"It's better if it's a boy! If Xie Chang'an were a girl, there would be a difference between boys and girls, how could we possibly play together!" Ye Jingchen muttered to himself.

Although he had many sisters, in an era where boys and girls were not allowed to sit together after the age of seven, he could not be too close to his own sisters, let alone other people's girls.

Otherwise, he would at least include his sisters in the PUA list. Modern people don't have the bad habit of favoring sons over daughters, and firmly believe that women can hold up half the sky!

"If you don't work hard when you're young, you'll regret it when you're old! You're the crown prince, be careful you won't even have the chance to 'regret' later!" The emperor heard his muttering and angrily slapped him on the head.

"Ouch—it hurts!" Ye Jingchen was suddenly hit and was a little stunned at first. Then he reacted and exaggeratedly hugged his head and cried out in pain.

"It's good to feel some pain, only then will you learn your lesson! No matter how much you like the gold nuggets in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, don't be too eager for them, or people will laugh at you!" the emperor warned.

"Father, rest assured, I am the Crown Prince. It is always others who are eager to befriend me, never me who is eager to play with others!" Ye Jingchen said with an air of dominance.

The emperor neither confirmed nor denied this.

He waited at the East Palace just to check on Ye Jingchen's safety. Since Ye Jingchen was alright and could still banter with him, he was relieved.

As the emperor left the Eastern Palace, he suddenly recalled his feelings when he learned that Ye Jingchen had been assassinated outside the palace and rushed to the Eastern Palace.

I'm both angry and heartbroken!

The child is disobedient and insists on running outside even though he knows it's dangerous.

What worries me most is the possibility that the people around Ye Jingchen might not provide adequate protection, and something might happen to him—

During the time the emperor waited for Ye Jingchen's return in the Eastern Palace, he kept thinking that if something really happened to Ye Jingchen, he would definitely massacre all the major and minor families, led by the Jiang family, leaving no one alive!

Fortunately, Ye Jingchen returned unharmed, although he cried as soon as he saw him, and cried very sadly.

His burning anger was extinguished by a single tear.

Thinking about Ye Jingchen's actions after waking up from drowning, the emperor couldn't help but sigh, "Children are truly the biggest nemesis of their parents!"

After seeing the emperor off at the Eastern Palace, Ye Jingchen calmly instructed the palace servants to prepare hot water so he could bathe and change.

Although he was not injured or contaminated by anything during today's assassination attempt, he still felt extremely uncomfortable all over his body.

The corpses he swept across, the blood on the ground, the carriage, and the bodies of those people, the nauseating stench of blood...

Like geese leaving their mark in flight, everything he saw, heard, and smelled today will leave an imprint on his mind.

He immersed himself in the warm water, clearing his mind and trying to temporarily banish the chaotic scenes from his thoughts.

"Chenxi, have your men keep a close eye on the Imperial Guards. I need to know any results they find in their investigation of this assassination attempt as soon as possible," he instructed.

"Yes." This time, Chenxi appeared to his side and in front of him, even allowing him to see clearly where he had been hiding before, which was on the roof beam above his head.

If Chenxi hadn't pulled him out today, his body would probably be cold by now. Although Chenxi had saved the original owner's body countless times before, as his former bodyguard, this was the first time she had done so.

A life-saving grace must naturally be repaid.

Just because Chenxi is his personal bodyguard doesn't mean it's a given that she saved him.

"You saved me today, is there anything you wish for? If I can do it, I will do it for you!" he asked, looking at Chenxi.

"No," Chenxi said without thinking.

"Really not? I genuinely want to repay you," Ye Jingchen pressed.

Judging from his expression, he didn't seem to be joking. Chenxi looked at Ye Jingchen in surprise.

That's really strange!

Having served as the little rascal's personal bodyguard for two years and saved his life countless times, this was the first time the little rascal had taken the initiative to say he wanted to repay him.

The little rascal is really different from before. Could he have really been switched at birth?

But the little rascal has always been under his nose and has never left his sight. Is that possible?

Chenxi felt she needed to confirm this.

He swiftly moved closer to Ye Jingchen and reached out to pinch his cheek.

Ye Jingchen tried to dodge, but Chenxi's hand was quick. Before he could even think of dodging, Chenxi's hand was already pinching his face.

"Why are you pinching my face?" Ye Jingchen asked, pulling at his hand in confusion.

"Let me see if you're wearing a human skin mask on your face," Chenxi answered truthfully while pinching the skin.

At the same time, he brought his face extremely close, observing the fit and texture of Ye Jingchen's skin, not letting go of any possible flaws.

Ye Jingchen: ...

He just wanted to be a good person who repays kindness, so why did it arouse Chenxi's suspicion?

Although, those words just now certainly didn't sound like something the original owner would have said, but—

"How dare you! You dare touch my face like that!" Ye Jingchen scolded fiercely, while forcefully trying to pry Chenxi's hand off.

Unfortunately, he was too weak to budge the hands that were wreaking havoc on his face.

"I will accept the punishment later!" Chenxi said calmly while checking.

The skin on my hand was very delicate, tender and smooth, and it still had the warmth of a human body; it was a real human face.

The little rascal is arrogant, ignorant, and vicious, yet his face is surprisingly soft to the touch.

Chenxi found it incredible and couldn't help but pinch it a few more times.

"Let go of me—" Ye Jingchen's voice changed as he struggled.

Chenxi withdrew her hand with considerable regret; her face was genuine.

That little rascal has really changed.

But then I thought about it again. He was, after all, the late empress's child, and the late empress's blood flowed in his veins. A kind person like the late empress could not have given birth to a vicious and foolish child.

Perhaps she was too young before and was spoiled by the people around her?

"How dare you! I retract my previous statement, and your reward is gone!" Ye Jingchen said angrily, pointing at Chenxi.

"I don't need the reward, I will accept the punishment myself!" Chenxi said calmly, without changing her expression.

Another punishment?!

Is he such a vicious person?

Corporal punishment is unacceptable!

Moreover, he needs Chenxi's protection. If Chenxi gets injured because of the punishment, who will protect him?!

"I will punish you myself!" Ye Jingchen glared angrily at Chenxi.

Looking at Chen Xi's ordinary, middle-aged face, Ye Jingchen thought of a brilliant way to punish him.

“Come here—” He beckoned to Chenxi with his finger.

The dawn approached him.

"Bend over and stick your face out," Ye Jingchen commanded.

Although Chenxi was puzzled, she still followed the instructions and performed the actions accordingly.

Up close, this old face looks even more distressing.

Ye Jingchen reached out and touched and pinched Chenxi's face, trying to find a way to peel off this mask.

Chenxi understood his intention, but remained calm in the slightest.

After he haphazardly touched his face for a while, Chenxi finally took a step back and stated the facts in an overly calm tone, "You're not doing anything useful."