The Prodigal Son

After the court assembly, Lü Chunqiu took a quick look around the Ministry of Justice and then rushed home immediately.

Madam Lü was already more than eight months pregnant.

For Madam Lü to become pregnant at her age is a very dangerous thing.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager specially dispatched two imperial physicians and three midwives to wait at the Lü residence.

A few days ago, the imperial physician told him that Lady Lü was showing signs of premature labor.

Although the imperial physician said that premature birth might not be a bad thing for Lady Lü at her age, he was still very worried.

So, after he went to the Ministry of Justice to give instructions on thoroughly investigating those who had bought official positions from Qin Yu, he hurriedly rushed back.

When Lü Chunqiu hurriedly returned home, he saw that Madam Lü was chatting with the Empress Dowager, with Lü Si accompanying them.

Seeing his wife chatting and laughing with the Empress Dowager, Lü Chunqiu felt relieved and stepped forward to bow to the Empress Dowager.

"Alright, alright! There are no outsiders here, no need for such formalities."

The Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop Lü Chunqiu, and then asked, "Did anything happen at today's court assembly?"

"The Empress Dowager is truly insightful!"

Lu Chunqiu first offered a flattering remark, then smiled and said, "Today's court assembly was truly spectacular..."

As he spoke, Lü Chunqiu told the Empress Dowager about Cui Xu's accusation that Qin Yu was selling official positions.

"Selling official positions and titles?"

Lu Si's voice suddenly rose eight octaves, his jaw almost dropping to the ground, as if thunder was rolling in his mind.

Is this what Qin Yu is up to?

That bastard is incredibly audacious!

He dares to do something like this?

Isn't he afraid of going too far?

Fortunately, he didn't stubbornly stay by his side, otherwise, knowing Qin Yu as a bastard, that bastard would definitely have dragged him down with him!

I don't have his achievements to use for causing trouble.

But when he thought about his bet with Cui Zhi, Lü Si's heart was filled with joy.

Earn a thousand taels of silver for free!

I'll go find Cui Zhi and collect the debt later!

The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh and scold, "That scoundrel! He'll stop at nothing to avoid being promoted!"

"Who can argue with that!"

Lü Chunqiu was both amused and exasperated. "When I heard from Lü Si that Qin Yu was planning to cause trouble, I was wondering what kind of trouble he could possibly cause! I never expected that this scoundrel would dare to openly sell official positions and titles, and the key point is that he's actually doing this for the sake of the court..."

"help?"

Lady Lü was bewildered. "Selling official positions and titles, and yet it's considered acting in the court's best interests?"

"That's right!"

Lü Chunqiu nodded and then repeated the same explanation given by Qin Yu and Du Zhiwen.

After hearing Lü Chunqiu's words, the Lü family mother and son were dumbfounded.

Can you do this?

The Empress Dowager lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Does Your Majesty mean that although he is acting in the best interests of the court, the practice of selling official positions must not be tolerated, and then you will take the opportunity to strip him of his title and dismiss him from office?"

"It was Gao Yili who championed it!"

Lu Chunqiu smiled, "However, His Majesty has also preserved his right to enter the court without bowing and his official position as Grand Master of the Palace."

High-level heritage?

The Empress Dowager's heart stirred.

Is Gao Yi rushing to show his loyalty, or is he trying to get himself involved?

But that's fine too!

The current imperial court certainly needs a force to balance the power within it!

Even if Qin Yu and Luan'er's affair succeeds, the balance of power in the court must still be maintained.

It's unclear whether Luan'er granted Qin Yu this privilege simply to recognize his achievements, or if there was another reason behind it.

It seems I'll have to have a good talk with her after I return to the palace!

Lu Si snapped out of his daze and asked with shining eyes, "His Majesty didn't take back the gifts he was given?"

"What are you collecting?!"

Lu Chunqiu glared at him. "Qin Yu has already offered up his weakness. If Your Majesty were to take back those valuables, it would be extremely inhumane!"

"really!"

The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled, but her mind was already racing.

Lu Si ignored all of that and his mind raced.

His Majesty has bestowed so much wealth upon Qin Yu, is there any way I can get some benefits back from him?

We can't let him keep sabotaging us!

I need to find a way to swindle some of my own money back!

……

At the same time, Gao Yi also returned to his residence.

Gao Yi summoned Gao Dan and Yu Jing, who were temporarily staying at the mansion, and told them about the affairs of the court.

After hearing Gao Yi's words, the two burst into laughter.

Although Zhao Luan retained Qin Yu's official position as a second-rank official, the Grand Master of the Palace, it was nothing compared to the second-rank position of General Xuanwei!

The title of General Xuanwei, a second-rank official, carries real military power!

Moreover, it also controls the military power of the imperial city!

It seems the old man's judgment was indeed correct!

Zhao Luan indeed intended to use him to maintain the balance of power in the court!

As long as Zhao Luan has this intention, she will definitely support the old man!

In this way, the Gao family will surely gain even greater power!

Overjoyed, Yu Jing suddenly remembered something and frowned as she asked Gao Yi, "Then do I still need to be on good terms with Qin Yu?"

He used to pretend to be on good terms with Qin Yu while secretly plotting against him from behind.

But now, Gao Yi has decided to stand on the opposite side of the Qin family.

Since he married Gao Yao, he naturally had no choice but to board Gao Yi's boat.

In this way, it seems that he and Qin Yu are about to openly stand on opposite sides!

"This is not a problem for you to consider."

Gao Yi smiled meaningfully, "That's a question Qin Yu should consider!"

Ok?

Yu Jing was slightly taken aback. "Does that mean I should treat Qin Yu the same way he treats me?"

"right!"

Gao Yi nodded slightly. "Her Majesty doesn't care how you treat Qin Yu! What she cares about is how you treat Da Ning! Understand?"

Yu Jing thought for a moment, then realized, "I understand!"

"Good that you understand!"

Gao Yi nodded approvingly and then asked, "What were your subsequent considerations?"

Yu Jing smiled and replied, "I plan to marry Gao Yao first, and then go to my fiefdom..."

"Foolish!"

Before Yu Jing could finish speaking, Gao Yi ruthlessly interrupted him.

Yu Jing was puzzled and humbly looked at Gao Yi, "Please enlighten me, sir."

"You absolutely must not go to the fiefdom anytime soon!"

Gao Yi stared intently at Yu Jing, his gaze deep. "Remember this: His Majesty will only feel more at ease with you when you're under his watchful eye!"

A word to awaken the dreamer.

Upon hearing Gao Yi's words, Yu Jing's heart skipped a beat.

Yes!

Although his fiefdom consisted of only one prefecture, he was still considered a vassal king!

Rather than trying every means to dispel Zhao Luan's suspicions, it's better to stay in the capital and operate right under her nose.

That way, she can trust me more!

What a remarkable legacy!

No wonder he's the prime minister!

With just one sentence, I solved a problem that had been bothering me for days!

With such an old fox advising me, I can avoid many detours!

"Thank you so much for your guidance, sir!"

Yu Jing looked at Gao Yi with admiration, but soon began to worry again, "But according to the rules of the court, after I marry Gao Yao, I should go to my fiefdom! What reason can I give to stay in the capital?"

"Think about it yourself first. If you really can't figure it out, then come ask me!"

Gao Yi looked intently at Yu Jing, "Anyway, your wedding with Gao Yao is still almost a month away, you have plenty of time to think it over."

"good!"

Yu Jing agreed.

"Don't just stay at home all the time. The end of the year is approaching, and the capital is bustling with activity right now. You can take Gao Yao to the capital for a stroll."

Gao Yi chuckled and said meaningfully, "Don't feel embarrassed to see people. If you're happy, His Majesty might be happy too!"

Ok?

Yu Jing lowered his head in thought.

A moment later, a look of understanding flashed in Yu Jing's eyes. "Thank you for your guidance, Grandpa. I understand!"