The Prodigal Son

That evening, Qin Yu accompanied Qin Fumeng to Shangguan Xun's house for a meal.

Why was Shangguan Youyi divorced?

On the way to the Shangguan family, Qin Yu, in the carriage, asked Qin Fumeng a question out of curiosity.

"This girl is infertile."

Qin Fumeng sighed softly, then suddenly changed the subject, "However, this girl can also be considered to have benefited from misfortune..."

Shangguan Youyi's ex-husband was the son of Fu Tingguang, the former Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

She was divorced by the Fu family after being diagnosed with infertility after marriage.

At that time, the late emperor was still alive. He noticed that Zhao Luan lacked a clever person by her side, so he sent Shangguan Youyi to serve as a lady-in-waiting to Zhao Luan.

Later, when Zhao Luan became empress, Shangguan Youyi's status naturally rose sharply.

Even her father, Shangguan Xun, benefited from her influence, rising from a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue to a third-rank official in just a few years, and now he has been promoted to a third-rank official position.

In contrast, her former husband's family was implicated in Zhao Yi's treason case and was executed along with their entire family.

Upon learning about Shangguan Youyi's past, Qin Yu was taken aback.

She's really lucky; she's almost as lucky as me.

When the grandfather and grandson arrived at the Shangguan family home, chatting casually, they discovered that Shangguan Youyi was also there.

Shangguan Xun was slightly overweight, but he didn't have the domineering air of someone in a position of power; he seemed quite easygoing.

Of course, it's also possible that I'm just being easygoing in front of them.

The father and daughter warmly welcomed them into the house.

To be honest, Shangguan Xun used to look down on Qin Yu.

But his daughter told him not to underestimate Qin Yu, but rather to take him seriously.

The daughter didn't say why.

However, he believed his daughter's words.

She's someone close to His Majesty; she definitely has far more information than I do!

As soon as he sat down inside, Shangguan Xun said with a smile, "Duke of Wei, you've been hiding your true colors quite well!"

"What do you mean?"

Qin Fumeng was puzzled, but out of the corner of his eye he glanced at Shangguan Youyi.

Did she tell her father about what happened last night?

His Majesty has strictly forbade anyone to mention that matter to anyone!

As someone close to His Majesty, surely she wouldn't knowingly commit such a crime?

"Are you still pretending to be confused?"

Shangguan Xun gestured towards Qin Yu with his chin, "I heard from Youyi that your grandson composed a poem today, and even His Majesty appreciated it!"

"Write a poem?"

Qin Fumeng looked at his grandson as if he had seen a ghost, "You can even write poetry?"

This beast can't even write a single character properly, let alone compose poetry.

How could His Majesty possibly appreciate it?

Damn it!

In three generations of the Qin family, not a single person has been able to compose poetry!

Is this a cotton ball that popped out of a gutter?

"Copied!"

Qin Yu rolled his eyes. "I already told His Majesty that I copied it, but he wouldn't believe me. What could I do?"

"No wonder!"

Qin Fumeng had no doubt. "I knew it! You beast, you can actually write poetry?"

Shangguan Youyi lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, thinking to herself, "These two, grandfather and grandson, are putting on quite a convincing act!"

They were afraid that people would find out that Qin Yu was hiding his true abilities!

That evening, Qin Fumeng and Shangguan Xun drank and talked about military affairs in the north.

When they started talking about Bei Qi, the two of them seemed to have some kind of switch flipped, and they started swearing non-stop, which amazed Qin Yu.

I never expected that Shangguan Xun, a civil official, could curse so filthily.

Feeling bored, Qin Yu made up an excuse to sit in the courtyard after finishing his meal.

How can we get those two people back from the female demon?

Damn it, if I had known that the female demon would rather lock people up than give them to me, I should have just admitted that Wang Dou and the others were my people!

Alas, I miscalculated!

Just as Qin Yu was deep in thought, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Why is Lord Qin sitting here all alone?"

Shangguan Youyi approached gracefully with a slight smile.

Qin Yu turned to look at Shangguan Youyi and casually said, "I just felt stuffy in the room, so I came out for some fresh air."

"I see!"

Shangguan Youyi smiled sweetly, "I thought you were plotting something again!"

"What are you saying? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Qin Yu gestured to the seat opposite him, inviting Shangguan Youyi to sit down, and then tentatively asked, "Lord Shangguan, how has His Majesty been lately?"

"Not bad, right?"

Shangguan Youyi smiled, then suddenly changed the subject, "However, whenever someone mentions Lord Qin in front of His Majesty, His Majesty seems to lose his mood..."

"..."

Qin Yu smirked, "Lord Shangguan, I'm easily frightened, don't scare me."

"Lord Qin is quite bold."

Shangguan Youyi smiled, pursing her lips, "In this entire world, only Lord Qin dares to use the 'monkey stealing peaches' trick against His Majesty!"

Is he timid?

Who would believe that!

He used the imperial gold medal bestowed by His Majesty to forcefully borrow silver from the court officials, and his thieving eyes darted around aimlessly.

If he's timid, there are probably very few timid people in this world!

"Isn't that a misunderstanding?"

Qin Yuqian smiled and then inquired about Wang Dou's situation from Shangguan Yi.

"Since His Majesty said he wouldn't make things difficult for them, he certainly won't."

A playful look appeared on Shangguan Youyi's face. "Lord Qin seems to be a little too concerned about them?"

Qin Yu chuckled, "I just think those two are quite capable, and I want to take them away from His Majesty."

"You'd better not even think about it."

Shangguan Youyi shook his head and smiled, "If you dare to mention this to the Duke of Wei, I reckon he'll beat you up again! His Majesty isn't giving those two people to you for your safety! Lord Qin is a man of great talent, and His Majesty certainly doesn't want you to take any risks."

Qin Yu rolled his eyes at the sound of it.

Even the most talented shouldn't be treated like this!

If this female demon really thinks she's a genius, even if she doesn't treat herself like an ancestor, she should at least be more magnanimous and stop trying to punish her all the time!

"You flatter me a little."

Qin Yu felt secretly annoyed, then asked Shangguan Youyi, "Is there anything you particularly like?"

Shangguan Youyi became wary. "Why are you asking this?"

He had previously asked himself his age and whether he had a man he liked.

Now, they're asking about your own preferences again?

He wouldn't have any ulterior motives towards me, would he?

Ok……

Qin Yu is quite good-looking.

He may seem cynical, but he is actually a man of great strategic acumen.

It's just that he's much younger than me.

Moreover, she herself is infertile. Even if he didn't mind, the Duke of Wei...

As she was thinking, Shangguan Youyi suddenly jolted awake and almost slapped herself.

What am I thinking?

She had long ago decided to remain unmarried for life, abandoning all personal feelings and devoting herself to helping His Majesty achieve her grand ambitions!

Qin Yu, completely unaware of her misunderstanding, grinned and said, "I don't mean to curry favor with you. Could you please speak well of me to His Majesty? As the ruler of a nation, it would damage His Majesty's reputation if he constantly went against a spoiled brat like me, wouldn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Youyi blushed instantly and quickly turned her face away to hide her embarrassment, saying, "What Your Majesty likes is what I like!"