“Then I’ll go with my brother too,” Ye Jinghe said after hesitating for a while.

“Jinghe, you don’t have to force yourself. If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. Your older brother can just go and have dinner with him,” Ye Jingchen said.

"No pressure," Ye Jinghe said without hesitation.

We can't let my brother face that person alone, otherwise what if he gets scolded or bullied again?

He wants to stay with his brother and protect him!

Ye Jingchen observed his expression and indeed couldn't detect any reluctance, so he said, "Alright! Then let's eat less for breakfast and save room for a big meal at noon!"

After breakfast was taken away, Ye Jingchen thought that since he didn't have time to jog today, he might as well walk slowly to Chengqian Palace.

Anyway, there are many places to rest in the Imperial Garden. You can rest when you are tired, and you can also take a stroll in the Imperial Garden if you have more time.

So, Ye Jingchen took Ye Jinghe's hand and led a group of people out.

Originally, because he had toured the Imperial Garden with the Emperor, there were many people in the Imperial Garden for a while, all hoping to bump into the Emperor. However, after Ye Jinghe suddenly went mad last time, not many people dared to casually stroll around the Imperial Garden anymore.

Since musk might irritate the Fifth Prince, who knows if there are other scents that might also irritate him?

If something were to happen to them, wouldn't they be subjected to an undeserved disaster?

They hardly encountered anyone along their way in the Imperial Garden.

The garden was quiet and peaceful, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, a truly delightful place.

As Ye Jingchen passed by a peach tree, he saw that the flowers were in full bloom and specially picked a branch and held it in his hand.

"Does brother like peach blossoms?" Ye Jinghe asked curiously.

Seeing the peach blossom in Ye Jingchen's hand, he was reminded that Xie Chang'an's family also had one.

“We can’t go to a free meal empty-handed. This peach blossom is beautiful, let’s give it to Father Emperor as a gift!” Ye Jingchen looked at the peach branch in his hand, very satisfied.

Although peach blossoms are generally perceived as a symbol of love, they also symbolize longevity and health. Otherwise, why would the ancients always prepare peaches for birthday celebrations and give them an auspicious name, "longevity peach"?

The expressions of everyone in the Eastern Palace immediately became distorted.

His Highness the Crown Prince sends His Majesty gifts, always flowers, and this time the flowers were even picked from the Imperial Garden. His gifts are so cheap; isn't he afraid His Majesty will be angry?

Even if His Majesty isn't angry, Chief Steward Zhang probably wouldn't want to live anymore, right?

I heard that the peony is still displayed in the most prominent place in Chongzheng Hall. Chief Steward Zhang has gone to great lengths to keep the flower from withering, and he's almost gone bald from worry!

If only another peach blossom were here—

With so many petals and such a short blooming period, how can peach blossoms be preserved?

Ye Jinghe, however, did not think the flower was cheap.

My brother chose it himself!

He looked at the flower in Ye Jingchen's hand with envy, wishing his brother could give him one.

"You want to play?" Ye Jingchen saw Ye Jinghe staring intently at the flower and mistakenly thought he also liked peach blossoms, so he handed the flower to Ye Jinghe. "Here, take this. Just be careful not to let the petals fall. When you get to Chengqian Palace, you can give the flower to your father. He will be very happy."

Ye Jinghe shook his head repeatedly, making his head shake like a rattle drum.

He wanted the flowers his brother gave him, but he didn't want to give them to that person!

"Then why are you staring at the flowers?" Ye Jingchen asked curiously.

"I want the flowers my brother gives me," Ye Jinghe answered honestly.

"That's easy! What kind of flowers do you like?" Ye Jingchen asked.

"I like everything my brother gives me!" Ye Jinghe replied without hesitation.

Ye Jingchen waved his hand and said, "Alright, when we get back to the East Palace, I'll give you the most beautiful flowers in the garden!"

"Thank you, brother!" Ye Jinghe replied sweetly.

"You're welcome! Although the imperial meal is delicious, you can't eat too much later. Eating too much can cause indigestion and make you feel unwell, understand?" Ye Jingchen instructed again.

"I will restrain myself," Ye Jinghe replied happily.

My brother is so nice! He likes my brother so much!

After strolling around the Imperial Garden for half a day, Ye Jingchen led Ye Jinghe to Chengqian Palace, just in time for lunch.

The eunuch announced that Zhang Shunde had come out to greet him personally. When he saw the peach blossom in Ye Jingchen's hand, he almost fainted.

"Your Highness, are those flowers in your hand meant for His Majesty?" he asked, trembling with fear.

"Yes! This is a gift that I specially gave to Father Emperor!" Ye Jingchen replied with a smile.

Zhang Shunde stumbled and nearly died on the spot.

"My lord, the pastries and wine you sent last time were quite nice, and His Majesty liked them very much. Why did you send flowers as well?"

Don't you know how difficult it is to take care of flowers?

Oh, perhaps His Highness really doesn't know, after all, he doesn't need to take care of the flowers!

Zhang Shunde felt utterly hopeless.

"But the pastries and Drunken Immortal Wine I gave to Father last time were from outside the palace. Father will definitely not let me leave the palace now. And these things in the palace are nothing new, unlike flowers, each one is different, with a fresh taste, high ornamental value, and good meaning. Does Eunuch Zhang think that I shouldn't send flowers to Father?" Ye Jingchen asked with narrowed eyes.

With a "smack," Zhang Shunde decisively slapped himself hard across the face.

I'll slap you for never learning your lesson!

"Your Highness, you flatter me. His Majesty will like anything you send him." He forced a smile and complimented.

In Chengqian Palace, the emperor felt a headache as soon as he heard that Ye Jingchen had arrived.

That unfilial son never comes to him with good news!

He roused himself and prepared for battle.

"Father, I've brought Jinghe and my younger brother to see you, and we've also brought you gifts." Ye Jingchen's voice arrived before he even saw the emperor.

"Just to see me?" The emperor didn't believe it at all.

"And shall I have a meal with you? Ordinary parents can enjoy the happiness of having their children around them every day. There's no reason why you, as the emperor, should be all alone, with no one to accompany you even when you have a meal, right?" Ye Jingchen said as he handed the peach blossom to the emperor.

"Peach blossoms symbolize longevity and health. Your Majesty, I only wish that you are in good health and live to be a hundred years old, so that you can always be the backbone and safe haven for your son, brothers and sisters."

The emperor passively accepted the peach blossom, feeling a little bewildered, a little touched, a little happy, but mostly feeling utterly distressed.

The words were clearly well-intentioned, so why did he feel upset about them?

There's anger inside, but you can't vent it because you don't know why you're angry, and you have no way to vent it.

"Zhang Shunde—this flower is a gift from the Crown Prince; you must take good care of it!" The Emperor handed the peach blossom to Zhang Shunde.

In this situation, Zhang Shunde should have taken the opportunity to flatter his masters with words like "Your Highness the Crown Prince is truly filial!" to please them. However, he was feeling bitter at the moment and couldn't even manage a smile, let alone any flattery.

How can I care for peach blossoms so that they don't lose their petals? Can anyone tell me?!