"You have committed a grave crime of disrespecting the emperor's authority, which should have warranted thirty strokes of the cane. However, considering this is your first offense, I will spare you this time and spare you the cane. But—you must compile all the content of today's morning court session and present it to me after tomorrow's morning court session. If you cannot compile it or if there are any omissions, you can expect to be caned!" The emperor withdrew his hand and said angrily.

"Is it necessary to organize all this empty praise and flattery?" Ye Jingchen muttered to himself.

"What are you talking about?" the emperor asked, squinting.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, I'll go tidy up right away!" Ye Jingchen said hurriedly as he got up from the ground.

"Your subject takes his leave!" he said, and without waiting for the emperor's permission, he dashed out of the palace.

"You unfilial son!" The emperor laughed and scolded as he watched his son's impatient departure.

But after a moment, the rebellious son pried open the door of the bedchamber and cautiously peeked out, "It's already this late, Father, please let me have breakfast before I start tidying up!"

To save time, he only ate two pieces of pastry to fill his stomach when he got up early. He was too nervous to notice before, but as soon as the crisis was over, he felt hungry.

At his age, he's in the prime of his growth. He'll get hungry if he misses a meal, so we can't let him go hungry. It would be bad if it delayed his growth!

"Eat, eat, eat! All you ever think about is food!" the emperor scolded fiercely.

Despite the criticism, Ye Jingchen still ended up sitting at the same table as the emperor a moment later.

He used to come to Chengqian Palace to have dinner, and he didn't have many opportunities to have breakfast. After all, he had to attend classes on weekdays and sleep in on his days off, so there were really no opportunities.

It must be said that the emperor's breakfast was truly delicious!

A variety of pastries and soups were laid out on the table, and a quick glance revealed twenty or thirty bowls and plates, which dazzled Ye Jingchen.

"Thank you, Father!" Ye Jingchen said with a beaming smile, and then started showing off.

The palace pastries were all small and exquisite, just the right size for one bite. Ye Jingchen tasted all the pastries and soups and was just about 80% full.

After the emperor put down his chopsticks, he quickly put down his as well, but there was still a lot of breakfast left on the table.

"Wasting food is shameful. Father, why don't you give me the leftover breakfast? I can take it back to Wenhua Hall to serve as a tea snack between classes," Ye Jingchen asked without any politeness.

These pastries and soups tasted very good, and many of them were not available in the Crown Prince's Palace. They were probably new styles developed by the Imperial Kitchen. He had his fill of showing off, and of course he couldn't forget his younger siblings and his study companions!

The emperor was speechless at his thuggish behavior of taking food and bribes. Would the Crown Prince's Palace really let him go hungry?

"You have the nerve to ask for leftovers? I'd be embarrassed to even give them to you. Zhang Shunde, go to the Imperial Kitchen and have them make a fresh batch of breakfast according to the recipe, and send it to the East Palace!" the Emperor said irritably.

"On behalf of my younger brother and sister, I thank Father!" Ye Jingchen said joyfully.

"Father, you are so kind! I love you!" Ye Jingchen rushed in front of the emperor, gave him a big hug before the emperor could react, and then ran away.

This time he didn't run back.

emperor:......

His son is far too easily satisfied, getting so excited over just a little food.

And to talk about love and affection, that's just too cheesy!

"Although His Highness the Crown Prince has grown up, he still cherishes a pure and filial heart towards His Majesty, which is truly commendable. Congratulations, Your Majesty!" Zhang Shunde, who witnessed this scene, quickly seized the opportunity to flatter him.

"I'm afraid he's only grown older and taller, but not wiser!" the emperor cursed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Just now, did the Crown Prince seem to have a particular fondness for those slightly sweet pastries? In a moment, go to the Imperial Kitchen and convey my decree to have the imperial chefs who made those pastries also go to the Eastern Palace!" The Emperor recalled the pastries that Ye Jingchen had eaten a few extra bites of during his meal and gave the order.

"Your Majesty loves His Highness so much, it's no wonder His Highness has always respected and loved you!" Zhang Shunde said with a smile.

"You old codger, you're the best talker! Reward me!" the emperor said happily, and Zhang Shunde's eyes crinkled with a smile.

Sometimes people can't even empathize with themselves. For example, the emperor who is happy now can't empathize with himself who was so angry he wanted to jump up and down half an hour ago.

Ye Jingchen returned to the East Palace first and told Fangfei and the others that Chengqian Palace would send food over later. He would then send the food to the children during the break in Wenhua Hall.

Although he is now attending court, the emperor has not assigned him any other tasks, so theoretically, he should return to the Wenhua Hall to study after court.

However, today the emperor punished him by making him organize the contents of the morning court, but he was too busy dozing off to know what was discussed in the morning court.

Even if he hadn't dozed off, he still wouldn't have remembered those trivial things.

However, although he can't remember, someone else certainly can.

So he immediately left the palace and went to the offices of the Six Ministries.

After displaying the dragon-patterned jade pendant that represented his identity at the entrance, he was respectfully invited into the government office by the guards and taken to the Ministry of Personnel.

He came looking for Ye Jingming, but Yan Xu valued him most as his disciple and took him everywhere. So when he saw Ye Jingming, he naturally saw Yan Xu as well.

Thinking of Ye Jingchen dozing off and shaking his head during the morning court session, Yan Xu was furious when he saw him in person and let out a heavy snort.

"Greetings, Mr. Yan!" Ye Jingchen bowed respectfully. Seeing Yan Xu's disheveled appearance, he guessed that Yan Xu must have seen him dozing off.

He touched his nose somewhat awkwardly.

"Your Highness, today is your first day in court. Do you have any thoughts to share with me?" Yan Xu asked sarcastically.

"Sir, I'm only here to find my imperial brother," Ye Jingchen said with an awkward smile.

"The Second Prince is quick-witted and eager to learn, and he is serious and responsible in his work. His Highness the Crown Prince should learn from him!" Yan Xu stroked his beard and continued to speak sarcastically.

"What you taught me is true. I have come here to humbly learn from my brother!" Ye Jingchen continued to smile.

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Since he kept smiling, Yan Xu couldn't be sarcastic anymore. He waved his hand rather irritably, "Go on, go on!"

Ye Jingming then took Ye Jingchen to his private office.

The small single room, less than 20 square meters, had bookshelves filling half of the space with books and files.

After placing a table and a chair in the remaining space, there wasn't much room left.

"The conditions in this government office are just too poor, aren't they? He's supposed to be a fifth-rank official, and his office is only this small?" Ye Jingchen couldn't help but complain.

Ye Jingming remained calm and said, "If it weren't for the fact that I'm a prince, I wouldn't have been allocated this private office."

"Ultimately, it's because the official system of the Six Ministries is too complicated!" Ye Jingchen hit the nail on the head.

Ye Jingming smiled, but did not agree with Ye Jingchen's words.

There are too many people and too many eyes around here; this is not the place to talk.

"I wonder what brings you here, my brother?" he asked.