Fantasy: After transmigrating, I effortlessly became a god.

After He Zuowen and Zheng Qian parted ways, He bought some gifts and secretly visited several officials. He learned that the emperor had not attended court for five months and that Luchang County had been occupied by the Red Turban Army. He had mentioned this at court, and after the eldest and fourth princes made some sarcastic remarks, the matter was dropped.

In conclusion, He Zuowen didn't need to report anything to the Emperor, nor did he need to see him, because he simply couldn't. With the help of two colleagues, he finally entered the palace and found his daughter, He Ruoyun, the Noble Lady Yun.

"Your subject pays respects to Consort Yun."

"Oh dear, Father, get up quickly. There are no outsiders here, why are you kneeling?"

Upon meeting, He Zuowen knelt on one knee and bowed, and He Ruoyun hurriedly helped him up.

He Ruoyun was sweet and lovely, with two dimples when she smiled—a typical Lolita beauty. Naturally beautiful and exceptionally intelligent, she was deeply loved by her father from a young age. However, fate played a cruel trick on her; she was ultimately chosen to enter the palace as a maid. Only after the Fourth Prince intervened and she gained access to the Emperor, giving birth to a prince, was she finally granted the title of Noble Lady.

Despite her noble status, life in the palace was not as idyllic as she had imagined. The strict rules and cold interpersonal relationships within the palace made her feel deeply lonely and helpless.

A year ago, upon learning that his daughter had given birth to a prince and been granted the title of Noble Lady, He Zuowen felt both joy and worry. He was happy that his daughter finally had someone to rely on, but worried about the dangers and complexities of the palace. He knew that as a county magistrate, he couldn't offer his daughter much help, so he worked hard in his career, hoping to rise in rank and become her support.

Unfortunately, the women in the inner palace cannot participate in court affairs. Consort Yun wanted to ask the emperor to promote He Wen to a civil official position several times, but she did not dare to speak up because the fourth prince had warned her that the emperor might agree if he was happy, but she would lose her position if he was not.

After careful consideration, Consort Yun decided to follow the advice of the Fourth Prince and make friends in the palace. She did not mention her father's official position at all, so He Zuowen remained the magistrate of Lvchang County and did not take any further steps forward.

He Zuowen gave his daughter a wink, and He Ruoyun said to the palace maids beside her, "All of you, step back."

"Yes, Noble Lady Yun."

After the palace maid left, He Zuowen slowly said, "Noble Lady Yun, I have come here for two reasons. First, I wish to visit you and the prince. Second, since Lüchang County has been occupied by the Red Turban Army, I would like to see the Fourth Prince."

He Ruoyun looked troubled. "Father, the Fourth Prince is very busy lately. It's not something you can see whenever you want. You should stay in Yan City for now, and I'll arrange for you to see the Fourth Prince."

"By the way, I remember the Changwu Army only had a strength of 3,000, while the Red Turban Army had 150,000. How did you manage to hold out for three days and then break through the encirclement?"

With a smile on his face, He Zuowen said, "I have to thank Zheng Qian for this."

"Zheng Qian?"

"Yes, that's your Uncle Zheng Le's second son. He's really something."

He Ruoyun's eyes lit up. "Zheng Qian is very capable? Where is he now?"

"It's in Yancheng, at the Ruilai Inn."

He Zuowen was also very happy. He and Zheng Le were good friends, even close friends. He Ruoyun and Zheng Qian also had a good relationship. Both of them were happy when they talked about Zheng Qian.

He never imagined that He Ruoyun and Zheng Qian had secretly pledged their lives to each other. If he hadn't been focused on his career and sent He Ruoyun to the palace, Zheng Qian would have come to his house to propose marriage and call him "father-in-law."

He Ruoyun was very interested in Zheng Qian's affairs and kept pulling He Zuowen to ask him to tell her about Zheng Qian's affairs in the past two years.

Helpless, He Zuowen could only start from what happened after He Ruoyun left. Zheng Qian's personality changed drastically. He stopped eating and drinking, and then searched the world for Zheng Le. He became decadent, addicted to gambling and drinking. If it weren't for He Zuowen's intervention, Zheng Qian would not have survived if he hadn't urinated in front of Zhu Zhi's house.

"It's a pity that he still hasn't found a woman he likes and hasn't gotten married. When he meets your Uncle Zheng Le, I don't know how to explain it. I'm sorry that I didn't do a good job as his uncle."

"Oh dear, Father, why are you talking about this? What happened next? How did Zheng Qian defeat Li Weihu?" He Ruoyun was secretly delighted. She hadn't expected that Zheng Qian hadn't let go of her and still wasn't married.

My charm is just that great.

He Zuowen laughed and continued, "Later, he killed Li Weihu in three moves and destroyed the Biqiangmen, one of the three major forces in Lvchang County. When he was defending the city, he was called the God of Killing at the North Gate by the Red Turban Army. He was really powerful."

"I knew it, Brother Zheng Qian is the most amazing."

When He Zuowen heard He Ruoyun affectionately call Zheng Qian "brother", he hurriedly said, "Consort Yun, be careful what you say. You can't call him 'brother' now. Your status is not what it used to be. Be careful that someone with ulterior motives doesn't overhear you."

"Oh, I know, Father." He Ruoyun said coquettishly. Today was the happiest day she had had in the two years since she entered the palace.

The father and daughter chatted until dark. Just as the palace gates were about to close, He Zuowen had no choice but to leave. He was not qualified to stay overnight in the palace, much less in the inner palace.

After seeing He Zuowen off, He Ruoyun began to make her plans; she wanted to see the Fourth Prince.

Outside the palace, Zheng Qian walked alone on the street, indulging in all sorts of snacks, his mood as refreshing as the evening breeze. Beautiful women lined the streets, and babbling brooks flowed gently on either side; the air was sweet with the scent of water and the beauty of the people.

Zheng Qian casually walked into an inn and found a seat by the window. "Waiter, a pot of the best tea and some snacks."

"Alright, please wait a moment, sir, it'll be right there."

The shopkeeper was quick; before he had even finished speaking, a pot of tea and three plates of delicate desserts were served.

The tea is dark red in color and has a unique earthy aroma when you drink it, which is completely different from the light fragrance of Luchang tea. This tea should be a terrace tea rather than an ancient tree tea.

After drinking the second pot, a young man went upstairs, sat directly opposite Zheng Qian, poured himself a cup of tea, and began to drink it.

"It's bad luck for people to leave and for tea to cool off. Inspector Zheng, could you have a drink with Mr. Wu?"

"If Mr. Wu is interested, I, Zheng, will certainly accompany him to the end."

After Zheng Qian finished speaking, he shouted to the errand boy, "Waiter, ten catties of liquor, ten catties of beef, and seven other dishes. Serve them quickly."

The visitor was none other than Mr. Wu, the mysterious expert who served Magistrate He.

At this moment, Mr. Wu had removed his hood, revealing his handsome face, with a trace of worry on his brow.

When the liquor was served, Mr. Wu poured a bowl for Zheng Qian, then poured one for himself, raised his glass to clink with Zheng Qian's, and drank it all in one gulp.

Holding the wine jar, Mr. Wu continued pouring wine, clinked glasses with Zheng Qian, and downed it in one gulp, then repeated the same action.

The ten jin were quickly finished, and Zheng Qian ordered another ten jin, while Mr. Wu continued to drink alone.

The two drank until late at night, and the innkeeper came to urge them to close up shop. Zheng Qian took out one tael of silver, and the innkeeper happily served more food and wine.

One tael of silver is the price of an ox! This tip is very generous; it's worth staying up all night.

Mr. Wu was so drunk that his tongue was practically slurred, but he finally spoke slowly: "Northern Gate Killer, are you interested in pursuing a career in the shadows?"