Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

Chapter 602 Zhao Yan! Back to the government office again!

That night, Chen Fan went to the Crown Prince's residence at Han Cen's recommendation.

The residence of the eldest prince, Zhao Yan, is located on the east side of the imperial city. Unlike the magnificent residence of the fourth prince, the entrance here is quite understated.

The house features blue bricks and gray tiles, and two stone lions in front of the door that have been there for many years, their carvings blurred by wind and rain.

There were only two Foundation Establishment stage servants guarding the entrance. Upon seeing Han Cen, they immediately bowed and paid their respects, clearly indicating that this alchemy master was a frequent visitor to the mansion.

After passing through two moon gates, you arrive at the main hall.

The hall was simply furnished, with a landscape painting hanging on the wall, in which the flowing water was actually flowing slowly.

Seated in the main seat was a middle-aged man in a plain brocade robe, appearing to be around forty years old. He had a dignified face and an air of righteous authority that commanded respect without anger. However, his eyes were not sharp; instead, they conveyed a sense of gentleness and composure. He was at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

This man was none other than Zhao Yan, the eldest prince of the Zhao state.

"Lord Chen, I have long admired your name." Zhao Yan rose to greet you, cupping his hands and smiling. "You are the top scholar in both alchemy and formation, and the only genius in this selection to be awarded the Gold Medal Lord's Token. I have heard of you before. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary."

He spoke sincerely, without the slightest air of superiority, a stark contrast to Zhao Yu's arrogant and domineering demeanor.

Chen Fan returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Your Highness is too kind. I only know a little bit and it was just a fluke."

Zhao Yan waved his hand, gesturing for the two to sit down.

A fine banquet had been prepared in the hall. Although it was not luxurious, each dish of spiritual food was quite exquisite, and even the spiritual wine in the wine pot was of the fourth grade, which was many times better than the turbid wine in Han Cen's small tavern.

Zhao Yan personally poured a cup for Chen Fan and then filled Han Cen's cup before sitting down and speaking, his tone now more sincere and heartfelt.

Elder Han has already told me about what Chen Gongfeng has experienced in the Hall of Official Affairs these past few days.

Zhao Yan put down the wine pot, the gentle smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by undisguised anger. "Fourth Brother has gone too far. Chen Gongfeng earned his Gold Medal Gongfeng Order through genuine merit, yet he's using this to settle personal scores and create endless difficulties for him. What will the six powers think of Zhao's treatment of its officials? The Gongfeng Hall should be a place for selecting the virtuous and capable, but he's using it as a tool to suppress dissent. It's utterly absurd!"

He spoke with righteous indignation, every word revealing genuine anger, not feigned.

Han Cen sighed and continued, "Your Highness may not know this, but if I hadn't arrived in time, Chen Gongfeng would have almost drawn his sword in the Hall of Official Affairs. That fat steward is really going too far. Relying on the Fourth Prince's backing, he even dared to humiliate a Gold Medal Steward in public."

Zhao Yan frowned even more upon hearing this. After a moment of silence, he looked at Chen Fan and said solemnly, "Chen Fan, I might as well be frank with you. You have no foundation in Zhao, and the Fourth Prince has his eye on you. If no one is there to back you up, you will find it difficult to move an inch in the Hall of Worship. I won't beat around the bush with you. If you are willing, I will stand up for you tomorrow and settle this matter completely. Go to the Hall of Affairs again tomorrow. If those people still dare to make things difficult for you, just argue your case and make a big fuss. At that time, I will personally step in and let them know that a Gold Medal Worshipper is not a soft persimmon that anyone can bully."

Chen Fan held his wine glass but didn't reply immediately.

He had been a eunuch in the palace for over sixty years and had seen this kind of recruitment scheme far too many times.

However, Zhao Yan was different from others. He did not discuss conditions or make empty promises first, but instead gave specific commitments and action plans.

This frank and open style is completely different from Zhao Yu's insidious and backstabbing approach.

"Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated," Chen Fan said, setting down his wine cup and bowing. "However, Your Highness also knows that I am an outsider from the land of Yu the Great, with no roots in the Zhao court and no intention of getting involved in the struggle for the princes' positions. If Your Highness is merely helping me out, I will remember it. But if Your Highness requires me to serve you as a servant..."

"I do need you," Zhao Yan interrupted him, meeting Chen Fan's gaze frankly. "I don't deny that. You excel in both alchemy and formations, making you the most dazzling talent in this selection process. It would be hypocritical for me to say I don't need you. But our relationship isn't that of master and servant; it's a mutually beneficial arrangement. I'll shield you from the Fourth Prince's harassment, ensuring your smooth passage through the Hall of Offerings; in return, you'll serve me as an offering, helping me solidify my position as Crown Prince. If you ever wish to go to the Great Qin, I will not stop you, and may even secure more favorable conditions for you. What do you think of this deal?"

Chen Fan remained silent for a moment.

Zhao Yan's words were so frank that they were almost unbelievable for a prince.

There were no tests, no hints, no carrot-and-stick tactics; there was only a straightforward exchange of benefits.

This style, ironically, reassured him somewhat.

"Since Your Highness is so frank, I cannot refuse any longer." Chen Fan stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "I am willing to serve Your Highness."

Zhao Yan smiled sincerely and stood up to return the greeting:

"With Chen Gongfeng's assistance, I am like a tiger with wings. Very well, you will go to the Hall of Official Affairs first thing tomorrow morning, and I will follow shortly after. You should rest well at home today and do not need to return to your desolate residence."

Han Cen stroked his beard and smiled, exchanging a knowing glance with Ouyang Ye.

Having spent most of their lives in the Imperial Palace, they knew all too well that in the Zhao court, an Imperial Palace official without a powerful backer was like a fish on a chopping board.

Now that Chen Fan is on the Crown Prince's side, he's no longer a pushover that anyone can easily bully.

The following morning, Chen Fan stepped into the government office again.

The same few deacons were still in the hall, with the fat deacon still sitting at the long table, holding a teacup.

Upon seeing Chen Fan enter, he put down his teacup, a signature forced smile appearing on his face: "Oh, Elder Chen, you're here again? Elder Han helped you out yesterday, and now you're here to cause trouble again? I already made it very clear last time... an elder cannot receive two missions consecutively within a month. That's the rule. If you disagree..."

"I disagree," Chen Fan interrupted him, his voice calm yet clear. "I have reviewed the regulations of the Hall of Offerings. The regulations clearly state that the rule against receiving consecutive missions within a month only applies to those with silver medals or lower; gold medal holders are exempt. I am a gold medal holder personally appointed by the Emperor. What is your basis for using the silver medal rules to restrict gold medal holders?"

The fat butler's smile froze slightly.

He never expected that this eunuch, who had always kept quiet, would dare to stand up to him in public today, and even bring up the regulations of the Imperial Palace.

He set down his teacup, his tone turning colder: "Lord Chen, I was simply following the rules. If you feel I've acted improperly, you can appeal to the elders. Why make things difficult for me here?"