The Prodigal Son

Nighttime, the palace.

Although it was already late, Zhao Luan was still reviewing memorials.

Shangguan Youyi stood to one side.

Occasionally, when Zhao Luan hesitated, she would discuss it with Shangguan Youyi.

Suddenly, Zhao Luan felt a sharp, needle-like pain all over her body.

The pain was very slight at first, and Zhao Luan didn't pay much attention to it.

But soon, the pain from the needle pricks became more intense.

Immediately afterwards, waves of pain struck.

The intense pain almost made Zhao Luan cry out, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

Shangguan Youyi noticed Zhao Luan's unusual behavior and quickly asked with concern, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Despite the pain, Zhao Luan, her face dark, ordered, "Send Yun Ying to the Qin family! No matter what Qin Yu is doing, summon him to the palace immediately!"

Qin... Qin Yu?

Shangguan Youyi was taken aback.

If Your Majesty is feeling unwell, you should summon the imperial physician!

What is Qin Yu doing?

Qin Yu doesn't know how to cure diseases!

Shangguan Youyi was secretly puzzled, and tentatively asked, "Is Your Majesty sure you want to summon Qin Yu to the palace?"

"Sure!"

Zhao Luan tried his best to appear pained in front of Shangguan Youyi. "I suddenly realized there seems to be a problem with the trade with Yan. Summon Qin Yu to the palace immediately! I need to think this over carefully. No one is to disturb me until Qin Yu arrives!"

"yes!"

Shangguan Youyi glanced at her with a puzzled look, then hurriedly withdrew.

As Shangguan Youyi left, Zhao Luan could no longer bear the pain. She stumbled to the bedside, grabbed a corner of the blanket, and stuffed it into her mouth to stop herself from screaming in agony.

Qin Yu!

What on earth is that bastard doing?

Why is the pain so intense all of a sudden?

Could it be that that bastard is about to break through from the third realm to the fourth realm?

That damn bastard!

Has he forgotten his congenital incurable meridian?

Doesn't he know how dangerous it is to break through from the third realm to the fourth realm?

He wants to die, so don't drag yourself down with him!

However, if Qin Yu is truly breaking through, the person sent to deliver the message will certainly not be able to stop him in time.

Whether he lives or dies, he can only leave it to fate.

If Qin Yu is suffering because of something else, the people I sent to summon him can still rescue him.

Hopefully, he's not breaking through!

Zhao Luan clenched her fists tightly and made a silent vow in her heart.

If I survive this, I'll definitely teach Qin Yu a lesson!

Even if it hurts me too, I must teach this bastard a lesson!

……

Yun Ying rushed to the Qin family as quickly as possible.

However, when she arrived at the Qin family home, she learned that Qin Fumeng and his grandson had gone to the Sifang Pavilion.

Yunying dared not delay and rushed to Sifang Pavilion without stopping.

When she arrived, Qin Yu was still receiving treatment.

Upon seeing Qin Fumeng standing guard outside the door, Yun Ying immediately stepped forward to bow and said, "His Majesty urgently summons Qin Yu to the palace!"

"what?"

Qin Fumeng frowned. "It's so late, why does His Majesty summon Qin Yu to the palace?"

Yun Ying glanced around and lowered her voice, saying, "His Majesty suddenly realized there's a problem with the trade with Yan! His Majesty has decreed that Qin Yu, whatever he's doing, must immediately enter the palace!"

"I'm afraid that won't work!"

Qin Fumeng shook his head, then pointed inside the house, "The people from Beiqi are treating that beast's congenital meridian deficiency. If we disturb them now, not only will all our efforts be wasted, but his life will likely be in danger!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Ying frowned immediately: "But His Majesty said that no matter what Qin Yu is doing, he must enter the palace immediately!"

Qin Fumeng refused again, "Even if it's urgent, there's no rush!"

"No!"

Yun Ying's attitude was firm: "I'm only following orders!"

"you……"

Qin Fumeng's old face twitched. "Girl, you should know you're no match for me, and I don't want to fight you!"

Why is this girl so stubborn?

Isn't it just a meeting?

It's not like we're at war!

His Majesty's words were merely emphasizing the urgency of the matter; she really couldn't afford to delay even for a moment.

"I don't want to fight the Duke of Wei either!"

Yun Ying looked at Qin Fumeng without any fear, "But I have an imperial decree to carry out, so I can only..."

Bang!

Before Yun Ying could finish speaking, Qin Fumeng delivered a palm strike to her neck.

Caught completely off guard, Yun Ying's head lolled to the side, and she fainted instantly.

Qin Fumeng quickly helped her up and placed her under the eaves against a pillar, his face filled with helplessness.

Yes!

Knock her unconscious, so that His Majesty won't blame her!

If Your Majesty wants to blame someone, blame yourself!

Looking at the tightly closed door, Qin Fumeng felt a renewed sense of worry.

There's been no news for so long, I wonder how the treatment is going.

Will this beast be in mortal danger?

Qin Fumeng wanted to rush in to check several times, but he held back each time.

He could only make a silent vow in his heart: if anything were to happen to that beast, not a single member of the Northern Qi delegation would survive!

Qin Fumeng endured his worry and waited for more than 15 minutes before the door finally opened slowly, and Qin Yu, covered in sweat, staggered into the doorway.

Qin Fumeng rushed to the door first, grabbing Qin Yu to support him: "How are you?"

"fine!"

Qin Yu forced a smile, "I'm cured, and I even broke through to a higher level while I was at it..."

The most direct difference between the third and fourth realms is true qi!

He could feel a faint flow of true energy within his body.

Although it was very faint, it was there nonetheless!

It's definitely cured!

But it fucking hurts!

The pain is probably comparable to that of a woman giving birth.

He never wants to suffer like this again in this life or the next.

Qin Fumeng was overjoyed, then looked at Empress Murong, who was also covered in sweat, and said, "I will definitely keep my promise! If Murong Dapan's mausoleum is damaged, I will kneel outside Wuguan Pass and apologize to Bei Qi!"

"I trust you!"

Empress Murong nodded wearily.

Qin Fumeng said no more and quickly led Qin Yu and the unconscious Yun Ying outside.

"What is she doing here?"

Qin Yu looked at Yun Ying, who was being supported by Qin Fumeng, with a puzzled expression.

"We'll talk about it later!"

Qin Fumeng responded in a low voice and quickly led them away.

No sooner had they left than Xiao Baoju and Lu Ji arrived.

Lu Ji looked at Empress Murong with concern, "Young Master, are you alright?"

Others may not know, but he understands it perfectly well.

Treating congenital meridian failure is an extremely demanding task, requiring the internal energy to activate the acupuncture needles.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired."

Empress Murong shook her head slightly, a hint of worry appearing between her brows. "I'm suddenly starting to worry..."

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Baoju asked anxiously.

Empress Murong frowned deeply: "The pain of treating congenital meridian disorders is beyond what ordinary people can endure! Yet, Qin Yu didn't even utter a sound under such pain, demonstrating that this young man possesses an endurance far beyond that of ordinary people..."

Putting aside Qin Yu's shamelessness, she even admired him to some extent.

But such patience shouldn't be found in a spoiled brat.

Previously, Qin Yu was likely holding back and concealing his true abilities!

If someone like this is cured of their congenital intestinal paralysis, their future achievements will probably be no less than those of Qin Fumeng!

She's starting to worry that she'll be creating a formidable enemy for Bei Qi herself!

Upon hearing this, Lu Ji's eyes flashed with a cold light: "Then nip it in the bud!"

"right!"

Empress Murong nodded. "After we leave, secretly sneak back here and find an opportunity to kill Qin Yu!"

"yes!"

Lu Ji accepted the order...