The Prodigal Son

Peony Garden.

A painted boat glides slowly on the small lake in the peony garden.

Inside the painted boat, Zhao Yan was playing chess with the Empress Dowager.

The game ended, and the Empress Dowager won again.

"You silly child, don't always give in to me!"

The Empress Dowager raised her head and scolded Zhao Yan, "If you continue to let me win, I won't let you play chess with me anymore!"

Although the Empress Dowager reprimanded him, Zhao Yan knew in his heart that the Empress Dowager was not truly angry.

"I really didn't let the Empress Dowager win; it's just that my chess skills are lacking."

Zhao Yan tossed the chess piece back into the chess cup. "However, after playing chess with the Empress Dowager and listening to her teachings these past two days, I feel that my chess skills have improved quite a bit."

"Look at you, child."

The Empress Dowager smiled broadly, then earnestly instructed Zhao Yan, "Don't always come to keep me company. You should visit the palace when you have time, preferably after 1-3 PM!"

Zhao Yan understood the Empress Dowager's meaning.

The Empress Dowager wanted him to enter the palace and get to know Zhao Luan better.

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."

As Zhao Yan spoke, he was about to rise and bow, but the Empress Dowager pulled him down to sit.

"You're a good child in every way, except you're too polite! Sometimes, that politeness just creates distance!"

The Empress Dowager gently patted Zhao Yan's hand, "This is the only area where you are inferior to Qin Yu!"

"this……"

Zhao Yan seemed somewhat bewildered.

Is humility and politeness a sin?

The Empress Dowager smiled, then said earnestly, "As the saying goes, talented women often fall for dissolute men!"

"Most women don't like men who are subservient to them; they prefer men who give them a sense of conquest!"

"Men conquer the world, but women conquer men!"

Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Zhao Yan felt as if he had been enlightened.

This is absolutely a profound truth!

"The Empress Dowager's words have greatly benefited me!"

Zhao Yan slowly rose and bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager: "Please accept my bow, Your Majesty!"

"Get up, get up!"

The Empress Dowager quickly helped Zhao Yan up, then stroked his handsome face with loving eyes, "Did your father ever tell you that you resemble someone by seven parts?"

"this……"

Zhao Yan was surprised and asked curiously, "Who is the Empress Dowager referring to?"

"The crown prince of that time."

The Empress Dowager sighed softly, then pulled Zhao Yan to sit down. "Ever since you came to the capital a few years ago, I've felt you looked somewhat familiar. These past few years, you've become even more like Cheng'er! Alas, if only Cheng'er were still here..."

As she spoke of her son, tears welled up in the Empress Dowager's eyes, and her gaze toward Zhao Yan became even more loving.

It seems that he regarded Zhao Yan as his own son.

Just as Zhao Yan was about to comfort the Empress Dowager, a small boat arrived beside the painted barge. "Your Majesty, news has come from the palace that His Majesty has punished Minister Lü with a caning in court!"

"What?"

The Empress Dowager's expression changed drastically. She immediately rushed out of the painted boat, her face frosty, and demanded, "How badly is Lord Lü injured?"

The person on the small boat replied, "The injury is quite serious; he has already been sent to the Imperial Hospital for treatment."

"Unfilial daughter! This unfilial daughter!"

The Empress Dowager stamped her feet in anger, her eyes blazing with fury as she roared, "Dock at once! Prepare the carriage for the Lü residence!"

Faced with the Empress Dowager's anger, the servants dared not delay and hurriedly rowed the pleasure boat toward the shore.

Faced with this sudden news, Zhao Yan was both shocked and delighted.

Coming to his senses, Zhao Yan quickly and attentively helped the Empress Dowager up, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down! There may be more to this matter than meets the eye."

"What other hidden story could there be?"

The Empress Dowager was furious, trembling with rage. "This unfilial daughter is warning me! She's trying to force me back to the palace!"

Looking at the furious Empress Dowager, a smile secretly flashed in Zhao Yan's eyes.

The fiercer the mother and daughter fight, the more advantageous it is for them!

As the painted boat docked, Zhao Yan carefully helped the Empress Dowager off the boat.

The Empress Dowager was furious and immediately led Zhao Yan and the Lü family there.

When they arrived at the Lü family home, Madam Lü, weeping, led Lü Si out to greet them.

"Second sister, you must stand up for us..."

Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, Lady Lü burst into tears.

Although Lady Lü and the Empress Dowager were cousins, they had a close relationship since childhood, and Lady Lü always called her Second Sister.

After calling out "Aunt," Lü Si also wiped away tears.

"Don't cry! Don't upset the baby!"

The Empress Dowager snapped irritably, then hurriedly asked, "How is Chunqiu?"

Madam Lü wiped away her tears and sobbed, "You...you go see for yourself!"

The Empress Dowager's face darkened further, and she glared at Lü Si: "What are you all standing there for? Lead the way!"

Lu Si snapped out of his daze and quickly and obediently led the way.

Soon, they arrived at Lü Chunqiu's room.

Lu Chunqiu lay face down on the bed, the white cloth on his back stained with blood.

Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, Lü Chunqiu quickly struggled to his feet: "Your humble servant..."

"Don't move!"

The Empress Dowager stopped Lü Chunqiu, then came to Lü Chunqiu's bedside with a gloomy face and carefully lifted the blood-soaked white cloth.

Although it was only ten strokes of the cane, Lü Chunqiu's back was still bleeding from the beating.

Seeing the wound on Lü Chunqiu's back, the Empress Dowager's face darkened further, and she demanded sharply, "What happened? How did you get beaten?"

Lu Chunqiu lay there, filled with grief and indignation, recounting the events of today's court assembly.

Upon hearing Lü Chunqiu's words, the Empress Dowager's breathing suddenly became rapid, and she shouted angrily, "Rebellion! Rebellion!"

Seeing this, Zhao Yan quickly stepped forward to comfort her: "Your Majesty, please calm down, your health is the most important thing."

At this moment, Zhao Yan was overjoyed.

Unexpectedly!

He had originally intended to use the poem to incite hostility towards Qin Yu among the civil officials in the court, but instead, he received an unexpected surprise.

"I'm already being bullied to death by this unfilial daughter, what use is my health now?"

The Empress Dowager roared like an enraged lioness, her face frosty.

"Your Majesty, your health is paramount! Don't let this matter of mine upset you."

Lü Chunqiu also joined in persuading the Empress Dowager, and then instructed, "Lü Si, accompany the Crown Prince for a walk!"

Lu Si was somewhat reluctant, "Father..."

"Get out!"

Lü Chunqiu roared.

Startled, Lü Si quickly led Zhao Yan out of the room.

As soon as the two left, the Empress Dowager glared at Madam Lü with annoyance, "Stop crying. Didn't I send someone to check on you last night? What if you upset the baby?"

"I……"

Madam Lü wiped away her tears and looked at the Empress Dowager with a wronged expression, "Wasn't it agreed that we would beat Lü Si? Why is it that we're beating old Lü instead?"

Lu Si was so young, a beating wouldn't be a big deal for him.

Anyway, he's been beaten by his dad quite a bit, so he's probably gotten tough from all the beatings.

But Lu Chunqiu is over fifty years old. It's really heartbreaking to see him get ten lashes like that!

Can plans keep up with changes?

The Empress Dowager stepped forward and pulled Lady Lü to sit down. "Don't be fooled by his seemingly serious injuries; they're just superficial wounds. If you really used force, you could have broken his bones!"

Madam Lü's voice trembled with tears, "That can't be..."

"Alright!"

Lu Chunqiu stopped his wife, then looked at the Empress Dowager with a complicated expression, "Has the Empress Dowager really made up her mind?"

"It's decided!"

The Empress Dowager's gaze was firm. "I am the Empress Dowager of Da Ning, and you are also a subject of Da Ning! You have been wronged this time, but you will be rewarded handsomely after this is accomplished!"

"I do not desire any reward."

Lü Chunqiu gently shook his head. "Since the Empress Dowager has made up her mind, this beating I received was worthwhile! I'll consider it an act of merit for my unborn child!"

Now that the Empress Dowager has stopped causing trouble, he has to think about future generations.

Otherwise, after the Empress Dowager passes away, the Lü family will likely be purged.

"What nonsense about accumulating good karma! It sounds awful!"

The Empress Dowager glared at him, then solemnly instructed, "I'll say it again, Lü Si must not find out about this! Knowing his temperament, if he finds out, he'll most likely ruin everything!"

"Your subject understands."

Lü Chunqiu nodded emphatically, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will forever remember the kindness of the late Emperor and Your Majesty! If I can fulfill the long-cherished wish of Emperor Xiaowu and the late Emperor, I will do anything, even risk my life!"

"I was right about you!"

The Empress Dowager patted Lü Chunqiu's hand with relief, then looked at Madam Lü, "You can cry and fuss as much as you want, just don't upset the baby! For you to have a child at your age is a blessing from God, you must protect this child!"

Madam Lü nodded gently, then looked at her husband with heartache...