I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 72 Dispute over Inheritance
Xue Xiang held Liu Mei tightly and whispered, "This is not just a piece of jade, it is clearly a priceless treasure."

"Don't let go yet."

Liu Mei gently patted Xue Xiang's forehead with a spatula, then blushed and got up. "What are we having for dinner? There's nothing in the kitchen. I only brought noodles and eggs."

"Let's fry some egg sauce and mix it with noodles."

Xue Xiang perked up, "There are scallions and garlic sprouts in the backyard, I'll go pick a few."

As Xue Xiang returned to the front yard with a handful of scallions and garlic sprouts, there was another knock on the gate.

When the door was opened, Wang Anshi was standing outside, carrying four kinds of pastries.

"Chief Xue has just settled down, and I shouldn't be bothering you, but recently, the Eleventh Office has been very busy with various matters, and I can't leave without coming."

Wang Anshi bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Let's talk about it outside; things aren't settled at home yet."

Xue Xiang called out to Liu Mei, went outside, and closed the door behind him.

There is also a lake in front of the gate, and two old willows are growing luxuriantly. The two stone benches under the trees are worn smooth as mirrors.

Xue Xiang pointed to that spot, and the two sat down.

Wang Anshi got straight to the point, "I came here to talk to the section chief about the subletting of those shops at the ferry crossing. We're out of money and can't pay salaries."

Right now, the only thing we can do is rent out those shops as soon as possible.

"Wasn't it said that the special headquarters would have a cordon?"

"Shops at the ferry crossing are in a good location, and the price is higher when rented out as a package, with more room for negotiation."

The warning line may be set for three days, five days, or ten days, but it will not be set up indefinitely.

"As long as we rent it out, we're sure to find a place, and the price will definitely be higher than before."

"So, you've already found someone else?"

"That's right, Wanghai Trading Company is willing to lease the property."

"I've heard of the Wanghai Trading Company, a business of the Kaishan Sect, and its leader, Ding Chunxia."

"No other choice? You always have to compare prices."

"To be honest, no one dares to compete with Ding Chunxia."

“This Sect Leader Ding is quite capable. I understand. You go ahead and make your move, I'll also be making plans.”

"Very good, very good. The section chief is quick-witted and decisive. I admire him."

Wang Anshi stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "This humble official will not disturb the head of the household's rest any longer. Farewell."

With that, he put down the gift and strode away.

When Xue Xiang arrived home with the gifts, Liu Mei was just coming out of the kitchen carrying two bowls of noodles.

Xue Xiang pointed to the stone table in the courtyard, and Liu Mei brought the noodles over.

Bathed in the soft moonlight and a gentle breeze, Xue Xiang slurped up large mouthfuls of noodles.

After finishing a fragrant bowl of egg noodles and washing up, I returned to my room and completed the necessary ritual of guiding the spirit into my body.

Afterwards, by the light of the oil lamp, he picked up a book called "The Collection of Strange Cases" on the bed.

Although he had already cultivated the Mysterious Night Eyes, Xue Xiang still preferred the feeling of reading under the lamp.

The book was something he had asked Xun Sizhou to find in advance.

There are more than a hundred similar books, all related to criminal cases and detective work.

He is a good comrade who sings whatever song he sings on whatever mountain he is on, and who loves what he does and is dedicated to it.

In just half an hour, he had finished reading more than twenty books and was now closing his eyes to digest their contents.

There were two knocks, and the door opened.

"Enter!"

The door opened, and Liu Mei came in. "Would you like some water? I added honey."

She was wearing a thin nightgown, which, though loose, couldn't hide the voluptuous curves of her body.

"What do you want me to ask you?"

Liu Mei shook the water glass in her hand.

No, I won't drink it.

Xue Xiang forced his eyes away from the mountains and hills.

Liu Mei turned and left.

Forcibly suppressing his lustful thoughts, Xue Xiang finally calmed himself down after a long period of turmoil.

He picked up another copy of "The Corpse's Tale" and started reading when there was another knock on the door.

"Enter."

Liu Mei came in and asked, "Have you soaked your feet?"

This time, she changed into a larger, looser robe.

"You've had your soak. You've had a busy day, so get some rest."

Xue Xiang yawned.

Liu Mei said "Oh" and went out again.

After finishing two more books, drowsiness overcame him. Xue Xiang put down the books, blew out the lamp, and lay down. In his hazy state, there was another knock on the door.

Xue Xiang sat up abruptly, and Liu Mei walked in carrying a bowl of boiled eggs. "I see you didn't eat enough tonight, so you probably won't sleep well. How about you have something to eat?"

Xue Xiang lit the oil lamp and stared blankly at Liu Mei. "Is it because you're afraid to sleep alone in another place?"

"Ah."

The sound is like a mosquito.

"How about together?"

Xue Xiang lifted the blanket.

"Lang Jun!"

Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, her face flushed.

"Then you sleep on the bed, and I'll sit here all night?"

"No need."

Liu Mei put down the boiled eggs, turned around, and dragged a bed inside.

The bed was laid out on a wooden board, the mattress was neatly arranged, the pillows were placed, and the quilt was spread out with the corners folded.

Xue Xiang was dumbfounded.

"Time to sleep."

Liu Mei smiled sweetly, burrowed into the blankets, and stopped moving.

"Sister Mei."

Liu Mei remained silent.

"You couldn't possibly fall asleep that quickly."

Willow-browed eyebrows did not respond.

"Hey, you just..."

Xue Xiang realized that he would never wake someone who was pretending to be asleep.

He reluctantly ate the boiled eggs, lay down awkwardly, and drifted off to sleep in a daze.

As expected, the old man Han Gu appeared in his dream again, babbling something to him, but he couldn't hear a word he said.

When he woke up again, he rubbed his groggy head. There was no trace of Liu Mei in the room, not even the makeshift bed on the floor.

When he went out, Liu Mei was watering the yard, and breakfast was covered with a gauze net on the table in the main room.

Four steamed buns, a bowl of rice porridge, and a dish of pickled vegetables.

Upon seeing Xue Xiang come out, Liu Mei blushed and went to the kitchen.

Xue Xiang couldn't help but smile, stopped teasing her, grabbed four steamed buns, went out into the backyard, boarded the boat, and left.

Xue Xiang had just settled into his office when Chen Jun, the chief clerk, came over with a worried look on his face.

"Director Xue, you should go to the First Office immediately, something terrible has happened."

"what happened?"

"Two families were fighting over property. Captain Tong ruled in their favor, but one side was dissatisfied, and the two families started arguing. They almost came to blows in court at the public office, attracting a huge crowd of onlookers..."

Where is Wang Anshi?

"Chief Wang has gone to the headquarters to handle the military pay case."

Xue Xiang was speechless at first, then overjoyed. A case and some excitement meant there was something to gain.

Half an incense stick later, he rushed to a public office, the eleventh branch office of the dispatch agency.

Such an overseas deployment organization has three squadrons, each occupying one.

It serves as both an institution for citizens to report and handle cases and an arbitration unit for various disputes and civil cases.

When Xue Xiang arrived, a huge crowd of people had gathered outside the public office.

Thanks to the vigorous shouts and commands of the chief clerk, Mr. Chen, and two other clerks, he managed to carve out a path and squeeze into the public office.

Inside a bright hall spanning 100 square meters, more than ten police officers and a group of agitated people faced off.

The other group looked relaxed, as if watching a joke.

"How could such a small matter have bothered you, Director Xue? It must be Old Chen's big mouth."

Tong Sheng calmly cupped his hands in greeting, "Director Xue, please return. I can handle this."

"Room leader, you're the new room leader."

A middle-aged man in a red robe suddenly slid to his knees and rushed forward, crying out, "Chief, you must do justice for me! They've colluded to seize my ancestral property..."

"Zhao Fengju!"

Tong Sheng roared, "If you dare to slander me again, I will not let you off lightly!"

"What I've said about you is exactly what I've said. If you have nothing to hide, why wouldn't you sign the document and hand it to me?"

After saying this, Zhao Fengju hugged Xue Xiang's heels and started crying again.

The onlookers also seized the opportunity to stir up trouble, and public opinion immediately surged.

　Thank you all for your valuable feedback. The book title will be changed back to the old one on Monday.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)