The Prodigal Son

Afternoon, at the Duke of Wei's residence.

The imperial eunuch arrived at the Duke of Wei's residence in a hurry. Without letting anyone announce his arrival, he quickly had someone take him to Qin Yu's courtyard.

As soon as the eunuch arrived at the entrance of the courtyard, he heard a strange and unusual sound.

"With this hand, I have to call 'Landlord'!"

"Pass!"

"I'll steal it..."

"You dare steal my land? I'm going to go bankrupt!"

"So what if we fall? Who's afraid of who?"

The eunuch was puzzled, but he didn't have time to think about it and quickly went inside.

Upon entering the courtyard, I saw several people covered in posters that looked like zombies.

The eunuch was taken aback, but he still recognized Qin Yu by his clothing and quickly stepped forward.

Qin Yu brushed aside the note obscuring his view. "Eunuch, what is this...?"

"This servant greets Physician Qin."

The eunuch hurriedly bowed, his voice urgent: "His Majesty urgently summons Physician Qin, please come to the palace with me at once!"

"what?"

Qin Yu frowned. "Why are you in the palace again?"

He just got back not long ago, didn't he?

Even if a day apart feels like three autumns, it shouldn't be this bad, right?

"This servant does not know."

The eunuch shook his head slightly. "However, His Majesty seems to be in a rage. Lord Shangguan ordered me to inform Lord Qin to be careful."

"..."

Qin Yu's face darkened.

I just went home for lunch and didn't even leave the house. How could I possibly provoke a female demon?

"What caused His Majesty's anger?"

Qin Yu pressed for more information.

"This servant truly does not know!"

The eunuch was almost in tears. "Dear doctor, please hurry to the palace! If we delay, His Majesty will be furious, and I can't bear the consequences!"

Seeing the eunuch's appearance, Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi immediately became worried.

What's going on every single day?

Can't people just live in peace?

"Don't worry, I'll be right back!"

Qin Yuchong and the two women smiled easily, quickly peeled off the paper strips stuck to their faces, and followed the eunuch out of the courtyard.

Watching Qin Yu's retreating figure, Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi were filled with worry. They immediately summoned Qin Xiong: "Go to the Baojing Division right away and find Xu Wan. Tell her that His Majesty has urgently summoned the Thirteenth Young Master to the palace. He may have offended His Majesty again. Have her find out what happened!"

"yes!"

Qin Xiong quickly accepted the order and left.

……

Qin Yu followed the imperial eunuch who delivered the imperial decree to the palace.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study, they saw Shangguan Youyi waiting anxiously at the door.

Before Qin Yu could even ask her anything, she rushed forward, "Why are you so late? His Majesty has been waiting for you for ages!"

"What exactly happened?"

Qin Yu was filled with doubt.

Shangguan Youyi whispered, "Lu Si has gotten himself into big trouble!"

"what?"

Qin Yu's face darkened. "Lu Si caused trouble, why did His Majesty summon me so urgently? I'm not his father!"

What a load of nonsense!

After all that fuss, it turns out it was all caused by that grandson of a Lu Si!

"You'll see when you go in!"

Shangguan Youyi whispered a reminder: "His Majesty is still angry. Watch your words and don't joke around with him!"

"I'm not paying attention to anything!"

Qin Yu muttered something unpleasantly and followed Shangguan Youyi into the imperial study.

As soon as he entered, he saw Lü Si kneeling in front of Zhao Luan, his head buried in his hands.

Zhao Luan stared at Lü Si with a cold face and eyes blazing with anger.

It felt like her murderous aura was practically overflowing from the imperial study.

Qin Yu was secretly suspicious.

What heinous crime has this bastard committed?

How could the female demon be so moved?

With his doubts still lingering, Qin Yu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant Qin Yu greets Your Majesty."

Zhao Luan slightly suppressed her anger and looked at Qin Yu with a playful expression: "Lu Sigang went to the Sifang Pavilion and gave Shi Lian'er a severe beating, knocking out two of her teeth! He said it was your idea, is that true?"

"What the heck?"

Qin Yu suddenly raised his voice, looking at Lü Si with a mixture of anger and amusement, "When the hell did I tell you to go to the Sifang Pavilion to beat up Shi Lian'er?"

Screw him!

No wonder the female demon summoned me to the palace in such a hurry!

So this bastard stabbed me in the back!

But then again, isn't this guy incredibly heartless?

How about knocking out two of a person's teeth?

What kind of deep-seated hatred or grudge could this be?

Lu Si said guiltily, "I... when I went to your house on the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year to ask you to help me find a way to avoid marrying Shi Lian'er, didn't you tell me to go find Shi Lian'er?"

This time, Lü Sishi was truly afraid.

He thought that if he beat Shi Lian'er up, he would at most get a beating from his father.

Unexpectedly, this matter alarmed His Majesty, who ordered it to be brought to the palace.

He could tell that Zhao Luan was truly enraged this time.

He needs to find someone to share the firepower!

"I……"

Qin Yu almost laughed out of anger, "Did I tell you to go and beat up Shi Lian'er? I told you to go and cultivate a relationship with Shi Lian'er!"

Lu Si stiffened his neck. "I didn't hear anything about cultivating feelings or anything like that. All I heard was you telling me to go find Shi Lian'er..."

This seems to have really gotten into serious trouble!

We must drag Qin Yu into this mess!

If no one shares the burden, I'm afraid I'm doomed this time!

"I……"

Qin Yu finally laughed in anger, giving Lü Si a vicious grin. "Are you sure you want to pin this on me?"

Lu Si felt uneasy, but in order to find someone to share the burden, he forced himself to say, "I really only heard you tell me to go find Shi Lian'er..."

"Fine, you're really something!"

Qin Yu gritted his teeth and glared at Lü Si, then turned to Zhao Luan, "I know the importance of this marriage alliance between our two families. Does Your Majesty think I would do something so foolish?"

"I also think you wouldn't do such a stupid thing."

Zhao Luan slowly stood up. "But Lü Si insists that this was your idea! Therefore, I have summoned you to confront him face to face!"

A confrontation?

Confrontation my ass!

If she had any sense at all, she wouldn't have believed Lü Si's nonsense.

After all, she had told him something when she was at the Song residence...

Ok?

As he pondered, Qin Yu suddenly had a thought.

Is the female demon setting a trap for herself?

Did they intend to use this incident to hand over the task of reforming the salt administration to me?

Or is it simply an attempt to swindle money from me?

If she's determined to frame me, there's no point in confronting Lü Si.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yu said with a helpless expression, "Anyway, I absolutely did not give Lü Si any bad advice! If Your Majesty truly does not believe me, then I have nothing more to say!"

"Is that so?"

Zhao Luan's face suddenly darkened, and she walked up to the two of them with her aura fully unleashed.

In an instant, a powerful sense of oppression swept over the two of them like a tidal wave.

Qin Yu was alright, just a little weak.

But Lü Si was so frightened that he bowed his head, trembling uncontrollably: "Your Majesty, I know I am guilty, I truly know I was wrong, please forgive me..."

"Lift your head up!"

Zhao Luan exuded an aura of dominance, her gaze icy as she stared at Lü Si, who was struggling to raise his head. "I'm giving you one last chance! Tell me honestly, was this your own idea, or was it Qin Yu's idea? If you dare to lie, I'll add another charge of deceiving the emperor to your list!"

Lu Si was overwhelmed by Zhao Luan's powerful aura and could hardly breathe. He trembled and couldn't speak for a long time. He could only pitifully cast a pleading look at Qin Yu.

Ancestors!

You have a good relationship with His Majesty, please save me!

Meeting Lü Si's gaze, Qin Yu almost kicked him.

Fuck your mother!

Weren't you just clinging to me like that?

Now you know to ask me for help?

Aren't you the Empress Dowager's nephew?

They won't kill you, so what's there to be afraid of!

Cheer up!

Don't embarrass yourself!

Just as Lü Si was terrified, Yun Ying suddenly walked in quickly.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report from Shuozhou!"