The Prodigal Son

Faced with his future father-in-law's question, Yu Jing immediately fell silent.

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Jing said, "During the Battle of Dongyuan, Qin Yu wanted to use Liang Jingzhe to get rid of me. Now, he's using his past achievements to sell official positions and titles. For both public and private reasons, I cannot let him go!"

"I'm afraid there's more than that?"

Gao Dan stared intently at Yu Jing, as if trying to see through him.

He keenly sensed that Yu Jing was very unwilling, and he regarded Qin Yu as the culprit who destroyed the Min Kingdom!

Although he also disliked Qin Yu, Yu Jing's thinking was extremely dangerous!

"What kind of good people are these who tried to buy official positions from Qin Yu?"

Yu Jing declared righteously, "Although I am no longer the Crown Prince of Min, I still hope that the people of Min can live in peace and prosperity, and I do not wish for them to be exploited by these corrupt officials!"

"I hope that's really what you think!"

Gao Dan gave him a meaningful look and said in a deep voice, "You think you can bring down Qin Yu with this? It's basically impossible!"

Yu Jing frowned. "He's been selling official positions on a large scale. Will His Majesty still tolerate it?"

"Selling official positions is a serious crime in any dynasty! His Majesty will not tolerate it, but he can be given a system where merits and demerits offset each other!"

A glint flashed in Gao Dan's eyes. "Most importantly, His Majesty can use this as an excuse to no longer bestow rewards upon Qin Yu! Tell me, when His Majesty finds out that Qin Yu sold official positions, should he be angry or happy?"

"this……"

Yu Jing paused slightly, then smiled and said, "Even if his merits and demerits cancel each other out, it's still better than His Majesty rewarding Qin Yu handsomely!"

Merits and demerits can be balanced out!

They have other plans in store!

Qin Yu made such great contributions, but in the end, his merits and demerits canceled each other out. Wouldn't it be perfectly logical to then spread those rumors that Qin Yu was dissatisfied with Zhao Luan?

Seeing that Yu Jing was determined to do this, Gao Dan couldn't help but remind him, "Qin Yu and Du Zhiwen are no ordinary people! They also have Qin Fumeng, Xue Chengdao, and Song Zhuo standing behind them! Right now, your priority should be to dispel His Majesty's suspicions, and you shouldn't make enemies easily!"

Before he came, his father had told him that His Majesty was definitely not at ease with Yu Jing.

If Yu Jing agrees to marry Gao Yao as his principal wife, then tell him that he must do everything in his power to dispel His Majesty's suspicions about him.

If Yu Jing does not agree to marry Gao Yao, the Gao family need not get involved in this matter.

Despite being a prince, Yu Jing is actually in a very dangerous situation!

If His Majesty hadn't intended to bestow the marriage upon him, the Gao family would truly have been unwilling to marry Gao Yao to him.

"I see!"

Yu Jing nodded slightly, "I don't need to handle this personally; someone else will take care of it for me!"

"You should try to think about it from a different perspective."

Gao Dan was secretly disappointed. "If you had concrete evidence, you would have leverage over those who bought their positions! These people could all be used by you and become your henchmen!"

Ok?

Yu Jing's heart stirred.

Yes!

Those who bought their official positions are definitely afraid of their schemes being exposed!

Once I've got their weakness in the bag, they'll have no choice but to use me!

But Yu Jing quickly dismissed the idea.

"Keeping these corrupt officials around will only harm me and the people of Min!"

Yu Jing said righteously, "Father-in-law, you mustn't even entertain such thoughts. If you try to win them over, you'll only get implicated once the truth comes out!"

Seeing that he was determined, Gao Dan could only smile helplessly. "Alright, since you insist, I won't try to persuade you any further! If you have concrete evidence, send it to the Imperial Censor Cui Xu after you return to the capital! But remember this: there are some things you shouldn't be thinking about, so don't even think about them!"

Yu Jing was unwilling to see his country destroyed, which he could understand.

However, now that Yu Jing has made his choice, he should no longer think about things like restoring his kingdom.

He has no right to even think about this!

The arrangements made by the imperial court in Min clearly demonstrate that the court left Yu Jing with no possibility of restoring his kingdom.

Fang Junji, Xue Lie, Guo Su, and Song Xian were all loyal to the imperial court.

Placing them in Min was not only to guard against the states of Chu and Yan, but also to suppress any possible rebellions.

Even if Yu Jing's power were increased tenfold, there would be absolutely no possibility of restoring the kingdom!

If Yu Jing had even the slightest thought of restoring his kingdom, it would be a catastrophe for both him and the Gao family.

Yu Jing naturally understood the meaning behind Gao Dan's words and nodded emphatically, saying, "I understand! I will know my place."

"Good that you understand."

Gao Dan nodded slightly and patted Yu Jing on the shoulder, "You're still young, you have a long road ahead of you! Don't ruin yourself because of that pride in your heart."

Yu Jing respectfully replied, "I will certainly keep your wise words in mind, Father-in-law!"

Afterwards, the two chatted for a while before Yu Jing went back to her room to rest.

However, after talking with Gao Dan, he felt no sleepiness at all.

He accepted the arranged marriage largely because of the favor shown to Prime Minister Gao Yi.

He had considered using the Gao family's power to restore the country.

But Gao Dan's words tonight made him realize that it would be difficult to get the Gao family to become his ally!

However, he did not lose heart.

Once he marries Gao Yao, the Gao family will be completely on his side!

What happens next is probably no longer up to the Gao family.

Right now, I should try to dispel Zhao Luan's suspicions about me!

Only by saving your life can you think about other things!

……

Inside the room, Qin Yu, having decided to stop, huddled with Xu Wan and Nan Que'er to review the results of the past few days.

Faced with a large amount of gold and silver treasures, Xu Wan and Nan Que'er's eyes initially lit up, but later they both gradually became numb.

Too much!

When Qin Yu complained to them that accepting bribes was too tiring, they said that Qin Yu was being hypocritical after getting a good deal.

Now that they've personally taken stock of everything, they realize how exhausting this task truly is!

"what?"

Just as the two were getting dizzy from taking stock, Nan Que'er seemed to have discovered something and suddenly picked up a jade disc.

Under the questioning gazes of Qin Yu and Xu Wan, Nan Que'er hurriedly took the jade disc to the oil lamp and examined it carefully, her face gradually revealing excitement.

"What's wrong?"

Qin Yu and Xu Wan approached, full of doubt.

Nan Que'er's breathing quickened as she turned to Qin Yu: "Who gave you this?"

"Let me see!"

Qin Yu immediately pulled out his bribery ledger. "It was given to me by a man named Chen Yi. I remember now, he said the few treasures he gave me were his prized possessions that he had kept for many years! What, is there something wrong with this?"

Nan Que'er pointed to the jade disc and exclaimed excitedly, "These characters on it are the ancient script of our Feng tribe!"

"Um?"

Qin Yu's heart suddenly skipped a beat. "Quick, see what it says here!"

Nan Que'er carefully discerned the somewhat blurred characters and slowly began to speak.

The deep ravines are hidden in the abyss, and the majestic Xuan Mountain stands tall in the eastern wilderness.

The clouds shroud... the darkness is vast and indistinct, the mist lingers... the divine land is locked in a boundless expanse.

The heavens pour forth their light... the imperial radiance, vast... descending upon the nine heavens.

The gods soared through the sky... descending from afar, staining the azure sky with blood... the platform.

A gentle breeze stirs, caressing and bathing the entire tribe...

Having obtained the divine power of the nine heavens... he tempered his mortal bones and forged them into diamond.

With a focused spirit and divine favor, I will possess immense strength to pacify the eight directions...