The Prodigal Son

Once she confirmed that Qin Yu had finished preparing the fireworks, the Empress Dowager's expression became even more kind and benevolent.

"Luan'er, it's better to be lucky than early. Shall we have lunch at the Qin family's house?"

The Empress Dowager looked at Zhao Luan with a smile.

"Listen to Mother."

Zhao Luan nodded slightly, then glared at Qin Yu with a hint of annoyance.

"this……"

Qin Yu looked at the mother and daughter with a wry smile, "This humble subject was unaware of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty's arrival and had no time to prepare a meal. I'm afraid I have been negligent..."

"It's alright!"

The Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop him, "Your Majesty and I are already tired of those delicacies. There's no need to prepare special meals; a simple home-cooked meal will suffice."

Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Got it!

If he said anything more after saying all that, it would be as if he intended to kick them out.

Qin Yu instructed Luo Qingyi to tell the kitchen to prepare more dishes, and then he and Nan Que'er welcomed the Empress Dowager and her entourage to the main hall.

On the way to the main hall, Qin Yu leaned close to Lü Si and asked in a low voice, "Was it you who did this?"

"fart!"

Lu Si curled his lip and said gloatingly, "His Majesty specially took my aunt out of the palace incognito to see the everyday life of the city. I only bumped into them on the way..."

He wanted to invite the Empress Dowager and Zhao Luan to dine at the Lü residence.

The Empress Dowager had already agreed, but when she passed by this area, she changed her mind at the last minute, saying that Qin Yu had not yet done what he promised her, and she wanted to see if Qin Yu was slacking off.

As soon as the Empress Dowager arrived at the Qin family, she instructed the servants not to announce her arrival, as she wanted to see what Qin Yu was up to.

It's fortunate that the Empress Dowager had foresight, otherwise they wouldn't have seen Qin Yu's despicable appearance!

After figuring out the whole story, Qin Yu couldn't help but feel secretly depressed.

If I had known this would happen, I should have sent the fireworks to the palace early this morning.

Seeing Qin Yu's dejected look, Lü Si became even more gloating and nudged him mischievously, "Doctor Qin, why don't you let His Majesty see your dragon claw hands?"

"I……"

Qin Yu's face darkened; he really wanted to kick this jerk who always brought up the most awkward topics out of the way.

Seeing Qin Yu's reaction, Lü Si was even more delighted. He held up two fingers to Qin Yu and chuckled, "Twenty thousand taels of silver! I won't tell anyone about this!"

Hey!

He cheated me out of a hundred taels of gold last time, so this time I'll make him pay back double!

Qin Yu smirked and chuckled, "How about I get you a room so you can get a good night's sleep and dream about all sorts of things!"

He thinks two hundred taels of silver is too much, let alone twenty thousand taels?

He's dreaming!

"What are you two whispering about?"

Just as Lü Si was about to speak again, the Empress Dowager suddenly turned her head to look at him.

Qin Yu immediately replied, "Your Majesty, Lü Si threatened me, saying that if I didn't give him 20,000 taels of silver, he would tell everyone about my embarrassing incident today!"

"Is that so?"

The Empress Dowager asked with great interest, "Would you then give him twenty thousand taels of silver?"

"Won't!"

Qin Yu answered without hesitation.

"Oh?"

The Empress Dowager chuckled, "Aren't you afraid of losing face if this gets out?"

Qin Yu grinned, "The Empress Dowager just said that it's normal for young people to play around, as long as they don't do anything immoral in public! How could I feel ashamed?"

"You should say, 'You're shameless, so why would you feel ashamed?'"

Zhao Luan picked up the conversation, looking at Qin Yu with annoyance: "When I ask you to do something serious, you're always complaining of backaches or leg pains! When it comes to having fun, you're more energetic than anyone else! You're supposed to be a second-rank official, yet you do nothing but things that are disgraceful to your status!"

"Your Majesty, I apologize and will certainly pay more attention in the future."

Qin Yu gave a perfunctory reply, secretly scoffing inwardly.

What kind of second-rank official is this!

He was just a minor official.

Besides, even a high-ranking official of the second rank is a human being!

Those high-ranking officials in the imperial court are probably much more adventurous than I am in private.

She just didn't see it.

It's no big deal!

"Okay, okay!"

The Empress Dowager chuckled and patted Zhao Luan, "I think Qin Yu is just being genuine!"

This girl has no idea what the pleasures of the bedroom are!

The late emperor was already considered a rare wise ruler throughout history, wasn't he?

Even a wise ruler like him has his moments of frivolity, doesn't he?

What's the big deal!

Between men and women, being too serious gets boring.

Once she's tasted and seen it all, she'll realize that this is what we call romance!

"Mother, why are you always speaking up for him?"

Zhao Luan was secretly annoyed and looked at the Empress Dowager speechlessly, "He bribed you with some tobacco?"

You'll understand later!

The Empress Dowager patted Zhao Luan's hand with a smile again.

For some inexplicable reason, the Empress Dowager recalled the intimate moments she had shared with the late Emperor.

They were young once too, they were unrestrained once, and they had things they were ashamed to talk about...

Ugh!

I don't want to think about it anymore!

Looking back only adds to the sadness!

Zhao Luan was speechless and simply turned her face away.

She truly had no idea what kind of spell Qin Yu had cast on the Empress Dowager!

In the past, given Qin Yu's actions just now, the Empress Dowager would have already reprimanded him and would have spoken up for him.

It seems that ever since the Empress Dowager had that idea, Qin Yu has become the apple of her eye.

Ok?

Seeing Zhao Luan's actions, the Empress Dowager suddenly had an idea.

Even if Qin Yu was just indulging in some lighthearted fun at home, and even if he was morally corrupt, this girl wouldn't go this far, would she?

The way she's acting now makes her seem like a sulking young girl.

This girl...

Could she be jealous because she saw Qin Yu being affectionate and playful with Nan Que'er and the others?

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager felt as if she had discovered a new continent. Although her face remained expressionless, she secretly observed Zhao Luan's expression.

To be honest, she really does seem like a jealous little woman!

Upon arriving at the main hall and sitting down, the servants of the household quickly served tea.

The Empress Dowager looked around and couldn't help but sigh to Qin Yu, "The last time I visited the Qin residence was when your parents got married! Almost twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye! Now that I'm here again, everything has changed!"

"Did the Empress Dowager attend my parents' wedding?" Qin Yu asked in surprise.

"I came with the late Emperor."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Your residence was quite lively back then, but it's rather deserted now."

"It's alright."

Qin Yu grinned, "It's just that when the old man isn't home, I always feel a little empty inside."

"It's all Bei Qi's fault!"

The Empress Dowager sighed softly, then waved her hand and said, "Alright, it's the New Year, let's not talk about these unpleasant things!"

"well!"

Qin Yu nodded repeatedly. "Are the Empress Dowager and His Majesty hungry? If so, I will have someone bring out the hot pot."

Ugh!

Eat up!

Eat well and then quickly send these two away!

They continued to observe the everyday life of the city, and enjoyed their leisure time as they pleased.

"hot pot?"

The Empress Dowager, puzzled, asked, "What new contraption is this now?"

"It's not anything new, it's just that you can cook and eat at the same time."

Qin Yu explained, "Especially in winter, eating around this hot pot, with its steaming heat, is so warm and cozy."

"Then I really should give it a try."

The Empress Dowager smiled broadly. "To be honest, Luan'er and I have been wandering around this city all morning, and we are indeed a bit hungry..."