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

Ye Fan and Wanyan Guang spent a night of extravagance and debauchery in a secluded courtyard.

"Comfortable."

After finishing, Wanyan Guang looked at Ye Fan curled up by the bed and couldn't help but chuckle, then gave his swollen buttocks another slap.

"It's all over, stop pretending. Didn't you enjoy it while you were doing it?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's cheeks turned bright red.

Indeed, last night wasn't as painful as the first time; it was even a bit slippery.

But that was just a physical instinct; I'm not that kind of person.

Thinking of this, he got up, got out of bed, and dressed.

"Alright, let's not meet again. It's too dangerous here. You should leave the city as soon as possible."

After saying that, Ye Fan didn't turn around and opened the door to leave this place of trouble.

As soon as they stepped outside, they were greeted by Wanyan Wo and a group of guards who were already waiting in the courtyard.

Upon seeing Ye Fan, Wanyan Wo smiled enigmatically and said, "Oh, Prime Minister Ye, where are you planning to go? You worked hard all night last night, aren't you tired?"

Ye Fan gritted his teeth, glanced back at Wanyan Guang who was still lying on the bed smiling at him, and then took a deep breath.

"Third Prince, what exactly do you want?"

Wanyan Wo stood up and said, "Young Master Ye, please tidy up first. I'll wait for you in the front hall."

Ye Fan's eyelids twitched as he watched Wanyan Wo's departing figure, a sense of impending doom washing over him.

……

Dressed neatly, concealing all traces of the humiliation of the previous night, and after confirming that his appearance was in perfect condition, Ye Fan calmed himself down and went to the front hall to meet Wanyan Wo.

Wanyan Wo glanced at Ye Fan and said directly, "Young Master Ye, sit down and let's talk."

Ye Fan did not refuse and sat down on a chair to the side.

The moment his buttocks touched the seat, he felt a burning pain that almost made him cry out.

This is clearly the consequence of being tormented by Wanyan Guang last night.

Wanyan Wo noticed Ye Fan's predicament and ordered, "Bring Young Master Ye a cushion, the softer the better."

Soon a guard brought a soft cushion and placed it back on Ye Fan's chair.

After sitting down again, Ye Fan felt much better.

"Third Prince, please speak frankly about what you need me for. I need to rush back to the palace to work."

Hearing Ye Fan's urging, Wanyan Wo remained completely unhurried. He took off his boots, picked at the gaps between his toes, and said as he did so:

"Young Master Ye, do you still remember what my fourth brother said to you when you left my Great Jin camp?"

Ye Fan remained silent, but his brows furrowed.

Wanyan Wo continued, "You are originally from Chu, you wouldn't be like the people of Song, breaking your promises, would you?"

Ye Fan: "Third Prince, please speak frankly."

"Alright, then I'll get straight to the point. Young Master Ye, please tell me in detail about the affairs of the court during this period."

"There are so many things to say, it would take three days and three nights to explain them all. Why don't you give me some more specific information, Third Prince?"

"I need to know the attitude of the officials towards my Great Jin."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's lips curled into a smile: "Not only the court, but also the people in the city are united in their hatred of the enemy and are determined to fight your country to the end."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Wo couldn't help but laugh.

"To be honest, you're a smart person, you should have noticed what's wrong."

Ye Fan replied, "Everything I said is true. The court is now filled with voices advocating resistance to the very end, and wealthy and powerful families are also donating money and grain, intending to fight the Jin Kingdom to the last moment."

Furthermore, His Highness Prince Liang's 30,000 troops sent to defend the capital are less than 200 li away from Bianjing, and other troops from various other regions are on their way.

Once your army reaches the walls of Bianjing, your Jin dynasty will have no way to retreat. You'd better withdraw your troops as soon as possible.

Wanyan Wo: "Then I can tell you definitively that, apart from the army of Prince Liang Zhao Yu, the other armies coming to the aid of the king will not be arriving."

You don't really think that my Great Jin only sees 150,000 men besieging us right now? Actually, my father had already dispatched another 30,000 troops south across Yunyan Pass in mid-May.

With Xiling Pass sealed off, even a million-strong army of the Song Dynasty would be unable to cross it. Bianjing is now nothing more than an isolated city.

Ye Fan's heart sank, but he quickly replied calmly, "Even so, it won't be so easy for your Jurchens to conquer Bianjing."

The grain reserves in Bianjing (Kaifeng) are more than enough to sustain the entire city's population for two years. I wonder if your Jin army can afford to wait that long?

Wanyan Wu pondered for a moment, then said, "Young Master Ye, this time our Great Jin is determined to destroy the Song Dynasty. Nothing can stop our resolve."

You are not trusted in the court now. If you are willing to surrender to the Jin Dynasty, you will be the greatest contributor to the Jin Dynasty after the fall of the Song Dynasty.

From now on, you will be in charge of managing Bianjing City. My fourth brother said that as long as Young Master Ye is willing to cooperate, the Jin Kingdom is willing to grant you a princely title. What do you say?

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan was immediately intrigued.

Wanyan Wo continued, "Of course, we must admit that the Song army's current combat strength is indeed beyond our expectations."

To breach the walls of Bianjing from the front would require a heavy price. If Young Master Ye is willing to take action, the entire Jin Dynasty will be extremely grateful.

Ye Fan took a deep breath: "But what should I do now?"

Wanyan Wo frowned and asked again, "Does the court and the people of Bianjing really intend to resist to the bitter end?"

Ye Fan nodded and was about to say, "That's natural."

But then he immediately thought of something and said, "The officials and the people all advocate fighting the Jin to the bitter end, but it seems that the Emperor Zhao is unwilling to continue resisting."

"what?"

Wanyan Wo didn't quite understand what he meant. Wasn't the emperor the one who feared the fall of the city the most? How come the Song army hadn't backed down yet, but Zhao Huan was already going to back down?

Ye Fan said, "The Emperor Zhao is still young, full of enthusiasm but also increasingly anxious about the official duties he has to deal with. He won't have a moment's peace until the Jin army withdraws."

If it weren't for the overwhelming calls for war in the court, Emperor Zhao would probably have already sought peace talks with the Jin.

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Wo immediately got up and paced back and forth in the hall for a while.

This news is extremely important and is key to the Jin army's capture of Bianjing; it must be put to good use.

"Young Master Ye, what brilliant plan do you have to help our Great Jin conquer Bianjing?"

Ye Fan chuckled lightly: "Please ask the Third Prince to go back and tell the Fourth Prince that I have a way to make the Song army give up their resistance."

He will personally open the city gates, but after the deed is done, your Great Jin's promise of my throne must be fulfilled.

"Of course, we Jin people are the most trustworthy."

Wanyan Wo patted his chest and assured him.

"On the day this is accomplished, Young Master Ye will be the King of Bianliang of my Great Jin!"

Ye Fan nodded in satisfaction, then got up to take his leave.

"Third Prince, I must go back to the palace to report. I shall take my leave now."

"Yes, please, Young Master Ye."

Ye Fan turned and left the front hall, only to be bumped into by Wanyan Guang who was coming towards him.

Ye Fan turned away in disgust and walked past him.

Snapped--

As they passed each other, Wanyan Guang slapped Ye Fan hard on the buttocks.

Ye Fan endured the humiliation and walked out the door with gritted teeth.

"hey-hey."

Upon seeing Ye Fan's appearance, Wanyan Guang couldn't help but let out a lewd laugh, then stepped into the front hall...