The Prodigal Son

Qin Yu and Nan Que'er looked in the direction of the sound and saw Jiang Ci, dressed in a winter cheongsam, standing by the dock waving at them.

What is she doing here?

Qin Yu was slightly surprised and waved to Jiang Ci from a distance.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ci excitedly ran over.

"Do you think she might have been waiting for you here specifically?"

Nan Que'er gently tugged at Qin Yu, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Then you'll have to ask her."

Qin Yu smiled calmly.

"Is that even a question?"

Nan Que'er glanced at Jiang Ci, who was jogging towards them, and teased in a low voice, "I reckon if you just nod your head, she'll immediately wash herself all clean and smooth, waiting for you to pamper her!"

Hearing her teasing, Qin Yu immediately brandished his hand, a mischievous grin on his face, and asked, "Needing another beating from the family?"

"Pooh!"

Nan Que'er spat lightly, then stopped.

They could do whatever they wanted in Qin Yu's courtyard, but once they left, they still had to be mindful of their behavior.

Just as Qin Yu had subdued Nan Que'er, Jiang Ci had already trotted over.

What are you doing here?

Qin Yu feigned surprise.

"That's a long story."

Jiang Ci bowed to them before smiling wryly and saying, "I originally intended to transport two boatloads of porcelain to Fangzhou, but the government sealed off the dock early this morning. Our ships could anchor outside, but couldn't enter the dock to load cargo! It turns out these government ships were waiting for Young Master Qin..."

As she spoke, Jiang Ci pointed to the crates of goods they had piled up at the dock.

Qin Yu looked in the direction she was pointing, and a playful smile appeared on his face. "Just two boatloads of porcelain, and you, the head manager of the Jiang family, have to personally accompany the shipment?"

"Of course, it's not about the porcelain."

Jiang Ci smiled and said frankly, "I'm going to the Liangjiang area to make some connections and contact freight channels along the way."

Although Jiang Ci didn't say it explicitly, Qin Yu already understood what she meant.

She's preparing to become the new salt merchant!

This woman is truly a woman of action!

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "How about this? I'll talk to the person in charge at the dock, and we'll let you load the cargo onto the ship first after it leaves the shore!"

He estimated that even if he didn't say it, Jiang Ci would bring it up anyway.

Since it's something I'm doing on the way anyway, I'll just do you a favor!

"Thank you very much, Young Master Qin!"

Jiang Ci was overjoyed and looked at Qin Yu with some anticipation. "I want to get there as soon as possible. Our cargo ship is moving rather slowly. I wonder if Young Master Qin could give me and my guards a ride?"

"Then you can't come with us."

Qin Yu smiled and said, "We've been on official business all this time, stopping and starting frequently. All things considered, our journey is definitely slower than your cargo ships!"

"Is that so?" Jiang Ci smiled, "Then I won't bother you any longer."

"Um."

Qin Yu nodded and smiled, then ordered someone to call over the dock's official in charge and instructed Jiang Ci's side to load the goods first.

After exchanging a few more words with Jiang Ci, Qin Yu led his men onto the official ship.

Watching Qin Yu and the others board the ship, Jiang Ci couldn't help but feel secretly disappointed.

Why didn't you bring Jiang Ci with you?

After boarding the ship, Nan Que'er asked Qin Yu questions with a lot of doubt.

Of course she knew that Qin Yu was lying.

They don't stop and go at all!

"I don't want to be pestered by her all the way and make me help the Jiang family become salt merchants."

Qin Yu smiled and winked at her, "Besides, we'll have to disembark again soon after entering Ningzhou, then go through Shangzhou to Yuanzhou, so we can't take her with us the whole way! It's safer for her to stay with her boatmen!"

"what?"

Nan Que'er was surprised, "Aren't we supposed to switch from Qujiang to the Grand Canal and travel downstream to Fangzhou?"

"Of course not!"

Qin Yu revealed a sly smile. "Right now, everyone thinks we'll go downstream along the Grand Canal. Let's do the opposite. We'll go straight to Yuanzhou via Shangzhou and catch them completely off guard..."

This was something he had planned long ago!

He had deliberately revealed to Shi Yi that they would also be passing through Ningzhou Yunhuai, just to lull Shi Yi into a false sense of security!

If someone doesn't want them to arrive quickly, they might try to trip them up or set traps along the way.

Their unexpected journey from Shangzhou to Yuanzhou could also reduce some trouble.

Understanding Qin Yu's intentions, Nan Que'er couldn't help but give him a light pinch, giggling, "You're so cunning!"

Qin Yu put his arm around Nan Que'er's waist and patted her gently. "Too many people are watching us! We have to be cunning!"

"That's true!"

Nan Que'er nodded gently.

As the two were talking, Lü Si, who was completely covered up, leaned closer and asked, "What are you two whispering about?"

Qin Yu turned around and impatiently waved his hand at Lü Si, "This is none of your business, stop meddling! There are too many people here, get back to your cabin!"

Lu Si scoffed, "I've wrapped myself up like a dumpling, who would recognize me?"

His face was covered, and he was wearing a mink hood.

Only people like Qin Yu who know the inside story can recognize him!

If anyone else recognizes him, he'll eat shit upside down!

"Who knows?"

Qin Yu teased, "You're so annoying, someone might recognize you just by your smug look! Behave yourself and don't cause trouble for His Majesty!"

"Who wants to talk to you!"

Lu Si snorted unhappily, rubbing his buttocks as he walked back to the cabin.

After all their men and women had boarded the ships, the vessels left the dock and formed a fleet that sailed downstream.

Near the dock, watching their boats depart, several people quietly left the dock.

……

In Yu Jing's temporary residence.

"Sure?"

Yu Jing confirmed the news with Zhou Jishan again.

"Sure!"

Zhou Jishan nodded slightly. "Our men personally witnessed Qin Yu leading his troops out by water!"

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Yu Jing lowered his head in thought, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.

"Your Highness, don't hesitate!"

Zhou Jishan advised, "Qin Yu's trip to reorganize the salt administration is an excellent opportunity for us! If Qin Yu dies, it's because he was assassinated by those unscrupulous salt merchants; it has nothing to do with us!"

The imperial envoy was assassinated while reforming the salt administration, which would surely enrage the court.

At that point, it would be impossible for the Liangjiang region and the Hai and Yuan prefectures not to descend into chaos!

With chaos erupting there, coupled with the fighting in Shuozhou, Daning is likely to become even more chaotic.

The more chaotic things become in Da Ning, the greater their opportunities will be.

Yu Jing remained silent, still weighing his options.

After a long silence, Yu Jing raised his head, looking at Zhou Jishan with a grave expression. "Can you guarantee you can assassinate Qin Yu? Have you considered what I would do if you failed and fell into Qin Yu's hands?"

Killing Qin Yu would certainly be a good thing!

However, if the assassination fails and he exposes himself, it would be a fatal disaster for him as well.

Zhou Jishan said in a deep voice, "I will look for an opportunity! I will not act unless I am absolutely certain! Even if my assassination attempt fails and I fall into Qin Yu's hands, it will be my own decision and has nothing to do with the Prince!"

"Do you even believe that yourself?"

Yu Jing glanced at him coldly and ordered, "Qin Yu will definitely be staying there for a long time. Don't make any rash moves yet. Let me think it over!"

"Your Highness!"

Zhou Jishan was unwilling to give up, "If we miss this opportunity, we'll be..."

"Don't just see the opportunities, see the dangers too!"

Yu Jing interrupted Zhou Jishan, "You have to believe that there are people who want Qin Yu dead even more than we do!"

Zhou Jishan was slightly taken aback, then nodded gently...