Not long after Ye Jingshu's birthday banquet, a new type of storybook became popular in the capital. Along with the explosive popularity of this storybook, a particularly novel term also emerged—rebirth.

If life could be lived again, how many regrets would be made up for?

No one knows the answer, but it's hard for anyone not to yearn for it.

As he led his little cubs to pay their respects to the emperor, the cubs discussed what they would do if they could be reborn.

Hearing the kids discussing this topic so seriously, Ye Jingchen wanted to laugh.

They were only a few years old, and they endured so many setbacks and hardships. What regrets could they possibly have?

Oh, except for Ye Jinghe, that poor little thing.

Therefore, Ye Jinghe did not participate in the discussion of this topic, but simply held his hand tightly.

While comforting Ye Jinghe, Ye Jingchen thought of Xie Chang'an.

The emergence of the word 'rebirth' is undoubtedly very unfriendly to those who have truly been reborn!

He admitted that when he asked Liu Wenxuan to write this storybook, he overlooked his reborn ally, and he did not expect that the people of the capital would be so receptive. Now he only hopes that everyone can discuss it, but not take such supernatural things seriously!

Ye Jingchen felt somewhat uneasy.

His friend has a common ailment among all emperors—he's suspicious. He hasn't contacted him lately because he's been busy reviewing files. He probably won't overthink it, right?

They've known each other for so many years, surely he wouldn't think I'm trying to discard him after using him, just because of this little thing?

Ye Jingchen felt it was necessary to find time to see his friends and put his mind at ease!

The moment he had this thought, the next day someone slipped a note into his hand at the entrance of the government office. The note contained only two words: "Explanation."

Although it was only two characters, Ye Jingchen could see the anger in the writer's heart through those two characters.

He didn't think much of it, but Xie Chang'an really did overthink it.

Having watched too many melodramatic TV dramas and read too many novels, Ye Jingchen understood one principle well: if there is a misunderstanding, it must be cleared up as soon as possible.

So, Ye Jingchen skipped work that day.

Having finished reviewing the case files, he didn't bring Ono and Osaka over anymore; instead, he was accompanied by two palace eunuchs.

After leading the people into his private office and locking the door, he called Chenxi out to help him change his face.

Chenxi gave him a normal face and dressed him in a spare set of ordinary clothes that he had left there. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was at the office door, he went out of the room.

After leaving the government office, he was on his way to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion when someone slipped him another note.

How idle is Xie Chang'an that he would send people to wait for him at the gate of the government office?

There is a teahouse with private rooms on the second floor.

Ye Jingchen was restless.

If looks could kill, he felt he would have been torn to pieces by Xie Chang'an's gaze long ago.

In the lobby on the first floor, the old grandfather and granddaughter were telling a familiar story of a strong female protagonist's rebirth and revenge with great emotion.

The hall was more than half full, and among these tea drinkers, all those who were talking, and all those whose conversations could be heard, were talking about rebirth.

Those who practice martial arts have sharp ears and eyes, so he could hear everything, but Xie Chang'an could hear it even more clearly.

"This... would you believe me if I said I didn't do it on purpose?" Ye Jingchen looked at Xie Chang'an awkwardly.

Xie Chang'an looked at him coldly.

"My original intention in having this storybook written was the same as the other storybooks I gave to my elder sister. I just wanted to prevent her from becoming love-struck. I really didn't mean anything else!" Ye Jingchen continued to explain.

The coldness in Xie Chang'an's eyes subsided somewhat.

Ye Jingchen felt he had a chance, so he pressed on, raising his right hand with his index and middle fingers extended and his thumb gripping the other two. "Really, I swear to God, if I did it on purpose, may I be hit by a carriage and struck by lightning!"

"Enough!" Xie Chang'an snorted coldly, interrupting him.

"It's pointless to say these things now!" he said in a deep voice.

"How can this be meaningless? It's meaningful, extremely meaningful! I really didn't mean it, you have to believe me!" Ye Jingchen stared at Xie Chang'an, his eyes unblinking.

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and he wanted Xie Chang'an to see his sincerity!

After a moment of eye contact, Xie Chang'an was the first to look away.

"What have you been doing lately?" he asked.

“I’m on duty at the Ministry of War, don’t you know that?” Ye Jingchen replied.

I wonder how many people were stationed near the government office!

Perhaps Xie Chang'an's level of suspicion even surpasses that of his father.

"By the way, was Zhang Li's accusation that the Vice Minister of War embezzled military funds at your behest?" He finally had the chance to ask the question that had been bothering him lately.

At first, he thought Zhang Li was acting on his father's orders. After finding out that wasn't the case, he then guessed that it might be Xie Chang'an. But later he discovered that Zhang Li himself also had the motive to do so.

This matter was crucial for him to determine Zhang Li's stance.

Zhang Li's stance is very likely the same as Zhang Zhe's stance.

Although Zhang Zhe was talented, the extent to which he could be utilized depended on his position.

"It's just a matter of each getting what they need," Xie Chang'an said indifferently, taking a sip of tea.

Is this considered an admission?

He was genuinely curious about how Xie Chang'an had managed to get Zhang Li to cooperate with him.

A high-ranking official, his father's most trusted minister!

"I've been investigating the Ministry of War's files lately and have made some progress. I'm planning to bring down Zheng Mingxuan and put Yun Shu's father in the position of Minister of War. What do you think?" Although Ye Jingchen was very curious, he didn't intend to ask and changed the subject instead.

"This is your own business, why are you asking me?" Xie Chang'an said, not very interested.

“We’re allies, so of course I have to tell you about my decision to avoid conflicting with your plans,” Ye Jingchen said.

Upon hearing this, Xie Chang'an glanced at him, then looked away and gazed down at the lobby.

“The Marquis of Zhongyong is usable,” he said.

"I'm pretty familiar with the Ministry of War now. You can have someone bring up the matter of military supplies and equipment for the northern frontier at the morning court session, otherwise I'm worried we won't be able to keep up." Ye Jingchen also poured himself a cup of tea.

"Zhang Zhe is not trustworthy."

Ye Jingchen was drinking tea when his words almost made him choke.

“I didn’t ask you whether Zhang Zhe is trustworthy or not!” he said.

"You've been getting quite close to him lately. Are you planning to give him an important position?" Xie Chang'an asked.

"How do you know I'm close to him? Did you have someone spying on me?" Ye Jingchen asked casually.

He was monitored by his father's men every day, and he didn't care if there were one more or one less.

Sometimes he wished that everyone he planned to use was under his surveillance, but since he had no one at his disposal, he could only think about it.

It's perfectly normal for someone as paranoid as Xie Chang'an to have someone monitor him.

Xie Chang'an tightened his grip on the teacup. "I've only seen it a few times by chance."

"What have you seen? You've been spying on me yourself? Are you that free?" Ye Jingchen asked suspiciously.