The Prodigal Son

In the evening, Zhao Luan hosted a banquet at the Linde Hall to thank the envoys from various countries.

Throughout the banquet, Zhao Luan secretly observed Xiao Baoju and the other Northern Qi envoys.

The group simply ate and drank casually, occasionally chatting with those around them, seemingly having no intention of talking to her at all.

Ah!

That's interesting!

She really didn't believe that the Northern Qi delegation had come only to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday!

Row!

Since they don't mention it, I'll pretend I don't know anything!

Let's see who has more patience!

Just as Zhao Luan was pondering this, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her body.

Legs, waist, arms...

My whole body aches and hurts!

Qin Yu!

Zhao Luan suddenly clenched her fists.

It must be that bastard Qin Yu who's gotten himself into trouble again!

We've already awarded him the gold medal, how could he possibly get beaten up?

Zhao Luan was furious and wished she could drag Qin Yu to her side and give him a good beating right away.

Shangguan Youyi noticed Zhao Luan's unusual behavior and immediately asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of something."

Zhao Luan put down her wine cup and whispered to Shangguan Youyi, "Send someone to find out what Qin Yu is doing."

Shangguan Youyi nodded slightly, but then glanced at Zhao Luan with a puzzled look.

Why is Your Majesty suddenly showing concern for Qin Yu?

Zhao Luan remained silent, secretly harboring suspicions.

Qin Yu not only ruined the Luo family's life this time, but also ruined the Lü family's life.

It's very likely that those two bastards, Qin Yu and Lü Si, are causing trouble again!

"Achoo..."

Lu Si, who was drinking and carousing at Wanxianglou, sneezed.

Lu Si rubbed his nose, wondering to himself if the Luo family was cursing him behind his back.

If you're angry, go ahead and curse Qin Yu!

What does it have to do with me?

I'm a victim too!

Thinking about the beating he received that afternoon, Lü Si felt even more annoyed.

That old man didn't know his own strength, leaving himself covered in bruises. He was too embarrassed to do anything else, so he could only find some beauties to drink and have fun with to relieve his depressed mood.

Just as Lü Si was cursing inwardly, the door was suddenly pushed open.

A middle-aged scholar holding a folding fan slowly walked in.

Seeing someone dare to trespass into his room, Lü Si slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Who let you in? Get out!"

"Young Master Lü, please calm down!"

The middle-aged scholar not only didn't leave, but stepped forward with a smile, "I haven't seen Young Master Lü for a long time, so I came here specifically to say hello?"

As the middle-aged scholar entered, Lü Si immediately frowned.

This person looks familiar!

"Have we met somewhere before?"

Lü Si sized up the middle-aged scholar.

He had a vague recollection of it, but couldn't quite place where he had seen it before.

"Of course I've seen it."

The middle-aged scholar nodded with a broad smile, "I know Young Master Lü is in a bad mood, so I came here specifically to have a couple of drinks with you. Perhaps I can even help you relieve your worries!"

Ok?

Lu Si glanced at him suspiciously, then waved for the brothel women who were serving him drinks to leave.

Soon, only Lü Si and the middle-aged scholar remained in the room.

Lu Si stared at the middle-aged scholar before him. "I remember now, it was you and another person who gave me the idea to provoke Qin Yu into accepting the imperial edict!"

"Exactly!"

The middle-aged scholar readily admitted, bowing respectfully: "My name is Xie Yu, greetings to Young Master Lü!"

"You've got some nerve!"

Lu Si sized him up. "You wanted to use me to get rid of Qin Yu, and you still dare to show your face in front of me?"

"Young Master Lü, you are mistaken!"

Xie Yu shook his head and smiled, "I also have some grudges with Qin Yu. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Young Master Lü and I should be friends!"

What grudge do you have against Qin Yu?

Lu Si immediately became curious.

Xie Yu replied bitterly, "My sister was defiled by that beast Qin Yu!"

"I see!"

Lu Si suddenly realized what was going on and asked, "How do you plan to help me solve my problem?"

That bastard is definitely lying!

Does she really think she's just met Qin Yu for the first time?

Although Qin Yu is a scumbag, a degenerate, and a mad dog, he would never stoop to ruining a decent woman!

Otherwise, he would have had his legs broken by that old bastard Qin Fumeng long ago!

Xie Yu's eyes flashed, and he said in a deep voice, "I have a plan. If Young Master Lü joins forces with me, we can definitely take Qin Yu's life!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Si showed no sign of being moved. Instead, he looked at Xie Yu with disdain, "I don't even know who you are. Why should I join forces with you? Are you worthy?"

Why are all these cats and dogs joining forces with me?

Who does he think he is!

Xie Yu's face stiffened for a moment, then he said with a smile, "My status is indeed incomparable to Young Master Lü's, but our goals are the same!"

"Don't give me that crap!"

Lu Si sneered, "You think you can get me to kill Qin Yu just by talking? Dream on!"

Do you really think I'm stupid?

If Qin Yu isn't killed and something goes wrong, I'll be the one to take the blame again!

"this……"

Xie Yu paused slightly, "I will naturally also lend a helping hand to Young Master Lü!"

"What can you do to help?"

Lu Si sneered disdainfully, "Could you sponsor me with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, or could you help me stab that beast Qin Yu twice in the back?"

Meeting Lü Si's contemptuous gaze, Xie Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

Shouldn't this stupid pig hate Qin Yu to death?

He thought that as long as he said he could help him get rid of Qin Yu, he would immediately agree.

I never expected this idiot to have so many trivial matters to cause!

After a moment's hesitation, Xie Yu suppressed his anger and said with a smile, "I joined the Holy Fire Sect to seek revenge on Qin Yu! Young Master Lü's alliance with me is also an alliance with the Holy Fire Sect!"

"The Holy Fire Cult?"

Lu Si became wary. "What is the doctrine?"

His father is the Minister of Justice!

Although he hadn't worked on any major cases, he had heard his father talk about them quite a bit!

Whether something is a cult or not can generally be determined from its doctrines!

"The sacred flame illuminates the world, bringing blessings to all living beings."

When Xie Yu recited the doctrine, his face was full of piety.

Lü Si nodded slightly.

Ah!

This is definitely a cult!

With certainty in his heart, Lü Si asked again, "From what you're saying, your Holy Fire Sect seems quite powerful?"

Xie Yu humbly replied, "I wouldn't call myself amazing, but I can certainly lend Young Master Lü a hand!"

"Have a couple of drinks yourself first, then let me think about it!"

As he spoke, Lü Si slowly stood up and paced back and forth in the room.

Seeing this, Xie Yu didn't disturb him and poured himself a drink.

He believed that Lü Si would agree!

Lü Si and Qin Yu have become mortal enemies. If Lü Si doesn't kill Qin Yu, he'll be killed by Qin Yu!

Lu Si circled around and around until he finally got behind Xie Yu.

Just as Xie Yu was putting the wine to his lips, Lü Si suddenly grabbed a vase from the shelf next to him and smashed it hard against the back of Xie Yu's head.

Snapped!

The vase shattered, and Xie Yu groaned as she collapsed onto the table.

"Ha ha……"

Having successfully completed the sneak attack, Lü Si burst into triumphant laughter.

"You idiots! I knew you were a cult with ulterior motives the moment I heard your rubbish doctrines!"

"My father is the Minister of Justice, my aunt is the Empress Dowager, and my cousin is the Emperor! Why would I cooperate with you?"

"Hehe, I'll just grab you to show off to my elder sister!"

Eliminating a cult with malicious intentions is a great achievement!

Let's see if they dare to say they're useless again!

With that thought in mind, Lü Si immediately ran to the side to find something he could use to tie someone up.

"What are you looking for? Do you want me to help you find it?"

Just as Lü Si was searching everywhere, a cold voice suddenly rang out behind him.

Lu Si casually replied, "Find a rope! Stop standing there like an idiot, hurry up..."

Halfway through his sentence, Lü Si suddenly jolted awake.

When he turned around, he saw that Xie Yu had woken up at some point.

The folding fan in Xie Yu's hand unleashed a sharp blade, which gleamed coldly under the lamplight.

Lu Si glanced subconsciously at the broken pieces of the vase on the ground, his heart pounding.

Is everything alright?

Could this kid be a master?

Thinking it best not to fight a losing battle, Lü Si forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Brother Xie, I was just... trying to test your martial arts skills. Let's sit down and talk things over..."

"Too late!"

A cold glint flashed in Xie Yu's eyes. "Since you refuse to cooperate with us, then die!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Yu immediately waved his folding fan and rushed towards Lü Si.

Since Lü Si knows about the Holy Fire Sect but refuses to cooperate with them, he must die!

Lu Si trembled and fled in a panic towards the door, shouting, "Help! Help..."

Xie Yu snorted coldly, and was about to dart out to kill Lü Si when the door suddenly burst open with a "bang".

At the same time, a figure flashed in and blocked his way between him and Lü Si...