After learning about Qian Dafu's situation from Tang Liu and others, Tang Huan showed no outward change. He continued to talk with the people for a while before leaving the South District relief housing.
Instead of leaving immediately, he wandered aimlessly around the southern district, chatting casually with the locals.
To outsiders, he looked like he was inspecting something.
Only Tang Huan himself knew that he had no choice but to inspect the Southern District in order to keep his promise to the Empress and the little princess.
Adding a sewer and heating system to a building requires considerable effort, and the cost is a minor issue compared to the amount of money spent.
The route of the pipeline and the treatment of sewage are just some of the many complicated issues that need to be carefully considered before construction can begin.
Prior to this, thorough investigation is of paramount importance.
"Let's focus on doing the things in front of us well first, and not worry about other things for now."
Both the imperial examination mentioned by the Empress in January and the assassination attempt that occurred before need to be put on hold for the time being.
In Tang Huan's view, the importance of the imperial examination to Daqing is self-evident. Even if the Empress wanted to entrust the matter to him, she would face certain resistance.
I don't want to get involved in this mess, so I might as well use the South District issue to just back out.
As for the assassination attempt, after the battle with the Northern Region delegation, anyone who wants to take action against him will have to think twice, since assassination is obviously not so easy.
Tang Huan returned to the mansion.
After Li Daikui and Xue'e left, the mercenaries who were secretly responsible for their protection rarely appeared, making the mansion seem unusually deserted.
This made it take Tang Huan some time to find Qin Yuyang.
When he found the woman, she was embroidering with great concentration.
Tang Huan leaned closer to take a look and was surprised to find that the woman's technique was not at all unfamiliar; it seemed extremely skilled.
"You know about this?"
Qin Yuyang put down what he was holding. "Do you think being a princess is an easy thing? You have to be proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and the Four Books and Five Classics. So many eyes are always watching you."
This is similar to later generations; if a child from an excellent family performs poorly, they are more likely to be the subject of gossip.
After all, they have better conditions and start from a higher point than many others.
This also means they bear more pressure, and too much attention is not necessarily a good thing.
"What brings you here all of a sudden? You went to the South District early this morning and are back so soon?"
Tang Huan smiled and said, "It's nothing. I've seen the situation in the South District. There's no way to deal with it in the short term anyway. Besides, there are so many people watching over there, so they don't need me."
Qin Yuyang didn't speak, but just looked at Tang Huan indifferently.
Tang Huan didn't mince words and briefly explained Qian Dafu's situation. "Since we have nothing else to do, why don't we discuss whose side this Qian Dafu might be on?"
"First of all, it can be confirmed that he is not one of Cui Renshi's men."
Qin Yuyang ruled out one answer; this method is often very effective when certainty is uncertain.
After narrowing down the pool, the final candidate will quickly emerge.
“Cui Renshi has already attempted assassination once, he will not risk doing it a second time, nor will he do something with such obvious loopholes.”
Tang Huan largely agreed with Qin Yuyang's conjecture.
During the first assassination attempt, all the assassins failed and were stopped by Li Daikui and Qin Yuyang. With no hope of escape after the failed assassination attempt, they all decisively committed suicide to silence the witnesses.
There wasn't even a chance to interrogate them.
All Tang Huan saw were several corpses laid out in the backyard.
The second assassination attempt was different. The assassins didn't seem to know each other very well, and they carried out the assassination in broad daylight, which made them seem even more reckless.
Then they even pried open one of them's mouths.
If Choi In-sik were to do this, he would definitely have someone more confident and trustworthy take the lead.
At least, those people who used animal code names were stronger; if they had assassinated Tang Huan in the capital, they wouldn't have lost so quickly.
"If it's not Cui Renshi, then who else could it be? I haven't offended too many people," Tang Huan said, troubled.
"You haven't offended too many people, but their targeting of you isn't necessarily just for you; it could also be for the person behind you."
"You mean the Empress?"
Qin Yuyang snorted, "After you entered the capital, you became too close to the Empress and your reputation is too good. Under these circumstances, either side has a reason to take action against you."
"Isn't that unnecessary? I'm just a minor county magistrate. Besides, I can understand Cui Renshi taking action, since I'm in his way. But is it really necessary for others to do this?"
Qin Yuyang said seriously, "Even the most loyal ministers around the Empress might not tolerate your presence. The more you are appreciated, the greater the pressure on them will be. Who doesn't want to be the Empress's favorite?"
Tang Huan scratched his head helplessly. After being told that, he now saw everyone as a bit strange.
He had never wanted to get too involved in court affairs, and had never even had contact with any other officials besides Wang Tianze, which was why.
After hearing what Qin Yuyang said, it seemed necessary for me to take a closer look at the current officialdom in Daqing.
The more Tang Huan thought about it, the more his head ached. He simply stood up, patted his butt, and said, "What a nuisance. I don't want to think about it anymore. I'd rather go to Chunfeng Tower for some fun."
After saying that, Tang Huan prepared to leave.
Only after the figure disappeared from sight did Qin Yuyang reveal a surprised expression, muttering to himself, "Going to Chunfeng Tower so early in the morning?"
This made Qin Yuyang wonder if Gongyang Tingbai really hadn't done anything with Tang Huan that night, otherwise why would Tang Huan have acted like this...
So thirsty!
The Spring Breeze Pavilion was incredibly deserted in the morning, far from its usual bustling atmosphere.
Tang Huan's arrival was particularly awkward, as even the overnight guests had already left, and there were hardly any people to be seen in the entire Chunfeng Tower.
However, Tang Huan was already well-known, and he was noticed as soon as he entered the house.
A madam in charge of serving customers hurried forward and greeted him with a smile, "Lord Tang, you're here again. Why are you here so early today? Are you here to see Lady Rouge again?"
Tang Huan waved her hand, "Bring me a pot of tea first."
"Should I go and call Lady Rouge over for you? She should be up by now."
Tang Huan thought for a moment and then stopped her, saying, "No need, just find two pretty young girls."
The madam acted swiftly; before the tea could even be served, two girls had already come to Tang Huan's side, one on each side, attending to her.
The two girls were both young. They had heard of Tang Huan before and were now looking at him with curiosity.
His expression held a hint of longing, yet also a touch of bewilderment.
"Poet Immortal, did Sister Rouge really only become famous after she accompanied you?" a little girl asked fearfully.
Tang Huan countered, "Tell me first if anything interesting has happened at Chunfeng Tower recently, and then I'll tell you."
The girl lowered her head to think, and another person blurted out, "There have been some unusual disappearances at Chunfeng Tower."
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