[Ye Yu’s mother, Lady Zhou, though residing in the inner palace, had heard of the schemes and deceit in the court.]

[She cherished Ye Yu as her only son, naturally treating him as a treasure.]

[Thus, Lady Zhou immediately went to the Yangxin Hall to beg for forgiveness from Ye Kuiliang.]

[She claimed it was her lack of proper guidance that led Ye Yu to act somewhat flamboyant.]

[She pleaded with the emperor to be lenient and not to punish Ye Yu too harshly, considering his youth and ignorance.]

[This was not because Lady Zhou was overly cautious.]

[Rather, it was due to the allure of the crown prince’s position, making the princes of Great Yong Dynasty act like hungry wolves.]

[They were all watching each other closely, ready to pounce on any mistake made by their brothers.]

[Should one of them make a mistake, they would unite to attack and eliminate him, thus reducing a competitor.]

[If nothing unexpected happened, the morning court session would see not only ministers but also other princes condemning Ye Yu.]

[After all, no one would want to miss the chance to eliminate a rival.]

[However, what was unexpected was that Ye Kuiliang suddenly burst into laughter.]

[Ye Yu’s ignorance and youth were just a huge joke.]

[Wasn’t it just a way to distance himself from the fight for the throne by deliberately acting arrogant and wasteful?]

[But since he was a prince of the Great Yong Dynasty, he had responsibilities.]

[The throne wasn’t something he could simply avoid contesting by choice. He must compete!]

[Hearing Ye Kuiliang’s words, Lady Zhou was momentarily stunned.]

[Then she quickly realized.]

[Indeed, if one were to say that Ye Yu was disrespectful and arrogant, it would be an exaggeration.]

[During his years in the palace, aside from his fondness for squandering money and his one-time altercation with the Fifteenth Prince, Ye Yu had committed no wrongdoing.]

[After his departure to open a manor, his sudden display of arrogance and wastefulness seemed somewhat abnormal.]

[If he were using this to avoid competing for the throne, it was indeed not out of the question.]

[After all, Ye Yu had repeatedly stated his disinterest in the throne.]

[Lady Zhou had long since come to terms with it.]

[If he didn’t compete, so be it. Being a leisurely prince, living in peace, was fine too.]

[But now, Ye Kuiliang’s intention was to make Ye Yu participate in the fight for the crown prince.]

[Lady Zhou frowned slightly.]

[She tentatively said: Your Majesty, Ye Yu has been resolutely unwilling to vie for the crown prince position since he was young.]

[Forcing him won’t help!]

[Ye Kuiliang coldly replied: Who says it won’t help? Starting tomorrow, I will make him compete for the position, whether he wants to or not, he must fight for it!]

[That night, Ye Kuiliang ordered someone to summon Ye Yu to the palace.]

[Seeing the palace eunuchs coming to find him, Ye Yu showed no fear, but rather a hint of joy.]

[He strode towards the palace with large steps.]

[Inside Yangxin Hall, Ye Yu first bowed and saluted Ye Kuiliang.]

[But he received no response for a long time.]

[Ye Kuiliang seemed to be ignoring him, continuing to handle the documents.]

[Seeing this, Ye Yu couldn’t help but sneer.]

[Are you showing off your power? ]

[You want me to bend over in submission, begging for mercy?]

[Too naive, rebellious father!]

[Ye Yu spoke directly: Thank you, Father.]

[Then he straightened up on his own.]

[This action left Ye Kuiliang dumbfounded.]

[He immediately asked: Did I say you could stand up?]

[Ye Yu nodded: You did, and I heard it clearly.]

[Upon hearing this, Ye Kuiliang was immediately left with a black line on his forehead.]

[This kid was indeed audacious!]

[But the more so, the more Ye Kuiliang found him likable.]

[This wasn’t surprising.]

[When all the princes were obedient and conventional, a unique character suddenly standing out naturally felt refreshing.]

[Like the saying, “The dog licks and licks until it ends up with nothing.”]

[Ye Kuiliang didn’t hold a grudge about it.]

[He simply raised his hand lightly, and two eunuchs carried a square table and placed it in front of Ye Yu.]

[On it were nearly a hundred memorials.]

[Ye Kuiliang teased: These are all memorials to impeach you. Do you want to read them?]

[Ye Yu decisively pushed the table aside.]

[He seriously stated that there was no need to read the contents.]

[His actions had been too unruly, infuriating the Prime Minister, forcibly purchasing properties, committing a major mistake.]

[Ye Yu knew that this was a grave offense.]

[So he willingly accepted the punishment and expulsion from the capital, never to return.]

[Ye Kuiliang couldn’t help but laugh.]

[As expected, it was just as he had guessed.]

[Ye Yu’s outlandish behavior was simply to escape the capital and avoid competing for the crown prince position.]

[The idea was good, but in the face of absolute power, it all seemed pale and powerless.]

[Ye Kuiliang slowly stood up.]

[He bluntly stated that before the crown prince selection was made, none of the eighteen princes were allowed to leave the capital.]

[I know what you’re thinking—you don’t want to compete for the crown prince position, right?]

[Well, I’m going to make you compete.]

[I will tell everyone. Soon, you will become the crown prince of the Great Yong Dynasty.]

[Thus, everyone will focus their attention on you.]

[The other princes will also regard you as their primary competitor.]

[Upon hearing this, Ye Yu’s face instantly turned pale.]

[Through the money he had scattered yesterday, his strength was steadily improving.]

[Ye Yu believed it wouldn’t be long before he reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.]

[But such strength was far from enough for self-preservation.]

[With seventeen princes, it was hard to ensure that none would become desperate enough to resort to extreme measures.]

[What if someone hired a cultivator to come assassinate him?]

[That would be pure disaster!]

[Ye Yu’s expression grew serious.]

[Damn it, this is a blatant scheme!]

[Ye Kuiliang was determined to push him into the fire pit.]

[Ye Yu was very angry.]

[He said in a deep voice: Why do you have to target me like this? You know I have no interest in the throne.]

[Ye Kuiliang smiled: Being born into the royal family, you must compete whether you want to or not; it’s your fate.]

[Of course, if you’re willing to actively compete, I won’t say anything.]

[You can develop at your own pace.]

[But you must compete for the position of crown prince just like the other princes.]

[By the way, you like to squander money, right? Use silver to pave your way and let me see if you can buy your way to the crown prince position.]

[I’m really curious about that.]

[Ye Kuiliang’s words seemed to open a new world for Ye Yu.]

[The anger in his heart instantly dissipated.]

[Yes, since he wanted to squander money, buying properties alone wouldn’t be enough.]

[What truly burns money should be buying people’s hearts!]