The Prodigal Son

Speaking of this, Yang Jichun couldn't help but show a bitter expression.

He was the top scholar during the Empress Dowager's regency!

After Zhao Luan regained power and assumed personal rule, none of those who passed the examination in the second year of the Yonghui era were given important positions.

He's already incredibly lucky to have managed to become a sixth-rank compiler at the Academy of Literature!

Many of those who passed the exam in the same year as him have already lost their heads!

"No wonder!"

Qin Yu suddenly realized, "Your luck... is indeed a bit bad!"

He could have become the top scholar three years earlier or three years later, it wouldn't have been a problem!

But by sheer bad luck, he happened to pass the imperial examination at that particular time and became the top scholar.

No wonder he wasn't arrogant like those top scholars.

Four years of unfulfilled talent in the Faculty of Arts had worn down his sharp edges.

"Who can argue with that?"

Yang Jichun gave a wry smile, then suddenly changed the subject, "But after meeting Lord Qin, I feel like my luck is about to change!"

"From now on, you're mine!"

Qin Yu smiled with satisfaction. "However, listen carefully: I, Qin Yu, hate fickle and unreliable people the most!"

This is the first subordinate I've recruited since I transmigrated!

The first junior brother is the top scholar in the imperial examination. That sounds awesome!

The top scholar!

How bad can someone's skills be?

As long as he is loyal, why not lend him a hand?

From now on, he and Qi Dachui will be his two henchmen, one skilled in literature and the other in martial arts!

"Rest assured, Lord Qin, I will always follow your lead!"

Yang Jichun pounded his chest loudly, looking utterly loyal, almost as if he were about to swear an oath.

"By the way, how old are you this year?"

"Twenty-eight."

"Oh? I thought you were around thirty-five!"

"Sigh! Any top student who endures such hardship in the arts college for a few years will look old..."

"That's true! By the way, are there any other people in your family?"

"I have an elderly mother, wife, daughters, a widowed sister-in-law, and a nephew! It's precisely because I have to support such a large family that I write some manuscripts to supplement my income..."

As he spoke, Yang Jichun began to recount his past.

He was from Dengzhou and came from a poor family, but he was intelligent from a young age.

His family worked hard to support his education, hoping that he would make something of himself in the future.

After his father passed away, his eldest brother became the pillar of the family.

His older brother worked odd jobs everywhere to support his education, and eventually died from exhaustion.

With the family's breadwinner gone, they were once so poor that they even had trouble getting food.

He only came up with the idea of ​​writing manuscripts to supplement his family's income after hearing storytellers tell stories by chance.

He certainly had a talent for it; his first book manuscript sold for five taels of silver.

For them at that time, five taels of silver was a huge sum of money...

Overcome with emotion, Yang Jichun couldn't help but shed tears.

After listening to Yang Jichun's words, Qin Yu basically understood his situation.

If we secretly send someone to investigate his attitude towards his widowed sister-in-law and nephew, we can basically see his character.

"Get out of here!"

Just then, a loud shout suddenly came from outside.

Qin Yu's eyelids twitched.

Who dares to run wild in the Qin family?

The old man has only just gone up north, and some people already think they're capable?

Without saying a word, Qin Yu led Qi Dachui outside.

At the same time, Dong Liu, who had heard the commotion, quickly emerged from the east wing.

As soon as they stepped out of the main hall, they saw Xu Wan storming in aggressively.

It was her!

No wonder the guards outside didn't make a move!

The moment Qi Dachui saw Xu Wan, his originally fierce gaze suddenly became clear.

Xu Wan strode forward and shouted angrily, "Qin Yu! Do you think you can act with impunity just because the Duke of Wei is not in the capital?"

"Speak properly!"

Qin Yu glared at Xu Wan, displeased. "This is the Qin family home! You barged in, and I've already shown you courtesy by not calling Big Hammer to beat you up! And you're acting all high and mighty with me?"

With her like this, it's no wonder that the man she married before was so unwilling to marry her.

These are all bad habits that the old man has spoiled us with!

If anyone else had dared to barge in like this, they would have been beaten to a pulp long ago.

Xu Wan was even angrier, her eyes blazing as she roared, "You dare to kidnap a high-ranking official in the street? Are you afraid Lü Chunqiu won't find an excuse to deal with you?"

"Commander Xu, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"

Yang Jichun rushed out and said, "Lord Qin was just joking with me. He invited me here for drinks."

"Are you kidding me?"

Xu Wan was taken aback, then said angrily, "Your men have already gone to the Imperial City Guard to report to the authorities, and you're still playing around?"

Hearing Xu Wan's words, Qin Yu and Yang Jichun looked at each other in bewilderment.

Under Qin Yu's persistent questioning, Xu Wan finally recounted what had happened.

She was running some business at the Imperial City Guard when she happened to run into Yang Jichun's servant rushing to the Imperial City Guard to report that Qin Yu had kidnapped Yang Jichun in the street and seemed to want to kill him.

Originally, the Imperial City Guard was going to send someone over, but she told them to let her handle the matter.

Fearing that Qin Yu might seriously injure Yang Jichun, she left the Imperial City Guard and rushed over without stopping.

"So that's how it is!"

Qin Yu suddenly realized, "Alright, alright! Since you meant well, I won't hold it against you!"

"If it weren't for the Duke of Wei's sake, I wouldn't care whether you live or die!" Xu Wan glared at him angrily, then asked Yang Jichun, "Are you guys really joking?"

"Definitely!"

Yang Jichun twirled around in front of Xu Wan, "I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? It's a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding!"

Xu looked Yang Jichun up and down to make sure he was alright, then scolded him angrily, "You two bastards! Always looking for trouble!"

After saying that, Xu Wan turned around and walked out angrily.

"etc!"

Qin Yu caught up with Xu Wan in a few steps.

Xu Wan glared at him impatiently, "What other nonsense do you have to say? I need to go to the Imperial City Guard to explain the situation! If it gets to His Majesty's ears lately, see how he deals with you!"

Yo!

This girl has thought things through quite thoroughly.

Qin Yu smiled and said, "This time it was my fault, I apologize!"

Upon hearing the word "apology" come from Qin Yu's mouth, Xu Wan looked as if she had seen a ghost.

Apologize?

Qin Yu actually apologized to me?

In her astonishment, Xu Wan saw another hand waving in front of her.

"What are you doing! I'm asking you a question!"

Qin Yu looked at her with amusement.

Isn't it just about apologizing to her?

Is it really necessary to do this?

Although she was a bit fierce, she was genuinely thinking of herself.

Xu Wan snapped out of her daze and asked, confused, "What did you ask me?"

Qin Yu glared at her. "I'm asking you, when exactly are we leaving?"

"Within three days!"

Xu Wan's complexion improved considerably, and she replied, "His Majesty is already urging us on this matter. We're thinking of setting off as soon as possible. By the time we arrive in Chenzhou, they should have already investigated most of the issues!"

"good!"

Qin Yu was secretly delighted. "Remember to let me know in advance!"

"Um!"

Xu Wan nodded and walked out.

After taking only two steps, Xu Wan suddenly stopped. "I was a little off just now too!"

After saying that, Xu Wan quickened her pace and left.

However, after taking only a few steps, Xu Wan stopped again.

She was about to ask a question, but then suddenly stopped talking.

never mind!

Anyway, he's going to Chenzhou anyway, so I'll ask him along the way!

With that thought in mind, Xu Wan took another step and quickly left.

Seeing her like this, Qin Yu was completely bewildered.

Why does it act like a robot, and keep lagging?

What's wrong? Is the program stuck?

"Lord Qin, are you going on a long trip?"

At this moment, Yang Jichun came over to ask.

Qin Yu nodded, and said ambiguously, "I might have to go out to take care of some business."

"If you're going on a long trip, it's best to write a note to ask for leave, to avoid trouble," Yang Jichun advised.

"Are you asking for leave?"

Qin Yu frowned. "What if His Majesty doesn't approve it?"

"..."

Yang Jichun's face twitched violently, and after a long while, he said, "You are a seventh-rank official. You don't need His Majesty's approval to ask for leave. As long as I approve it, it's just a formality at the Ministry of Personnel..."

That's it!

The subtext is, "Is it really enough for a nobody like me to ask for leave to alarm the female demon?"

Okay, that makes things easier!