Chapter 177: I don

Inside the carriage heading back.

Gu Qingwan was thinking about what happened tonight.

She really felt that her behavior just now was utterly improper……

But…… she didn't know what came over her at that moment……

But for some reason, a thought arose to serve that little thing.

After thinking it over, Gu Qingwan felt it was all the little thing's fault.

From the moment they met, it had made her light a cigarette, and as a result……

Once she got used to it, she found herself unconsciously wanting to serve that little thing.

Hmm……

Exactly, it's all that little thing's fault!

While Gu Qingwan was pondering this, she suddenly noticed Gu Lie beside her.

Gu Qingwan blinked, then suddenly recalled what her younger brother had said this morning.

Instantly, Gu Qingwan's face flushed slightly, and she then playfully tapped her brother's shoulder, saying in a coquettish voice:

"What nonsense did you spout this morning, saying that once I marry Lu Yuan you'll be his brother-in-law?"

You're really shameless—how could you say something like that?

You're not allowed to say it again, okay~

Gu Qingwan said that, but neither her expression nor her tone showed any anger.

However……

Gu Lie glanced at his sister, then nodded seriously and said:

"Okay, I definitely won't say it again. I thought about it at noon today—you and Brother Yuan really have no chance,"

"First off, not mentioning your status,"

"just saying, how could you compare to Sister Su?"

"Look at Sister Su—she's so gentle, so good at serving people, and her looks are a hundred thousand times better than yours."

"How can you compare to Sister Su? You don't even measure up to a single finger of hers——"

A bloodcurdling scream suddenly rang out in the carriage.

This frightened the coachman outside, who immediately halted the carriage and turned his head in shock toward it.

At that very moment, a voice of utter fury came from inside: Gu Qingwan's angry shout.

"Get lost!!"

"Get out!!"

"Tonight, get lost and go back—don't ride my carriage!!!!"

Bang!!

With a dull thud, Gu Lie was kicked straight out of the carriage by Gu Qingwan.

When Gu Lie fell beneath the carriage, covering his face, looking bewildered.

Accompanied by Gu Qingwan's shout of "still not leaving?", the carriage immediately sped toward the Imperial Palace.

Gu Lie stood where he was, face full of grievance.

What the hell!!

Isn't that what you just said!!

You told me not to say it!!

Moreover…… look, is there anything wrong with what I said!!

You're nowhere near as good as Su Changliang's sister!!

Look at Sister Su—even when she's angry, her words are soft and gentle!!

Nothing like you!!

On what grounds do you dare compare yourself to Sister Su!!

…………

The next day, early morning.

Lu Yuan and his wife had already risen.

However, it was still early before work.

The two were still embraced, continuing their intimacy.

Su Liyan clung tightly to her man, her face flushed with bashfulness as she enjoyed his caresses all over her body.

Lu Yuan leaned against the wall, one hand holding the book 《Artisan's Heart》 as he read.

His other arm held his wife in his embrace, rubbing here and pinching there.

This is the joy of the boudoir~

I don't know how she was born, but her whole body is smooth and slick like jelly.

Her whole body is soft, just like her personality.

Lu Yuan recalled that back on Earth, experts had said that stroking a cat helps relieve stress.

Hmm……

No cat of any kind could relieve stress the way his little fox‑wife does.

The moment he held his wife, he felt all his pressure vanish.

"Brother~ hungry~ I'll get up and make food~"

Su Liyan lay against her man's shoulder, soft and sweet, speaking shyly.

Lu Yuan then held his wife, not letting go, and said:

"What's the rush? Didn't we have plenty of dishes left over from last night? This morning we just need to reheat last night's leftovers, no need to hurry."

Seeing her man hold her without letting go, Su Liyan felt extremely sweet inside, and with a voice like melted honey, she said sweetly:

"Mm~ I'll listen to big brother~"

……

Huangcheng, Gate of Virtuous Victory

Although this wasn't a grand, mighty procession, there was still a force of over a thousand people marching under banners, and they set off just like that.

Gu Qingwan did not appear in the farewell troop below.

Instead, she stood at one side of the gate tower, quietly gazing at the back of Gu Lie riding a tall horse.

This was her younger brother's first expedition, and also the first time the siblings would be separated by such a great distance, and for such a long time.

Regarding Gu Lie's expedition this time,

Gu Qingwan was still very worried.

Hmm……

Gu Qingwan couldn't even say what she was worried about, because, according to a general from the Ministry of War, this anti-bandit campaign was so easy that even commanding with one's buttocks wouldn't lose.

It's simply because this mortar is excessively exaggerated.

It has no maximum elevation angle, and it's lightweight to carry.

Furthermore, it is extremely suitable for such mountain warfare.

In a squad, one person carries the mortar tube, while the remaining seven or eight each carry a box of shells.

The firepower of nine people is practically heavenly soldiers descending.

What's more important is that, at the time, several hundred squads will fire in unison from all angles and positions.

Just imagining that scene, that picture, feels terrifying.

Up front, we only need the regular troops to block the enemy well, preventing the bandits from being cornered and launching a desperate countercharge that would threaten the artillery.

Of course, these bandits are able to run rampant only because of the natural defenses; if they dared to charge out, they would surely be overturned by the Great Zhou Dynasty's regular troops.

As for escaping via the rear route,

there too elite troops have already been deployed.

This can be said: aside from the elite troops having to engage the bandits in close combat, basically everyone else faces no danger.

Needless to say, Gu Lie is merely a deputy commander, so he'll be even safer.

But after all, Gu Lie is going on his first expedition, so his older sister Gu Qingwan still worries.

After all, sometimes when Gu Lie goes out playing wildly and returns late, Gu Qingwan suspects that her brother fell from his horse because he rode too fast and died.

But Gu Qingwan also understands that she cannot forever protect her brother.

However, worrying is still worrying.

But compared to that,

now, there is actually something that worries Gu Qingwan even more.

That is……

Lu Yuan's matter……

Lu Yuan wants to see me……

That's not a problem……

I will someday meet Lu Yuan openly and honestly.

Gu Qingwan really wants to see, when she is dressed in imperial robes, coquettishly calling Lu Yuan 'big brother,' whether he will dare to answer~

But Gu Qingwan hasn't thought about it happening this soon.

But……

But the appearance of a 'steam engine' is something Gu Qingwan really wants to know what it is.

Such an incredibly powerful thing, naturally the sooner it appears in the world, the better.

But Lu Yuan insists on seeing me first before he will say anything or bring it out.

This really gives Gu Qingwan a headache.

Regarding Lu Yuan's ennoblement date,

the cabinet has already drafted the regulations, which set it for the twentieth of this month.

That is, there are about fifteen or sixteen days left, roughly two and a half weeks.

In just two weeks we'll meet……

Hmm…… Gu Qingwan feels this is still a bit early.

At the very least……

we have to wait for her younger brother to return.

Otherwise, once their identities are openly revealed, meeting again later would feel a bit strange.

If we wait for her younger brother to return, at least there would be him in between to help mediate.

Otherwise, Gu Qingwan wouldn't even know how to handle it.

But this time her younger brother will need at least four or five months to return.

Really a headache.

Of course, besides that, what also makes Gu Qingwan somewhat irritable is……

Steam engine……

What on earth is it!!

Lu Yuan only said those three words yesterday and didn't explain their exact meaning.

Gu Qingwan really didn't sleep all night last night.

After thinking all night, she still couldn't figure out how that steam related to a vehicle capable of pulling ten thousand tons.

Gu Qingwan pondered for a while.

So annoying!!

Even if Lu Yuan won't tinker with this steam engine for a while,

Then Gu Qingwan must find out exactly what this steam engine is and what it's for!

Otherwise, Gu Qingwan feels she won't get to eat well or sleep well in the days to come!

Although yesterday, I made Su Liyan unhappy.

Going to see him again the next day really is a bit shameless, or something like that.

But...

Shameless then be shameless!!

I am just shameless!

I am going to find Lu Yuan!

"What time is it?"

Gu Qingwan suddenly turned to the grand eunuch beside her and spoke.

The grand eunuch was startled, then quickly replied:

"Your Majesty, it's 5:58 now; this is an auspicious moment for the prince."

Gu Qingwan estimated the time in her mind.

Hmm...

Su Liyan only leaves home for the threshing machine factory at 7:40 a. m.

That means……

I still have to wait two more hours before I can see Lu Yuan……

……So annoying!!

How can this time be so long!!

……

"Are you trying to kill me with salt? You've said this same thing several times—you don't know how much salt to put, so why not put in a little less at first?!"

Lu Yuan was brushing his teeth and washing his face by the pool.

Meanwhile, Pang Kaige's scolding voice came from his home.

Hmm...

Yulan was scolded again.

Now the situation in Pang Kaige's household is completely the opposite of before.

Now Yulan does nothing, while Pang Kaige has become the big boss.

There's really nothing to say about this.

Basically every household in this courtyard is like this.

There's nothing to say.

However, Pang Kaige is just a bit anxious; even scolding his woman isn't something he does three times a day.

Perhaps Pang Kaige was unjustly detained by the Heaven-Holding Guard for several days recently, leaving him a bit resentful.

Anyway, now Pang Kaige doesn't even bother cleaning Lu Yuan's stables.

It's Yulan who does the cleaning.

This doesn't matter to Lu Yuan; if Yulan does the cleaning, she does the cleaning.

As long as someone does the cleaning, it's fine.

My wife is pregnant—I can't have her do the cleaning, can I?

Even if my wife weren't pregnant, Lu Yuan wouldn't let her do the cleaning—this is the 'fellow daoist won't die, but the poor daoist will' attitude.

Let's wait and see—wait until Yulan also gets pregnant.

Lu Yuan went to… not to fool around… but to consult with others, to find someone willing to volunteer to clean his stables.

"Gurgle gurgle T$%^$%^#$, ptooey."

After spitting out the mouthwash, Lu Yuan took his things and went back to the side room.

After breakfast.

After getting two kisses from her husband, Su Liyan went to work with a sweet smile.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan lay down on the bed again.

Standing is not as good as sitting, sitting is not as good as leaning, leaning is not as good as lying down.

Today Lu Yuan also doesn't plan to go out.

He'll just stay home and keep watching 《Craftsmanship》.

Lu Yuan plans to stay at home all day today.

Leaning against the headboard with his legs crossed, beside him are the snacks his wife prepared before leaving, plus some tea.

This little life is truly delightful!

About five or six minutes later, two knocks came on Lu Yuan's window.

Lu Yuan looked up.

Huh?

Gu Qingwan?

Immediately Lu Yuan shouted:

"Come in, the door isn't locked."

Afterwards, Gu Qingwan entered with a smile, pushing the door open.

Looking at Gu Qingwan, Lu Yuan blinked and said:

"Hey, you didn't see my wife when you came?"

My wife just left a few minutes ago.

Gu Qingwan blinked, gave a serious look, shook her head, and said:

"No, did Liyan just go to work?"

Hmm... you couldn't see her, could you?

Gu Qingwan had been waiting impatiently in the imperial palace since half past six, and at seven she was waiting outside this hutong where Lu Yuan's family left.

This was after seeing Su Liyan ride away on her vehicle.

Only then did Gu Qingwan hurry inside.

Lu Yuan merely nodded and said:

"Hmm, they just left; I thought you would have run into them."

Why did you come to my place so early this morning? Has Gu Lie set off?

Gu Qingwan took off her coat, nodded, and said:

"Yeah, we gathered at Anding Gate at five, waited a bit for the auspicious time, and departed around fifty past five."

After seeing Gu Lie off, I went to have breakfast, remembered something, and came to find you.

Lu Yuan curiously watched Gu Qingwan, who had taken off her coat and hung it on the coat rack behind the door.

Why take off the coat?

Does this mean you intend to stay at my place today?

Lu Yuan, snapping out of it, raised an eyebrow curiously and said:

"What's the matter?"

Afterwards, Gu Qingwan came up to Lu Yuan, blinked, and said:

"What exactly is that steam engine you mentioned yesterday?"

I thought about it all night last night, but I still can't figure out how steam relates to pulling a vehicle that can haul ten thousand tons.

Lu Yuan looked at Gu Qingwan, amused, and said:

"Why are you thinking about this? It's none of your business; when I build it, you'll see it."

Gu Qingwan looked at Lu Yuan, raised an eyebrow, and said coquettishly:

"How is it not related? Look, I'm from the Ministry of War; with this, future military logistics would be as fast as flying."

How could this be unrelated?

Lu Yuan smiled, grinning, and said:

Explaining this is too complicated, and you lack the technical background, so it would be too troublesome.

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, Gu Qingwan squatted beside his bed, grabbed his arms with both hands, and gently shook them while acting coquettishly:

"Dear brother~ tell me, sis~ anyway, I have nothing else to do today~"

"Today I, your sister, will bring you tea and water to serve you~~"

"Is that okay~~"

Lu Yuan looked at Gu Qingwan in front of him, a bit dazed.

Likewise

On the wall opposite Lu Yuan's house, the three Qing Cang Guards were also dazed.

This damn thing is the Imperial Lord!!

Thanks to Old Brother Yanbei for the 100 book coin tip, thank you very much~

……

What? Someone just tipped?

Who?

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(End of chapter)