"You heard me right, that's the question I asked!" Ye Jingchen said without changing his expression.

Although I felt a little embarrassed before asking, I felt more at ease after asking.

They're all guys, so it's perfectly normal for them to ask questions like that! Back in my school days, I've seen guys do even more outrageous things in the boys' dorms!

"If you feel embarrassed, just nod or shake your head." Considering that people in this era are quite conservative, Ye Jingchen said generously.

Xie Chang'an: ......

Xie Chang'an ignored him and walked quickly forward.

"So you don't have it either!" Ye Jingchen learned the answer from his reaction and said with a smile.

"Also?" Xie Chang'an stopped and turned to look at Ye Jingchen.

"So I was wondering if it's because our situation is special that we didn't react?" Ye Jingchen asked with a smile.

“The abnormal one is you! I’m perfectly normal! I’m not even fourteen yet, and you’re almost sixteen!” Xie Chang’an said with a dark face.

"Why struggle in vain?" Ye Jingchen glanced at Xie Chang'an's spot and said with pity.

"No wonder you refused to marry the Crown Princess no matter what, it turns out it's because you're impotent!" Xie Chang'an laughed in anger, mocking him.

Ye Jingchen was completely unfazed by his sarcasm. "I don't want to get married simply because I don't want to, not because I'm incapable! If I wanted to, I could still get married even if I wasn't capable! If I didn't want to, even if I were very capable, I still wouldn't get married!"

"Only children care about whether they are capable or not. Adults are indifferent to worldly affairs. Little Chang'an, you will understand in the future!" Ye Jingchen said, shaking his head, and then patted Xie Chang'an on the shoulder.

Xie Chang'an slapped his hand away in disgust, and was about to say something sarcastic when he realized they were already at the door.

There were guards at the gate, and they were all very skilled in martial arts. They were all sharp-eyed and quick-witted. It was fine to say some things to Ye Jingchen, but it wouldn't be acceptable if others heard them.

The carriage from the East Palace was already waiting at the door. Ye Jingchen waved to Xie Chang'an, hopped onto the carriage in a few steps, and left in a very good mood.

Although he didn't really care whether he was capable or not, he was still very happy to know that Xie Chang'an was not.

That's just how people are. It's certainly sad when you can't do something yourself, but if others can't either, then you're really happy!

After returning to the palace, Ye Jingchen went straight to Chengqian Palace. When the emperor asked him how his studies were going, he blurted out, "Xie Chang'an is no good!"

"What do you mean, 'can it or can't it'?" the emperor asked, puzzled.

Ye Jingchen: ......

"The Duke of Zhenguo taught me very well, and I have learned quite well as well, but Xie Chang'an is not learning well. The Duke of Zhenguo said that I am more talented than Xie Chang'an!" Ye Jingchen wiped his face, trying to make amends for his statement.

"Did he really say that?" The emperor asked, his face full of disbelief.

The Crown Prince is intelligent, but he doesn't think the Crown Prince's talent in military strategy can compare to that of the Duke of Zhenguo's bloodline.

The late emperor once praised Xie Shaoling, saying that he was born for the battlefield, and the current emperor agrees with this assessment.

Otherwise, Xie Shaoling wouldn't have been able to remain idle in the capital for seven years, yet still manage to win battles in the northern frontier!

The ferocity of the Northern Barbarians is far beyond what the local armies under the jurisdiction of the prefectures and counties can match!

"The Duke of Zhenguo used sand table simulations as an example to explain the essentials of military campaigns to us, and even asked for our thoughts. My answers were better than Xie Chang'an's, so the Duke of Zhenguo praised me!" Ye Jingchen said proudly.

"Today is only the first day, and he's already teaching you sand table simulations?" the emperor asked incredulously.

Using a sand table to simulate a battle is far more effective than simply talking about war on paper!

"This is nothing. The Duke of Zhenguo told me from the beginning that he would help me become the commander of the Divine Might Army!" Ye Jingchen said with a grin.

After he finished speaking, he stared at his father's face, trying to see if he could see any shame on his father's face.

However, he underestimated his father's paranoia.

Because his father not only showed no shame, but also seemed to be deep in thought.

“Actually, the Duke of Zhenguo originally did not intend to teach Xie Chang’an. He initially only planned to teach me, but I was a little worried, so I insisted that Xie Chang’an must attend classes with me,” Ye Jingchen added.

"He doesn't want to teach Xie Chang'an?" the emperor murmured, repeating the same question.

“You did the right thing! If he wouldn’t even teach his own grandson, then you don’t need to take this lesson either!” the emperor said.

"Later, during the break between classes, the Crown Princess brought us tea and snacks. She was also interested in the Duke of Zhenguo's class and begged him to let her attend the class together. The Duke of Zhenguo agreed, and the Crown Princess studied even harder than Xie Chang'an and I!" Ye Jingchen added another matter.

He had to explain Xu Jingjing's auditing of classes to the emperor, otherwise, when he found out later, who knew what the emperor would think of the Duke of Zhenguo.

However, before making any statements, it's necessary to lay the groundwork and ensure that the matter serves as good evidence and has a positive impact.

For example, when the emperor heard about this, he was initially displeased. "Why did Xu Jingjing go and get involved? The Duke of Zhenguo actually agreed?"

But when he heard Ye Jingchen say that she was studying very hard, the emperor's expression brightened.

"Although Xu Jingjing is a woman, she grew up in the northern frontier and loves to fight and wield weapons. Since she can listen to what the Duke of Zhenguo taught, it means that his teachings are effective!"

"Your subject also thinks the Duke of Zhenguo is very impressive! Today, after only two lessons, he taught your subject the advantages and disadvantages of cavalry, archers, and spearmen on the battlefield! At this rate, your subject feels that he only needs to study with him for half a year to be able to graduate!" Ye Jingchen said proudly.

The emperor scoffed, "You think you can learn in half a year what others have accumulated over thirty years? That's wishful thinking! Gold is easy to come by, but a good general is hard to find. Since he's willing to teach you, then learn well and don't waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Ye Jingchen wanted this effect, so he smiled and agreed.

After having another free dinner at Chengqian Palace, Ye Jinghe returned to the East Palace, where he was waiting at the entrance of his bedroom.

"I had business with my father today, so I had dinner at Chengqian Palace. Have you eaten yet?" Ye Jingchen asked him.

"I used it. I thought my brother would have dinner at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!" Ye Jinghe said sullenly.

"You little liar, didn't you see my carriage has returned?" Ye Jingchen patted his head with amusement, mercilessly exposing his lie.

"Will you be having dinner at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion from now on, brother? What if you happen to stay overnight at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion one day due to bad timing?" Ye Jinghe asked nervously as he followed him into the bedroom, holding his hand.

"Of course not. Father has always been wary of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Even if he agrees to let me learn military strategy from the Duke of Zhenguo, he will not want to see me have any interaction with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion other than learning. So none of the things you are worried about will happen!" Ye Jingchen said with a smile.

"You've come at the perfect time. While the knowledge in my head is still fresh, I'll teach it to you. That way, it'll be as if you're learning from the Duke of Zhenguo!" Ye Jingchen said, leading him to the desk.