The Prodigal Son

Will I get beaten up?

Zhao Luan's seemingly casual question left Qin Yu somewhat bewildered.

Why did this suddenly involve me?

After a brief moment of distraction, Qin Yu chuckled and replied, "No, no! I just haven't practiced martial arts in a long time, and suddenly practicing for a while is taking a toll on my body..."

Practicing martial arts?

Zhao Luan suddenly realized.

No wonder she was experiencing soreness all over her body!

That bastard!

He didn't work hard when he should have, but now that they're bound by pain, he's suddenly putting in the effort!

He was born with a congenital deficiency of meridians, yet he still wanted to break through to the third realm?

He's clearly trying to get himself killed!

"With your looks and abilities, what's the point of practicing martial arts?"

Zhao Luan looked at Qin Yu with annoyance: "Do you still have room for improvement?"

"I……"

Qin Yu was speechless, muttering under his breath, "You're not going to support me, can't I even protect myself by practicing martial arts?"

"What did you say?"

Zhao Luan's gaze suddenly turned sharp.

"It's nothing."

Qin Yu grinned. "I'm telling you, I've offended too many people. His Majesty can't possibly send someone to protect me all the time. I also want to improve my martial arts skills and have more ways to save my life..."

You're being nosy!

You're in charge of everything, from heaven to earth, but what about people's pooping and farting?

What business is it of yours if I practice martial arts?

I can't break through, so I'm not doing any physical exercise?

"Are you trying to save your life or risk it?"

Zhao Luan's gaze was cold and sharp as she said irritably, "You have money and power now, wouldn't it be better to just eat, drink, and have fun as a spoiled rich kid? Why do you have to risk your life to break through to a higher level? Do you want the Qin family line to end?"

Zhao Luan's rapid-fire questions left Qin Yu completely bewildered.

Does she mean for me to give up?

So, I'm being ordered to slack off?

Meeting Qin Yu's gaze, Zhao Luan realized she had been a bit too agitated. She immediately reprimanded him coldly, "Why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong? Think of the Duke of Wei, not just yourself! Do you want him to suffer the pain of a parent outliving their child again?"

"Yes, yes! Your Majesty is right, I admit my mistake!"

Qin Yu nodded repeatedly, secretly cursing in his heart.

Now they know I'm the only son of the Qin family!

Why didn't you think of that when you wanted to kill me?

Okay, I understand!

This is all an act for the old man to see!

She wanted the old man to know that she cared a lot about the Qin family!

He locked himself in the dungeon before only to teach himself a lesson, not to kill himself!

That way, the old man can drag his aging bones and continue to work for her!

Even his late-night visit to the old man to discuss the Holy Fire Cult was all an act!

That's why they say she's an emperor!

That's some serious scheming...tsk tsk!

"I hope you truly understand, and aren't just trying to appease me!"

The sharp glint in Zhao Luan's eyes lessened slightly. "If you have nothing to do, I'll find you something! You'll be in charge of negotiating with the Third Prince of Yan! I'll send someone to speak with Prime Minister Song later; he'll give you the details!"

"No!"

Qin Yu quickly refused, "I'm just a spoiled brat, how would I know how to negotiate! Your Majesty just returned it..."

"Alright, that's settled then!"

Zhao Luan impatiently interrupted him, then looked meaningfully at Qin Fumeng, "Negotiations with the Third Prince of Yan require a spoiled brat like him! Duke of Wei, don't you think so?"

"Yes, yes!"

Qin Fumeng snapped out of his daze and chimed in, "Sending a spoiled brat to negotiate is a clear message to Yan Li that we have no intention of talking to him! This is a way of putting pressure on him! Your Majesty is wise!"

"Did you hear that?"

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu: "Learn more from the Duke of Wei!"

"Yes, yes!"

Qin Yu forced a smile.

Why did he feel like this was a trap set by the female demon?

Would you really use a pretext to get yourself into trouble if things didn't go well?

Yes, that must be it!

That she-devil is so vengeful!

Anyway, she definitely wouldn't be satisfied without finding an excuse to punish herself!

Afterwards, Zhao Luan chatted with them briefly before getting up and leaving.

After seeing Zhao Luan off, Qin Yu looked at the old man with some confusion, "I say, what's going on with this Empress? What exactly is she trying to do?"

Damn, I almost let it slip.

If you called Zhao Luan a "female demon" in front of the old man, you'd definitely get a slap on the head.

Qin Fumeng stroked his long beard and shook his head, saying, "Even I'm a little confused now, but I think His Majesty might want us to put an end to our dealings with the Lü family!"

"what?"

Qin Yu asked, puzzled, "How did you figure that out?"

Why didn't I understand this meaning?

"There's absolutely no need for her to personally come to the door for something like this!"

Qin Fumeng continued his analysis: "She told us about this personally, not only saying that Lü Si refused to cooperate with the Holy Fire Sect, but also specifically asking the Ministry of Justice, which is under Lü Chunqiu's control, to assist me. It's clear she wants us to make peace with the Lü family!"

Is that so?

Qin Yu scratched his head.

That's a bit far-fetched, isn't it?

He was more inclined to believe that the female demon was putting on an act for the old man!

Oh well, never mind!

Let him interpret it however he wants!

Anyway, he had been assigned another task and didn't have time to deal with Lü Si for the time being.

I'll deal with him when I have time!

After making up his mind, Qin Yu returned to his courtyard, secretly pondering what excuse he could come up with to get Qi Dachui away.

Even if I can't do anything, it's still nice to sleep with such a beautiful girl like Luo Qingyi!

……

Sifangguan.

After attending the banquet, Xiao Baoju and the others returned to Sifangguan.

However, Xiao Baoju did not rest, but went to the room in the corner of the south courtyard where they were settled.

Inside the room, a handsome young man was reading a book by Ning Guo.

"Young Master!"

As soon as Xiao Baoju entered, he bowed to him.

This handsome man was none other than Empress Murong, disguised as a man.

Murong Wujiang!

She risked her life to see what kind of person this Empress of Ning was, and also to see her beloved homeland of Beiqi.

"Zhao Luan didn't agree?"

Empress Murong put down her book and asked calmly.

"no."

Xiao Baoju shook his head. "I originally planned to talk to Zhao Luan after the banquet, but as soon as the banquet ended, Zhao Luan left in a hurry, as if she had something urgent to attend to."

"Let's bring it up again tomorrow!"

Empress Murong said calmly.

Xiao Baoju nodded, then continued, "When I came back, I thought about it and decided that we still can't directly ask for half of the Nine Dragons Pendant!"

"We can propose first that we move Emperor Taizu's mausoleum back to Beiqi. Zhao Luan will surely suspect our motives and refuse to agree!"

"Then we set aside our demands and asked for half of the Nine Dragons Pendant that the founding emperor wore during his lifetime..."

If you ask directly, even if Zhao Luan agrees, she will definitely make an exorbitant demand.

Stop beating around the bush!

Empress Murong shook her head and smiled, "Judging from the Empress Dowager Ning's birthday banquet, Zhao Luan is much smarter than I thought! After going around in circles, she will most likely figure out that our real purpose is the Nine Dragon Pendant! At that time, she will be even more suspicious of our motives for wanting the Nine Dragon Pendant!"

Xiao Baoju thought for a moment, nodded slightly, and then asked worriedly, "What should we do if Zhao Luan refuses to hand over the other half of the Nine Dragon Pendant?"

"Then let's start with Qin Fumeng!"

Empress Murong already had a plan in mind: "Qin Fumeng definitely wants to cure Qin Yu's congenital meridians! If we use this as leverage, we might be able to persuade Qin Fumeng to help!"