"Do you have anyone at the Imperial Observatory?" Ye Jingchen asked Xie Chang'an after returning to the Eastern Palace.

“Isn’t Yun Shu at the Imperial Observatory?” Xie Chang’an said.

Ye Jingchen waved his hand, "He's no good, he's too familiar with me, I can't use him."

"what you up to?"

Ye Jingchen thought for a moment and then told Xie Chang'an the truth.

“My father wants to entrust me with the task of dealing with the powerful families, but I don’t want to accept it. So I want the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to postpone the auspicious time for my coming-of-age ceremony as much as possible.”

"Isn't it a good thing that the emperor trusts you and puts you in charge of this matter?" Xie Chang'an asked, puzzled.

"Dealing with powerful families is such a hassle, what kind of good thing is that? I only like doing things that I can do while lying down!" Ye Jingchen complained in a low voice.

Given his relationship with Xie Chang'an, Xie Chang'an will find out his true character sooner or later, so he's too lazy to even pretend anymore.

He's a lazy bum who's worked hard for over a decade on his "lying down" plan; it's time to reward himself by taking it easy.

"Then when will you be willing to do things with me that can only be done while lying down?" Xie Chang'an asked abruptly.

"What did you say?" Ye Jingchen asked instinctively.

Only after asking did she realize what Xie Chang'an meant by that sentence, and she stared at Xie Chang'an with wide eyes in disbelief.

Unbelievable! Xie Chang'an, who doesn't even know how to kiss, would actually ask such a question! Even if he were willing, would this little greenhorn Xie Chang'an know how to do it?

"I'm talking to you about serious business, don't interrupt!" Ye Jingchen said.

"What I'm saying is serious business!" Xie Chang'an said, emphasizing each word.

“I am a very principled person. The serious matters you mentioned can only be done after we get married. Doing them now would be an unlawful union without proper arrangements, which is against the rules,” Ye Jingchen said seriously.

Xie Chang'an stared at Ye Jingchen for a long time, making him feel somewhat awkward, before finally nodding and saying, "Okay, I've got it!"

Once they get married, Ye Jingchen won't be able to use any excuses to fob him off!

Ye Jingchen smiled at Xie Chang'an. He liked Xie Chang'an, so of course he wouldn't mind doing intimate things with him.

But given their current situation, even if they wanted to do something, they could only do it secretly. He didn't like doing things secretly because it was easy for things to go wrong.

They're still young, they'll have plenty of time to spend together in the future, why rush things?

"Getting back to my business, do you have anyone at the Imperial Observatory?" Ye Jingchen asked again.

“I can ask the supervisor to postpone this auspicious time until after the New Year,” Xie Chang’an said.

Ye Jingchen was somewhat surprised, "You actually managed to get the Supervisor to listen to you?"

The position of Director of the Imperial Observatory is not one that just anyone can hold; one must possess genuine ability.

"With the memories in my mind, wouldn't it be easy to support a supervisor?" Xie Chang'an retorted.

Ye Jingchen remained silent; those who had been reborn were indeed remarkable in this regard!

If he could know what would happen years from now like Xie Chang'an, he could do even more—

Forget it, he's not that diligent. Besides, he has a bad memory; even if he were reborn, he wouldn't remember so many things.

"Since the emperor has made up his mind, even if the coming-of-age ceremony is postponed, the things that are your responsibility will eventually fall on your shoulders," Xie Chang'an said, pouring cold water on his enthusiasm.

"I know," Ye Jingchen nodded.

"Then what's the point of postponing the coming-of-age ceremony?" Xie Chang'an asked.

Ye Jingchen thought to himself, "That would be of great significance."

If he waits until he marries Xie Chang'an, he can then more confidently demand that Xie Chang'an do things for him. At that time, he will take Xie Chang'an with him wherever he goes, and Xie Chang'an will handle political affairs for him.

"You'll find out later!" Ye Jingchen said mysteriously.

He couldn't let Xie Chang'an know that while Xie Chang'an was fantasizing about romantic moments under the moon, he was actually thinking about how to make Xie Chang'an work like a slave.

Although his liking for Xie Chang'an was not as pure as Xie Chang'an's liking for him, wasn't Xie Chang'an's 'competence' also part of the charm that attracted him?

"By the way, I already spoke to my father about the nursery rhymes today. I think it's time to take this seriously, otherwise how can we give the court officials a little shock?" Ye Jingchen said to Xie Chang'an.

"I will control the extent to which rumors spread," Xie Chang'an said.

"Controlling the spread of rumors is important, but the most important thing is not to let my father's imperial guards catch you doing anything wrong. I'm still waiting for you to become my crown princess!" Ye Jingchen said with a smile.

Xie Chang'an's restless heart was slightly calmed by these words.

"I won't let anything change!" Xie Chang'an said.

The first thing the emperor did when he went to court the next day was to ask the Director of the Imperial Observatory if he could calculate an auspicious time for the crown prince's coming-of-age ceremony. The Director told the emperor that the nearest auspicious time was the 23rd day of the first month.

The emperor was clearly dissatisfied with the timing and immediately put on a stern face.

Next, Ye Jingyu presented his written regulations on the resettlement of demobilized soldiers. The emperor's expression finally improved, and he ordered them to be read aloud in the court. Afterward, they were circulated to important officials such as Wang Xiang and the ministers of the six ministries.

Ye Jingyu was not only a prince, but his maternal family was also the Ji family. Most officials in the court would not easily offend him, so his suggestions and drafts were always the easiest to pass.

This time was no exception; only Wang Xiang and Yan Xu raised some questions about the doubts in the regulations, while the other ministers did not offer any opinions.

Next, the Ministry of Personnel issued specific documents, the Ministry of Revenue provided resettlement funds, and the Ministry of War was responsible for supervising the implementation.

The Ministry of Works finally came in handy this time, sending professional officials to various places to survey water and soil quality in preparation for infrastructure construction.

As the year draws to a close, the imperial court is surprisingly bustling with activity due to several events.

Although Ye Jingchen had to attend the morning court session, he didn't have any specific political affairs to deal with at the moment, so he was living a relatively comfortable life.

He would get up early to attend court, practice shooting in the morning, sleep in the afternoon, and practice shooting again in the evening before going to bed.

The auspicious time for the coming-of-age ceremony is after the New Year. The reconstruction of Ye Jinghe's Prince's Mansion will take at least half a year. The resettlement of retired soldiers will be handled by the four ministries of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works, so he does not need to get involved.

The emperor never mentioned the nursery rhyme again. It was Xie Chang'an who told him that the emperor was sending people to control its spread.

However, it seems even the heavens couldn't bear to see him living such a comfortable life. One afternoon, just as he was preparing to take a nap, the emperor personally led several people to the East Palace.

When Ye Jingchen saw Dean Li among the group, he had a bad feeling.

"Chen'er, it's done! The medicine prepared by Imperial Physician Li is ready. Drink it and try it. I've even chosen and brought the person who will help you relieve your pain!" After dismissing everyone and leaving only Imperial Physician Li and a tall, voluptuous palace maid with a face like a peach blossom, the emperor said happily.

Ye Jingchen was not happy at all, but in order not to arouse the emperor's suspicion, he could only pretend to be very happy.

Not only had Dr. Li prepared the medicine, but he had also decocted it. When he took the bowl of medicine from the food box he was carrying, the soup was still steaming.

"Drink it quickly!" The emperor personally handed the medicine to Ye Jingchen and urged him.