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

The eunuchs and palace maids around were also stunned.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with undisguised envy.

To dine at the same table as the Empress is an immense honor!

What kind of luck did this eunuch Gao have?

Eunuch Hai stood with his hands behind his back, taking in the entire scene inside the hall.

His face gradually darkened, his triangular eyes filled with gloom and resentment.

He served the Empress for over a decade, killing people for her, risking his life, and remaining utterly loyal.

But he was never invited to the table for a meal by the Empress.

Not even once.

And what right does this little brat, who has only been in the palace for a few days, have?

"Hmph, you've gotten your way, but your arrogance won't last long."

"The more fiercely you practice the Azure Emperor's Wood Transformation Technique, the faster you will die."

"At that time, Chengqian Palace will still be our family's domain!"

Li Fan stood at the door and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you, Your Highness, but I have something very important to report to you."

Consort Xie glanced at him, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment.

She didn't ask any further questions, but simply waved her hand gently.

"All of you, get out."

The eunuchs and palace maids bowed and withdrew.

Hai Gonggong stood motionless at the door, and Leng Shuangqiu glanced at him.

"Eunuch Hai, Her Majesty has ordered everyone to leave."

"Including you!"

Grandpa Hai was stunned.

He glanced back at the palace gate, his lips twitching slightly.

"Yes."

He turned and left, a hint of resentment and coldness flashing in his eyes.

soon.

The palace gates closed.

Consort Xie held the white jade chopsticks in her slender fingers and tapped them lightly on the table twice.

"Speak, what is it? Have you encountered difficulties at the Eastern Depot?"

Her tone was casual.

But those dark eyes were fixed on Li Fan's face, not missing a single subtle expression.

Li Fan raised his head, his gaze open and honest.

"Your Majesty, I did a few things at the Eastern Depot today, and I'd like to report to you first."

"Today, this servant, accompanied by agents from the Eastern Depot, ransacked the residences of Cao Mo and Wu Zheng."

"During this period, Xu Biao, Feng Bao's confidant and a centurion in the Eastern Depot, acted without authorization..."

Leng Shuangqiu stood to the side, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly.

Xu Biao was executed?

She never expected that Li Fan would dare to take action against Feng Bao's confidant on his very first day in office.

This courage and boldness far exceeded my expectations.

Consort Xie's fingers paused on the table for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Anything else?"

Li Fan continued, "Afterwards, I distributed the silver I confiscated from the Cao residence to the Eastern Depot agents who worked with me."

"Now, those barbarians have temporarily submitted and are willing to obey my commands."

"This servant has now begun to gain initial control over a portion of the Eastern Depot's power."

Leng Shuangqiu finally couldn't help but gasp.

one day.

In just one day.

He killed a centurion, bribed a group of spies, and gained a foothold in the Eastern Depot.

This speed is simply unbelievable.

She originally thought that it would take Li Fan at least half a month to make a breakthrough after entering the Eastern Depot.

Unexpectedly, he turned the Eastern Depot upside down in just one day.

That's incredibly talented!

Consort Xie looked at Li Fan kneeling in the hall, and a slow smile appeared on her lips.

There was an indescribable light gleaming in those dark eyes.

It is appreciation.

Yes, I'm satisfied.

There was also a hint of... a softness that she herself was unaware of.

This man certainly did not disappoint her.

"Indeed, I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

"What are you all standing there for? Quickly sit down next to me and start your meal."

"The food is all cold."

Li Fan hesitated for a moment, then stood up, walked to the table, and sat down next to Consort Xie.

As soon as he sat down, a cool, refreshing fragrance wafted over.

The fragrance was neither too strong nor too weak, like the first snow of winter—clean, crisp, yet captivating.

It was her scent.

Li Fan's nose twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath.

too close.

He was so close he could see the tiny red mole on her earlobe...

You can't watch anymore!

Look again, we're about to be discovered!

Consort Xie seemed unaware of his unusual behavior and placed a shrimp in his bowl.

"Eat, we can talk while we eat."

Leng Shuangqiu stood aside, watching this scene, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

The empress herself served food to a eunuch?

If this gets out, the entire harem will be in an uproar.

Li Fan picked up the shrimp and put it in his mouth. The shrimp was fresh, tender, and juicy, melting in his mouth.

But he had no time to savor it; his mind was completely occupied with the case.

"Your Majesty, I have another important matter to report."

"Today, Feng Bao gave me a case to investigate."

"This is the case of Zhou Wenyuan, a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, who forcibly married a woman and murdered her first wife."

Consort Xie's fingers paused slightly.

She put down her chopsticks, and her dark eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Zhou Wenyuan?"

"yes."

Li Fan took the case file out of his pocket and presented it with both hands.

Leng Shuangqiu stepped forward, took the document, and presented it to Consort Xie.

Consort Xie opened the case file and read through it page by page.

The more I looked at her, the colder her expression became.

A layer of frost gradually appeared on that fair and jade-like face.

After she finished reading the last page, she closed the case file and slammed it on the table.

"What a fine Feng Bao!"

"He's putting you on the hot seat."

"To investigate is to offend me. To not investigate is to neglect one's duty."

"A dilemma, either way leads to death."

"As expected of an old fox who has been in charge of the Eastern Depot for over a decade, his intentions are truly vicious."

She suddenly stopped talking at this point.

Those dark eyes fell on Li Fan's face, a half-smile on his face, with a hint of scrutiny.

"What are your plans regarding this matter?"

This question, though seemingly trivial, is actually a test.

Let's see how Li Fan solves this thorny problem.

Li Fan took a deep breath, his clear gaze meeting Consort Xie's cold eyes.

"This humble servant dares to beg Your Majesty to abandon Zhou Wenyuan."

Consort Xie raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Because he was a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, wielding considerable power within the ministry.

Giving up so easily is something I really can't bear!