The Prodigal Son

The next morning, Qin Fumeng, like a general who had won a great battle, proudly led Qin Yu to attend the court assembly.

"What if His Majesty suddenly lashes out and kills people in court?"

On the way, Qin Yu asked Qin Fumeng somewhat guiltily, "I heard that His Majesty has killed over a hundred ministers in the past few years!"

"They deserve to die!"

Qin Fumeng said in a deep voice, "During that battle a few years ago, many people in the court secretly sabotaged things! Some even colluded with Zhao Yi, plotting a rebellion!"

Oh!

Oh, I see!

As long as the female demon isn't as cruel as the legends say!

Soon, they arrived outside the Zichen Palace.

"Isn't my grandson amazing!"

"All of your brains combined aren't as good as his alone!"

"I'm not exaggerating, but if it weren't for his innate incurable meridians, he would definitely be an outstanding person..."

While waiting to attend court, Qin Fumeng completely ignored the angry looks from the officials who had been forcibly lent money, and boasted with Xue Chengdao and the others.

Seeing Qin Fumeng's smug look, many people cursed him inwardly.

Shameless old man!

You old villain!

You old rogue!

However, they only dared to curse in their hearts.

Qin Fumeng is no good person.

Anyone who dares to curse him to his face should first consider whether Qin Fu will beat them up.

The number one person below the Grandmaster level is no joke.

After the outburst, many people made up their minds that they must give this shameless grandfather and grandson a good talking-to today!

Not only should they be made to repay the money, but His Majesty should also punish them!

Lu Cheng couldn't stand it anymore and said sarcastically, "I say, Duke of Wei, your grandson is so remarkable, how could he be jilted by a merchant family?"

When Qin Yu's engagement was called off, many people laughed along.

The news that Qin Yu had been jilted by the Luo family had already spread throughout the upper echelons of the imperial city.

They didn't mention it before because they thought Qin Yu was doomed and didn't want to provoke Qin Yu, who was quick to attack anyone, nor did they want to provoke Qin Fumeng.

But things are different now!

Qin Yu will not only survive, but will also have rendered meritorious service!

They were already dissatisfied with the Qin family grandfather and grandson, so why shouldn't they watch the Qin family make a fool of themselves?

Qin Fumeng stiffened slightly, glaring at Lu Cheng with displeasure: "What do you know! If this old man doesn't use this trick, how will he know who's an ungrateful wretch? By the way, Lu, I think I still have a score to settle with you, don't I?"

As he spoke, Qin Fumeng revealed his gleaming white teeth and walked toward Lu Cheng with an unfriendly expression.

He's been feeling really stifled these past few days because he hasn't been able to establish his authority.

And just like that, someone brings me a pillow when I'm sleepy!

"What account? I don't know anything about it!"

Seeing that Qin Fumeng's arrival was hostile, Lu Cheng immediately felt guilty. While retreating, he said in a threatening but weak voice, "Qin Fumeng, I'm warning you, this is the palace. If you dare to cause trouble, His Majesty..."

Before Lu Cheng could finish speaking, Qin Fumeng suddenly appeared in front of him.

Snapped!

Qin Fumeng slapped Lu Cheng, sending him flying ten feet away.

Lu Cheng's body crashed heavily to the ground, blood streaming from the corner of his mouth, his eyes blazing as he glared at Qin Fumeng.

He never expected that Qin Fumeng would dare to be violent towards him outside the main hall of the court assembly.

Anger instantly clouded Lu Cheng's judgment.

Lu Cheng struggled to his feet, his mouth slurred and bleeding, and roared at the palace guards standing by, "What are you all standing there for? Seize this audacious and arrogant scoundrel!"

Several palace guards twitched their faces and rolled their eyes.

Are you stunned by the beating?

Even if Qin Fumeng is knocked down to the Grandmaster level, he is still the number one person below the Grandmaster level!

Should we take him down?

If he hadn't held back, that slap would have smashed your head to pieces!

Qin Fu clapped his hands and turned to Xue Chengdao, "These mere vice ministers of the Ministry of Rites dare to address me by my given name and even warn me? Tell me, are they getting arrogant or just plain stupid?"

"He's definitely not stupid, he's probably just getting cocky."

Xue Chengdao chuckled, "I must correct you on that. A Vice Minister of Rites is no longer a young man!"

"A mere fourth rank, isn't that big of a deal?" Qin Fumeng exclaimed as if he had discovered a new continent.

"I say, you haven't attended court in so long that you've forgotten our dynasty's official system, haven't you?"

Xue Chengdao chuckled and said, "According to the official system of our dynasty, the Vice Minister of Rites is a third-rank official! He's already in the upper three ranks! He's considered a high-ranking official!"

Qin Fumeng: "Isn't that still a fourth-rank official?"

Xue Cheng said, "Why is it only a fourth-rank official? Are you getting senile?"

Qin Fumeng: "We're both military officers, aren't we?"

Xue Cheng said, "Yes!"

Qin Fumeng: "In the eyes of us military officers, officials from the Ministry of Rites are inherently inferior, right?"

"Right, right!" Xue Chengdao slapped his forehead. "I'm getting senile; I completely forgot about that!"

The two old men talked back and forth, oblivious to everyone else.

They're not just targeting one person, but the entire Ministry of Rites.

Upon hearing their conversation, the officials of the Ministry of Rites glared at them angrily.

The Ministry of Rites, which was in charge of all the rites, sacrifices, and imperial examinations, was ridiculed in public by them.

Lu Cheng was so angry that he trembled all over, pointing at Qin Fumeng and Xue Cheng with a shaky voice, "You...you guys..."

"You dare point fingers at me?"

Qin Fumeng immediately perked up, and in a flash, he appeared in front of Lu Cheng.

"Qin Laohu, what are you doing?"

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Prime Minister Song Zhuo had arrived.

Everyone quickly bowed in greeting.

Song Zhuo gave a brief response to the crowd, then stepped over to Qin Fumeng's side. "Hey Qin Tiger," he said, "you haven't attended court for years, so why do you cause trouble every time you do?"

"Isn't this making an example of someone to deter others?"

Qin Fu laughed heartily: "Some people think I'm too old to wield a knife, yet they dare to even try to harm the only son of the Qin family!"

"Prime Minister Song, I won't lie to you, I've been wanting to kill a chicken these past few days, but no one's willing to step in and do it! I'm so worried I can't eat or sleep!"

"Today, I finally got my chance..."

Qin Fumeng made no attempt to conceal his purpose, becoming increasingly excited as he spoke, his gaze growing more and more ferocious.

Song Zhuoming understood.

Qin Yu managed to escape danger this time thanks to his cleverness, but the fact that Qin Yu was being targeted still angered Qin Laohu!

His public remarks were tantamount to a warning to everyone present.

Helpless, Song Zhuo advised, "That's enough! After all, we're outside the Zichen Palace; don't make things too ugly!"

"Since Prime Minister Song has spoken, I should at least give you face!"

Qin Fumeng readily agreed, glancing at Lu Cheng: "Slap yourself a couple of times, and I won't bother to punish you!"

Lu Cheng was furious and about to speak when Song Zhuo glanced at him sideways. "Stop dawdling! Go back and rest after you're done fighting! I'll ask His Majesty for leave on your behalf!"

No sense at all!

Qin Fumeng has made the "killing the chicken to scare the monkey" message so clear!

He still wants Qin Fumeng to do it himself?

Qin Fumeng will personally take action, and he'll inevitably have to pull out a few of his teeth!

Lu Cheng's expression changed, and he hurriedly cast a pleading look at Su Yu.

Su Yu was not only his superior, but also the top scholar of Da Ning, and the regent minister left by the late emperor to the empress.

Su Yu turned her face away weakly.

What, you want me to fight this old scoundrel?

He could kill this old man with a single finger!

Lu Cheng's face stiffened, and he quickly cast a pleading look at Lü Chunqiu.

Lu Chunqiu lowered his eyes, pretending not to see.

Seeing that he could no longer rely on either of them, Lu Cheng felt a wave of despair wash over him.

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Cheng slapped himself twice across the face, then bowed slightly to Song Zhuo, his face dark, and left without saying a word.

Although those two slaps didn't hurt, they were really embarrassing!

Watching Lu Cheng slink away, Qin Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

I was too conservative!

We should learn more from the old man!

Just as Song Zhuo was about to tell Qin Fumeng about the messy situation of him and his grandson forcibly borrowing money, a long, drawn-out bell suddenly rang out from the Zichen Palace.

When it was time for court, all the officials entered the hall...