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

Seeing that Consort Xie did not speak, Li Fan continued.

"As long as Your Highness gives the nod, this servant dares to investigate him."

"If I investigate him, my prestige in the Eastern Depot will surpass that of Feng Bao."

"By then, the entire Eastern Depot will know that the Commander dared to touch even Consort Xie's people."

"With this show of force, it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven for Feng Bao to make things difficult for this servant."

"This servant can also use this opportunity to further consolidate her power in the Eastern Depot and gradually sideline Feng Bao."

After hearing this, Consort Xie fell silent.

She tapped her fingers lightly twice on the table, the rhythm neither too light nor too heavy.

"Gao Jin, you should know that I went to great lengths to win over Zhou Wenyuan back then."

"He did a lot of things for me in the Ministry of Justice; it's such a waste to just throw him away like this."

Her tone was indifferent, but Li Fan could tell that she was unwilling.

A person who can do things for you in the Ministry of Justice is not someone you can find easily.

Giving up on Zhou Wenyuan is tantamount to cutting off one's own arm.

Li Fan had anticipated her hesitation, so he said gently:

"Your Majesty, you are blinded by your own involvement, while an observer sees things clearly."

Consort Xie was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt flashing in her phoenix eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Li Fan's voice was steady and clear, each word like a nail driven into Consort Xie's heart:

"Your Majesty, the Eastern Depot has completely obtained evidence of Zhou Wenyuan's crimes."

"I don't know how long Feng Bao has kept this case file."

"But one thing I'm very clear about is that from the moment the Eastern Depot obtained this evidence, Zhou Wenyuan was no longer Your Majesty's man."

"He's a useless piece of trash."

"A useless piece that could be detonated at any moment."

Consort Xie's pupils contracted slightly.

She had indeed overlooked this issue before; a subordinate who has been caught red-handed is definitely no longer safe.

Li Fan could tell that Consort Xie was wavering.

"Your Majesty, think about it. What would happen if Feng Bao took this case file to report Zhou Wenyuan one day?"

"Zhou Wenyuan is the Empress's man. If something happens to him, what will the officials think of the Empress? What will His Majesty think of the Empress?"

"Can Your Majesty bear the accusations of harboring criminals and condoning subordinates' wrongdoings?"

"At that time, Your Majesty will be stabbed in the back."

"Caught off guard, the whole game was lost."

Consort Xie's face gradually darkened.

Although she still didn't want to believe it, she had clearly realized that Zhou Wenyuan was now a useless piece.

No, we need to resolve this as soon as possible.

"I'm going to destroy the evidence now..."

"it's useless."

Li Fan shook his head, his tone calm.

"Given the methods of the Eastern Depot, this evidence must have been preserved very well."

"The original is locked in the warehouse, and the copy is hidden somewhere."

"Even if Your Majesty wanted to destroy it, she couldn't destroy it completely."

"Rather than letting Zhou Wenyuan become a tool for others to harm the Empress in the future, it's better to eliminate him now."

He paused, his voice suddenly lowering:

"Moreover, Her Majesty can use this opportunity to demonstrate her impartiality in handling affairs."

"Not even protecting one's own people—that's the true mark of a wise ruler."

"The world is watching; who wouldn't respect them?"

Consort Xie was stunned.

Looking at Li Fan's earnest, almost sincere face, she suddenly felt a strange mix of emotions.

This man wasn't flattering her.

He was thinking of her.

I genuinely wanted to think about her.

She was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke:

"A junior official in the Ministry of Justice, exchanged for a position in the Eastern Depot..."

"This deal is a great deal."

Li Fan replied, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Consort Xie looked at him, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up slightly.

But then she withdrew her expression and resumed her icy demeanor.

"Let me think about this matter some more."

Li Fan shook his head, his tone suddenly becoming more urgent:

"Your Majesty, decisive action is crucial; hesitation will only lead to chaos."

"Moreover, if I manage to capture Zhou Wenyuan, I can use that to curry favor with Empress Yang."

"This made Empress Yang feel that I had betrayed her and submitted to her."

"In this way, Empress Yang will trust me more and more."

"This way, I can infiltrate her more deeply and do more for Your Highness."

Consort Xie's phoenix eyes lit up slightly.

That was a brilliant move.

Killing two birds with one stone.

He not only eliminated Zhou Wenyuan, a useless pawn, but also planted an even deeper thorn in his side by Empress Yang's side.

Seeing that she was already interested, Li Fan added fuel to the fire:

"Furthermore, Your Majesty, before the news spreads too far, you can make arrangements in the Ministry of Justice in advance."

"If we take down Zhou Wenyuan, and then promote a new doctor, wouldn't that solve the problem?"

"Losing one pawn in exchange for the Eastern Depot, plus an even deeper thorn in Empress Yang's side."

"Your Majesty, this deal is far more than just a bargain!"

"It's an absolute steal!"

Consort Xie finally smiled.

The smile was faint and gentle, like moonlight falling on the water, fleeting and ephemeral.

But Li Fan saw it.

It became.

"good."

Consort Xie's voice was decisive and crisp.

"In that case, let's do it your way."

"I will have someone make arrangements in the Ministry of Justice in advance so that a new person can immediately take Zhou Wenyuan's place after he falls."

"Just go ahead and investigate; don't worry about me."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Li Fan bowed his head and replied.

He stood up, about to take his leave, when Consort Xie suddenly turned around.

Those dark eyes shone brilliantly in the moonlight, like two obsidian stones immersed in water.

She looked at Li Fan, a slight smile curving her lips, and her voice suddenly gained a touch of warmth:

"Gao Jin, you did a great job today."

"As I have said, rewards and punishments must be clearly defined."

"You've done well, and I certainly won't treat you unfairly."

She reached out and gently patted Li Fan's shoulder with her slender, fair fingers.

But Li Fan felt as if that hand was a branding iron, searing heat into his skin through the fabric of his official robe.

"Serve me well, and from now on, whatever you want, I will give you."

Her voice was very low, so low that only two people could hear it.

His tone was casual, as if he were talking about something trivial.

But the light in those eyes didn't seem to be a reward for a servant.

It's more like...

What promises?

Li Fan's heart skipped a beat.

The so-called promise was to let him climb into her bed and become her gigolo.

This lady is exceptionally beautiful, and she certainly has a unique charm.

So he quickly lowered his head.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Fifteen minutes later.

In front of the Qianqing Palace.

Ginkgo was standing under the eaves, holding a cup of tea in her hands, sipping it with her head down.

When she heard footsteps, she looked up and her almond-shaped eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Eunuch Gao?"

She clearly hadn't expected Li Fan to appear at the entrance of Qianqing Palace at this hour.