South District.

After Tang Huan and Qin Yuyang met with the people in the rescue dormitory, they left the place.

Although the dormitory environment was not good, with many people crammed into one place, the air was filled with the smells of sweat and feet.

In addition, charcoal was scarce, and people were reluctant to burn it continuously, so the dormitory was a little cold.

But compared to previous years, it's much better.

"Thank you."

Qin Yuyang sincerely thanked Tang Huan.

This was because there were several Qin Dynasty survivors in the dormitory the two had just visited. Qin Yuyang learned from Xue Qi that some of them had infiltrated the workers, so he came to check on them tonight.

In addition, she also planned to take the opportunity to check out the dormitory environment. If there were no problems, she decided to gather all the Qin Dynasty survivors who were away and help Tang Huan build the South District after the spring.

This was something that had been agreed upon beforehand: the remnants of the Qin Dynasty would help Tang Huan with whatever he could, and in return, he would provide them with shelter.

As it turns out, Qin Yuyang's choice was correct.

Qihuai County is good enough to provide a good enough life for its people.

The environment of the rescue dormitory was not bad, which means that Tang Huan did not do superficial work, but was actually working hard to seek benefits for the people.

"No need to thank me, we're just doing a transaction. Helping you is also helping myself."

"Helping yourself?" Qin Yuyang didn't understand how his act of protecting the remnants of the Qin Dynasty could be considered helping himself. On the contrary, this behavior contained great danger.

Once discovered, even if the Empress admires him, under immense pressure, she will not be able to keep him in the capital.

After all, sheltering the survivors was already a huge sin.

Tang Huan didn't explain, she just smiled and remained silent.

He admired Wu Lanxi, believing that this empress was capable and willing to consider the people's well-being, and could be considered a wise ruler.

Therefore, Tang Huan was willing to help the other party.

But this doesn't mean Tang Huan should put all her eggs in one basket.

Just as he did business with the Empress before entering the capital, he also did business with Cui Yuanzhao and Wang Jingze, hoping that one day some blind people would use this matter to attack him, and he could use these people to divert attention.

He sheltered the remnants of the Qin dynasty for his own benefit.

If Wu Lanxi gradually grows up and restores Daqing's glory, allowing the people below to live a better life, then everything will be peaceful.

However, if Wu Lanxi were to suddenly change her mind one day and be blinded by power, Tang Huan would not mind supporting the remnants of the Qin Dynasty to rise again.

In short, Tang Huan did not want his future to be tied to any one person; he had to keep everything firmly in his own hands.

The snow started falling again.

Snowflakes gradually accumulated on the long street.

Qin Yuyang tugged at his clothes to cover his collar and avoid the cold wind.

Seeing Tang Huan's relaxed and carefree appearance beside her, she couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so relaxed?"

"Why can't I relax?" Tang Huan countered.

"Tonight, Cui Renshi has invited Wang Tianze and Gongshan Liqun to meet. Aren't you curious about what the three of them will talk about?"

Everything that happened in Wanfu Village had already been relayed to Tang Huan by Wan Xin, and Qin Yuyang also learned about it.

However, Qin Yuyang, as a princess of the Great Qin, valued it highly, while Tang Huan seemed indifferent.

"I'm just a lowly county magistrate. They have a prime minister, a minister, and the leader of the Northern Region delegation, who is also the military god of the Northern Region. What can I do if I know what they're plotting?"

Let alone myself, even if the Empress knew about this, she probably couldn't do anything about it. Could she possibly punish the Prime Minister and the Minister at this critical juncture?

However, considering that Cui Renshi had also invited Wang Tianze along, Tang Huan guessed that the other party wouldn't say anything shameful.

“Cui Renshi is full of malice towards you now. Although he doesn’t hate you to the bone, your existence is blocking his way. Now that the people from the Northern Region have entered the capital, if he joins forces with them in secret to harm you, you will be in great danger.”

"Why are you suddenly so concerned about your parents? Have you fallen in love with me after living with me for so long?" Tang Huan teased.

Qin Yuyang said with a stern face, "I'm just worried that if you die a violent death, all the remaining people of the Great Qin will lose a good sanctuary."

"Why would I be afraid of them? They were just lucky last time. Now there are hundreds of mercenaries from Qihuai County in the capital. I really don't believe anyone would dare to cause trouble."

Qin Yuyang sighed, "I know that the mercenaries in Qihuai County are very strong. When we went back, Xue Qi also tried to spar with a few of them, but his chances of winning were only about 50%."

"Of course, Xue Qi is indeed the son of a general, but those mercenaries were also trained with great effort at my expense, so they are naturally no less capable."

Qin Yuyang questioned, "Then how do you think they compare to the people of the Northern Region?"

"If all the Northerners in the delegation are as difficult as Ah Da, then there might be some trouble."

Qin Yuyang said solemnly, "Besides A'da and Gongshan Liqun, there are at least five or six other experts in the delegation. If you were to be assassinated by them in private, how confident are you that you can save your life?"

With the words spoken so clearly, Tang Huan scratched his head, "So you're saying I usually have to take those mercenaries from my manor with me when I go out?"

After martial law was declared, Tang Huan left a few mercenaries at his residence.

These people secretly guarded the safety of the mansion.

For several days, all was well, and they were doing the work of servants, chopping wood, carrying water, and cleaning.

"My advice is that you should not leave the residence before the Northern Region delegation leaves the capital; that is the safest course of action."

Tang Huan said somewhat displeasedly, "Are you telling me to be a coward? The Northern Region delegation has gone to great lengths to come here; perhaps there are a few beautiful and wild women among them, just like Gongyang Tingbai."

"You would approach the Northern Region delegation because of a woman? And forget about it, everyone except Gongyang Tingbai is a man, unless you don't mind being with men..."

Tang Huan put her hands behind her head and clasped them tightly.

He looked up and said leisurely, "Then it's as you said. As long as the Empress doesn't summon me to the palace, I'll stay obediently at home. Anyway, if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. Let the Empress and those ministers worry about the Northern Region delegation first."

Is it possible to spend this period of time so peacefully?

Tang Huan thought it was unlikely.

Although he outwardly agreed to Qin Yuyang's request, he knew in his heart that he couldn't escape it no matter what.

Not to mention that the Empress has always valued me highly, she would definitely ask me for my opinion on this matter.

Now that I'm a member of the Hanlin Academy, being closer to His Majesty naturally brings with it more trouble.

Sure enough, the next morning Tang Huan received a secret letter from the palace, summoning him to the palace by the Empress.