After returning to the East Palace, Ye Jingchen had all the princes and princesses informed.

If the emperor wants to see them, then no matter how important their business is the next day, they must put it aside and go to the palace to see the emperor.

As before, everyone would first gather at the East Palace and then go to the Chengqian Palace together.

Ye Jingshu and Ye Jingyan arrived earlier, and Ye Jingchen told them about the emperor's intention to arrange a marriage.

Ye Jingshu laughed upon hearing this, "Wu Zemin and Yun Shu? What is Father Emperor thinking?"

“They are both outstanding, so it’s normal for Father to have such thoughts,” Ye Jingchen said.

"It's been six years since I last saw Wu Zemin. Who knows what he looks like now? The conditions in the northern frontier are harsh; he's certainly not as handsome as he used to be. Besides, who knows if he has someone he likes there?"

"As for Yun Shu—he does look quite handsome now, but if the two of us stand together, he'll steal the spotlight from me. Why would I want to humiliate myself?"

"Second sister, you are beautiful and won't be overshadowed by Yun Shu. The inner quarters of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion are also quiet. Why don't you consider him?" Ye Jingshu looked at Ye Jingyan and said with a smile.

"No way! Their family has only had one son for three generations. What if I can't have a son?" Ye Jingyan said without changing her expression.

"Also, he's too attractive to women. They feel uneasy if they don't keep an eye on him, but keeping an eye on him is a waste of time."

She looks completely different now compared to before she went to the Wenhua Hall.

The people of Yongzhou are known for their fierce and unyielding spirit, and Ye Jingyan, who spent two years there, was deeply influenced by them.

The two sisters had very valid reasons and were very firm in their attitude, so it seemed that the emperor's expectations were about to be dashed again.

Others arrived one after another. Ye Jingming brought the Second Prince's wife, and Ye Jingyu brought Gu Beichen.

“One day, I will make Father accept you!” Ye Jingchen said to Xie Chang’an.

"It's okay, as long as you accept me." Xie Chang'an didn't care about being excluded.

He didn't want to see the emperor either.

They had no desire to grovel before the emperor.

After all, he had a blood feud with the emperor. Although he had avenged himself in his previous life, this hatred was not so easy to let go of.

After Ye Jinghe returned from the guard camp, everyone was present, and Ye Jingchen led them to set off.

"Hey, why isn't sister-in-law coming with us? Does she not want to go?" Ye Jinghe asked, feigning confusion, when he saw that Xie Chang'an wasn't with them.

“Jinghe and the Emperor share a deep father-son bond, and he must really want to go and show his filial piety to him,” Xie Chang’an retorted with a half-smile.

Ye Jinghe glanced coldly at Xie Chang'an and took half a step closer to Ye Jingchen. He was already very close to Ye Jingchen, and now he was even closer.

Seeing this, Xie Chang'an's face darkened.

The others, however, all wore expressions of anticipation, as if watching a good show.

"Let's go, we can't keep Father waiting." Ye Jingchen shook his head with a smile and walked away first.

His departure created some distance between him and Ye Jinghe, but Ye Jinghe quickly caught up with him again.

Xie Chang'an watched everyone leave, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Yesterday when we went to see Father Emperor, he was quite upset that we didn't pay our respects. Why don't we go and pay our respects every three days, like we used to?" On the way to Chengqian Palace, Ye Jingchen sought the opinions of the others.

As they grew up, everyone had their own things to do, much busier than when they were studying. However, their father was not only a father but also an emperor, so naturally they could not be neglected in the slightest.

Everyone agreed.

“Besides the fixed time for paying respects, you can also visit Father Emperor more often at other times,” Ye Jingchen added.

The fact that the emperor said those words shows that he has begun to yearn for family affection.

Most people, after reaching a certain age, begin to value family ties, and even emperors are no exception.

A large group of people arrived at Chengqian Palace, making the solemn and dignified palace seem warm and welcoming.

As soon as they arrived, after paying their respects to the emperor, the emperor ordered that a meal be served.

After a lively meal, during the post-dinner chat, the Emperor first inquired about the condition of Ye Jingming and the Second Prince's unborn child, then asked about the progress of Ye Jingyu and Gu Beichen's wedding preparations, and finally asked about Ye Jingshu and Ye Jingyan's wedding.

In fact, Ye Jingyu was of marriageable age, but the emperor had entrusted his marriage to Ji Wushuang, so he could enjoy some peace and quiet.

As for Ye Jingshu and Ye Jingyan, the Empress has been gone for many years, and Consort Wen is not up to the task, so the Emperor has to worry about them more.

"The people Father Emperor bestowed upon me before were very useful. Perhaps you could bestow a few more upon me in the future," Ye Jingshu said directly to the Emperor, leaving him completely bewildered.

A few years ago, he was so worried about Ye Jingshu's marriage that he lost his mind and sent several men to the princess's residence.

After the person was sent over, the emperor regretted it, but since it had already been sent, it wouldn't be good to ask for it back.

Afterwards, the Imperial Guards reported that Ye Jingshu had assigned jobs to those men and was not keeping them as male concubines, so the Emperor did not inquire about it further.

Who knew Ye Jingshu would pull this stunt on him like this?

"What do you need these people for?" the emperor asked, his expression grim, his voice several octaves lower.

"My business is short of managers. It's hard to find someone with both talent and good looks from outside. It's good that Father Emperor gave me this. I'm capable, I feel at ease using me, and I'm pleasing to the eye," Ye Jingshu said with a smile.

The emperor was exasperated, and his voice lowered even further, "Why don't you just find a proper husband? If word gets out that you're keeping those women, it will damage your reputation!"

This is only possible because of Ye Jingshu. If it were any of the other three people, the emperor probably wouldn't have had the patience.

"Finding a prince consort is neither as obedient nor as pleasing to the eye as they are. If you don't like him anymore, divorce is a hassle. Why bother?"

Ye Jingchen, avoiding the emperor, gave Ye Jingshu a thumbs up.

She's amazing!

The emperor didn't know what to say, after all, he had been the one to send those people over at the beginning.

Moreover, Ye Jingshu's words were vague, and he didn't know whether Ye Jingshu wanted those people to be managers or to do something else.

"Thank you, Father!" Ye Jingshu took the emperor's silence as a sign of agreement.

Ye Jingyan secretly cast an admiring and envious glance at Ye Jingshu, wishing she could also be surrounded by handsome men.

"What about Jingyan? What do you think of Yunshu and Wu Zemin?" The emperor abandoned Ye Jingshu and turned to ask Ye Jingyan.

"Father, I have found someone in Yongzhou with whom I share a deep affection. She is from a collateral branch of the Ji family. If you do not object, I will immediately write a letter to her parents, inviting them to the capital to discuss the marriage." Ye Jingyan's words were also quite surprising.

Ye Jingchen looked at Ye Jingyan. Ye Jingyan hadn't mentioned anything about this in the Eastern Palace. Could she be making it up out of thin air and deliberately deceiving the emperor?

"How could a mere collateral branch of the Ji family be worthy of my princess?" the emperor said disdainfully.

Ye Jingchen glanced at Ye Jingyan's reaction and said to the emperor, "Father, what matters most is that Jingyan is happy. As long as the consort is of good character, that's fine."