Tang Huan slowly opened the box on the table and carefully took out the contents under Wu Lanxi's watchful gaze.
As they unfolded it piece by piece, a magnificent landscape painting appeared before them.
Towering mountains, flowing streams and small bridges.
Each seemingly ordinary stroke of the paintbrush outlines a simple yet grand landscape.
Although some flaws can still be seen in certain details of this landscape painting, its charm remains, making it a rare and excellent work.
Wu Lanxi looked at the painting in front of her with an unprecedented level of focus.
She carefully examined each stroke of the brush, finally focusing her attention on the inscription in the lower right corner.
That was the name of the painting, the very words Tang Huan had just mentioned: "Magnificent Landscape".
"Where did you get this?"
When Wu Lanxi spoke, her voice was not as calm as usual, but carried a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.
“I got it from a businessman; he used it to apologize to me and make amends.”
Tang Huan offered an explanation.
Wu Lanxi asked softly, "Is it the one from the Liu family?"
"You know?" Tang Huan asked back, without questioning.
Since Wang Tianze knew the truth, he couldn't possibly keep it from Empress Wu Lanxi.
Just as it was impossible for Eunuch Shen to keep what he had witnessed in Qihuai County a secret, Wang Tianze had even less reason to hide it from Eunuch Shen.
Wu Lanxi reached out and gently stroked the painting, then looked up at Tang Huan, "You've just arrived in the capital, and you've already stood up for a businessman, even going so far as to ask Wang Tianze to intervene. You really value him."
Tang Huan chuckled, “Your Majesty may not know this, but Wan Xin is the youngest son of the Wan family. He has some business dealings with me, and he helped me a lot with the Southern District renovation plan. Many building materials were delivered to the capital through the Wan family’s channels.”
In addition, Wan Xin has been helping the people of the South District and has provided them with many benefits.
"So that's how it is," Wu Lanxi said knowingly.
After saying that, Wu Lanxi glanced at the chair in front of her and snorted, "What, do you expect me to invite you to sit? Do you want me to bring you a chair myself?"
Tang Huan grinned shamelessly, then scurried over to sit opposite Wu Lanxi. He showed no sign of being in the presence of the emperor, his expression flippant.
Wu Lanxi rolled her eyes at Tang Huan, "What do you think of this painting?"
Tang Huan clicked his tongue, stroked his chin, and said, "I think this painting is very meaningful. It will become a valuable item in another hundred or two hundred years."
Wu Lanxi chuckled, "Sure enough, this is you. You can't talk about anything without mentioning money."
"Your Majesty, although money isn't everything, you can't do without it. It's a good thing! Only money can give me enough security. I have no choice; I'm terrified of being poor."
"It seems that those years in Qihuai County left a deep impression on you."
Wu Lanxi believed that Tang Huan's emphasis on money was definitely related to the impoverished and difficult life in Qihuai County. However, what she didn't know was that this idea had already taken root in Tang Huan's mind before he even went to Qihuai County.
"Your Majesty, do you seem to have seen this painting before?"
Tang Huan asked tentatively.
Wu Lanxi did not answer, but instead asked, "I want to know, since it was meant to be a gesture of goodwill from the Liu family to you, why was it sent to me?"
"Your Majesty, how dare we keep this for ourselves?"
To be honest, Tang Huan didn't see anything special about the painting, but he knew very well that he couldn't keep it.
Since Wang Tianze has already received some benefits, His Majesty will certainly do the same.
At least he could show his loyalty to the Empress. After all, he had obtained the coveted imperial edict, so it was only right to shed some blood.
Since this thing isn't even mine, it's not a waste to give it away as a gift.
"What's so special about this?" Tang Huan moved closer to Wu Lanxi mysteriously, wanting to find out what was going on.
Wu Lanxi didn't answer, she just rolled her eyes at him.
Immediately afterwards, Wu Lanxi silently stood up, unfolded the painting, and then turned to look at the wall of the Imperial Study behind her.
Judging from her expression, she seemed to be considering where to put the painting.
Seeing this, Tang Huan felt puzzled.
It's just a painting, yet the Empress attaches so much importance to it.
An ordinary painting wouldn't warrant the Empress doing this, and even some famous artists wouldn't necessarily receive such treatment.
Tang Huan observed the painting carefully for a while, but still couldn't figure out what was so special about it, so she simply stopped thinking about it.
At this moment, Wu Lanxi stopped observing, sighed softly, and put the painting back on the table.
"You've been free lately?"
Wu Lanxi sat down again, staring intently at Tang Huan.
"If you have nothing else to do, then don't just sit around. There's a lot of work waiting for you at the Imperial Academy and the Hanlin Academy. Or you could take some time to attend the morning court session. Maybe you can help me solve my problems."
Upon hearing Wu Lanxi's words, Tang Huan immediately put on a bitter face and said, "Your Majesty, please spare me. I finally got a few days of free time, and as soon as I entered the capital, you made me start working non-stop. Who can stand that?"
"Besides, it's already spring, and the construction in the southern district needs to continue, so I have to keep an eye on it."
"Aren't people from Qihuai County keeping an eye on things? Do you still need to go there every day to watch over them?" Wu Lanxi asked.
Tang Huan explained, “Your Majesty, if it were just about building some houses, then I wouldn’t need to do anything. But since I’ve taken the initiative, I should do it well, shouldn’t I? I plan to test the sewage system and heating system of Qihuai County together in the southern district.”
Wu Lanxi couldn't help but recall everything she had seen when she went to Qihuai County. Although she hadn't experienced the heating system, she had certainly seen the sewers.
Thanks to the sewer system, there are convenient and clean toilets, and the entire Qihuai County is free of filth.
And this is precisely what Wu Lanxi finds most unacceptable.
"If you are planning to install a sewer system in the southern district as well, then I can give you a little more time."
Tang Huan immediately grinned, "Your Majesty, rest assured, as long as the initial experiment in the Southern District is successful, I will definitely get it done for you in the palace as soon as possible."
Wu Lanxi nodded seemingly unintentionally, but she was secretly quite pleased.
After all, I am a woman, and I still care about cleanliness to some extent.
"In that case, if Your Majesty has nothing else to attend to, then I shall take my leave."
Tang Huan tried asking a question.
Wu Lanxi thought for a moment, then waved her hand without saying anything.
Tang Huan bowed and left the Imperial Study.
Behind him was the Imperial Study, and in front of him was a vast, empty square.
Tang Huan felt a sense of joy as she watched this scene.
"Since we've made such a bold promise, we can't afford to slack off any longer; we need to get to work as soon as possible!"
Tang Huan cheered himself up.
Now it's not just about agreeing to the little princess's request; the empress also needs to be appeased.
Laying out a sewer system in the capital has become an urgent matter.
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