The Prodigal Son

At Qin Yu's command, the servants in the mansion quickly brought over several copper pots.

"This is the hot pot you were talking about?"

Zhao Luan stared at the strangely shaped bronze pot and glanced at Qin Yu, asking a question.

"Yes."

Qin Yu nodded and pointed to the copper pot, explaining to them, "This is where you put the charcoal fire; you just put the ingredients here to cook..."

"This pot is rather peculiar."

The Empress Dowager smiled knowingly, "It's just that the workmanship is really too poor."

"Your Majesty is indeed discerning." Qin Yu flattered her, "When I had this copper pot made, I was in a bit of a rush. I only thought that it would work, and I didn't think that much about it."

"That's true, as long as it works, it's fine."

The Empress Dowager nodded and sat down.

Qin Yu looked up at Zhao Luan and her daughter, "Should I prepare a pot for both the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, or...?"

"Just this one pot is enough! It's more lively during the Lunar New Year when everyone sits together to eat."

The Empress Dowager chuckled as she spoke, then couldn't help but recall, "Back when I accompanied the late Emperor to the army to offer our congratulations, we ate communal meals together with all the soldiers..."

As Qin Yu listened to the Empress Dowager reminiscing about the past, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

What's going on?

Why does the Empress Dowager look so kind and gentle today?

Could she be trying to win me over to help her seize power from the female demon?

It shouldn't be that bad, right?

Strange!

How strange!

Damn it, if this continues, rumors about me and the Empress Dowager will probably be circulating throughout the capital soon.

After recalling for a moment, the Empress Dowager smiled and beckoned to them, "Qin Yu, you will sit at the same table with me and His Majesty. Guo Yang and Lü Si, you two come and sit here too!"

Guo Yang?

Qin Yu suddenly looked at the eunuch standing to the side with his head bowed.

So he was Guo Yang!

He had previously thought this person was just a eunuch serving the Empress Dowager!

"Thank you so much, Auntie!"

Lu Si thanked the emperor and sat down.

However, Guo Yang gently shook her head, "Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager. This servant is of lowly status and dares not sit with the Empress Dowager and His Majesty."

"you……"

The Empress Dowager glanced at him helplessly, then instructed Qin Yu, "Arrange a separate table for him!"

"yes!"

Qin Yu immediately ordered someone to arrange a table for Guo Yang next to him.

Meanwhile, Nan Que'er, Luo Qingyi, and the two generals Heng and Ha sat at another table.

Once the light broth in the copper pot boiled, Qin Yu started adding meat while explaining to them how to eat it.

Once the mutton was cooked, we naturally waited for the Empress Dowager to start eating.

Just as a palace maid was about to step forward to serve meat to the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager stopped her, saying, "No need, I can do it myself! I also want to try this new way of eating."

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager picked up her chopsticks, took two thin slices of mutton, put them in a bowl, coated them with sauce, and then put them in her mouth.

"Um?"

The Empress Dowager savored the mutton, swallowing it in one gulp. She then looked at Qin Yu with a smile, "Excellent! Excellent! Tender and fresh, it has a unique flavor!"

"As long as the Empress Dowager is pleased!"

Qin Yu then picked up two pieces of meat and placed them in Zhao Luan's sauce bowl, saying, "Your Majesty, please try some too!"

Zhao Luan glanced at him indifferently before putting the mutton covered in sauce into her mouth.

The moment the mutton entered her mouth, Zhao Luan's eyes lit up.

I must say, it really has a unique flavor.

And it's convenient!

Hmm, I'll also order someone to make some of these pots for the palace later.

Zhao Luan secretly made up her mind, then deliberately put on a stern face and looked at Qin Yu, "You certainly know how to eat! If you put this kind of energy into serious matters, you would surely be a pillar of the nation in the future!"

Qin Yu remained silent.

Can't we just eat in peace?

Even eating a meal can lead to being subjected to PUA (Pick-Up Artist) tactics?

Sigh, who the hell said it was an honor to dine with the emperor?

This is pure torture.

He could be a little more unrestrained in front of Zhao Luan.

But now that even the Empress Dowager is sitting here, he can only try his best to abide by etiquette.

Damn it, I really want to kick them out!

Qin Yu inwardly scoffed, but immediately picked up two more pieces of meat and placed them in Zhao Luan's bowl, saying sincerely, "Your Majesty works tirelessly for the country and has become thin! If Your Majesty likes to eat, please eat more and replenish yourself!"

Zhao Luan raised an eyebrow. "What, you think I talk too much and want to shut me up?"

"How dare I?"

Qin Yu chuckled and said with a grin, "Your Majesty is working too hard! People need to eat to survive, Your Majesty needs to be healthy to better handle state affairs..."

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking!"

Zhao Luan gave a soft hum before slowly putting the mutton into her mouth.

Compared to Qin Yu's torment, Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi were much better off.

However, the two men were sitting at a table less than ten feet away from them, which made them feel a little awkward.

Nan Que'er glanced at Qin Yu and the others, then gently nudged Luo Qingyi, giving her a wink and signaling her to look in their direction.

However, Luo Qingyi simply greeted Yun Ying and Shangguan Youyi with a smile, without even glancing in that direction.

What's so interesting about it?

Are they supposed to go over there and chase those two away?

Just focus on your own business!

Everyone ate their meal with their own thoughts on the matter, except for Guo Yang, who sat quietly to one side, appearing somewhat out of place.

After about half an hour, Qin Yu finally finished the meal that had been so agonizing.

The Empress Dowager and Zhao Luan, who were trying this novel way of eating for the first time, thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

While the Empress Dowager was rinsing her mouth with tea, Qin Yu quickly stepped forward and asked, "Empress Dowager, would you like me to deliver the fireworks to the palace, or would you like to take them with you?"

"Oh, so you're trying to kick me out?"

The Empress Dowager raised her eyes and stared at Qin Yu with a half-smile.

"How could that be?"

Qin Yu forced a smile. "I just wanted to bring out the fireworks to avoid the Empress Dowager accusing me of deceiving her."

"Since I'm here, then I'll take you away!"

The Empress Dowager slowly stood up. "Alright, it's rare for me to leave the palace, and I'd like to take advantage of the festive atmosphere of the year to see the city's lively spirit. I won't stay any longer!"

OK!

It's finally time to leave!

Qin Yu almost roared with excitement, then quickly ordered Qi Dachui to lead people to move the fireworks, and also gave the Empress Dowager some instructions.

Otherwise, if this thing were to cause a fire in the palace, things would get really messy.

"Yes, I understand."

The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled, about to step out, but then suddenly stopped. "By the way, the Imperial Observatory said there should be another heavy snowfall in a couple of days! Luan'er and I are planning to go to Diecui Mountain to enjoy the snow; you should come with us!"

Qin Yu felt a sharp pang in his heart.

Nima!

They haven't even escaped the tiger's mouth yet!

Why am I going into the lion's den again?

Is this really necessary?!

Qin Yu inwardly groaned, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace. "The Empress Dowager and His Majesty went to enjoy the snow; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go along, would it?"

"What's inappropriate about it?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and looked at Lü Si, "I will have several ministers from the court accompany me! By the way, Lü Si, you should come along too!"

"Thank you, Auntie."

Lü Si readily accepted the order.

Left with no other choice, Qin Yu was forced to agree.

Let's send them away first!

As for enjoying the snow, let's see if we can find an excuse to postpone it later!

Just as Qin Yu was lost in thought, Qi Dachui led a group of people over carrying fireworks, with about a dozen firecrackers on them.

What the hell!

Qin Yu's eyelids twitched, and he quickly called out to Qi Dachui, taking away the dozen or so firecrackers.

Zhao Luan observed this and asked calmly, "What did you take? What, something made for the Empress Dowager, are you keeping it for yourself?"