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

Chapter 549 Who Disagrees, Who Opposes

Outside the Forbidden City, Prince Jian, Yarjiang'a, and Prince Heping led the way, followed by dozens of members of the imperial clan, and the group marched in a grand procession toward the Taihe Gate.

When the guards on duty at the gate saw this scene from afar, they were shocked to see that the entire group consisted of princes and nobles wearing official hats and bright robes. They gasped in fright!
Why are so many people suddenly coming to the palace at this time of year, when it's neither a holiday nor a festival?

Normally, when these gentlemen enter the palace, they go in twos and threes, each going through their own gate. What's going on with such a big commotion today?
A young guard's hand trembled, and he instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword.

Before his fingertips even touched the ground, the old guard next to him slapped him down with a "smack".

"Hey! Where are you putting your hands, kid? These people in front of us are all noble families, members of the imperial clan!"

"The moment you draw your sword, even nine generations of your family wouldn't be enough to put on this 'loyal and brave protection of the emperor' act!"

The young guard shuddered in fright, quickly pulled his hand back into his sleeve, and stood ramrod straight.

At this moment, Duochan, the second-class guard in charge at the palace gate, quickly forced a smile and stepped forward, gesturing:
"This servant greets all the princes!"

Although Prince Jian was young, his high rank and seniority made him easily dismissed:

"Alright, alright, get up. There's no need for so much formality."

Duo Can bent over and stood up, smiling obsequiously as he tentatively asked, "May I ask what brings you princes to the palace today...?"

Yarjiang glanced sideways at the group of displeased relatives around him, and said in a deep voice, maintaining his composure:
"We've come to see the Crown Prince. What... do you have to stop us here?"

Duochan's lips twitched involuntarily.

He knew very well that these people were definitely not there to chat and drink tea.

But they were all either the emperor's nephews or the crown prince's uncles, so how could a mere guard like him dare to actually stop them?

So he rubbed his hands together and chuckled:

"How dare I! But... according to custom, please wait a moment while I go and inform them?"

Yarjan'a's face immediately darkened: "Duocan, I think you've lost your mind about your job."

“Our clansmen are entitled to enter the palace to meet the Emperor at any time by imperial grace! Are you trying to ‘isolate us from the outside world’ by blocking our way here?”

Duocan had originally planned to send a message first, so that if anything happened, he could clear himself of any wrongdoing.

I never expected Prince Jian to be so aggressive today, like he'd been hit by a firecracker.

It's a complete contrast to his usual amiable demeanor!
He secretly glanced behind Yarjianga—my goodness, the faces of all the men were darker than the last.

Duocan's heart skipped a beat: I can't afford to get involved in this mess today!

He quickly bowed even lower: "Your Highness is too kind! Even if you gave me ten lives, I wouldn't dare!"

"This servant was just thinking that since it is proper for the princes to be here, we should arrange for a few quick and efficient people to greet them..."

"Since there's no need to greet you, please come inside—"

Yarjianga and his men were too lazy to argue with a guard. They gave him a cold glance, flicked their sleeves, and led their men into the palace gate.

After watching the last member of the clan go inside, Duo Can immediately grabbed a guard:

"Quick! Take the shortcut and run to report to the Crown Prince—Prince Jian has arrived with dozens of imperial relatives seeking an audience, and they look like they have ill intentions!"

Sure enough, some of these men were old and others lacked exercise, so they walked with a very "dignified" demeanor, and their speed couldn't even keep up with the errand boy guards.

Inside Yuqing Palace, Shen Ye smiled upon hearing the report and turned to Wei Zhu, saying, "Eunuch Wei, go and greet Yarjiang'a and the others for me, and lead them directly to the main hall to wait."

Ever since witnessing the Crown Prince casually arrest Prince Yu, Wei Zhu has become even more terrified.

When the Crown Prince gets ruthless, even if I, an old eunuch left behind by His Majesty, die, it will be in vain.

Would His Majesty really argue with his own son over a mere servant? Impossible!

So he became even more obedient, responded, and quickly went out to greet the person.

Shen Ye wasn't in a hurry. He casually picked up a memorial and began to read it slowly.

He waited for a full quarter of an hour before leisurely arriving at the main hall.

He's the crown prince, this is his territory, what's wrong with leaving them hanging for a while? Why not take advantage of this privilege!

"Your subject pays respects to Your Highness!"

As soon as Shen Ye sat down, Yarjiang and the others, though each had their own thoughts, still bowed in unison, showing no lack of courtesy.

Shen Ye raised his hand: "Yarjianga, what brings you here with Prince Shuncheng and the others?"

Yarjan'a was practically rolling his eyes to the heavens:

Your Highness, do you really not know why we're here?
But since the crown prince was feigning ignorance, he had no choice but to continue the act, forcing himself to speak:
"Your Highness, we heard today that Prince Yu has been placed under house arrest, which surprised all the uncles and elders."

“Prince Yu has always been respectful and is a ‘blessed man’ praised by His Majesty. By including him in this way, isn’t it… a bit against His Majesty’s wishes?”

After he finished speaking, he gave a wink to the people around him, and immediately four or five old relatives stood up tremblingly to speak.

The scene became a bit noisy for a moment.

Shen Ye wasn't angry at all; instead, her smile became even gentler.
"Uncles, please speak slowly. I can't guarantee anything else, but I can at least let you finish what you've to say—that's the kind of magnanimity I have."

The elder relatives looked at each other, and the eldest, Prince Shuncheng, spoke first:
"Your Highness, His Majesty has appointed you as regent, making you the head of the court. We all support you."

"But when the Emperor was alive, he always treated Prince Yu with great courtesy. Your sudden decision to confine him will inevitably cause unease throughout the court and the country!" Someone immediately chimed in.

“That’s right! Besides, Prince Yu is your uncle, so even if he’s wrong, he should be treated leniently and dealt with after His Majesty returns to the capital!”

According to ancestral rules, members of the imperial clan have the right to make "eight deliberations." Shouldn't Prince Yu's matter also be discussed before it is handled?

After listening to their cacophony of voices, Shen Ye calmly picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and spoke softly:
“Prince Shuncheng, the reason I had Prince Yu study behind closed doors was precisely to wait for my father to return before making a decision.”

"According to the investigation by the Infantry Commander's Office, his son Qingliang, not to mention anything else, has seven or eight lives on his hands, causing the destruction of seven or eight families in the capital."

"At such a young age, he has committed numerous crimes, including murder, robbery, and fraud. His brutality is a disgrace to the imperial court and a betrayal of the virtues of our ancestors!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group of relatives:
"As for Prince Yu, he knew his son had made a mistake, but instead of disciplining him properly, he allowed his son to commit violence and covered it up. He should be punished along with Prince Yu."

"However, considering that he is the emperor's uncle, he was temporarily ordered to stay at home to reflect on his mistakes and await the emperor's judgment."

At this point, Shen Ye glanced around and saw that everyone had different expressions, which were quite interesting.

However, no one showed the slightest surprise; instead, they inwardly sneered.

So, you all knew the reason all along, but you pretended not to know.

Today, they're just taking advantage of their numbers to put pressure on me, trying to force me to give in and make it a case of "the law doesn't punish the masses."
Or is it that you gentlemen don't care about the lives of these common people at all?
Sure enough, as soon as Shen Ye finished speaking, Yarjianga stepped forward again:

“Your Highness, when a member of the imperial clan commits a mistake, the Imperial Clan Court should naturally punish him. It is against the rules for Qingliang to be detained at the Infantry Commander’s Office.”

"As for Prince Yu, he is an elder member of the imperial clan. It is inappropriate to imprison him without His Majesty's explicit decree... I urge Your Highness to reconsider!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people behind him knelt down with a clatter: "Please, Your Highness, reconsider!"

Shen Ye's face suddenly darkened.

This uniform kneeling is not a request, it's clearly a coercion!

Shen Ye coldly swept his gaze over the group of righteous and awe-inspiring imperial relatives below, then slowly picked up a memorial and looked at Prince Shuncheng as if it were some rare and precious object:

"Since you all kinsmen have told me to reconsider, fine, I'm the kind of person who listens to advice the most, so I'll think about it."

"However, before you think it over, Prince Shuncheng—I have a question for you first."

Shen Ye spoke casually, as if chatting about everyday things, but the content of her conversation sent chills down Prince Shuncheng's spine:

"Why were the Li family of thirteen from Xinglong Town suddenly burned to death by a fire two years ago?"

"How did his 400 mu of land right next to yours suddenly become yours? It's such a coincidence that even plays wouldn't dare to write it like this."

"Can't you explain this to me first?"

The Prince of Shuncheng, who had been kneeling upright and calmly beside Yarjianga, suddenly turned pale.

Little did he expect that the "little thing" his beloved son did two years ago would be brought up again!
He's just a scholar who refused to sell his land, what an ungrateful bastard... He's utterly ignorant and arrogant, it's outrageous!

But would he dare to say that?
Hearing Shen Ye's question, his voice trembled: "Your Highness, this servant...this servant knew nothing about it!"

"Perhaps it was something his subordinates did recklessly."

"You didn't know?"

Shen Ye slammed the memorial in front of him, "The Infantry Commander's Office has already confirmed that it was your second steward who did it!"

"The ones colluding with you are the Xishan bandits!"

“You are a member of the imperial family and can be protected by the ‘Eight Deliberations’, but such willful and lawless behavior—if I confine you, no one can find fault with it!”

He slammed his hand on the table, his voice not loud, but it startled Prince Shuncheng, making him tremble.

"Guards! Take Prince Shuncheng back to his residence and keep him in seclusion to study! Order the Infantry Commander's Office to arrest all those involved in the case within the Prince's residence."

"Anyone who dares to resist—kill them without mercy!"

Prince Shuncheng's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. He hurriedly pleaded:

"Your Highness! The founding emperor decreed that as long as our imperial clan does not rebel, our lineage is permitted to live and die with the nation!"

"You can't do this..."

Shen Ye looked down at him, a look of sudden realization on her face:

"Oh, you're right. I will naturally keep the Emperor's instructions in mind and abide by them."

Then the tone shifted abruptly:
“But no one said that the title of Prince Shuncheng must be given to you!”

"In my opinion, your younger brother is far more virtuous and sensible than you. If we let him come, wouldn't his title still be tied to the fate of the nation?"

Having said that, he looked up at the stunned Yarjan and the others:

“The Prince of Shuncheng is guilty, and after ‘three considerations,’ I have decided to proceed as follows.”

"Who disagrees? Who objects?"

　The second update for today is here! Please support me, everyone, and vote!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)