"He is my Crown Princess, of course I want to take care of him myself, I don't trust anyone else to take care of him," Ye Jingchen said confidently.
The emperor was so angry that he couldn't speak.
"Father, you have no idea how badly the Crown Princess was beaten. If she hadn't been in good health, that beating might have killed her," Ye Jingchen said angrily.
"So what? The fact that he was beaten only proves that he deserved it!" the emperor sneered.
"Xie Chang'an's injuries were inflicted by his mother, but my father couldn't bear to hit me. I feel so fortunate, much more fortunate than Xie Chang'an!" Ye Jingchen changed the subject, looking at the emperor with tears in his eyes.
His sudden emotional outburst left the emperor bewildered. After he came to his senses, the emperor was somewhat pleased, but he didn't want to show it, because that would make him seem too easily appeased.
He suppressed the urge to curl his lips into a smile and gave a cold snort, "Knowing that I'm good to you, you should reflect on your actions and stop disobeying me!"
"Father, to be honest, although some of my choices may not suit your wishes, they are beneficial to Dayuan. I am doing this for the long-term benefit of your country. Why do you always think I am disobedient and unfilial?" Ye Jingchen asked, feeling wronged.
The emperor was stumped by the question.
He couldn't refute this, but if he didn't, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting that he was being unreasonable?
Where is his authority as a father and as an emperor?
"What do you mean by considering my empire? I'll pass my empire to you anyway!" the emperor said irritably.
“Father is now in the prime of his life. It is not worthwhile to pass the throne to me, a son who is destined to have no children. It would be better to pass it on to your grandson or granddaughter!” Ye Jingchen said hurriedly.
The emperor was speechless. "Forget about the imperial grandson; what right does a girl have to inherit the throne?"
"Is Father looking down on my elder sister and younger sisters? In ten years, the taxes paid by my elder sister's merchant guild will account for the majority of the tax revenue of Dayuan."
"My elder sister's girls' association will spread throughout the land, and then there will be many outstanding women who are no less than men."
"The Second Princess might be able to establish herself in Yongzhou and break the Ji family's absolute control over the region."
"Not only does the Third Princess manage the household affairs, but she also holds a position in the Dali Temple."
"As for the fourth princess, she likes to collect gossip about court officials and is sharp-tongued. It wouldn't be a bad idea for her to become an imperial censor and supervise the officials on behalf of the emperor."
“Their contributions to Dayuan are no less than those of the emperor’s brothers, proving that women can also hold up half the sky. So why can’t the outstanding granddaughters of the emperor inherit the throne? Aren’t they all of the bloodline of my Ye family? Aren’t they all for the prosperity of Dayuan?” Ye Jingchen asked.
If Ye Jingchen hadn't mentioned it, the emperor wouldn't have realized that his princesses had also grown up to be so outstanding.
Through Ye Jingchen's subtle influence over the years, the emperor's thinking has actually become quite open-minded. He does not think that princesses are inferior to princes, but he himself has not yet realized this idea.
"Whenever Father has time, why not visit Fengming Academy and Jinzhiyuye, and compare them with the students of the Imperial Academy? You'll then know how much talent for governing the country you'll lose by being so fixated on gender differences!"
It's a good thing that Dayuan is producing so many talented people, but this situation is inseparable from Ye Jingchen's cultivation and planning.
Over the past few years, the emperor has come to realize that Ye Jingchen is the most powerful one. On the surface, he doesn't show off, but in reality, all the princes and princesses are growing up under his plan.
The emperor was relieved to hand Dayuan over to Ye Jingchen, but Ye Jingchen was too lazy. Not only did he not want to do anything, but his mind was also full of love and romance!
The emperor would get furious whenever he thought about this.
When Xie Shaoling was young, he was a troublemaker, causing countless noble ladies to fall in love with him. His son surpassed his father and even bewitched the Crown Prince!
"I will consider your proposal, but you are still the Crown Prince, and you must shoulder the responsibilities of the Crown Prince. You cannot let personal matters interfere with public affairs or neglect national affairs for the sake of one person," the Emperor said solemnly.
Ye Jingchen thought to himself, apart from the title of Crown Prince, he has neither his own team nor a specific position. What could he possibly have to deal with?
Moreover, during the days when the sun was out, Dayuan was very peaceful, and nothing major happened.
The emperor simply didn't want him to go to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to accompany Xie Chang'an.
Ye Jingchen has decided to unleash his ultimate move.
"Father, when we were in the Northern Frontier, Uncle Xie once said that the family rules of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion could kill people if one was not careful. He was punished by the family rules twice and almost died both times. If something happens to the Crown Princess when I love him the most, I will never forget her for the rest of my life. Father, can you bear to let me have such a regret for the rest of my life?" Ye Jingchen asked.
"Who are you calling Uncle Xie? All my brothers are dead, who is your uncle?" The emperor was so angry about the way he was addressed that he jumped up and down.
Later, after hearing Ye Jingchen say that Xie Shaoling had been punished by the family twice and almost died both times, I suddenly felt a little guilty because both times Xie Shaoling was punished by the family were related to him.
However, his original intention was to befriend Xie Shaoling; his starting point was good, but he just used the wrong method.
Later, he was determined to avenge Xie Shaoling, but Xie Shaoling not only didn't appreciate it, but also scolded him for not valuing human life and for not having the qualities of a wise ruler!
He would never forget Xie Shaoling's insults.
The emperor wanted to know if Xie Shaoling had told Ye Jingchen about their grudges, and even more so if Xie Shaoling had deliberately tarnished Ye Jingchen's image in front of him.
But he didn't care about asking those questions right now. All he wanted to do was pry open Ye Jingchen's skull and see how much water had gotten into his brain that he would lose his mind to this extent for Xie Chang'an!
"You actually threatened me with yourself for Xie Chang'an's sake?" The emperor was so angry that he stopped referring to himself.
"This is not a threat, but a request. My affection for Xie Chang'an is the same as my father's affection for my mother. I believe my father can understand my feelings at this moment. Please grant my request." Ye Jingchen knelt before the emperor, blinking hard as he kowtowed, his eyes welling up with tears.
Seeing Ye Jingchen like this, the emperor began to waver for the first time about making him the heir to the throne.
Ye Jingchen likes Xie Shaoling's son so much. If he becomes emperor in the future, will the throne be decided by him or by Xie Chang'an?
"Your Highness, you have disappointed me greatly!" the emperor said.
"Your Majesty, I only wish to spend more time with the Crown Princess during her most difficult time. Please grant my request." Ye Jingchen's eyes were filled with tears, threatening to fall.
"Are you really willing to give up your position as crown prince for him, and not regret it later?" The emperor looked at Ye Jingchen and felt that he was beyond saving.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
