether in his personal conduct or in his work, he leaves no trace of worldly concerns.

He both pleased himself by revealing the information to himself and seemed to have said nothing at all.

What is skill level? This is skill level!

When you're out in the world, you're bound to get hurt.

Don't underestimate these seemingly insignificant underlings. Sometimes, a casual remark can have a huge impact.

Facing a good person like Liang Jiugong, Shen Ye smiled and said, "Old Liang, we're old friends. I'll give you a chance to make a fortune sometime."

"Don't try to hide anything from me. Let me remind you, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Give yourself a chance to make a fortune? Liang Jiugong was a little unsure.

Although the Crown Prince held a prestigious position in the palace, everything was under the control of the Qianxi Emperor.

What opportunities can he give himself?
However, this crown prince was quite resourceful; with a mere flick of his wrist, he sent the Empress Dowager a birthday gift—Wanfu Garden—without spending a penny.

Moreover, even if the Crown Prince only gives me a sesame seed, I will treat it like a watermelon!

He was overjoyed and said, "Then this servant thanks Your Highness!"

As they spoke, the two arrived outside the Qianqing Palace.

Although ice was used to cool things down in the palace, Shen Ye's forehead was still covered in sweat as they walked.

This is still within the palace; if we were to go there to provide disaster relief, the experience would be...

The throne won't let me inherit it, so why should I bother with myself?

After Liang Jiugong announced the news, Shen Ye entered the Qianqing Palace.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Qianxi was dressed casually in a light silk robe, appearing quite relaxed. However, upon seeing Shen Ye, he snorted and said, "Didn't I tell you to come after lunch? Why are you here now?"

Shen Ye, seeing this seemingly ordinary question that actually implied disobedience, immediately smiled and said, "Your subject just thought it had been a few days since I had dined with Father Emperor, so I came to ask Father Emperor for a meal."

"I've always felt that eating with you is especially delicious!"

Emperor Qianxi rolled his eyes at Shen Ye, thinking to himself, "Your words sound like you're trying to fool me."

Even so, as a father, he couldn't turn away his son when he came all the way to ask to have dinner together.

Moreover, when he was a child, he often dined with the Crown Prince.

However, time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the Crown Prince has grown up!
He snorted and said, "Alright, stop talking nonsense here and sit down to prepare dinner." As he spoke, he said to Liang Jiugong, "Serve the meal. Oh, and have the imperial kitchen make an Eight Treasures Duck; the Crown Prince likes it."

Liang Jiugong agreed and quickly left.

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's words, Shen Ye's heart stirred.

From the original crown prince's memories, he knew that the original crown prince liked to eat Eight Treasures Duck.

Many people know this, but the fact that Emperor Qianxi, who had so many things to worry about every day, still remembered this is enough to show that he still had a lot of feelings for the former crown prince.

However, according to the development in the parallel universe, although the two deposed crown princes were certainly at fault, Emperor Qianxi later dug one pit after another, determined to lead the crown princes down the path of rebellion.

What does this mean? It means that supreme imperial power will eventually erode all family ties.

While feeling deeply moved, he outwardly expressed his sincere gratitude.

At this moment, Emperor Qianxi said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Now you know how to express gratitude? During the morning court session, weren't you still so arrogant and domineering, shouting threats to kill Suo'etu and Mingzhu?"

"You are the Crown Prince, not an Imperial Censor."

"I have taught you countless times that a ruler should never put himself at the forefront of the battle unless absolutely necessary."

"But what about you? You may have been impressive, but you've also offended everyone."

If Emperor Qianxi's tone was initially sarcastic, it later took on a more didactic quality.

As Shen Ye watched Emperor Qianxi pick up his teacup and drink, he picked up the teapot beside him and poured water for him, saying with a smile, "Father, I'm just so angry that some people are blatantly distorting the truth."

"Moreover, Nian Dongliang is actually a pretty good person."

"Besides, I'm still young, it's nothing to make mistakes. As long as Father Emperor is there to support me, the sky won't fall!"

Shen Ye's words were like a gentle tickle to Emperor Qianxi, making him feel comfortable and quite pleased.

The crown prince still relies on his old father as a patron, so this son is quite good.

Of course, even if he had such thoughts in his heart, he wouldn't say them out loud.

"You are young, but I can't keep cleaning up your messes forever. In the future, after I pass away, you will still be in charge of this vast land."

"When things get out of hand, who do you expect to clean up the mess for you?" Emperor Qianxi said coldly.

Hearing these righteous words, Shen Ye thought to himself, "Say that to me again in ten years."

Are you willing to let me take charge of this vast land?
Although Shen Ye had no intention of inheriting the throne, if he wanted to live comfortably, he couldn't afford to do anything reckless in front of Emperor Qianxi.

Putting everything else aside, just being confined within high walls is no joke!

Therefore, he immediately expressed his sincere feelings: "So I have always hoped that Father Emperor can be healthy and energetic, so that I can enjoy life under Father Emperor's protection, instead of exhausting my mind and energy every day to worry about state affairs!"

"As you know, I am actually a bit lazy."

When Emperor Qianxi heard the final reason, he glared at the emperor.

How can someone be so open about being lazy?

Although we are father and son, we are also ruler and subject.

However, if what the Crown Prince said earlier is true, that would be wonderful!

After all, he also hoped to be in good health, and of course, it would be even better if he could borrow another five hundred years from heaven.

"I must get rid of this laziness in the future."

"I can still take care of this empire for you now, but in the end, it will still belong to you."

Just then, Liang Jiugong and his men brought out plate after plate of dishes.

After taking a few bites, Emperor Qianxi suddenly put down his chopsticks and said, "Song'etu has requested an audience with you twice, why won't you see him?"

　Dear readers, starting today, the usual update schedule will resume. I'll make up for the extra chapters gradually. There's an extra chapter today!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)