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

"Fan'er, why are you so weak so quickly? Have you been very tired lately?"

"Master, I am truly sorry. I have been busy dealing with the huge mess in the Song Kingdom these days, and I am indeed feeling somewhat overwhelmed."

"Is that so? Then I'm truly heartbroken."

That night, Langyue stayed overnight in the palace and began a long-dormant dual cultivation practice with Ye Fan.

However, to Lang Yue's disappointment, Ye Fan didn't seem as enthusiastic as before, and was already exhausted like a dead dog after only two times.

This feeling of unfulfilled desire made Lang Yue very unhappy, but she still showed a concerned expression on her face, trying her best to control her emotions and gently comforting Ye Fan.

Leaning against Langyue's lap, meeting those captivating bright eyes, Ye Fan had no words to express his suffering.

Since the failed attempt to poison Ye Mo, his internal energy has been almost completely depleted, and his cultivation and physique have deteriorated significantly.

Now, if he wants to regain his former glory and achieve his ideal of dominance, he can only rely on his own brain.

First and foremost, one must rely on the Shu Mountain Sword Sect; only in this way can one truly establish oneself in the Song Dynasty court.

"Fan'er, when we were making love just now, I noticed that your cultivation level seemed to have plummeted. What exactly happened?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's face fell: "Master, I'm sorry, I've disappointed you."

Langyue quickly covered his mouth: "Don't say sorry. You are my disciple. I have a responsibility to protect you. Tell me, who hurt you?"

Ye Fan hesitated for a moment before sighing softly and replying, "Master, the matter is like this..."

He told his half-truths and half-fictional stories about Langyue, intentionally or unintentionally shifting all the blame onto Shen Lang and Ye Mo.

As expected, Langyue was furious upon hearing this: "Your father actually conspired with an outsider to frame his own son? What kind of father does that?"

Ye Fan gave a wry smile: "Forget it, Master. No matter what, he is still my father. What else can I do?"

Our Ye family prioritizes profit, so it's only natural that someone like me, who can't contribute to the family's profits, would be discarded.

Seeing Ye Fan's dejected attitude, Lang Yue felt extremely sorry for him and gently comforted him, pulling him into her arms.

"My poor Fan'er, no, I can't let my Fan'er suffer. Master must seek justice for you."

Ye Fan grasped Lang Yue's hand in return, choking back tears as he replied, "Master, you don't need to do so much for your disciple. Actually, this is for the best."

This disciple can prove with my actions that even without the Ye family, I can still be outstanding!

Langyue revealed an approving look: "Alright, since Fan'er says so, then I won't interfere. My Fan'er is a genius, and he will surely achieve his wishes. Master has high hopes for you."

"Thank you, Master."

Langyue smiled gently: "We are master and disciple, and now we have this kind of relationship, why say such things?"

As she spoke, she leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

Then, a chrysanthemum-yellow pill appeared in her hand, and she brought it to Ye Fan's lips: "Fan'er, take this."

"Master, what is this?"

"Don't ask, just take it."

Ye Fan had no suspicions and obediently began to swallow.

The instant the pill entered his stomach, a surge of intense heat rushed up from his dantian and quickly spread to every corner of his body.

"Master, I'm so hot, what did you give me to eat?"

"Fan'er, this is the White Tiger Pill. It will give you boundless power. I've missed you for so long. This is a beautiful night, how can I let it slip by like this?"

"But it's so hot."

"It's hot, that's good, Fan'er. The medicine has already taken effect, you must hold on."

After saying that, she leaned down and pressed her lips to Ye Fan's...

The next morning, Ye Fan, feeling weak, staggered toward the Imperial Study.

The effects of the drug lasted all night. When Ye Fan got up, he saw stars and felt weak and unsteady on his feet, as if he were walking on clouds.

As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study, I heard the sound of a porcelain bowl shattering inside.

Immediately following, Emperor Huizong, who had become the retired emperor, was severely reprimanding Emperor Huan.

Zhao Ji: "Reform? What are you thinking? Why didn't you tell me beforehand!"

Zhao Huan: "Father, please calm down. I only made this decision yesterday. I did it entirely for the future of the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Ji: "Do you think a simple reform will give the Song Dynasty a future? Now that the situation has finally stabilized, you have to create some trouble before you're satisfied, don't you?"

"Father, you have truly misunderstood me. The situation of the Song Dynasty is precarious. Although things are calm at the moment, who can guarantee that the Jurchens won't invade the south at any time?"

Your son truly does not wish to live in fear and anxiety any longer, besieged within the city.

"Very well, you've only been emperor for a few days and you're already starting to oppose me? Excellent, truly excellent!"

Emperor Huizong was furious and sat down directly on the main table.

Zhao Huan, on the other hand, bowed his head and listened silently to his father's incessant chatter.

Zhao Ji: "I've heard about your affairs. Ever since Ye Fan came, you've been spending all your time with him. What kind of behavior is this?"

And you even gave him such an important official position as Imperial Censor, but did you know he was from Chu?

If you were just a playmate or something, I wouldn't bother with this anymore, but now he's trying to pull some kind of reform...

"Is this something you can just do casually? Yesterday, all the ministers who left court rushed to me crying and complaining that the fate of the Song Dynasty is about to change. Can't you just let me have a few days of peace?"

Zhao Huan: "Father, I am not associating with Ye Fan, but rather because Ye Fan's talent is unparalleled throughout history and can help our Great Song Dynasty out of its perilous situation. That is why I have made an exception and entrusted him with such an important task."

"I agree with this proposal for reform. The situation in the Song Dynasty has reached a point where change is imperative. I implore Your Majesty not to obstruct it."

Zhao Ji: "I stopped you? What did I stop you from doing? If you want to do it, then do it. You are now the emperor of the Song Dynasty."

"You get to decide everything, but I must warn you: don't interfere with anything. Let this retired emperor have some peace and quiet."

After saying this, Zhao Ji flicked his long sleeves, glared fiercely at Zhao Huan, and left the imperial study without looking back.

Ye Fan stepped aside and was about to bow, but Zhao Ji seemed to be walking too fast and did not see him.

Once everyone had left, Ye Fan cautiously entered the imperial study and bowed to Zhao Huan, saying, "Your humble servant Ye Fan greets Your Majesty."

"Brother Yu has arrived? There are no outsiders here, only us brothers. There's no need for such formalities. Please sit down and let's talk."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Ye Fan sat down, he watched the eunuchs sweeping the floor and his brow furrowed slightly.

Zhao Huan sighed: "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Your Majesty. The Emperor Emeritus strongly disapproved of the upcoming reforms in the Song Dynasty, believing that such a move would harm the national dignity and should not be taken."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's heart sank.

Although Zhao Huan is now the emperor of the Song Dynasty, the retired emperor Zhao Ji still intentionally or unintentionally controls the government, which makes Zhao Huan, who has become accustomed to the imperial power, very unhappy.

At the same time, it also added many variables to Ye Fan's plan.

With this in mind, Ye Fan decided to speed up the plan: "Your Majesty, I would like to discuss the details of promoting the imperial examination system with you today."