The Imperial Censor was a typical official who spoke out against wrongdoing. His residence was small and simple, with ordinary furniture and decorations.

The child's room was decorated quite exquisitely, with many small trinkets, showing that the Imperial Censor really liked this child born late in life.

The child was genuinely ill. Ye Jingchen didn't want to bring Ye Jinghe over, but the little guy was very aware of the danger and clung tightly to him. So Ye Jingchen had no choice but to take him to the bedside to take a look.

The illness seemed to have drained the child of all his energy; he seemed to be asleep, lying there motionless, like an unconscious corpse.

It seems to be more serious than being burned senseless.

After only one glance, Ye Jingchen covered Ye Jinghe's eyes and led him out of the room.

He felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

The wait for Physician Zhang to examine the child was agonizing, especially with the old censor constantly appearing before his eyes.

Didn't they say that they doted on their youngest son the most, regarding him as their lifeblood? It seems that for the Imperial Censor, his lifeblood was not as important as his official position and reputation.

A quarter of an hour later, Physician Zhang came out with a heavy expression. He wrote three prescriptions in one go and took out a small porcelain bottle from his medicine box and handed it to the Imperial Censor.

On the way back to the palace, Ye Jingchen asked about the child's condition. Imperial Physician Zhang sighed and said, "His body was already weak. After this ordeal, although he won't become mentally impaired, the prolonged fever will make him somewhat less sharp than other children. Even if he recovers, his health will be worse than before, and he will be more prone to illness and misfortune."

They were happy when they left the palace, but they couldn't feel happy at all when they returned.

By the time they returned to the East Palace, it was almost time for dinner.

After washing up and rousing himself, Ye Jingchen took the gift he had specially brought for the emperor and went to Chengqian Palace.

This time he didn't take Ye Jinghe with him, probably because he sensed that he was in a bad mood. Ye Jinghe didn't make a fuss, but just stared at his big eyes and said that he would wait for his brother to come back for dinner.

Ye Jingchen: The chance to dine at the imperial restaurant has fallen through.

Despite Fangfei's accusing gaze, Ye Jingchen only brought one pot of Drunken Immortal Brew. He gave one pot to Chenxi and kept the other one for himself.

Fangfei is right. The emperor has the whole country, what kind of fine wine can't he have? Sending the emperor a pot to taste is enough to express his feelings.

After all, the wine brewed by ordinary people may not be as good as the imperial wine or the tribute wine. What if the emperor doesn't like to drink it? Wouldn't that be a waste?

He was definitely not angry about the child, which is why he turned the two jugs of wine he originally intended to give to the emperor into one!

Chengqian Palace.

When Ye Jingchen arrived, the emperor's meal was already laid out on the table.

"Our Crown Prince has finally decided to return? You're quite the busy man. In just one day outside the palace, you not only visited the Duke of Zhenguo's residence but also taught a lesson to the纨绔子 (wan kuzi, a spoiled brat) who was causing trouble in the capital. In the end, you even went to see the old censor's son for me. You've really worked hard!" the emperor said sarcastically.

Ye Jingchen was not at all surprised that the emperor knew everything about his itinerary.

Firstly, he did not hide his whereabouts and did everything openly and honestly.

Secondly, given the emperor's high regard for him, he didn't believe the emperor hadn't sent secret guards to follow him.

"Father, you've forgotten to mention the most important thing!"

He approached the emperor and flattered him.

"Oh? Is there anything important that I don't know?" the emperor asked, feigning surprise.

"I even brought a gift for Father Emperor! Isn't that important? Even though I'm outside the palace, all I can think about is Father Emperor!" Ye Jingchen said, placing the wine and snacks in front of the emperor.

"Father, I had lunch at the most famous Zuixianlou restaurant in the capital. Their Zuixian wine is a specialty of the capital, and I tried it. I thought it was especially delicious, so I brought a pot back for you to try as well. Also, this box of pastries is my younger brother Jinghe's favorite. I thought it was good too, so I brought some back for you as well," Ye Jingchen said earnestly.

The emperor was extremely pleased, but he remained outwardly composed. "They are just some ordinary trinkets from the common people. Is it really worth you presenting them to me like treasures?"

"Although it is common among the common people, it is not available in the palace. Things are valued for their rarity. Moreover, this is not just wine and snacks, but also my filial piety towards Father Emperor. It is my heartfelt wish. Isn't heartfelt wish precious?" Ye Jingchen asked, feigning sadness.

"You smooth talker! You're so good at talking!" The emperor, unable to contain himself any longer, burst into laughter and ordered, "Zhang Shunde, you put these two things away for me."

"Father, the wine can wait, but we should eat the snacks as soon as possible to prevent them from spoiling," Ye Jingchen reminded him.

"Do you need to tell me that?" The emperor rolled his eyes inelegantly and waved his hand. Zhang Shunde quickly stepped forward and took away the wine pot and snacks as if they were precious treasures.

"Tell me," the emperor said, "when you went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion today, did you manage to persuade the old lady to allow one of their precious daughters to be your study companion?"

"Both the Old Madam and Xie Chang'an are willing, so has the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion not yet sent a request to enter the palace to meet the Emperor tomorrow?" Ye Jingchen asked, feigning doubt.

Instead of answering, the emperor asked, "Isn't their precious son terminally ill and on his deathbed? How come he can enter the palace tomorrow?"

"Perhaps he felt my sincerity and recovered quickly? Father, Xie Chang'an only had a high fever. It was dangerous at the time, but he got through it, didn't he? I had a fever before, and it was the same. There's nothing strange about it." Ye Jingchen said casually, and immediately changed the subject.

"But the son of the Prefect of Jingzhao—he forcibly abducted a woman in broad daylight! If I hadn't been there and stopped him, he would have succeeded! Father, you must severely punish such a wicked person who disregards the laws of Dayuan and wreaks havoc in the region!"

"Didn't your men already beat him up? Consort De came crying, saying that her nephew only spoke rudely because he didn't know your identity, and your men knocked out all his teeth. Is that true?" the Emperor asked with a stern face.

"Oh, he called me a little bastard," Ye Jingchen said calmly.

"How dare he!" The emperor slammed his fist on the table and rose to his feet, furious.

"He even flirted with Fangfei and Fangrong in front of me," Ye Jingchen continued, adding fuel to the fire.

Although Fangfei and Fangrong were just palace maids, they were left to Ye Jingchen by the late empress and had taken care of him since childhood. Naturally, they held a different place in the emperor's heart.

"He deserves to die!" The emperor's eyes turned cold.

Ye Jingchen shrugged. "So Chenxi was already merciful enough by only knocking out his teeth. How dare Consort De come to you and complain?"

"She also said you wanted her only nephew dead." The emperor remained noncommittal and continued.

Whether he dies or not depends on how many evils he has committed. I did not say I wanted him to die; I only asked the Prefect of the Capital to judge the case according to the law.

"The reason why Consort De said this is probably because she knows that her nephew has committed many evils and, according to the law, only death is the only way out."

Ye Jingchen said this with an extremely innocent expression.