The Prodigal Son

The air suddenly froze.

Zhao Luan's cheeks were covered with tiny water droplets, and a few strands of her hair were wet. She froze on the spot.

Qin Yu was still holding a teacup when he was struck dumb, his mind going completely blank.

It’s over.

It's completely over.

This time, we've really messed with the she-devil!

Yun Ying stood there dumbfounded, her mouth agape in exaggerated disbelief, and she even forgot to wipe the tea off Zhao Luan's face.

Nan Que'er shrank her neck and didn't dare to breathe.

Song Zhuo was also bewildered by the scene before him.

He hadn't expected Qin Yu to react so strongly to his casual remark.

Is that so?

He's even done things like monkeys stealing peaches, so what's the big deal?

That damn thing!

He's not brave when he should be, and he's not cowardly when he should be!

Even if Your Majesty is an empress, she is still a woman!

Doesn't he realize that there are very few women in the world who would get angry because someone else admires them?

This young man still needs more practice!

"Cough cough..."

Song Zhuo's light cough finally brought everyone present back to their senses.

"His Majesty!"

Coming to their senses, Yun Ying and Nan Que'er stepped forward at the same time, wanting to use their sleeves to wipe the water droplets from Zhao Luan's face.

"Get out of the way!"

Zhao Luan suddenly stood up, her face ashen, and roared, "Qin Yu!"

Qin Yu suddenly jolted, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Your Majesty, I...I didn't mean it. I was influenced by Chancellor Song's words..."

Qin Yu was almost in tears, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Song Zhuo, who was trying hard to suppress his laughter.

That old bastard, he definitely did it on purpose!

He won't be satisfied until he's completely ruined himself!

"I'm just stating the facts."

Song Zhuo stroked his beard. "You're right. His Majesty is unparalleled in both appearance and talent. How many men in the world wouldn't admire His Majesty? What's there to be ashamed of? If I were your age, I would certainly admire His Majesty too..."

Hearing Song Zhuo's words, Qin Yu's face twitched uncontrollably, and he was completely convinced.

That's why he's called the Imperial Tutor.

That was some really smooth flattery!

"My beloved teacher!"

Zhao Luan was a little embarrassed by Song Zhuo's flattery.

Song Zhuo laughed heartily and said in a serious tone, "Your Majesty, these are my heartfelt words! In my opinion, Your Majesty is the most extraordinary woman in the world..."

"My dear teacher, please stop!"

Taking advantage of the moment to hastily wipe the water droplets from her face to hide her embarrassment, Zhao Luan turned to Qin Yu with blazing eyes: "Tell me! How do you want me to punish you?"

"No, no!"

Qin Yu steadied himself and stood up quickly, forcing a smile as he said, "Your Majesty must be very angry right now. I will neither argue nor beg for forgiveness, but will simply use the privileges Your Majesty has granted me!"

privilege?

Zhao Luan was slightly taken aback, but then she realized what was happening.

Besides exempting Qin Yu from bowing when entering the court, she also granted him another privilege!

If he makes a mistake in front of me, he only needs to pay a fine!

But only when it comes to making mistakes in front of yourself!

"Alright! I keep my word!"

Zhao Luan gritted her teeth and held up a slender, pale finger, "One hundred thousand taels!"

How much...how much?

Qin Yu was dumbfounded.

A single sip of tea is worth 100,000 taels of silver?

If he keeps playing like this, even if I have hundreds of millions in assets, she'll just take it all!

No!

We absolutely cannot let her have this habit!

If we agree this time, she'll definitely ask for an even bigger exorbitant amount next time!

As Qin Yu was lost in thought, he caught a glimpse of the chessboard beside him out of the corner of his eye.

Ok?

Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately agreed readily: "It was indeed I who offended Your Majesty today, I admit it!"

You agreed?

Zhao Luan's eyelids twitched; she almost couldn't believe her ears.

They're asking for an exorbitant price; let's try to negotiate!

She was prepared to bargain with Qin Yu, but Qin Yu actually agreed?

They agreed to even 100,000 taels so readily?

Just how much silver has that bastard secretly amassed?

Or is this bastard really afraid that I'll give him a good beating?

After a moment of stunned silence, Zhao Luan slowly came to her senses, glaring at him resentfully, "You're smart to know what's good for you!"

Song Zhuo looked at the two of them, puzzled. "Your Majesty, what... is going on?"

"I previously granted him a special privilege..."

Zhao Luan briefly explained the special privilege given to Qin Yu.

Upon learning the reason, Song Zhuo couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

That silly boy!

His Majesty has granted him all these privileges!

Why is he still acting so timidly?

This unique privilege, which is unparalleled in the world, has many hidden aspects!

Zhao Luan was furious and glared at Qin Yu, "If it weren't for this privilege I granted you, I would have ordered you to be hung from the roof beam and whipped today!"

"Yes, yes! Your Majesty is so magnanimous, I am deeply grateful."

Qin Yu smiled obsequiously, but inwardly he scoffed.

I'll make you cough it all up with interest in a minute!

Song Zhuo smiled at the two of them. "Your Majesty, why don't you stay at my residence for dinner tonight?"

Zhao Luan nodded: "I had already planned to do this!"

"Why don't you two stay and have dinner with us?"

Song Zhuo then looked at Qin Yu and Nan Que'er.

"Since Prime Minister Song has invited me, how could I dare refuse?"

Qin Yu nodded in agreement, then looked at Song Zhuo with a hint of resentment, "Prime Minister Song, you owe me 100,000 taels of silver!"

"Go away!"

Song Zhuo glared at him. "Go find whoever you want. I don't owe you any money!"

As he spoke, Song Zhuo summoned the servants of the mansion and ordered them to prepare dinner.

After this commotion, Zhao Luan was too embarrassed to continue questioning Qin Yu about their conversation, so she asked someone to fetch her some water to wash her face.

While Zhao Luan was washing her face, Qin Yu sidled up to Song Zhuo and said resentfully, "Prime Minister Song, you can't be this sabotaging!"

"What's the big deal!"

Song Zhuo scoffed, "Just openly say you admire Her Majesty, she's not going to eat you alive, is she?"

"hehe……"

Qin Yu rolled his eyes, speechless.

If she really wants to eat me, then that would be easy to handle!

I'm afraid she'll think I'm flirting with her!

After quickly washing her face, Zhao Luan turned around and looked at Qin Yu with an unfriendly expression. "What were you whispering about with your mentor again? Were you complaining to him?"

"No, no!"

Qin Yu shook his head repeatedly, pointing to the chessboard beside him and saying, "I'm discussing this game with Prime Minister Song!"

A chess game?

Zhao Luan's attention was drawn to it.

With just a casual glance, she could tell that this was a triple ko cycle game from the chess manual.

"What are you discussing with your master about this three-cycle calamity?"

Zhao Luan scoffed, "I think you're talking badly about me, aren't you?"

"How dare I!"

Qin Yu chuckled, "I said this chess game can be solved, but Prime Minister Song insisted it couldn't, so I'm discussing it with Prime Minister Song right here."

Zhao Luan's beautiful eyes flickered, and she asked with great interest, "From what you're saying, you think you can break this chess game?"

Qin Yu feigned guilt, waving his hands repeatedly, "Your Majesty, I was just discussing it casually with Prime Minister Song, please don't take it seriously..."

"The fact that you're willing to discuss it means you're somewhat confident!"

Zhao Luan walked to the chessboard and sat down. "Come, let me see how you solve this age-old puzzle!"

Qin Yu looked distressed and said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, I..."

"If you can truly break this age-old impasse, I will reward you handsomely!"

Zhao Luan interrupted him directly, making it clear that she didn't want to let him off so easily.

Qin Yu pursed his lips and muttered under his breath, "You're not going to give me two hundred thousand taels of silver, are you...?"

"What did you say?"

Zhao Luan suddenly raised her voice.

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

Qin Yu waved his hands repeatedly, "I said this game of chess is worth two hundred thousand taels of silver. Oh no, I mean, I will make Prime Minister Song return two hundred thousand taels of silver to me sooner or later..."

"Do you think I'm deaf?"

Zhao Luan glared at him, a hint of a smile flickering in her eyes. "Fine, if you can solve this puzzle, I'll reward you with two hundred thousand taels of silver! But if you can't, I'll punish you for deceiving the emperor!"