The Prodigal Son

After Zhao Luan finished talking with Nan Que'er, Qin Yu directly asked Zhao Luan about the two people who were secretly protecting him.

"It was sent by me, what's wrong?"

Zhao Luan narrowed her eyes and spoke in a very cold voice.

Qin Yu was taken aback.

Holy crap?

Did she really send them?

"Your Majesty, this...makes me feel quite flattered!"

Although Zhao Luan admitted it herself, Qin Yu still found it hard to believe.

"You're overthinking it! I originally had another mission for them; protecting you was just a side effect!"

As Zhao Luan spoke, she stared at Qin Yu with a half-smile, "To be honest, I really don't want anything to happen to you! Otherwise, when I'm in a bad mood, I won't know who to vent my anger on!"

"..."

Qin Yu's face darkened.

So, she had people protect her because she was afraid that if she died, she wouldn't be able to find anyone to take care of her?

Just those two things, does she really want to live off me for the rest of her life?

So all my hard work was for nothing?

Qin Yu inwardly scoffed, but then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, if I'm not mistaken, you ordered the imperial physician to say that I have a health problem, trying to scare me, didn't you?"

Zhao Luan was taken aback, as if she didn't understand Qin Yu's meaning.

After a moment, Zhao Luan smiled calmly and said, "If you think so, then so be it! I must return to the palace; I won't chat with you any longer!"

With that, Zhao Luan turned and left.

Seeing Zhao Luan's reaction, Qin Yu couldn't help but frown secretly.

What does "female demon" mean?

She seemed to have been stunned just now?

Am I overthinking things?

This has nothing to do with her?

Filled with doubt, Qin Yu followed Qin Fumeng all the way to see Zhao Luan out the door.

Just as Zhao Luan was about to board the imperial carriage, Qin Fumeng suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly called out to Zhao Luan, "Your Majesty, I have just remembered something. Please allow me a moment to speak with you."

Zhao Luan glanced at him questioningly, then followed Qin Fumeng to the side. "Is there anything else, Duke of Wei?"

Qin Fumeng chuckled and lowered his voice, saying, "I wish for that wicked beast Qin Yu to marry the girl from the Xu family. What does Your Majesty think?"

Ok?

Zhao Luan frowned and looked at Qin Fumeng with a puzzled expression.

What does Qin Laohu mean by this?

Why does he need to ask for my opinion if he wants Qin Yu to marry Xu Wan?

Is it because he's afraid I'll suspect the Qin family?

wrong!

If the Qin family were to form a marriage alliance with the Xue family, and given that she and Qin Yu had no physical ties, she might be suspicious.

But the Xu family only has two siblings, Xu Kui and Xu Wan!

Xu Kui was merely the deputy commander of the city guards, and Xu Wan was just a military officer of the Baojing Division.

What is there to be suspicious about?

That old fox definitely has something else in mind!

As she was thinking, Zhao Luan's eyelids suddenly twitched.

Could it be that he suspects she has feelings for Qin Yu?

If I disagree with Qin Yu's marriage to Xu Wan, wouldn't that prove that I've taken a liking to Qin Yu and can't let other women steal my man?

Zhao Luan pondered for a moment, then smiled calmly, "I trust the Duke of Wei, and I also trust the Qin family! I intend to transfer Xu Kui to Dieguan to serve as the garrison commander! I originally planned to discuss this matter at tomorrow's court meeting, but since we've come this far, I'd like to ask for your opinion as well."

what?

Qin Fumeng was stunned for a moment when Zhao Luan said this.

no……

Was my question too subtle, and did His Majesty not understand my implied meaning?

She thought she asked that because she was afraid the girl would suspect the Qin family.

Qin Fumeng pondered silently for a moment, then replied, "I believe that Xu Kui can temporarily take over as the garrison commander of Dieguan!"

Zhao Luan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's acceptable! Xu Kui is still young; we can observe him further!"

"Um."

Qin Fumeng nodded. "Young man, it won't hurt to train more."

Zhao Luan smiled in agreement, "I have some important matters to attend to upon returning to the palace, so I won't chat with you any longer!"

Zhao Luan didn't give Qin Fumeng another chance to test her, quickly climbing into the imperial carriage and instructing Yun Ying, "Let's go!"

"Let's go!"

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

Amidst the respectful farewells from the Qin family, Zhao Luan's imperial carriage slowly departed.

Qin Yu immediately stepped forward, asking Qin Fumeng with great curiosity, "What were you two talking about just now?"

"none of your business!"

Qin Fu glared at Qin Yu, then turned and walked into the house.

"..."

Qin Yu was annoyed and swung his fist, as big as a sandbag, at the old man's back.

However, as if Qin Fumeng had eyes in the back of his head, he suddenly turned around.

Qin Yu quickly withdrew his hand, secretly surprised.

Is this the sixth sense of a top expert?

Or has this old guy developed "divine sense"?

"Send someone to invite Xu Kui and Xu Wan over for dinner tonight!"

Qin Fumeng gave an order and quickly returned to the house.

Ugh!

His Majesty's attitude is truly baffling!

……

In the afternoon, Lu Yong hurriedly arrived at Zhao Yan's residence.

Even from a distance, Lu Yong couldn't wait to shout to Zhao Yan, "Your Highness, good news!"

Zhao Yan put down her book, looked at Lu Yong who was running up to her breathlessly, and calmly picked up the teapot to pour him a cup of hot tea, saying with a smile, "No rush, sit down and have some tea to calm down!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Lu Yong bowed deeply, slowly sat down, then picked up the teacup with both hands and drank the tea in one gulp.

"What good news do you have?"

Only then did Zhao Yan speak up and ask a question.

Lu Yong said with a smile, "I just received news that Qin Yu, that idiot, beat up the students who went to the Qin family to demand an explanation, and many of them were injured..."

Speaking of this, Lu Yong couldn't help but burst into laughter.

In fact, it was he who instigated the students of the Confucian Temple and Academy to go to Qin Yu to demand an explanation.

They hoped that Qin Yu, relying on the Emperor's favor, would beat up those scholars.

As it turned out, that idiot Qin Yu actually did it!

"Oh?"

Zhao Yan's face also broke into a smile. "This is truly good news! It seems His Majesty's favor has made Qin Yu incredibly arrogant!"

"That's all Qin Yu is capable of!"

Lu Yong scoffed, "I reckon Qin Yu's achievements in Chenzhou were entirely due to the guidance of people arranged by Qin Fumeng!"

Even now, Lu Yong still looks down on Qin Yu.

Doesn't he know what kind of person Qin Yu is?

He didn't believe Qin Yuzhen was that capable!

"None of that matters anymore."

Zhao Yan smiled, looking intently at Lu Yong, "You know what to do next, right?"

"Know!"

Lu Yong nodded and smiled, "I'll add fuel to the fire!"

"Okay, let's do it then!"

Zhao Yan nodded slightly. "By the way, what has Lü Si been doing these past few days? I haven't seen him."

As of now, he still doesn't know what the Empress Dowager is trying to do.

He couldn't bypass the Empress Dowager and go directly to the Lü family to inquire about Lü Chunqiu.

Therefore, he wanted to get some information from Lü Si.

But he hasn't seen Lü Si in the past two days.

Lu Yong replied, "I heard it's because he's taking care of his father! I didn't inquire further about the specifics."

"Okay, I understand."

Zhao Yan stood up, raised his hand and patted Lu Yong on the shoulder, "You and Lü Si are both my friends! I know there's been some unpleasantness between you, and I hope you can turn your differences into friendship!"

Lu Yong's face stiffened slightly, then he forced a smile: "I will obey the Crown Prince!"

After seeing Lu Yong off, Zhao Yan immediately set off for the Peony Garden.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager was giving instructions to someone.

Seeing Zhao Yan approach, the Empress Dowager waved for the people in front of her to step back.

"Zhao Yan greets the Empress Dowager!"

Zhao Yan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Get up!

As the Empress Dowager spoke, she gestured for Zhao Yan to sit down.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

Zhao Yan slowly took his seat and then told the Empress Dowager about the news he had just received.

After listening to Zhao Yan's words, the Empress Dowager lowered her head and began to ponder.

After a moment, the Empress Dowager gave a meaningful smile: "Tell me, if Qin Yu were assassinated, who would have done it?"

Assassination attempt?

Zhao Yan's heart skipped a beat.

Is the Empress Dowager trying to get rid of Qin Yu?

In fact, he also had some plans to deal with Qin Yu.

However, they had to go through a long and complicated process to frame Qin Yu, falsely accusing him of corruption, abuse of power, and other crimes.

He never expected the Empress Dowager to be so direct.

What a simple and unpretentious plan!

After suppressing his excitement, Zhao Yan replied with a smile, "Qin Yu insulted the Sage of Literature, humiliated all scholars, and is also a treacherous minister in the court. All ambitious people in the world should wish to get rid of him as soon as possible!"

The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled, giving him a look that said, "You're a promising young man."