The crackling sound lasted for almost fifteen minutes.

In the end, Gongyang Tingbai, the wild and charming princess of the Northern Region, was subdued on the bed by Tang Huan. He knelt on one knee at Gongyang Tingbai's lower back, and held both of Gongyang Tingbai's wrists with one hand, making the other unable to move.

"My dear aunt, there's really nothing between us, why did you hit me so hard? Were you planning to castrate me?"

"You ruined my reputation, even killing you wouldn't be enough to quell my anger." Gongyang Tingbai's tone was furious, but he felt even more ashamed and aggrieved.

Sleeping in the same bed with Tang Huan without any prior explanation made it impossible for her to stay calm.

Even though she had mentioned similar methods to Qin Yuyang in casual conversation before, those were mostly just empty words from Tang Huan and didn't count.

"How did it ruin your reputation? You didn't insist on coming out with me, and you were drunk too, weren't you? Besides, we were both so drunk we weren't even dressed, how could we possibly do anything like that..."

"Besides, if you and I don't tell anyone, who else will know about this?"

Tang Huan finished muttering to herself when the door was suddenly pushed open.

The owner stood outside the door holding a tray, with one of the shop's employees beside him.

The two stared in disbelief at Tang Huan and Gongyang Tingbai on the bed.

Because of their fight, their clothes and hairstyles were now quite disheveled.

The boss immediately turned around, and the waiter belatedly followed suit.

"Lord Tang, you're not done yet? We didn't see anything. Here's your breakfast. Please get up and eat later."

As the owner spoke, he squatted down and placed the trays in the room.

Immediately afterwards, the boss and his employee prepared to escape.

Upon hearing Tang Huan's angry shout of "Close the door!", they quickly shut the door and fled as if escaping.

When they returned to the lobby downstairs, the two were still somewhat shaken.

The waiter looked excited, while the boss looked heartbroken and full of regret.

"Boss, what's wrong with you? Didn't you see Lord Tang checking into the inn with that woman from the Northern Region last night? Do you even need to think about what might happen between them?"

The boss said coldly, "Originally, I was planning to find a way to marry Xiao Cui to you, sir. Although she's not as good as Xue'e or Xiao Qin, being a concubine wouldn't be a big deal. But now..."

Upon hearing this, the waiter laughed and said, "Boss, what do you think of me? Actually, I have feelings for Xiao Cui..."

The boss slapped his apprentice on the back of the head. "Stop dreaming! Focus on your work. I'd rather Xiao Cui be the master's fifth or sixth wife than let her marry you. How can you compare to the master!"

After saying that, the boss started to make plans in his mind.

They spent a lot of time last night, and they were still able to get up early this morning and do this for so long. Even if Xiao Cui were a fifth wife, she would probably be satisfied.

Half an hour later, when Tang Huan and Gong Yang, dressed neatly in white, came downstairs, they felt that the boss and the waiter were looking at them strangely.

The boss looked pleased and expectant, while the employee seemed to harbor a hint of hostility towards him.

Tang Huan didn't remember ever bullying the inn's young waiter. Without thinking much about it, he quickly walked out of the inn.

Little did he know, in someone's heart, he was already seen as their most formidable rival in love, without exception.

They returned to the backyard of the government office.

As soon as the two entered the door, they saw several people sitting in the living room.

"Old Tang, you're back!"

Cui Yuanzhao looked up and smiled.

Everyone else greeted Tang Huan, and even Wu Lanshan nodded in acknowledgment.

Tang Huan walked over and sat down, instructing Xue'e, "Go prepare a pot of hangover tea; my head still hurts."

Gongyang Tingbai noticed Qin Yuyang's complicated gaze and walked towards her.

The two quickly went to the side and began to talk in hushed tones, accompanied by Qin Yuyang's increasingly complicated expression.

They chatted casually while waiting for their hangover tea.

It wasn't until after a few cups of tea that Tang Huan felt a little better.

As we learned from our previous conversation, these people had arrived at the government office early in the morning, and they had already eaten breakfast at Zuixianju.

Otherwise, Xue'e would have to go through the trouble of preparing food for them.

"You mean you want to discuss business cooperation with me?"

Even though Tang Huan hadn't focused on the conversation, she still remembered Cui Yuanzhao's demands.

And others echoed this sentiment, seemingly sharing the same idea.

Tang Huan confirmed with everyone.

“Old Tang, of course we’d like to do business with you if we have the chance. I’ve heard that the Northern Region is going to start cooperating with Daqing on trade. This Northern Region princess came back to Qihuai County with you for that reason. We don’t want them to snatch away all the profitable business.”

Because they made a fortune from novels and comic books before, Cui Yuanzhao and Wang Jingze are now the most enthusiastic.

Tang Huan did not agree, but instead asked the question she hadn't asked last night.

Have you all heard about the matter concerning the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?

Immediately, someone's expression changed.

Some people looked on with suspicion, seemingly unaware of what had happened.

Cui Yuanzhao laughed and said, "Old Tang, why are you saying this? People in the capital say that you killed that Jiang guy, but I don't believe it."

"I killed him."

"Huh?" Cui Yuanzhao opened his mouth wide, not understanding why Tang Huan would suddenly admit it.

Tang Huan continued, "However, this matter has no impact. I just felt that I should tell you that if you really intend to do business with me, you must be informed of these things."

“That man came for the property of Qihuai County. He tried to extort money from me and take everything away, so I killed him in a moment of impulse.”

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