Tang Huan stood up lazily, stretched, and glanced casually out of the lobby with her squinted eyes.

Just then, they spotted Wu Lanxi and Lin Wan'er standing out conspicuously after the crowd dispersed.

Wow!

I never expected the foreign business owners to be two such beautiful women!

Especially the one dressed in white, so pure and ethereal, as clear as snow, like a fairy descended from heaven, untouched by worldly concerns.

No wonder they were being chased by bandits.

If he were a bandit, he'd still chase after him!

If we captured her and made her our bandit queen, wouldn't that be incredibly awesome?

However, to keep them interested, we can't rush things; we have to play the long game.

Tang Huan smiled and withdrew his gaze: "Manager Yao, come with me to the back to write a poem."

Shopkeeper Yao followed happily, saying, "Thank you, sir!"

Watching the two leave, Lin Wan'er crossed her arms indignantly: "Hmph, if this magistrate's poetic talent were truly worth a thousand pieces of gold, he would have been famous throughout the land long ago. How could I have never heard of him? He must be bragging."

Wu Lanxi glanced at the plaque above her head that read "A Clear Mirror Hangs High" and shook her head in disapproval, saying, "It doesn't look like it."

If it's just hype, why hasn't anyone refuted it?

Are all these people his shills?

"However, we'll find out tonight whether it's true or not."

...

After dark.

Wu Lanxi and Lin Wan'er strolled to the vicinity of the Yellow Crane Tower.

It turns out that the Yellow Crane Tower is located on the side of a small river, surrounded by lanterns and decorations, with crowds on the bridge, people releasing lanterns on the riverbank, and occasionally the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments.

Wu Lanxi couldn't help but exclaim, "This is truly a paradise on earth."

If Daqing were this prosperous everywhere, she could die in peace.

"Lord Tang has arrived!"

"Lord Tang!"

Suddenly, a burst of enthusiastic cheers came from not far away.

When Wu Lanxi looked up, she saw Tang Huan, like a spoiled brat, walking into the Yellow Crane Tower with his hands behind his back and surrounded by a group of people.

Lin Wan'er couldn't stand it no matter how she looked at it: "A mere county magistrate dressed so luxuriously, he must have embezzled a lot."

Wu Lanxi did not respond.

Because she always felt that the people of Qihuai County's support for him was genuine.

"Let's go in and take a look."

As soon as the two reached the entrance of the Yellow Crane Tower, they were stopped by a waiter.

"The restaurant is full. If you don't mind, you can wait at the door. I will let you know when there are seats available."

Lin Wan'er looked inside and saw that it was true; the entire first floor was full, and there wasn't a single empty seat.

Not wanting His Majesty to be out in the cold wind, she anxiously asked, "What about the second floor? Are there no private rooms available?"

The waiter laughed and said, "The private rooms are all full, except for our county magistrate, who has a room to himself."

Wu Lanxi's heart stirred, and she took the initiative to say, "Go and ask Lord Tang. Tell him that we are merchants being chased by bandits and want to thank Qihuai County in person for saving our lives."

"Um... well..."

The waiter looked troubled.

Wu Lanxi gave Lin Wan'er a wink, and Lin Wan'er reluctantly took out fifty coins and stuffed them into the shopkeeper's hand.

The guy didn't take it, but silently held up two fingers.

Two ounces!

That's way too greedy!

Lin Wan'er gritted her teeth, but seeing that Wu Lanxi had no instructions, she had no choice but to take out two taels of silver and slap it heavily on his hand.

The waiter chuckled and said, "Please wait a moment, I'll go inform them."

After the waiter left, Lin Wan'er said angrily, "Like father, like son! The county magistrate is corrupt and doesn't pay taxes, and the common people are just as greedy. Two taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family's living expenses for a month!"

Wu Lanxi also felt that two taels of silver was a bit too much, but as long as she could see Tang Huan, it was worth the price.

In a private room on the second floor, Tang Huan was lying on a rattan chair, resting with her eyes closed and humming a little tune.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from the doorway. He smiled and said, "They're here."

As he got up, the waiter pushed open the door and came in.

"Sir, those two foreign merchants are here! I told them what you instructed, and they really want to ask to sit here with you."

"Okay, call them up."

"Yes, sir." The shop assistant was about to leave when he chuckled again, "Sir, I've been running errands for you, you should at least give me something in return."

Tang Huan glanced at him: "Isn't what they gave you enough? You want more from both sides?"

"Uh, I know I was wrong!"

The waiter quickly smiled apologetically and left.

Before long, Wu Lanxi and Lin Wan'er were led into a private room.

The room was quiet and peaceful, with the aroma of tea lingering in the air, and the open window offered a perfect view of the lanterns floating on the river.

Tang Huan sat down at the table, smiling politely: "Please, gentlemen. Have you had a good rest in Qihuai County these past two days?"

Wu Lanxi took her seat and nodded gently.

Lin Wan'er stood behind her, but said angrily, "How dare you ask? We've only been here for two days, and you've already swindled us out of several hundred taels of silver. You're all so greedy!"

Tang Huan swung open his folding fan and waved it with what he thought was a dashing air.

"You can't say that. Qihuai County saved your lives and didn't ask for anything in return. They only accepted a small fee for their hard work, which is already very kind of them."

conscience?

How dare he call this a conscience?

Not to mention that saving lives is what a county magistrate should do, even if he really wanted to ask for a reward, he shouldn't have asked for several hundred taels of silver.

What's the difference between them and bandits?

Lin Wan'er was about to retort in anger when Wu Lanxi stopped her.

She looked at Tang Huan earnestly and asked tentatively, "I will always remember Lord Tang's life-saving grace. But I am a little curious, why doesn't Qihuai County present such a powerful weapon as the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow to the imperial court?"

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