The Prodigal Son

To their surprise, Zhao Luan did not get angry after listening to Zeng Guan's report.

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Luan instructed Zeng Guan: "The Baojing Division should not take any further action. Just pretend you know nothing!"

"yes!"

Zeng Guan accepted the order.

"You and Xu Wan can leave now! Qin Yu, please stay!"

Zhao Luan gave another instruction.

The two men glanced at Qin Yu silently, then bowed and took their leave.

"His Majesty isn't angry at all?"

Qin Yu looked at Zhao Luan with suspicion.

Zhao Luan isn't the kind of person with such a good temper!

"There's nothing to be angry about."

Zhao Luan remained calm and gestured for Qin Yu to sit down next to her.

As soon as Qin Yu sat down, Zhao Luan naturally put her legs on his lap and said, "Give me a leg massage."

Seeing Zhao Luan's actions, Shangguan Youyi, who was standing to the side, suddenly widened his eyes and opened his mouth into an "O" shape.

What they are doing is...

Is this something I can actually see?

After realizing what had happened, Shangguan Youyi suddenly turned around, pretending not to have seen anything.

Qin Yu was also bewildered by Zhao Luan's actions and cast a questioning glance at her.

Didn't she herself say that she couldn't reveal their relationship?

Why did she change her mind again?

However, since he doesn't avoid mentioning their relationship in front of Shangguan Youyi, doesn't that mean he can act recklessly whenever he goes to the Imperial Study or her palace?

Thinking of this, Qin Yu's heart began to stir again.

"If I make my superior avoid me every time I discuss matters with you, it will not only cause my superior to harbor resentment towards me, but it will also make it easier for others to speculate."

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu indifferently, then looked at Shangguan Youyi: "You don't need to avoid this. You've served me for so many years; I believe you know what you can and cannot say!"

She's figured it out too.

Shangguan Youyi was her confidant.

Shangguan Youyi knew almost everything about her, both in public and private matters.

Instead of trying to cover it up, it's better to be straightforward.

With Shangguan Youyi by his side, Qin Yu could at most hug and cuddle, but he wouldn't go too far.

He has to consider his dignity as an empress, right?

If she were a young lady from a wealthy family, Shangguan Youyi would be a maidservant.

There was really no need for her to keep her affair with Qin Yu a secret from Shangguan Youyi.

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, Shangguan Youyi turned around, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After speaking, Shangguan Youyi looked straight ahead without glancing to the side.

Qin Yu smiled, gently pinching Zhao Luan's long legs as he asked, "Your Majesty is truly not angry about Fu Cong's matter?"

Are you angry?

Zhao Luan countered with a question.

"Don't be angry!"

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, "I think this is actually a good thing!"

"Then that settles it?"

Zhao Luan smiled and said, "We can use Fu Cong to send some false information to Bei Qi, which will be more beneficial to our campaign against Yan!"

"We're on the same page!"

Qin Yu immediately smiled. "I was thinking the other day that we could feint an attack, directly containing Bei Qi at Wuguan, and forcing Bei Qi to focus their defenses on Shuozhou! When we launch a surprise attack on Yan, Bei Qi won't be able to gather enough troops to fight us for Yan's territory in a short time!"

"Yes! That's what I think too!"

Zhao Luan nodded slightly. "I intend to send an urgent order for Xue Chengdao and your grandfather to return to the capital to discuss the campaign against Yan. What do you think?"

Qin Yu pondered for a moment and suggested, "I think it's enough if only one of them comes back! If they both come back, what if Bei Qi launches a surprise attack while they're away? That could cause a lot of trouble."

"Then let Xue Chengdao return! The Duke of Wei needs to oversee the overall situation in the north. With Qian Zhui guarding Zhenzhou, there shouldn't be any major problems for the time being!"

Zhao Luan acted decisively, immediately instructing Shangguan Youyi to "draft an edict: order Xue Chengdao to return to the capital immediately, and temporarily place the defense of Zhenzhou under Qian Zhui's care!"

"yes!"

Shangguan Youyi accepted the order and immediately took out a blank imperial edict to draft a decree for Zhao Luan.

Shangguan Youyi kept her head down, not even glancing in their direction.

Upon seeing this, Qin immediately raised his hand and gently pinched his chest.

Zhao Luan winced in pain and immediately glared at him with shame and indignation, but asked, "You and Jiang Ci shouldn't have any shady relationship, right?"

As she spoke, Zhao Luan raised her leg in a warning gesture, signaling Qin Yu to behave himself.

asshole!

Let's get down to business!

These are the kinds of things that keep popping into his head!

"Of course not! I already suspect her, how could I possibly still have any relationship with her?"

As Qin Yu spoke, he shifted his body, revealing half of his buttocks in a seductive pose, and raised his hand to his own buttocks.

It was as if he was about to slap him at any moment.

Seeing this, Zhao Luan felt even more ashamed and indignant.

Seeing that her sternness had no effect on him, she could only lower her stance and look at him with pleading eyes, saying, "I'll allow you to have some things with her! As long as you don't fall in love with her!"

"what?"

Qin Yu was taken aback, and suddenly increased the force in his hand, causing Zhao Luan to kick him lightly in pain.

Qin Yu snapped out of his daze and quickly shook his head: "I am not that kind of person! Although I am greedy for money and lustful, I am a person of principle."

"Yes, greedy and lustful!"

Zhao Luan straightened her legs, staring at him with a half-smile. "Someone as greedy and lustful as you acts like a gentleman when faced with a beautiful woman throwing herself at you. Don't you think Jiang Ci will be suspicious?"

"this……"

Qin Yu was speechless.

You know what, that really is a problem!

Depend on!

Is it wrong to want to be a gentleman?

Qin Yu felt a headache coming on. "Your Majesty, are you trying to use me as a human bait?"

"What utter nonsense!"

Zhao Luan glared at him. "Just know your limits! Don't come begging to me for mercy when it's time to kill her!"

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, Qin Yu didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

After a moment's thought, Qin Yu replied, "Your Majesty need not worry about this matter. I will think of a way myself and find an excuse to evade it!"

Love can grow over time!

There's some truth to that.

If I were to really get involved with Jiang Ci, I might have some regrets when it came time to kill her.

"Alright! You handle it yourself, just don't arouse Jiang Ci's suspicion!"

Embarrassed and annoyed, she didn't dwell on the issue further, and instead asked, "Has the location for Tiangongfang been decided?"

"I intend to set the location at Diecui Mountain!"

Speaking of this, Qin Yu's face finally regained its seriousness. "Diecui Mountain is not far from the imperial city, making it convenient for garrisoning! The surrounding mountains are high and the forests are dense, which also facilitates secret operations! The key is that there is no shortage of water there, which can power many water-powered machines..."

Qin Yu analyzed the advantages of Diecui Mountain in detail for Zhao Luan.

He had initially considered Xiaotangshan as an alternative location.

But after a moment's thought, I gave up on the idea.

Compared to Diecui Mountain, Xiaotangshan has no advantages other than being located in the city.

The Tiangong Workshop will continue to expand in the future, housing workshops for cannon casting, gunpowder, artillery shells, research institutes, and more.

The space at Xiaotangshan is clearly not enough.

Moreover, the water source in Xiaotangshan is extremely unstable.

"Alright, let's go with Diecui Mountain then!"

Zhao Luan nodded. "This matter should be handled as soon as possible! I will cooperate with the Ministry of Works to announce that after you improved the hydraulic machinery of the Craftsmen's Office, the office needs to expand and, due to insufficient space, will need to move there!"

"Your Majesty is truly brilliant!"

Qin Yu gave a thumbs up and winked at Zhao Luan.

At this time, Shangguan Youyi also drafted the imperial edict and showed it to Zhao Luan for review.

Zhao Luan glanced at it briefly, then solemnly instructed Qin Yu, "You affix the imperial seal! From now on, you are the Grand Eunuch!"

"Pfft..."

Upon hearing Zhao Luan's words, Shangguan Youyi couldn't help but burst out laughing, then quickly turned her face away.

He acted as if he hadn't heard or seen anything.

Qin Yu didn't take it seriously and said with a smile, "If I were to become a eunuch, Your Majesty would be in real trouble!"

Zhao Luan blushed slightly and glared fiercely at Qin Yu again.

Qin Yu ignored Zhao Luan's gaze and secretly made up his mind.

Find a time when Shangguan Youyi isn't around, and give her a good spanking!

Make her distinguish between the king and queen!

Zhao Luan did not give Qin Yu this chance and directly chased him away.

After Qin Yu left, Zhao Luan casually asked Shangguan Youyi, "What do you think of Qin Yu?"

Shangguan Youyi replied, "Lord Qin and His Majesty are..."

"That's not what I'm asking!"

Zhao Luan interrupted Shangguan Youyi, "I'm asking you, what do you think of Qin Yu as a person?"

"this……"

Shangguan Youyi paused for a moment, then said solemnly, "Lord Qin is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, and he is not arrogant despite his achievements..."

"Alright, alright!"

Zhao Luan interrupted Shangguan Youyi again, staring intently at her, "I'm too lazy to beat around the bush with you. I'm asking you, do you have feelings for Qin Yu?"

Shangguan Youyi was taken aback, and stammered, "No...no! This humble subject absolutely had no such intention!"

"Don't be afraid! Whether you have such intentions or not, I don't care!"

Zhao Luan smiled calmly, "I just want to tell you that no matter who you want to marry, or whether you choose to remain single for life, I will not interfere! All I want is your loyalty, absolute loyalty!"