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

The next day.

The Imperial Garden.

When Li Fan followed Consort Xie in, his eyes lit up.

This is no flower-viewing banquet; it's clearly a matriarchal society.

The garden is filled with blooming flowers and the sounds of birdsong.

Dozens of concubines gathered in small groups, some standing, some sitting, each dressed in their finest attire, vying with each other in beauty and elegance.

The harem of the Great Chu was even more lively than he had imagined.

"The Imperial Concubine has arrived..."

A young concubine dressed in a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) came forward to greet her.

She had a smile plastered on her face, and her voice was sickeningly sweet.

Li Fan glanced at her; with looks like that, she could definitely be a star in later generations.

Consort Xie gave a faint "hmm" without even lifting her eyelids.

The concubine wasn't annoyed; she continued to follow beside him with a smile, saying flattering things like, "Sister, you look so well."

Others also gathered around, calling out "Sister Consort" all at once.

But Li Fan noticed that, despite how affectionately they addressed each other as "sister," they were still quite different.

But these people were all secretly observing Consort Xie's expression, their eyes full of calculation.

Currently, Consort Xie is His Majesty's most favored concubine.

Two days ago, she brought down another prefect of the capital, making her even more powerful.

These people are only trying to curry favor with her because they want to benefit from her fame.

Consort Xie reacted indifferently to these people, occasionally nodding as a response.

She despised these sycophantic, vulgar women to the core.

Li Fan followed half a step behind her, his gaze sweeping across the garden without making a sound.

Soon, he saw Consort Xiao.

She wore a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a thin lotus-root-colored gauze over it, and a white jade belt around her waist, which accentuated her slender waist.

With a gentle face and a cinnabar mole between her eyebrows, her smile is dignified yet kind. Anyone who sees her would think she is the most approachable empress in the palace.

Behind her stood a figure in red.

She wore a bright red brocade jacket with gold embroidery, the hem of which was embroidered with a golden phoenix spreading its wings, and her head was covered with jingling pearls and jade.

Princess Anle.

A smile graced her bright face, but her captivating eyes remained fixed on Li Fan, the corners of her lips slightly upturned, as if to say…

You lackey, you really did come.

Li Fan's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface, pretending not to see it.

Consort Xiao stepped forward, smiling, and took Consort Xie's hand:

"My dear sister, you've finally arrived! The flowers in the garden are in full bloom today, but with you here, they seem a little less beautiful."

Their voices were gentle, and their manners were affectionate, like a pair of real sisters.

Consort Xie smiled and said politely:

"Sister is joking. You are the most well-dressed person in the entire harem."

"Every time I see my sister, I feel like I'm dressed too plainly."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, their interactions as warm and friendly as those of a family.

Standing to the side, Li Fan could see clearly that neither of these two women was simple.

They are the epitome of "smiling while hiding a dagger".

The banquet was held in the pavilion in the center of the Imperial Garden.

Consort Xie was seated in the first seat on the left.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the garden.

"Consort Li has arrived..."

Li Fan's heart stirred.

Consort Li?

He had heard of this name during his time in the palace.

It is said that Consort Li was the most beautiful woman in the harem, and even the Emperor praised her as a "natural beauty".

He looked up and gazed toward the entrance to the garden.

A woman walked in.

Li Fan's gaze was instantly fixed on it.

The woman was wearing a purple palace dress with a very low neckline, revealing a large expanse of her fair breasts and a deep cleavage.

She has a slender waist and rounded hips.

With each step she took, the two plump peach-like halves swayed gently beneath her skirt, like ripe fruit, trembling precariously.

She had an extremely beautiful face, with willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, a high nose bridge, and full, red lips; she was naturally alluring.

What's most captivating is that her eyes seem to hold a pool of spring water, and when she looks at people, her gaze is captivating, carrying an indescribable allure.

coquettish.

These two words popped into Li Fan's mind.

It's not meant in a derogatory way, but rather to describe the essence of her being.

This woman, from head to toe, tells everyone that she is beautiful.

The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs all bowed in greeting:

"Greetings, Consort Li..."

Consort Li hummed in agreement, but her gaze did not fall upon the others.

As soon as she entered the garden, she saw Consort Xie and walked over with a smile:

"My sister is here so early."

Her voice was soft and sweet, like she was holding a piece of honey.

Consort Xie said calmly, "It's not too late for you, sister."

Consort Li smiled and sat down in her seat, her gaze sweeping around the garden.

Suddenly, her gaze froze.

The little eunuch standing behind Consort Xie, with his head bowed and eyes lowered, bore a striking resemblance in his eyebrows, eyes, and face to the Chu Emperor from twenty years ago—at least six or seven points.

She glanced at Consort Xie again, a hint of suspicion flashing in her eyes.

Could it be that Consort Xie also harbors the same idea as me, wanting to have a child with another man...?

"Sister, I heard that one of your eunuchs has caught His Majesty's eye and is going to become the head eunuch of the Eastern Depot?"

"Could it be the person next to you?"

Upon hearing this, many concubines turned their gazes toward Li Fan.

The Director of the Eastern Depot.

That's a crucial position.

What right does a lowly eunuch have?

Li Fan felt those gazes falling on him, some scrutinizing, some jealous, some curious, and some with inexplicable scheming.

He lowered his head, not wanting to attract attention.

Consort Xie said calmly, "My sister is quite well-informed. Gao Jin is a clever man, but he was lucky enough to be favored by His Majesty."

Consort Li smiled and didn't ask any further questions.

But her gaze toward Li Fan deepened.

Just then.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived..."

The garden fell silent instantly.

All the concubines stood up and bowed.

A graceful and elegant figure walked in from the garden entrance.

Today, Empress Yang wore a bright red palace dress, a phoenix crown, and her face was as round as a silver plate, with a majestic air about her.

As she passed by Li Fan, she didn't even glance at him, and went straight to the head of the table, where she sat down.

"Get up, everyone."

Everyone then straightened up and took their seats.

Consort Xiao, as the host of the day, stood up with a smile and raised her wine glass:

"This flower-viewing banquet today is a small token of my appreciation."

"Your Majesty the Empress, Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, and all my sisters, please make yourselves at home."

She spoke in a gentle tone and behaved with grace, like a truly virtuous housewife entertaining guests.

The banquet officially began.

Palace maids carried wine jugs and moved among the guests, serving wine to the concubines.

suddenly.

A palace maid came over carrying a wine pot.

She lowered her head and walked up to Li Fan, as if to pour wine for Consort Xie, but then she tripped...

"what!"

The wine jug flew out of his hand, splashing all over Li Fan, leaving him soaking wet.

The palace maid turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly.

"I'm so sorry, Grandpa Gao! I'm so sorry, Grandpa Gao!"

"This servant didn't mean it! Please, Eunuch Gao, spare my life..."

Consort Xie glanced at the palace maid, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

"Gao Jin, go back and change your clothes before you come back."

Li Fan looked down at his soaked robes, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he understood something.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Just as Li Fan reached a corridor, he was blocked by four eunuchs.

They all had unfriendly eyes and contemptuous smiles on their lips.

"Gentlemen, what does this mean?"