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

The next morning, Ye Fan, dressed in a white scholar's robe, went out and headed towards Weiyang Palace.

Since Shen Lang had given prior notice and learned that Ye Fan was Ye Mo's son, the Imperial Guards did not make things difficult for him. They simply informed the Imperial Palace and then directed him to the Minister's residence.

This was Ye Fan's first time entering the palace. Seeing such a magnificent palace and imagining the civil and military officials prostrating themselves at his feet in worship, Ye Fan felt a surge of excitement in his heart.

"There will come a day when I, Ye Fan, am destined to become the master of this world, standing at the highest point of the imperial palace, looking down upon all living beings."

Looking at the outline of the Imperial Palace in the distance, Ye Fan's ambition was completely ignited.

"Aren't you going to attend the morning court session today?"

He couldn't help but ask.

"Unless there is something urgent, the morning court session is held every three days. There is no morning court session today."

Upon hearing the guard's reply, Ye Fan silently memorized the rule.

At the same time, inside Shuixuan Residence, Shen Lang and Jiang Mengxuan were having breakfast while exchanging opinions on the current situation of the Ye family.

"You mean to say that the Ye family mansion is currently under Ye Fan's control? That's really surprising."

Jiang Mengxuan looked incredulous upon hearing the news.

The old fox Ye Mo was always extremely cautious; how could he possibly be controlled by his own son?

"Ye Fan is a disciple of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect. It's not impossible for him to lead the Sword Sect disciples to forcibly subdue the Ye family with force."

Shen Lang scooped up a bowl of white fungus soup and replied casually.

"So what do you plan to do with Ye Fan?" Jiang Mengxuan asked. "As you said, Ye Fan is not allowed to enter the court?"

Shen Lang pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Let's see how capable he is first."

This would also serve as a warning to those sect hostages who were still dissatisfied.

"Wouldn't a disciple from the prestigious Shu Mountain Sword Sect be more discerning?"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled faintly: "You must be plotting something bad again."

While the couple were joking around during their meal, Qingwen came to report: "Your Majesty, Duke Zhenguo, Ye Fan, the third young master, is already waiting at the Minister's residence."

"Got it. I'll be right there."

After Shen Lang finished speaking, he prepared to get up, but Jiang Mengxuan picked up another piece of crispy nut for him.

"Ah Lang, after you finish your business, come with me for a walk in Shanglin Garden. It's been a long time since we took a walk together."

"Well, I'll be back soon."

After giving Jiang Mengxuan an affirming look, Shen Lang got up, wiped his hands and face, and went straight out.

After Shen Lang left, Jiang Mengxuan immediately issued an order: "By imperial decree, Prime Minister Ye is a pillar of the nation. I have heard that he is seriously ill. I shall bring him back to the palace to recuperate until he recovers."

……

Inside the main hall of the Minister's residence, Ye Fan, sitting on a guest chair waiting for Shen Lang, watched the busy figures of officials from the six ministries moving back and forth, feeling very uneasy.

Everyone seems so busy that they have no time to care about themselves.

This atmosphere was something he had never experienced before in the royal palace in Shu, giving him a very peculiar feeling.

Just as he was getting a little anxious, Shen Lang stepped into the Minister's residence.

Just as Ye Fan was about to step forward to greet him, Shen Lang beat him to it: "Young Master Ye has arrived?"

"Lord Zhenguo, I am very grateful for your courtesy."

"Alright, stop with the formalities and come in with me."

"Yes."

After entering the office of the Minister of Personnel, Shen Lang had tea brought in and then got straight to the point.

"Young Master Ye, please speak frankly about what you wish to see me about."

“Lord Zhenguo, I wish to enter officialdom so that I can make some contributions to the court. My father said that you are currently the Minister of Personnel, so I would like to ask you to give me an opportunity to gain experience.”

Shen Lang nodded, holding his teacup, and said, "Since it's Prime Minister Ye who has spoken, we should give him face. But I wonder which ministry Young Master Ye would like to serve in?"

"Ministry of War!"

Ye Fan replied without hesitation.

"I am from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect. It is my lifelong wish to enter the Ministry of War and serve on the battlefield. I hope that the Duke of Zhenguo will grant my request."

That's just nonsense, of course.

He believed that as long as he controlled the Ministry of War, he could control the army of Chu and lay the foundation for his future hegemony.

The ideal is indeed very lofty.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang smiled and said, "Young Master Ye, if you truly wish to serve on the battlefield, then I suggest you wait until next spring when new recruits are being drafted to sign up."

"By the way, your older brother Ye Hui has risen from a lowly soldier to a brigade commander, commanding five or six thousand troops."

Ye Fan smiled awkwardly: "I'm sorry, Duke Zhenguo, I don't know much about the situation in the capital. Please forgive my ignorance."

"It's alright, everyone goes through this. You're going to the Ministry of War, right? Wait here."

Shen Lang immediately shook the bell beside him.

The next moment, Qin Mu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, entered the office carrying a roster.

"What are your orders, sir?"

"Minister Qin, could you please check if there are any vacant positions in the Ministry of War recently?"

"Your Excellency, I have just reviewed the list of officials to be transferred in the Ministry of War. Currently, the Ministry of War is fully staffed and there are no vacancies."

"That's it."

Shen Lang hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Does the Ministry of War have any vacancies in its local offices?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's face immediately darkened.

My purpose in returning to Jinling was to kill Ye Mo and inherit the position of family head. If you transfer me out of the capital, how will I be able to act in the future?

I wonder if the poison I prepared is effective. Why hasn't Ye Mo taken effect yet? If something unexpected happens, I'll have to take matters into my own hands.

Fortunately, Qin Mu shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry, a transfer order from the Ministry of War did arrive in Chang'an three days ago, requesting the Ministry of Personnel to approve the appointment documents for the two battalion commanders."

These two vacancies have now been filled, and no other vacancies have been submitted.

Shen Lang shrugged at Ye Fan: "Young Master Ye, it seems your wish will have to be postponed for now. The Ministry of War isn't short of people right now, why don't you try something else?"

Ye Fan breathed a sigh of relief, while secretly feeling fortunate, and said with a smile, "Please, Duke Zhenguo, give me any suitable official position you may have, as long as I can stay in Jinling."

"I am new here and know nothing about officialdom. I will need the Duke of Zhenguo's guidance in the future."

Shen Lang curled his lip, not replying immediately, and turned his gaze to Qin Mu: "Minister Qin, I've heard that you possess a photographic memory among the Six Ministries."

"You can memorize any book or text after just one glance. Tell me, which of the six sections is currently vacant? Let Young Master Ye fill the vacancy for now."

Qin Mu quickly searched his memory and replied, "There is currently one vacant official position in the Ministry of Justice, but I'm afraid it would be a waste for Young Master Ye."

Just as Shen Lang was about to speak, Ye Fan quickly said, "I'm not wronged at all, it doesn't matter if the official rank is lower."

Seeing that he said that, Qin Mu felt relieved: "Reporting to the Duke of Zhenguo, there is still a vacancy for a senior official in the Ministry of Justice."

If Young Master Ye is not afraid of being wronged, then let him hold this position for now, and fill the vacancy when a new substantive post becomes available. I wonder if that's feasible?

Shen Lang nodded and smiled at Ye Fan, "This is the only way for now. If you have no objections, Young Master Ye..."

Go now to collect your official documents and credentials for assuming the position of Assistant Minister. You can begin working at the Minister's residence tomorrow.

"The eighth rank is a bit low, but it's still an official position in the capital. Even a local county magistrate would give you face."

Ye Fan was taken aback: "A doctor? An eighth-rank official?"

He had thought that he should at least be given a fourth or fifth-rank official position, but he never expected that he would be given the lowest rank, the eighth rank.

For a moment, he was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Seeing Ye Fan's aggrieved and unwilling expression, Shen Lang's face gradually darkened.

Because Ye Fan is the traitor shown in the prophecy system who killed his own wife and seized her empire.