The Prodigal Son

When they arrived at the city gate, the envoys from various countries met with the Empress's imperial carriage.

Zhao Luan only said a few perfunctory words before leading a large group of people toward the restaurant.

"Luan'er, do you want to make me lose face completely?"

Inside the imperial carriage, Empress Dowager Guo's complexion was not good.

From the moment she learned that Zhao Luan intended to use Qin Yu as a shield, she anticipated that Zhao Luan would retaliate.

But she really didn't expect Zhao Luan to be so unconventional, even waiving the birthday banquet held for her in the palace.

This is practically rubbing her old face in the ground!

"What are you saying, Mother?"

Zhao Luan smiled faintly, "This is a celebration that I, your daughter, have carefully prepared for you, Mother. Please rest assured, I will not let you down."

Her birth mother died when she was seven years old, and she was subsequently raised by Empress Dowager Guo.

At that time, the crown prince was still alive, and as a woman, she could not possibly pose any threat to his position.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Guo treated her very well, regarding her as her own daughter, and she also showed great respect to Empress Dowager Guo.

Unexpectedly, the mother and daughter have ended up in this situation.

"Is that so?"

Empress Dowager Guo glanced at her impassively, then sighed softly, "If only Cheng'er were still here..."

Zhao Cheng was the biological son of Empress Dowager Guo and the late emperor, and also the crown prince during the late emperor's reign.

The late emperor had only three sons in his lifetime, and the youngest died young.

Zhao Cheng was raised as the heir from a young age, and he lived up to expectations.

He was only thirteen years old when he began to assist the late emperor in handling government affairs and gained great prestige in the court.

Almost everyone believed that Zhao Cheng would become another wise ruler after the late emperor.

However, eight years ago, Zhao Cheng was assassinated while inspecting Raojin in the south.

Upon hearing the news, the late emperor was so angry that he vomited blood in court, and afterwards, his health deteriorated rapidly.

Although neither the late emperor nor she had any evidence to prove that the matter was related to the second prince Zhao Yi, they both suspected that it was a conspiracy by Zhao Yi.

Afterwards, the late emperor found a pretext to imprison Zhao Yi for life. When he was seriously ill, he was moved by the ascension of the Empress Murong of Northern Qi. He overruled the objections and passed the throne to Zhao Luan, allowing her to rule from behind the curtain.

She originally thought that with her years of experience following the late emperor in handling state affairs, she could keep Zhao Luan in check and remain an uncrowned ruler.

However, she underestimated Zhao Luan.

The war that lasted for nearly a year a few years ago, although it severely damaged Da Ning, also created an excellent opportunity for Zhao Luan to seize power.

Now, he is being suffocated by her, and his voice in the court is becoming increasingly weak.

Zhao Luan naturally understood the Empress Dowager Guo's unspoken meaning, and said softly, "I also wish my elder brother were still alive. That way, I could live as a princess in peace without having to shoulder the burden of the rise and fall of the Great Ning."

Throughout history, the rise and fall of a nation has never been decided by a single person.

Empress Dowager Guo lowered her eyelids and said, "You're not young anymore. You should consider finding someone to share this burden with you."

"There's no need for Mother to worry about this."

Zhao Luan said solemnly, "Right now, I only want Da Ning to become prosperous and strong again, and I will not consider these things for the time being."

"I still need to think about it."

Empress Dowager Guo gently shook her head: "Zhao Yan, the heir apparent of the Prince of Chengyang, has been observing mourning for his mother for three years and is still unmarried. In his congratulatory letter to me, the Prince of Chengyang told me that Zhao Yan's mourning period will end in two more months, and he wants to ask you for his hand in marriage on his behalf."

"Can't Mother see through Prince Chengyang's intentions?" Zhao Luan frowned.

Zhao Chong, the Prince of Chengyang, was the son of Emperor Xiaowu's cousin. He had also followed Emperor Xiaowu in his campaigns and made great contributions to the Ning Kingdom.

After his father passed away, Zhao Chong succeeded to the title of Prince of Chengyang.

Zhao Chong is also the only vassal king of Daming at present.

Although Zhao Chong did not show any signs of rebellion, she remained wary of him.

Yinzhou, which was guarded by Zhao Chong, was an important trade route between Ning and Chu.

She just couldn't find a suitable reason, otherwise she would have transferred the Prince of Chengyang elsewhere long ago!

She even married the heir apparent of the Prince of Chengyang?

"You're a girl, and eventually you'll get married."

Empress Dowager Guo shook her head again, "The Prince of Chengyang commands 100,000 heavily armed troops, stationed in Yinzhou to defend against the State of Chu!"

"If the Prince of Chengyang were to collude with the State of Chu in a rebellion, it would be a tremendous disaster for our dynasty!"

"If you marry the heir apparent of Chengyang, it will be more conducive to the stability of the court!"

"Now that you sit on the throne, many things cannot be done solely based on your own preferences; you must consider the bigger picture..."

Empress Dowager Guo analyzed the situation with her with a serious expression.

If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight!

A woman who becomes empress must endure more than others!

Five years ago, when Da Ning was beset by internal and external troubles, the Prince of Chengyang not only resisted Zhao Yi's temptations, but also made a great contribution to suppressing the rebellion.

The Prince of Chengyang could be a loyal minister, a border king who guarded the frontier for Daming!

But he could also be a traitor!

Ultimately, it all depends on her choice!

Seeing that she remained silent, Empress Dowager Guo tried a different approach, "When Crown Prince Yu Jing of Min Kingdom had his audience with me yesterday, he also expressed his willingness to offer three prefectures as a dowry to marry you! If you are not willing to marry the heir of the Prince of Chengyang, you can consider it..."

"Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, let's not talk about these things!"

Zhao Luan interrupted Empress Dowager Guo, clearly not wanting to discuss the matter further with her.

After that, the two people inside the imperial carriage were each lost in their own thoughts and stopped talking.

The imperial carriage continued forward until it finally stopped a hundred paces away from the restaurant.

At this moment, Qin Fumeng and his group were already waiting at the front of the brocade-paved road.

Qin Yu stood beside Qin Fumeng like a well-behaved child.

Upon seeing Zhao Luan and the Empress Dowager's imperial carriage, Qin Fumeng immediately led everyone to pay their respects.

"Welcome the Empress Dowager! Welcome His Majesty!"

Qin Fumeng, with his hoarse voice, took the lead in shouting.

After the eunuchs brought over a small stool, Zhao Luan helped Empress Dowager Guo down from the imperial carriage.

The courtiers also dismounted and stepped forward, many casting angry glances at the Qin family grandfather and grandson.

Empress Dowager Guo glanced at the brocade on the ground, then her gaze fell on Qin Fumeng. "Qin Tiger, you've raised a fine grandson!"

Qin Fumeng chuckled and then lightly kicked Qin Yu in the buttocks. "You wretch, the Empress Dowager is praising you! Why don't you thank her?"

Hearing Qin Fumeng's words, the ministers couldn't help but roll their eyes inwardly.

That old man is obviously playing dumb!

He couldn't possibly fail to realize that the Empress Dowager was being sarcastic.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty!"

Qin Yu bowed: "It is my honor to be able to organize the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet!"

Upon hearing this, the courtiers couldn't help but chuckle to themselves.

This grandfather and grandson are quite an oddball!

One is pretending to be stupid, the other is genuinely stupid!

It remains to be seen whether they will still be able to play dumb when the Empress's knife is at Qin Yu's neck.

"Is that good fortune?"

The Empress Dowager's gaze fell on Qin Yu. "You're probably just saying one thing and meaning another, aren't you?"

"How could that be?"

Qin Yu looked up, chuckling, and said, "This kid is truly blessed!"

Last night they borrowed nearly 1.5 million taels of silver, achieving financial freedom right away!

Isn't that an incredible blessing?

"Stop saying such nice things!"

Zhao Luan released her grip on the Empress Dowager's arm, her face darkening as she glared at Qin Yu: "How dare you, Qin Yu! You tore down the imperial edict ordering the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, and I even bestowed upon you a gold medal to facilitate your work. And this is how you've managed it? Where are the thousands of miles of brocade and the myriad restaurants?"

As Zhao Luan finished speaking, everyone's eyes fell on Qin Yu.

As expected, the Empress was indeed going to use Qin Yu as a shield!

This is a charge that Qin Yu should be charged with deceiving the emperor on the spot!

At this moment, many ministers had mixed feelings.

They wanted Qin Yu, who was acting recklessly, dead, but they also didn't want Qin Yu, who owed them money, dead.

But the Empress clearly intended to sacrifice Qin Yu to protect her own reputation, and with so many foreign envoys in front of them, they couldn't very well speak up!

That bastard!

Living is a scourge, and dying is a scourge!

Lü Si followed behind Lü Chunqiu, looking at Qin Yu with schadenfreude.

grandson!

I'll see how you die!

Since you're still keeping your word, I'll definitely burn two extra pounds of paper money for you next year on the day after tomorrow!

No... five jin!

Once you arrive in the underworld, you can spend the flowers without worry!

you are welcome!

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

Qin Yu smiled, turned to the side, and pointed: "A thousand miles of brocade, ten thousand restaurants, seemingly far away, yet right before our eyes!"