This time, the Imperial Guards acted swiftly, uncovering Zhang Zhe's involvement in just three days.

Zhang Zhe and the few纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families) he chose to 'joke' were quickly brought before the enraged emperor.

Those spoiled brats all insisted that they hadn't spread the news, but faced with overwhelming evidence and the emperor's imposing presence, they finally admitted that they had accidentally let it slip while drunk.

In the end, the emperor punished them by giving each of the纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who had indulged in extravagant lifestyles) fifty strokes of the cane; whether they survived or not depended on their own fate.

As for Zhang Zhe, the culprit, he was given one hundred strokes of the cane and dismissed from his post, while Zhang Li, the Minister of Justice, was also fined one year's salary for failing to properly educate his son.

One hundred strokes of the cane—if Zhang Zhe hadn't been young and in good health, he wouldn't have been able to endure it at all.

Even if he managed to pull through, he would be on the verge of death, barely breathing.

The more glorious the Zhang family father and son were before, the more miserable they became afterward.

Zhang Zhe's official career was hopeless from then on, Zhang Li lost the emperor's favor, and the few纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats) that Zhang Zhe had carefully selected were either from aristocratic families or noble families. Zhang Zhe almost caused them to be beaten to death, and those families all held the grudge against Zhang Li and his son.

Having worked together before, Ye Jingchen made a special trip to Zhang's residence to visit him after Zhang Zhe recovered from his critical condition and woke up.

Zhang Li came from a poor family, and his mansion in the capital was bestowed by the emperor. The mansion was spacious and grand, but somewhat empty.

"Your Majesty, I am ashamed!" Zhang Zhe lay on the bed, unable to get up, his voice weak and his face filled with shame.

"Just focus on recovering. Even if you can't take up an official post in the future, I believe you can still achieve great things through your own abilities," Ye Jingchen comforted him.

"I really just played a little joke on a few friends. What happened next was completely unexpected. Ever since the rumors started, I've been thinking about who wants to harm Your Highness and me. After much thought, I can only think of one person who is the most suspicious!" Zhang Zhe said with a wry smile.

"Oh? You said you suspect someone is framing you behind this? Who is it?" Ye Jingchen's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface and asked with feigned suspicion.

“Xie Chang’an, Young Master Xie.” Zhang Zhe said the name while subtly observing Ye Jingchen’s expression.

"That's impossible!" Ye Jingchen immediately denied, but felt a pang of regret.

Zhang Zhe was indeed capable, but unfortunately, his heart was not upright, which narrowed his own path.

"Your Highness, don't you think that Young Master Xie's behavior that day was very deliberate? It seemed like he was deliberately leading me astray! I have a flaw: I'm too curious and can't keep things to myself. That's why, after drinking too much, I told several close friends about my doubts, which led to a terrible mistake!" Zhang Zhe said with deep regret.

Ye Jingchen thought to himself, "Being your close friend is the worst thing that could happen to me!"

Fifty strokes of the cane!

Most spoiled brats are pampered and delicate; if they were given fifty strokes of the cane, they would be half-dead, if not dead!

“What you said isn’t without reason. It’s just that Xie Chang’an has always been a man with an eccentric temper. I wouldn’t be surprised by anything he does. But if you’re saying that he’s the one manipulating this behind the scenes, I think that’s impossible. After all, this rumor would only do him harm, not benefit him at all!” Ye Jingchen analyzed seriously.

"But Your Highness is the biggest victim of this incident! Your Highness's reputation has been severely affected by this rumor. What if this is what Young Master Xie's purpose is? Young Master Xie has gotten himself involved. Although his reputation has also been damaged, he is, after all, just the young master of the Duke's mansion. How can his reputation be as important as Your Highness's reputation?!" Zhang Zhe said excitedly.

If Ye Jingchen hadn't known the whole story, Zhang Zhe's analysis would have made him waver and think that Xie Chang'an had ulterior motives!

Ye Jingchen felt even more regretful!

"Brother Zhang, be careful with your words! The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has sacrificed a great deal for the peace of our Great Yuan. You must not make unfounded speculations about Young Master Xie!" Ye Jingchen said solemnly.

"Your Highness, I misspoke!" Zhang Zhe quickly said.

"Without the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and the Xie family army, Dayuan would probably not have been able to withstand the iron cavalry of the Northern Barbarians at all. This humble citizen should not have so easily suspected Young Master Xie without solid evidence!"

Good heavens!

Even at a time like this, they don't forget to apply eye drops!

If his father heard these words today, he would be furious!

"I will let your words slide out of consideration for your loyalty, but you must never say such things again. If these words get out and the people of Dayuan think that the Emperor and I are suspicious of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, we will be drowned in the spittle of the world!" Ye Jingchen solemnly warned.

"This humble subject knows his crime!" Zhang Zhe's expression was complex and difficult to describe.

"Although I am the biggest victim in this matter, I know your character and believe you didn't mean it. Don't overthink it, just focus on recovering! I'm busy with other matters and can't stay any longer, so I'll be leaving now!" Ye Jingchen didn't want to stay any longer and took his leave.

“Your Highness, if the mastermind behind this matter is not Young Master Xie, and if Young Master Xie’s concern for Your Highness is not intentional but genuine, then Your Highness should still be wary of Young Master Xie. Your Highness is such a virtuous and upright person, perhaps Young Master Xie really has feelings for Your Highness?” Zhang Zhe said in a joking tone.

Ye Jingchen stared at Zhang Zhe lying on the bed, his smile gradually fading.

"Your Highness, I have made unfounded speculations and offended you!" Zhang Zhe struggled to raise his hand and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Ye Jingchen.

"Since you know it's offensive, don't mention such foolish things again!" Ye Jingchen said sternly, then turned and left.

Only after leaving the Zhang residence and getting into the carriage did Ye Jingchen's stern face relax.

He really admired Zhang Zhe, and in the end, he wanted to disgust him and Xie Chang'an.

If his relationship with Xie Chang'an hadn't been so close, his last words alone would have been enough to drive a wedge between them.

After leaving the Zhang residence, Ye Jingchen returned to the government office and wrote down the gist of his conversation with Zhang Zhe, including that disgusting last sentence.

After writing it, he sent someone to deliver it to Xie Chang'an.

He felt that someone as dangerous as Zhang Zhe should still be kept in watch over even though his official career was over.

They're such troublemakers!

"Ridiculous! How could I possibly be in love with you!" Xie Chang'an blurted out the denial as soon as he saw Ye Jingchen's last sentence.

In his past life, even after becoming the ruler of the world, he never fell in love with anyone. How could he possibly like that heartless little fox, Ye Jingchen?!

It was all just an act he put on for Zhang Zhe!

The little fox only knows how to sweet-talk him; she has no real feelings for him whatsoever. In the little fox's heart, he is less important than even one of the little madman's fingers. How could he possibly like someone like that?!