The Prodigal Son

Silent all night.

The next morning, everyone accompanied the Empress Dowager to have breakfast in the snow before following her and Zhao Luan back to the capital.

"Is Qin Yu actually reliable?"

Inside the imperial carriage, the Empress Dowager looked at Zhao Luan with a smile.

Zhao Luan naturally understood the Empress Dowager's meaning, but she didn't follow through. Instead, she smiled faintly and said, "They are indeed loyal!"

"This loyalty alone is truly commendable."

The Empress Dowager patted Zhao Luan's hand and said meaningfully.

"My daughter understands!"

Zhao Luan smiled and changed the subject, saying, "What I'm worried about now is the marriage between the Lü family and the Shi family."

Speaking of this, the Empress Dowager sighed softly, "I'm a little worried too! I originally wanted Lü Si and Shi Lian'er to take this opportunity to have a good talk, but the two of them just can't stand each other..."

In fact, both she and Zhao Luan had been keeping an eye on the relationship between Lü Si and Shi Lian'er.

Unfortunately, even though the two knew their marriage was practically a done deal, they still treated each other like enemies.

Forcing these two people together will likely cause chaos and unrest in the Lü family!

These two companies might even become enemies!

"yes!"

Zhao Luan nodded slightly. "It seems that Shi Yi is also extremely dissatisfied with Lü Si. He barely spoke to Lü Si at all from beginning to end. I'm worried that the marriage between these two families might run into some trouble!"

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but get angry: "I think the Shi family has become too fat, their eyes are blinded by oil! The Lü family is, after all, a member of the imperial family, yet they seem to look down on them!"

Although Madam Lü was only her cousin, her relationship with Madam Lü was more than just that of cousins.

She had lived in Madam Lü's house for several years.

At that time, Madam Lü was still a child!

She used to help take care of Madam Lü quite a bit.

Madam Lü was practically her daughter!

"People, sometimes, get so used to being arrogant and domineering that they inevitably become ignorant of their own limitations!"

Zhao Luan shook his head and smiled to himself.

Historians are indeed becoming too powerful to control.

She didn't believe Shi Yi was unaware of the problems that existed in the salt administration!

She had actually been waiting all these days!

They waited for Shi Yi to bring up the salt affairs issue on his own initiative.

But Shi Yi's performance disappointed her!

The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement, "In this respect, Qin Yu is much smarter than Shi Yi and the others!"

"..."

Zhao Luan looked at the Empress Dowager, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Why is Qin Yu being brought up again?

When the Empress Dowager likes someone, she sees only good qualities in that person.

When you dislike someone, you see only their flaws!

"What I said is true."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I have always believed that truly intelligent people are those who know when to advance and when to retreat, like Qin Yu and Song Zhuo!"

"That's true!"

Zhao Luan nodded slightly, secretly sighing in her heart.

Some people just don't understand that as long as they know when to advance and when to retreat, they will be compensated!

In fact, the reason she appointed Song Xian as the governor of two prefectures was largely to compensate Song Zhuo, who knew how to advance and retreat.

After Song Xian had served as the prefect of two prefectures, it was only natural that he would be transferred back to the court for important positions.

However, not everyone is like Qin Yu or Song Zhuo.

Knowing when to advance and when to retreat sounds simple, but how many people actually know how to do so when they are deeply involved in the pursuit of fame and fortune?

The mother and daughter chatted all the way back to the capital. After their entourage took their leave, the women returned to the palace.

Lü Si did not go home; instead, he wandered around for a while before heading straight for the Sifangguan.

Thinking about what he was about to do, Lü Si felt both excited and nervous.

He knew that after doing this, he would definitely get a severe beating.

But surely you wouldn't kill yourself?

Isn't it just that I don't want to marry that piece of shit?

It's not like I committed a heinous crime!

Correct!

that's it!

As long as he doesn't kill himself, he will never marry that piece of shit!

After some mental preparation, Lü Si finally made up his mind.

No sooner had the Shi family father and daughter returned to Sifangguan than Lü Si came looking for them.

Upon learning of Lü Si's arrival, Shi Lian'er frowned immediately, her face filled with hatred as she asked, "What is this beast doing here again?"

"He said he came to apologize to the young lady."

The servant answered.

"apologize?"

The father and daughter both frowned at the same time.

Another apology?

That beast said he was coming to apologize the morning before yesterday, but yesterday morning he made the father and daughter so angry they were half-dead in the carriage.

Now, you're coming to apologize?

Is he having these bouts of erratic behavior?

Shi Yi pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "I reckon it was the Empress Dowager who sent him to apologize."

I reckon only the Empress Dowager could keep this wretched child in check!

"I don't care about his apology!"

Shi Lian'er was furious and, with a dark face, ordered her servants, "Get him out of here!"

"Wait!"

Shi Yi raised his hand to stop the servants, then said to his daughter, "Even if you don't care about the monk, you should still go see him! If he realizes his mistake and sincerely apologizes, we might be able to give him a chance!"

"father!"

Shi Lian'er's voice trailed off, filled with rage as she said, "I'd rather die than marry that beast Lü Si!"

"What are you saying!"

Shi Yi glared at his daughter, annoyed, and said sternly, "Listen to me carefully, you may look down on Lü Si, but you cannot look down on the Empress Dowager! Go see Lü Si, and remember to speak to him politely!"

Shi Lian'er was furious, her face full of reluctance.

However, facing her father's cold and stern gaze, Shi Lian'er ultimately dared not disobey and walked out with a heart full of resentment.

Lu Si stared longingly at the entrance of the East Courtyard for a long time before finally seeing Shi Lian'er walk out with a dark face.

Shit!

You dare to give me attitude?

Why did you make me wait this long?

Just wait and see how I deal with you later!

"Speak your mind, or shut up!"

Shi Lian'er became furious upon seeing Lü Si, completely forgetting her father's instructions.

Lu Si suppressed his urge to beat Shi Lian'er up on the spot and forced a smile. "Miss Shi, shall we go for a walk outside?"

Hmm, we can't do it here!

There are many people here, and there are also guards from the Sifang Pavilion.

He'd probably get pulled back after throwing two punches.

"Weren't you pretty good yesterday?"

Shi Lian'er put on airs, "What, changed your tune today?"

"this……"

Lu Siqian laughed, "I thought about it all night, and I realized I was wrong! Shall we talk as we walk?"

"OK!"

Shi Lian'er gave Lü Si a haughty look. "You'd better apologize to me properly. If I'm in a good mood, I might forgive you for the sake of the Empress Dowager!"

"Uh-huh……"

Lu Si nodded "humbly" and led Shi Lian'er outside.

Seeing Lü Si like this, Shi Lian'er couldn't help but secretly purse her lips.

Waste is waste!

Now you know that it was the Lü family who climbed the social ladder by marrying into the Shi family, right?

snort!

A simple apology won't do!

He has to kneel down and apologize to him!

Let's teach him a lesson and show him what he's capable of!

Led by Lü Si, the two walked out of the Sifang Pavilion.

Seeing that Lü Si hadn't stopped, Shi Lian'er grew impatient. "Where exactly are you taking me?"

"It's just ahead."

Lu Si pointed to the corner, "It's inconvenient here with so many people."

"So much trouble!"

Shi Lian'er gave a light snort of annoyance, but still followed Lü Si toward the corner.

After turning the corner, Lü Si finally stopped.

"Miss Shi, close your eyes, I have a gift for you!"

Lu Si was a little nervous, and his voice trembled slightly.

"Gift?"

Shi Lian'er frowned. "What gift?"

Lu Si grinned. "You'll definitely like this gift!"

"What decent gift can you possibly offer? What kind of good stuff haven't I seen?"

Shi Lian'er gave a soft hum.

"You've definitely never seen anything like it before! I guarantee you'll scream with amazement!"

Lü Si was extremely certain.

"Is that so?"

Shi Lian'er was half-believing and half-doubting, and slowly closed her eyes, secretly curious.

Given the Shi family's wealth, she really didn't know what could possibly make her scream.

Could it be a priceless treasure sent by the Empress Dowager?

Just as Shi Lian'er was lost in thought, Lü Si suddenly clenched his fist and slammed it hard into Shi Lian'er's face...