The Prodigal Son

That was twenty-three years ago.

Although Dong Xiufu wasn't as dazzling as the old guys back then, he was still a rising star.

He joined the army during the middle of Emperor Xiaowu's third Northern Expedition, but did not distinguish himself during the fourth Northern Expedition.

However, Emperor Xiaowu wanted to leave him to his predecessor, Emperor Xiaowen, so he did not bestow upon him any great honors.

In the later years of Emperor Xiaowu's reign, he was transferred to the Golden Armor Imperial Guard.

Later, Emperor Xiaowu died, and Emperor Xiaowen succeeded him to the throne.

According to the established rites, Emperor Xiaowu's concubines who had no children were required to be buried alive with him.

Emperor Xiaowen was kind and did not order the concubines to be buried alive with him. Instead, he placed them in Shouhe Palace, a separate palace where Emperor Xiaowu had lived, and had them recite scriptures for Emperor Xiaowu.

Dong Xiufu was also promoted to deputy commander of the Imperial Guards and given the title of General Fu Bao.

Emperor Xiaowen did not reduce the monthly allowances of the concubines; they were still paid as usual each month.

Dong Xiufu, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, would occasionally lead people to deliver their monthly allowances.

Over time, he became acquainted with the concubines.

Most of the concubines were still grateful for Emperor Xiaowen's kindness and devoted themselves to reciting scriptures for Emperor Xiaowu.

However, Consort Li, who had not been in the palace for long and was young and beautiful, was unwilling to live such a life.

Therefore, Consort Li would often take the opportunity to show her goodwill to him when he led people to deliver his monthly allowance.

Although Dong Xiufu was no longer in his prime, Consort Li was young and beautiful. Even though he knew that doing so would be unfair to Emperor Xiaowu, he gradually fell into her trap.

Later, he naturally had an unspeakable affair with Consort Li.

Consort Li lied to him, saying that with their child, the truth would eventually come out.

Dong Xiufu was naturally unwilling to see Consort Li and their unborn child die tragically, and he was also afraid that if their affair were exposed, he would only have one way out: death. So he kept trying to find a solution.

By chance, he saw the corpse of a courtesan who had died of illness.

The brothel woman's figure and age were similar to Consort Li's.

So he came up with the idea of ​​substituting one thing for another.

Afterwards, he instructed Consort Li to deliberately set fire to her residence, secretly rescue her, and then throw her body inside.

He originally thought he had done something flawless, but little did he know that the people from the Baojing Bureau would immediately determine that the charred female corpse was not Consort Li.

At that time, Zhao Po was the commander of the Baojing Division.

Zhao Po, who had once been the commander of Emperor Xiaowu's personal guards, naturally could not tolerate such a thing and immediately launched an investigation.

In less than two days, Zhao Po found out who he was, and even brought the concubine Li, whom he had secretly placed, to him.

It was then that he learned that Consort Li was not pregnant at all.

From beginning to end, Consort Li was only using him to get away.

Although Dong Xiufu was filled with remorse, his scandalous affair with Consort Li was a fact.

The late emperor was furious and wanted to execute him secretly, but Qin Fumeng and Xue Chengdao pleaded for him desperately and he was spared death.

Afterwards, Consort Li was secretly executed, and Dong Xiufu was punished by being forced to shave his head and become a monk to repent.

From then on, Dong Xiufu ceased to exist; only Dong Liu remained.

Exile!

After hearing about Monk Dong's past, Qin Yu finally understood why the old man and the others were so reluctant to talk about it.

They certainly wouldn't want to talk about such a shameful thing.

Even if I asked Zhao Luan, she might not tell me.

For a moment, Qin Yu didn't know whether to call him awesome or stupid.

They dared to touch even the Imperial Concubine?

That's incredibly audacious!

Or perhaps, they've been blinded by the so-called love!

He was also lucky to have met Emperor Xiaowen!

If it were a different emperor, even if he wasn't chopped into mincemeat, he'd probably be deactivated on QQ to teach him which women he could sleep with and which he couldn't.

"So, you've come here to atone for your sins?"

At this moment, Qin Yu also understood the purpose of Dong Heshang's purpose in coming to fight this battle.

"Otherwise what?"

Monk Dong said frankly, "Fame and fortune have long lost their meaning for me! Failing to destroy the Yan Kingdom was Emperor Xiaowu's lifelong regret! If this battle can destroy the Yan Kingdom, then I will have the face to apologize to Emperor Xiaowu when I am in the afterlife."

"You! I don't even know what to say about you!"

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled to himself, then picked up his wine bowl and lightly clinked it against Monk Dong's.

Monk Dong's life was ruined by that scheming woman.

As the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, he is definitely a person with a promising future.

If one simply spends a few years in the Imperial Guard, one can be sent out to become a great general guarding a region.

But it all turned out like this because of a woman.

The deputy commander of the Imperial Guards!

Finding a young and beautiful woman would be a piece of cake for him.

How did I fall for Consort Li's honey trap?

Mind your own business! My affairs are none of your concern!

Monk Dong calmly replied, "If you do something wrong, you have to pay the price! Although I regret it, I've never been held back by it! I'll still eat and drink as usual! If I don't have a chance to atone, I'll stay in the temple and be at ease! If I have a chance to atone, I'll just rush in..."

Monk Dong spoke with great ease.

But whether it was because he had drunk too much or because he felt guilty, his face was a little red.

"Okay, then I won't say anything more!"

Qin Yu readily agreed, "Trust me, this time, you will definitely be able to make up for Emperor Xiaowu's regrets!"

"Alright! I believe you, kid!"

Monk Dong laughed heartily, "Come on, keep drinking!"

As he spoke, Monk Dong picked up his wine bowl again and clashed it against the one in Qin Yu's hand with a loud "clang".

After finishing a bowl of wine, Qin Yu suddenly remembered something and asked with some worry, "By the way, isn't Senior Zhao in your department? What if he...?"

Don't worry!

Monk Dong waved his hand, "If he wanted to kill me, would I still be alive? At most, he'd just give me the cold shoulder! I'm here to fight, not to care about his attitude!"

"That's good!"

Qin Yu said no more and continued drinking with Monk Dong.

The two drank bowl after bowl, and later, fueled by the alcohol, they began to discuss the upcoming battle.

Outside the door, Qin Fumeng stood quietly, sighing silently in his heart.

He lamented not only for his own grandson, but also for Monk Dong.

My grandson has the talent of a commander, but his mindset is far from that of a true leader!

Monk Dong also had the talent of a general, but unfortunately he ruined his own future.

He knew he had been a bit too hasty.

But this was on the battlefield, and he didn't have much time to slowly resolve his mental state.

Hopefully, Monk Dong's words of advice will be helpful to him!

"call……"

Qin Fumeng exhaled a breath of stale air and left silently.

Afterwards, Qin Fumeng found Nan Que'er and briefly told her about Qin Yu's situation.

Upon learning of Qin Yu's situation, Nan Que'er's heart tightened, and she quickly asked, "Grandpa, what should I do now?"

"You don't need to do anything! Just know it in your heart."

Qin Fumeng smiled, "You two should treat each other the same way you usually do! He's a patient right now. The more you treat him like a patient, the more he'll feel like he's seriously ill, understand?"

The monk Dong had explained all the necessary principles to him.

All that's left is enlightenment!

No one can help him with this; he has to rely on himself!

Nan Que'er thought for a moment, then nodded with a worried expression.

Don't worry.

Qin Fumeng reassured him, "Trust him, he can handle it!"

"right!"

Nan Que'er nodded seriously, "He's so capable, he can definitely handle it!"