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

Xiao Zhengchun trembled all over when he heard this.

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

And this time.

Du Jiang was the first to step forward.

His face was ashen, and his mustache trembled with anger.

"Xiao Zhengchun! Explain yourself! What exactly did you promise His Highness Prince Wei?"

"You clearly said you were going to marry your daughter to His Highness, and you even spread the news!"

"Now, you're suddenly changing your mind and saying you don't want to get married?"

"Where do you put His Highness Prince Wei's dignity?"

He grew angrier as he spoke, his voice rising several decibels, spittle flying everywhere.

Xiao Zhengchun was so scolded that he had to back away repeatedly, his back hitting the door frame, leaving him with nowhere to retreat.

"Du...Master Du...Xiaguan...Xiaguan..."

Du Jiang sneered, "Xiao Zhengchun, what else do you have to say?"

What could Siu Cheng-chun say?

Did Consort Xie send someone to threaten him?

Is it said that the Eastern Depot holds evidence of the Xiao family's crimes?

He dared not say it.

To say it out loud would be to offend Consort Xie to death.

If I don't speak out, I'll be cursed to death by these people.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, either way leads to certain death.

"Alright, alright, Lord Du, stop scolding."

A gentle voice came from the side.

The King of Wei stepped out from the crowd, reached out and patted Du Jiang on the shoulder, his tone amiable:

"Lord Du, perhaps Lord Xiao has some unavoidable difficulties. Let's not make things difficult for him."

His voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, and he wore a "considerate" smile.

"We should respect Lord Xiao's decision. Although I am very sorry, marriage is a serious matter and cannot be forced."

As he said this, a barely perceptible hint of smugness flashed in his eyes.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

Let Du Jiang and the others go and curse Xiao Zhengchun, and make him suffer a terrible fate.

Then he would come out and play the good guy, speaking up for Xiao Zhengchun.

In this way, Xiao Zhengchun would feel grateful and guilty towards himself.

There will be a chance to bring him back.

This is the true art of imperial strategy.

Upon hearing the words of the Prince of Wei, Xiao Zhengchun felt an indescribable surge of emotion and guilt.

His Highness Prince Wei is such a good person.

Even after being slapped in the face, they can still speak up for themselves.

Then look at those ministers surrounding him and cursing him; they were all forced into it by Consort Xie.

If it weren't for that vile woman, I would have been married to the King of Wei long ago. How could I have ended up like this?

Xiao Zhengchun's hatred for Li Fan and Consort Xie deepened even further.

But Du Jiang and his group did not give up easily.

He was the Minister of Works, a high-ranking official of the imperial court, holding the rank of second grade.

He came in person to support the King of Wei, only to be publicly humiliated.

He couldn't swallow this insult.

"Xiao Zhengchun, listen up!"

"I will remember what happened today."

"If your Xiao family encounters any trouble in the court in the future, don't come looking for me."

"Even if you come to me, I won't help you."

Other ministers also gathered around, each offering their own criticisms, thoroughly humiliating Xiao Zhengchun.

"Xiao Zhengchun, you are a despicable man who breaks his word!"

"Your Xiao family has utterly lost face today!"

"How will your Xiao family maintain its standing in the court after this? Who will dare to associate with you?"

"Someone like you, who goes back on his word, deserves to be a lowly fifth-rank official for life..."

Every word was like a knife stabbing into Xiao Zhengchun's heart.

He was a fifth-rank physician, and compared to these people, he was indeed no match.

Any one of them is several levels higher than him.

Moreover, these people are all backed by powerful and influential families with deeply entrenched power.

Xiao Zhengchun is someone you simply cannot afford to offend.

He could only lower his head and silently endure the scolding, his teeth grinding together, but he dared not utter a single word in response.

"That's enough!"

A light, airy voice suddenly came from outside the crowd.

Not big, not in a hurry, not angry.

But it's like a knife, cutting through all the noise with a single stroke.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Li Fan stood with his hands behind his back ten steps away, his expression calm.

"It's Li Fan!"

The ministers' expressions changed.

They never expected that this dog of a eunuch would be here!

Could it be that Xiao Zhengchun's change of heart is related to him?

Must be!

That bastard, why is he ruining King Wei's plans again?!

Li Fan glanced at the ministers who were surrounding Xiao Zhengchun and cursing him.

"My lords, what is the meaning of your actions in surrounding and verbally abusing this official?"

"Even if you are officials, shouldn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Du Jiang's face darkened.

He turned his head and looked at Li Fan, his eyes filled with undisguised disgust.

"Eunuch Gao, this is none of your business."

"This is a matter between us and Lord Xiao; it's none of your business as a eunuch."

Li Fan looked at his disdainful expression but did not get angry.

He simply smiled slightly, and then spoke:

"Lord Du, Article 317 of the Great Chu Law clearly stipulates..."

"Anyone who insults an official appointed by the imperial court without cause shall be punished with sixty strokes of the cane and a one-year salary deduction."

"Those who commit serious offenses shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane and demoted three ranks."

"Those who gather to hurl insults shall have their ringleaders flogged one hundred times and be exiled three thousand li away."

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, as if he were reciting a text.

"My lords, a dozen of you have surrounded a fifth-rank official of the imperial court, publicly hurling insults and vicious words at him..."

"This constitutes the crime of gathering a crowd to hurl insults."

After he finished speaking, he stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips.

"My lords, do you know your crimes?"

The words fell.

The entire room fell silent for a moment.

then……

"Hahahaha!"

Du Jiang was the first to laugh.

The laughter was sharp and piercing, carrying an undisguised sarcasm and disdain.

"Eunuch Gao, are you reciting the law to me?"

He laughed so hard he almost fell over, and tears were welling up in his eyes.

"The Great Chu Law? You, a eunuch, dare to lecture me on the Great Wei Law?"

"You think you can intimidate us just because you've memorized a few laws?"

He turned to face the other ministers, his voice rising a few decibels:

"Ladies and gentlemen, listen to this! This eunuch Gao is going to use the law to punish us!"

The ministers also laughed, feeling emboldened, and began to mock them all at once:

"Grandpa Gao, are you out of your mind?"

"We said a few words to Siu Cheng-chun, and you're going to arrest us?"

"Do you have that ability?"

"Go ahead and arrest me if you dare! Come on!"

"If you dare to lay a finger on us today, we'll jointly petition you tomorrow to accuse you of overstepping your authority and abusing your power!"

"At that point, not even Consort Xie, let alone a mere eunuch, could save you!"

The jeers rose and fell, each one more arrogant than the last.

In their view, Li Fan was just bluffing.

Who are they?

Minister of Works, Vice Minister of Revenue, Vice Minister of War, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review...

Each of them was an important official in the imperial court, and each of them had powerful families backing them up.

How could a mere Eastern Depot commander possibly capture them?

That's an absolute joke!