The Prodigal Son

Qin Yu and Lü Si stayed behind and followed Zhao Luan and the Empress Dowager to the Imperial Study.

Upon reaching the door, Qin Yu and Lü Si exchanged another glance.

They all thought Zhao Luan and the Empress Dowager were going to invite them to dinner!

As a result, they actually came directly to the Imperial Study?

Lu Si muttered to himself, "Wasn't Qin Yu's report very clear?"

Do we have to make them report again?

Who cares!

Anyway, Qin Yu will be the one to give the report, so I can just stand by and watch.

Having made up his mind, Lü Si followed Qin Yu into the imperial study.

Upon entering the imperial study, Zhao Luan dismissed everyone around him.

Just as Qin Yu and Lü Si were still somewhat confused, Zhao Luan slowly turned around and bowed to the two of them.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

The two rushed forward immediately, instinctively trying to support Zhao Luan.

However, due to Zhao Luan's status, both of them quickly withdrew their hands after reaching out.

Qin Yu stopped and quickly moved aside from Zhao Luan, thoughtfully leaving the seat for his good friend Lü Si.

Qin Yu!

I'll... fuck your grandma!

Lu Si cursed inwardly and quickly stepped aside from Zhao Luan.

"All of you, stand at attention!"

Zhao Luan glared at the two of them, then turned back to face them. "I am no longer the Empress of Da Ning, but merely my mother's daughter and Zhao Cheng's sister! On behalf of my mother and myself, I thank you for uncovering the true culprit who murdered my elder brother, allowing him to rest in peace!"

With that, Zhao Luan bowed to the two of them again to express her gratitude.

They were juniors, and the Empress Dowager bowed to express her gratitude, which they could not accept.

She alone thanked the two on behalf of herself and the Empress Dowager.

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but secretly curl his lip.

She claimed she wasn't the Empress of Da Ning, yet she kept referring to herself as "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I, the Emperor").

"Your Majesty need not do this; it is our duty!"

Qin Yu grinned, "If His Majesty wants to thank us, a reward of three or five hundred taels of silver would suffice. Why make such a formality?"

"Yes, yes..."

Lu Si subconsciously nodded in agreement.

But soon, Lü Si's mind went blank again, and he turned to Qin Yu in astonishment.

What did he just say?

Three...three to five million taels of silver?

Screw him!

That bastard really has some wild ideas!

He thought that a reward of three or five hundred thousand taels of silver would be the most he could get!

Qin Yu still wants three to five million taels of silver?

In his words, he's dreaming!

"I……"

Zhao Luan was both annoyed and amused, and her long legs twitched uncontrollably, as if she was hesitating whether to kick Qin Yu away.

"Alright, alright! This kid's just asking for a beating! Don't get angry with him."

The Empress Dowager stepped forward and patted Zhao Luan on the back, then looked seriously at Qin Yu and Lü Si, "Luan'er and I really have to thank you two. If it weren't for you exposing these traitors, they would probably still be secretly gloating..."

"Your Majesty is too kind."

Qin Yu smiled and said, "As the saying goes, the cycle of heaven is inescapable and retribution is inevitable! Even the heavens couldn't tolerate them, which is why they guided us to trace the Shi family by chance."

"The cycle of karma is inescapable, and retribution is inevitable..."

The Empress Dowager murmured to herself, her heart filled with bitterness.

Even if she were to grind the Shi family to dust, her son could not be brought back to life.

His greed led him to harm his own son in the end.

If one's own son can be resurrected, what harm is there in bestowing a mountain of gold upon the Shi family?

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs"!

"Aunt, don't be sad."

Lu Si stepped forward to help the Empress Dowager, saying, "We've avenged the Crown Prince. You must take good care of yourself; he certainly wouldn't want to see you sad in the afterlife..."

"Yes, Auntie knows."

The Empress Dowager patted Lü Si's hand, trying to force a smile, but she couldn't manage it. In the end, she could only say to Lü Si, "Accompany me for a walk. Come to my palace tonight, and I will personally cook you a delicious meal."

"No, no need."

Lu Si waved his hands repeatedly, "Auntie, don't work so hard. If anyone should cook, it should be us. We'll cook something delicious for you."

"You can cook, kid?"

The Empress Dowager was amused by Lü Si's words. She patted Lü Si's hand and smiled, "Alright, I know you are filial. I haven't cooked for many years, so I must cook for you myself today. Just don't think my cooking is bad."

"No, Aunt's cooking is always delicious." Lü Si grinned, then bowed to Zhao Luan, "Your Majesty, this humble subject will accompany Aunt for now..."

"Don't call me Your Majesty!"

Zhao Luan raised her hand to stop Lü Si, "Call me Imperial Sister!"

"what?"

As Zhao Luan finished speaking, Qin Yu and Lü Si were both stunned.

Imperial sister?

Qin Yu stared at Zhao Luan in astonishment.

What does she mean by that?

Given the extremely distant relationship between Lü Si and her, calling her "Imperial Sister" seems a bit inappropriate.

What's going on? Lü Chunqiu has a young son and wants to give Lü Si to the Empress Dowager for adoption?

"Huh? What?"

Zhao Luan glared at Lü Si with a smile, "Your mother has already told your parents to pick an auspicious day to adopt you as their godson."

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, Qin Yu was stunned once again.

Holy crap?

Aunt becomes stepmother?

I was pretty close to guessing.

Although it wasn't an adoption, being taken in as an adopted son is like taking off from the spot!

He was originally the Empress Dowager's cousin, and now he has been adopted as her son. If he makes merit in the future, it is not impossible for him to be made a king.

Yes, that's true.

The Empress Dowager smiled and affirmed Zhao Luan's words.

Lu Si was stunned for a long time before he came to his senses. He quickly knelt down with a "thump" and said, "Thank you, Aunt!"

"Alright, get up!"

The Empress Dowager helped Lü Si up. "Accompany me for a walk. Let His Majesty and Qin Yu chat for a while!"

"yes!"

Lü Si got up, bowed, and took his leave.

Qin Yu was still somewhat incredulous until Lü Si helped the Empress Dowager leave.

Lü Si followed him around and ended up becoming the Empress Dowager's adopted son?

Wouldn't Lü Si have to give him a hundred or two hundred thousand taels of silver to thank him?

That son of a bitch!

This time, I really hit the jackpot!

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu indifferently, and while Qin Yu was still in a daze, she moved behind him.

The next moment, Zhao Luan suddenly raised her foot.

However, Qin Yu is no longer the same person he used to be.

Just as Zhao Luan's kick was about to land on Qin Yu's buttocks, Qin Yu seemed to have eyes in the back of his head.

He shifted to the side and avoided Zhao Luan's attack.

Zhao Luan's attack missed its mark, and she was secretly disappointed.

"Your Majesty, this is a bit unreasonable!"

Qin Yu stared at Zhao Luan with a dark expression. "Lu Si has already been adopted as a son by the Empress Dowager for his merits, and you not only don't reward me, but you also want to kick me?"

We're all human, so why is there such a huge difference in how we're treated?

"You can also consider this a reward from me!"

A hint of a smile flashed in Zhao Luan's eyes. "There aren't many people in this court who can withstand my kicks."

Merit is merit, and fault is fault!

He made me suffer along with him, so what's wrong with kicking him?

He deserved to be kicked!

Let him mess around all day doing nothing!

"..."

Qin Yu's face darkened.

This is typical behavior of unscrupulous capitalists!

Zhao Luan smiled at Qin Yu, walked to the throne and sat down. She then gestured for Qin Yu to sit opposite her before gently asking, "What are your thoughts on Zhou Jishan's assassination attempt on you?"