"During my visit to Fenglin Village today, seeing the villagers working hard in the fields, an idea suddenly came to mind."
"I hope that all the people of Dayuan have their own land and can cultivate it."
"I know my idea is naive, and I know how difficult it will be to realize this wish, but I still want to try."
“I hope my younger brother Chang’an can come and do this with me.”
After much buildup, Ye Jingchen finally revealed his true purpose.
However, no matter how much he laid the groundwork, the expressions of the few people who understood what he was saying changed, and even Chenxi's eyes showed a ripple.
"If you want to be a good Crown Prince, I advise you to give up this naive idea!" Xie Chang'an said coldly.
As someone who had been an emperor for many years, he felt this statement most deeply.
Even under his rule, and despite the fact that the little madman had cleaned up many powerful families for him, he still couldn't do it.
Because greed is human nature, and wealth and power are too easily blinding; the human heart is the most fickle thing...
"I know this is difficult, but thinking about Jizhou Prefecture now, if it can be done in Jizhou Prefecture, then it can be done in other places as well," Ye Jingchen said calmly.
"Jizhou Prefecture gave us this opportunity because the Jiang family couldn't hold back any longer. Such opportunities don't come around all the time!" Xie Chang'an reminded him.
"If there's no opportunity, we can create one. If we can't create one, we can wait. Anyway, we're still young and have plenty of time. This matter can't be accomplished overnight, so we should take it one step at a time!"
Ye Jingchen was very insistent on this matter.
However, he only needs to talk about his persistence; the real work that needs to be done is for him to take action.
Xie Chang'an knew this all too well; behind the little fox's sweet words lay nothing but manipulation!
If Ye Jingchen had been secretive, he could have easily turned a blind eye. But Ye Jingchen made it clear, even in front of his parents. Conspiracy can be solved, but open schemes cannot. After all, the Duke of Zhenguo's family has been loyal and patriotic for generations.
"His Highness is right! This is a good thing that benefits the country and its people. You brat, His Highness is doing you a favor by asking for your help. Why don't you agree?"
Sure enough, before Xie Chang'an could express his opinion, he was urged by his father.
He wanted to say that it wasn't that Ye Jingchen thought highly of him, but that Ye Jingchen only had him as a choice without any future troubles.
However, if Ye Jingchen were to say such a thing, he might not feel ashamed or embarrassed; he would definitely get beaten up.
When my father was young, he disdained Emperor Shengping's flattery. But as time passed, the same scene happened to him, and my father showed a completely different face.
I wonder what Emperor Shengping would think if he knew?
"I agree, but we can discuss the specifics another day," Xie Chang'an said expressionlessly.
At least, not in front of family members.
"Brother Chang'an, on behalf of the millions of people of Dayuan, I thank you!" Ye Jingchen said happily.
Xie Chang'an's heart skipped a beat. "I can agree to your request, but I have one condition."
"Name your conditions—" The first half of the sentence was full of confidence, but the second half was cautious: "Let me see if I can agree?"
"Don't call me 'brother' anymore!" Xie Chang'an said, emphasizing each word.
He gets angry as soon as he hears that title!
"If I don't call you brother, what should I call you? Young Master Xie? Or—Chang'an?"
The moment Xie Chang'an heard the name 'Chang'an' so affectionately called out, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Ye Jingchen must have done it on purpose!
"Can't you just call me by my full name?" he asked angrily.
Is his name too hot to pronounce?
"No! Xie Chang'an is too formal, Chang'an is too friendly. I only call others by their first name, not their surname. I can't make an exception for you, lest they think I don't like you!"
Xie Chang'an: ......
He thought about it for a moment and belatedly realized that it was really true!
While Ye Jingchen was calling him "Young Master Xie," he was already affectionately calling out the names of his other study companions!
If looks could kill, for a fleeting moment, Xie Chang'an wanted to kill Ye Jingchen with his gaze.
This is outrageous!
"Why are you so fussy?!"
With a "smack," Xie Chang'an was beaten for the third time in one day.
If he weren't outmatched, he would definitely have given his father a good talking-to!
“It’s good to call me by my name. From now on, we’ll call you by your name!” Xie Shaoling said.
"Uncle Xie, please don't keep hitting Chang'an on the head. He's so smart, it would be such a waste if you made him stupid!" Ye Jingchen said to Xie Shaoling.
“Look how much His Highness the Crown Prince cares about you, and look at yourself—” Xie Shaoling poked Xie Chang’an’s forehead with his finger.
Xie Chang'an was so angry that he didn't want to talk and let him poke him.
All that he did for Ye Jingchen and helped him so much, yet in the end, he didn't even hold a place in Ye Jingchen's heart as high as the other three study companions!
"I've seen you wear this waist pendant often, it must be one of your most cherished possessions. Here you go!" Ye Jingchen, having achieved his goal, happily returned the waist pendant to Xie Chang'an.
"Hmph!" Xie Chang'an snorted coldly, not wanting to pay him any attention.
"Why are you angry again?" Ye Jingchen stepped forward, squatted down, and personally fastened Xie Chang'an's waist ornament.
"Your Highness, you mustn't!"
"Your Highness, let me do it!" Xie Shaoling and Xu Jingjing stepped forward at the same time. This was the Crown Prince!
"It's alright, it'll be tied right away."
It's just a belt ornament, something you do casually, what's there to be nervous about?
Xie Chang'an made him feel particularly at ease, after all, the younger princes, especially the little madman, often enjoyed such treatment, so it was not a big deal.
Anyway, he had seen how shameless Ye Jingchen was in private. The dignity of the Crown Prince? Doesn't exist!
Some people are willing to abandon all pretense of decency as long as they can achieve their goals.
He was forced to agree to this, and he might have to be treated like a slave and driven at his beck and call from now on. What's wrong with letting him wear a belt now?
"You brat!" Xie Shaoling was furious when he saw Xie Chang'an's unmoved attitude. He wanted to slap him on the forehead, but remembering what His Highness the Crown Prince had said earlier, he slapped him hard on the back instead.
Xie Chang'an immediately turned his head away, but he didn't expect his father to hit him from a different spot. Caught off guard, he took the slap and staggered forward.
Ye Jingchen fastened his waist belt and was about to get up when Xie Chang'an fell towards him, and he instinctively reached out to catch him.
Xie Chang'an was originally able to control his body, but after Ye Jingchen hugged him like that, he felt unwell all over, and the strength he had gathered in his body dissipated.
Ye Jingchen was crouching on the ground and couldn't exert much force. After hugging Xie Chang'an, he was directly pressed to the ground by Xie Chang'an's small body.
The turn of events happened so fast that Xie Shaoling didn't expect his slap to affect Ye Jingchen. He exchanged a glance with Xu Jingjing and quickly pulled the two children up from the ground, one by one.
"Your Highness, please forgive me! I didn't mean it!" Xie Shaoling quickly apologized.
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