On the second day after returning to the Capital City, Yin Shuangshuang assumed the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Originally, there should have been two vice-ministers: the Left Vice Minister and the Right Vice Minister.

However, due to conflicts among aristocratic families and other reasons, there was only one Assistant Minister, and the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was the Emperor’s person but was elderly and had recently fallen ill, unable to manage affairs.

This Minister should have retired long ago, but unfortunately, the Emperor had no one of his own, and the Ministry of Personnel was too important, so the Minister had to hold the position despite old age.

Daily affairs of the Ministry of Personnel were mostly handled by the Vice Minister, but the problem was that he was also an old man. Initially, he was energetic enough to manage these affairs.

However, two months ago, the Vice Minister fell and injured his leg, then caught a cold and became bedridden, leaving the Ministry of Personnel relying on an elderly Minister, which was unsustainable.

At this time, aristocratic families were frantically plotting, seeing the Ministry weakened, and the Vice Minister seemingly on the verge of retirement, like sharks smelling blood, they desperately tried to seize the position.

The Emperor was panicked too. With Yin Shuangshuang about to enter the Capital City, he decided to place his bets on Yin Shuangshuang, believing strongly in her abilities.

One could say the Emperor had blind trust in Yin Shuangshuang, thinking even if appointing her above her rank made others dissatisfied, she would surely have a way to stabilize the Ministry and give him peace of mind.

The result of the Emperor’s faith was that Yin Shuangshuang formally took over the Ministry of Personnel as a deputy, doing the work of the head. Naturally, her subordinates were unwilling to comply.

Since Yin Shuangshuang had excessively leapfrogged ranks, her subordinates, not to mention those from aristocratic families, were even imperial insiders and felt discontent, making their superficial compliance unsurprising.

Although the staff at the Ministry knew Yin Shuangshuang was talented and capable, her considerable leap in rank led to jealousy and dissatisfaction, uniting them to try to teach her a lesson.

Yin Shuangshuang was unconcerned with rebellious subordinates, burying herself in documents without much communication with them.

The Ministry’s officials were bewildered, completely unsure of Yin Shuangshuang’s intentions.

Whether restrained under their control or counter-attacking, as long as Yin Shuangshuang took action, they would have a strategy. Her silence, however, left them hesitant to act.

This peculiar calm persisted for a month. After a month, Yin Shuangshuang summoned all officials into the Ministry’s main hall.

Ministry officials entered in a line, noticing many attendants in guard uniforms, including Yan Yi and Ying Yi.

This time, the Emperor was exceedingly generous with promotions; not only was Yin Shuangshuang elevated several ranks, Yan Yi and Ying Yi were also made ranked guards, others at fifth-rank, Yan Yi and Ying Yi at fourth-rank.

Their task was to accompany and protect Yin Shuangshuang, obeying her orders.

The officials sat down, led by Fang Zheng of the Examination Department, who, after glancing at Yan Yiyi and the others behind Yin Shuangshuang, turned to her, speaking sardonically, "Sir, bringing so many people today with such an imposing stance, what do you intend?" His words bore no respect.

Yin Shuangshuang was unfazed, speaking coolly and unhurriedly, "I’m merely concerned that when dealing with the many people later, manpower might be insufficient, so I called more."

"What does Sir mean by this?" Fang Zheng frowned, eyeing Yin Shuangshuang suspiciously, instinctively sensing something amiss about her demeanor today.

Quickly, without needing explanation from Yin Shuangshuang, Fang Zheng understood his unease as Yin Shuangshuang casually picked up a booklet from the table and calmly opened it.

"Fang Zheng of the Examination Department, your son, three years ago, forcibly seized a young woman, strangled her to death when she resisted, and discarded her body. When her family sought justice, you pressured them to death.

Zeng Lin, Outer Minister, for the family fortune, you murdered your eldest brother and pressured your sister-in-law to death..." Yin Shuangshuang read from the booklet, her voice steady and unfaltering.

Yin Shuangshuang’s voice was pleasant, slightly cool yet gentle, but everyone in the hall listened as if sitting on pins and needles, sweating profusely.

She read out the crimes of seven or eight individuals, then closed the booklet, meeting the intense gaze of those staring at her, her expression cold and unfeeling.

"These individuals have violated the law. They are to be promptly sent to the Ministry of Justice for questioning and judgment. Our Ministry of Personnel shall not harbor murderers."

Fang Zheng and others collapsed upon hearing they would be handed over to the Ministry of Justice because it was newly headed by the Emperor’s trusted confidant, while Fang Zheng was an aristocratic official.

Fang Zheng’s crimes were indeed real, and once inside, escape would be impossible.

"No, I’m innocent, you’re framing me, you have no evidence to sentence a court official with mere words. I will sue you!"

As someone approached to drag him away, Fang Zheng protested loudly, refusing to accept his fate, knowing that being taken away spelled certain doom.

Fang Zheng’s cries spurred other accused individuals to struggle and declare their innocence too, yet Yin Shuangshuang remained unmoved.

She sneered, "Mr. Fang and other gentlemen needn’t worry about a lack of evidence. Since I dare to have you sent to the Ministry of Justice, the evidence is all prepared to be sent along."

With Yin Shuangshuang’s words, the few struggling individuals collapsed further, even Fang Zheng softened.

Originally, Fang Zheng acted impulsively, inadequately cautious, assuming even if accused, he needn’t fear, thus acted brazenly, making evidence retrieval easy.

Those dragged away were aristocratic officers; the remaining were honest officials, already aligned with the Emperor, from small aristocratic families or directly serving the Emperor.

Yin Shuangshuang’s swift handling of several individuals shocked these officials, leaving them silent and breathless when she ceased speaking.

Yin Shuangshuang casually tapped the booklet on the table with her fingers, coldly saying, "Do you need me to continue reading what’s in this booklet?"

Everyone shivered, standing to bow in unison, saying, "We are willing to follow the lord’s orders, with utmost loyalty." This was their pledge of allegiance.

"I’m not fond of catching small mistakes. You haven’t committed major faults, so I won’t pursue minor ones. I hope you will diligently work and sincerely assist me in the future."

Everyone quickly voiced loyalty again, but Yin Shuangshuang, though outwardly indifferent, was inwardly unsatisfied, knowing they were merely afraid rather than truly convinced, likely causing future issues.

Initially, Yin Shuangshuang had countless strategies to win over the Ministry, gaining their allegiance, but current circumstances forced her to act simply and directly to exert control.

At least from today onwards, true loyalty aside, these individuals would dare not defy her orders, allowing her to properly execute her plans. As for winning their hearts, that would take time.