After failing the imperial examination, he began to wield immense power after entering the palace!

"Wouldn't it be better for a lowly commoner like you to just be a failed student?"

"You think you can sue Du Huiyuan? He's from the Du family of Jingzhao, a powerful and influential clan, and the nephew of the Minister of Works!"

"That's right, Du Huiyuan achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations five times in a row, all through his own merit. Who do you think you are to dare slander him..."

Li Fan's eyes widened in fury as he recalled the words the two prison guards had said when they beat him.

Five consecutive wins?

That's clearly his!

He has been in the Great Chu Dynasty for ten years.

After ten years of diligent study, I have memorized the classics and historical texts, and I am also skilled in writing essays.

Originally, Li Fan should have been the first genius in history to achieve the highest honors in all six imperial examinations since the founding of the Great Chu Dynasty, and should have been a triumphant top scholar.

But on the day the results of the imperial examination were announced, his name became Du Ming, the nephew of the Minister of Works.

Ten years of hard work, just like that, was easily taken away by someone.

He doesn't agree!

He is not willing!

Li Fan ran to the gate of the Jingzhao Prefecture and beat the drum to appeal for justice.

The prefect didn't even conduct a trial; he simply imprisoned him and ordered him to be exiled to the frontier.

To curry favor with Du Ming, the prison warden even sent men to beat him twenty times, nearly killing himself.

"Du Ming..."

Li Fan lay on the straw bed, his lips trembling.

He now loathes these noble families and these corrupt officials who collude in power.

"I, Li Fan, swear to God that if I ever walk out of this prison alive, I will tear you all to pieces!"

"When that time comes, I will trample the bones of high-ranking officials in the streets and hang the heads of powerful and wealthy men at the gates of the city!"

"A beautiful poem."

A clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out outside the cell.

Li Fan was startled and looked up abruptly, only to find a tall woman standing outside the cell.

A black outfit accentuated her slender yet powerful waist, and her long, black hair was tied into a ponytail that hung down her back, revealing a face even more exquisite than those of female celebrities in her previous life.

With her cold eyes, thin lips, and high nose bridge, she exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

Half a step behind her stood an old eunuch with a gloomy face.

His hair was gray, and his triangular eyes were devoid of any emotion. He looked at Li Fan as if he were looking at an insect crawling in the mud.

"Heh, this poem is full of murderous intent, but what makes you, a prisoner about to die, have the audacity to slaughter all the noble families and trample the heads of the powerful?"

His words were filled with an air of condescension and disdain.

Li Fan stared warily at the two men, his whole body tense, the pain in his buttocks overshadowed by the sudden shock.

How could a eunuch be in this prison?

Who are you?

The woman in black did not answer, but carefully examined Li Fan, a look of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

"Grandpa Hai, he looks even more like the man in the painting."

After glancing at Li Fan a few times, Eunuch Hai nodded.

"They do look somewhat alike."

Just as Li Fan was wondering what was going on, the woman spoke again.

"I am Leng Shuangqiu, a close female official serving the Imperial Concubine, holding the position of Shanggong."

"The gentleman next to me is Eunuch Hai, the head eunuch of Chengqian Palace."

"I have come here to bestow upon you an immense fortune."

Li Fan's mind raced.

It is said that the emperor's health has been poor in recent years, and the power of the court has gradually shifted to other countries. Now, there is a situation where Empress Yang and Consort Xie are the two empresses in power.

Leng Shuangqiu, being a confidante of Consort Xie, brought a head eunuch to offer her wealth and honor; there's definitely something fishy about her!

"Please speak plainly, Lady Leng, what kind of wealth and status do you possess?"

Seeing that Li Fan hadn't been blinded by the so-called wealth and was still able to remain calm, Leng Shuangqiu's eyes flashed with surprise.

"Her Majesty wishes to find a male concubine!"

Li Fan was stunned.

He knew he was handsome, but going to the palace to be Consort Xie's lover was a bit too exciting, wasn't it?

Seeing his silence, Leng Shuangqiu continued coldly:

"Once you enter the palace, the Empress will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Li Fan's lips twitched violently.

Although being a concubine's male favorite sounds glamorous, it is actually extremely risky.

After all, the Imperial Concubine did not have absolute power in the harem. If word got out that she had cheated on the Emperor, she would be doomed.

Seeing Li Fan's hesitation, Leng Shuangqiu naturally understood his concerns.

"Li Fan, you can rest assured about the Empress's character."

"As long as you behave well, the Empress will not only save your life, but also bestow upon you a life of wealth and honor."

"Do you really want to be exiled to the frontier tomorrow with this wounded body, only to die on the way?"

A cold, sinister voice suddenly drifted from behind Leng Shuangqiu.

"Lady Leng, why waste words on such an ant? If he's disobedient, we'll teach him to be obedient."

The old eunuch, who had been silent all along, burst through the door in an instant.

A withered, skeletal hand grabbed Li Fan by the throat and lifted him off the straw bed.

"what?"

Li Fan never expected that this old eunuch was so strong. Was he a trained fighter?

His back slammed hard against the cold wall, a muffled groan escaped his throat, and his face instantly turned a deep purplish-red.

What the hell!

My butt hurts so much!!

You damned eunuch, you resort to violence at the slightest provocation, you deserve to die!

soon.

Old Eunuch Hai's old face loomed close to Li Fan's, his eyes showing no murderous intent, only a nonchalant indifference.

It's like someone casually crushing an ant without even lifting their eyelids.

"There's another candidate in Runan."

"He's much more sensible than you. He was already on his way as soon as he received the news, and he should arrive in about two weeks."

"For a lowly commoner like you to have the opportunity to serve Your Majesty is an incredible stroke of luck. Do you really think you're someone special?"

"Besides, even if you enter the palace, if you displease the Empress, you will only face death."

"Agree now, and we'll let you walk out of this prison alive; disagree..."

He loosened his grip, and Li Fan fell to the ground like a lump of mud, clutching his throat and coughing desperately, his face covered in tears and snot.

Hai Gonggong looked down at him from his high position, revealing a sinister smile.

"We'll break your neck, stuff you into a latrine, and drag you out and bury you tomorrow along with the rotten mud in the jail."

Choose.