Only after being reborn did I realize that I was the white moonlight of a powerful minister.

Minister Zhou thought to himself that Xie Bohuai was the most shameless person, and he was too embarrassed to live alone. He was just trying to annoy him.

This person is shameless; their mouth is incredibly annoying.

Minister Zhou ignored Xie Bohuai and refused to let anyone help him, insisting on walking on his own.

The group went to Renzheng Hall, where the Emperor had been eagerly awaiting their arrival. After hearing the story from Minister Zhou, he learned that the Jiang family in the capital had framed Xie Bohuai.

"It's been so complicated. Fortunately, I trust Ziqian. Ziqian, please don't blame me. I only sent people to surround the Xie residence to silence the gossip in the capital. It's best to clear up the misunderstanding now. All the necessities have been delivered to the Xie residence these days." The Emperor, despite being the Son of Heaven, still spoke kindly to Xie Bohuai.

As a subject, Xie Bohuai expressed his understanding considerately, saying, "Your Majesty's trust is what moves me the most."

"You've had a hard time going to Huaizhou. Now that things are clear, I will deal with the Jiang family. You should go back and rest." The Emperor did not punish Xie Bohuai in front of him.

Minister Zhou, however, was an upright man. “Your Majesty, the Jiang family is audacious and reckless. For their own selfish desires, they have caused the people to have no land to cultivate. They should be severely punished.”

The Emperor had just let Xie Boming off the hook, and he wasn't so keen on offending the powerful families. He had originally intended to let him off lightly, but now that Minister Zhou had said this, he still wanted to continue to play dumb. However, Xie Bohuai spoke up.

"Minister Zhou is right. We are not important. We should serve the country and the people, but we are afraid that we will cause unnecessary trouble by making the people feel disheartened. I beg Your Majesty to severely punish the Jiang family. If the Jiang family is not dealt with, who will listen to you in the future?" Xie Bohuai was putting pressure on the emperor.

The Emperor could ignore Minister Zhou's words, but he dared not disregard Xie Bohuai's suggestion. "I understand. I will deal with the Jiang family."

Minister Zhou seemed unable to discern the Emperor's true thoughts. "In order to appease the people, I request Your Majesty to issue an edict now."

The Emperor frowned.

The Crown Prince came out and said, "Minister Zhou, you've worked hard. Your father also needs to figure out what's going on. You need to give your father some time."

Minister Zhou glanced at the Crown Prince and said, "Even if we haven't figured out how to deal with it right away, we should send the Imperial Guards to surround the Jiang family. We should treat the Jiang family the same way we treated the Xie family, without showing favoritism."

"Yes, I understand." Pressed relentlessly by Minister Zhou, the Emperor's tone turned sour. "Do as you say."

After leaving Renzheng Hall, Minister Zhou asked the Crown Prince why the Emperor was hesitant. He and Xie Bohuai had just returned to the capital and were unaware of the death of Prince Cheng's daughter.

The crown prince shook his head, saying he didn't know. "I just got back myself and don't understand what Father Emperor is thinking."

"This is really strange, it shouldn't be like this." Minister Zhou pursed his lips. When he arrived at the palace gate and was about to say goodbye to Xie Bohuai, he saw Xie Bohuai turn around and mount his horse without even giving him a glance.

"Lord Xie is indeed in a hurry," the Crown Prince remarked.

Minister Zhou snorted, "He's been mocking this old minister the whole way, saying things like what would happen to his wife if something were to happen to him, or if he were wrongly accused and killed. I'm sick of hearing it. I don't know what he's thinking. He usually looks so fierce, is he really that afraid of his wife? I don't believe it!"

After saying that, Minister Zhou also planned to go back. He was so tired from the journey that his whole body ached, and given his age, he needed to rest for a few days.

At this time, the Zhou family also received the news and learned that Minister Zhou was still alive. Minister Zhou was extremely excited.

Shu An had been waiting at the door for a long time. When she saw her master return, she immediately knelt down and said, "Shu An is useless. It is Shu An who has made you suffer."

"Get up, it's none of your business. I was just senile and didn't realize I'd been tricked." Minister Zhou was helped into the house by Shu An.

Returning home, Minister Zhou was filled with emotion. After meeting his family, he sent the younger generation away first, while he and his wife talked inside.

"I'm so glad I came back alive this time, all thanks to Xie Bohuai." Minister Zhou and his wife were a couple who had been together since childhood and had grown old together. They had a very good relationship. In recent years, Minister Zhou had not even taken a concubine. The couple talked about everything in private. Only in front of his wife did he speak softly and gently.

"You used to hate him and impeach him every now and then, but now you've changed your mind?" Madam Zhou had a full head of silver hair and a dignified demeanor. Even when she drank tea, she did so slowly and deliberately, maintaining the air of a great lady.

Minister Zhou snorted, "He's still annoying now. He never speaks human language. You have no idea how detestable he is. But..." He paused slightly, "You have to see for yourself. Xie Bohuai may have power in his hands, but he's definitely not a bad official."

As Madam Zhou has gotten older, she leaves the household chores to her two daughters-in-law and doesn't go out much. However, she has heard people talk about Xie Bohuai's wife. "I've heard that Xie Bohuai's wife is the most beautiful woman in the capital. She comes from a humble background and was even jilted at marriage. Later, she disappeared, remarried, and had children. She was very anxious about marriage. Madam Cao said that Madam Xie is a born vixen and has no connection to the concept of chastity in her life. I've never met Madam Xie, but now that you mention it, I'm a little curious."

"What I mean is, let's not worry about other things. Since Xie Bohuai saved me, our family should still express our gratitude." Minister Zhou still disliked Xie Bohuai, but he couldn't have a guilty conscience. "Madam, when you have some free time, please take some gifts and go over there."

"You're not going?"

"I'm not going. You have no idea how sharp-tongued Xie Bohuai is. I get annoyed just looking at him."

“Then I won’t go. He saved you, not me.” Madam Zhou put down her teacup. “If you’re going to express your gratitude, you have to be sincere. Don’t let people think you’re being impolite, or you’ll give them something to talk about. Because Xie Bohuai has a bad reputation, he and his wife are not well-liked in the capital. If you go to their door to express your gratitude, their attitude will be somewhat more lenient.”

When it comes to interpersonal relationships and worldly wisdom, Madam Zhou is still more adept.

Since Minister Zhou said that Xie Bohuai was not a bad official, it was tantamount to admitting that Xie Bohuai was a good official. However, Minister Zhou was conflicted and did not want to say it directly.

"Alright, alright, I'll do whatever you say. You can make the arrangements. I'm really tired, I need to rest for a while." Despite being mocked by Xie Bohuai, Minister Zhou still decided to bite the bullet and go to the Xie family.

Meanwhile, at the Xie family residence, Xie Bohuai had returned with an imperial decree, and the imperial guards at the gate had all dispersed.

Xie Bohuai also met Ye Wanning. He felt a little guilty and didn't touch the food on the table.

"If the adults aren't eating, Le-ge'er's mouth is watering all over the place," Ye Wanning teased.

Le Ge looked at his father, then at his mother, and said, "Mother, I didn't drool."

"I was just giving you an example. Haven't you been swallowing your saliva the whole time?" Ye Wanning asked, looking at her son.

Le Ge'er nodded honestly, "Father, when can we eat?" He knew the rules; he could only start eating after the elders had started.

Xie Bohuai picked up a piece of chicken for his son and then picked up some meat for Ye Wanning. "Eat first, we'll talk after you finish." As he spoke, he shoveled a big mouthful of rice into his mouth.