After a moment's thought, the emperor understood why Ye Jingshu disliked Gu Jia.

But it would be such a pity to give up on Gu Beichen, such a good son-in-law!

"As long as I and your brother are in charge of Dayuan, you will be the most honored woman in Dayuan for the rest of your life. Is it really necessary to promote your girls' school?" the emperor asked her.

The emperor had always maintained a neutral stance towards what Ye Jingshu was doing. Firstly, he felt that the concept of male superiority and female inferiority was a long-standing one and could not be changed because of Ye Jingshu's petty antics.

Secondly, he enjoyed seeing Ye Jingshu full of enthusiasm when she was doing something.

His two most beloved children, Ye Jingchen, look more like him but has the personality of an empress—unassuming, wise yet foolish.

Ye Jingshu is almost a carbon copy of the Empress, but her personality is like his when he was young—a sincere heart, full of passion, and with clear likes and dislikes.

They were the continuation of his and the Empress's lives, how could he not love them?

“Father, I’m promoting women’s education not for my own sake, but so that women across the land can have more choices and live more fulfilling lives. Compared to that, a suitable husband is not important to me at all!” Ye Jingshu said firmly.

The emperor was much more tolerant of Ye Jingshu than he was of Ye Jingchen.

"Alright, since you don't want her, what about Jingyan?" he asked.

The emperor would be particularly unwilling if a young man as talented as Gu Beichen became someone else's son-in-law.

“Then you have to ask Jingyan herself. We can’t make decisions for Jingyan!” Ye Jingshu said without thinking.

"Marriage is a major event that should be decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. Why should we ask for her wishes?" the emperor said, somewhat displeased.

Ye Jingshu: ......

Ye Jingchen: ......

Can't people stop being so hypocritical?

"Eunuch Zhang, could you please send someone to Wenhua Hall again to invite the Second Princess here?" Ye Jingchen said to Zhang Shunde.

At this time, Ye Jingyan is still attending class in the Wenhua Hall.

Zhang Shunde glanced at the emperor, and seeing that he did not object, he quickly ran out of the hall.

He decided to go and invite him in person.

"Father, even if Jingyan agrees, you'd better not immediately bestow a marriage upon them," Ye Jingchen said to the emperor.

"Give me a reason!" the emperor asked impatiently.

Such a good son-in-law, why not rush to arrange the marriage? Are we going to save him for someone else to get there first?

"To achieve the highest honors in the imperial examinations at the young age of eighteen is absolutely unprecedented. Gu Beichen's name will be recorded in history, and he will also be a testament to your achievements during your reign, Father. Therefore, Father cannot allow his honor of achieving the highest honors in the imperial examinations to be criticized in any way, right?" Ye Jingchen asked.

"That's natural, but this is related to his marriage to the princess—" The emperor stopped mid-sentence.

Public opinion is a fearsome thing; it can melt metal with the power of many voices!

Although they all knew that Gu Beichen had won first place and become the youngest and only person in Dayuan to achieve the triple crown in the imperial examinations, others might not think so.

If he were to marry a princess immediately, some people might question the value of his triple-crown academic achievement.

“Father, Jingyan is only sixteen years old this year, she is still young, and Gu Beichen is only eighteen years old. Wouldn’t it be better to wait two years?” Ye Jingchen said in the meantime.

"Of course, this is on the premise that Jingyan herself is willing," he added.

Ye Jingchen's words made sense, but it was precisely because they made sense that the emperor felt even more displeased.

The Empress was not like him. When she was alive, she was much more tactful in advising him than this brat.

Feeling aggrieved and unable to refute the argument, the emperor simply took matters into his own hands and kicked Ye Jingchen lightly.

"You don't want to get married, so you want to drag everyone else down with you, right?"

The kick landed on Ye Jingchen's leg. Taking advantage of the moment, Ye Jingchen bent his knee and knelt on the ground, protesting his innocence, "Father, I was only doing this for your own good, why are you still angry with me!"

emperor:......

He felt that the kick was too light and that he should have kicked it a few more times.

Ye Jingshu spoke first, slapping Ye Jingchen hard on the back. "Royal brother, Father has worried so much about our marriages, and you not only don't appreciate it, but you even turn around and blame us. I'm so disappointed in you!"

"Father, I know I was wrong. Please punish me!" Ye Jingchen cooperated with Ye Jingshu and admitted his mistake to the emperor.

The emperor glanced at the brother and sister putting on this act and said irritably, "If I really punish you, I bet your sister will complain about me!"

"Father, you are joking. You are our father, and it is only right for you to discipline us. We should only be grateful. How could we possibly complain?" Ye Jingshu stepped forward and took the emperor's arm, helping him to sit down in a chair. Ye Jingchen took the opportunity to get up.

"Father, since we have some time today, why don't I tell you about the business of the Golden Branch and Jade Leaf recently?" Ye Jingshu changed the subject.

The Golden Branches and Jade Leaves are now also the emperor's favorite, because his private treasury has been greatly enriched in the past six months because of this shop.

"How's business lately?" The emperor was immediately drawn to this matter and couldn't be bothered to pay any more attention to Ye Jingchen.

When Ye Jingyan arrived, the emperor was still listening to Ye Jingshu talk about the business of the "golden branches and jade leaves".

Before the emperor could speak, Ye Jingchen explained the matter clearly.

"Your father wants to bestow a marriage upon you and Gu Beichen, so he has summoned you to ask for your opinion. Whether you are willing or not, you can tell your father directly. Moreover, even if the marriage is bestowed, it will not be now, but at least two years from now."

Based on the Emperor's understanding of Ye Jingyan, she had always been the most timid of all the children. He had planned to put pressure on her as soon as she arrived, and Ye Jingyan would not dare to refuse.

Now things are really messed up; her rebellious son has seized the initiative, and what if she doesn't want to either—

Ye Jingyan thought for a moment and said to the emperor, "Father, Gu Beichen is the eldest son of the Gu family and will be the head of the family in the future. If I marry him, I will become the matriarch of the Gu family. I think I am simple-minded and foolish, and I am not good enough to be the matriarch. If Father really wants to choose a consort for me, why not choose one from a family with a simple background?"

Most of the guests at Jinzhiyuye were ladies from noble families. Although Ye Jingyan did not interact with them directly, she learned a lot of secrets about the inner quarters of these noble families through them. The inner quarters of these noble families were too complicated, and she did not want to get involved with any of them.

The emperor's lips twitched. Ye Jingyan had already said so much, what else could he say?

The emperor felt only heartache. He had achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations at the age of eighteen, a feat that would surely be recorded in history. Why couldn't he become his son-in-law?

"Father, although I cannot marry into the Gu family, Jingyu can. Jingyu has always been intelligent and composed. If she marries into the Gu family, she will surely be a good matriarch and keep everyone in the family in good order," Ye Jingyan said, mustering her courage.