The Prodigal Son

Zhiyu Lake is located northeast of Yunhuai.

Zhiyu Lake is not particularly large, but it is not small either, about 150 hectares.

Considering that Ruan Zhi had helped him with many complicated matters these past few days, Qin Yu gave Ruan Zhi a day off and invited Xu Wan, Lü Si, and others to join them.

Qin Yu and his group disguised themselves. Qin Yu and Lü Si dressed as ordinary scholars, while Nan Que'er and the others changed into more simple and elegant clothes.

They didn't bring many guards; only Guo Yang sat alone in a fishing boat, trailing far behind them.

It was already early May, the weather had fully warmed up, and all kinds of flowers were in full bloom.

The grass by the water is lush and green, bees and butterflies flutter around the wildflowers, and the warm sunlight spreads across the water, creating a serene and bright scene.

The spring breeze ripples the lake, and layers of shimmering light spread slowly with the ripples.

The willows by the lake droop their tender branches, which sway gently in the wind, startling a few fish into swimming and diving into the depths.

"What kind of lousy places did you choose? There are so many lively places, why did you have to pick this godforsaken spot?"

Although the scenery of Zhiyu Lake was breathtaking, Lü Si was quite unhappy and complained about Qin Yu a lot along the way.

Although the fall of the Shi family had a huge impact on Yunhuai, the places that were supposed to be lively were still quite lively, just not as lively as before the Shi family fell.

Located on a major waterway, Yunhuai has countless places to eat, drink, and have fun!

"You know nothing!"

Qin Yu rolled his eyes at Lü Si, then opened his arms wide with a look of pure enjoyment, saying, "We call this feeling the breath of spring!"

Lu Si pursed his lips, glancing at Jiang Ci out of the corner of his eye. "I don't feel the breath of spring, but I do feel the stirrings of spring fever."

"I……"

Qin Yu was speechless, and really wanted to kick this bastard into the lake.

"I also think Lü Si has a point!"

Xu Wan couldn't help but laugh.

"right!"

Nan Que'er nodded in deep agreement and looked at Jiang Ci with a charming smile.

Meeting Nan Que'er's gaze, Jiang Ci immediately felt embarrassed and pointed to the island in the middle of the lake to change the subject, "It seems that there are people living on that island in the middle of the lake."

"That's where Mo Wu, the leader of the Shi family's assassins, lives."

Qin Yu replied with a smile, "This Zhiyu Lake can also be considered one of the secret training bases for the Shi family's assassins."

These things were all obtained during their interrogation of the historian's henchmen.

Zhiyu Lake was essentially the private property of the Shi family.

The fishermen in the surrounding area are essentially the Shi family's farmhands, just in a different form.

Those fishermen who were attached to the historians were all the historians' spies.

Once outsiders arrive, the fishermen can either warn them or prevent them from entering.

"Is that so?"

Jiang Ci looked surprised and asked Qin Yu, "Should we go up to that island in the middle of the lake and take a look?"

"Of course I want to!"

Qin Yu laughed heartily, "There should be all the pots and pans there, so we can have lunch and drinks here! I heard the fish in Zhiyu Lake are very plump and delicious, we should catch a few to try!"

"That would be great!" Jiang Ci smiled, "It's a good opportunity for you to try my cooking."

"You can cook?"

Xu Wan and Qin Yu both exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Ci smiled and said, "I used to cook a lot, but I've been busy with other things these past few years and I rarely cook anymore. I don't know if my skills have become rusty."

"Then we really should try it!"

Qin Yu laughed heartily, "Alright then, you can cook from now on, and I'll take care of the fishing! I'm not bragging, but when it comes to fishing, none of you here can compare to me! At the beginning of the year, I accompanied His Majesty fishing, and he witnessed my amazing fishing skills and almost asked me to be his apprentice on the spot..."

"Cough cough..."

As Qin Yu was getting into the conversation, Xu Wan suddenly coughed lightly.

Ruan Zhi chuckled, "I didn't hear anything."

"I heard you!"

Lu Si slyly stretched out his hand, "Ten thousand taels, and I won't tell His Majesty what you just said!"

"Get lost!"

Qin Yu laughed and slapped Lü Si's hand away. "You like silver so much? There's so much silver in the prefectural treasury, go ahead and take it, I'll pretend I didn't see it!"

That bastard is always thinking about extorting my money.

They're obsessed with money!

Lu Si sniffed and said matter-of-factly, "I have no interest in the silver in the treasury, I just want your silver!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu replied speechlessly, "No ambition!"

This kid is definitely itching to get back together!

Why are you always so concerned about your meager earnings?

By the way, he still owes me 50,000 taels of silver!

Ruan Zhixiao watched the two bickering, then smiled and said to Qin Yu, "Lord Qin is a renowned scholar of Daning. On such a fine day, why don't you compose a poem?"

"That's right!"

Jiang Ci suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Qin Yu. "Lord Qin is hailed as the greatest talent in Daning. When I was in Taozhou, I heard people in a teahouse talking about the amusing story of Lord Qin's poetry contest in the Peony Garden. If Lord Qin were to compose a poem today, it would surely make Zhiyu Lake famous throughout the world."

"Sure!" Qin Yu readily agreed, then winked and smiled at Jiang Ci, "However, I'll compose a poem, and you and Ruan Zhi must also compose one!"

"Maybe we shouldn't?"

Jiang Ci smiled, "With my limited knowledge, wouldn't it be ridiculous to compose a poem in front of you, the greatest talent in the world?"

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, "It's just for fun. We're all family, there's nothing to laugh about!"

own people?

Hearing Qin Yu's words, Jiang Ci was secretly delighted.

"Since Lord Qin has put it that way, let us compose a poem!"

Ruan Zhi suggested to Jiang Ci, "Let's just take this as a starting point and listen to Lord Qin's excellent work."

Jiang Ci hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "In that case, let's listen to Lord Ruan!"

Since it was Ruan Zhi who proposed it, it was natural for Ruan Zhi to take the lead in composing poems.

Lu Si glanced sideways at Ruan Zhi, who was lowering her head and preparing herself, and couldn't help but secretly complain in his heart.

What's wrong with you!

He would compose poems at the drop of a hat.

Is she trying to show off her abilities?

Ruan Zhi paused for a moment, then parted her lips slightly.

"A gentle breeze stirs the clear waters, and distant mountains usher in the new spring."

"A small boat glides by, silent amidst the flowers."

Listening to Ruan Zhi's poem, the group couldn't help but nod in agreement.

"The words 'disturb' and 'entice' are used extremely well."

Xu Wan smiled slightly, "Just two words have brought this poem to life."

"I think she's more like someone who's going through puberty."

Lü Si curled his lip, unconvinced.

With such harassment and seduction, what else could it be but spring fever?

"Come here!"

Ruan Zhi glared angrily at Lü Si, "Didn't Lord Qin say that the world's talent is only ten measures, and you, Lü Si, possess twelve measures? The world still owes you two measures!"

Lu Si's face stiffened, and he turned his face away to the side.

Seeing Lü Si's appearance, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Qin Yu affectionately put his arm around Lü Si's shoulder and joked, "For 100,000 taels of silver, I'll sell you a poem that will crush her!"

"roll!"

Lu Si cursed and pulled Qin Yu's hand away...