Ye Jingchen's words can be summarized in four words: entice them with benefits.

The emperor certainly understands this principle now.

However, he felt that he could never have understood it when he was eight years old.

"Is this really just some experience you gained from cooking noodles?" the emperor asked Ye Jingchen with a complicated expression.

“Yes!” Ye Jingchen nodded without any hesitation.

If the emperor wanted to hear more, he could come up with ten or eight more similar arguments.

Sophistry is a discipline, perfect for fooling people and showing off.

"And what about you? You also cooked noodles, but did you learn anything?" the emperor asked, looking at the other children sitting in a row.

The kids, who were initially confused, were suddenly stunned, even the usually mature Ye Jingming was no exception.

This teaching exam was abrupt and fatal.

With Ye Jingchen's outstanding performance as a precedent, what can they say?

They'll be crushed in an instant no matter what they say, so they might as well say nothing at all; at least they can save some dignity.

Seeing everyone's silence, Ye Jingchen belatedly realized a problem.

Although he could laugh and joke freely when facing the emperor, and was willing to throw tantrums to achieve his goals, the other children did not learn this skill.

Or rather, they dare not!

Although they are still very young, some fear seems to be ingrained in their bones.

In this era, the hierarchical relationships of ruler and subject, father and son were insurmountable mountains for them.

From birth, they enjoy the benefits of power. The palace servants have as much reverence for their status as princes and princesses as they have for the emperor who bestowed upon them such noble status.

Ye Jinghe was the only exception.

He did not enjoy any of the benefits that came with being a prince, so he had no respect for the emperor whatsoever.

He brought Ye Jinghe to Chengqian Palace for meals the most times, but Ye Jinghe was different from the other princes and princesses. His experience meant that he would never give the emperor a kind look, and the emperor would never argue with a four-year-old child. They ignored each other, so they lived in peace.

But things are different now.

Now, apart from the three young children, all the other princes and princesses are here. With so many people, the emperor can't possibly ignore them completely. Ye Jingchen brought them here for a free meal not so that they would be ignored by the emperor. They need to interact with each other; only through interaction can they develop feelings.

For example, now is a rare opportunity for the emperor to test them, which is a good time for them to perform.

But his sophistry had already stolen the spotlight, making it difficult for the other children to stand out.

But the truth is not that these children are not good enough.

Among their peers, they are definitely the best!

However, Ye Jingchen's core is that of an adult, possessing thirty years more experience than them. This allows him to bully the weak, making them appear dull and insignificant in comparison.

But this actually damages their self-confidence and is particularly unfair to them!

"Xiao Jinghe, why don't you share your thoughts first?" In his haste, Ye Jingchen could only pull Ye Jinghe out.

He has no fear of the emperor, is not intimidated, and is very intelligent; he will surely understand his meaning and break the current awkward situation.

"My brother is incredibly talented; his noodles are exceptionally delicious. It's a pity you can't have any," Ye Jinghe said to the emperor with an expression and tone that was seven parts boastful and three parts pitying.

Ye Jingchen: ......

Others: !

They all looked at Ye Jinghe in shock.

How dare you speak to the Emperor like that?! Are you out of your mind?!

The emperor was amused by his words and felt a slight itch in his hand.

He heard that fathers in the countryside often used corporal punishment to educate their sons, saying that it was easier to raise a filial son under the stick.

He had always wanted to verify the credibility of this old saying, but unfortunately he had never found the opportunity.

After all, his children were all too timid, always behaving themselves in front of him and never daring to anger him in the slightest.

He can't bring himself to hit the one who might make him angry.

Now finally someone has appeared who dares to anger him, and whom he won't hesitate to hit.

The emperor subconsciously rubbed his hands together.

"Zhang Shunde, go find a stick—" He was about to order Zhang Shunde to find him a stick, but then he suddenly realized that Chengqian Palace probably didn't have such a thing.

He couldn't possibly use a cane meant for administering corporal punishment to his son, could he? People would laugh their heads off if word got out!

"Your Majesty?" Zhang Gonggong, who always had a special understanding with the emperor, was unsure of the emperor's meaning for the first time and asked hesitantly.

"Father—Jinghe is still young, only four years old. He doesn't know any better, so please don't take it to heart!" Although the emperor hadn't finished speaking, Ye Jingchen could already guess what he was going to say from the expression on his face.

He rushed to the emperor, grabbed his leg, and begged loudly for mercy.

"You are the crown prince, how can you behave like this?!" The emperor was so angry that he wanted to kick him, but Ye Jingchen was holding onto his leg too tightly, and he couldn't bear to use force, so he couldn't kick him at all.

Finding he couldn't kick him, the emperor forcefully tore the man off his legs, shoved him onto a nearby chair, and launched into a tirade of abuse.

"Where did the Crown Prince learn these shameless tricks from street thugs?!"

"Your younger siblings are watching! Don't you have any shame?"

"Are you looking for a beating?!"

As the emperor continued his tirade, he raised his hand, but seeing Ye Jingchen's timid and hesitant demeanor, he ultimately refrained from slapping him hard, only giving him a light tap on the head.

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