The Prodigal Son

Back at his residence that evening, Qin Fumeng repeatedly confirmed with Qin Yu whether he was truly willing to go to Chenzhou with the Baojing Division.

Having experienced what happened during the day, Qin Yu's resolve became unwavering.

We must go!

Even if it's raining knives from the sky, we'd still go!

Upon receiving Qin Yu's extremely affirmative reply, Qin Fumeng showed a rare expression of relief.

The next morning, Qin Fumeng prepared to set off.

Before leaving, Qin Fumeng once again instructed, "Dong Liu will arrive within five days at the latest. When you see him, show him some respect! Don't be as disrespectful as you are in front of me!"

"Uh-huh."

Qin Yu picked at his ear and nodded casually.

I've said this so many times since last night!

However, he was very curious about who this Dong Liu was.

The person the old man specially invited to accompany him must be a master, right?

That old guy is really something. I asked him several times about Dong Liu's background, but he refused to tell me.

Why are you playing mysterious with your own grandson?

"Don't try to act all high and mighty with this old man!"

Qin Fu glared at him and said, "Luo Qingyi is a good girl. Before you leave, you must make sure she's settled in properly, lest anyone try to harm her!"

"Don't worry, I'll make sure everything is arranged!"

Qin Yu is serious this time.

"Also, take your time to read the military treatise I gave you!"

Qin Fumeng patted his grandson on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Although you don't like military strategy and tactics, you've been exposed to them since childhood. I believe you understand some of it, you just need to truly grasp it!"

"Um!"

Qin Yu nodded.

After giving Qin Yu a few more instructions, Qin Fumeng finally left with the people from his residence.

Watching Qin Fumeng depart into the distance, Qin Yu felt a pang of reluctance.

The old man resigned from his post a few years after that battle.

In recent years, the old man has been staying at home, and he and his grandson have been spending every day together.

Although the old man often scolded him and even punched him, the old man was his greatest support.

He was the old man's only source of comfort.

This separation will last for at least two months, and it's definitely going to be a little hard to let go.

……

Two days later, Qin Yu was forced to enter the palace. After the court session ended, he followed a large group of people to the Peony Garden.

The peony garden is not far from the palace.

Fifteen miles northwest of the palace lies the Peony Garden.

It was common knowledge throughout the court that the Empress Dowager loved peonies.

This peony garden was built specifically for the Empress Dowager in the year the late emperor made her empress, and it was named after "peony".

It was from that time onward that the peony gradually became the national flower of Daning.

Despite its name, the Peony Garden is actually a royal garden.

It is said that every year after the peonies bloom, the Empress Dowager would stay in the peony garden for a period of time.

Those accompanying him were mostly important officials of the court and their children, as well as several of Qin Yu's colleagues from the Academy of Literature.

Qin Yu even spotted Lü Si, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, in the crowd.

Lü Si naturally saw Qin Yu as well.

Lu Si was also somewhat surprised by Qin Yu's appearance.

With the Empress Dowager's backing, Lü Si became arrogant again and rode his horse over to Qin Yu's side.

Where is your mother?

Qin Yu asked Lü Si with a smile.

Lu Si's mother was the Empress Dowager's cousin, so she should have been here to keep the Empress Dowager company today.

Qin Yu's question was perfectly normal, but Lü Si felt something was off about it.

It's like being cursed at.

However, when talking about his mother, Lü Si felt both happy and worried.

I don't know what kind of tonic his father has been taking lately, but his mother, who is over forty, has miraculously gotten pregnant!

The imperial physician said that since her mother was so old when she got pregnant, the first three months were the most critical time. She needed to rest and recuperate, and absolutely could not disturb the fetus.

That's why his mother couldn't come.

"My mother wasn't feeling well, so she couldn't come."

Lu Si casually replied, then asked with a sly grin, "I heard that His Majesty hung you upside down outside the Zichen Palace as a public spectacle a few days ago?"

Qin Yu replied lazily, "Don't worry about my affairs. I heard the Luo siblings ran away. You'd better send someone to catch them!"

"What's it to me!"

Lu Si curled his lip. "By the way, the Luo siblings ran away, and they owe my family 80,000 taels of silver. Shouldn't you pay it back?"

"I agree! However, I don't have any money right now."

Qin Yu grinned, "Your family can go to Wanjia Restaurant and eat to your heart's content whenever you have free time. I keep my word, I'll give you a 20% discount!"

"fart!"

Lu Si was furious and said through gritted teeth, "If you have no money, then compensate us with the Wan Family Restaurant!"

"Don't push your luck!"

Qin Yu glared at him unhappily. "I already signed a debt transfer agreement with your father! It's the Luo family that owes you money, it has nothing to do with me! It's a favor if I acknowledge the debt and let you eat and drink for free, it's my right not to!"

Innocent!

You're satisfied with just eating and drinking for free!

Do you still want ten thousand restaurants?

Why doesn't he just fly to the sky?

"Shameless!"

Lu Si was so angry that he was panting heavily.

"I not only have teeth, but they're also very white!"

Qin Yu grinned and pointed to his teeth, "Even if you complain to His Majesty now, I'm still in the right! What kind of good person do you think your father is? If he were truly in the right, he would have come to my house to collect his debts long ago!"

"You just wait!" Lu Si shouted angrily. "Our score isn't over yet!"

Qin Yu's lips curled into a smile. "How about this, when we get to the peony garden, let's have a little fight to liven things up for the Empress Dowager?"

"..."

Lu Si choked slightly, glared at Qin Yu with resentment, and then rode away in a fit of rage.

He definitely couldn't beat Qin Yu in a fight.

But he refused to believe it, and there was no way to teach this bastard a lesson!

Watching Lü Si leave, Qin Yu couldn't help but shake his head and smile.

That unlucky kid, he's missing a screw in his head!

Could he have thought that the female demon had taken back the gold medal she had given him because of what happened a few days ago?

It seems I need to find an opportunity to make him face reality!

Speechless all the way.

Before long, the group arrived at the peony garden.

Qin Yu knew about the Peony Garden, but this was his first time visiting it.

Upon entering the peony garden, one is greeted by a small patch of blooming peonies.

The peonies, in their vibrant colors, are in full bloom, and their sweet fragrance is delightful.

Once inside, you can see pavilions, waterside terraces, and artificial hills.

Besides peonies, there are various other blooming flowers inside, and even a bamboo grove.

However, the most prominent spots were almost all reserved for peonies.

Zhao Luan helped the Empress Dowager walk in front, with the officials following behind. They admired the peonies and praised them, while some scholars recited a few lines of peony poems in a refined manner.

Qin Yu really didn't understand flowers and thought these peonies were just so-so!

Maintaining such a royal garden must have cost a considerable amount of money.

It's a waste of manpower and resources!

Out of sheer boredom, Qin Yu once again approached Su Zhen and began trying to poach Zhao Luan's girlfriend.

Unfortunately, Su Zhen had no interest in the high salary he offered and kept her distance from Qin Yu.

At this moment, Yang Jichun leaned over and said, "The poem that Lord Qin wrote a few days ago was truly earth-shattering and awe-inspiring..."

"Stop, stop!"

Qin Yu felt a chill and asked with a puzzled look, "How do you know that poem?"

This guy really went to great lengths to get his sycophantic poem back.

Why doesn't he say he's even more amazing than Tao Gao, the Sage of Literature?

Yang Jichun replied with a smile, "His Majesty ordered someone to send Lord Qin's poem to the Academy for filing. His Majesty also instructed that when the Academy publishes its poetry collection, that poem should be included."

"..."

Qin Yu's face darkened. "Anyway, I copied that poem, so don't put my name on it!"

If the great Du Fu were to time travel and jump out to beat him up, he wouldn't even have the nerve to fight back.

"How can that be?"

Yang Jichun said solemnly, "This was specifically instructed by His Majesty! It's clear that His Majesty really likes that poem..."

As Yang Jichun was speaking, Shangguan Youyi's clear voice suddenly rang in his ears: "His Majesty has decreed that today, at the Peony Garden, all those present may compose poems or lyrics on the theme of peonies, to be judged by the Empress Dowager! The one who wins first place will be rewarded by His Majesty..."