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

Chapter 544 Since you want to cause trouble, then I'll go along with it.

The matter of being the chief examiner for the imperial examination is of utmost importance!

Anyone who lands this job is basically guaranteed a bright future!
Who knows, one day I might be able to squeeze into the Southern Study and sit on equal footing with those Grand Secretaries.

Although Ma Qi's ranking was slightly higher than Chen Tingjing's, Chen Tingjing was not convinced at all.

In his eyes, Ma Qi's knowledge and skills were roughly equivalent to his own level when he first started learning in his youth.

They might be able to recite the Three Character Classic, but when it comes to governing the country, they probably wouldn't even know where the door frame is.

Compared to my own vast knowledge, I am far inferior.

Let him be the chief examiner? Chen Tingjing felt a tightness in his chest and was extremely uncomfortable.

“Lord Zhang, if Tong Guowei can really get the quota for the more than fifteen Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in Jiangnan, then I will not hesitate to appoint Ma Qi as the chief examiner, and I will have no objection whatsoever!”

"It's no exaggeration to say that Tong Guowei was good at recognizing and appointing talent!"

Chen Tingjing flicked his sleeve, his tone curt.

"But if we can't get it done, then we'll have to try to get the position of chief examiner!"

He took a half-step forward, staring intently at Zhang Ying, and spoke slowly and deliberately:
"I'm not afraid of you calling me shameless—"

"I think that, in terms of both knowledge and ability, I, Chen Tingjing, am the most suitable person to be the chief examiner for this imperial examination!"

Zhang Ying showed no surprise on her face, but sighed inwardly.

Chen Tingjing has wanted to enter the cabinet for quite some time now.

Lately, he's been acting more and more aggressively, like a cat that's about to explode.

“Lord Chen, if we only consider talent and ability, I think you are indeed no worse than Ma Qi.”

Zhang Ying spoke slowly, leaving room for interpretation in her words.

Upon hearing this opening, Chen Tingjing had a feeling that something terrible was about to happen!

Oh no, they praised him right off the bat. Are they planning to praise him first and then criticize him later?

Those who try to get a sweet date first are sure to be hit hard next.

He knows this routine all too well!

As he expected, Zhang Ying then said:

“But Maqi’s favor with the Emperor and his status in the court are far superior to yours.”

"Besides, the Eighth Prince also supports him. If you ask me, you shouldn't argue with him this time."

He picked up his teacup, blew on the foam, and then lowered a bait:
"After His Majesty returns, Chancellor Tong is willing to recommend you for the position of Minister of Rites."

"Li Guangdi can't hold this position forever, don't you think?"

Chen Tingjing snorted and said defiantly:
“Prime Minister Zhang, it’s true that Ma Qi has the Eighth Prince backing him, but we don’t have to put all our eggs in one basket or go down the same path to the bitter end!”

"Can't we find someone else to support us?"

He lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming: "For example... the Third Prince?"

"I think he is quite kind to our Jiangnan region."

"Moreover, the Third Prince is skilled in both literature and martial arts, so he may well have a chance to compete for that position!"

Zhang Ying felt a tightness in her forehead and couldn't help but rub it hard.

Although Chen Tingjing's words only represented his personal opinion, behind him stood countless officials from Jiangnan.

Everyone was holding the same grudge: We all support the Eighth Prince, so why should we all be on the same side?
Now, it is the Eighth Prince who needs us, not the other way around!
So, if all else fails, why not just find someone else to support you?

Perhaps the Third Prince is waiting for our Jiangnan faction to offer him a way out!

"Lord Chen, our biggest opponent right now is still the Crown Prince."

Zhang Ying patiently advised, "We both know the Crown Prince's attitude towards scholars and the gentry of Jiangnan."

"Our chances of winning are greatest if we join forces with the Eighth Prince; if we break up first, wouldn't that just let the Crown Prince reap the benefits?"

He spoke sincerely, as if all his considerations were for the greater good.

"Moreover, the concessions made by our Jiangnan faction have been seen by Prime Minister Tong and the Eighth Prince, and they will surely compensate us in the future."

Chen Tingjing's face darkened. Although he felt that Zhang Ying's words made sense, he still couldn't swallow his anger, which was stuck in his throat.

He angrily said, "I'll think about it some more," and got up to leave. The two parted on bad terms this time.

Zhang Ying didn't try to stop him, but just shook her head as she watched his retreating figure.

This matter cannot be rushed; forcing it will only cause trouble.

On the other hand, Shen Ye was completely unaware of these undercurrents.

Since establishing those "rules of procedure," he has spent most of his time in Yuqing Palace, accompanying Shi Jingrong, who is about to give birth.

According to the midwife's estimate, there was still more than a month before delivery. Shen Ye took every spare moment she could, wishing she could stay in Yuqing Palace forever.

As for the matter of regent, he wouldn't bother with it unless something major went wrong.

Since there's an emperor father watching over us anyway, why make things difficult for ourselves and work ourselves to the bone?

That afternoon, after Shi Jingrong fell asleep, Shen Ye prepared to go back to his study to read a couple of pages of a book.

Before I even stepped inside, Zhou Bao came running over in a panic.

"What happened?" Shen Ye knew Zhou Bao, who had served him for many years, very well, and could tell from his expression that something was wrong.

Zhou Bao leaned closer, his voice low:
"Your Highness, news just came from Yuqing Bank that... Manager Nian Jinfu's arm was broken last night!"

Shen Ye's face darkened.

Although Nian Jinfu was merely a servant of the Nian family, he was a shrewd businessman.

Although he was in charge of directing the operation from behind the scenes, Nian Jinfu also made significant contributions to the smooth opening of Yuqing Bank.

Many of the ideas Shen Ye came up with on a whim were actually implemented by Nian Jinfu. "Who did it?" Shen Ye's voice turned cold.

"Your Highness, it's not clear yet." Zhou Bao wiped his sweat.

"Manager Nian attended a business dinner last night and was beaten up on his way home."

"The person who came didn't say who he was, but just told him to 'watch his step and not go looking for his own death'."

Shen Ye paced back and forth in the study—this wasn't just a slap in the face to Nian Jinfu; it was a slap in the face to the Crown Prince!

"Has Manager Nian offended anyone recently?" He took a deep breath, barely suppressing his anger.

Zhou Bao had already inquired about it and quickly replied:
"Just two days ago, Qingliang, the fifth son of Prince Yu, took a counterfeit Yuqing gold note to our Yuqing Bank to exchange it for silver."

"When the shopkeeper checked it, he found it was fake. We told him that we have anti-counterfeiting labels."

"As a result, Qingliang slapped Manager Nian across the face and told him to 'be smart'."

Qingliang is Shen Ye's cousin.

Although Emperor Qianxi was always wary of his brothers, he still outwardly showed them respect.

Qingliang has already been granted the title of Third-Class Light Cavalry Captain, and he will be promoted further in the future.

Previously, Shen Ye didn't pay much attention to even his own brothers, let alone his cousins.

Regardless of whether Qingliang did it himself, the finger is clearly pointing at Shen Ye, the Crown Prince who is in charge of the country.

Trying to exchange counterfeit money for silver? Does he think he's easy to bully?

They still believed that when the emperor was away on campaign, the crown prince had to keep a low profile, be kind to others, and keep a low profile.

In many instances, Shen Ye maintained a very calm demeanor to avoid drawing too much attention and arousing the Qianxi Emperor's suspicion.

Govern by doing nothing, and accumulate good karma!
Could it be that Qingliang, or Prince Yu, also takes it for granted that he is this kind of person?

Are they easy to talk to, easy to manipulate, and easy to fool?

Shen Ye's lazy, aimless thoughts about just getting by were instantly shattered!

Fine, I just wanted to be a "temporary worker" and behave myself, but you guys insisted on walking into the line of fire?

He looked up at Zhou Bao, his eyes icy: "Why didn't you report it back then?"

Zhou Bao lowered his head even further, almost burying it in his chest:

"Your Highness, because of Qingliang's identity, Manager Nian was afraid of causing you trouble, so he instructed his subordinates not to talk too much and to keep it a secret for him."

"Now that his arm is broken, only then did the manager of Yuqing Bank dare to speak to this servant..."

Shen Ye closed his eyes.

His own men, to avoid causing him trouble, had swallowed their anger and were beaten to this state—

Damn it, I don't want to go through the trouble of being a regent. I just feel like I can't win the throne, so I'll just take it one day at a time.

Those days of just getting by passed by.

However, you have gone too far!

Do you really think I, the Crown Prince Regent, am made of clay?

Fine, since none of you want to live a good life, then none of you should. I'll just give you a big one.

Let me show you how different a regent prince is from an emperor, without the emperor's supervision.

The difference might be that the emperor still has to follow a set of rules; but if the crown prince is in a hurry, he can make up his own rules on the spot!
The moment this thought crossed his mind, Shen Ye suddenly let out a cold laugh:
"Go, summon Longkodo of the Infantry Commander's Office and Chang Shunhuai, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, to see me immediately."

"And bring me that document from the shelf on the right side of my study."

He paused, then added, "The two will meet separately; Longkodo will go first."

Aside from Yu Chenglong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was replaced very frequently during the Qianxi Emperor's reign.

Chang Shunhuai was a newly appointed official, and he hadn't even warmed his seat yet.

When he received the summons, his heart pounded with anxiety.

He had only been in office as the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture for less than a month when the Crown Prince suddenly summoned him; it couldn't be anything good.

He bumped into Longkodo outside the palace gates and quickly approached him to try and extract information:

"Lord Long, do you know why the Crown Prince summoned us?"

Longkodo had already received news that the head manager of Yuqing Bank had his arm broken.

But on the surface, he pretended to know nothing:
"Lord Chang is joking. The eunuch who delivered the message didn't tell me, so how would I know?"

Chang Shunhuai secretly curled his lip—who doesn't know that you, Longkodo, are the emperor's ears and eyes?
What could possibly go wrong in the capital that could escape your notice? It's obvious you just don't want to talk about it!
However, he dared not say this, not only because Longkodo held a higher position than him, but also because he enjoyed more imperial favor.

The two were waiting with their own thoughts in mind when Zhou Bao came out and led Longkodo to the study first.

As Longkodo walked, he cursed under his breath:

The Crown Prince is no saint. Although His Majesty said that the Crown Prince, as regent, should keep a low profile, angering the Crown Prince will not end well.

Who is this blind bastard who had to provoke the Crown Prince at this time?
I wonder if this gentleman is just too lazy to move, or if he's actually unable to move?
They're just trying to cause me trouble!
When I get back, I'll definitely settle the score with that kid.

After making a firm decision in his mind, he went into the study and saw the Crown Prince sitting behind his desk flipping through documents without even lifting his eyelids.

“Longkodo,” Shen Ye suddenly spoke, his voice calm, “Do you know why I called you here?”

Longkodo bowed even lower, answering with a sincere expression: "This servant is foolish and ignorant, please enlighten me, Your Highness."

When you're unsure of the Crown Prince's attitude, playing dumb is often the best course of action.

Shen Ye didn't reply; the study was so quiet that only the crackling of the charcoal fire could be heard.

Longkodo's back gradually broke out in a cold sweat.

Judging from this, the Crown Prince is serious!
(End of this chapter)