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

Ye Wanning didn't like Princess Chun very much every time she saw her, because Princess Chun was always complaining and her deliberate approach made people uncomfortable.

She said she couldn't compare to Princess Chun, "Princess Chun's status is so noble that few people in the capital can compare. We're here as guests, please try the Zhou family's fruit wine, it's quite good."

As they were talking, other people came over, and Ye Wanning took the opportunity to talk to them.

Princess Chun was annoyed that Ye Wanning never responded to her. When she arrived later, she complained to Prince Chun, "That Ye Wanning always ignores me. No matter how I try to please her, it's no use. I'm a princess, and she's just a second-rank noblewoman. Shouldn't we just give up? There are so many ministers in the court; it's not like we have to win over Xie Bohuai alone."

"What do you know?" Prince Chun snorted. "When the late emperor was alive, the government was controlled by Xie Bohuai. Now Xie Bohuai seems to have let go, but in reality, the military power and the money are still Xie Bohuai's people."

"How could that be? The Minister of Revenue has no dealings with Xie Bohuai, has he?" Princess Chun asked, puzzled.

“You may appear to be keeping to yourselves, but who knows what’s really going on?” Prince Chun took a deep breath. “I don’t necessarily want to compete with the Crown Prince; I’m just looking for a way to protect myself. If the Crown Prince is given the chance, he certainly won’t be lenient with us, but it’s different if we have power. Just bear with it. Xie Bohuai is a difficult person to deal with, but he’s not without flaws.”

Speaking of the Crown Prince, Princess Chun also dislikes him.

When the Emperor was still a prince, Prince Chun and his wife kept a low profile in the palace. Even so, the Crown Prince, who was still the heir apparent at the time, would occasionally give them a warning and admonish them not to have any extra thoughts.

People live for a reason.

After the emperor ascended the throne, Prince Chun was no longer an ordinary illegitimate son of the royal family, but a prince respected by all.

The Crown Prince had always looked down on him, but now he wanted to prove himself and show the Crown Prince that he couldn't be easily harmed.

And Xie Bohuai is the best choice.

Princess Chun said she understood. "Ye Wanning has a son who is about the age to start school. Why don't we let her son study with our child? Maybe they'll get along better?"

"That's a good idea. The Crown Prince doesn't have a son yet. Let the Emperor issue an edict to select a few children from high-ranking officials' families to come to the palace as study companions. There aren't many children in the palace around the same age as Ye Wanning's son, so this is a good opportunity." Prince Chun thought to himself, and after returning, he sent someone to make the suggestion to the Emperor.

On the other side, Ye Wanning and her husband were returning home from a banquet when Xie Bohuai ordered a bowl of wontons.

He knew Ye Wanning wouldn't be full, so he told her to "eat it while it's hot."

"Do you want some?" Ye Wanning had just asked when she saw Xie Bohuai lean over, opening his mouth to be fed. She wanted to change the spoon, but Xie Bohuai grabbed her wrist and ate a bite of wonton with the spoon she had just used.

At this point, Ye Wanning didn't dare to look at Xie Bohuai anymore.

Xie Bohuai, however, gave a serious evaluation: "The meat filling in these wontons is firm. I bought them in Qingshan before, and that's how I found out they were delicious."

Ye Wanning could only reply with "uh-huh" and silently ate her wontons.

Back at the Xie residence, Le-ge'er was already asleep. Chunxi came over and said that Matchmaker Yao had come during the day, but left because she saw that you weren't there. "She also asked if Mr. Yu next door was married."

"She wants to act as a matchmaker for Mr. Yu?" Ye Wanning asked.

"They said someone has taken a liking to Mr. Yu and wants to inquire through us. I can't explain it clearly; we'll have to wait until you return to find out." After arriving in the capital, Chunxi learned to be mindful of boundaries, and she wouldn't say anything she shouldn't.

Ye Wanning had never paid attention to this matter before. She only found out that Mr. Yu was a widower after asking Xie Bohuai.

“He has been married before, but his first wife was unlucky and passed away not long after, without leaving any children.” Xie Bohuai thought for a moment, “Speaking of which, Mr. Yu’s family background is quite good, considered a prominent family in the area. Plus, he himself is talented, so marrying him would be a good option. It’s just that Mr. Yu is stubborn and not easy to get along with. But once you learn to handle him, it will be very simple.”

"Then how do you control him?"

“He prides himself on being a scholar, and a gentleman’s word is as good as his bond. If we can get him to make a promise, he will definitely keep it.” Xie Bohuai smiled mischievously.

In the candlelight, Xie Bohuai's face looked very handsome; his usually cold features were softened.

He sat down on the soft couch with his tea in hand, and seeing Ye Wanning looking at the account books, he leaned closer and asked, "What are these?"

“These are the farmland and shops from my dowry. The household expenses aren’t high, but you’re spending too much. I didn’t originally intend to manage the shops much, but now I’m wondering if I can earn some more money,” Ye Wanning said.

“Why don’t we leave the money-making to Second Brother and let him help manage it? Actually, Second Brother’s business is doing very well. If he hadn’t kept a low profile a couple of years ago, his business would definitely be even bigger now. If we hand over the shop to him and give him a share of the profits, you can relax a bit.” As Xie Bohuai spoke, he could smell the faint fragrance of Ye Wanning on her body, and his Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily.

Ye Wanning thought so too, which is why she wanted to take stock. "Actually, the dowry from home is quite generous, but it's not good to just sit around and do nothing. With my second brother's help, it's really less trouble and less effort. By the way, I heard something at the banquet today: the Emperor might select some sons of officials to come to the palace as companions for study. What do you think?"

Choosing a study companion, to put it nicely, is like becoming childhood sweethearts with a prince or princess, and who knows, things might even get closer in the future.

But now the emperor doesn't have many capable people at his disposal, and he can't trust many people, so bringing other people's children into the palace is like taking them hostage.

Xie Bohuai: "Le Ge'er is still young. Even if the Emperor has this idea, we have to wait two years. If the Emperor brings it up, I will postpone it for two years. By then, Le Ge'er will be more sensible and won't be afraid of being bullied in the palace."

Will His Majesty agree?

“He has no choice but to agree. He needs me to deal with those unruly people. If he won’t even give me this small reward, then I’ll just be a hands-off manager and let him handle those people himself. His throne came suddenly, and it won’t be easy for him to hold onto it. It will be even harder for him to have a good reputation.” Xie Bohuai laughed as he spoke. “Actually, the Emperor is very clever. He says that he’ll be fine with me and the Crown Prince, but he’s actually having us do the dirty work so he can gain a good reputation in the end. He’s also turning a blind eye to the ambitions of Prince Chun and the others, hoping that they will gradually gain power before he takes action. In this way, he will have control of the imperial power, and he will have both a good reputation and real power.”

Ye Wanning: "So when that day really comes, what will your backup plan be?"

"There's always a way out. If His Majesty wants to be a benevolent ruler, he can't possibly exterminate us. Otherwise, I'll make sure he's remembered for his infamy." As he said this, a fierce glint flashed in Xie Bohuai's eyes.

It was getting late, and taking advantage of the darkness, he boldly moved closer, placing a hand on Ye Wanning's shoulder. "Alright, looking at it any longer will hurt your eyes. We can look at it tomorrow."

He put away the account books for Ye Wanning, and before Ye Wanning could even put on her shoes, he suddenly leaned over and quickly gave her a light peck on her red lips.

In an instant, Ye Wanning's face flushed crimson.