Chapter 193: You guys mess with Lu Yuan, then I'll mess with you!

Three people sat around a large stone.

By now, it had completely darkened here.

Spirit Power Lamps had been set up all along this river stretch.

For a moment, it actually looked quite beautiful.

The upstream river had been blocked, and now these soldiers started digging down with shovels and spades.

This is a riverbed, filled mostly with silt, so digging it is not strenuous.

Lu Yuan and the two others had opened their lunch boxes and sat together eating.

"Tonight I won't go back, I'll take a look around here a bit, and tonight I still need to inspect the train.

Once the final parts for tomorrow's train arrive, we'll run a trial, so I must check it tonight—no room for error."

Lu Yuan, stuffing a steamed bun into his mouth, glanced at his wife beside him and said.

Su Liyan blinked, then nodded and said:

"Then I'll go home and fetch you a change of clothes."

Su Liyan was still very sensible; although she didn't know what happened in the cabinet today, she knew she couldn't hinder her husband's important work.

Her husband had been busy with the train for two or three months; she couldn't just want to hug him to sleep tonight and thus delay him.

Lu Yuan quickly replied:

"Don't bother, I really don't need it—I have a place and work clothes there, so no extra clothing is needed."

Gu Qingwan beside him also nodded repeatedly and said:

"Yes, Liyan, you're big with child, so don't trouble yourself—rest easy, there's plenty of clothing, it won't chill your man.

Just relax; right now nothing is more important than the baby in your belly, understand?"

Su Liyan also nodded repeatedly; she naturally understood this.

She was carrying her husband's child now.

Naturally, she had to take good care of it.

After finishing the meal, Su Liyan packed up her lunch box and prepared to head back.

Lu Yuan also intended to see his wife out of the mountains.

Gu Qingwan also insisted on seeing Su Liyan off, saying the mountain paths were bad tonight and it would be better if they supported each other.

Actually, it wasn't really necessary—after all, her belly was only a bit bigger, and there was really no difference from before.

However, Gu Qingwan was actually more nervous than Lu Yuan.

It didn't matter anyway—Gu Qingwan was idle here regardless.

Finally, after seeing Su Liyan ride off on her small cart and disappear from sight, Lu Yuan and Gu Qingwan finally felt at ease and returned.

It's close to Huangcheng, and actually it's not that late now.

That is, it's before seven in the evening, so nothing will happen.

After all, this is right under the emperor's feet.

After Lu Yuan and Gu Qingwan returned, the meal that Gu Qingwan had ordered prepared was also delivered.

It was truly a lot.

However, Lu Yuan and Gu Qingwan were already full, so they gave the food to some of the surrounding soldiers.

This went on until past ten at night.

The soldiers had come in two shifts; they rested not, continuously digging downward nearly two meters, yet saw nothing.

Hmm…

Lu Yuan had originally planned to dig up something tonight.

For instance, if he could see some fragments of spirit power core, he'd feel reassured.

But looking at it now, it's probably not that simple.

If luck is good, digging another one or two meters might reveal it; if luck is bad, even ten meters might not be enough.

Lu Yuan saw Gu Qingwan beside him yawning.

Gu Qingwan's routine is quite regular; she usually prepares to rest around eight-thirty at night.

It's already ten o'clock now.

Immediately, Lu Yuan no longer wanted to wait here.

Keep digging, just keep digging.

Whenever we dig something up, that's when we'll consider it done.

Now we need to hurry back to the imperial palace, then re‑inspect the locomotive; any later and it'll be too late.

Lu Yuan looked at Gu Qingwan, who was sitting beside him yawning, and said:

"Let's go back, we won't wait; when they dig something up and report it, we'll head back first—I need to check the locomotive."

Gu Qingwan also nodded repeatedly.

Although Gu Qingwan came here specifically for the spirit power core,

she didn't see it, yet she wasn't overly disappointed.

It's fine—being able to go out for a little outing with Lu Yuan is nice enough.

Even if there's no spirit power ore beneath this Little Green Mountain, it's no problem.

Who could possibly avoid making a mistake?

Immediately, Gu Qingwan followed Lu Yuan back, while also turning to comfort him:

"It's fine; even if there's no spirit power ore, it's nothing—just being happy on our outing is enough~"

During this period, I've been busy, Lu Yuan has been busy, and the two of us have rarely been able to go out so leisurely.

However, Lu Yuan didn't appreciate Gu Qingwan's comforting words at all, and immediately raised his eyebrows, saying:

"Why are you comforting me already? It's still early—I'm telling you, there's definitely something down there."

"Even if it's not a spirit power mine, it must be a gold mine!"

Seeing Lu Yuan's confident look, Gu Qingwan only thought him cute, and hurriedly said:

"Okay okay okay~ Sister spoke wrong~ Alright~"

Seeing Gu Qingwan's child‑coaxing tone, Lu Yuan couldn't be bothered to reply.

Afterwards, Lu Yuan rode the vehicle, bringing Gu Qingwan back to the Imperial Palace, Hall of Double Splendor.

Outside the Hall of Double Splendor there was still a person—none other than the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei, Fan Weiming.

Every night around seven or eight, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan would go to bed to sleep.

Usually after this time, Fan Weiming would bring Lu Yuan's memorial to find Gu Qingwan.

Over time, it was always this time.

But this time, Lu Yuan was still in the Imperial Palace at ten, and Fan Weiming was a bit dazed.

And Gu Qingwan hadn't expected that Fan Weiming and Lu Yuan would actually bump into each other in her Hall of Double Splendor.

However, Lu Yuan didn't think much, put the vehicle aside, and said:

"Get me a Spirit Power Lamp and find someone to hold it for me."

Gu Qingwan, having come to her senses, nodded repeatedly, and then sent two people to follow Lu Yuan.

After giving the orders, Gu Qingwan hurriedly brought Fan Weiming into the Hall of Double Splendor.

Upon entering the Hall of Double Splendor.

Fan Weiming immediately presented today's memorial on Lu Yuan.

To be honest, Gu Qingwan almost forgot that she still had people daily monitoring Lu Yuan.

Because over the past two months, Lu Yuan basically spent the whole day here.

After finishing his affairs here, he would go home to eat, then sleep.

The Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei couldn't monitor anything, so over the past two months they haven't come many times.

But today, Lu Yuan went out from noon to afternoon, so naturally he was monitored again by the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei.

Fan Weiming came to deliver the memorial about what Lu Yuan did this afternoon.

Gu Qingwan looked at the memorial Fan Weiming handed over, blinked, and didn't take it.

Instead, she looked toward the outside of the main hall.

Seeing Lu Yuan already crawling into the train engine to begin inspection.

Gu Qingwan, having come to her senses, immediately whispered:

"From today onward, do not monitor Lu Yuan; burn all the evidence left with the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei."

To be frank, initially Gu Qingwan had the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei monitor Lu Yuan indeed to find dirt on him.

But later it evolved, and it wasn't like that anymore.

Besides, they couldn't find any dirt on Lu Yuan.

Over these two months Lu Yuan has been here all the time, the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei hardly comes, and Gu Qingwan almost forgot.

Today, seeing the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei, Gu Qingwan felt……

The matter of monitoring Lu Yuan can already be stopped.

I now absolutely trust Lu Yuan.

Hmm…… or rather, Gu Qingwan had already absolutely trusted Lu Yuan.

Afterward, she just wanted to see what was going on between Lu Yuan and Su Liyan.

Today, Lu Yuan's encounter with Fan Weiming actually gave Gu Qingwan a heads‑up.

This matter needs to be stopped quickly, because if Lu Yuan finds out that I've been secretly monitoring him……

Even though I say I have no ill intent afterward, it will surely make Lu Yuan unhappy.

Who in the world likes being monitored?

If a rift were to arise between them because of this, it would definitely make Gu Qingwan regret it for life.

Fan Weiming was startled, then immediately nodded and said:

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Regarding the Imperial Lord no longer monitoring Lu Yuan, Fan Weiming wasn't very surprised.

After all, the Imperial Lord's relationship with Lu Yuan, from first meeting to getting acquainted to now, no one in the world knows it better than the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei.

So, not surprising.

Afterwards, Gu Qingwan nodded and said:

"Go back now; moreover, you Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei must seal your mouths for me."

"Once this news gets out, you'll all be punished collectively!"

Fan Weiming's body trembled, then he quickly said:

"Yes."

After saying that, Fan Weiming withdrew from the main hall.

After Gu Qingwan exhaled, she looked toward the nearby Grand Eunuch and said:

"Notify the Imperial Kitchen: all the cooks are waiting in the Imperial Kitchen; if Lu Yuan wants to eat something in the early morning, just make it for him."

The Grand Eunuch also quickly nodded:

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Afterwards, Gu Qingwan had the grandmother prepare bathwater for her; Gu Qingwan is not like Lu Yuan—she sleeps late at night and can only get up late in the daytime.

Tomorrow is the grand court assembly, she has to attend court, so Gu Qingwan needs to go to sleep early.

……

It was past one in the morning.

Lu Yuan had a Spirit Power Lamp clenched in his mouth, hunched into the locomotive, still inspecting.

It's good he slept on Gu Qingwan's thigh earlier this morning; otherwise he really wouldn't have been able to endure tonight.

"Yah!! How come you haven't eaten anything!!"

Suddenly a voice came from behind, startling Lu Yuan so much he jerked, almost throwing himself completely into the locomotive.

After Lu Yuan blinked dazedly and crawled out of the locomotive, he saw Gu Qingwan standing beneath it, wearing a bright yellow nightgown.

Looking at Gu Qingwan, Lu Yuan said speechlessly:

"Could you at least give some warning next time? You showing up like this out of the blue in the middle of the night—who could bear that!"

That sudden scare almost made Lu Yuan's soul fly out.

Gu Qingwan couldn't sleep well tonight.

Mainly, this is the first time Gu Qingwan has slept at night with Lu Yuan beside her.

Of course, Gu Qingwan didn't mean Lu Yuan sleeping beside her.

Even if she were inside the room and he outside, the feeling would still be different.

She felt inexplicably strange, a bit excited, and a bit happy.

She… she couldn't even say why.

Anyway, the feeling of spending the night with Lu Yuan was really… really great!

Although she only came back to sleep after ten o'clock tonight, she just kept tossing and turning, unable to sleep for no reason.

After drifting off a while, when it reached past one in the morning, Gu Qingwan couldn't hold back and came out to check on Lu Yuan.

The result…

Upon looking, good grief…

The meal the Imperial Kitchen prepared for Lu Yuan—he hasn't touched a bite!

Gu Qingwan stepped forward and touched it; it was ice cold.

And the food on the tray wasn't what Lu Yuan liked to eat.

Seeing that Lu Yuan hadn't said he wanted to eat, the nearby eunuch couldn't stand it and went to the Imperial Kitchen to have some food prepared and sent over.

But when the food arrived, Lu Yuan still wouldn't eat, and those eunuchs didn't dare to force-feed him.

How can he get by without eating?

Originally, Lu Yuan staying up late to inspect the locomotive made Gu Qingwan feel uneasy.

After all… this matter came about because she had earlier crossed swords with Yan Chonghui.

If she hadn't crossed swords with Yan Chonghui…

Lu Yuan wouldn't have needed to stay up late inspecting.

Even if the locomotive won't run tomorrow, Lu Yuan could just take his time finding the cause.

He wouldn't need to guarantee perfection tonight either.

This is because of her earlier run‑in with Yan Chonghui this afternoon that Lu Yuan must fix the locomotive tonight.

It all comes down to her own fault.

Now Lu Yuan isn't eating anything, making Gu Qingwan feel even worse.

Gu Qingwan pointed at the food on the nearby tray and said hurriedly:

"Why aren't you eating?"

Lu Yuan said while crawling back into the locomotive:

"If I'm not hungry, what should I eat?"

Meanwhile, Gu Qingwan frowned from beneath the locomotive and said:

"How can you not be hungry? Tonight we each ate a steamed bun and some side dishes, and it's already past one thirty in the morning.

You've been working all this time—how can you not be hungry? Come down and eat quickly!"

After saying that, Gu Qingwan glared at the Grand Eunuch nearby and shouted:

"Didn't you hear? Hurry up and tell the Imperial Kitchen to remake it!"

Gu Qingwan was very angry, but she didn't even know what she was angry about right then.

After all, it seemed like it was her fault.

But anyway, her mood was terrible.

The Grand Eunuch stared, then stammered a yes and ran off to the Imperial Kitchen.

Seeing Lu Yuan's upper body hunch back into the locomotive, Gu Qingwan gritted her teeth and stepped forward to pull him out.

She then grabbed him without further ado and headed for Chonghua Hall.

Now covered in oil, Lu Yuan hurriedly said:

"No, I really am not hungry… uh… I really don't have time to eat, I've got a lot more to tell you about what comes next.

You guys have to start the grand court assembly at past six, right?

With the ink trail, we definitely won't make it before six!"

However, just as Lu Yuan finished speaking, Gu Qingwan immediately snapped:

"If we don't make it, we don't make it—let them wait!

Where do they get off with all these complaints, wanting to watch whenever they please?!

What's the big deal if the locomotive won't run? Even if it doesn't run tomorrow, it's fine—yet they dare to criticize!!

I'll just chop them all!!!

Gu Qingwan knew who she was angry at.

Yes!

It's those people from the cabinet!!

It's all because of these people; Lu Yuan only stayed up late tonight, and only then couldn't eat.

You're tormenting Lu Yuan, not letting him eat or sleep, right?!

Okay!

You torment Lu Yuan, and I'll torment you tomorrow!

At this moment, Yan Chonghui, who was sound asleep at home, suddenly sneezed and sat up.

His wife beside him also woke up, looking at Yan Chonghui and said:

"What's wrong with you?"

Yan Chonghui waved his hand, while getting out of bed to find a cup and pour water to drink, muttering:

"It's nothing... just inexplicably feeling a bit uneasy..."

At this moment, Yan Shijin was sound asleep at home, murmuring in his sleep:

"What's it got to do with us... what's it got to do with us..."

And Kang Linfei was also sound asleep at home, talking in his sleep:

"That's right, that's right."

Thanks to elder brother Keze1112 for the 500 book coin reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to elder brother who's been reading since childhood and can't handle it for the 100 book coin reward, thank you very much~

(End of chapter)