The Prodigal Son

Qin Yu tried his best to help Zhao Luan recall the scene from that day.

Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, the ministers' expressions changed drastically, and they all looked at Zhao Luan in astonishment.

There's... that's also true?

So, Qin Yu wasn't falsely conveying the imperial decree?

Is His Majesty the one who started this?

Recalling the scene from that day, Zhao Luan clenched her fists and stared sharply at Qin Yu.

So, he was waiting for him here!

I've been tricked by this bastard!

He deliberately said he was going to borrow money, just waiting for me to say "whatever you want"!

Then he would misinterpret his own meaning and claim that he was acting on imperial orders to borrow money!

For a fleeting moment, Zhao Luan really wanted to hang Qin Yu up and whip him mercilessly.

However, thinking about the damned bond between herself and Qin Yu, she began to have another problem.

Did Qin Yu receive dozens of lashes?

I'm afraid I'll be in so much pain that I'll lose half my life!

She couldn't swallow her anger without teaching this bastard a lesson!

Or, on this pretext, lock him up?

Yup!

He was just looking for a reason to lock Qin Yu up!

Doesn't that give us a reason to send it over?

Reward Qin Fumeng, but imprison Qin Yu!

Clear distinction between rewards and punishments!

Upon realizing this, Zhao Luan quickly composed herself and said coldly, "I did say that! But I did not order you to use my imperial gold token to borrow money by imperial decree!"

"right!"

Lü Chunqiu immediately chimed in, "Qin Yu has misunderstood Your Majesty's intentions. We humbly request Your Majesty to order Qin Yu to return the borrowed silver to the officials and to severely punish him as a warning to others!"

"I second that proposal!"

Su Yu immediately spoke up.

"I second that opinion!"

The other officials who had received money from Qin Yu also chimed in.

We must get the money back!

We can't let Qin Yu get away with this for nothing!

"Disgrace! This is disgrace!"

Qin Yu retorted angrily, "What do you mean by 'misinterpreting His Majesty's will'? I'm not a mind reader; if His Majesty says 'follow my will,' I will naturally interpret it as His Majesty's tacit approval!"

Qin Yu spoke with self-righteousness, while also displaying a wronged expression.

It seems like he's the victim.

"Qin Yu's words do make some sense!"

"His Majesty's statement that it's up to him means that Qin Yu has been given the authority to make his own decision!"

"Exactly! Isn't this letting him make his own decision?"

"May I ask you gentlemen, if His Majesty has granted you the power to make your own decisions, does that mean that any decision you make is a misinterpretation of His Majesty's will?"

Immediately, Xue Chengdao and others who were on good terms with the Qin family also began to exert their influence.

Who cares!

They love a good show!

Anyway, Qin Yu didn't borrow any money from them!

Seeing so many people receiving money from Qin Yu made them happy.

I'll have to make that kid treat me to a good meal later!

Hearing these people's rebuttals, Zhao Luan couldn't help but frown.

This really puts her in a difficult position!

If this is interpreted as a misinterpretation of the emperor's will, who would dare to make decisions on their own if they were to give others the right to make their own decisions in the future?

But what reason could be given to imprison Qin Yu?

"Your Majesty, this certainly cannot be considered a misinterpretation of His Majesty's will."

At this moment, Song Zhuo finally spoke up: "It is impossible for His Majesty to make all the decisions in the world personally!"

"Your Majesty has repeatedly allowed me to make my own decisions, and I have made mistakes, but Your Majesty has not blamed me!"

"If this matter is deemed a misinterpretation of the Emperor's will, future court officials will inevitably worry about also being accused of misinterpreting the Emperor's will when making their own decisions, thus becoming hesitant and indecisive!"

"As a result, a great deal of work will inevitably pile up in the court..."

Zhao Luan lowered her eyes.

My mentor really did think the same way I did!

Clearly, the Qin family grandfather and grandson had considered this point, which is why they dared to be so presumptuous!

"Hmm, it's my fault for not being clear. It's not that Qin Yu misunderstood my meaning."

Zhao Luan set the tone for the matter, then glared at Qin Yu with a burning desire, and sternly ordered, "You have one day to return every single penny of the borrowed silver to the officials!"

Make him return the money first!

Otherwise, with the ministers arguing like this, they won't be able to get to the important matters that follow.

"this……"

Qin Yu looked troubled: "Your Majesty, this matter... I'm afraid I cannot comply!"

Zhao Luan's expression suddenly turned cold, her eyes like knives. "You think I'm being too kind to you?"

"No, no!"

Qin Yu shook his head, looking miserable, and said, "I've already spent all the money, I really can't pay it back!"

it took?

As Qin Yu finished speaking, the assembled officials were immediately taken aback.

"That's over a million taels of silver! And you've spent it all in just one day? You're kidding me!"

"Exactly! You clearly just don't want to pay me back!"

"Qin Yu, you don't still want His Majesty to help you pay off your debts, do you?"

"How dare you! You are clearly using His Majesty's name to line your own pockets!"

The minister who had been lent money jumped up again.

Even if Qin Yu is a spendthrift, he couldn't possibly squander so much money in such a short period of time!

That little bastard is clearly trying to steal their money!

Zhao Luan raised her hand to stop the crowd, then looked at Qin Yu with an unfriendly expression: "Do you think I and the entire court are fools?"

"It really cost money."

Qin Yu said with a wronged expression, "My lords, you have no idea. The fireworks we set off last night to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday cost tens of thousands of taels of silver per piece! The silver I borrowed from you all wasn't enough, and I even had to pay a lot of it out of my own pocket..."

Qin Yu made up a story while looking pained.

"Yes, yes!"

Qin Fumeng nodded repeatedly, saying with great distress, "That wicked beast, in order to raise money, sold all the treasures that this old minister had kept, almost making this old minister so angry that he vomited blood..."

Seeing Qin Fumeng's exaggerated expression, not to mention the court officials, even Zhao Luan almost swore.

I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone this shameless!

Could you act any more fake?

Did they even sell his treasured possessions?

So, you mean you want some compensation from me?

A single firework costs tens of thousands of taels of silver?

Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe it!

But soon, a smile flashed through Zhao Luan's heart.

Are you trying to act like a scoundrel to me?

I was just looking for a reason to lock you up!

You walked right into it!

"Alright! Since you've already spent the money, I won't say anything more!"

Zhao Luan, her face cold, shouted in a low, stern voice, "Guards, take back the imperial gold token and imprison Qin Yu in the Forbidden City! Your freedom will only be restored when you repay the money!"

Qin Yu secretly curled his lip.

This female demon still wants to lock me up!

Luckily, I had a backup plan!

Soon, two palace guards stepped forward and detained Qin Yu.

Seeing Qin Yu detained, the ministers who had been lent money felt a sense of satisfaction at finally getting revenge.

"His Majesty!"

Xue Chengdao quickly interjected, "Qin Yu organized the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet and relieved His Majesty and the court of their worries; how could he..."

Merit is merit, and fault is fault!

Zhao Luan interrupted Xue Cheng, saying, "I will grant the Qin family the rewards they deserve! But Qin Yu's transgressions must be punished!"

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, the ministers all nodded in agreement.

Trying to swallow more than a million taels of silver? It's not that easy.

Xue Chengdao wanted to persuade him again, but Qin Fumeng secretly gave him a wink.

Xue Chengdao hesitated, wondering to himself.

What does this old man mean?

His grandson is about to be imprisoned in a forbidden hospital, but he's acting like nothing's wrong.

Was his grandson adopted?

"Qin Tiger!"

At this moment, Song Zhuo looked at Qin Fumeng again: "You old fool, why don't you hurry up and hand over the silver? Do you really want His Majesty to imprison your only son until he dies?"

"I already told you, it's all gone!"

Qin Fumeng spread his hands and sighed, "It's good to keep this wicked beast under house arrest! Anyway, the imperial physician said he needs to abstain from sex for a year or two! I can't keep an eye on him, but His Majesty is willing to send someone to watch over him for me, providing food and lodging. I am extremely grateful!"

Ah!

That's quite a clear-headed approach!

Seeing Qin Fumeng's nonchalant attitude, Zhao Luan was too lazy to waste words and waved for someone to take Qin Yu away.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent!"

"Your Majesty, I was only doing this to prepare for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet..."

Qin Yu raised his voice and shouted in grievance.

But he remained completely calm.

I even felt a little amused...