Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"How come Shen Lang is also on the list of candidates for the Emperor's son-in-law? There's no reason for that!"

The selection of a son-in-law has been over for three days, and Ye Mo still can't understand how Shen Lang inexplicably became the third candidate for the emperor's son-in-law.

"What...what is Her Majesty thinking?"

"If she likes Shen Lang, she should just announce it. Why bother with this whole 'choosing a son-in-law' thing? There's no reason for it at all!"

After taking a sip of water, Ye Mo still couldn't figure out what Jiang Mengxuan was up to.

Juan carefully filled his water glass and whispered, "Does the master mean that Her Majesty has taken a fancy to that lowly centurion of the Jingwei Guard?"

Ye Mo: "I didn't say that. I just don't understand how Shen Lang suddenly appeared out of nowhere. This is completely unexpected."

Juan smiled and said, "Why are you worrying about these things, sir?"

After all, Her Majesty can decide for herself who her husband will be. If you're not satisfied, you can always intervene.

"Bullshit! You don't know anything!"

Ye Mo glared at Hu An and scolded him softly.

"You want me to get involved in a royal marriage? What do you want the world to think of me?"

Are you saying that I, Ye Mo, have violated etiquette and actively interfered with His Majesty's marriage?

Juan quickly said, "Master, you know that's not what I meant. I just noticed you've been so distracted these past few days, and I was worried about you."

Ye Mo: "What bothers me is something else. Do you remember the batch of gold-threaded silk threads that were tributes from the Yue Kingdom that were lost two years ago by the former Jiangnan Textile Bureau?"

Juan: "I remember there was such a thing, you told me about it before, sir."

Ye Mo: "A few days ago, Shen Lang used this matter to threaten me, saying that the eldest young master stole this batch of gold thread."

Juan laughed: "Master, does this man surnamed Shen really dare to say such things? Doesn't he know your status? Shouldn't we teach him a lesson?"

Ye Mo laughed as well: "Forget it, there's no need. Shen Lang is now one of the candidates for the Emperor's son-in-law."

"If I make a move against him now, people will say behind my back that I, Ye Mo, am abusing my power and deliberately targeting the Di family. Let him make a scene."

Just then, a servant came to report: "Master, there is a young master named Mu Changge requesting an audience outside the door."

"It's him again?"

Ye Mo pondered for a moment, then picked up his teacup and took a sip of water.

Juan understood immediately and asked, "Master, should we have him thrown out?"

Ye Mo shook his head: "No need. His status is different now. He might become His Majesty's future husband."

We should still give him the respect he deserves; let's let him in and hear what he has to say.

"Yes, sir."

Before long, Mu Changge arrived in front of Ye Mo.

"This humble student greets Minister Ye."

"Young Master Mu, there's no need for such formalities. What brings you to this old man today?"

Mu Changge looked up and replied, "This humble student humbly requests Prime Minister Ye's approval for a piece of land."

"Land? What land?" Ye Mo asked, puzzled.

Mu Changge said, "I've heard that there's a wasteland of over 3,700 mu west of Jinling's outskirts."

Originally the property of the disgraced official Wang Yuan, it now belongs to Zeng Qian, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture.

I understand some of the reasons behind this, and I wish to purchase this land to curry favor with His Majesty. I hope that Minister Ye can lend me a hand.

Upon hearing this, Ye Mo narrowed his eyes: "Since you know that this land is now the property of the Prefect of Jingzhao, you should go to Prefect Zeng, not me."

Mu Changge: "I have heard that Prime Minister Ye is the mentor of Prefect Zeng. If Prime Minister Ye is willing to intervene..."

"I am confident I can acquire this place successfully; I humbly request that Minister Ye lend me a hand."

As he spoke, he took out a storage ring containing 20,000 taels of gold from his pocket: "Prime Minister Ye, here is 20,000 taels of gold. If you can help me persuade Prefect Zeng, it will all be yours."

Upon hearing this, not only Ye Mo but also Hu An's expression changed.

"Juan, see the guest out."

"Yes, sir."

Ye Mo uttered a sentence indifferently.

Juan immediately gestured to Mu Changge, "Please."

Mu Changge: "Prime Minister Ye, just name your price, I..."

"see a visitor out!"

Ye Mo emphasized his tone and gave Mu Changge a look of extreme disgust.

Juan immediately stopped Mu Changge, who was about to ask more questions: "Young Master Mu, please don't put my master in a difficult position. Please leave."

Mu Changge wanted to say something, but Ye Mo had already turned his back.

"This humble student will take his leave."

Left with no other choice, he could only sigh and leave the Prime Minister's residence.

After he left, Juan couldn't help but say to Ye Mo, "I really didn't expect there to be such stupid people in this world. I thought they were all extinct."

Ye Mo also shook his head: "What can we do? These pampered young masters don't know so many tricks of the trade."

He thinks he can look down on everyone just because he has some money, and that everyone will give him face. Just wait and see, he'll get what's coming to him sooner or later.

After speaking, Ye Mo pondered for a while, then suddenly asked, "Why would Mu Changge suddenly think of buying land? And why that controversial piece of land at that?"

Juan: "Who knows? Maybe he's hoping to rise to the position of the emperor's son-in-law and is trying his best to please His Majesty."

Ye Mo shook his head: "I'm afraid it's not that simple. By the way..."

"Go and fetch all the land deeds and documents from Nanjing and surrounding areas in recent years for me to review, especially Zeng Qian's document. The sooner the better."

Juan: "Yes, sir, I will go and look for it right away. Please wait a moment."

……

Inside the palace, Jiang Mengxuan was relaxed and content. It seemed that her mood had eased considerably after the selection ceremony, and she even had the leisure to paint.

Ultimately, it was Shen Lang who pointed out a direction for her development, giving her hope for the rise of the empire.

Once a person has a direction and a plan, they will no longer feel lost, hesitant, or uneasy.

Even though Shen Lang said that this path is not easy and is very long, and that any compromise would lead to the loss of all previous efforts.

Even considering the dramatic changes that would occur in the Chu Kingdom after the reforms succeeded, Jiang Mengxuan still chose to go ahead without hesitation.

Yesterday, she summoned her three prospective sons-in-law, mentioned that she had her eye on a piece of land on the outskirts of Nanjing, and hinted that she hoped to acquire it, giving the three men a chance to prove themselves.

Actually, it was Shen Lang who proposed wanting this land.

He wanted to designate an industrial zone in a suitable area outside Jinling. After surveying, the most suitable starting point was the nearly 4,000 mu of wasteland under the name of Zeng Qian, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture.

As for how to acquire this land, that depends on the abilities of the three prospective sons-in-law.

After Jiang Mengxuan gave her hints, the three of them immediately reacted in completely different ways.

Mu Changge immediately got busy, spending money to network with high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital.

Shu Yingwen remained unmoved and went to the imperial kitchen to prepare soup.

As for Shen Lang...

"What, fishing?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I discovered that he went fishing with the Prince in a nearby garden and didn't leave all day."

"he……"

Jiang Mengxuan was speechless, unable to understand what Shen Lang was thinking.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Seeing Jiang Mengxuan's unfriendly expression, Shu Yue asked cautiously.

"nothing."

Jiang Mengxuan gave a perfunctory reply, but she was very conflicted.

Does Shen Lang really have no feelings for me at all?

Or is it that he really doesn't want to have too much involvement with me?

Just as Jiang Mengxuan was bewildered by Shen Lang's behavior, several assassins were hiding in the shadows in a suburban garden, observing the two people fishing by the river.

Who else could these two be but Shen Lang and Jiang Shangxian?

At this moment, Shen Lang and Jiang Shangxian were eating barbecue, lying in rocking chairs waiting for the fish to bite, occasionally bragging, looking completely carefree.