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

Chapter 530 Complaint, Someone Wants to Fish in Troubled Waters
On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the nobles and aristocrats in the capital should have been enjoying the holiday leisurely in their warm chambers, eating melon seeds and drinking tea.

However, the Imperial Household Department was unusually bustling with activity as soon as dawn broke.

Although there are places in the palace where the Imperial Household Department does its work, it is really not suitable to hold this bidding process in the Forbidden City.

Why? It's the New Year, and it wouldn't be good to disturb the Emperor.

The three chief stewards of the Imperial Household Department got up very early and gathered at the yamen before dawn.

Their roles today are a bit complicated: they are both the hosts of this bidding process and participants in the bidding themselves.

"Your Highness, how are your preparations going this time?" Yue Xing'a asked Narsu with a smile.

They've always had a good relationship, with no major conflicts, and they can discuss many private matters together.

Moreover, the three of them had already agreed on this before the bidding process:
Everyone keeps an eye on their own deals, keeping to themselves and not interfering with each other's plans.

Narsu chuckled: "I've managed to scrape together some silver, it should be enough."

Seeing his confident expression, Yue Xing'a hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said:
"Don't relax too much! I heard there are several companies determined to win this time..."

“Especially ginseng and gold mining, some people are planning to invest heavily.”

"Your Highness, if you really want to win over any particular subject, you'll have to bet more. Otherwise, even a cooked duck might flap its wings and fly into someone else's pot!"

Upon hearing this, Narsu's expression became more serious, and he nodded and whispered:

"Thank you for the reminder, brother. Although this is an internal matter of the Imperial Household Department, I've heard that quite a few imperial relatives have gotten involved..."

"Yesterday I heard someone say that Yan from Shun'an got drunk the other day and made some outrageous remarks at the banquet!"

"They say the Tong family has their eyes on the gold mines in the black soil region. Anyone who's blind enough to try and compete with them is disrespecting the Tong family!"

Upon hearing this, Yue Xing'a's face immediately fell.

"To be honest, Your Highness," he whispered.
“I originally wanted to invest in gold mining, but when I heard that the Tong family was interested, I immediately changed my mind.”

"Yes, other businesses may not be as profitable as gold mining, but even the fastest money can't be earned without living to enjoy it!"

"Earning less money is fine, but it's better than offending the Tong family!"

Although Narsu was a prince, he did not want to provoke the Tong family.

That was Emperor Qianxi's maternal uncle, the Grand Secretary and the first Grand Secretary of the court!

As a hereditary prince, there's no need for him to clash head-on with the Tong family; that would be like throwing an egg against a rock!

So he smiled and agreed, "Lord Yue made the right choice, wise indeed! There's plenty of business to be had, why should we go against the Tong family?"

"Let's pick something that's worry-free and stable, that's good!"

As the two were talking, the Fourth Prince, Yunzhen, stepped in.

The three stewards quickly rose and bowed.

"How are the preparations going?" The fourth prince was wearing a thick winter robe, but he looked very energetic and full of fighting spirit.

The Crown Prince entrusted him with this matter, and he was eager to make a good impression.

His inner calculations were also clicking away:

This time, I'll show Father Emperor just how capable his fourth son is!

"Reporting to Fourth Master, everything is ready. We can start bidding when the time comes."

The Fourth Prince nodded: "When I came in, I saw that there were already quite a few people waiting outside. Since it's about time, let them submit their contracts."

Narsu and the other two exchanged glances and replied in unison, "Yes, sir."

As soon as the gates of the government office opened, people filed in and handed over their contracts.

According to the rules set by Crown Prince Shen Ye, each contract had to be packed in a brown paper bag and sealed with the seal of the Imperial Household Department before being handed over, making it look quite legitimate.

Those who came to hand over their documents were all subordinates of the Imperial Household Department, so in front of the Fourth Prince and the three chief stewards, everyone behaved themselves properly and dared not act rashly.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the yamen was solemn and quiet.

When Shen Ye came in, most of the contract documents had already been collected.

He saw the Fourth Prince sitting in the hall, his eyes fixed intently on the bidding process, and couldn't help but laugh:

"Fourth brother, let Narsu and the others keep an eye on these chores. You don't need to be here personally."

The fourth prince, however, said solemnly:
"I dare not be careless in the matters entrusted to me by the Crown Prince. Besides, it's not tiring to sit here and have some tea with the three of you."

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Then you must be working very hard."

Just as he was about to turn around and go to the back room to pick up a book to read, a middle-aged man who had just submitted his bid suddenly bowed to him:

"This servant greets Your Highness!"

Shen Ye didn't pay any attention at first, and didn't even lift his eyelids. The people of the Imperial Household Department were all royal servants, so it was normal for them to greet each other.

He waved his hand casually: "No need, no need, go do your thing."

To everyone's surprise, the man not only didn't back down, but straightened his back even more and raised his voice a few decibels: "Your Highness, this servant has something to report!"

Shen Ye stopped in his tracks.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the middle-aged man from head to toe like a brush:
His expression was solemn, his eyes were darting around, and his fingers were unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of his clothes.

Shen Ye felt that this person was not simple.

The fourth prince and Narsu, who were standing nearby, also became serious—the atmosphere seemed a bit off.

All eyes turned to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man felt a chill run down his spine from being stared at, and he was clearly a little flustered, but he still tried to remain calm.

"Who are you? What do you want to report?" Shen Ye looked him over and asked slowly.

"Your Highness, this servant is Chang Wu, the steward of the Imperial Household Department's Cautious Conduct Division. This servant wishes to report on the recent contracting matter—"

Chang Wu spoke faster:
"The other day at noon, Shun'an Yan of the Tong family openly declared at a banquet that the Tong family wanted to invest in a gold mine, and anyone who dared to compete would be an enemy of the Tong family!" "This servant was furious upon hearing this. I originally wanted to contract the gold mining, but I was afraid of incurring the Tong family's wrath, so I had no choice but to reluctantly give it up..."

"But the more I think about it, the more I feel that this matter damages the reputation of the Imperial Household Department and even more so the Emperor's reputation, so I have come to report to the Crown Prince!"

Looking at his loyal appearance, Shen Ye wondered to himself: Is this really what you're doing this for?
Or were we used as pawns?

He could think about it, but he couldn't lash out on the spot—

If someone comes to "inform" you, and you arrest them instead, who will dare to whisper to you in the future?
Do they still want to maintain their reputation for humbly accepting advice?

Who exactly is trying to sow discord between me and Tong Guowei?
Do you want me to fall out with that old fox?

Although we didn't get along to begin with, this method was just too... too crude!
Shen Ye's mind raced, but his expression remained calm:
"Chang Wu, it's good that you value the reputation of the court. I'm very pleased."

"Don't worry, what I said today is only for this room and will not leave this room."

"If anyone makes things difficult for you in the future because of this, feel free to come to me, or go directly to the Emperor to complain."

"Go ahead and get busy. I have my own plans for this."

Chang Wu bowed respectfully and quickly withdrew.

Watching him leave, Shen Ye turned his gaze to Narsu and the other two:

"The three of you are the chief stewards of the Imperial Household Department. Have you heard what Chang Wu said?"

The three of them were suddenly stunned, looking at each other with some hesitation.

Especially Yue Xing'a, who started sweating—

He didn't just hear about it; he was right there at the dinner table!
If we say we don't know now, once the Crown Prince investigates, it will be considered deceiving the Emperor, and we'll be finished.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "This servant... has indeed heard of it."

Shen Ye's gaze fell on his face: "Since you've heard about it, why didn't you report it?"

"Your Highness, please calm down. This servant thought that Shun'an Yan was just talking nonsense because he was drunk, and didn't take it too seriously..."

“These past few days, many people have been discussing the contracting matter at gatherings. It was my oversight, Your Highness. Please forgive me.”

Yue Xing'a quickly explained.

Seeing his sincere remorse, Shen Ye said calmly, "Since you know you're wrong, let's let it go this time."

Shen Ye hesitated for a moment, then called out, "Someone come here."

Tu Jinhai, the bodyguard, stepped forward in response.

"Take my edict and bring Shun'an Yan here," Shen Ye ordered.

Tu Jinhai was stunned—Shun'an Yan? That's Tong Guowei's beloved grandson…

But when he looked up and saw the Crown Prince's serious expression, he quickly lowered his head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Just as Tu Jinhai was about to retreat, the Fourth Prince darted forward:
"Your Highness, please reconsider! Shouldn't we consult with the Emperor first?"

“Shun An Yan’s identity is special; after all, he is not an ordinary person.”

Narsu also chimed in, "Yes, Your Highness, it would be best to first inform His Majesty and obtain his instructions."

Shen Ye smiled and said, "What's the rush? He's just calling me over to ask a few questions. Once we understand, it's not too late to report to Father."

Tu Jinhai accepted the order and left.

Shen Ye turned and went back to the back room, pondering to himself:
It would be strange if Chang Wu wasn't being instructed by someone behind the scenes!
How dare a mere steward accuse the Grand Secretary of the court?
They even chose this crucial bidding period to file a complaint... Did they know I'd be in a difficult situation?
If I don't react or take action, I'll lose face.

However, if Shun'an Yan is punished too severely, it would be tantamount to directly slapping Tong Guowei in the face.

This is clearly an attempt to further strain my relationship with Tong Guowei...

Several suspicious candidates flashed through Shen Ye's mind, and the more he thought about it, the more it itched to get to the bottom of his mind.

But the stage was already set up, and the play couldn't be stopped.

About half an hour later, Tu Jinhai returned, panting, to report back.

Having already made up his mind, Shen Ye returned to the main hall at a leisurely pace.

By this time, all the contract documents had been collected, but the Fourth Prince and Narsu and the others hadn't left—

As everyone knows, the main focus today is not the tender documents, but the matter of Shun'an Yan.

When Shun'an Yan was brought in, he looked a little disheveled, but his expression remained relatively calm.

Upon seeing Shen Ye, he bowed respectfully and said, "Your subject Shun'an Yan greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Shen Ye asked calmly, "Do you know why I called you here?"

Shun An Yan shook his head, looking bewildered: "This humble subject does not know, please enlighten me, Your Highness."

"I heard that you said the Tong family wants to contract the gold mining of the Imperial Household Department. Anyone who tries to compete with you should not blame you for being impolite!"

"Is that so?" Shen Ye looked at him, her tone calm.

Shun An Yan's expression changed.

He made such boastful remarks in his drunken state because he thought no one would dare to offend the Tong family.

Who would have thought someone would report this to the Crown Prince!

But then he thought again that it wasn't a big deal—

After all, he was Tong Guowei's grandson. The Crown Prince couldn't just do anything to him because of a few drunken words, could he?

So he composed himself and calmly replied:

"Your Highness, please forgive me! I was drunk that day and spoke only drunken words. Please do not take it seriously... I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."

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(End of this chapter)