The Prodigal Son

Sifangguan.

This place served as both a reception area for foreign envoys and a reception area for high-ranking officials who came to the capital to report on their duties or to pay homage to the emperor.

The Salt Commissioner of Liangjiang was a third-rank official, which was considered a high-ranking position.

Shi Yi also lived in the Sifangguan.

Because of his special official position and the fact that the Shi family was the wealthiest in the world, Liang Jin, the interpreter of the Sifangguan, specially arranged an entire courtyard for Shi Yi.

Shi Yi was hungover last night and didn't get up until very late today.

He had just taken a few sips of the Eight Treasures Porridge when Shi Lian'er came running back, crying.

"father……"

Shi Lian'er ran and cried, her face red and swollen, until she reached Shi Yi. "You have to stand up for my daughter!"

"you……"

Shi Yi was bewildered by the "strange" woman who suddenly ran up to him and called him "Dad".

He carefully examined it before suddenly realizing what was happening.

This really is my daughter!

"Snapped!"

Shi Yi angrily smashed the bowl of porridge in his hand on the ground, his face frosty as he demanded, "What's going on here?"

His own daughter has been beaten so badly her head is practically swollen like a pig's head!

How could Shi Yi not be furious?

When have historians ever been bullied like this?

"It was that beast Lü Si who did it!"

Shi Lian'er burst into tears, her tears falling like beads from a broken string.

"Who?"

Shi Yi's face suddenly stiffened. "You...how could you have been beaten like this by Lü Si?"

Didn't His Majesty say he intended to bestow a marriage upon her and Lü Si?

How could she have been beaten like this by Lü Si?

Even if Lü Si looked down on her, he shouldn't have treated her so cruelly!

Besides, although his daughter was indeed a bit willful and capricious, in terms of appearance and family background, in what way was she not a good match for Lü Si?

It's already a miracle that he didn't look down on Lü Si, this good-for-nothing playboy!

He should have kept quiet. But his question reminded Shi Lian'er of the brutal beating she received from Lü Si, and tears streamed down her face as if they were flowing freely.

Under Shi Yi's repeated questioning, Shi Lian'er finally revealed everything about the City God Temple.

Upon hearing Shi Lian'er's words, Shi Yi's face suddenly turned frosty. "You mean, Lü Si already knows your identity, yet he still treated you so cruelly?"

"Um."

Shi Lian'er wiped away her tears, "Just because I mentioned my marriage to him, he beat me up again..."

Shi Lian'er became more and more upset as she spoke, and then burst into tears again.

Hearing his daughter's cries and seeing her face, which looked like a pig's head, Shi Yi's face was icy cold.

Lu Si is a bastard!

So outrageous!

If he hadn't known his daughter's identity and it had all been a misunderstanding, he could have swallowed his anger out of respect for the Empress Dowager.

But since he already knew his daughter's identity, he still dared to take such drastic measures, even warning his daughter not to mention their marriage. This was clearly a slap in the face to the Shi family!

He didn't take the Shi family seriously at all!

If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's support, what would the Lü family be?

Do they really think historians need to curry favor with the Lü family?

Shi Yi grew angrier the more he thought about it. For a moment, he really wanted to rush into the Lü family and beat Lü Si so badly that even his own mother wouldn't recognize him!

However, after much deliberation, Shi Yi gradually calmed down.

Even if you don't respect the monk, you should respect the Buddha.

After all, the Empress Dowager was behind the Lü family, and he didn't want to fall out with them unless absolutely necessary.

never mind!

Let's go ask the Lü family for an explanation first!

Let's see how the Lü family reacts first!

If the Lü family doesn't give an explanation, the marriage between the two families will be called off!

……

For Qin Yu, Lü Si's beating of Shi Lian'er was just a minor incident.

Qin Yu and his group didn't head back until the afternoon.

Halfway there, Qin Yu suddenly remembered something and said to the women, "You guys go back first! I'm not far from Prime Minister Song's house, I'll go and pay him a visit."

Song Xian was still in Min, while Song Zhuo was all alone.

He was supposed to visit Song Zhuo before the new year, but various things delayed him.

Now that we're here, we should go and visit them!

After all, he was someone who had shared the same food with Song Xian.

"Then I'll go with you!"

Nan Que'er pursed her lips and said, "Perfect timing, I'll go check on how Prime Minister Song's health is improving."

Qin Yu thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright! Da Chui, you can go back with Qingyi and the others first."

After parting ways with them, Qin Yu bought some more gifts before taking Nan Que'er to the Song residence.

When they arrived, Song Zhuo was wearing a fox fur coat and sitting in the house with Su Yu, brewing tea and playing chess.

Although they said they were playing chess, the two old men didn't pick up any pieces; they just stared at the chessboard, looking at each other with wide eyes.

After some time apart, Song Zhuo had become even thinner, and his cheekbones were almost protruding.

The room had a heater and was already quite warm, but Song Zhuo still seemed to feel cold.

Song Zhuo's gaze didn't leave the chessboard until he saw Qin Yu walk in carrying gifts. He looked up and teased, "Your ears are pretty sharp, kid! We two old folks were just talking about you, and you've already shown up?"

"Is that so?"

Qin Yu stepped forward and bowed to the two men, "You two aren't insulting me, are you?"

Ah!

The old man seems to be in pretty good spirits.

Upon hearing this, Song Zhuo immediately laughed at Su Yu, "That kid was definitely hiding somewhere eavesdropping on our conversation!"

"Definitely!"

Su Yu also looked away from the chessboard, nodded in deep agreement, and smiled broadly.

"no……"

Qin Yu was both amused and exasperated. "Are you two really insulting me?"

"Isn't that right?"

Song Zhuo glared at Qin Yu with a smile, "Look at you! You just made such a great contribution, and then you turn around and do something like selling official positions. Who else should we criticize if not you? If your grandfather were home, he would hang you up and give you a good beating!"

"It's not my fault!"

Qin Yu sighed dramatically, "It's all because of that old bastard Gao Yi who won't let go of my tail. What can I do?"

"Bullshit!" Song Zhuo blew his beard and glared, "Gao Yi may not know your little schemes, but do you think we don't?"

They were aware of Qin Yu's plan to destroy Yan.

"Not wanting a promotion" is just an excuse!

He was afraid that his achievements would be too great and would overshadow the emperor!

If we reward him so much now, once the plan to destroy Yan succeeds, there will truly be nothing left to reward him with!

That kid's got some nerve!

However, it's a bit too meticulous!

"How could someone as innocent and kind as me have any ulterior motives?"

Qin Yu chuckled, "Prime Minister Song, look, it's perfect that Que'er came with me. Why don't you let her examine you first and see how your health is improving?"

Song Zhuo knew his own body well. He wanted to refuse, but seeing Qin Yu's sincere expression, he ultimately did not refuse.

"Alright!"

Song Zhuo stood up from the chessboard. "Anyway, we can't break this game."

As Song Zhuo spoke, he walked to the side and asked Nan Que'er to examine his body...