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

"My beloved ministers, how is the battle going today?"

Inside the Bianliang Palace, Zhao Huan surveyed his surroundings and immediately began his daily routine of questioning.

Zhou Xianwu stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, General Guo has sent a messenger with a battle report."

The Jin army showed no signs of attacking the city today, presumably because the heavy casualties suffered by the Jin army during yesterday's siege had significantly impacted the morale of the Jin camp.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "General Guo is truly a pillar of our Great Song Dynasty. With him here, Bianjing can rest easy."

The fact that the Jin army did not launch an attack relieved Zhao Huan considerably.

Sensing that Zhao Huan was in a good mood, Xue Congli immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe that the Jurchens will not be able to hold out for much longer. Just as Lord Zhou said in court the other day, they will surely retreat within a month or two."

Zhao Huan's eyes lit up: "How do you know, Minister Xue?"

Xue Congli: "The Jin army has been attacking Bianjing Prefecture for two months without success, and their momentum has now waned."

With the weather gradually getting hotter, a plague is bound to spread within the Jin camp, making a retreat inevitable.

His words immediately drew widespread approval from the court.

Zhao Huan was overjoyed: "Yes, yes, Minister Xue is absolutely right. In that case, our Great Song will have no worries, truly no worries."

It was clear that the fifteen-year-old emperor was truly delighted at that moment.

Seeing the emperor happy, there was naturally no shortage of flattery in the court.

The Bianliang Palace was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Zhao Huan was enjoying himself, but when he caught a glimpse of Ye Fan looking dejected not far away, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

Since Ye Fan returned from negotiations with the Jin camp, Zhao Huan has deliberately distanced himself from him, and during this time, he has gradually faded from the sight of the officials.

Knowing that he was no longer valued, Ye Fan soon moved out of the palace and into the Prime Minister's residence outside the palace gates.

Now, in a great mood, Zhao Huan recalled everything Ye Fan had done and felt that the fault did not lie solely with him.

At least, Ye Fan genuinely came to the Song Dynasty to assist him during his most difficult time, even abandoning his status as the eldest son of the Ye family (Ye Fan claimed that he broke with his family and was removed from the list by Ye Mo for the sake of the Song Dynasty).

Although many things were not done as expected, at least they were genuinely on my side.

Moreover, it was Ye Fan who was the one who strongly advocated for the war; without him, Bianjing might have already been captured.

Thinking of this, Zhao Huan couldn't help but ask, "Right Chancellor, do you think Minister Xue's words are reasonable?"

As soon as Zhao Huan finished speaking, all the civil and military officials looked at Ye Fan.

If it weren't for Zhao Huan's words, everyone would have almost forgotten that such a person existed in the palace.

Ye Fan immediately stepped forward, his voice choked with emotion, and replied in a hoarse tone, "Your Majesty, what can I say?"

These days, I reflect daily on the fact that Your Majesty's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, yet I am unable to share Your Majesty's burdens and suffer sleepless nights.

Your Majesty, please relinquish all my duties. My status is unworthy to stand in this hall of honor and serve alongside you gentlemen.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan immediately stood up and stepped forward to support Ye Fan: "Prime Minister Ye, what's wrong with your voice?"

Ye Fan shook his head: "I have been attacked by an evil wind and caught a cold. I beg Your Majesty not to come near me, lest Your Majesty's health be affected."

Actually, his throat was swollen like that because of a foreign object, not because of a cold.

This was naturally a consequence of Wanyan Guang's extravagance and debauchery.

But how can I say that?

Zhao Huan said with concern, "Why didn't you say you were unwell sooner, Right Chancellor? I will have the imperial physician examine you right away."

Ye Fan shook his head: "No need, I have already seen a doctor and will be fine in a few days. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Zhao Huan: "It's good that Prime Minister Ye is alright. Remember to get plenty of rest."

After saying that, he instructed the eunuch Gao Mingli beside him: "Bring the three-hundred-year-old Korean ginseng from my bedchamber and give it to Minister Ye after the court session."

Gao Mingli was taken aback, then hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, that was the royal ginseng presented by the prince of the Taiji Kingdom eight years ago. It can prolong life, that's all..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Huan interrupted him, saying, "Just go when I tell you to. Why are you making such a fuss, you servant?"

"Yes, slave, go right away."

Gao Mingli then acknowledged and left the palace.

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's face lit up with gratitude: "Your Majesty, I am unworthy of your kindness, I..."

"Prime Minister Ye, there's no need for further words. I know you've been in low spirits these past few days, which is why I haven't bothered you."

I hope that Prime Minister Ye will recover fully and soon emerge from this difficult time, so that he can offer me advice and fulfill his responsibilities as a subject.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

With tears streaming down his face, Ye Fan knelt down and bowed to Zhao Huan.

The sight caused the courtiers in the hall to frown and begin to whisper among themselves.

Lai Ba said with a look of disgust, "I thought Ye Fan was out of the running, but judging from this, His Majesty seems to be planning to reuse him."

Xue Congli replied with a sidelong glance, "I don't know what kind of magic potion Ye Fan gave His Majesty in private, that made His Majesty use Korean ginseng, which even His Majesty himself is reluctant to use, to nourish his body."

Jiang Yuhan scoffed dismissively: "A person without ability, even if blessed by the heavens, will still be unable to receive it."

Despite hearing the unfavorable words coming from his ear, Ye Fan remained remarkably calm.

The humiliation we suffer today will be repaid with the entire nation of the Song Dynasty in the future!

Now, we must regain Zhao Huan's trust before we can proceed with our next plan.

……

After the court session ended, Zhou Xianwu called out to Ye Fan, who had just stepped out of the palace gate.

"Prime Minister Ye, now that His Majesty has decided to reinstate you, you must not disappoint him again."

"Given the current national crisis, I implore Minister Ye to offer His Majesty many suggestions and strategies to help the Song Dynasty overcome this calamity as soon as possible."

Ye Fan calmly looked at Zhou Xianwu, and after a long while, slowly said, "Imperial Censor Zhou, the Song Dynasty is now full of talented people, and His Majesty has not dismissed me from my post."

"The Emperor has already shown me immense favor by allowing me to continue moving about the palace. How could I possibly offer any advice? If I were to make another mistake, wouldn't I be betraying His Majesty's good intentions?"

Zhou Xianwu: "Right Chancellor, you must not give up on yourself like this. The Song Dynasty cannot do without the Right Chancellor, and His Majesty cannot do without your assistance."

Ye Fan gave a bitter smile: "Imperial Censor Zhou, please stop trying to comfort me. Look at the mess I've made since I came to the Song Dynasty. I feel ashamed every time I think about it."

Zhou Xianwu comforted him, saying, "Reform cannot be accomplished overnight. Minister Ye need not blame himself. At least in my mind, Minister Ye is a number one figure."

Just as Ye Fan was about to speak, Zhou Xianwu abruptly interrupted him: "Prime Minister Ye, there is no need to say more. What I just said came from the bottom of my heart, and I had no intention of belittling you in the slightest."

After all, if Prime Minister Ye hadn't defied public opinion and insisted on fighting the Jurchens to the end, Bianjing would probably have been like a candle flickering in the wind, losing all popular support.

I hope that Minister Ye can soon regain his strength and work alongside me to wholeheartedly assist His Majesty!

After saying this, he bowed to Ye Fan, turned around, and got into his own carriage.

"Ha ha……"

As Ye Fan watched Zhou Xianwu's carriage slowly drive away from the street, a cold smile crept onto his lips.

"Whether what you say is true or false, I will definitely get back the humiliation I have suffered these days."

He boarded his carriage and turned to head towards his residence.