After the emperor's birthday banquet, while the warmth between them was still there, Ye Jingchen would take his children to Chengqian Palace for a meal every three days.
The time was chosen to be the day they had their archery lesson.
Exercise is inherently stimulating, and they would also play Cuju (ancient Chinese football) before get out of class ended. Games would make them even happier, so when facing the emperor, they would definitely be in the best and most energetic state of the three days.
At such times, their fear of the emperor would be diminished by the excitement brought on by exercise and games, and the emperor would naturally like to see the children full of vitality, so it was a win-win situation.
Setting a fixed time also has many advantages.
For the emperor, spending time with his children was undoubtedly warm and enjoyable. He would subconsciously set aside this time entirely for his children and make it a habit.
As for the princes and princesses, knowing when they would meet the emperor meant they could prepare in advance if they wanted to make a good impression.
Ye Jingchen doesn't mind his little ones vying for his favor at all. Healthy competition for favor has many benefits: it can promote the relationship between father and son/father and daughter, it can also make them compete and motivate themselves, and it can also make the emperor feel needed.
In ordinary families with many brothers and sisters, there are often dramas of vying for favor, let alone in the royal family where there is a throne to inherit.
Everyone has a competitive spirit, and if it is constantly suppressed, problems will arise in the long run.
It's better to guide than to block; healthy competition is essential.
Besides healthy competition, parent-child activities are also a great way to quickly strengthen the bond between parents and children.
If every time they go to pay their respects to the emperor, all they get is a free meal or being tested on their studies, over time, not only will the emperor lose interest, but the youngsters will also feel exhausted.
In fact, it's not just romantic love that needs novelty; friendship and family relationships do too.
All relationships require careful nurturing and maintenance.
So, one day when Ye Jingchen took the kids out for a free meal, he specially brought the ball they used to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football).
"Brother Crown Prince, why do we need to bring this when we go to pay our respects to Father?" Ye Jingyu asked curiously.
"Jingyu, do you think Cuju is fun?" Ye Jingchen asked him with a smile.
"It's so much fun! I could play it forever!" Ye Jingyu said excitedly.
Although he had a noble birth, he was simple-minded and had the same personality as ordinary children because he had a mother who loved him sincerely without any self-interest.
He didn't like reading, and of the Six Arts, he was only somewhat interested in numerology. His most prominent characteristics were his strong curiosity and playfulness.
"Since you also think it's fun, how about we invite Father to play with us?" Ye Jingchen asked.
"Nonsense! Father Emperor is busy with state affairs, how could he have time to play this?!" Before Ye Jingyu could even speak, Ye Jingshu glared at Ye Jingchen, rejecting his suggestion.
"It is precisely because Father is busy with state affairs every day that I want to invite him to play Cuju with us," Ye Jingchen said calmly.
"Does Your Majesty have some deeper meaning behind this move?" Ye Jingming asked.
"As the sage said, the meaning of life lies in movement. People should move more to be healthier. Father is busy with state affairs every day and sits for half a day at a time, which is actually very bad for his health. That's why I wanted to take him to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football). I'm doing this all for Father's health!" Ye Jingchen said seriously.
"Did the sage ever say such a thing?" Ye Jingyu asked doubtfully.
"Is being more active really good for your health?" Ye Jingyu's focus was completely different from Ye Jingyu's.
“If my brother says it exists, then it exists! Is Fourth Brother questioning my brother?” Ye Jinghe asked Ye Jingyu with an unfriendly expression.
"Of course it's beneficial. Don't you see how much better our mood becomes after our morning exercise every day?" Ye Jingchen asked Ye Jingyu.
Ye Jingyu doesn't know if things have improved, but he does feel a great sense of accomplishment.
This should also be considered a way to feel good, right?
Thinking this, Ye Jingyu nodded.
"Exercise has more benefits than just improving your mood. You'll see the benefits of being more active when you meet kids who don't like to move around," Ye Jingchen told everyone.
Immediately, Ye Jingshu, Ye Jingyu, Ye Jingyu, and Ye Jinghe all looked at Ye Jingyan with tacit understanding.
One of them didn't like to move.
Even the daily morning exercise was something I just coasted through, taking it easy.
The archery and horsemanship classes even found various ways to slack off.
When playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football), she would stay far away by herself, afraid of being hit by the ball.
They looked at Ye Jingyan's frail appearance, as if she could be pushed over at any moment, and nodded in agreement.
"Why are you all staring at me? I moved too!" Ye Jingyan glared at them, dissatisfied.
Ye Jingshu walked to Ye Jingyan's side, put her hand on her shoulder, and asked with a malicious smile, "Second sister, do you know how weak you are?"
Ye Jingyan: ?
Suddenly, Ye Jingshu reached out and wrapped her arms around Ye Jingyan's neck, while simultaneously kneeing Ye Jingyan in the back of her knee. Ye Jingyan felt her knee buckle and fell backward. She managed to catch herself by reaching out to steady herself.
Ye Jingshu crossed her arms and looked at her smugly.
“My elder sister is three years older than me, and she attacked me by surprise, which doesn’t prove anything,” Ye Jingyan said indignantly.
“Alright, third sister, come here—” Ye Jingshu beckoned to Ye Jingyu.
"Elder sister, isn't this a bad idea? What if Second Sister gets upset and cries?" Ye Jingyu said hesitantly, without moving.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
