Wu Lanshan has not left the mansion for a long time.

The Prince Huaiqing's residence was located near the outskirts of the capital. Even when he went out occasionally, he would only go to the hunting grounds to the east, and he would only be accompanied by his personal servants.

This is a rule set by my father: we cannot leave the palace at will, and we must report in advance for any needs, otherwise we will face severe punishment.

These rules made Wu Lanshan feel like a bird trapped in a cage, unable to escape the constraints and confinement no matter how he flew.

Father was unaware of what had happened today. Wu Lanshan slipped out while his father was resting early, just to see someone.

Inside the private room, Wu Lanshan waited anxiously and nervously.

He kept glancing towards the door of the private room, waiting for someone to push the door open and come in.

Wu Lanshan stood up involuntarily when he heard footsteps outside the door.

Go open the door.

The servant walked to the door and opened it in advance.

An old man appeared in front of the two of them.

The servant was startled when he saw the newcomer and involuntarily took a step back.

On the contrary, Wu Lanshan looked pleased and said, "You go outside and wait first."

The servants waited until the guests entered the room before they respectfully left, gently closing the door behind them and standing guard to prevent anyone from approaching.

"It's actually the Prime Minister who's looking for the young master. If word gets out, the master will beat him half to death..."

The servants were filled with anxiety, silently praying that nothing unexpected would happen.

Inside the room, an old man and a young man sat facing each other, with only a pot of tea on the table in front of them.

"Your Highness, it's been a long time."

Cui Renshi smiled calmly at Wu Lanshan, like a kind old man.

Wu Lanshan merely nodded slightly, showing no joy as he had when he saw Cui Renshi; he remained extremely calm.

"I wonder what business Prime Minister Cui has with me?"

Cui Renshi smiled and said, "It's nothing, but recently, Tang Huan, the magistrate of Qihuai County, has suddenly appeared and caused quite a stir in the capital. It makes people think of how the young master was just as dazzling many years ago, so I specially sent someone to invite the young master to meet me."

Wu Lanshan's eyes dimmed, as if he were lost in memories.

"The past is the past, there's nothing to say about it. Besides, Tang Huan is indeed a talented person, and he deserves his current prestige and achievements."

He didn't reveal any further emotions, but this young prince was still young, and even the slightest change in his expression was noticed by Cui Renshi.

"Indeed, it has been a long time since anyone as interesting and outstanding as Tang Huan has appeared in the capital. However, I often think that if the young master had not suffered that serious illness, his achievements might have already surpassed Tang Huan's, and he would be loved by countless people."

Wu Lanshan's expression changed.

The serious illness mentioned in the conversation occurred five years ago, when Wu Lanshan's reputation was at its peak. Even among the younger generation of the royal family, no one could surpass him.

Even the current Empress Wu Lanxi is somewhat weaker.

After that serious illness, Wu Lanshan stayed at the Prince's Mansion in the suburbs to recuperate and rarely appeared in people's sight.

A genius like him passed by like a shooting star, and people only mention him occasionally, their words filled with regret and sorrow.

Wu Lanshan subconsciously clenched his fists.

Only the person involved knows the truth: five years ago, she didn't have any serious illness at all. It was all a pretense forced upon her by her father.

After her supposed serious illness, Wu Lanxi, as a princess, gradually revealed her talents in the capital and eventually ascended the throne after the death of the previous emperor.

That cousin became the first female emperor in Daqing's history, and it was only then that Wu Lanshan learned why his father had done that.

He was merely making way for Wu Lanxi.

"Has Your Highness heard about the Northern Region delegation?" Cui Renshi asked again. "You should have heard about it at your residence as well."

"I heard that it was thanks to Tang Huan that Daqing won the competition and obtained a shipment from the Northern Region."

Cui Renshi laughed and said, "If the young master had not been affected by his serious illness, I think Daqing would not be in its current state. The Northern Region, which was trembling with fear of Daqing back then, would not have dared to do such a thing."

"Although the outcome is good..." Cui Renshi changed the subject, "the actions of the Northern Region have already caused Daqing to lose face, and relying on Tang Huan, a county magistrate, to gamble Daqing's money and prestige is an extremely bad choice in itself."

"If the Crown Prince were to make the decision, would you choose this?"

Wu Lanshan is a smart man; otherwise, he wouldn't have had such a glorious past.

He knew perfectly well what the old man in front of him meant, but he didn't refuse and continued talking on his topic.

“If I were to make the choice, it would definitely not be Tang Huan who would do it. Even though Commander Xiao has already lost the first match and Daqing is facing an extremely difficult and awkward situation, I would still make the choice that I am most confident in, rather than betting everything on a nobody who knows nothing.”

Even if the result of doing so is good.

But this kind of gambling is inherently risky.

In Wu Lanshan's view, the Empress's approach was undoubtedly wrong, terribly wrong.

Even if you win this time, there is still a possibility of failure later, and you might even lose more completely.

“Yes, I share the same thoughts as the Crown Prince, so it’s a bit hard for me to understand His Majesty. You may not know, but just a few days ago, His Majesty issued an edict to bestow upon Tang Huan a certificate of merit.”

Wu Lanshan frowned and said in surprise, "An iron certificate? Even the late emperor never did this. She actually gave an iron certificate to a county magistrate? Even if Tang Huan won the competition against the Northern Region on behalf of Daqing, he is not qualified to receive such an honor."

Money, rewards, all these rewards are acceptable.

Cui Renshi said with a wry smile, "In the history of Daqing, this is the first step in obtaining a certificate of merit. However, in the hundreds of years of Daqing, there have been countless officials who were more outstanding than Tang Huan, but none of them have ever received such an honor."

Wu Lanshan snorted coldly and did not reply.

But the dissatisfaction with Wu Lanxi was already quite obvious.

"In fact, in my opinion, Her Majesty is not suitable for that position. After all, she is just a woman. She is often indecisive and does not have enough prestige. If the Crown Prince were to do this, I think he would not be much worse than Her Majesty."

Wu Lanshan glanced at Cui Renshi coldly, but Cui Renshi showed no fear; he simply smiled and lowered his head.

Beneath Wu Lanshan's seemingly calm exterior, a heart was pounding fiercely.

Wu Lanshan had inquired about the situation in Daqing in recent years.

Even if he didn't say it, he knew that if he were to become emperor, he would definitely be no worse than Wu Lanxi.

Just because Wu Lanxi is the eldest daughter of the late emperor, while he is only a nephew, does he have no choice but to give way to her?

This is not fair at all.

Wu Lanshan's expression suddenly turned cold, and he looked at Cui Renshi with utmost seriousness.