The Prodigal Son

In just one day, news of Lü Chunqiu's imprisonment, Lady Lü's miscarriage, and the Empress Dowager's illness spread throughout the capital.

However, despite the magnitude of the event, the imperial court remained remarkably calm.

No one even mentioned it at the court meeting.

This eerie calm gave everyone a sense that a storm was brewing.

Everyone knows that after such a major incident, the court could not possibly remain calm, and the Empress Dowager could not possibly swallow this insult.

The current calm is certainly brewing a much bigger storm.

After the court assembly, Zhao Luan led his officials to the Peony Garden to visit the ailing Empress Dowager.

However, the Empress Dowager showed Zhao Luan no respect whatsoever.

When Zhao Luan visited, the Empress Dowager was unwell and unable to receive guests.

Other ministers, however, were all permitted to visit.

Zhao Luan looked unwell. After instructing Ruan Zhi to relay a message to Lü Si, she led Qin Yu and the others away from the Peony Garden.

Before long, Ruan Zhi found Lü Si, who was sitting with Zhao Yan looking lost and dejected. "His Majesty said that after the investigation by the Baojing Division, it can be basically confirmed that the witchcraft case has nothing to do with you. The Empress Dowager is unwell, so you should spend more time with her in the Peony Garden. Your mother's condition has stabilized, and you can also visit her at the Imperial Hospital when you have time!"

Zhao Yan listened to this and secretly found it amusing.

Zhao Luan must have guessed that the assassin was sent by the Empress Dowager.

She originally intended to use the lesson taught to the Lü family as a warning to the Empress Dowager, but she never expected things to escalate beyond control.

Now, by sending someone to tell Lü Si these things, she is actually indirectly trying to curry favor with the Empress Dowager.

However, Lady Lü suffered a miscarriage, and the Empress Dowager was so angry that she vomited blood. It was too late for her to make amends now!

Moreover, her attempt to make amends lacked any sincerity whatsoever!

If they really wanted to show goodwill, they should immediately release Lü Chunqiu and compensate the Lü family, while also killing Qin Yu and agreeing to marry him!

Zhao Luan wanted to make amends but didn't want to admit her mistakes or back down!

She thought she could have all the good things in the world?

"Stop pretending!"

Lu Si's pent-up rage suddenly erupted, and he roared at Ruan Zhi with bloodshot eyes, "Can she give my mother's child back to her?"

Ruan Zhi's expression changed slightly, and his voice suddenly turned cold: "Young Master Lü, watch your words!"

"So what if I'm not careful with my words?"

Lu Si stood up and rushed to Ruan Zhi, his eyes blazing with fury as he roared, "If you have the guts, have someone kill me right now!"

"Lu Si!"

Seeing this, Zhao Yan quickly stepped forward and pulled Lü Si aside, saying, "She's just following orders to deliver a message. Let's talk things out and not make things difficult for her."

"They're all in cahoots!"

Lu Si vented all his anger on Ruan Zhi, gritting his teeth and roaring at him, "I won't let you get away with this!"

"what ever!"

Ruan Zhi glanced at Lü Si indifferently, then bowed to Zhao Yan and took his leave.

Watching her leave, Zhao Yan patted Lü Si on the shoulder and sighed, "Calm down. It's precisely at times like these that you mustn't act impulsively."

Lu Si hastily wiped away the tears from his eyes, then looked at Zhao Yan with bloodshot eyes, "Your Highness, I will never let that beast Qin Yu get away with this! You must help me!"

It was all because Qin was murdered!

From that moment on, I vowed to be irreconcilable with this beast!

It's a fight to the death!

"Let's not talk about that now."

Lu Sichong gently shook his head. "Let's wait until the Empress Dowager's condition stabilizes before discussing anything else! Don't worry, not only you and I, but the entire court will not let this traitor Qin Yu get away with it!"

After comforting Lü Si for a while, Zhao Yan got up and walked towards the courtyard where the Empress Dowager lived.

At this moment, there were still many worried ministers in the Empress Dowager's courtyard.

Upon seeing Zhao Yan, many ministers bowed to him.

Zhao Yan greeted everyone kindly, then chatted with Song Zhuo about the Empress Dowager's situation, and asked him to plead for the Lü family during the court assembly to help ease the tension between the Empress Dowager and Zhao Luan.

"well……"

Song Zhuo sighed with a worried expression, "What you say, Your Highness, is perfectly clear to me. I will try my best to persuade His Majesty, and I also ask Your Highness to try to persuade the Empress Dowager as well!"

"I will do my best."

Zhao Yan nodded, then asked worriedly, "How is Lord Lü doing?"

Song Zhuo frowned and sighed, "I have already warned the people of the Baojing Division, and they should not torture Lord Lü. However, Qin Yu and the Golden Armored Imperial Guards found a lot of witchcraft items in the Lü family's house. This matter is probably going to be troublesome..."

"A witchcraft item?"

Zhao Yan frowned. "Based on my understanding of Lord Lü, he shouldn't do such a thing, right?"

Song Zhuo, not wanting to elaborate, changed the subject, saying, "As for the Empress Dowager, I urge the Crown Prince to persuade her. The Northern Qi are currently stirring, and there's a high possibility they will invade our dynasty this autumn. I implore the Empress Dowager to consider the bigger picture! Cough cough..."

As he spoke, Song Zhuo began to cough again.

"good!"

Zhao Yan agreed, then inquired with concern about Song Zhuo, who was coughing incessantly: "Prime Minister Song, are you alright?"

At this moment, Zhao Yan had made up her mind.

The so-called witchcraft items must have been brought by Qin Yu!

Lu Si was right, Qin Yu deliberately framed him!

"fine."

Song Zhu forced a smile, "There are still many matters to attend to in the court, so we'll take our leave now..."

As Song Zhuo spoke, he called several high-ranking officials from the court to leave with him, coughing incessantly as they departed.

After they left, Zhao Yan chatted with the officials present, and then called Lu Cheng aside for a casual chat.

"Did Madam Lü really miscarry?"

Zhao Yan asked in a low voice.

"Um."

Lu Cheng nodded slightly, "This matter has long been confirmed. Madam Lü suffered a miscarriage in public, and many people witnessed it..."

Zhao Yan was overjoyed, but calmly inquired, "What exactly is the attitude of these ministers in the court now?"

"It's not very clear yet."

Lu Cheng replied, "Currently, the Ministry of Justice is without a leader, and Elder Su of the Ministry of Rites has been claiming illness and not attending court. Chaos has already begun to emerge in the court. Now, the Northern Qi is also stirring up trouble. Prime Minister Song and the others certainly do not want our court to experience internal strife at this time! Your Highness, you must not act rashly!"

At this point, they don't need to be the first to stick their necks out; they can just watch the situation unfold with amusement!

If Song Zhuo and the others want to put pressure on Zhao Luan, then they can follow suit!

In any case, those self-proclaimed loyal ministers like Song Zhuo certainly wanted the court to be in turmoil even less than the people in the court!

"I know that!"

Zhao Yan nodded, then smiled and said, "If the witchcraft items that Qin Yu found alone in the Lü family can be used as evidence, then can the letters of treason found by other officials in the court alone in the Qin family also be used as evidence of the Qin family's rebellion?"

Lu Cheng was slightly taken aback, but quickly realized what he meant and looked at Zhao Yan with admiration: "Your Highness is wise!"

They found so-called evidence that the Qin family was treasonous and colluding with the enemy!

If that doesn't count as evidence, then the things Qin Yu found can't be considered evidence either!

In this way, even if Qin Yu'an cannot be framed, at least Lü Chunqiu can be saved!

In that case, wouldn't the Empress Dowager and the Lü family be even more grateful to the Crown Prince and stand on his side?

Having figured this out, Lu Cheng was secretly pleased.

Fei Zhong, the Minister of Works, was originally one of their men.

Key figures such as Song Zhuo, Xue Chengdao, Su Yu, and Du Zhiwen have not yet expressed their opinions on the Lü family matter, but many things are already quite obvious.

It is an undeniable fact that Lady Lü suffered a miscarriage, and the Empress Dowager was so angry that she vomited blood.

The Empress Dowager would never swallow this insult!

Qin Yu not only offended many civil officials, but also earned a lot of bad reputation.

The only way to appease the Empress Dowager's anger is to deal with Qin Yu and agree to Zhao Yan's marriage proposal.

If Zhao Luan continues to act willfully, even Song Zhuo will probably stop standing by her side.

At that time, it will be these ministers in the court who will collectively put pressure on her.

After all, the formidable enemy, Beiqi, is stirring again, and any official who cares about Daming does not want to see Daming fall into internal strife once more.

After chatting for a while, Zhao Yan went to talk to other officials.

Zhao Yan could clearly sense that many officials had become more enthusiastic towards him.

It seems these officials are well aware of the current situation.

If Zhao Luan wants to stabilize the court and prevent internal strife, the most direct way is to deal with Qin Yu and accept his marriage proposal!

Zhao Yan was secretly pleased, but on her face she pretended to be frowning...