The Prodigal Son

Upon learning that someone from the palace had arrived, Qin Yu quickly went to the front hall.

The woman who arrived was named Ruan Zhi. Qin Yu recognized her, but they hadn't spoken much before.

"I have met Physician Qin."

Ruan Zhi took the initiative to bow to Qin Yu.

"Don't be so formal."

Qin Yu waved his hand and asked bluntly, "What brings you here?"

Ruan Zhi smiled and said, "His Majesty has instructed that Physician Qin should attend the debate at the Temple of Literature in a couple of days."

Hearing Ruan Zhi's words, Qin Yu felt completely distraught.

Are you really going to send me to participate in a debate?

Isn't this just being incredibly bored?

However, no matter how unhappy Qin Yu was, since Zhao Luan had already given such instructions, he had no choice but to go.

"Alright!"

Qin Yu reluctantly agreed.

Although it wasn't a verbal order or an imperial edict, it was practically the same!

The female demon is clearly trying to force me to confront Zhao Yan head-on!

Ruan Zhi: "Then I'll take my leave now."

"Let me see you off!"

"I wouldn't dare trouble Doctor Qin!"

Ruan Zhi did not allow Qin Yu to see her off; she bowed again and then left.

Just as she was about to board the carriage, she saw Lü Si riding a horse to the Qin family.

Lü Si also saw Ruan Zhi.

The two looked at each other and were both stunned for a moment.

After a brief moment of distraction, Ruan Zhi took the initiative to nod and smile at Lü Si as a way of greeting him.

Lu Si came to his senses and was about to return the smile when Ruan Zhi had already boarded the carriage.

Lu Si was secretly disappointed, so he dismounted and sent the Qin family's gatekeeper to inform them.

The carriage started moving.

Ruan Zhi slightly lifted the curtain to peek outside, secretly wondering to herself.

Why is Lü Si coming to the Qin family at this time?

Inside the house, Qin Yu, who had not yet returned to his own courtyard, learned that Lü Si had come to visit.

Lü Si?

Qin Yu was slightly surprised.

I just saw Ruan Zhi off, why is Lü Si here again?

One act ends and another begins?

Or did Lü Si obtain some intelligence?

However, his undercover skills really need improvement!

What kind of undercover agent would come to their superior so naked?

Qin Yu secretly cursed in his heart, and then had someone summon Lü Si to his courtyard.

Soon, Qin Yu met Lü Si.

Qin Yu called Lü Si into the house and asked, "Why did you come here? Is there some important news?"

"No!"

Lu Si casually replied, "By the way, I think I saw Ruan Zhiliao, who was beside His Majesty, at the door just now? What did she want with you?"

Speaking of this, Qin Yu looked helpless. "His Majesty ordered me to participate in the Confucian Temple debate. Now Zhao Yan won't have to find a way to get me to participate..."

"what?"

Lu Si was taken aback and blurted out, "Zhao Yan even asked me to send you your appearance fee..."

He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, almost slapping himself in the face.

You owe me!

Why say it out loud?

Since he's going to participate in the Confucian Temple debate anyway, wouldn't it be better for him to just pocket the money himself?

Thinking of this, Lü Si immediately regretted it to the core.

Qin Yu was also confused by Lü Si's words.

Did Zhao Yan really send him an appearance fee?

Coming to his senses, Qin Yu asked expectantly, "How much silver?"

"Not much, only a thousand taels!"

Lü Si answered casually.

"Bullshit!"

Qin Yu didn't believe Lü Si's nonsense at all. "A thousand taels of silver? Is he trying to bribe a beggar?"

A thousand taels of silver as an appearance fee is indeed quite a lot!

But that depends on who it is!

Given his status, he only gets a thousand taels of silver for an appearance fee?

How could Zhao Yan possibly present himself in such a way?

That grandson of a Lu Si can't even lie properly!

"It really is one thousand taels!"

Lu Si avoided eye contact and scoffed, "A thousand taels of silver for an appearance fee, and you're still not satisfied? Who do you think you are?"

Qin Yu didn't believe him, bulging his eyes and saying, "Hurry up and confess! Otherwise, I'll have someone strip you naked and search you!"

"you……"

Lu Si glared at Qin Yu in exasperation.

But the thought that Qin Yu, that bastard, might actually do such a thing made him lose his confidence.

After hesitating for a moment, Lü Si gritted his teeth and said, "Twenty thousand taels of silver, we..."

"How much...?"

Qin Yu stared in astonishment at Lü Si, unable to believe his eyes.

Twenty thousand taels?

Holy crap?

He never imagined his appearance fee would be so high!

Is there any problem here?

Is he sure it wasn't 20,000 copper coins?

"Look at you, so unsophisticated!"

Lu Si gave him a disdainful look and said, "We'll split these 20,000 taels of silver in half! If you don't agree, I'll give the silver notes back to Zhao Yan!"

"You're fucking greedy! Twenty thousand taels of silver, and you only want to give me one thousand?"

Qin Yu was both annoyed and amused.

This is so damn black!

He's wasting his talent by not doing live-streaming e-commerce!

Lu Si glanced awkwardly at Qin Yu, then stiffened his neck and said righteously, "Wasn't I forced into this by you? If you had forgiven all my debts, would I, Lu Si, have even bothered with this little bit of silver?"

"Okay!"

Qin Yu was too lazy to argue with him. "Considering you owe me money, I'll do as you say!"

That works too!

Even a tiny mosquito is still meat!

To find ten thousand taels of silver for nothing without even leaving the house is quite something!

"That's more like it!"

Lu Si snorted, then said with schadenfreude, "You have no idea, before I came, Zhao Yan gave me a whole bunch of instructions, but hey, none of them were needed..."

Qin Yu laughed heartily: "No wonder he's called a prince! He throws around twenty thousand taels of silver; he's really rich!"

"None of his business! You should thank me!"

Lu Si snorted, "That grandson originally planned to give you only two thousand taels of silver as an appearance fee. He meant that you don't have much of anything except silver, and you wouldn't even give a second glance to a mere two thousand taels..."

As he spoke, Lü Si exaggeratedly recounted his achievements to Qin Yu.

It's only right that Qin Yu gives him ten thousand taels!

This is what I deserve!

Looking at Lü Si's self-righteous demeanor, Qin Yu was once again filled with emotion.

In some respects, Lü Si could be considered a talented individual!

Qin Yu didn't dwell on the matter further, instead asking, "Do you know the topic of the debate at the Confucian Temple?"

"Does anyone know?"

Lu Si shook his head, "I heard about it when I was having dinner with Zhao Yan and the others at Sifang Restaurant that day. The topics of the debate are all announced by Su He on the day of the debate..."

Qin Yu was unaware of the debate at the Confucian Temple, and neither was Lü Si.

This was an entertainment activity for scholars and so-called talented individuals, and had nothing to do with spoiled brats like them.

His limited understanding of the debate at the Confucian Temple came from what he heard from Lu Yong, Zhao Yan, and others when he had dinner with them that day.

"Alright!"

Qin Yu didn't ask any more questions. "You'd better go back now! Don't arouse Zhao Yan's suspicion."

"OK!"

Lu Si stood up. "You better watch your mouth, or you'll accidentally let something slip!"

"Get lost! Shut your stinking mouth!"

Qin Yu waved his hand impatiently at Lü Si.

Lu Si curled his lip and handed the silver note to Qin Yu: "Remember, I only owe you ninety thousand taels of silver!"

"good!"

Qin Yu laughed heartily.

"You bastard!"

Lu Si cursed under his breath and immediately turned tail and ran.

Watching Lü Si slip away faster than a rabbit, Qin Yu couldn't help but shake his head and smile.

That bastard's mouth is really asking for trouble!

Thinking that Lü Si would be punished in a few days, Qin Yu secretly felt sorry for him.

Ugh!

I really didn't mean to hurt him!

Who told him he was the Empress Dowager's nephew?

If you have grievances, go find Zhao Yan!

It's all because his father was clueless and caused all this mess!