The Prodigal Son

Rolls of brand-new red cloth were quickly unfurled, and the servants of the Shi family opened the four central doors in unison.

They hadn't rehearsed at all, yet they were perfectly organized.

Moreover, everyone is full of enthusiasm!

They had long since become one with the historians.

We all prosper together, and we all suffer together!

When important figures come to the Shi family for a banquet, the Shi family gains prestige, and even the servants feel honored to be seen in public!

With everyone working together, they quickly got to work.

Seeing this spectacle, the arriving guests were immediately filled with curiosity.

"Who is this important person who has arrived?"

"Since Lord Shi is already a third-rank official, the person who would make him open the central gate to personally greet him must be at least a third-rank official, right?"

"A third-rank official? What are you thinking! What third-rank official gets this kind of treatment?"

"I estimate they're at least second-rank officials, maybe even first-rank officials!"

"Even the Prefect of Lianyunhuai Prefecture hasn't come, so what high-ranking official would come?"

"The Shi family was incredibly wealthy; their connections were beyond our comprehension."

"The Shi family just got into some trouble, and some people already thought the Shi family was finished. Now, those people are probably kicking themselves..."

Listening to the discussions, all the members of the Shi family except for Shi Lian'er stood tall and proud, looking triumphant.

snort!

Many people thought that the historians were finished, that the court was going to do something to them, and that the historians would soon fall.

Now you know you were wrong, right?

The human heart is the most vulnerable to temptation!

Those who make excuses will never benefit from the historian's legacy again!

Shi Wang stood proudly beside Shi Yi and whispered, "Isn't this a bit too much of a show? We've suffered such heavy losses, and to welcome Qin Yu with such a grand display, won't we be looked down upon?"

The culprit who caused the historian to lose three million taels of silver was Qin Yu.

Now, the historians are giving Qin Yu such a grand welcome. It's as if they've been slapped and are still trying to fawn over him.

Although he knew that Qin Yu held a high position and power, and that the Shi family could not afford to offend him, he still felt a little uncomfortable.

"Look down on us? Who dares to look down on the historians?"

Shi Yi snorted and replied in a low voice, "Qin Yu doesn't represent himself, but the imperial court! His attitude reflects the court's attitude towards the Shi family! The court gives us face, so we must give the court face in return..."

Most importantly, that matter has been completely covered up!

They will never have to be anxious again!

Temporary honor or disgrace is nothing; they need to look further ahead!

Hearing Shi Yi's words, Shi Wang nodded repeatedly.

Yes, that makes sense!

That's enough, I don't want to think about it anymore!

In this matter, the imperial court benefited, Qin Yu gained merit, and although the Shi family lost money, the imperial court still gave them face.

At least, no one dares to look down on historians anymore!

In the current situation, this is probably the best possible outcome!

Soon, rows of brand-new red cloths were laid out to form a broad road.

The long red cloth stretched from the street corner all the way to the Shi family's main hall.

Once the red cloth was laid out, Shi Yi immediately led the Shi family out to greet them.

"Everyone, perk up!"

Shi Yi glanced back at everyone. "Everyone's dressed and ready!"

The group accepted the order and quickly tidied up their clothes.

All of the Shi family's servants and guards knelt respectfully on both sides, quietly awaiting Qin Yu's arrival.

The guests inside craned their necks to look outside, eager to see which important figure was receiving such a grand reception from the Shi family.

Under the expectant gazes of everyone, a loud shout suddenly came from outside.

"Lord Qin Yu, the Minister in Charge of Military and Political Affairs of the Nine Provinces, Imperial Envoy with the Power of the Axe, Grand Master of the Palace, Grand Admiral of the Navy, and Attendant Gentleman of the Palace, has arrived!"

Upon hearing this string of names rang out from outside, the guests at the scene exchanged bewildered glances.

What's going on here?

Lord Qin?

Qin Yu?

Isn't he at odds with the Shi family?

Why would such a top figure like him travel all this way to attend the full moon celebration of the eldest grandson of the Shi family?

The historians have been severely punished by the court, yet they still have so much face?

For Qin Yu, with his current status, to personally come and drink a cup of wine at the full moon celebration is an immense honor for the Shi family!

It seems the historians are not going to fall!

The imperial court still needs to appease the historians!

The historians still have a bond with the royal family!

As expected of a historian!

Even though Shi Yi, the salt commissioner of Liangjiang, abused his power for personal gain and seriously neglected his duties, the imperial court still had to appease the Shi family.

If it were someone else, let alone comforting them, they'd be lucky to even save the lives of their entire family!

At this moment, many people felt a sense of relief.

Thankfully they came to celebrate the baby's one-month birthday today!

Otherwise, historians would definitely keep an eye on them.

Once a rift has formed, it will be much harder to curry favor with historians.

While everyone was lost in their own thoughts, Qin Yu had already led a large group of people to the Shi family's residence.

When they were about ten zhang away from the Shi family's gate, Qin Yu raised his hand to stop everyone: "Dismount!"

The plaque bestowed by Emperor Gaozu upon the Shi family is no joke!

Civil officials alight from their sedan chairs, and military officers dismount from their horses!

While it's one thing to take people's money, the rules still need to be followed.

"Lord Qin has ordered everyone to dismount!"

Qin Yu's orders were quickly relayed.

Soon, everyone dismounted.

As Qin Yu strode in, Shi Yi straightened his clothes once more and announced loudly, "This humble official, Shi Yi, Salt Commissioner of Liangjiang, along with the entire Shi family, respectfully welcomes Lord Qin!"

"Welcome, Lord Qin!"

Everyone bowed in unison.

Shi Lian'er was unwilling, but she was still forced to follow along and bow, and could only curse Qin Yu and Lü Si in her heart.

"No need for such formalities, Lord Shi!"

Qin Yu stepped forward with a smile, "I have come uninvited, please forgive me, Lord Shi."

Hearing Qin Yu's flattering words, Shi Yi quickly smiled obsequiously, "My lord, what are you saying! I am deeply grateful that you have gone to such lengths to come and celebrate my grandson's one-month birthday! Please, take a seat!"

As he spoke, Shi Yi turned to the side and raised his hand in invitation.

"No hurry, no rush!"

Qin Yu's gaze swept over the entire Shi family, and he asked with a smile, "Is everyone from the Shi family here?"

Ok?

Shi Yi was puzzled.

What did Qin Yu mean by that?

Could it be that he felt the historians' welcome wasn't grand enough?

He himself refused to let anyone come out of the city to greet him. The historians had already given him the most lavish reception possible, and now he's finding fault with it again.

That's just too inconsiderate!

Shi Yi inwardly scoffed, but his face was full of smiles: "Reporting to my lord, apart from those who are still out of town on business, everyone is here! Your letter said there was no need for a distant welcome, and I dare not disobey. I hope you will forgive any neglect."

Well, let's first publicly state that it was Qin Yu himself who didn't want them to come and greet him.

So that Qin Yu wouldn't later say that the Shi family had neglected him!

"That makes things easier!"

The smile on Qin Yu's face vanished abruptly. He slowly took two steps back, and a murderous aura suddenly erupted from his body.

"Arrest everyone present; do not let a single person escape!"

"Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!"