Chapter 191

Hmm…

To be honest…

Still, it's somewhat moving.

After all, the feeling of being trusted is the best.

Of course, most importantly, I can't let Gu Qingwan's trust down, so Lu Yuan immediately grinned and said:

「Tomorrow I'll definitely not let you be upset; I'll go to Little Green Mountain later, and I'll come back tonight to check again. 」

Tonight, have someone tell them to keep the east side gate open for me; I'll come back.

I ought to live up to Gu Qingwan's trust, shouldn't I?

Besides.

If tomorrow the train doesn't run, it won't just be Gu Qingwan's face that's lost—it'll be mine too.

Gu Qingwan was taken aback, then quickly nodded, and suddenly looked at Lu Yuan and said:

"Hey, right, you haven't eaten dinner yet? Eat first, then go."

Lu Yuan repeatedly waved his hands and said:

"No, I'm a bit pressed for time; I'll go to Little Green Mountain first and grab something to eat on the way."

Seeing Lu Yuan in such a rush, Gu Qingwan gazed at him curiously and said:

"What exactly is there at Little Green Mountain?"

"Um..."

Lu Yuan wasn't planning to say anything about it, since it hasn't been unearthed yet.

Once it's dug up, we'll know.

Seeing Lu Yuan like that, Gu Qingwan knew he wasn't sure either.

Gu Qingwan immediately tilted her head, looked at Lu Yuan, and said:

"Just tell me what you know; what could we siblings possibly keep from each other? We... are family."

"It's not an outsider; even if you get it wrong, what could I blame you for?"

Lu Yuan blinked; that's also true.

Lu Yuan then leaned close to Gu Qingwan's ear and whispered:

"I suspect there's a spirit ore deposit under Little Green Mountain, though I'm not sure; either way, we'll find out once we dig."

This isn't a big project.

No need to invest funds; just get a bunch of people to dig.

Besides, there's a Great Zhou Dynasty garrison right next to Little Green Mountain; we can just have them do it.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingwan looked at Lu Yuan in astonishment and said:

"How... how do you know that??"

Lu Yuan gave a slight smirk and said:

"I don't know; I'm just suspecting."

Gu Qingwan glared at him with her lovely eyes and said:

"No, even if it's just a suspicion, there should be some basis for it, right?"

Lu Yuan curled his lips and said:

"Because... uh... because... well, I'll tell you later; I'm heading out now."

Lu Yuan still hadn't figured out a good excuse for this.

He'll think of it later.

Gu Qingwan blinked and then immediately said:

"Just wait, I'll change into something and we'll go together."

Having said that, Gu Qingwan hurried toward the Chonghua Hall.

As she went, she kept glancing back at Lu Yuan anxiously and said:

"Wait here, don't wander off; just stay right here for your sister."

With such big news, Gu Qingwan definitely couldn't stay cooped up in the palace.

Since Gu Qingwan was going, Lu Yuan didn't object.

Just watching her like that, Lu Yuan felt a bit moved.

Gu Qingwan truly trusts me; whatever I say, she believes right away.

Such trust feels nice, though.

But it also brings a bit of pressure.

In less than half an hour, Gu Qingwan came out in casual attire.

As soon as she arrived, Gu Qingwan, feeling a bit eager, immediately sat sideways on the seat behind Lu Yuan, wrapped her jade hand around his waist, and said coquettishly:

"Let's go, let's go~"

At that moment, Gu Qingwan seemed like a neighborly older sister, looking very happy.

Lu Yuan didn't waste time, pedaling his own vehicle as he rode out of the palace and said:

"Everything's set, right?"

Gu Qingwan, seated behind Lu Yuan, nodded repeatedly and said:

"You still don't trust your sister?"

"Of course I do; I even had the cook prepare food for us, so we can eat it at Little Green Mountain later."

Lu Yuan nodded and then said nothing more.

Soon, Lu Yuan brought Gu Qingwan to the eastern side gate.

After stopping the carriage, Lu Yuan also said:

Get down.

Indeed, the thresholds along the way from the eastern side gate to Chonghua Hall have been removed.

But the threshold here at the eastern side gate hasn't been removed.

After all, the gates outside the palace certainly cannot be torn down.

Immediately, Lu Yuan moved the carriage over the threshold, while Gu Qingwan helped from behind.

As soon as Lu Yuan came out, he looked at the Imperial Guard at the eastern side gate and laughed:

Hey, old brother, you're still here.

The Imperial Guard at the eastern side gate, upon seeing Lu Yuan, also laughed:

Yo, Lord Lu, you've come out…… ah…… you……

The Imperial Guard had spoken halfway when he saw Gu Qingwan coming out behind him.

As an Imperial Guard, as a guard of the palace, how could he not know Gu Qingwan?

Seeing the imperial lord come out together with Lu Yuan, the Imperial Guard's legs began to go weak.

However, the imperial lord also said……

When she is not wearing the Dragon Robe but ordinary clothes, she need not perform the salute.

Lu Yuan glanced at the Imperial Guard's appearance, gave a hehe smile, then took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to the guard.

The Imperial Guard dared not take it.

But Gu Qingwan beside him said expressionlessly:

Just take it if it's given to you.

The Imperial Guard shuddered, hastily bent over and took it with both hands, saying:

Yes…… my lord……

Lu Yuan mounted the carriage, lit his own cigarette, waited for Gu Qingwan to sit down, then greeted the Imperial Guard:

Let's go, old brother.

Having said that, Lu Yuan, cigarette in mouth, rode the carriage away with Gu Qingwan.

The Imperial Guard stood where he was, face full of astonishment, watching Gu Qingwan seated behind Lu Yuan.

As a guard of the palace, the Imperial Guard more or less knew that Lord Lu had a very good relationship with the imperial lord.

One could see this from the fact that the imperial lord had the thresholds removed in the palace for Lu Yuan's convenience in riding his carriage.

But the Imperial Guard, after all, is not a palace insider.

He merely knows they are on good terms, but……

This relationship is too good, isn't it??

The two of them like this……

It's practically just like an ordinary couple.

Thinking of this…… the Imperial Guard blinked.

Lord Lu is really too low-key!!

If he has this kind of relationship with the imperial lord……

Then what did he say just now when he wanted to go in?

He could have just gone straight in!

At this moment, the Imperial Guard gazed at Lu Yuan's back, his eyes full of admiration.

He is simply a model for us!

……

Lu Yuan, tell sister, how did you actually know?

Gu Qingwan sat in the rear seat, one arm around Lu Yuan's waist, asking coquettishly.

Lu Yuan, with a cigarette in his mouth, muttered:

I guessed.

Such talk is obviously nonsense!

Gu Qingwan naturally wouldn't accept that, and immediately acted coquettishly:

Good little brother~~ tell sister~~~

Hmm……

Actually, Lu Yuan still hasn't found a good reason.

Lu Yuan can't possibly tell Gu Qingwan that he is actually a transmigrator, has a system, and even obtained this 'National Fortune' from her, can he?

This can't be explained!

If it can't be explained……

Then let's not explain it.

Immediately, Lu Yuan shook his head and said:

Secret, I won't say.

Upon hearing Lu Yuan's words, Gu Qingwan let out a soft hum and said:

You little thing have grown some skills, huh—what is there that you can't tell your sister?

Lu Yuan then said directly:

If I don't say, I won't say; I need to keep some tricks up my sleeve.

You still got some tricks?

What does that mean?

Gu Qingwan said curiously:

"What does that mean?"

Lu Yuan said seriously while smoking:

"Even a cat teaching a tiger still keeps a trick; I need to hold onto my secret skill to save my life."

"You say you value me now, and you think whatever I do is fine."

"You say, what if one day you no longer cherish me—how will you deal with my punishment then?"

"I need to keep this trick, because if you ever come to settle scores with me later, you'll have to think twice—if you kill me, there'll be no one to find the mine."

Hearing Lu Yuan's words, Gu Qingwan blinked, then after regaining her composure, she gritted her teeth and slapped his back hard, saying:

"What nonsense are you saying!"

"How could an older sister be like that!"

This time Gu Qingwan really struck him, not just a light tap as before.

She used her full force.

This sudden hit made Lu Yuan unsteady on his bike, swaying twice before he regained balance.

Lu Yuan gasped and said:

"Ouch!! You really hit me!!"

And Gu Qingwan snapped:

"You're talking nonsense, so of course an older sister has to beat you!!"

Lu Yuan smirked and said:

"I was just joking!"

And Gu Qingwan gritted her teeth and said:

"Even joking isn't allowed, and you can't talk nonsense even when joking!!"

Lu Yuan smirked, and while riding his bike, he said:

"Besides, it's not impossible—this couple could divorce, so…"

Before Lu Yuan could finish, Gu Qingwan slapped him hard again, saying:

"You still dare to speak!!"

……

At the same time, inside the palace, the cabinet ministers filed out in single file.

With everything settled, it was naturally time to knock off.

The three top cabinet leaders left the palace and didn't go home.

They found a nearby teahouse.

They entered a private room.

……

"His Majesty hasn't been himself lately; although we've been competing over some matters earlier, we all knew our limits and kept things superficial."

"But looking at His Majesty today, he doesn't seem to be holding back at all—maybe he's planning to take action soon."

Yan Shijin held his tea cup, frowned, and said:

Beside him, the other vice premier, Kang Linfei, remained silent.

And Yan Chonghui lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and said softly:

"It's that Lu Yuan."

"This kid's creations have given His Majesty far too much confidence."

Yan Shijin and Kang Linfei beside him nodded slightly, sharing the same thought.

Then Yan Shijin frowned and said:

"If the train really works tomorrow, from now on… His Majesty will probably have less and less use for us."

"By then, it'll all be Lu Yuan's."

"Now, although we and His Majesty are rivals, he's always found us unsatisfying."

"The reason His Majesty can't act against us isn't just to preserve his reputation."

"More importantly, His Majesty still relies on us to handle various affairs."

"That's actually the truth."

"If His Majesty were truly determined to kill or attack us, we couldn't withstand it."

"It's only because the Great Zhou dynasty still has use for us three old bones."

"If Lu Yuan keeps getting stronger, His Majesty will have no use for us, and I'm afraid…"

Kang Linfei, beside him, strongly agreed with Yan Shijin's words.

"From the outside, it looks like we three old bones are formidable and powerful."

"It seems like we could check His Majesty."

"But in reality, if His Majesty truly decided to act, nobody could stop him."

"Just like today's document."

"His Majesty says to send it over, and no matter how others oppose, it will still be sent."

"His Majesty decides who to kill, and that's who gets killed!"

Moreover, reasons are something that are really easy to find.

Not to mention that the three were originally unclean; even if they were clean, what's the harm in lacking an excuse to accuse them?

And the reason the three are fine now is...

What's important is that the Great Zhou Dynasty cannot do without these three old bones of ours.

But now Lu Yuan has shown up...

I'm afraid the situation is about to change.

At this moment, Yan Chonghui gave a cold snort and then said:

"Rest assured, Lu Yuan will definitely die ahead of us three?"

Yan Chonghui's words made the two look up instantly.

Then they looked at Yan Chonghui with a strange expression.

At this moment, Yan Chonghui looked at the two, was stunned, and then gave a helpless laugh, saying:

"Oh, my two younger brothers, where are you thinking of going?"

This dynasty isn't the previous one; not to mention His Majesty's Qingcang Guard staring us down, and Lu Yuan himself is a Qingcang Guard.

If we so much as stir, they'll already know.

This isn't a private move; what does that mean?

Yan Shijin and Kang Linfei both looked at Yan Chonghui, puzzled.

Yan Chonghui took a sip of tea and coldly laughed, saying:

"Since ancient times, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger—this saying is no empty words; serving His Majesty is like scheming for a tiger's skin."

"Think about how many meritorious officials in history ended up beheaded."

"These meritorious officials include many who rendered great service to the state and world, surpassing Lu Yuan's achievements, yet they ended up beheaded for excess arrogance."

"Lu Yuan is only in his twenties; can he hold himself together?"

"Today he dares to cross his legs and smoke before His Majesty; tomorrow he'll dare to have His Majesty light his cigarette!"

"When Lu Yuan becomes so arrogant as to have His Majesty light his cigarette, that will be his death date!!"

"Yan and Kang, upon hearing this, felt it made sense and nodded repeatedly."

"Yan Chonghui slightly raised his head, smiling proudly, and said:"

"Rest assured, two younger brothers, the advantage is ours; Lu Yuan at most has two good years left."

"……"

Pa-da—

Gu Qingwan lit a match, lit Lu Yuan's cigarette, and couldn't help but complain, saying:

"You should smoke less; what's good about this? You smoke one after another."

Lu Yuan looked at Gu Qingwan, baring his teeth, and said:

"I didn't even take two puffs before that cigarette fell out!!"

Lu Yuan reached out to rub his back.

Just now Gu Qingwan really struck hard.

I'm scantily clad, and it's slap-slap.

The pain made Lu Yuan open his mouth, and the cigarette fell out.

After lighting Lu Yuan's cigarette, Gu Qingwan waited and then said resentfully:

"You deserve it for spouting nonsense—may you die from the pain!"

"What "older sister won't like you in the future" etc. —all that you said is nonsense!!"

"How can there be nothing absolute in this world!"

"Just speaking of you and Liyan, will you and Liyan divorce?"

Gu Qingwan now looks fierce, but her jade hand still couldn't help but stroke Lu Yuan's back, gently rubbing.

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said:

"Of course not; my wife, alive she's mine, dead she's mine!"

Gu Qingwan glared at Lu Yuan and said:

"This is fine!!"

"Isn't this having something absolute?"

After saying that resentfully, Gu Qingwan, while rubbing Lu Yuan's back, spoke with low spirits:

"Why do you think that way…… In your heart, is older sister really that kind of person…… Do you just not trust older sister?"

"Older sister openly tells you, you can swear to heaven and earth; even if you later rebel, older sister will not harm a hair of yours!"

Lu Yuan looked at Gu Qingwan, completely bewildered.

What does this have to do with that……

I just couldn't find a reason and made a random joke.

I didn't expect Gu Qingwan to be so serious.

Looking at Gu Qingwan like this, the atmosphere grew a bit low; eventually Lu Yuan could only joke:

"Then that's still not enough spoiling me; how about this: when I later rebel, older sister, you'll have to find someone to help me."

Gu Qingwan was made to laugh by Lu Yuan, couldn't help but poke his brow with her jade hand, and smiled indulgently.

"Okay~"

"Whenever you want to rebel, tell older sister, and she'll assign the Imperial Guard and the Three Thousand Battalion guarding Huangcheng to you, okay?"

Lu Yuan, hearing this, finally nodded in satisfaction; just as he was about to say something, he suddenly froze and said:

"Oh no, my wife still doesn't know I won't be coming home for dinner tonight."

Thanks to StrictResponsibility1112 older brother's 630 book coin reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to book friend 2020050521 older brother's 600 book coin reward, thank you very much~

Mua mua mua

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(End of chapter)