Chapter 43: CH 23.1

Right about now last life, I was slapped in the face successfully, and grounded at home… Jing Sui agreed that he wouldn’t punish me on the condition that Grand Duke Ji Ting disciplined me well. That’s why Grand Duke Ji Ting had to ground Ji Ling to show accountability to the furious emperor.

Although he wasn’t grounded this life, Ji Ling wasn’t in the mood to go out at all.

He stayed at home every day, and since he had nothing to do, he read the news online all day.

Not to say there wasn’t any exciting news! He’d originally thought that since Jing Sui had covered for him after rebirth, and played a hero saving the beauty in the duel ring, he’d walk a very different path from Ning Yu this time… and not sensationalize the media hype with gossip on him and Ning Yu. To Ji Ling's surprise, however, that still happened normally again!

And that scandalous gossip was earth shattering, like it was on another level from last life… 

Who’d believe that there was nobody manipulating the scenes from behind?! 

This made Ji Ling quite doubtful about Jing Sui's attitude. Logically speaking, Jing Sui shouldn’t have done something like this. Hadn’t he shown to great lengths how concerned he was about my feelings?  Could it be that my speculation before was incorrect and Jing Sui actually still likes Ning Yu?

This idea came as a happy surprise to Ji Ling; it was as if he’d been thrown a life saver. He hadn’t expected that Jing Sui would be willing to follow the plot after rebirth! And he was even more serious than before!

It seemed that Jing Sui still hadn’t given up on using his relationship with Ning Yu to win people's favor. After all, for an imperial emperor like him, what was a little guilt to a little cannon fodder compared to his ambitious plans and grand undertakings? Jing Sui had always been a rational person. No matter how you looked at it, it was clearly more advantageous for him to be with Ning Yu.

Thinking about it like this, the situation wasn’t that terrible!

Everyday, Ji Ling looked at the hyped-up gossip about Jing Sui and Ning Yu posted by re-bloggers on the net, very pleased with himself. This was his soul food. He really enjoyed reading every kind of nosy gossip out there, and even put on his anonymity armor to help the troops shout out.

However, he was only happy for a few days before another event happened that shook the whole nation! He couldn't even care about his Jing Sui x Ning Yu gossip anymore.

For the first parliamentary bill since Wen Yan’s election as speaker, Jing Sui put forward the proposal to lower the cost of genetic evolution agents. It was passed without any issues whatsoever! According to the details of the bill, the price of entry level genetic evolution agents would be lowered by 100 times within the next three years, and they would be distributed to every planet under the imperial empire’s jurisdiction! 

In order words, the expensive genetic evolution agents that were once so difficult to buy most civilians could never afford one in their lifetime, would soon become regular goods that anyone could obtain through hard work.

Even though this only covered the lowest level of genetic evolution agents, it was reason enough for every civilian under the sun to celebrate! This meant stronger constitutions and longer lives!

Plus, since the low-level ones were opened up, the high-level ones shouldn’t be that far behind, right? Everyone was full of hope.

Jing Sui's reputation suddenly soared to the peak. The net was full of grateful cries. Anyone who dared to utter a single word of insult about him would be attacked by countless people!

His Majesty fulfilled his promise, and really opened up the genetic evolution agents to us from the monopolization of the nobles! 

The aristocrats who were dissatisfied with this were all overwhelmed by the terrifying public opinion, and didn’t dare speak up.

Jing Sui and Ning Yu’s love affair had become completely insignificant compared to this matter. After all, that was just about Ning Yu alone, and the only ones who paid attention to that were the people watching the show. This matter, however, was something that could practically change the entire empire, and benefit countless people. Every person would be affected, and it was such a huge change to the structure of the empire that it could go down in history.  

Even Ji Ling could see the far-reaching effects of this bill on the empire.

Countless nobles secretly gnashed their teeth.

But what really shocked Ji Ling wasn’t the great influence of this bill, but the fact that this proposal of Jing Sui’s was rejected last life, and not passed!

Wen Yan had colluded with Carlos to control most of the seats in parliament. Despite being a civilian speaker, Wen Yan had actually turned around and plotted for Jing Sui's proposal to be rejected. Jing Sui was criticized for a long time. Everyone called him a hypocritical emperor, and said the so-called proposal was just for show.

Although Ji Ling knew that the male lead would win in the end, the coalition between Wen Yan and Carlos had really caused him a lot of trouble.

However, this time… Jing Sui had succeeded!

This meant that Wen Yan had not only fallen out with Carlos, but had also stood on Jing Sui’s side.

How was that possible?!

Wen Yan was really a capricious and two-faced person…

Ji Ling paced back and forth in the room, his eyebrows stitched in a frown. This change made him feel even more anxious than Jing Sui's rebirth. This was no longer a small matter about love,  but a monumental event related to the progression of the world.

Although this was a good thing for the people, the deviation from the plot was too serious. It had already altered the course the world was going in. 

Ji Ling asked the system nervously: [What do you think about this? 】

This time, the system was nervous, too. He didn’t dare to be careless, and said seriously: [I’m going back to HQ to understand more about the situation. You’ll be okay staying here by yourself during this time, right?” 】

Ji Ling: [What is this? You make it sound like you could’ve been helpful if you’d stayed here. 】

You are reading story The Villains All Fell in Love with Me After Rebirth at novel35.com

System: [……]

Ji Ling: [Remember to ask about the rebirth thing for me. 】

System: […]

Although he’d felt like Ji Ling wasn’t that friendly to him, the system decided to be mature and not dispute with him. He was a magnanimous system, after all.

………………

Because of this huge change, Ji Ling paid close attention to what was going on outside every day.

This life, Jing Sui and Wen Yan had joined together and beat Carlos ahead of time. How would Carlos react next? Or had he expected it?

After all, Wen Yan had probably fallen out with him even before the election. 

Speaking of the devil, he hadn’t seen Carlos, that old fox, for quite a few days now. Wen Yan hadn’t appeared in front of him recently either, making him feel a bit more relaxed.

Plus, Ji Ling knew that something big would happen again in the next few days.

Not long from now, news that Nadeau Galaxy was invaded by the bug clan would arrive. This time, two Empresses were leading the forces, so Jing Sui would personally lead the expedition. Ning Yu would shine again in this battle, and confirm his loving relationship with Jing Sui. This was a very important event in the original book. 

In this battle, Ji Ling had accidentally saved Brandon. On their way back, he’d even had to experience the most treacherous of perils.

But now, he didn’t know what would be in store for the future. Ji Ling wasn’t sure whether he should follow along on the expedition as he did in the last life. After all, many people had changed and many events altered.

This particular day, he suddenly received an invitation from Deng Dong.

Speaking of Deng Dong, Ji Ling had been busy doing his own thing and hadn’t contacted him again since he’d confirmed that his life wasn’t in danger after they’d kidnapped Ning Yu together… This made Ji Ling feel bad, since his neglect made it seem like he was just using him.

To make up for it, Ji Ling accepted Deng Dong’s invitation and decided to go out for some air. Plus, staying at home all day really was a bit boring.

Deng Dong had likely learned a lesson from last time, and didn't ask Ji Ling to go anywhere shady. Instead, he invited him to attend a banquet together at Earl Gerard's residence.

Earl Gerard was also from an old aristocratic family of the empire, and they were very rich. The unique crystals mined on one of his energy producing planets were major raw materials used in the production of genetic evolution agents. Every year, he provided several top class factories with a large number of raw materials for the production of these agents.

Earl Gerard not only held important resources in his hands, but also had a grip on both factions. He often hosted banquets at his own residence, and was very well connected on Empire Star.

When Ji Ling arrived, he found that Deng Dong had already been waiting there for him. To his surprise, Rhodes was also present.

Deng Dong looked at him excitedly, and ran over like a dog: "Young Master Ji, you’ve finally come."

Rhodes followed behind him, like an *abandoned concubine who’d fallen out of favor. He gave a stiff smile and said: "Young Master Ji."

Ji Ling saw that his new love and old flame were both here… and didn't feel discomforted in the least. 

Haha, although these pups aren’t the best morally, their appearances are a bit lacking, and their personalities are a little crude, at least I can interact with them in a relaxed way. Unlike when I’m with those terrifying reborn bosses, I don’t have to be afraid that I’ll get killed if I’m not careful.

Ji Ling had participated in many banquets like this last life. He was extremely at ease eating, drinking and chatting about the latest gossip.

Well, it was also possible to hook up with someone for a one night stand, but Ji Ling had always excluded himself from this kind of recreational activity popular amongst imperial aristocrats.

Deng Dong's injury was obviously all healed. He was the typical type who remembered what good things he ate for dinner, but not what bad things he’d committed when he was beaten up. He hadn’t blamed Ji Ling for the lousy idea which ended with him getting pummeled. Instead, the fact that Ji Ling jumped out to defend him was always on his mind. He was grateful to no end and couldn’t wait to lay down his life for him! Just look at how attentive he was.

After Carlos’ warning last time, Rhodes hadn’t dared to go fool around with Ji Ling. Who could’ve guessed that in the period that he hadn’t appeared, the position of top dog was seized by that totally unclassified guy, Deng Dong? His heart was sour and he was secretly green with envy. He was Ji Ling’s old-timer, and so he treated Deng Dong with biting sarcasm.

Don’t think the fights and schemes going on in this corner weren’t fierce, just because it was off to the side.

Ji Ling rubbed his temples and looked out as if he hadn’t seen anything.

Fortunately, Deng Dong was dense. He’d vaguely felt that Rhodes' attitude was weird, like he was calculating something against him, but he hadn’t taken it to heart. He just thought that Rhodes always spoke this way. All his attention was focused on Ji Ling. In a small voice, he suddenly whispered and started gossiping with him nervously: "Young Master Ji, did you know that not long ago, another gene evolution agent warehouse was looted?”

Ji Ling raised his brow, and finally showed an expression of interest. 

Translator’s note

*In ancient times, concubines who had fallen out of favor with the emperor, usually due to committing some heinous crime, were sent to a remote area of the palace called the ‘Cold Palace.’

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