The Prodigal Son

As soon as the two disappeared from everyone's sight, Zhao Luan asked in a deep voice, "That little thing was so small, yet it had such power. If it were made very large, could it split mountains and shatter rocks, or be used to kill enemies on the battlefield?"

Holy crap?

Qin Yu suddenly stopped and looked at Zhao Luan with a surprised expression.

She even thought of that?

She has a really good eye!

Zhao Luan's face darkened. "I'm asking you a question! What are you looking at me for?"

"Your Majesty has a truly discerning eye!"

Qin Yu gave her a thumbs up, "Your Majesty, I won't hide it from you. Actually, the new weapon being tested by the Heavenly Crafts Workshop is related to this!"

"Have you already started?"

Zhao Luan's eyes suddenly lit up, and she hurriedly asked, "How's the progress?"

"I went to see it just two days ago; it will take some more time!"

Qin Yu gave an ambiguous answer.

Zhao Luan pondered for a moment, then immediately asked, "Do you need me to send someone to help?"

She keenly realized that this thing might have unexpected effects if used on the battlefield.

"It's not needed for now, but it will definitely be needed later."

Qin Yu grinned, "Actually, I wanted to make it first and then surprise Your Majesty! I never expected Your Majesty to think of its use because of a small firecracker. My admiration for Your Majesty is like a never-ending river! If Your Majesty could allow the Craftsmen's Office to use the materials I provided to forge some armor for my personal guards, I would admire Your Majesty even more..."

Zhao Luan was so amused by Qin Yu's peculiar way of flattering that she almost kicked the bastard away.

Suppressing her impulse, Zhao Luan asked curiously, "Are the scales of that strange snake really that hard?"

Qin Yu nodded slightly. "Your Majesty already knows?"

"nonsense!"

Zhao Luan raised an eyebrow, staring at Qin Yu with a half-smile. "What, you still want to hide it from me?"

"No, no!"

Qin Yu waved his hands repeatedly, "What I was thinking was that Your Majesty is also a martial artist, so when the armor is ready, I will also present Your Majesty with a set of armor as a surprise."

"You talk a good game, but you sing a better game!"

Zhao Luan gave a light hum, but then relented: "I'll give you a written edict later. Take it to the Crafts Bureau and have them make it for you!"

Yes!

Equip Qin Yu's personal guards with good armor so they can better protect him.

If he goes to the battlefield again, I won't be implicated by him again!

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Qin Yu was overjoyed.

In that case, today's meal wasn't a waste!

"You're a scoundrel who won't do anything for personal gain!"

Zhao Luanxing's eyes widened. "Aren't you going to take me to wash up right away?"

"Very well, Your Majesty, please!"

Qin Yu led Zhao Luan to the inner courtyard with satisfaction, and personally fetched a basin of hot water for her.

Although Zhao Luan washed the mud off her body, the mud stains still lingered.

However, she was traveling incognito, so a few mud marks were nothing to her.

Zhao Luan dried her hands with a towel, stood up, and looked at Qin Yu: "Turn around!"

Qin Yu guessed what Zhao Luan was going to do, and said with a dark expression, "Your Majesty, this is a bit inconsiderate! This really isn't my fault! I..."

"Do you still want my imperial edict?"

Zhao Luan unleashed her ultimate weapon.

"I……"

Qin Yu remained silent.

Got it!

She's so petty, her heart is as small as a fingernail!

She wouldn't be satisfied without giving herself a good kick in the back.

For the sake of the armor he so desperately desired, Qin Yu was forced to submit to power and slowly turned around.

Bang!

As expected, Zhao Luan kicked Qin Yu in the butt.

The kick wasn't heavy.

But after that kick, Zhao Luan instantly felt refreshed.

I have to say, it's actually quite satisfying to kick that bastard every now and then!

As long as you control your strength, you won't be hurt too much as a result.

Okay, that's how it will be from now on!

"If you dare to mock me again, it won't just be a matter of one kick!"

Zhao Luan deliberately gave Qin Yu a stern warning before walking towards the front hall.

Qin Yu caught up with Zhao Luan, "Your Majesty, I swear to God, I truly had no such intention! It was Your Majesty who insisted on pushing forward..."

Zhao Luan turned around and sneered, "You think I didn't see you hiding behind here, secretly laughing?"

As she spoke, Zhao Luan made a kicking motion.

"..."

Qin Yu was both amused and exasperated. "I was just suddenly reminded of the funny thing that happened when I was a kid and got splattered with mud while playing in it..."

"I'm too lazy to listen to your fabricated stories!"

Zhao Luan swept her phoenix eyes over him, "Furthermore, if I find out that you only know how to enjoy yourself and not do any serious work, I won't mind teaching you a lesson on behalf of the Duke of Wei! I believe the Duke of Wei will thank me when he finds out!"

"yes!"

Qin Yu lowered his head, inwardly complaining.

You're being nosy!

You can control everything, but what right do you have to control what other people do when they poop or fart?

Soon, the two returned outside.

Zhao Luan coldly surveyed the crowd, then said sternly, "What happened just now, all of you, keep your mouths shut!"

"yes!"

Everyone assumed Zhao Luan was just concerned about saving face and didn't think much of it.

After a minor setback, Qin Yu finally succeeded in sending Zhao Luan and the Empress Dowager away.

Watching their carriage disappear into the distance, Qin Yu couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

They're finally gone!

We're free again!

"Back to the manor! Let the music and dancing continue!"

Qin Yu turned around and went back to his residence, instantly feeling full of energy.

Luo Qingyi caught up with Qin Yu and reached out to wipe the footprints off his backside. "This must have been His Majesty's kick, right?"

"Alas, it's all an undeserved disaster!"

Qin Yu sighed and put his arm around Luo Qingyi, saying with a mischievous grin, "Come on, let's go back inside and play cards!"

"Playing poker?"

Luo Qingyi asked, puzzled, "What are playing cards?"

poker?

Qin Yu suddenly stopped.

What the hell!

Why didn't I think of poker!

During the Lunar New Year, when there aren't many entertainment options, we could totally make a deck of cards and play Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game)!

Thinking of this, Qin Yu immediately became excited.

Seeing Qin Yu's excited expression, Nan Que'er also became curious, "What exactly are these playing cards?"

"It's just a type of playing card!"

Qin Yu explained with a smile on his face.

A look of realization flashed in Luo Qingyi's eyes. "Thirteenth Young Master isn't referring to Leaf Cards, is he?"

"More or less!"

Qin Yu nodded and smiled, "It's simpler than Leaf Cards, but more fun."

While it's certainly impossible to make modern playing cards, Da Ning does have leaf cards!

If leaf cards can be made, making playing cards must be easy!

Qin Yu is a man of action.

After having this idea, I immediately began designing my own playing cards.

Looking at Qin Yu, who acted on a whim, the two women couldn't help but smile helplessly.

After giving instructions for the New Year, Luo Qingyi sat in the courtyard with Nan Que'er, basking in the sun, occasionally glancing at Qin Yu who was busy in the room.

"Do you think what the Empress Dowager said to us was hinting at something?"

Nan Que'er, who was on the recliner, suddenly turned her head to look at Luo Qingyi.

"Maybe!"

Luo Qingyi smiled lazily, "Don't think about it so much! Let's just live in the moment."

Nan Que'er rolled her eyes. "You're really carefree."

"Otherwise what?"

Luo Qingyi smiled, her gaze then sweeping over Qin Yu, who was busy inside the room, her eyes filled with tenderness…