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

Xiao Ningxiang lowered her head, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't say anything.

She knew her father was telling the truth; the King of Wei was indeed the most likely person to inherit the throne.

From the perspective of "interests," the father's judgment was not wrong.

But she always felt uneasy.

An inexplicable unease.

"Father, you know how Consort Xie is."

"It is no ordinary person that she was able to rise from a lowly concubine to a Noble Consort in just three years."

"Once she finds out that the Xiao family betrayed her, I'm afraid she won't let us off easily."

"Will the King of Wei be able to protect the Xiao family then?"

Xiao Zhengchun's expression changed slightly.

He certainly knew how formidable Consort Xie was.

No woman who could survive in the cannibalistic environment of the imperial harem was a kind soul.

Not to mention that Consort Xie not only survived, but also rose to the position of Consort.

But then he thought about it again and felt relieved.

"Alright, alright, daughter, don't overthink it."

"No matter how powerful Consort Xie is, she is still just a woman in the harem."

"Once the King of Wei ascends the throne, what trouble can she possibly cause?"

"Furthermore, after we formed a marriage alliance with the Prince of Wei, the Xiao family's power will only increase."

"By then, even if Consort Xie wanted to cause us trouble, she would have to think twice."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Looking at her father's confident face, Xiao Ningxiang felt even more uneasy.

But she knew she couldn't disobey her father's orders.

From childhood to adulthood, she never went against her father's wishes.

This is the tragedy of the eldest daughter of a large family.

Her marriage was never something she could decide for herself.

Her fate was never something she could control.

From the day she was born, she was a pawn in the Xiao family's game.

Where to use it and how to use it are entirely beyond her control.

"Yes, Father."

Xiao Zhengchun nodded in satisfaction, then turned to leave...

"Master! Master!"

A middle-aged man who looked like a butler hurriedly pushed open the door and entered, his face pale and his forehead covered in sweat.

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"

Xiao Zhengchun frowned, his tone displeased.

The butler bent over and lowered his voice:

"My lord, someone from Consort Xie's side has arrived and says they wish to see you."

Xiao Zhengchun and Xiao Ningxiang's expressions changed simultaneously.

Someone associated with Consort Xie?

Xiao Zhengchun's brows furrowed even more, his mind racing.

Consort Xie's people just happened to appear at the very moment when Prince Wei came to propose marriage...

coincidence?

impossible.

How many men did he bring?

The butler's face turned even paler, and his voice trembled:

"Reporting to your master, he brought... he brought a large number of agents from the Eastern Depot."

"Forty or fifty men, all carrying knives, were blocking our doorway."

"The leader was a young eunuch, dressed in official robes, with a gilded token hanging from his waist."

Xiao Zhengchun's expression changed completely.

Eastern Depot agents?

Blocking the doorway with a knife slung over his shoulder?

He slapped his thigh and blurted out:

"Gao Jin!"

"It must be Gao Jin! He's Consort Xie's newest favorite, the newly appointed head eunuch of the Eastern Depot!"

There was a hint of barely perceptible panic in his voice.

The name Gao Jin has recently become a household name in Beijing.

They killed Cao Mo, captured Zhou Wenyuan, stormed Princess Jincheng's residence, and took the prince consort.

The entire capital was abuzz with talk about this audacious little eunuch.

Xiao Zhengchun never expected that this person would actually come to his door.

And at this critical juncture.

"What's he doing here?"

The butler shook his head: "He didn't say, he only said he wanted to see you."

Xiao Zhengchun's face turned pale and then red.

"Just tell him I'm busy today and ask him to come another day."

"Yes."

The butler turned to leave.

"etc!"

Xiao Zhengchun suddenly called out to him again.

He realized an even more serious problem: the King of Wei was about to arrive.

If the Prince of Wei's carriage arrived at the Xiao residence and saw the Eastern Depot's men blocking the way...

What will happen?

The King of Wei will surely become suspicious.

Then this marriage will probably fall through.

"No, we can't let the King of Wei see them."

"Quickly, invite him in. I want to see what he has to say to me."

"Also, tell the Eastern Depot agents at the gate to disperse quickly and not block the way."

The butler nodded repeatedly, then turned and ran out.

Xiao Ningxiang stood to the side, her expression also not very good.

"Father, I'm afraid Consort Xie already knows that we've come to interrogate you."

Xiao Zhengchun's face darkened further.

How could he not know?

The fact that Consort Xie's people appeared at the exact moment when Prince Wei came to propose marriage clearly indicated that they had ill intentions.

But now he has no way out.

The plan to arrange a marriage alliance with the King of Wei has already been finalized.

If you go back on your word at this point, you will offend the King of Wei.

By then, the Xiao family will be caught in the middle.

"At this point, there is no turning back."

"Let them punish us then; at worst, we'll break ties with Consort Xie."

"Anyway, with the King of Wei backing us up, she wouldn't dare to do anything to us."

When he said this, his tone carried a hint of resolute determination, like a warrior cutting off his own arm.

Looking at her father's feigned composure, Xiao Ningxiang felt even more uneasy.

"Father, I'd better go with you."

Xiao Zhengchun glanced at her, wanting to refuse, but ultimately nodded.

"Alright, let's go."

……

The main hall of the Xiao residence.

Li Fan stood in the center of the hall with his hands behind his back, looking around at the furnishings.

The main hall wasn't large, but it was decorated elegantly and tastefully.

The tables and chairs are made of rosewood, the vases are made of blue and white porcelain, and a landscape painting hangs on the wall; they are clearly very valuable.

In the courtyard outside the hall, forty or fifty agents of the Eastern Depot stood in two rows, dressed in brown shirts with embroidered spring knives, exuding a menacing aura.

The servants and attendants of the Xiao family huddled under the eaves, their faces pale, not daring to utter a sound.

When the people from the Eastern Depot come to your door, it's no laughing matter.

next moment.

Xiao Zhengchun strode into the main hall, followed by Xiao Ningxiang.

"Eunuch Gao, I have long admired your name. Meeting you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."

His tone was polite, but the wariness and unease in his eyes were impossible to hide.

Li Fan turned around and glanced at him.

Then, his gaze fell on Xiao Ningxiang, who was behind Xiao Zhengchun.

Those eyes paused slightly.

What a beautiful woman.

She was eighteen or nineteen years old, with almond-shaped eyes that were moist, skin as white as snow, and lips as red as painted cinnabar.

The light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure.

She had a slender waist, a full chest, and the gold hairpin in her hair swayed gently with her steps, the tassels making a soft rustling sound.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at Li Fan, her eyelashes trembling slightly, like two startled butterflies.

But in just a moment, Li Fan withdrew his gaze.

"Lord Xiao."

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"I apologize for the intrusion and disturbance of your visit today."

Xiao Zhengchun laughed twice and waved his hand.

"You're too kind, Eunuch Gao. Please have a seat."