The Prodigal Son

In the afternoon, Qin Yu took Qi Dachui to the palace.

Halfway there, Qin Yu began to experience inexplicable pain in his lower abdomen.

It's not very painful, just a dull, aching ache in the groin.

"It's all that old guy's fault! He probably caused internal injuries."

Qin Yu muttered to himself and stretched his body slightly.

I'll still need to see a doctor later.

The pain is located not far from vital areas, so don't let it affect your sex life.

Lost in thought the whole way, Qin Yu finally arrived at the palace.

At this time, Zhao Luan, who was suffering from menstrual cramps, had already followed the imperial physician's instructions and placed a water bag filled with hot water on her lower abdomen to relieve the pain.

However, instead of resting properly as advised by the doctor, she stared intently at the map hanging in the imperial study.

This map is titled "Complete Map of the Area Surrounding Daning".

The Four Emperors of Ningguo.

Emperor Gao founded the country.

Emperor Xiaowu expanded the territory of Daming by sixteen prefectures.

The late emperor governed the country with civil administration, reduced taxes and levies, promoted the use of silver notes, recovered Chenzhou, opened up three markets and two ports to greatly promote foreign trade, and ushered in a peaceful and prosperous era.

Now that the throne is in my hands, I absolutely cannot do worse than them!

Even better than them!

We must let everyone know that the late emperor's decision was correct, and that women can also become emperors!

I will have to settle things with Empress Murong of Northern Qi sooner or later!

To achieve our goal, the first thing we need to do is to destroy the two-faced Yan state!

If we want to launch a northern expedition, we must first destroy Yan!

This was also what Emperor Xiaowu repeatedly instructed his late father before his death.

Destroying Yan is also the best way to ease the conflicts in the court!

"Your Majesty, Qin Yu requests an audience."

The chief eunuch, Shangguan Youyi, came in to report.

"Bring it in!"

Zhao Luan turned her gaze away from the map.

Upon seeing Qin Yu, Zhao Luan felt the pain in her lower abdomen intensify.

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu and asked, "Have you decided how to organize the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet?"

"I've made up my mind."

Qin Yu nodded repeatedly, "Now all that's left is for His Majesty to approve the funds."

"How much silver do you want?"

Zhao Luan asked casually.

"Two million taels!"

Qin Yu spoke fluently without hesitation.

Zhao Luan's lips twitched, and she almost grabbed the inkstone from the imperial desk and threw it at him.

He wanted two million taels of silver just for organizing a birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager at a restaurant?

Does he think he's stupid, or does he think money is like a roadside stone that you can just pick up anywhere?

Zhao Luan suppressed the urge to order Qin Yu dragged out and given him twenty lashes, and coldly said, "One hundred thousand taels!"

"Your Majesty, 100,000 taels is definitely not enough!"

Qin Yu immediately complained, "This little bit of silver..."

"Don't try to outsmart me!"

Zhao Luan swept her phoenix eyes over them. "I know exactly how much silver is needed to organize this birthday banquet! If you try to outsmart me again, it'll be fifty thousand taels!"

snort!

He thought he didn't know he had extorted a restaurant from the Luo family?

How much silver would it cost to simply renovate and decorate that restaurant and buy some brocade to pave the road?

She thought 100,000 taels was ridiculously much!

If it weren't for the fact that Qin Yu still needed to please the Empress Dowager, she would have thought that approving 10,000 taels of silver was too much!

"Your Majesty, this is not enough!"

Qin Yu immediately became agitated, "So many people spend money on food and drinks..."

"You don't need to worry about food and drink; I'll have someone arrange that myself!"

Zhao Luan picked up the thread, "For the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, many neighboring countries have sent envoys to offer their congratulations. I wouldn't trust you to arrange the food and drink!"

Got it!

I don't want to make arrangements yet!

Well, that saves me some money!

Qin Yu thought to himself, then said with a wry smile, "If it's not enough, I'll have to borrow some money from someone."

"what ever!"

Zhao Luan said expressionlessly.

Hey!

That's exactly what I've been waiting to hear!

In a few days, I will take the gold medal and borrow money from all the ministers in the court, making them all my creditors!

Qin Yu thought to himself with delight, and then made another request: "I also need Your Majesty to assign me a few deputies."

"Who?"

A hint of curiosity flashed in Zhao Luan's eyes.

Qin Yu grinned: "The sons of Chancellor Song and the various ministers!"

Ok?

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Zhao Luan's eyes, and she almost laughed out of anger. "You want to drag all the ministers in the court down with you?"

That bastard!

That's really despicable!

With so many ministers' sons helping him organize the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, even if the Empress Dowager was extremely angry, she couldn't possibly be an enemy of all the ministers.

When the time comes, if I want to punish him, I'll definitely have to punish others as well, including my mentor Song Zhuo's son.

No, no.

Qin Yu shook his head repeatedly, "I think that everyone should contribute their efforts to organize the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, so as to show respect for her! It will also allow all the ministers to do their part for the Empress Dowager."

"Don't try to outsmart me!"

Zhao Luan, of course, didn't believe Qin Yu's nonsense. "It's just organizing a birthday banquet; you don't need so many deputies! I will appoint Lu Yong, the son of Lu Cheng, the Vice Minister of Rites, as your deputy!"

Qin Yu thought for a moment, then said, "Then send Lü Si to me as well!"

Zhao Luan narrowed her eyes slightly: "You want to retaliate against Lü Si?"

"No, no!"

Qin Yu grinned. "Didn't he trespass into the imperial prison before? This is a good opportunity to give him a chance to redeem himself!"

No wonder!

Zhao Luan scoffed inwardly, too lazy to waste any more words with him: "Granted!"

Qin Yu was delighted and continued, "Also..."

"Is this never going to end?"

Zhao Luan raised her voice slightly, staring at Qin Yu with an unfriendly expression.

If we don't let him stop, he'll probably keep talking until tomorrow!

Meeting Zhao Luan's gaze, Qin Yu inwardly complained.

Is this woman on her period?

She jumped up before I could even finish speaking!

With her terrible temper, she's bound to have irregular periods!

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger and let me finish!"

Qin Yu rubbed his aching lower abdomen. "I suddenly felt unwell this afternoon. Since I happened to be in the palace, I thought I'd ask the imperial physician to examine me and help me recover as soon as possible so as not to delay the important matters at hand."

Ok?

This afternoon?

Zhao Luan's gaze fell silently on the spot where Qin Yu's hand was pressed, and then she quietly pinched the back of her own hand.

Qin Yu frowned and subconsciously rubbed the back of his hand.

Did I just get bitten by a mosquito?

It's only March, and mosquitoes are already out?

Seeing Qin Yu's actions, Zhao Luan felt much more at ease.

Hmm, it seems that if I'm in pain, he'll feel the pain too!

It's good that it's not one-sided!

Zhao Luan felt relieved and calmly instructed, "You may go back now! I will send the imperial physician to the Duke of Wei's residence later!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Qin Yu bowed and was about to leave when he reminded Zhao Luan, "Your Majesty, the mosquitoes in the palace have arrived far too early. We should get more mosquito-repelling herbs to keep them away."

Mosquito?

Zhao Luan chuckled inwardly.

It's good that Qin Yu doesn't know the truth!

If that bastard finds out about the painful bond between them, wouldn't he become even more unscrupulous?

"That's true!"

Zhao Luan nodded calmly and then gestured for Qin Yu to step down.

After Qin Yu left, Zhao Luan immediately called Shangguan Youyi to her side and whispered in her ear.

Hearing Zhao Luan's instructions, Shangguan Youyi couldn't help but be surprised.

When did Your Majesty develop such a perverse sense of humor?

It seems His Majesty's resentment towards Qin Yu has not subsided!

Also!

Given His Majesty's temper, the fact that she didn't kill Qin Yu on the spot, despite his blatant offense, was only because of the Qin family's unwavering loyalty...