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

After dealing with Zeng Qian and Wei Donghai, Shen Lang's eyes inadvertently glanced at Yang Xiong, the Minister of Revenue.

Yang Xiong was startled. Before Shen Lang could speak, he smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Commander Shen, please calm down. We are all colleagues. We can talk things over slowly."

Shen Lang: "You're quite pragmatic, unlike those two, who didn't realize how ignorant they were until they saw their coffins."

"Alright then, I won't make things difficult for you. I've heard that your clan has quite a few artisans and alchemists who have been enslaved?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiong immediately said, "I understand what Commander Shen means. Tomorrow I will have someone send them to you for your command."

Shen Lang laughed: "What use are those people to me? Transfer the slave status of these craftsmen to the Empress's name. I want to see the names of these craftsmen appear in front of my house by noon tomorrow."

Yang Xiong: "Yes, I will definitely send these slave registers to the Ministry of Works for registration before noon tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang sneered: "Lord Yang, are you deaf? I asked you to transfer their household registrations to His Majesty, not to send them to the Ministry of Works."

Yang Xiong asked in bewilderment, "What's the difference? Transferring the slave status to His Majesty's name is just handing it over to the court for removal from the slave register, isn't it?"

Shen Lang: "Fine, just do what you want, but I won't care what happens afterward."

Yang Xiong was shocked and immediately knelt down: "Commander Shen, I know you are very powerful, please don't harm my family. I will do as you say."

Shen Lang nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Zeng Qian and Wei Donghai, whose faces were twitching, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and pointed to the food on the table, saying:

"Eat up, everyone. It's almost noon. Or is it that my rank is too low and everyone looks down on me?"

"Humph."

Zeng Qian snorted coldly, stood up and said, "I still have official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

After saying that, his gloomy old face turned and he left the private room without looking back.

This time, Shen Lang did not stop him. Instead, he looked at Wei Donghai and Yang Xiong and said, "My lords, there is no need to worry. I am only doing this because His Majesty entrusted me with this task."

If you trust me, then support me in carrying out the tasks His Majesty has entrusted to me. I guarantee that what you gain in the future will far outweigh what you have lost now.

Wei Donghai narrowed his eyes: "Commander Shen, what do you mean by that? Do you think you can make us turn a blind eye to what you've done with just a few words?"

Shen Lang took a bite of rice, then put down his chopsticks, drank some water, and said slowly, "My lords, I am a rough man, having grown up in the Bingzhou camp since childhood..."

I don't understand all those rules and regulations; over the years, I've only known one thing: you should absolutely trust brothers who are willing to risk their lives for you.

As long as I have something in my pot, I won't forget to add a little to their bowls. Perhaps these officials, having spent so long in the bureaucracy, can't understand this feeling.

But I'll make this clear today: since you two gentlemen are willing to give me face, I will repay you doubly in return.

If you trust me, then drink this cup of wine; perhaps I will be of use to you in the future.”

After saying that, Shen Lang stood up and filled a glass of wine for each of them.

Wei Donghai frowned: "We can trust you, but you must become the emperor's son-in-law first."

Yang Xiong also said, "I admire Commander Shen's courage and decisiveness today."

But Commander Shen should know that the capital is a very treacherous place; unless you can become His Majesty's husband,

Otherwise, even if we were willing to support you, the other officials in the capital would still not tolerate you.

Wei Donghai: "Moreover, you have really offended Prefect Zeng today. He is a man who holds grudges. You're probably not having an easy time in the capital from now on."

Shen Lang smiled and said, "My lords, please rest assured. Even if Zeng Qian doesn't come looking for me, I won't let him get away with it. I just hope you two don't get involved."

As for supporting me or anything like that, that's completely unnecessary. What you need to support is all the decisions His Majesty makes, and that's enough."

After speaking, he pushed his wine glass forward a little further.

"My lords, if you would do me the honor of drinking this cup of wine, I will treat you as family from now on."

If you are unwilling, I will not force you. I only hope that once you leave this room, you will go your separate ways and not bother me again. Please leave.

After saying that, Shen Lang leaned back in his chair and silently awaited their decision.

Wei Donghai kept a close eye on Shen Lang's expression throughout.

He really couldn't understand where Shen Lang's confidence came from, and why he dared to offend the three of them so boldly.

If he could really become the emperor's son-in-law, perhaps I would have another way out?

Why not take a gamble? Even if you fail, there's nothing to lose.

"it is good!"

Wei Donghai raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing this, Yang Xiong had the same idea and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Seeing this, Shen Lang sneered inwardly.

How could he not see that these two were typical fence-sitters?

But it doesn't matter, as long as Jiang Mengxuan takes the blame, all I need to do is build up the industrial base of Da Chu, get the money, and smoothly retire behind the scenes.

The rest doesn't matter.

After seeing the two off, Shen Lang turned his attention to the Prime Minister's residence.

"Old fox, it's your turn to bleed now."

……

"Father-in-law, it's hot today. Your daughter-in-law has prepared a bowl of lotus seed ice soup for you to help you cool off."

Inside the Prime Minister's residence, Qi Youruo, the daughter-in-law of Ye Ding, the second son of the emperor, carefully placed a bowl of ice soup in front of Ye Mo's table.

Qi Youruo was slender and graceful, like a willow swaying in the breeze. She was beautiful and talented, like a lotus emerging from the water. She was a famous talented woman in Jiangnan.

Unfortunately, Ye Ding was a playboy. Less than half a year after getting married, he couldn't resist the loneliness and went out to find other men's wives to have fun, staying out all night and leaving his beautiful wife at home unattended.

Ye Mo, who was handling official business, didn't even glance at her and said directly, "I know, you can leave."

Upon hearing this, Qi Youruo's delicate body trembled slightly. Instead of leaving immediately, she added some calming incense to the altar inside the room.

Ye Mo frowned upon seeing this: "I told you to get out, did you hear me?"

Qi Youruo smiled and said, "Father-in-law, this is lotus dew that I personally prepared. It has the effect of dispelling heat and dampness. You are very busy with official duties, so this..."

"I understand. You may leave now. How can I concentrate on my official duties with you here?"

Qi Youruo then stood up, gave Ye Mo a deep curtsy, and left the study with small, quick steps.

Before leaving, he gave Ye Mo a very meaningful look.

"Ugh……"

After she left, Ye Mo couldn't help but sigh softly, glanced at the lotus seed soup on the table, and continued to bury himself in his official duties.

At this moment, Juan came to report: "Master, Shen Lang requests an audience."

"Shen Lang?"

Ye Mo looked up and was taken aback.

"What is he here for?"

"Master, should we send him away?"

Ye Mo shook his head: "Bring him in to see me."

Juan immediately left the study.

Ye Mo put away the official documents on the table and tidied his appearance.

Ye Mo couldn't see through Shen Lang at all.

It wasn't until Shen Lang entered the study and bowed to him that he said, "Prime Minister Ye, are you busy? I don't come unless there's something important to discuss, please forgive me."

After saying that, without waiting for Ye Mo to speak, she took a seat on the guest chair.

Upon seeing this, Juan immediately rebuked, "You audacious Shen Lang, do you know where you are?"

Ye Mo waved his hand: "Hu An, go and serve tea to the guests."

"Yes, sir."

Juan glared at Shen Lang with displeasure, then left the study.

Once everyone left, Ye Mo asked directly, "Commander Shen, what brings you here?"

Shen Lang smiled slightly: "It's nothing, I just heard that the Ye family is the richest in the world, so I dared to ask Prime Minister Ye for some money on behalf of His Majesty."