In Qihuai County, people come and go every day. Today a businessman comes, tomorrow a high-ranking official may be making an incognito visit.

Wang Tianze and Gao Yi's arrival and departure did not attract much attention, especially since the two of them did not take any business with them.

Aside from the customs duties for the two entering the city and the money they left behind after staying at Tianyi Palace for three days, there was no other impact.

Moreover, this sum of nearly one hundred taels of silver seemed so insignificant given the huge daily flow of people and the economy of Qihuai County.

That noon, Tang Huan had finished lunch and was sitting in the courtyard enjoying the cool air.

He was not satisfied with the shade of the big tree overhead, so he called Qin Yu to keep fanning him.

This drew some criticism from Qin Yu.

"This girl has been corrupted by Xue'e lately and doesn't respect me at all. At first, I was worried that I would kick her out or sell her to a brothel, but now that she knows about the situation in Qihuai County, she's become even more reckless..."

Tang Huan felt quite helpless.

Since she had already resolved Qin Yu's household registration issue, and everything about Qihuai County could not be kept from the other party.

Knowing that bullying men and women was forbidden in Qihuai County, Qin Yu was not worried about being driven away by Tang Huan. Even after Tang Huan repeatedly ordered him to come and serve her, he would only do so reluctantly.

"Put in some effort, or I'll drag you to my room tonight!"

Tang Huan feigned anger and threatened fiercely.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu was not frightened at all. Instead, she smoothed her hair and revealed a charming and alluring look in her eyes, "If you don't mind, I wouldn't mind being your wife, the county magistrate's wife..."

"Pah! I think you're just after my money. Dream on."

Tang Huan stopped mentioning the matter in the blink of an eye, which made Qin Yu feel somewhat disappointed.

After staying in Qihuai County for a while, Qin Yu felt more and more that coming here was the right decision.

First of all, the existence of Qihuai County itself is very special. Even if the imperial court notices this place, the first thing to deal with is this strangely developing county, rather than themselves hiding here incognito.

Secondly, Tang Huan developed numerous industries in Qihuai County, accumulating countless riches over the years.

Most importantly, Qihuai County was secretly developing weapons. Qin Yu had seen the specially made muskets on Tang Huan and Li Daikui's waists, and had also witnessed the power of the musket Li Daikui fired in a fit of rage. If it hadn't been for not aiming, it could have killed someone with a single shot.

All these conditions were extremely rare for Qin Yu.

She could stay here to recuperate, and at the same time try to get in touch with Tang Huan. If she could win Tang Huan's help, she could achieve great things!

To Qin Yu's dismay, he had been in contact with Tang Huan for a week.

Yes, this is the strange name that Tang Huan came up with in Qihuai County. Seven days make up a week, and each day has twenty-four hours, with one hour divided into two hours.

Qin Yu has now gotten used to this form of address.

Over the past few days, Qin Yu noticed that Tang Huan seemed uninterested in matters between men and women. At most, she would hug and cuddle with him and Xue'e, or teasingly pinch their waists, which seemed more like a playful act.

He often talks about having sex, but he's never actually done it.

Qin Yu had secretly inquired and found out that even though Xue'e had been with Tang Huan for five years, the two had never actually had any physical relationship...

"Could he be a homosexual? If Xue Qi were here, we could give him a try. With his handsome looks, if Tang Huan had that kind of fetish, he definitely wouldn't be able to resist..."

While Qin Yu was lost in thought, Tang Huan slapped his hand hard a few times.

With a sharp pain, Qin Yu looked down and found that the back of his hand was already red.

Tang Huan has absolutely no compassion for women.

"Push harder, push harder! Do you want to kill me with heat? If I die, what will all the people in Qihuai County eat and drink?"

Qin Yu muttered, "Seven Locust Counties can still live very well without you..."

Despite saying that, Qin Yu still shook the fan a little more vigorously.

But what she said is also true. Tang Huan teaches people how to fish, and the industries in Qihuai County are enough to make Qihuai County prosperous and healthy.

Suddenly, a series of panicked shouts rang out.

Immediately afterwards, a figure rushed in.

"Li Daikui, are you out of your mind? Have you lost your mind?"

Li Daikui stumbled to a stop in front of Tang Huan, his face filled with fear. "My lord, something terrible has happened! An old eunuch claiming to be Li Lianying has come to deliver an imperial edict..."

"An imperial edict?" Tang Huan jumped up from his chair. "You're not joking?"

Li Daikui was both amused and exasperated. "How could I be joking, sir? Could it be that the matter of Qihuai County has been exposed? Is the imperial court planning to attack Qihuai County? Why don't you lead us in a rebellion!"

Tang Huan slapped Li Daikui on the back of the head.

"Rebel my ass! You don't want to live, but I do! Hurry up and bring the person in!"

After saying that, Tang Huan stood up and went to greet Li Lianying, whom Li Daikui had mentioned.

Behind him, Qin Yu stood still, muttering to himself, "If you can rebel, what is there to fear from Daqing?"

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

After the old eunuch cleared his throat, he read out a long passage in a powerful voice. Tang Huan listened for a long time before he understood that the Empress wanted him to come to the capital.

Li Lianying reached out and helped Tang Huan up.

"Just now I was wondering why Qi Huai County was born in such a way. Now it seems that His Majesty's summons to the capital is understandable. Lord Tang, if you rise to prominence in the future, you must help this old servant out."

Tang Huan cupped his hands and smiled, "Eunuch Li is joking. You are a favorite in the palace, so it would be better for me to speak on the matter of promotion."

Li Lianying, the chief eunuch of the Daqing Palace, was in charge of all the eunuchs and internal affairs in the palace, wielding considerable power.

The reason I remember this name is simply because of the name itself.

After all, Tang Huan didn't even know what the Empress's name was, only vaguely remembering that it seemed to share the same surname as Boss Wu.

The news spread throughout Qihuai County as soon as the imperial edict arrived at the government office.

A burly figure was seen shouting on the street, "Imperial decree! The Empress summons Lord Tang to the capital for an audience. You are to become the Prime Minister!"

The shouts attracted everyone's attention.

If someone else had said such a thing, even if people believed it, they would have scoffed at it. No one thought that the adults would give up Qihuai County.

But now that those words were spoken by Li Daikui, people have to think about it.

Could it be true?

The government office.

"Lord Tang, in my humble opinion, we should set off as soon as possible, so as not to keep His Majesty waiting too long."

Li Lianying sipped the tea that Tang Huan had brought her and offered a reminder.

Tang Huan hesitated, "Eunuch Li, I would like to go with you immediately, but there are still many things to take care of. I can't leave for now; the latest I can leave is tomorrow..."

After saying that, he got up and declined to speak to Eunuch Li, saying, "I'm not feeling well, I need to go to the outhouse first."

After walking a little further away, Tang Huan muttered, "You think you can just send me to the capital like that? Dream on."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a face loomed close to Tang Huan's.

Qin Yu said earnestly, "Take me with you to the capital!"