The Prodigal Son

As Qin Yu's voice faded, the surroundings fell into a deathly silence.

The only sound was the wind blowing and the snow falling softly.

Enjoying the snow in the palace, the prime minister was there to greet them!

The soldiers outside the Great Wall were so cold that they couldn't sleep, and even seeing their hometown in their dreams became a luxury!

Name them by name!

Simple, and straightforward!

To be honest, this poem isn't very good; it's significantly inferior to Qin Yu's previous poems.

But the irony in it is overwhelming.

Moreover, Qin Yu was very clever not to implicate the Empress Dowager, but instead directly pointed the finger at Prime Minister Gao Yi!

Thus, Qin Yu was not satirizing the Empress Dowager for wasting money and resources on snow-viewing, but rather satirizing Prime Minister Gao Yi for being only good at flattery and neglecting state affairs.

Before they knew it, everyone's eyes were drawn to Gao Yi.

Under the gaze of everyone, Gao Yi felt a burning pain on his face.

It was as if Qin Yu had slapped him hard in the face in front of everyone!

That little beast!

He actually composed a poem in public to satirize himself?

That's truly hateful!

Gao Yi was seething with rage, but he couldn't vent it. He simply frowned at Qin Yu and said, "I know I impeached you in court, causing you to be stripped of your title and dismissed from your post by His Majesty, which makes you resent me! But I have never withheld the soldiers' rations. Your sarcasm is completely unfounded!"

Hearing Gao Yi's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but admire him secretly.

No wonder he's a prime minister!

That's quite impressive composure!

Moreover, they wanted to pin this matter on Zhao Luan.

Resenting him for interrogating her is tantamount to resenting Zhao Luan for making the decision.

Old fox!

Qin Yu didn't take it to heart, looking at Gao Yi with a grin, "Prime Minister Gao, as the saying goes, a prime minister's belly can hold a boat! It's just a poem, don't be so petty!"

"If I were so petty, I would ask His Majesty to punish you for defaming your superior!" Gao Yi sneered. "I have a clear conscience; I simply want to make things clear! If you commit any further illegal acts, I will impeach you anyway. Resent it if you want!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu immediately became displeased. "Prime Minister Gao, if that's how you put it, then I'll have to have a serious talk with you!"

Gao Yi's face darkened, and he said firmly, "How you want to argue? I'll see you through to the end!"

He truly has a clear conscience in this matter!

Since he became prime minister, he has never withheld a single penny of money or provisions from the soldiers stationed on the border!

He's not afraid of any investigation!

Qin Yu cleared his throat, preparing to enter battle mode.

After a moment, Qin Yu said firmly, "Whether Prime Minister Gao withheld the soldiers' rations or not is another matter! Have you ever cared about the soldiers on the border? Why don't you think about whether that little bit of money and rations is enough to let the soldiers eat their fill and keep them warm in the freezing cold?"

Gao Yi completely disregarded Qin Yu's attack, saying calmly, "The amount of military expenditure is determined by His Majesty and his ministers! If you have any objections, you can petition His Majesty to increase military spending. Don't try to argue with me here!"

"What use are you if you always blame everything on His Majesty?"

Qin Yu snorted and said, "Doesn't Your Majesty want to increase military spending?"

"Isn't it all because of your incompetence as the Minister of Revenue!"

"If you increased the national treasury's funds and provisions tenfold, why would the court be so stingy with military spending?"

Gao Yi's face twitched violently, and he roared, "Come and try if you dare!"

I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone this shameless!

Increase the national treasury's funds and grain tenfold?

Is this something a human being would say?

Qin Yu curled his lip: "What use are you if I have to do everything? Why don't you just stand there with your cane and spit on the enemy soldiers until they die during battle?"

"you……"

Gao Yi was so embarrassed by the rebuke that his face turned red. He wanted to curse, but he couldn't let go of his status.

"What do you mean, 'you'?"

Qin Yu continued his barrage of criticism: "If you had used even a tenth of the energy you expend on spreading rumors and currying favors for the sake of state affairs, the national treasury would have been overflowing long ago!"

"His Majesty has reinstated you despite past grievances, yet you show no gratitude, spending your days scheming and flattering. Where is your conscience? Where are your morals?"

"You're practically half-buried yourself, so while these old bones of yours can still move, do something worthwhile to atone for your sins!"

"That way, perhaps I can leave behind a good reputation after I die!"

"Otherwise, after you die, before everyone in the world lines up to piss on your grave, they'll all have to abstain from sugar for three days, just in case you get even a little taste of sweetness..."

Qin Yu unleashed his full power, relentlessly attacking Gao Yi.

He didn't swear like a street thug, but the insults he used were extremely offensive.

Everyone was speechless, wanting to laugh but unable to.

Cui Xu silently gave Qin Yu a thumbs up in his heart.

Is this how you insult someone?

Yes, I've learned something!

I need to study more in the future!

Otherwise, if I run into that bastard Qin Yu one day, I'm afraid I won't be able to win the argument!

Faced with Qin Yu's relentless attacks, Gao Yi's face turned pale and then red, and he kept panting heavily.

Seeing that Gao Yi was about to die of anger, Gao Yao was about to speak up for him, but Yu Jing grabbed her arm.

Yu Jing quietly shook her head at Gao Yao, signaling her with her eyes not to act impulsively.

This kind of confrontation in front of Zhao Luan is not something she can participate in!

Zhao Luan came to her senses and cursed Qin Yu, that bastard, in her heart.

That bastard, that's some really dirty talk!

He wasn't afraid of upsetting Gao Yi to the point of causing him harm!

He was just asking me to compose a poem to liven things up, why is he making such a fuss?

After struggling to suppress the urge to rush forward and kick Qin Yu, Zhao Luan sharply interrupted Qin Yu, who was still unleashing his attacks: "Insolence!"

Qin Yu, quick to regain his composure, immediately stopped talking and bowed to Zhao Luan: "Your Majesty, I was just struck by a sudden thought and kindly advised the Prime Minister. Please forgive me."

"If you dare to be disrespectful again, I will punish you severely!"

Zhao Luan issued a stern warning, then looked at Gao Yi, whose face was ashen, "Qin Yu is a scoundrel, Prime Minister Gao, there's no need to bother with him! Since becoming Prime Minister, Prime Minister Gao has devoted himself to the country every day, always considering the interests of the court, and I have seen it all!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for clearing my name!"

Gao Yi bowed deeply to Zhao Luan with gratitude, then turned to Qin Yu: "Lord Qin, since you have advised me, I also have a piece of advice for you: spend more time reflecting on yourself. You are still young, don't ruin yourself because of youthful impetuosity!"

Qin Yu curled his lip in disdain and retorted confidently, "If you're not arrogant, then what's the point of...?"

Before Qin Yu could finish speaking, Zhao Luan's sharp gaze suddenly swept over him.

Qin Yu grinned, swallowing back what he was about to say.

Just then, Cui Xu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, after listening to Lord Qin's poem, I was suddenly inspired and would like to compose a poem myself!"

Zhao Luan's face stiffened slightly, and she remained silent for a moment.

Cui Xu?

Even a fool could tell that Cui Xu's poem was definitely not a good one!

What, did he see Qin Yu's poem satirizing Gao Yi and stealing his thunder, so he also wanted to write a poem satirizing the court?

It's all Qin Yu's fault!

Zhao Luan cursed inwardly in annoyance, then gently shook her head: "Forget it, no poetry today! If Lord Cui is in the mood, he can write down his poems privately and give them to me!"

"yes!"

Cui Xu accepted the order and withdrew, seemingly unwilling.

"It's rare for the Empress Dowager to be in such a leisurely mood; all of you, behave yourselves!"

Zhao Luan glanced at everyone without showing any emotion, then walked to the Empress Dowager's side. "That scoundrel Qin Yu ruined Mother's mood. I'll settle the score with him later!"

As she spoke, Zhao Luan turned back and glared at Qin Yu again.

That bastard, he definitely did it on purpose!

He is disgusted by Gao Yi, and he is disgusted by himself!

"It's alright!"

The Empress Dowager patted Zhao Luan's hand and smiled magnanimously, "Qin Yu cares deeply for the soldiers on the border, and Prime Minister Gao has acted with a clear conscience. This is all good for the court! I should be happy!"

"Mother is right!"

Seeing that the Empress Dowager was not affected, Zhao Luan finally smiled again...