The Prodigal Son

After receiving the cheongsam, Qin Yu instructed the old tailor to make two more cheongsams according to Luo Qingyi's measurements.

And he was asked to finish it as quickly as possible.

Having gained experience, the old tailor promised to finish it within two days and send someone to deliver it to Qin Yu's residence.

Afterwards, Qin Yu took Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi to buy a large amount of materials for making fireworks before returning to the mansion.

Before he even entered the door, the gatekeeper told Qin Yu that Lü Si had come to visit.

"What's he doing here?"

Luo Qingyi glanced at Qin Yu and teased, "He's not here to settle scores with the Thirteenth Young Master, is he?"

"He's been wanting to settle accounts with me for a while, but he hasn't succeeded." Qin Yu clicked his tongue. "I reckon Lü Si is here to pay back the money."

Lu Si still owes him 90,000 taels of silver!

If nothing unexpected happens, the Lü family will definitely receive a great reward this time.

Gold and silver are definitely indispensable!

It's possible that after the Lü family receives the reward, Lü Si will come to repay the money.

Filled with anticipation, Qin Yu led the two women into the house.

Upon entering the front hall, one sees Lü Si sitting there drinking tea.

Upon seeing Qin Yu, Lü Si immediately put down his teacup and glared at him with wide eyes.

Even though he knew the truth the day before yesterday, Lü Si was still furious when he saw Qin Yu again.

Thinking of the mental torment he had suffered those days, Lü Si felt an urge to pin Qin Yu to the ground and beat him up.

They're aiming straight for his face!

"You're a grown man, why do you always act like a complaining woman?"

Qin Yu stepped forward, annoyed. "Speak, are you here to ask me to return the money?"

"You're not the one suffering, of course you're fine!"

Lu Si responded with equal displeasure, pulling out another stack of silver notes and slamming them down in front of Qin Yu with a "smack," declaring imposingly, "Settle the accounts!"

"..."

Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi looked at each other in bewilderment.

Is Lü Si really here to return the money?

"Look at that, now that's a truly open and honest person!"

Qin Yu laughed and handed the silver note to Luo Qingyi.

Aren't you going to order?

Lu Si was slightly surprised, and snorted, "Let me tell you, if you don't tally up the amount now, and then say it's less, I won't take responsibility!"

"Look at what you're saying!"

Qin Yu patted Lü Si heavily on the shoulder, "Although you're a bit of a troublemaker, I still trust your reputation, Young Master Lü!"

"Nonsense, when have I, Lü Si, ever renege on a debt?"

Lu Si pulled Qin Yu's hand away, then puffed out his chest smugly and said, "And from now on, please call me Young Marquis!"

"Your father was granted a title of nobility?"

Qin Yu was slightly surprised.

In the early years of the late emperor's reign, quite a few civil officials were granted titles of nobility or even dukedom.

This was mainly because Emperor Xiaowu spent his life fighting in the north and south, and many civil officials made great contributions by supervising logistics and actively offering advice.

Emperor Xiaowu did not bestow titles or rewards upon those people during his reign; these titles were reserved specifically for the late emperor to bestow favors upon them.

However, in the middle and later years of the late emperor's reign, fewer civil officials were granted titles of nobility.

Despite being the emperor's tutor, prime minister, and minister of personnel, Song Zhuo was only granted the title of Marquis of Xuyang.

The bestowal of the title of Marquis upon Lü Chunqiu was an extremely generous reward.

"This is what my father deserves!"

Lu Si raised his chin, unable to suppress his smirk, "At today's court assembly, His Majesty bestowed upon my father the title of Marquis of Ningyang, with a fief of two thousand households!"

"No wonder you paid back your debt so readily!" Qin Yu suddenly realized.

However, the Lü family and the Empress Dowager deserve much credit for the successful execution of the Prince of Chengyang.

Zhao Luan could not bestow honors upon the Empress Dowager, so he could only reward the Lü family handsomely to express his gratitude to her.

It's reasonable to confer a marquisate upon Lü Chunqiu!

"Even before my father was granted a marquisate, when has Lü Si ever reneges on a debt?"

Lu Si gave a disgruntled snort, then asked Qin Yu curiously, "You've performed such a great service this time, how will His Majesty reward you?"

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, "I'm just a handyman, there's no reward for me."

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

Lü Si curled his lip, "With your contributions, how could His Majesty not reward you?"

If others don't know, how could he not know?

This despicable idea was given to His Majesty by Qin Yu!

Qin Yu deserves the most credit for resolving the troublesome Prince of Chengyang this time!

If there's still no reward, even he would feel indignant on Qin Yu's behalf.

"What merit have I made?"

Qin Yu waved his hand and said seriously, "I was just following orders. It was the Empress Dowager who had sharp eyes and saw through the conspiracy of the Prince of Chengyang and his son."

"..."

Lu Si's face twitched slightly, then he gave Qin Yu a thumbs up, "I admire all your other skills, but your flattery is truly something else! Even if I studied for another ten years, I still wouldn't be as good at flattery as you!"

He had already heard from his father that the Empress Dowager had made up her mind to stop arguing.

If the Empress Dowager doesn't even care about power anymore, what else could she care about?

Reputation, of course!

By giving such a great credit to the Empress Dowager, Qin Yu will surely earn her a great reputation!

His flattery really hit the Empress Dowager right in the heart!

His Majesty already dotes on him, and now the Empress Dowager owes this grandson such a huge favor, so I'm afraid no one will be able to touch this grandson in the future!

Suddenly, he understood why his father had given him the silver notes so early on, so that he could pay off his debts.

That son of a bitch!

That's some damn good flattery!

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the number one sycophant in Da Ning!

"I'm just stating the facts!"

Qin Yu chuckled and took a five-thousand-tael silver note from Luo Qingyi, handing it to Lü Si.

"What are you doing?"

Lü Si was puzzled.

Is this considered a return on investment?

Qin Yu chuckled, "Didn't your father get ennobled? Your Lü family will definitely throw a big banquet to celebrate, I'll just consider it a gift!"

"You're actually quite particular!"

Lu Si accepted the silver notes and smiled at Qin Yu, a smile he hadn't shown in a long time. "I'll accept your gift on behalf of my father! Remember to bring both of them to my family's grand banquet!"

"We'll see when the time comes!"

Qin Yu gave a perfunctory reply.

Giving a gift is one thing, but whether or not you actually attend is another matter entirely.

"Okay, I'm off then!"

Lu Sichong and the others waved goodbye and left satisfied.

Hmm, not bad!

It's like we've finally made a return on our investment!

"Thirteenth Young Master, isn't this gift a bit too much?"

Luo Qingyi felt a pang of sympathy.

Is it really five thousand taels of silver to give as a gift?

Those are banknotes, not toilet paper!

"It's alright, isn't money meant to be spent?"

Qin Yu disagreed, saying, "Wealth gathers and people scatter; wealth disperses and people gather!"

Ok?

Luo Qingyi carefully considered Qin Yu's words, then smiled knowingly and said admiringly, "Young Master Thirteen sees things very clearly!"

Just as Qin Yu was about to speak, a sudden, unexplained pain shot through his lower abdomen.

Depend on!

It's started again!

What's wrong with this broken body?

never mind!

I'm too lazy to think about this nonsense; the more I think about it, the more likely I am to scare myself.

Anyway, I'm perfectly healthy and energetic right now!

Sometimes, mindset is more important than medicine!

With this in mind, Qin Yu completely ignored the pain.

I've experienced far worse pain, this is nothing!

At this moment, Zhao Luan in the palace secretly regretted her actions.

I was so focused on overcoming my fear that I forgot it was my period time!

She already suffers from menstrual cramps, and yesterday she was frightened and soaked in cold water twice in a row, so this time it will probably hurt even more!

The imperial physicians have been treating me for so long, but this old ailment still hasn't gotten better.

I've heard that Nan Que'er's medical skills are quite impressive.

Should we summon Nan Que'er to the palace to treat me?

No!

Nan Que'er was originally someone close to Qin Yu. Once she learned about his problem and combined it with Qin Yu's situation, she would most likely guess some things!

At this moment, Yunying came in to announce, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song has arrived."