Ah Da stood there with a gloomy face, his expression full of resentment towards Li Da Kui.

He made a move as if he was about to continue attacking.

Upon seeing this, the audience below the stage immediately shouted loudly.

"The people of the Northern Region are indeed barbaric and rude. They want to go back on the rules they set. They are truly shameless."

"If you dare to set up a challenge, you must dare to lose. Now you don't even have the courage to lose?"

"If you ask me, the people of the Northern Region are just cowardly youngsters who can only bully those who are powerless."

"If he dares to lay a hand on anyone again, we will not let him off easily. We will risk our lives to protect this hero!"

...

The crowd was immediately agitated.

The audience didn't understand anything else; they only knew that after being frustrated for two days, they finally got to see someone go on stage and gain a tiny advantage over Ah Da.

And they successfully stalled for a quarter of an hour, which, according to the rules, meant they had already won.

After losing dozens of matches in a row, such a victory is all the more precious.

Ah Da stood there, unsure of what to do.

"Since we set the rules, we can't go back on them. Shopkeeper, give this man his money."

A calm and unperturbed voice suddenly came from the crowd behind them; it was a woman.

People immediately turned their heads to look, trying to find the person.

Tang Huan immediately narrowed her eyes.

Gongyang, listen to the narration!

Indeed, since Ah Da has set up this arena, Gongyang Tingbai has no reason not to join in the fun, after all, she was the one who orchestrated this behind the scenes.

Soon, people saw a woman wearing a small leather jacket stand up.

Even though it was almost winter, she was only wearing a leather skirt on her lower body, her long legs exposed to the cold wind.

Unlike the people of Daqing, their brown skin possesses a captivating beauty.

The shopkeeper who was banging the gong immediately ran towards Li Daikui, took out a stack of silver notes from his body, counted them carefully several times, and finally handed them to Li Daikui.

Ah Da witnessed everything and finally gave Li Da Kui a cold look, "This competition is not over yet. You will lose badly next time."

Li Da Kui was happy to have received the money, but he didn't hesitate to respond to A Da's provocation, saying, "Do you think I'm stupid? I won't fight you next time. I don't have the leisure to spar with you."

After saying that, Li Daikui jumped off the stage and proudly stretched out a hand to Tang Huan.

Tang Huan naturally wouldn't go back on his word. He gestured to Xue'e, and Li Daikui then received another thousand taels of silver from Tang Huan.

Immediately afterwards, the people surrounded Li Daikui, asking questions and praising him all at once.

This situation left Li Daikui somewhat overwhelmed, and a helpless expression appeared on his face as he frequently sent pleading looks to Tang Huan.

However, Tang Huan ignored it.

Because he saw Gongyang Tingbai walking towards this direction.

"Greetings, Your Excellencies, and Prime Minister Cui." Gongyang Tingbai greeted the ministers first, then turned to Tang Huan, "Lord Tang, why haven't you come to see me at the inn these past few days? I've been waiting for you."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces darkened.

Do these two know each other?

Tang Huan clicked his tongue and said, "In these extraordinary times, it's not appropriate for me, the magistrate of Daqing County, to get too close to you, the princess of the Northern Region. Otherwise, if people find out, they'll say I'm a traitorous lackey of Daqing."

Gongyang was amused by Bai's words and burst into unrestrained laughter.

But the ministers' expressions worsened. From Tang Huan's words, they learned the identity of the beautiful woman before them: she was not only from the Northern Region, but also the princess of the Northern Region.

How did she suddenly end up in Daqing?

What was the princess's purpose in setting up a fighting arena in Daqing, the capital city?

The crowd was filled with mixed emotions, and they faced Gongyang Tingbai with hostility.

Tang Huan was unwilling to get involved in these matters any further. After saying goodbye, she hurriedly left with Xue'e, ignoring Gongyang Tingbai and the others' attempts to persuade her to stay.

Even Li Daikui, who was trapped in the crowd, was not rescued; he was left to perform miracles in front of the people.

"My lord, aren't we waiting for Da Kui?"

"What are you waiting for him to do? Back in Qihuai County, didn't he love to put on airs in front of everyone? Now he's a hero in Daqing, and he'll be praised for half a month. That's a good thing."

Xue'e nodded, then asked with some concern, "What do you think is the princess's purpose in coming to Daqing this time, my lord?"

"You're asking me? How would I know?"

It's just fortunate that Qin Yuyang seems to have been barred from returning to the capital after leaving, due to martial law. Otherwise, if she had met with Gongyang Tingbai, the two of them together might have caused quite a stir.

The Northern Regions and the Great Qin had secretly cooperated in the past, and both sides harbored great resentment towards the Empress. It would be difficult to guard against a move made behind her back.

After the two had eaten and drunk their fill at a restaurant, they returned to their residence.

Tang Huan began her afternoon nap as usual, and before going to sleep, she instructed Xue'e, "Wake me up around three o'clock in the afternoon."

"It's like the sun has risen in the west! Why did you have to be woken up today, sir?"

You should know that Tang Huan used to hate being disturbed when she was sleeping or exercising. Anyone who disturbed her would be given the cold shoulder and verbal abuse for at least half a month.

"With such a big event happening today, the princess's identity can no longer be kept secret. She will definitely have to go to the palace to see the Empress. I've at least made her look good, so I'll ask for some benefits."

Within just one noon, news of the Northern People's first defeat on the arena spread.

Whether it was someone deliberately stirring things up in secret, or the public's high level of interest in the matter, the news spread like wildfire, and before lunchtime was over, it had become the most talked-about topic in the capital.

As for Li Daikui, he was taken away to some unknown place long ago, and he himself received the reward money, but he has not been seen since.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!