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

"The more complex the case, the more our family likes to investigate it."

"We'll take this case."

Chen Tie opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him, but seeing Li Fan's calm and still eyes, he ultimately said nothing.

He's used to it.

This father-in-law never backs down because of difficulties.

The more difficult the case, the more excited he becomes.

"well……"

"Alright, that's about enough time for today."

Li Fan clapped his hands, his tone becoming more relaxed.

"You can all go back and rest. We'll begin investigating this case tomorrow."

"yes."

Chen Tie clasped his hands in resignation, then turned and left with his men.

Only Li Fan and Zhang Miaozhen remained in the front yard.

The moonlight shone on the blue brick floor, casting long shadows of the two people.

Zhang Miaozhen stood beside Li Fan, her phoenix eyes slightly raised. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke:

"Grandpa Gao, since you have some free time today, why don't you come to my house for a meal?"

She paused, her voice lowering slightly, tinged with embarrassment.

"My dad has been saying he wants to treat you to drinks so he can properly thank you."

"He just returned from the preparatory office in Liaodong today, so he should be free."

Li Fan turned his head and glanced at her.

Under the moonlight, a rare hint of gentleness appeared on Zhang Miaozhen's usually imposing face.

Her high ponytail hung down her back, with a few stray hairs clinging to her tanned neck.

Her dark blue outfit accentuated her curvaceous figure, highlighting her slender waist and full breasts, making her look like a taut bow.

Li Fan smiled, his tone casual:

"Alright, then I'll trouble General Zhang."

"I won't bother you."

A barely perceptible hint of joy flashed in Zhang Miaozhen's eyes as she turned and walked towards the carriage.

"Let's go."

……

Inside the carriage.

The carriage was small, and the two people sat facing each other.

Zhang Miaozhen was extremely tall, and when she sat down, there was nowhere to put her long legs, so she could only stretch them out at an angle.

The toes of the deerskin boots almost touched Li Fan's calves.

The dark blue outfit was stretched even tighter because of the sitting posture, and the muscle lines of the thighs were faintly visible through the thin fabric, making them look both strong and smooth.

With a slender waist and full breasts, she resembled a female leopard curled up in a cage, exuding a powerful and dangerous beauty.

Li Fan glanced at her legs for a moment, then quickly looked away.

Zhang Miaozhen seemed to sense something, her ears turned slightly red, but she quickly regained her composure.

She looked at Li Fan, her phoenix eyes filled with a serious and determined expression.

"Eunuch Gao, you have now investigated Cao Mo, investigated Zhou Wenyuan, and taken on the case of the Imperial Son-in-Law."

"I'm offending more and more people, and making more and more enemies."

"In the days to come, even more people will want you dead."

She paused, her voice lowering, and said, word by word:

"But don't worry, I will protect you."

"Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to step over my dead body first."

When she said this, there was no hesitation in her phoenix eyes; her gaze was clear and firm, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

Looking at her earnest face, Li Fan felt a warmth in his heart.

This woman, though a complete stranger to him, was willing to risk her life to protect him.

This friendship is far more valuable than any gold or jewels.

"Thank you, Miss Zhang."

He smiled, his tone sincere.

Zhang Miaozhen turned her face away and didn't say anything.

But the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her true feelings.

Not long after.

The carriage stopped in front of a mansion.

The house wasn't large, but it was kept clean and tidy.

Two lanterns hung high at the entrance, illuminating the area in front of the door.

Li Fan lifted the car curtain and was about to get out when he suddenly saw two people standing at the door.

The man in front was tall and burly, with broad shoulders and a thick waist; it was Zhang Xuan.

He was dressed casually today, with a slight smile on his face, clearly in a good mood.

And half a step behind him, there was another person following.

The man was pot-bellied, his round body wrapped in a green official robe, looking like a winter melon stuffed inside a garment.

He was about forty years old, with a ruddy complexion, a small mustache, and narrowed eyes that looked like the kind of person who had indulged in excessive drinking and womanizing.

He had a silver fish-shaped pouch hanging from his waist. It wasn't of high rank, but his arrogant demeanor made him look like a high-ranking official of the second rank.

Li Fan got off the carriage, and Zhang Xuan saw him at a glance and quickly walked up to him.

"Grandpa Gao!"

"It is truly an honor for my humble abode that you, sir, have come to visit! Please come in! Please come in!"

The portly official was taken aback when he saw a young man dressed as a eunuch getting off the carriage. Then he frowned slightly.

"General Zhang, who is this...?"

Zhang Xuan quickly introduced, "Master Huang, this is Eunuch Gao from the Eastern Depot."

Then he turned to Li Fan and introduced him:

"Eunuch Gao, this is Chief Clerk Huang from the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of preparing grain and supplies for Liaodong."

"This time, my task is to coordinate with him regarding the supply of provisions."

Upon hearing this, Manager Huang looked Li Fan up and down.

A eunuch?

He curled his lip slightly, a hint of undisguised contempt flashing in his eyes.

In his eyes, eunuchs were no different from palace servants.

However, having spent many years in officialdom, he didn't show it on his face, only nodding indifferently.

"Oh, it's Eunuch Gao. It's a pleasure to meet you."

His tone was polite, but his inherent arrogance was impossible to hide.

Li Fan glanced at him, but didn't pay any attention, simply smiling and cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.

"You're too kind, Manager Huang."

Zhang Miaozhen also got off the carriage, walked to her father's side, and whispered:

"Father, Grandpa Gao is coming to our house for dinner today."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuan laughed even more heartily.

"Great! Excellent! It's perfect that Manager Huang is here too, let's all eat together, it'll be so lively!"

"Come on, come on, stop standing there, let's go inside!"

The group filed in and entered the main hall.

The table was already set with food and drinks; although not particularly elaborate, the portions were generous.

Braised pork knuckle, steamed sea bass, poached chicken, braised beef... a whole table was piled high with food.

And this time.

Zhang Xuan's wife came out from the inner courtyard and bowed to everyone.

She was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with delicate features and a plump figure. She wore a plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and had a dignified and graceful demeanor.

"Please be seated, esteemed guests."

Zhang Xuan quickly invited everyone to sit down.

Li Fan was seated in the seat of honor, with Zhang Xuan sitting next to him and Manager Huang sitting opposite him.

Zhang Miaozhen sat quietly on the other side of Li Fan without saying a word.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Manager Huang's face grew increasingly red, and his voice grew louder and louder.

He held his wine glass, squinted his small eyes, and was already starting to sway unsteadily.

"General Zhang! Come, come! Drink! Have another cup!"

He held up his wine glass and staggered toward Zhang Xuan.

"We're having such a good time today, let's drink until we drop!"

Zhang Xuan smiled, took the wine glass, clinked it with his, and drank it all in one gulp.

After finishing his drink, Manager Huang let out a burp, and his eyes began to glaze over.

He turned around unsteadily, and suddenly his gaze fell on Madam Zhang Xuan.

A lewd glint flashed in those small eyes.

"Oh, General Zhang, your wife... is quite beautiful..."

His voice was slurred and reeked of alcohol, and his gaze swept over Madam Zhang Xuan from head to toe.