The Prodigal Son

"you……"

Zhao Luan glared at Song Zhuo, her face turning pale and then red.

She was genuinely angered by Song Zhuo's words.

She never expected that her mentor would say such a thing.

The three people, including Su Yu, looked at Song Zhuo with admiration.

That's why he's called the prime minister.

He really dares to speak his mind!

Looking across the entire Da Ning, apart from the Empress Dowager, probably only he would dare to say such a thing.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Song Zhuo quickly stopped Zhao Luan, who was on the verge of exploding, "Your Majesty, I was just giving an example! Throughout history, which emperor didn't have harems? Does Your Majesty believe that all the women an emperor marries are of his own free will? Aren't there countless examples of emperors throughout history using marriage alliances to consolidate their power?"

"But I am a woman!"

Enraged, Zhao Luan gritted her teeth and demanded, "Does my master intend for me to become... an adulteress?"

"Your Majesty, you flatter me!"

Song Zhuo gently shook his head, his expression solemn, and said, "Your Majesty is indeed a woman, but you are first and foremost the Empress of Great Ning!"

Ugh!

He really didn't want to talk about these things!

But he was Zhao Luan's mentor and the prime minister of Da Ning!

If he doesn't speak up, who will?

A marriage alliance, in exchange for the full support of a vassal king who commands 100,000 troops, would probably be irresistible to any emperor.

Those in positions of power should fulfill their responsibilities!

It's not easy for a woman to consolidate her power!

Given the current situation, the best solution is for Zhao Luan to marry the heir of the Prince of Chengyang!

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song is right!"

Su Yu sighed softly and echoed, "If the Prince of Chengyang wishes to form a marriage alliance with this old minister, both of my granddaughters can marry the Prince of Chengyang's heir!"

"Not just granddaughters, grandsons can marry them off too!" Xue Chengdao chimed in from the side.

"roll!"

Su Yu glared at him, amused and annoyed. "We're talking about serious matters now, stop with the jokes!"

"That's exactly right!"

Xue Chengli responded confidently.

"Shut up, all of you!"

Zhao Luan sternly stopped them, then turned to Xue Cheng and asked, "If the Prince of Chengyang were to raise an army in rebellion, how many troops do you think would be needed to quell it?"

"Your Majesty, this is not a matter of whether or not to quell the rebellion!"

Xue Chengdao stood up and said solemnly, "This is a matter of utmost importance, where a single hair can affect the whole situation!"

"Your Majesty was unaware of Your Majesty's plot to destroy Yan, and I approved of Your Majesty's marriage to the Prince of Chengyang's heir. Now that I know, I should approve even more!"

"If Your Majesty wishes to complete the great undertakings that Emperor Xiaowu and the late Emperor failed to accomplish, you must relinquish some things!"

"Suppressing the rebellion, regardless of victory or defeat, will only deplete our dynasty's own strength!"

"Your Majesty's personal marriage cannot outweigh the lives of tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of soldiers!"

"If Your Majesty is truly enraged, after the grand plan to destroy Yan is completed, you may have Zhao Yan torn to pieces!"

"But right now, Your Majesty, please consider the future of the nation and the state of Daming..."

Xue Chengdao put it even more bluntly.

As Xue Chengdao finished speaking, Song Zhuo and the other two slowly stood up.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

The three of them spoke at the same time.

"you……"

Zhao Luan clenched her fists tightly, her heart filled with grief and indignation.

Is it really true that I can only rely on marriage to keep the Prince of Chengyang in check?

Are there no other options?

She wanted to consider the well-being of the nation, but she was unwilling to trade her own marriage for this!

……

Outside the Imperial Study, Qin Yu was still waiting.

The long wait!

At first, Qin Yu didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

After all, the female demon is the emperor, so it's normal for her to have some issues.

But as time went by, he began to realize that something was wrong.

It was getting dark, and his legs were getting weak from standing. Why was this female demon still busy?

The female demon was in such a hurry to summon me that she made me stand here?

There's something wrong with this, isn't there?

For some inexplicable reason, Qin Yu thought of the night his congenital meridians were cured.

That night, the female demon also summoned him in a hurry.

When he arrived, he started to beat himself up.

Is this female demon going to use the same trick again?

That doesn't make sense!

I've been away from the capital for so long, I haven't provoked her or offended her, and I even helped her expand her territory, so why should she cut me off?

Even someone like Lü Si knew to use an old ginseng root to thank Qi Dachui for helping him achieve his goal.

Good work deserves a reward!

Nonsence!

This is called treating the virtuous and talented with respect!

Surely the female demon isn't even worse than Lü Si?

Or is it that this female demon has already begun to suspect the Qin family?

Qin Yu, lost in thought, looked at Yun Ying and said, "Why don't you go and ask His Majesty if he's finished with his work?"

Yun Ying replied expressionlessly, "His Majesty previously instructed that no one should disturb her until she is finished with her work!"

"no……"

Qin Yu's face darkened. "Your Majesty hasn't come out for so long, aren't you worried?"

What if the female demon suddenly dies?

"If I disturb His Majesty's punishment, will you take the punishment for me?" Yun Ying remained expressionless.

I'll take your egg for you!

Qin Yu secretly curled his lip, wanting nothing more than to find a place to sit down.

But Yun Ying and a group of imperial guards kept staring at him, making it difficult for him to sit down, so he could only stand.

As darkness fell, the imperial guards began their shift change.

However, the door to the Imperial Study remained tightly closed.

Qin Yu strongly suspected that the female demon either died suddenly or it was purely intentional!

But just waiting like this isn't a good idea!

Damn it!

I'm not serving you anymore!

Just as Qin Yu was about to pretend to faint, the door to the Imperial Study finally opened slowly.

Song Zhuo, Su Yu, Du Zhiwen, Xue Chengdao...

Qin Yu was surprised as he watched the ministers emerge one by one from the Imperial Study.

Is the female demon really talking to someone?

"Why is it already dark?"

Zhao Luan walked wearily into the imperial study, glanced at the sky outside, and said to Song Zhuo and the other three, "Since it's so late, why don't you stay and have dinner with me?"

"No, no!"

Xue Chengdao quickly refused, "I don't have much of an appetite right now, I just want to go back and rest."

"Yes, yes, this old minister is too..."

"Yes, I have no appetite right now."

"Your Majesty, please don't stand on ceremony. After your meal, please rest early!"

The other three also refused.

"Fine! Since that's the case, I won't keep you any longer!"

Zhao Luan waved wearily.

"We take our leave!"

The four quickly bowed and took their leave.

Seeing Qin Yu still standing there dumbfounded, the four of them couldn't help but cast sympathetic glances at him.

There's still a bit...

pity?

Or is it schadenfreude?

Meeting the gazes of the four people, Qin Yu felt a sense of unease.

What's going on?

Why does this feel like nothing good is coming?

Only after the four had walked away did Qin Yu step forward and bow, saying, "Your humble servant Qin Yu greets Your Majesty."

"You are a meritorious official of our dynasty, there is no need for such formalities."

Zhao Luan forced a smile. "You will stay and dine with me!"

Qin Yu had a bad feeling and quickly declined, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. This is a very important place in the inner palace, I cannot stay any longer! Let's talk about it tomorrow..."

"Why all this nonsense?"

Zhao Luan interrupted Qin Yu, "I'm not in a good mood right now, don't force me to hit you!"

I……

Your bad mood is none of my business!

I didn't do anything to you!

Faced with the female demon's domineering nature, Qin Yu had no choice but to agree, though he secretly harbored doubts.

What kind of trouble is this female demon up to now?