The Prodigal Son

In winter, the sky brightens exceptionally late.

It was still pitch black outside, but Qin Yu was forced to get out of his warm bed.

Damn it!

If it weren't for the fact that he was stripped of his title and dismissed from his official post, he really wouldn't want to get out of bed.

Isn't it wonderful to snuggle up in bed with a soft, warm body and sleep in?

On the issue of when to attend court, he and Lü Si were surprisingly in agreement.

It's time to go to court again at 9:00 AM!

I am considered a person with a formal employment contract.

9 to 5!

Arrive at work at 10:00 AM, drink tea and read the newspaper for half an hour, then dawdle for another hour, have lunch and take a nap, and leave early at 2:30 PM.

Shouldn't this be the basic operation?

"Alright! Stop complaining."

Luo Qingyi gently patted Qin Yu, "There are only two more days until the court recess. Then, Que'er and I will keep you company and let you sleep in!"

"That's more like it!"

Qin Yu smiled with satisfaction, gave each of the two women a big kiss on the cheek, and then left the room amidst their coquettish replies.

After having a quick bite to eat, Qin Yu took Qi Dachui with him and went to court in the dark.

The cold winter wind whistled, which strengthened Qin Yu's resolve not to attend court.

When Qin Yu arrived outside the Zichen Palace, a large group of officials warmly greeted him.

"My lord, congratulations!"

"Your Excellency, at such a young age, have rendered such great service to our dynasty; you are truly admirable!"

"The Marquis is skilled in both literature and martial arts; he should be considered the foremost among the younger generation!"

"When will Your Excellency hold a celebratory banquet? This humble official would also like to have a drink with you..."

The crowd was so enthusiastic that Qin Yu got a little carried away.

No wonder so many people are fighting for power and profit!

Having power in your hands is really comfortable!

Putting everything else aside, just listening to people flatter them can greatly satisfy one's vanity.

The problem is, can you please stop just flattering people?

"My lords, don't just offer empty congratulations!"

Qin Yu grinned and stretched out his hand to everyone, "At least give some real gold and silver as a congratulatory gift!"

brush!

The assembled officials vanished in an instant, like characters from Naruto.

In an instant, a vacuum zone was formed around Qin Yu.

"Holy shit..."

Qin Yu's face darkened.

Is it really necessary to be this realistic?

Just as Qin Yu was secretly complaining, Cui Xu leaned closer, staring at Qin Yu with a half-smile: "My lord! You certainly have some clever tricks up your sleeve!"

Qin Yu laughed heartily, "Lord Cui, please don't call me that! You can call me Qin Yu or Doctor Qin, it's all fine!"

Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Cui Xu instantly understood.

There's no doubt about it!

That account book must have been sent to me by Qin Yu!

This bastard is already prepared to be stripped of his title and dismissed from office!

He strongly suspected that Zhao Luan had known about Qin Yu's selling of official positions for a long time.

Therefore, she deliberately bestowed a large number of official titles upon Qin Yu, waiting for Qin Yu's "misdeeds to be exposed" so that she could strip him of his titles and dismiss him from office.

This could even be something they planned together!

He had been used as a pawn by that bastard Qin Yu!

Cui Xu cursed inwardly, then held up another finger: "Qin Langzhong, remember this, you owe me a thousand taels of silver!"

"no……"

Qin Yu smirked, "Lord Cui, it's one thing if you don't send me a gift to congratulate me, but why do you make me owe you a thousand taels of silver?"

What are you doing!

Is this a case of double-crossing?

I haven't even received a gift yet, and you're already eyeing my money?

"This is called a service fee!"

Cui Xu glared at Qin Yu through gritted teeth. "A mere thousand taels of silver isn't much to you, is it?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu burst into laughter.

Got it!

It seems that Cui Xu had already guessed that he had sent the account book himself.

Qin Yu grinned and winked, saying, "Not much, not much! I could brag for the rest of my life that a loyal minister like Lord Cui would ask me for money!"

"That's more like it!"

Cui Xu finally smiled and said in a low voice, "By the way, I also received a letter accusing you of selling official positions, but it's much more vague than that account book."

Ok?

Someone reported him to Cui Xu?

Who is it?

Are they officials from Min State or Da Ning State?

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Lord Cui, could you let me see that letter?"

"That won't do!"

Cui Xu shook his head and refused, "If it weren't for that account book, I would never have told you this! If I showed you the letter, it would violate my principles! I can't let you retaliate against the person who reported you!"

Got it!

He's a person of principle!

Unlike some corrupt officials who, without addressing the immediate issues, first sell out the whistleblower completely.

After waiting quietly for half an hour, the court assembly finally began.

After the officials finished their greetings, Zhao Luan raised his eyes and surveyed them: "My esteemed ministers, do you have anything to report today?"

No sooner had Zhao Luan finished speaking than Cui Xu eagerly stepped forward: "Your subject Cui Xu hereby impeaches Marquis Wuning, Qin Yu!"

Cui Xu just wanted to finish getting this mess over with as soon as possible.

As Cui Xu finished speaking, the assembled officials were taken aback.

Then, an uproar ensued.

Qin Yu has made such a great contribution, and His Majesty just rewarded him handsomely last night, yet Cui Xu wants to impeach Qin Yu today?

Although Cui Xu had some disputes with Qin Yu before because of the Chengyang Prince case, Cui Xu did not know the truth of the matter at that time. He didn't need to hold a grudge and rush to impeach Qin Yu, did he?

"Oh?"

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu out of the corner of her eye, then turned to Cui Xu and asked, "Why did Lord Cui impeach Qin Yu?"

This bastard, is he trying to pull this trick on me?

dream!

I really need to try a different approach this time and teach him a lesson!

He was so busy that he couldn't even enjoy his New Year's Eve dinner properly!

Unaware of Zhao Luan's thoughts, Cui Xu loudly proclaimed, "I have received a secret report that Qin Yu, while in Yuyang, colluded with Imperial Commissioner and Minister of Personnel Du Zhiwen to sell official positions on a large scale, obtaining over 1.6 million taels of silver!"

boom!

As soon as Cui Xu finished speaking, the court erupted in chaos.

"Selling official positions? How could that be!"

"We still need over 1.6 million taels of silver?"

"The Marquis of Wuning has just rendered a great service, and Lord Cui is already so eager to impeach him. What are your true intentions?"

"Lord Cui, this is clearly fabricated and a deliberate act of revenge..."

In an instant, the ministers began to speak up.

Even some officials who disliked Qin Yu chose to side with him.

Regardless of whether Cui Xu's words are true or false, as long as there is no solid evidence, they will all stand on Qin Yu's side now.

No matter what, we can't side with Cui Xu!

Otherwise, if things didn't turn out this way, Qin Yu would definitely hold a grudge against them afterwards.

After all, Qin Yu is now a favorite of His Majesty!

The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, so it's best to avoid provoking this bastard if possible.

Otherwise, I'm afraid we won't even be able to have a good year.

"In my humble opinion, Lord Cui must be deliberately slandering Marquis Wuning because he harbors a grudge against him for a dispute with him in court over the case of the Prince of Chengyang!"

Yang Jichun went even further, speaking out loudly: "Your Majesty, I implore you to punish Cui Xu for being jealous of talent and framing his colleague!"

Hearing Yang Jichun's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but nod secretly.

Ah!

Not bad!

As expected of his own henchman!

It can still come in handy at crucial moments!

Faced with the attacks from everyone, Cui Xu cursed inwardly once again.

I knew this would be the result!

For the scolding he received, asking Qin Yu for a service fee of one thousand taels of silver is really not much!

Gao Yi didn't speak, but simply watched everything in front of him quietly.

He had realized that today's court proceedings were nothing but a charade!

No wonder His Majesty bestowed such generous rewards upon Qin Yu last night; it turns out he was waiting for this!

Reward first, then punish!

Achieving both kindness and severity!

However, Yu Jing sent the evidence to Cui Xu after the banquet, while Zhao Luan bestowed the honors upon Qin Yu during the banquet.

Did Zhao Luan already know about Qin Yu's rampant selling of official positions?

Did she arrange for someone to monitor Qin Yu?

If that's the case, that would be wonderful!