The Prodigal Son

Faced with Qin Yu's rebuttal, Cui Xu's face stiffened.

The courtiers were taken aback by Qin Yu's eloquence and were momentarily at a loss for words.

After a brief moment of distraction, Cui Xu instantly felt a sense of awe at the potential of this young man.

However, this did not deter him; instead, it fueled his fighting spirit even more.

He is Cui Xu!

A dignified Imperial Censor!

He's no good at fighting!

He's never been afraid of a verbal battle!

After regaining his composure, Cui Xu immediately retorted, "If you weren't framing me, why were you conducting a separate search?"

"I'd love to!"

Qin Yu sneered, "I was lucky. Everyone else couldn't find anything, but I could. Is that not allowed? Without corroboration, what I found isn't evidence? When your wife gave birth to your son, did you have the entire city gather in the delivery room to prove that your son was your wife's child?"

Seeing Qin Yu escalate the court's rebuttal to a personal attack, Cui Xu flew into a rage, "The Qin family is full of loyal and virtuous people, how could such a traitor like you emerge? When your mother gave birth to you, the whole city didn't go to watch! I'm starting to doubt whether you're even a member of the Qin family!"

"The one surnamed Cui!"

Qin Fumeng glared at Cui Xu, "Do you believe I'll knock your teeth out?"

"Qin Fumeng!"

Cui Xu glared back at Qin Fumeng without flinching, "The late emperor appointed you as regent minister so that you would serve the country loyally and restore order!"

"Yet you now condone the Qin family members framing loyal officials out of personal grudges, causing turmoil in the court amidst internal and external troubles!"

"Ask yourself honestly, do you deserve the title of regent?"

"When you reach the afterlife, how will you face the late emperor and Emperor Xiaowu?"

"If you have any conscience at all, you should take the initiative to apologize to His Majesty, instead of standing up for your little beast here..."

Cui Xu unleashed his full power, relentlessly attacking Qin Fumeng.

Qin Fumeng was so angry that his face turned ashen, and he wanted to slap Cui Xu away several times.

"You know perfectly well that someone is using witchcraft to curse His Majesty, yet you are still here trying your best to exonerate the sinner. What kind of loyal minister are you, Cui Xu?"

Qin Yu retorted to Cui Xu: "Years ago, you wrote poems satirizing the Empress Dowager, yet the late Emperor not only didn't blame you but also entrusted you with important responsibilities. Now, can your actions truly repay the late Emperor's kindness? In the afterlife, how will you face him?"

Cui Xu straightened his back and declared loudly, "I, Cui Xu, have acted uprightly and sat honestly, with a clear conscience! If I had even the slightest selfish motive, I would immediately commit suicide before the late emperor's mausoleum to atone for my sins! Or, you and I could each commit suicide and go to the underworld to face the late emperor's judgment! Do you dare?"

Holy crap?

That Cui Xu is truly ruthless!

However, based on his understanding of Cui Xu, Cui Xu was indeed capable of doing such a thing!

"If you want to die, then die, but don't drag me down with you!"

Qin Yu snorted coldly.

"What? Are you feeling guilty and afraid to go?"

Cui Xu pressed on relentlessly.

"No!"

Qin Yu shook his head and sneered, "You, Cui Xu, have contributed nothing to Da Ning except for your glib tongue. So what if you die? But I, Qin Yu, am young, promising, and skilled in both literature and martial arts. I will remain alive to serve Da Ning! If I die, it will be a loss for His Majesty and a loss for the court!"

Hearing Qin Yu shamelessly and frantically patting himself on the back, the anger of the courtiers was completely ignited.

"You treacherous villain, how dare you utter such words?"

"I hosted the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, saving face for His Majesty and Da Ning. I fought a bloody battle against the rebels in Chenzhou to quell the rebellion, and then led my troops to expand the country's territory. Why should I have no face to say these things?"

"You've only just achieved a little success and you're already so arrogant. What will you do in the future?"

"You piece of trash who wastes the court's salary and food, you can bark like a dog here, so why can't I be arrogant? Besides, do you even consider yourself human?"

"You...you..."

"How dare you, Qin Yu! This is the imperial court, a place for deliberation, not a place for you to hurl insults!"

"You were the ones who barked first, so what? You can't argue with me, so you're resorting to invoking the rules of the imperial court?"

The courtiers took turns attacking Qin Yu.

But Qin Yu's fighting prowess was not to be underestimated; he retaliated against anyone, no matter who they were.

It had the air of someone debating with a group of scholars.

Qin Fumeng not only didn't stop Qin Yu, but also cheered him on from the sidelines.

Looking at the chaotic court, Zhao Luan's face was cold and stern, but inwardly she secretly admired him.

I must say, Qin Yu's tongue is really smooth!

How could one person not only fight back against so many ministers who were challenging him, but also gain a slight advantage?

Seeing that the time was almost right, Zhao Luan, who had been silent for a long time, finally roared, "Enough! All of you, shut up!"

With Zhao Luan's angry shout, the noisy court gradually quieted down.

However, although everyone shut up, they all glared at Qin Yu, looking as if they wished they could devour him alive.

Qin Yu was not intimidated at all and immediately glared back at everyone fiercely, still looking like he hadn't had enough.

"Your Majesty, I believe that arguing about these things now is pointless."

Seeing that Cui Xu had not gotten what he wanted, Fei Zhongchong and Zhao Luan bowed respectfully: "Since the witchcraft items that Qin Yu found alone in the Lü family can be used as evidence to convict Lord Lü, then I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to lead men to search the Qin family. I am certain that I will be able to find evidence of the Qin family's treason!"

Zhao Luan's delay in expressing her opinion clearly indicates that she still favors Qin Yu.

It might be difficult to frame Qin Yu right now, but we can rescue Lü Chunqiu first!

Once Lü Chunqiu is rescued, their strength will increase further.

"right!"

Lu Cheng immediately echoed, "Qin Yu previously exerted great effort to promote trade between our dynasty and the Yan state. I have every reason to suspect that the Qin family is colluding with the enemy and harboring treacherous intentions! I also wish to request Your Majesty's permission to search the Qin family's residence! If no evidence of the Qin family's treasonous collusion is found, I am willing to atone with my death!"

"I am willing too!"

Another minister stepped forward.

Then, a group of ministers stood up to express their support.

This prompted more than 80% of the officials in the court to stand up and put pressure on Zhao Luan.

Finding so-called evidence of treason is incredibly easy!

If someone were to casually imitate the tone of Empress Murong or the Emperor of Yan and write a letter to the Qin family, wouldn't that be evidence of treason?

As long as the witchcraft items Qin Yu found can be considered evidence, then all letters like these can be considered evidence!

Seeing the ministers stepping forward, Song Zhuo could no longer remain silent. He slowly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, there has never been a definitive conclusion regarding witchcraft. Even clay figurines made by children on the street can be considered witchcraft! Could it be that those children are also cursing Your Majesty?"

"Prime Minister Song is right!"

Su Yu agreed, saying, "If anyone could convict a minister simply by finding something in his home, the court would be filled with unease! This old minister implores Your Majesty to consider the overall situation of the court, release Lord Lü, and severely punish Qin Yu, who instigated the incident, to appease the people!"

Su Yu still refused to let Qin Yu go.

After Su Yu spoke up, the court officials all loudly petitioned.

"Your Majesty, please release Lord Lü and severely punish Qin Yu to appease the people!"