The Prodigal Son

With Zhao Luan personally overseeing the work, the retrieval of the hot air balloon progressed very quickly.

Soon after, the wreckage of the hot air balloon was salvaged and brought ashore.

Besides the wet main body, there are some scattered accessories.

Looking at this pile of things, everyone couldn't help but be very curious.

With just these few things, you can make someone fly into the sky?

Qin Yu stepped forward and touched the hot air balloon's canopy. It felt like it was made of a denser fabric, and it seemed to have something coated on it. He wondered how it was fireproof.

However, just by looking at this pile of accessories, you can tell that Wang Dou is definitely a talent!

It's such a waste that such a talented person has fallen into the hands of a female demon!

After we return from Chenzhou, we still need to get them out.

If this hot air balloon could be controlled and fly higher, we could run away faster if we ever offended that female devil!

Zhao Luan couldn't understand these things, but she didn't want them to fall into other people's hands, so she immediately ordered the Golden Armored Imperial Guards to take them all away.

Before leaving, Zhao Luan gave Qin Yu a meaningful look: "The Duke of Wei is going to inspect the defenses of the seven northern provinces tomorrow. You'd better behave yourself! Otherwise, when the punishment comes, no one will plead for you!"

"Yes, yes!"

Qin Yu readily agreed.

The female demon had made herself even clearer, so I had to run away!

Otherwise, when the female demon hangs you up and whips you, you'll be left with no one to turn to for help!

Just as Zhao Luan was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and paused, saying, "Three days from now, I and the court officials will accompany the Empress Dowager to the Peony Garden to admire the peonies. You will go with us then."

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, Xu Wan and the others looked over in surprise.

Every year when the peonies are in full bloom, the Empress Dowager would go to the peony garden to admire them, and those who could accompany her were mostly important officials of the court.

His Majesty actually appointed Qin Yu to accompany him?

However, Qin Yu felt no sense of honor whatsoever.

His instincts told him that the female demon was about to cause trouble again!

Qin Yu inwardly realized something was wrong and quickly said, "I am a common man and know nothing about flowers, so I..."

"Do you think I'm consulting with you?"

Zhao Luan looked over with an unfriendly expression.

Qin Yu had no choice but to agree.

Zhao Luan then left satisfied.

As Zhao Luan left, the crowd dispersed.

Xu Wan caught up with Qin Yu, "Did you really write that poem?"

"I already said it was copied."

Qin Yu rolled his eyes. "You know exactly how much I know, don't you?"

"Thirteenth Young Master, Miss Xu isn't an outsider, why are you still lying to her? I was right next to you when you were composing your poem!"

Luo Qingyi smiled, then winked at Qi Dachui, "Right, Dachui?"

Qi Dachui was taken aback, his reaction a beat slow, before he nodded: "Mhm."

I……

Qin Yu's face darkened.

What are you doing! What are you doing!

The old man wants to set him up with Xu Wan, and you guys are joining in the fun, right?

Seeing that Qi Dachui had nodded, Xu Wan naturally believed him without a doubt.

"It's just a poem, nothing special, why hide it!"

Xu Wan gave a light snort and left with her entourage.

Qin Yu was speechless, and slapped Luo Qingyi's shapely buttocks with his backhand.

"Thirteenth Young Master..."

Luo Qingyi's voice was soft and sweet as she looked at him shyly.

"See if you dare to talk nonsense again!"

Qin Yuhu's body trembled. "You've corrupted the sledgehammer!"

Qi Dachui remained silent, only smiling sheepishly as he avoided Qin Yu's gaze.

"Alright, let's go back! This is such a hassle every day!"

Qin Yu greeted the two of them, and then had Qi Dachui lead Luo Qingyi's horse so that Luo Qingyi could ride with him.

"So, you really want to set me up with Xu Wan?"

Qin Yu was administering family discipline to Luo Qingyi's buttocks when he asked her a question with great interest.

"I am now a member of the Qin family, and I have to consider the Qin family's interests."

Luo Qingyi blushed, "I can see that Miss Xu's attitude towards Young Master Thirteen has changed somewhat! If Miss Xu is willing to marry into the Qin family, it will be beneficial to the Qin family!"

Xu Wan and Xu Kui, a brother and sister, are both outstanding members of the younger generation.

Xu Kui also inherited the title of Marquis of Pingnan.

The future prospects of both siblings are limitless.

Moreover, the brother and sister stood by the Qin family when they were in trouble.

No matter how powerful Qin Fumeng is, he will eventually grow old!

For the Qin family, a marriage alliance with the Xu family is a very good choice.

"You're all just worrying about nothing!"

Qin Yu slapped her bottom again, his gaze unwavering, and said, "I'll show you all sooner or later that I'm the one others have to look up to! I'm the Qin family's greatest strength!"

"I believe in Young Master Thirteen!"

Luo Qingyi nodded and smiled, then snuggled closer to Qin Yu.

……

Not long after Zhao Luan returned to the palace, the Baojing Division sent someone to report that Wang Dou's cousin, Wang Su, had been arrested.

In addition, the Treasure Mirror Bureau also delivered the confessions obtained from the two individuals.

Neither of them had ever formally attended school, but they learned a little to read from a local teacher.

Several years ago, they found a strange box on the banks of the Pingjiang River in the south.

It took them a tremendous amount of effort to open the box.

Inside the box was a book called "Zhang Gong's Secret Records," which detailed the method for making the divine bird.

In just two days, he got excited and began making the divine bird according to the records in the book.

It took them three years and a lot of wasted materials to finally create the divine bird.

Wang Dou is so thin he's practically skin and bones, entirely due to his frugal lifestyle in trying to get that mythical bird.

They were hoping to use the divine bird to shine at the Hundred Flowers Festival and secure a position in the imperial court.

I never expected things to turn out like this...

After reading the confession, Zhao Luan's gaze fell on the poem on the table.

That was a poem written by Qin Yu.

I will climb to the very top and look down on all the mountains below!

To be honest, she really wanted to ride that divine bird up to the sky and take a good look down at the imperial city.

However, a mere thirty zhang is far too low!

If it were over a hundred feet long, it might look even more different!

If we tie more ropes down there, it shouldn't run away, right?

After thinking for a while, Zhao Luan shook her head and smiled to herself.

Even I wanted to climb up and experience that feeling, let alone someone as restless as Qin Yu!

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Luan instructed Shangguan Youyi: "Later, copy this poem and have someone send it to the Academy of Literature for filing. When the Academy publishes its poetry collection, we will select it for inclusion."

"yes!"

Shangguan Youyi accepted the order.

Zhao Luan's gaze fell on the poem again. "Tell me, what kind of person is this Qin Yu?"

"I can't say for sure the specifics."

Shangguan Youyi gently shook his head, "But I believe Qin Yu is definitely a smart man!"

Putting aside the fact that Qin Yu offered many good strategies, his ability to conceal his shortcomings alone demonstrates that he was a smart man.

It was indeed necessary for him to conceal his talents before he could cure his congenital intestinal paralysis!

Come to think of it, Qin Fumeng is a rough-around-the-edges but meticulous-on-the-inside kind of person. How could his grandson really be a stupid pig?

All I can say is that Qin Yu hid it too well!

They were all deceived by Qin Yu.

Are you a smart person?

Zhao Luan lowered her head in thought, her gaze sweeping over her heaving chest.

The previous incident of the monkey stealing peaches could be attributed to Qin Yu not recognizing him.

But what happened a few days ago, that's hard to explain, isn't it?

Even if a smart person is very angry, they probably wouldn't treat themselves like that, right?

Could it be that Qin Yu deliberately did this to conceal his true abilities?

Thinking about this, Zhao Luan felt terrible.

For no apparent reason, Zhao Luan's feet started to itch.

Seeing Zhao Luan's kicking legs, Shangguan Youyi quickly asked, "Your Majesty, what's wrong with your legs?"

"It's nothing, just a little numb from sitting for so long."

Zhao Luan casually replied, "Oh, by the way, your father is also heading north with the Duke of Wei tomorrow. You don't need to serve me tonight; go back and have a couple of drinks with him!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Shangguan Youyi bowed deeply in gratitude...