Early in the "Xiantong" era (860-874) of Emperor Xuānzong's son Emperor Yizong, Liu Ye, at the recommendations of Liu Zhan and Gao Qu, both of whom had known Liu's father Liu Sanfu, recommended Liu Ye to be "Zuo Shiyi" (), a low-level advisory official at the examination bureau of government (門下省, "Menxia Sheng"). In 860, he submitted a petition to Emperor Yizong discussing Li Deyu's contributions and how, after his exile and death in exile, his household was scattered. As a result, Emperor Yizong restored Li's offices and the title of Duke of Wei posthumously. Later, Liu served as an imperial scholar (翰林學士, "Hanlin Xueshi"). Eventually, he rose to be "Zhongshu Sheren" (), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau (中書省, "Zhongshu Sheng"), deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, "Hubu Shilang"), and chief imperial scholar (翰林學士承旨, "Hanlin Xueshi Chengzhi"). It was said that, despite Liu Zhan's previous recommendation of him, that in 870, when Liu Zhan, who was then chancellor, offended Emperor Yizong by begging for mercy on the part of the family members of the physicians who failed to save Emperor Yizong's favorite daughter Princess Tongchang (Emperor Yizong had executed those physicians and arrested their family members), Liu Ye joined Princess Tongchang's husband Wei Baoheng and the chancellor Lu Yan in falsely accusing Liu Zhan, leading to Liu Zhan's exile. In 871, Liu was given the additional post of director of the salt and iron monopolies. Later in the year, he was made the minister of rites (禮部尚書, "Libu Shangshu") and given the designation "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi" (), making him a chancellor "de facto". Emperor Yizong died in 873 and was succeeded by his young son Emperor Xizong. In 874, Liu Zhan was recalled to the capital to again serve as chancellor, and it was said that Liu Ye was apprehensive about this development.