The Prodigal Son

Shangguan Youyi's gaze swept over the two of them, and then he said with a solemn expression, "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."

Zhao Luan: "Fine, I'll tell you."

"Qin Langzhong's plan is indeed ingenious! As long as the Empress Dowager cooperates, the chances of success are extremely high!"

As Shangguan Youyi was speaking, he suddenly changed the subject, "But killing the Prince of Chengyang innocently would probably damage His Majesty's reputation..."

"Innocent?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu was immediately displeased. "Using the guise of seeking marriage to force a union clearly reveals their disloyal intentions! How can they call this innocent?"

Miss!

Don't mess with me!

I was about to flip the table, but if you shut me down with just one sentence, I'd be so frustrated I'd vomit blood!

"Do you and I know this, but do the people of the world know it?"

Shangguan Youyi nodded slightly and said quietly, "The old Prince of Chengyang followed Emperor Xiaowu in his campaigns in the south and north, making outstanding contributions to the court. A few years ago, the Prince of Chengyang also took the lead in sending troops to quell the rebellion. In recent years, he has not overstepped his bounds in his duties to the court!"

"If Your Majesty were to simply detain or kill the Prince of Chengyang, do you think it wouldn't damage Your Majesty's reputation?"

"As your subjects, we must of course consider the greater good, but we must also consider Your Majesty's reputation!"

Hearing Shangguan Youyi's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but frown secretly.

Is this woman expressing her loyalty, or does she really think that way?

If it's to show loyalty, then it's understandable, and even something worth learning from!

But if she really thinks that way, then she's missing the point!

Reputation is worthless!

As long as Da Ning crushes all the surrounding countries, killing the Prince of Chengyang, or even the Empress Dowager, wouldn't be a problem!

Isn't Erfeng a living example?

"Lord Shangguan is right! But I believe that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

Qin Yu bowed and advised Zhao Luan, "Only by eliminating the threat of the Prince of Chengyang can the court focus all its efforts on dealing with external enemies when Yan is destroyed! As the saying goes, to repel external enemies, one must first secure internal stability!"

The outside must be safe first!

Zhao Luan lowered his head in thought, then nodded approvingly: "That makes sense! When the war to destroy Yan begins, the court must not allow trouble to break out at home!"

Shangguan Youyi glanced at her helplessly, then a resolute look flashed across his face. "If it is decided to take action against the Prince of Chengyang, I am willing to bear the infamy for Your Majesty! At that time, Your Majesty can push all the blame onto..."

"Need not!"

Zhao Luan interrupted her, his gaze resolute, and said, "If there is any infamy, none of you can bear it for me! For the future of Great Ning, I am not afraid to bear the infamy! History will judge my merits and demerits!"

She really didn't want to bear too much infamy.

The reason she secretly ordered Gui San and Gui Si to eliminate Zhao Yi was that she didn't want to bear the reputation of killing her brother.

But as long as she can completely resolve the troubles of the Prince of Chengyang, she is not afraid of bearing a bad reputation!

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Qin Yu bowed deeply, "If Your Majesty can complete the great undertakings left unfinished by Emperor Xiaowu and the late Emperor, I believe you will receive only a good reputation, not a bad one!"

No bad reputation?

Shangguan Youyi smiled bitterly to herself.

Of the four vassal kings of Da Ning, His Majesty has already killed two of them, and they were her own uncles!

Another one was exiled to Beizhou to raise horses!

If Your Majesty kills the Prince of Chengyang without cause, how can you not be infamous!

Zhao Luan pondered for a moment, then sternly ordered, "Immediately send someone to summon Prime Minister Song and Xue Chengdao!"

"yes!"

Shangguan Youyi walked away quickly.

"Your plan is excellent!"

Zhao Luan scrutinized Qin Yu with admiration. "If this succeeds, I will reward you handsomely!"

"No, no!"

Qin Yu shook his head repeatedly, saying with a grin, "Your Majesty can simply reward me with a few million taels of silver!"

"..."

Zhao Luan's pretty face twitched violently.

They even rewarded him with several million taels of silver?

After a long while, Zhao Luan finally came to her senses and glared at him angrily: "Do you believe I'll give you hundreds of lashes? The kind where I hang you up and whip you!"

"No! I was just joking with Your Majesty."

Qin Yu chuckled, then looked at Zhao Luan with some concern, "What I'm most worried about right now is the Empress Dowager! If she doesn't cooperate, the chances of this plan succeeding are indeed slim, and it might even arouse the suspicion of the Prince of Chengyang!"

Zhao Luan gently shook her head. "The Empress Dowager is my mother, the Empress Dowager of Da Ning. You're giving her such a flattering title for nothing! I believe she will help us!"

"What if the Empress Dowager refuses to help?" Qin Yu asked again.

"There's no 'what if'!"

Zhao Luan's face was full of confidence.

Qin Yu was surprised.

Does she have so much confidence in the Empress Dowager?

If the Empress Dowager refuses to help, this matter will be very difficult to resolve.

But thinking about it, it makes sense.

She and the Empress Dowager were, after all, mother and daughter, even though they weren't biologically related.

The Prince of Chengyang is nothing!

With this in mind, Qin Yu put aside his worries.

Before long, Xue Chengdao and Song Zhuo rushed over.

Zhao Luan didn't say much, but directly called the two into the imperial study to start a discussion.

Qin Yu, meanwhile, was carefully looking through the list of personnel recruited by previous Hundred Flowers Festivals, which was sent by Shangguan Youyi.

The roster contains detailed records of the age, place of origin, background, and expertise of those with a particular skill.

Upon reviewing the information, he actually discovered two capable individuals.

One of them is Ma Laoguai, who is skilled in magic tricks.

The other person was named Hu Liuzi, who was skilled at onomatopoeia and could imitate the sounds of many animals.

If these two are used well, and combined with the brothers Wang Dou and Wang Su, they can really put on a great show.

Whether this matter can be accomplished ultimately depends on the Empress Dowager's attitude!

Zhao Luan and Song Zhuo did not discuss for too long.

About half an hour later, Song Zhuo and Xue Chengdao came out from the inner room of the Imperial Study.

Seeing Qin Yu still flipping through the roster, Xue Chengdao stepped forward and lightly kicked Qin Yu in the buttocks.

He kicked for no reason whatsoever.

Qin Yu's face darkened. "Lord Xue, you're assaulting a court official in front of His Majesty!"

"Get lost!"

Xue Chengdao laughed and scolded, "Just wait and see what your grandfather does to you!"

"what?"

Qin Yu was bewildered.

tidy?

I poured my heart and soul into Da Ning, and I don't know how many brain cells I used to come up with this idea. Why does the old man have to punish himself?

He should treat himself like an ancestor, right?

"Bullshit!"

Song Zhuo glared at Qin Yu with a smile, "If you don't get punished, I'll change my name!"

Hearing Song Zhuo's resounding words, Qin Yu was somewhat dumbfounded.

Are you so sure?

Is it wrong for me to offer suggestions to the country?

Are they worried about being killed once the rabbit is caught, or discarded once the birds are gone?

That doesn't make sense either!

Even if they have this concern, they probably wouldn't say it to the female demon's face, right?

The two didn't say much to Qin Yu, but gave him a meaningful smile before quickly leaving the imperial study.

At this moment, Zhao Luan also came out, looking much more relaxed, with a hint of a smile on her face.

"Your Majesty, what do they mean by this?"

Qin Yu looked at Zhao Luan with a completely bewildered expression.

Zhao Luan's lips curled slightly. "You've been actively offering suggestions just to spend less time by my side and avoid attending court. Do you think you deserve to be punished?"

That's it!

Qin Yu suddenly realized what was happening and said with a completely innocent look, "I did this for Your Majesty's reputation! My loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon!"

"Do you think I don't understand your intentions?"

Zhao Luan snorted, "Alright, it's getting late! Have a simple meal with me! After you finish, come with me to the Peony Garden to see the Empress Dowager!"

"So urgent?"

Qin Yu was surprised, and then suggested, "Why doesn't Your Majesty first subtly probe the Empress Dowager's intentions?"

She's clearly making things up based on hearsay!

This matter is of great importance.

Although she had faith in the Empress Dowager, if she told the Empress Dowager everything and the Empress Dowager refused to help them, wouldn't that be a disaster?

"No need to test them!"

Zhao Luan's face remained confident. "This concerns the fate of my Great Ning. I believe the Empress Dowager will know what is more important!"

Qin Yu wanted to try to persuade her further, but seeing Zhao Luan's confident expression, he swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

That's it!

They are mother and daughter!

She definitely knows the Empress Dowager better than I do. Let her be!