The Prodigal Son

This family dinner was somewhat inexplicable to Qin Yu.

Moreover, to be honest, the Empress Dowager's culinary skills had been neglected for too long, and could only be described as mediocre.

However, that's not important.

Importantly, this was cooked by the Empress Dowager herself.

To put it bluntly, even if this tastes bad, can it be worse than the communal meals served in the military?

Qin Yu could eat the communal meals, let alone the special meals prepared for them by the Empress Dowager.

Qin Yu and Lü Si also gave the Empress Dowager a lot of face, showing off in a grand manner.

In the end, they ate all the food, and most of it ended up in Qin Yu and Lü Si's stomachs.

Looking at the empty plate, not a single vegetable leaf left, the Empress Dowager smiled brightly.

She knew her cooking skills had deteriorated a lot, but seeing Qin Yu and Lü Si enjoying their meal made her genuinely happy.

After the meal, the task of cleaning up the mess was naturally left to the palace maids and eunuchs.

The Empress Dowager led them to sit in the pavilion in the courtyard, ordered someone to brew them tribute tea, and listened as Qin Yu and Lü Si recounted their journey in detail.

Although Qin Yu had already reported many things in his memorial, the memorial was limited in length, and Qin Yu could not write in too much detail.

As they chatted, Qin Yu brought up the topic of the navy with Zhao Luan.

"In my humble opinion, although the navy is not very important to our Great Ning at present, it will definitely be very important in the future. Only with a strong navy can we guarantee the security of our Great Ning's maritime borders..."

Qin Yu earnestly explained the importance of the navy to Zhao Luan and shared his ideas about the navy that he had discussed with Zheng Guanchao.

The navy is different from the cavalry and infantry.

Training a powerful navy is not something that can be done overnight.

If we don't train our navy properly now and increase its number of warships, when we need its help in the future, it will be forced into battle hastily.

Moreover, without enough warships, it's all just a waste of time.

After hearing Qin Yu's words, Zhao Luan and the Empress Dowager couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

Qin Yu looked at the mother and daughter, puzzled.

Was what I said really that impactful?

After a long while, the Empress Dowager gradually came to her senses and looked at Qin Yu with a smile: "Someone said something similar back then! He also thought that the navy was very important, but he didn't have your perfect ideas."

Who is it?

Qin Yu was extremely curious.

There are such visionary people in Da Ning?

If he really had that kind of skill, he should have been sent to the navy!

"The late Emperor!"

The Empress Dowager smiled and gave the answer.

amount……

Ok!

Qin Yu retracted his previous statement.

Zhao Luan picked up the conversation and sighed softly, "My father said something similar when he was vigorously developing maritime trade. If it weren't for the internal and external troubles a few years ago, the navy of my Great Ning would not be what it is today."

"What does Your Majesty think of my suggestion?" Qin Yu was eager to know the answer.

"How old are you? Do you need me to praise you?"

Zhao Luan glared at Qin Yu. "I'm not stupid. I don't need the court to spend money. Not only can it increase the number of warships for the navy, but it can also train the troops. Why should I refuse?"

"Your Majesty, that's a bit unreasonable!"

Qin Yu said speechlessly, "I just wanted to know if Your Majesty would adopt this suggestion. Why are you glaring at me? If it were any other minister who made this suggestion, Your Majesty would probably have rewarded them with some silver!"

"I want to reward you with a whip!" Zhao Luan said deliberately with a stern face.

"Luan'er, how can you be like this?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and continued, "Look at how much Qin Yu has done for the court during his trip! He's a pillar of the nation; we should treat him with respect, not always be so harsh!"

"that is!"

Qin Yu nodded in deep agreement.

Check it out!

Although the Empress Dowager's culinary skills had declined somewhat, her sincerity in personally cooking was more than enough.

Then look at Zhao Luan, she has no sincerity at all, and keeps making things difficult for me!

They still think their nose isn't a nose, and their eyes aren't eyes.

You have to find the bones in every egg.

They're both mother and daughter, yet the difference in their character is so vast!

He used to think the Empress Dowager was no good, but now he sees that she is actually quite reasonable.

At least he's more reasonable than Zhao Luan!

Qin Yu was mentally ranting when Zhao Luan's "fierce" gaze swept over him again.

Qin Yu pursed his lips, then turned his gaze to the Empress Dowager. "Empress Dowager, I have something I would like to ask for your help with."

"What is it?"

The Empress Dowager asked with a smile.

"That's how it is..."

Qin Yu then proceeded to tell Zhao Luan that he should decide on the reward himself.

However, before he could finish speaking, Zhao Luan interrupted him.

Looking at Qin Yu, who resembled a resentful young wife, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but chuckle to herself.

You silly boy!

Do you think anyone can stay in the inner palace and think about things?

The Empress Dowager smiled at Qin Yu, "Alright, I'll take care of this for you! You talk to Lü Si first, and Luan'er, come with me for a walk!"

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

Qin Yu immediately expressed his gratitude and even gave Zhao Luan a smug look.

If I can't fix you, someone else will!

Zhao Luan secretly pursed her lips and followed the Empress Dowager into the house.

As soon as the mother and daughter left, Lü Si eagerly asked Qin Yu, "Did His Majesty really let you decide on the reward yourself?"

"What else?"

Qin Yu rolled her eyes at him. "The key issue is that His Majesty isn't giving me any money, and I don't want to be running around like a headless chicken all day. What am I supposed to do?"

Lu Si thought for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled to himself, "To be honest, rewarding a lazybones like you is actually quite difficult!"

"You talk as if you're not lazy at all!"

Qin Yu rolled his eyes at Lü Si.

The crow criticizes the pig for being black, but doesn't realize it itself!

Between him and Lü Si, who was the more diligent person?

Inside the room, the Empress Dowager pulled Zhao Luan aside. "You haven't told Qin Yu about that matter yet?"

She deliberately took Lü Si away in the afternoon, wasn't it so that she would tell Qin Yu that thing?

Zhao Luan lowered her head in embarrassment. "My daughter was going to say something, but that bastard insisted on some kind of free love..."

As she spoke, Zhao Luan told the Empress Dowager everything Qin Yu had said, along with some of her own thoughts.

After listening to her story, the Empress Dowager was at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

What are these two kids thinking?

Given their social status, is it possible for them to avoid having other factors involved in their marriage?

The Empress Dowager glanced helplessly at Zhao Luan. "Well then, if you're too shy, I'll go talk to Qin Yu! I can tell that boy is definitely interested in you!"

Thinking about it carefully, it is indeed a bit inappropriate for Zhao Luan to tell Qin Yu this directly.

She's a young woman after all, and she's easily embarrassed!

The marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers; it's still up to the parents to bring it up themselves!

"No, no!"

Zhao Luan quickly stopped the Empress Dowager, pleading, "Mother, please give me some time so I can teach him a lesson!"

This bastard has been quite presumptuous in front of me before.

If his mother tells him about that matter, he'll only become more brazen!

"OK!"

The Empress Dowager patted Zhao Luan's hand with a smile, "I'll give you time, but you'd better hurry! Otherwise, I'll just tell him directly!"

Zhao Luan gently bit her thin lips and nodded slightly...