bookrandom Chapter 73: Making Things Difficult for the Crown Prince (Rank 1)
Chapter 73: Making Things Difficult for the Crown Prince (Rank 1)
Emperor Cheng never paid much attention to the details of military operations, but it sounded like a minor matter, and since the old Duke rarely submitted a memorial, it was only right and proper to agree.
"Granted. Now, which person do you think is appropriate to send?" Emperor Cheng was still unaware of the trouble this question would bring him.
Immediately, the people from both sides in the court sensed an opportunity. They said the same thing: such an important matter must be handled by someone of high status. The difference was that they supported different people.
The Crown Prince and the King of Chess immediately began a power struggle, each vying to enthrone their own master.
Emperor Cheng was immediately at his wit's end. This time, he was not biased towards anyone, and no prince with real power should have any involvement in the army.
"That's settled then. We'll discuss the candidates later. Court adjourned." Emperor Cheng waved his hand to end the court session. In fact, this was the first thing to be discussed in the morning court, leaving no room for discussion of the subsequent matters.
After the court session ended, the emperor kept Shen Zizai behind and asked him, "Who do you think should be sent?"
"In my opinion, only His Highness the Crown Prince is qualified to perform such an important task of hunting on behalf of the Emperor. If Prince Yi were to take on this task, it would be overstepping his bounds," Shen Zizai said, expressing his thoughts.
"I know you are determined to uphold the orthodoxy, but you must understand that the crown prince is not yet the emperor. If he is allowed to become too powerful, won't the court be thrown into chaos?" Emperor Cheng reasoned with him.
Shen Zizai took it to heart, but still said, "Your Majesty is too kind."
"You know in your heart whether I've been too harsh or not." Emperor Cheng told him to stand up and then said, "Don't worry, I won't allow Prince Yi to go this time either. He still has to prepare for the Empress Dowager's birthday."
Shen Zizai felt somewhat relieved.
"Then tell me, besides these two, are there any other candidates?" Emperor Cheng asked again, "You, the Minister of Rites, should also give me some suggestions."
Shen Zizai fell into thought: "In theory, such a task that demonstrates the emperor's favor should be performed by someone of high status. If the Crown Prince and Prince Yi are not suitable, then it would be best to choose from among the other princes."
"Hmm? The other princes?" Emperor Cheng seemed to have a new idea and asked Shen Zizai to sit down.
He had quite a few adult princes, but the eldest, second, and fourth princes were all enfeoffed as kings and lived far away in their fiefdoms, the third prince was the Prince of Yi, and the fifth prince was the crown prince.
The sixth prince has not yet been granted a title, but he is disabled. The seventh and eighth princes died young, leaving only the ninth prince, who is only 16 years old and has not yet been granted the title of prince. His name is Li Rui.
"You mean Rui'er?" Emperor Cheng was also troubled by the mention of this troublesome child: "This child is smart, but he's never serious."
Although he said that, he wasn't entirely without consideration.
The prince is young and not only does he not pose a threat to the imperial power, but he can even be used to check the current political situation.
“If the prince doesn’t work, then they can only send a cabinet minister, the Minister of War, or the old Duke.” After listing the candidates in his mind, Shen Zizai said, “There’s no one else.”
Considering the threat these people posed to him, Emperor Cheng still leaned towards Li Rui. He figured he could just send a few more people to keep an eye on things; he wouldn't go too far.
While the Crown Prince and Prince Yi were racking their brains for a solution, an imperial edict was issued, ordering the Ninth Prince, Li Rui, to go to the Northern Border to reward the army on behalf of the Emperor, with Xiao Qi, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, who had volunteered to fight in the Northern Border, as his deputy.
Upon hearing this news, Li Heng's face immediately darkened, becoming even darker than the bottom of a pot.
What does Father mean by this?
Not only does he have an older brother who wants to seize his throne, but now he's going to support another one?
He was already trembling with fear and walking on thin ice when he fought one, how could another one come along?
Although Li Rui is still young, his father is in his prime. It won't be difficult for him to grow up.
Li Heng felt as if the sky had fallen. Upon seeing Shen Zizai, who had come to class, he asked, "Master Shen, what did His Majesty say to you?"
Shen Zi explained everything in detail.
"Is Father worried that I'm too powerful? Doesn't he worry that I'll be crushed and that the Prince Yi's family will become the only powerful one?" Li Heng was so angry that he laughed after hearing this.
I knew my father was biased, but I never imagined it would be this extreme.
"Fortunately, Prince Yi can't go either, so Your Highness can rest assured," Shen Zizai reassured him.
"This is the only consolation I can offer," Li Heng sighed, feeling that his path to the throne was becoming even more difficult and tortuous.
Just over a month ago, he was in a position of great power. How did the situation suddenly turn so bad?
Having just gained some fame in the imperial court, this incident makes it seem like all my previous efforts were for the benefit of others.
"The Ninth Prince is unruly by nature and should not pose a threat to Your Highness. As long as Your Highness proceeds steadily, you will surely have a chance to rise to prominence."
Li Heng was too agitated to listen to any of this at the moment, but he still pretended to say, "Thank you for your comfort, Master Shen. By the way, Master, how has Sister Shen been lately?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. She is doing well, but she is often worried about you and asked me to come to the palace to give her greetings to you."
"That's good. I've accepted the silver she sent. Master Shen, please thank her for me when you see my sister." Li Heng sighed, "She's truly kind-hearted."
Ten thousand taels of silver, that's incredibly generous!
"Yes, I will certainly convey your message."
Li Heng sighed again. It seemed he couldn't count on his master for any good ideas, so he could only hint to Shen Li to send a message to the palace.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
When Shen Li heard the news, she couldn't help but laugh. It was she who suggested that her grandfather go to school, since it was just a matter of spending some money, and the morale gained was far more important than the money.
Duke Xiao Zhan thought about it briefly and decided it was a good idea. However, he knew he had to take action personally to make it work. Otherwise, if they took a wrong turn, the outcome might be irreversible.
Thus, the scene of the morning court session occurred. Although these things did not happen in her previous life, she was certain that the emperor would not agree, so she gave her father a brocade pouch.
Shen Zizai hadn't paid much attention to it at first, and threw it away after reading the note. However, he still carried the brocade pouch embroidered by his daughter with him. It wasn't until the emperor rejected the crown prince that the contents of the note came to mind.
There are only two characters: 'Nine Kings'.
Shen Zizai immediately understood that the Ninth Prince was the best choice both publicly and privately. Otherwise, if the matter dragged on and fell into the hands of the King of Chess, it would be a huge loss.
So he guided Emperor Cheng to consider among the princes, and sure enough, only the Ninth Prince, Li Rui, was suitable.
Her plan was for Lin Wan'er, and incidentally to put some pressure on Li Heng, so that he wouldn't be able to sleep well lately.
Zheng Yanran shares a similar plight with Li Heng. She has been unable to eat or sleep well lately, practicing day and night. Moreover, apart from borrowing books late at night last time, she has not seen Gu Chang'an alone.
It seems Gu Chang'an no longer needs to work in the study; whenever she comes back, she only goes to the main room. She can't very well seduce Shen Li in front of her, can she?
This made Zheng Yanran very anxious. She felt that if she continued like this, she would be exhausted and she wouldn't even have met the people much.
That night, lying in bed, Shen Li asked, "Husband, why hasn't she left yet? What is she after, going to such lengths?"