The appearance of the iron certificate caught Cui Renshi off guard.

But this does not mean that Cui Renshi is helpless and has no way out.

As a prime minister who served under two emperors, Cui Renshi wielded power far beyond what people could imagine. Currently, nearly half of the officials in the court were promoted by his faction.

Many people who seem to have no connection have actually already established various subtle relationships, just waiting for the right opportunity to make their appearance.

"If I were to give up just because of a certificate of merit, I would lose face and make people think that I, Cui Renshi, am all show and no substance."

Sensing the prime minister's emotions, Reading asked, "What should we do?"

"No rush, I've already sent people to do it. If His Majesty wants to protect Tang Huan, he has to be able to protect him. The industries in Qihuai County can be a gold mine or a mess. As long as Tang Huan can't move this mountain, it will always be a sword hanging over his neck."

Everyone fell into deep thought.

Reading was the first to react, "Is the Prime Minister planning to use the industries in Qihuai County as a starting point?"

"The Qihuai County that is currently registered is just a poor and backward place with less than 10,000 people. But in reality, Tang Huan made many mistakes in this matter."

Young people are prone to making mistakes in many areas.

If Cui Renshi were to do this, he would have many ways to avoid all of this and not leave any handle for others to use against him.

"Make full preparations first, and when Tang Huan arrives in the capital, deliver a fatal blow to him. Even if he has a special imperial edict, we cannot let him get away unscathed."

"Understood." Reading sensed the Prime Minister's determination and became even more expectant.

If we were to say who among the prime ministers harbored the most hatred for Tang Huan, it would undoubtedly be Lei Ding, the Minister of Personnel.

No one wanted Tang Huan to disappear more than him.

"It's getting late, you should go back now."

"Yes, Your Excellency." Everyone stood up to take their leave.

Cui Renshi also got up, walked to the window, looked at the completely dark sky outside, and called out to the door, "Is everything done?"

"Your Excellency, the message has been delivered, and the other party has agreed."

Cui Renshi remained expressionless. "Prepare the sedan chair."

...

Even on a snowy day, there were still quite a few people on the street outside Chunfeng Tower.

At first glance, the building was brightly lit and bustling with people, a scene of peace and harmony.

Two figures walked down the street, their destination the Spring Breeze Pavilion ahead.

The man walking in front was not very old, appearing to be only twenty-four or twenty-five years old. He was handsome, with a proper posture, and wore a set of fine clothes that even a layman could tell at a glance were made of the finest materials.

He was just a young man who looked like he was of extraordinary status, but there was a dark sorrow in his eyes.

The young nobleman was followed by a servant, whose face also showed deep worry.

"I was planning to meet this Tang Huan, but he left even earlier than the Northern Region delegation. I wonder what kind of person he really is..."

"Young master, you can't say such things. If the master finds out, you'll definitely get a scolding," the servant warned.

The young nobleman was somewhat displeased. "For so many years, he has controlled who I meet, what I do, and where I go. I am a living, breathing person, not a puppet in his hands."

"He likes to live a mediocre life, but I don't want to. I'm almost thirty years old, but in everyone's eyes I'm still a good-for-nothing!"

The servants rushed forward and said in a low voice, "Young master, please calm down."

The young nobleman seemed to realize that he had gone too far, and silently shut his mouth.

The two entered Chunfeng Tower and saw the lively scene inside on this snowy night.

The servant weaved through the crowd and found a staff member, explaining that he had made an appointment in advance.

Immediately, someone came and led the two upstairs.

Lei Yan, who was leaning against the railing on the second floor drinking, suddenly saw the richly dressed young nobleman and his eyes lit up.

"It was him! He actually came to Chunfeng Tower..."

Lei Yan was about to step forward, but then something occurred to him, and he did nothing in the end, simply continuing to drink silently, as if he hadn't seen anything.

A girl accompanying Lei Yan noticed his change in expression and asked with a smile, "Young Master Lei, do you know that person?"

Lei Yan turned around and pulled the girl into his arms, pointing at the young nobleman with his wine glass in hand, "Never seen him before, have you?"

"No, today should be his first time visiting Chunfeng Tower, otherwise I should remember him."

Lei Yan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Of course you don't remember. Do you know who that person is?"

"Who is it?" the girl couldn't contain her curiosity.

The other party's magnificent robes already indicated his identity. If he could establish a connection with him, perhaps he too could rise to prominence.

That's how it is with the rouge girls in the building. They just happened to have a few drinks with Tang Huan, and suddenly they went from being an insignificant nobody to one of the top courtesans.

Privately, countless people envy Rouge and wish they could take her place.

“His surname is Wu,” Lei Yan said with a smile.

"Wu?" the girl murmured, then suddenly turned her head to look at the young nobleman as he turned into the corridor. She hesitated and asked, "The royal Wu?"

"Otherwise, who else besides the royal family would dare to bear the surname Wu?"

The girl couldn't help but feel excited, and she gently patted her chest.

Even members of the royal family shouldn't be too much worse than that Lord Tang, right?

The girl's eyes sparkled, and she already had many thoughts in mind.

Lei Yan saw what the woman beside him was thinking, and shook his head with a smile, saying, "I advise you to put your heart away. This person is not someone you can try to get close to. If you don't want to suddenly disappear mysteriously one day, it's best not to get close to him."

The girl was startled. "So dangerous?"

“The danger isn’t him, it’s his father.” Lei Yan pictured an old man. He had the privilege of meeting the old man a few times with his father. The old man was a fearsome and unfathomable figure.

"Who is it?" the girl asked curiously.

"Prince Huaiqing".

"Huh?" The girl couldn't help but gape, looking at Lei Yan in disbelief. "A prince?"

Even if you've never heard of it, you don't need anyone to explain what those three words mean.

Lei Yan sighed, "Yes, like that Prince Taiping, he is also a prince of Daqing. However, he usually behaves very well and rarely goes out. In recent years, very few people know about him."

Despite being a prince, he remained secluded at home.

This situation puzzled the girl.

She didn't understand the royal family, but she was still full of curiosity about it.

"What about that young master from earlier?"

"He is the only son of Prince Huaiqing, named Wu Lanshan. He was once a famous genius in the capital, achieving fame at a young age, but unfortunately, he gradually faded from public view."

Speaking of this, Lei Yan couldn't help but sigh.

Even Lei Yan, when he was just a teenager, had heard of Wu Lanshan. At the age of twelve, he had already read extensively, and by fifteen, he could write poems and essays with ease, not inferior to the current Poet Immortal.

Unfortunately, it vanished as quickly as a shooting star.