The Prodigal Son

Hearing Gao Yi's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but secretly curl his lip.

I didn't realize that!

This old guy is such a stubborn old man!

Shangguan Youyi was surprised that Gao Yi would target her clothing as soon as he arrived. After a moment of surprise, she replied in a humble but not arrogant manner, "His Majesty instructed me to dress like this."

His Majesty?

A hint of doubt appeared in Gao Yi's eyes.

What does Your Majesty mean by this?

To intimidate him?

"Since His Majesty ordered you to dress like this, I will not say anything."

Gao Yi offered himself an out, "However, I will still advise Your Majesty that a female official like you should prioritize appropriate attire."

"Thank you, Prime Minister Gao."

Shangguan Youyi smiled and said, "To be honest, I'm not very comfortable wearing this outfit either."

Gao Yi paused slightly, then changed the subject, saying, "Does Your Majesty wish for this old minister to go directly to the palace, or to settle down first?"

Shangguan Youyi said solemnly, "His Majesty originally intended for us to take Prime Minister Gao to his residence to settle down first, but just now when we left the city, we saw someone sending a message by express courier. If Prime Minister Gao doesn't need to rest first..."

"Then let's go into the palace first!"

Gao Yi made a quick decision, but then hesitated and said, "I have traveled a long and dusty journey here. If I were to go to see His Majesty like this, it would be disrespectful."

Shangguan Youyi's lips curled up. "There's an emergency right now, so His Majesty certainly won't care."

She understood Gao Yi's intentions.

He brought this up first, so that if His Majesty accused him of disrespect, he could easily shift the blame onto himself.

"Too!"

Gao Yi nodded slightly. "Then let's not say any more and hurry into the palace!"

With that, Gao Yi got back into the carriage.

Just as Qin Yu was about to get back into their carriage with Shangguan Youyi, Xu Wan stopped him.

Shangguan Youyi glanced at Xu Wan with a smile, then said to Qin Yu, "You two talk first, but don't talk for too long."

"Um!"

Qin Yu nodded and strode towards Xu Wan.

Xu Wan led her warhorse and Qin Yu aside, asking in a low voice, "Did you do this to Shangguan Youyi's clothes?"

Holy crap?

Qin Yu's eyes widened suddenly as he looked at her warily: "How did you know?"

Could she have planted a spy among her own people?

Or did she use all the investigative techniques she learned at the Treasure Mirror Bureau on herself?

"What kind of look is that?"

Xu Wan looked at him with displeasure, "Before I even took people to Fengzhou to pick up Prime Minister Gao, I ran into Luo Qingyi on the street, and she told me what kind of cheongsam you were going to get!"

"Oh, no wonder!"

Qin Yu suddenly realized, "You stopped me just to ask about this?"

Xu Wan pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke: "I want an outfit like this too!"

"this one?"

Qin Yu glared at her. "It's no big deal! No problem, as long as you have time, I'll have someone take your measurements!"

"That's more like it!"

Xu Wan smiled with satisfaction.

……

After arranging for people to escort Gao Yi's family to the residence prepared for him by the court, they took Gao Yi to the palace to meet the emperor.

As soon as they approached the Imperial Study, they heard a great commotion inside.

If you didn't know better, you'd think they'd wandered into some kind of farmers' market!

"We must send troops!"

"Sending troops? You make it sound so easy. Do you even know how many troops you'll need, or how much money and supplies you'll require?"

"Exactly. Northern Qi is stirring up trouble right now, and we're too busy taking care of ourselves to deal with these things."

"If we don't send troops now, are we going to wait until those traitors have gained a foothold before launching an attack?"

"Fine! Get me five million shi of grain and ten million taels of silver, plus one hundred thousand elite troops, and I'll personally lead the army to attack!"

"Where...where am I supposed to get you money, food, and soldiers?"

"Without money, food, and men, what are you talking about! You don't know anything but spouting nonsense!"

"You...you're so vulgar!"

"I've always been a rough man..."

Listening to the jumbled noises around him, Qin Yu couldn't help but feel puzzled.

What's going on?

Judging from this chaotic conversation, it doesn't seem like Bei Qi has attacked.

If it wasn't the Northern Qi attacking, then what went wrong?

He vaguely seemed to hear the old man's voice.

The old man seems to be on the side opposing sending troops.

This made him even more curious.

The old man has always been warlike, and his consistent view on war is "just do it."

Today, this old guy has actually become an anti-war figure?

That's really quite rare!

Upon seeing them, Ruan Zhi, who was standing at the door, immediately went inside to announce, "Your Majesty, Physician Qin and Lord Shangguan have arrived with Prime Minister Gao."

Hearing Ruan Zhi's words, the ministers stopped arguing, but they all glared at each other with red faces and thick necks, as if they were about to fight at any moment.

"Let them in!"

As Zhao Luan spoke, she gently rubbed her head again.

This couldn't have come at the worst possible time!

Soon, Qin Yu and Shangguan Youyi led Gao Yi in.

It was only then that Qin Yu realized that all the officials of the third rank and above in the court were present.

However, Song Zhuo, who had already officially resigned from his post, was not present.

Many officials were behaving like fighting cocks, which amazed Qin Yu.

Gao Yi, looking excited, stepped forward shakily and knelt down respectfully before Zhao Luan, bowing deeply: "Your Majesty, this sinful subject Gao Yi pays his respects!"

After not seeing Gao Yi for several years, those long-forgotten memories vividly resurfaced in my mind.

Thinking about Gao Yiqian's past deeds, Zhao Luan couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust.

However, thinking of her mentor's words, Zhao Luan forcibly suppressed the disgust in her heart.

My mentor is right!

A true emperor must learn to manage all kinds of ministers.

Loyal ministers, treacherous ministers, flatterers, upright ministers...

They were all ministers of the imperial court!

Often, those in that position are unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery.

Therefore, one should never appoint people solely based on personal preferences.

Use people for personal gain!

Calculate people and use their schemes!

Managing people requires skill!

Shepherds are virtuous!

Zhao Luan calmed herself down, stood up, walked to Gao Yi, and personally helped him up. "Prime Minister Gao, do you still blame me?"

Gao Yi raised his reddened eyes, "This sinful subject committed so many wrongdoings in the past, and every time I think of the past, I am filled with remorse! Your Majesty has not abandoned me and has reinstated me, giving me the opportunity to atone for my sins. This sinful subject is overwhelmed with gratitude and words cannot express it..."

Seeing Gao Yi weeping bitterly, Qin Yu couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

An excellent official is necessarily an excellent actor!

"I am very pleased to hear these words from Minister Gao!"

Zhao Luan patted Gao Yi's slightly thin hand, "I have important matters to discuss today, so I won't have time for our reminiscing. After we finish discussing business, I'll have a proper chat with you!"

"Yes."

Gao Yi respectfully accepted the order.

"Someone, please bring a seat!"

Zhao Luan gave the order, then returned to her throne and said to Xue Cheng, "Lord Xue, Prime Minister Gao has just arrived and probably doesn't know the situation yet. Could you explain the current situation to him?"