The Prodigal Son

After Zhao Luan's warning, everyone behaved themselves considerably.

An hour and a half later, the group returned to their temporary camp.

While Qin Yu was taking a urination, Shangguan Youyi came looking for him.

"Physician Qin, His Majesty requests your presence!"

Shangguan Youyi stepped forward with a smile.

Although Qin Yu's highest official rank was the second-rank Grand Master of the Palace, it was still a nominal position.

His actual position was still Attendant Physician.

Moreover, the position of Attendant Gentleman was far more intimidating than that of Grand Master of the Palace.

After all, this is someone who serves the Empress!

Therefore, many people, including Shangguan Youyi, still habitually refer to Qin Yu as "Qin Langzhong".

Qin Yu sensed something was wrong and immediately inquired, "Is it good news or bad news?"

"I don't know about that."

Shangguan Youyi pursed her thin lips and teased, "Is Doctor Qin feeling guilty?"

"What does it mean to have a guilty conscience?"

Qin Yu stiffened his neck and said confidently, "That old bastard Gao Yi is targeting me at every turn, can't I fight back?"

Shangguan Youyi shook his head and smiled, "I'm talking about how you swindled His Majesty out of 200,000 taels of silver."

"Ah...this..."

Qin Yu looked embarrassed and chuckled, saying, "I don't have two hundred thousand taels, just one hundred thousand!"

Shangguan Youyi couldn't help but chuckle. "His Majesty not only didn't receive your 100,000 taels of silver, but he also had to pay you 100,000 taels. Doesn't that make a total of 200,000 taels?"

"You're really good at calculating!"

Qin Yu rolled his eyes at her and, led by her, went to see Zhao Luan.

Led by Shangguan Youyi, Qin Yu saw Zhao Luan on the bank of the unfrozen river.

Zhao Luan was sitting there fishing with a fishing rod in hand.

Yun Ying and a group of imperial guards protected her from the surrounding area.

"Your Majesty goes fishing?"

Qin Yu asked in surprise.

"His Majesty wishes to catch a few fish himself to cook for the Empress Dowager tonight."

"Your Majesty is truly filial!"

"Dr. Qin, you should save those flattering words for His Majesty!"

"What flattery? I'm just expressing my feelings..."

The two talked all the way until they arrived at Zhao Luan's side.

"Your Majesty, Physician Qin has arrived!"

Shangguan Youyi deliberately lowered his voice so as not to disturb the fish in the water.

Zhao Luan glanced back at Qin Yu, then pointed to the fishing rod next to him, indicating that Qin Yu should sit down and fish.

Qin Yu, secretly suspicious, slowly sat down, fiddling with his fishing rod as he asked, "What does Your Majesty wish to do with me?"

Zhao Luan didn't speak, but gave Yun Ying, who was not far behind her, a wink.

Yun Ying understood and immediately took a piece of paper and handed it to Qin Yu.

Qin Yu took it and saw that there was a poem written on it.

The magnolia blossoms danced into the carved hall

The nobles gathered around the fireplace to admire the pale light.

Mountain refugees have nowhere to shelter.

Braving the wind and snow to brave the cold.

Looking at the poem, Qin Yu couldn't help but be surprised and tentatively asked, "Is this a poem presented by Lord Cui?"

Fortunately, Zhao Luan had the foresight to prevent Cui Xu from reading it aloud in public.

Otherwise, the Empress Dowager's mood would most likely be ruined!

"Didn't you set a good example?"

Zhao Luan stared intently at the fishing float in the water.

"Your Majesty, this cannot be blamed on me!"

Qin Yu looked completely innocent. "That old bastard Gao Yi keeps provoking me. I can't just..."

"That's Prime Minister Gao!"

Zhao Luan turned and glanced at him. "You are an official appointed by the imperial court. No matter how much you disagree with Prime Minister Gao, you still need to show basic courtesy!"

"Your humble servant will keep that in mind."

Qin Yu chuckled, but secretly curled his lip in his heart.

When those ministers greeted each other's mothers in court, why didn't they mention etiquette?

Ugh!

When you're looking for trouble, even your breathing is wrong.

Zhao Luan turned her head back and said calmly, "Now, my enjoyment of the snow has been ruined by this poem. Tell me, what should we do?"

Depend on!

So they're really going to resort to shamelessness!

How can you blame yourself for this?

Do you still want me to pay her back 100,000 taels of silver?

That's so shameless!

Qin Yu handed the paper back to Yun Ying, chuckling, "Your Majesty should ask Lord Cui about this!"

Zhao Luan, without glancing to the side, said, "I'm here to see you! You're the one who started this mess! If you had just focused on composing poetry, none of this would have happened!"

Looking at Zhao Luan's completely unreasonable behavior, Qin Yu couldn't help but smile helplessly. "Your Majesty, if you want me to spend money to avoid trouble, just say so. Why beat around the bush like this?"

"Do I care about your little bit of silver?"

Zhao Luan suddenly turned her head and glared at her. "Listen to me! You'd better catch a few decent fish and bring them to me as an apology! Otherwise, I'll kick you into this river!"

"You should have said so earlier!"

Qin Yu instantly felt relieved. "Fishing? I'm a professional! I'm not bragging to Your Majesty, but with my fishing skills, catching a few fish is simply..."

"Let's talk about it after we catch it!"

Zhao Luan interrupted him with a soft snort.

"well!"

Qin Yu stopped wasting words and immediately began searching for the bottom line.

In his previous life, he was also a seasoned angler who had traversed rivers, lakes, and seas and had never come back empty-handed.

Um, okay!

He's definitely exaggerating!

As a seasoned angler, being out of the game is the norm!

After adjusting the float, Qin Yu immediately began baiting the water and skillfully cast the bait into the water.

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu out of the corner of her eye and asked casually, "I noticed you were spending the whole afternoon with Lü Si. What were you two whispering about?"

"Nothing much, I was just asking how his relationship with Shi Lian'er is progressing," Qin Yu replied casually.

"Is that so?"

Zhao Luan lowered his eyes. "Let me tell you, the Empress Dowager personally mediated between the two families, and their marriage is basically settled! If you cause any more trouble and ruin this marriage, I won't spare you!"

"Your Majesty is overthinking it. How could I do such a thing?" Qin Yu grinned. "To be honest, Your Majesty, I just enjoy seeing Lü Si being tortured to the point of wishing for death by Shi Lian'er..."

As Qin Yu was speaking, the fishing float in the water suddenly jerked sharply.

It's now!

Qin Yu lifted the fishing rod to hook the fish, and the rod immediately bent into a large bow.

Looking at the taut fishing line and listening to the sound of it being pulled, Zhao Luan was taken aback.

Did he really hook her?

I fished for ages, but there was no bite.

Did he catch a big fish as soon as he arrived?

Why should I?!

Zhao Luan felt secretly indignant.

Soon, Qin Yu brought a spotted river trout.

Roughly estimated, it weighs at least one and a half pounds.

Qin Yu was somewhat surprised, not expecting that this wild river had such good resources.

He even suspected that Zhao Luan had ordered the fish to be released beforehand.

"Your Majesty, I wasn't lying to you, was I?"

Qin Yu grinned and showed off his victory to Zhao Luan.

"Just luck!"

Zhao Luan responded calmly, her gaze falling on her fishing float.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu couldn't help but secretly complain.

She doesn't even have the spirit of a fisherman!

In our fishing community, we've always judged people solely by their catch, regardless of their social status!

Is it so hard to admit that you're a better fisherwoman than her?

After that, the two of them didn't talk much and focused on fishing.

The second one is crucian carp.

Thirdly, river trout...

After Qin Yu caught three fish in a row, Zhao Luan finally couldn't sit still any longer and threw the bait directly into Qin Yu's fishing spot.

I'm just tagging along!

Qin Yu inwardly expressed strong condemnation and contempt for Zhao Luan's domineering and immoral behavior.

But alas, she was the Empress of the Great Ning!

Can't afford it!