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

Chapter 513 You Have Fire to Roast Me, I Can Fly Away from Illness

As an empire that had been established for less than fifty years, everything was on the rise.

Therefore, the New Year's Day court ceremony appears particularly solemn and dignified.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, civil and military officials filed in.

Accompanied by the resounding of bells and drums, Crown Prince Shen Ye led his court officials in performing the three kowtows and nine prostrations to Emperor Qianxi as a way of congratulating the dynasty on the start of the new year.

Shen Ye was heartbroken:

Although he inherited the memories of the former crown prince, his knees and forehead were in severe pain when he actually tried to perform the full-body exercise of three kowtows and nine prostrations.

It's too complicated!

However, this is only the beginning of the New Year's Day.

Later, under the guidance of Emperor Qianxi, they will pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.

The emperor also had to go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the princes had to accompany him.

With this whole process, lunch isn't even served hot.

However, there is one advantage to the New Year's Day court ceremony: in the days following the ceremony, the court will generally not have any major events.

After the court officials, imperial guards, and countless palace maids and eunuchs shouted "Long live the Emperor!", Shen Ye slowly returned to his position.

Looking at the vast expanse of people kneeling before him, Shen Ye suddenly realized:
No wonder so many people want to be emperor!
Just as Shen Ye was planning when to start the next round and then find a place to rest, he heard Tong Guowei loudly proclaim, "Your Majesty, your subject Tong Guowei has a memorial to present."

When Tong Guowei said this, the entire room fell silent; everyone was stunned.

This isn't court, it's a New Year's gathering, Lord Tong!

By submitting your memorial at this time, aren't you just making things difficult for the emperor?

Who doesn't know that Emperor Qianxi was a man who hid a knife behind a smile?
However, Tong Guowei was both the Grand Secretary and Emperor Qianxi's maternal uncle, so the officials had no choice but to lower their heads and secretly wait for Emperor Qianxi's reaction.

Emperor Qianxi's expression remained unchanged.
"I love you, but it doesn't matter."

Tong Guowei cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, since ancient times, the New Year's Day court ceremony has always been a gathering of officials to pay homage to the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince."

"Your humble servant believes that the New Year's Day celebrations have been shortened this year in order to save expenses. This is not in accordance with the old rules!"

"Since our dynasty was established, although we have advocated frugality as a virtue, we must not abandon the necessary rituals."

"Therefore, I believe that the procedures for New Year's Day court greetings should still be carried out in accordance with ancient rites."

Tong Guowei's words were perfectly flawless.

Emperor Qianxi almost burst out laughing: No wonder he's my maternal uncle!
They clearly wanted to restore the Crown Prince's New Year's Day celebrations, but they cleverly adapted and said it was about protecting the rules passed down from their ancestors!
He accomplished his task and achieved his goal while preserving his reputation.

Before the emperor could even nod, the other two Grand Secretaries, Zhang Ying and Li Guangdi, also stepped forward and said in unison, "Your Majesty, we second that proposal!"

The three Grand Secretaries are enough to represent the attitude of the Southern Study.

Emperor Qianxi immediately went along with it: "What you ministers have said is wise and insightful advice for governing the country. Let's proceed with the New Year's Day ceremony according to ancient rites!"

At this point, he glanced at the Crown Prince standing to the side, his smile kind: "According to ancient rites, the place where the Crown Prince resides is the Eastern Palace."

"From this day forward, the six palaces surrounding Yuqing Palace will all belong to the Eastern Palace."

When Tong Guowei presented his memorial, Shen Ye knew it was the work of the Qianxi Emperor.

However, at this moment, Emperor Qianxi had not yet spoken, as it was not appropriate for him to speak at all.

Emperor Qianxi's agreeing was exactly what he expected.

The only thing Shen Ye didn't expect was that Emperor Qianxi disregarded military virtue and directly designated the Crown Prince.

The Eastern Palace was formed by six palaces surrounding Yuqing Palace; the Emperor's grace was truly boundless.

He was almost the first to stand up and try to decline the reward.

However, before he could speak, Emperor Qianxi had already ordered, "Move to Cining Palace!"

The emperor gave the order, and the officials naturally followed it. In no time, the grand procession headed towards the Cining Palace.

Shen Ye followed in the group, feeling all sorts of gazes.

Some were envious, some were jealous, some were in awe...

The eldest prince followed behind the group, silently grumbling to himself:
No wonder he kept declining the imperial decree issued by his father a few days ago; it turns out he was waiting for this moment.

Although I could receive the title of Crown Prince by my father's decree alone, it was not as comfortable as receiving it during the New Year's Day court ceremony when three Grand Secretaries jointly proposed it and followed ancient rites!
Could it be that the Crown Prince had this in mind all along?

The Eighth Prince stared at the Crown Prince's retreating figure, his jealousy having completely distorted his appearance.

"It's all Ge Li's fault for dying so young, allowing the Crown Prince to bask in the limelight!"

As for the court officials, some have begun to consider whether they should continue to be close to the Crown Prince.

At Cining Palace, the officials rarely saw the Empress Dowager. Led by Emperor Qianxi, they hurriedly paid their respects outside Cining Palace before the large group headed towards Yuqing Palace.

Since Emperor Qianxi has decreed the restoration of ancient rites, then the Crown Prince should be offered New Year's Day greetings.

Shen Ye watched helplessly as the assembled officials surged toward Yuqing Palace, knowing that he had no choice but to accept the court congratulations today.

"Your Highness, go back to Yuqing Palace to prepare. We'll go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple together in half an hour," Emperor Qianxi instructed with a smile.

When Shen Ye bowed and took his leave, he knew that once today's formalities were completed, Emperor Qianxi would start talking to him about the more important matters of "overseeing the country" and "raising funds."

The Yuqing Palace also has a main hall.

Although it is not as large as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, it has just as much grandeur.

As Shen Ye sat on the Sumeru throne, Tong Guowei, along with civil and military officials, nobles, and princes, performed the ritual of two kneelings and six kowtows.

Looking at the princes and ministers prostrating themselves in reverence, Shen Ye suddenly recalled that both Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, upon witnessing the First Emperor's imposing presence, harbored thoughts of replacing him. This was even more true for the princes present.

We're both sons of Emperor Qianxi, so why am I the one kneeling on the ground? I want to sit on that Sumeru pedestal too!

These younger brothers probably all have the urge to flip the table.

Although the New Year's Day court ceremony was complicated, fortunately there were precedents to follow, so Shen Ye didn't have much to worry about.

After a busy day, Shen Ye returned to the Prince of Qingqiu's mansion with Cao Min at four o'clock in the afternoon.

The Prince of Qingqiu's residence was also bustling with activity.

After chatting with the Crown Princess for a few moments, Shen Ye noticed his tired expression and was about to speak when Shen Ye instructed Zhou Bao, "Summon the imperial physician."

Zhou Bao shuddered in fright!

Why would the Crown Prince need to see the imperial physician during the Lunar New Year?
"Your Highness, you..."

"My head hurts! Quickly, please summon the imperial physician to take a look!"

After saying this weakly, Shen Ye whispered to Shi Jingrong, "Father has put me on such a high pedestal today because he has some tricky matters for me to handle."

"He bestowed gifts upon the Crown Prince and made up for the exemption from the New Year's Day court ceremony, all to shut me up and make me unable to refuse."

"Therefore, faking illness is the best option right now."

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, Shi Jingrong looked worried: "Will Father believe you if you're faking illness?"

Shen Ye smiled and said, "He'll definitely be able to guess. But even if he does, he won't be able to find fault with it."

Although it was the New Year, the Crown Prince summoned the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy, who quickly arrived at the Prince Qingqiu's residence.

After examining the prince through observation, listening, questioning, and palpation, the imperial physician concluded that the prince had been overworked recently, causing stagnation of qi and blood, which was why he had a headache.

Rest and recuperation are needed!

As the second most important figure in the court, the safety of the Crown Prince naturally concerns countless people.

Emperor Qianxi had been busy all day. After having some wine at noon, he took a nap in the Qianqing Palace after his officials had left.

As emperor, he had the power to do whatever he wanted.

When I woke up, the city lights were already on.

Hearing the cheerful laughter in the palace, Emperor Qianxi's mood improved considerably.

He asked Liang Jiugong, "Where will the Crown Prince rest tonight?"

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has returned to the Prince of Qingqiu's residence."

Liang Jiugong knew how important the Crown Prince was to Emperor Qianxi, so he was extremely clear about the Crown Prince's whereabouts.

Emperor Qianxi snorted and said:

"They've already designated the Crown Prince's Palace, yet they're still running off to the Prince of Qingqiu's residence. They really can't tell what's important."

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's words, Liang Jiugong felt a pang of unease. He wondered whether he should tell Emperor Qianxi the news he had received at this time.

But thinking of the wrath of Emperor Qianxi if he didn't speak up now, he finally gritted his teeth and cautiously added:
"Your Majesty, this afternoon, the Crown Prince summoned the imperial physician."

"What happened to the Crown Prince?" Emperor Qianxi asked anxiously when he heard that the Crown Prince had summoned the imperial physician.

Liang Jiugong respectfully said, "The Crown Prince has a headache. After the imperial physician took the Crown Prince's pulse, he believed that the Crown Prince was just too tired, so he prescribed some calming medicine for the Crown Prince and asked the Crown Prince to rest more."

Upon hearing about medicine for headaches and calming the nerves, Emperor Qianxi immediately understood.

This unfilial son, he's not sick at all! He's clearly trying to shut himself up!

Emperor Qianxi had planned everything perfectly, intending to reveal his plans to the Crown Prince after the New Year, instructing him to prepare provisions and then oversee the country after his personal campaign.

But this rebellious son actually pulled a fast one on his own.

He's sick!
Headache!

Don't overwork yourself!

How are we supposed to raise enough food and supplies for ourselves now!
If the Crown Prince hadn't fallen ill, I could have followed my plan and gradually forced him to accept my challenge.

But how could a father force his sick son to work when the crown prince was ill?

Although the crown prince cannot remain ill indefinitely in order to secure the throne.

But I can't afford to wait!

"Bastard!"

After cursing, Emperor Qianxi grabbed a teacup and smashed it to pieces.

His good mood vanished completely in an instant.

All the plans that were originally under control have now become almost useless.

Liang Jiugong knew what Emperor Qianxi was plotting. Sensing the emperor's anger, he obediently lowered his head, afraid that if he raised his head, the anger would be directed at him.

Perhaps because he had broken the teacup, Emperor Qianxi's mood calmed down.

He said to Liang Jiugong, "Bring me the Crown Prince's medical records. Also, have the imperial physician who treated the Crown Prince come here."

Liang Jiugong breathed a sigh of relief and immediately went to convey Emperor Qianxi's order.

Within a quarter of an hour, the imperial physician had arrived before Emperor Qianxi.

After the imperial physician bowed respectfully, Emperor Qianxi said in a deep voice, "Imperial Physician Li, tell me honestly, what exactly is wrong with the Crown Prince?"

　The second update of the day is here, and also the last one for this year. Dear readers, the new year is approaching, so please support us and vote for us during this time of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)