The Prodigal Son

Zhao Yan's residence.

Lu Yong and others were gathered together, drinking tea with Zhao Yan.

When the topic turned to matters of the court, each of them became more excited than the last.

"Even Emperor Yizu appeared and wept because of the treacherous Qin Yu. Now let's see if Your Majesty can still protect Qin Yu!"

"Protect him? Qin Yu has already incurred the wrath of both heaven and man, how can Your Majesty protect him?"

"Nearly forty percent of the officials in the court have been claiming illness and not attending court! Even Chancellor Song has taken sick leave! If Your Majesty continues to protect Qin Yu, the empire may descend into chaos!"

"This time, no one can protect Qin Yu! Qin Yu is doomed!"

"By the way, if the Crown Prince marries His Majesty, how should we address him? We can't just call him the Imperial Consort, can we?"

"You know what, this is actually a difficult problem!"

"I've heard that Queen Ruoshan's husband is called 'Lord,' so I guess he should be called that too?"

Several people surrounded Zhao Yan like stars around the moon, showering him with flattery.

Although Zhao Yan was pleased, his face fell. "Stop talking nonsense! If His Majesty hears this, you'll all be punished!"

"We're not talking nonsense!"

Lu Yong chuckled and flattered, "Your Majesty was merely using Qin Yu as a shield before. Now that Qin Yu himself is in dire straits, Your Majesty will surely grant the Crown Prince's marriage proposal! Moreover, in this world, besides the Crown Prince, who else is worthy of Your Majesty?"

Ever since Qin Yu gave him a severe beating, Lu Yong has harbored a deep grudge against Qin Yu.

Later, Qin Yu became famous, which made Lu Yong even more resentful.

Qin Yu is just a lucky playboy. What right does he have to hog my head?

What merit or ability does Qin Yu possess?

Qin Yu has now become a pariah, and now this has happened in Ningzhou.

He simply couldn't believe that Zhao Luan would make an enemy of the entire court and the people of the world for the sake of Qin Yu!

When Zhao Luan gives up on Qin Yu, that will be the time for them to kick him while he's down!

When the time comes, he will repay Qin Yu tenfold for the humiliation he has inflicted upon him!

Thinking of this, Lu Yong could hardly contain his excitement.

"Yes, yes, Lu Yong is right!"

"That's right, besides the Crown Prince, who else is worthy of His Majesty?"

"We'll still need the Crown Prince's guidance in the future..."

Everyone chimed in, vying to flatter Zhao Yan.

Only Lü Si sat there absentmindedly, his face full of sorrow.

Zhao Yan was secretly pleased, but still tried to maintain a composed demeanor. "Don't say such things. I'm friends with all of you, and you've all helped me a lot. I promise you, as long as I, Zhao Yan, have food to eat, you won't go hungry!"

"The Crown Prince is benevolent and righteous!"

Lu Yong chuckled, his gaze then falling on Lü Si. "Lü Si, don't you have a deep-seated grudge against Qin Yu? Qin Yu is about to face a great calamity, why are you unhappy?"

Lu Si slowly raised his head, looking at Zhao Yan with pleading eyes, "Your Highness, could you think of a way to let me into the Imperial Mirror Bureau to see my father?"

His mother had a miscarriage, and his father was imprisoned in the Baojing Division and no one knew what was happening to him.

I wonder how worried his father was about his mother while he was in prison, and whether he was tortured.

He tried several times to visit his father at the Baojing Bureau, but he couldn't get in at all.

Even the Empress Dowager's decree was useless!

"this……"

Zhao Yan frowned slightly, then patted Lü Si's shoulder reassuringly: "Don't worry about your father! His Majesty is already very remorseful for your mother's miscarriage; the people from the Imperial Mirror Bureau certainly wouldn't dare to torture your father!"

"Self-blame? She's blaming herself for nothing!"

Speaking of this, Lü Si was furious. "If she wants to feel guilty, she should release my father!"

"Don't blame His Majesty! I suspect the Qin family is behind it all!"

Zhao Yan patted Lü Si again, "Your father's matter can't be rushed. You must remain calm and not cause trouble for the Empress Dowager!"

Keep your composure?

Sink your mother's head!

It's not your father who's locked up, so of course you can stay calm!

Lu Si cursed inwardly, then suddenly had a brilliant idea. "Your Highness, it's not good for us to just watch the show. Why don't we contact the officials in the court and try to..."

"Don't be impatient!"

Zhao Yan shook his head slightly, looking at Lü Si with a serious expression: "At this time, you're contacting officials in the court, are you afraid His Majesty won't have an excuse to make trouble? Remember this, any mistake you make at this time could be magnified infinitely and eventually become leverage for His Majesty to negotiate with the Empress Dowager!"

idiot!

Is it his place to contact officials in the imperial court?

Does he really think the Empress Dowager just lies around in the peony garden every day?

The Empress Dowager did many things behind the scenes!

His sudden inspiration at this moment was likely to cause trouble for the Empress Dowager.

If it weren't for the relationship between Lü Si and the Empress Dowager, he would have liked to slap Lü Si twice to bring him to his senses.

"Yeah, don't get involved and make things worse!"

Lu Yong agreed, and was about to say something more when a servant rushed in in a panic.

"Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!"

A servant rushed to Zhao Yan, shouting, "Xu Wan from the Baojing Division has surrounded the mansion with her men!"

"What?"

Upon hearing the servant's words, Zhao Yan's face suddenly fell.

Xu Wan?

How dare a mere military commander from the Baojing Division lead men to surround my residence?

What audacity!

Lu Si frowned and looked up at Zhao Yan: "Xu Wan and Qin Yu are having an affair. I reckon she's here to stand up for Qin Yu!"

"Stand up for Qin Yu? She doesn't even deserve it!"

Zhao Yan smiled disdainfully, "Let's go, let's go see! I, the young master, want to see just how much courage Xu Wan has!"

With that, Zhao Yan immediately led the group outside.

He was not flustered at all; in fact, he was secretly pleased.

Xu Wan isn't helping Qin Yu at all!

She clearly wanted to cause Qin Yu more trouble than he already did!

Perhaps we can put this into practice!

Led by Zhao Yan, the group quickly arrived at the door.

At this moment, the Baojing Division was in a standoff with Zhao Yan's guards.

The crossbows of the Baojing Division were already strung, and as long as Xu Wan gave the order, they could riddle Zhao Yan and his guards with bullets.

Zhao Yan arrived at the door, his gaze sharp as he stared at Xu Wan: "Commander Xu, what do you mean by this?"

"Your Highness, please don't misunderstand, we're not here to see you!"

Xu Wan coldly swept her gaze over Lu Yong and the others. "We've discovered that Lu Yong and his group spread rumors to slander His Majesty. According to the laws of the court, they must be brought back to the Imperial Mirror Bureau for interrogation!"

Upon meeting Xu Wan's gaze, Lu Yong and the others' expressions suddenly changed.

To be brought back to the Baojing Division for interrogation?

What kind of place is the Treasure Mirror Bureau?

Xu Wan is having an affair with Qin Yu, so she'll definitely find a chance to help Qin Yu get revenge!

If Xu Wan really catches them and takes them to the Baojing Division, they'll be lucky to escape with their lives!

Thinking of this, the group quickly looked to Zhao Yan for help.

Zhao Yan gestured for them to calm down with her eyes, then looked at Xu Wan with a smile: "Commander Xu, there seems to be some misunderstanding here, doesn't there?"

Xu Wan coldly replied, "Whether there's a misunderstanding or not, you'll find out once you enter the Treasure Mirror Bureau!"

"Is that so?"

Zhao Yan narrowed her eyes slightly. "As far as I know, Commander Xu and Qin Yu have a close relationship. Are you sure you're not just settling a personal score?"

"Young Master, don't take yourself too seriously!"

Xu Wan's face was filled with contempt. "The Baojing Division reports directly to His Majesty. Whether this military envoy is settling a personal score or not is none of your business!"