Chapter 214: Mother-in-law lights a cigarette, boundless magical power

Lu Yuan, having entered the side hall, lit a cigarette, looked at Gu Lie lying in the door crack, raised his eyebrow and said:

"You little brat, why are you beating him when you've got nothing to do?"

Gu Lie then turned his head, glanced at Lu Yuan, and said matter-of-factly:

"I'm letting out some anger for you, brother!"

Lu Yuan curled his lip and said:

"Am I a child? Does this even vent my anger?"

Besides... there's nothing to be angry about; what's there to get angry over?

It's not that serious.

This is just the courtesy exchanged after entering officialdom.

Normal procedure; Lu Yuan had it figured out.

Soon Kang Linfei was carried in by people, many came; Kang Linfei is one of the Three Fu, and he has many disciples under him.

Not only at court assemblies, the Hanlin Academy, and scholars from all over—there are really a lot of them.

Gu Lie beat Kang Linfei, and now there's trouble.

At this moment, Gu Lie lay in the door crack, watching Kang Linfei, and he hehehed with a smile.

But as he laughed, Gu Lie felt something was off.

Not long after, Gu Lie turned his head to look at Lu Yuan beside him and said:

"Brother... later... my sister won't..."

Lu Yuan looked at Gu Lie, nodded, and said:

"Mm, you can't get out of this beating."

Hearing Lu Yuan's words, Gu Lie's face changed instantly, and he immediately looked at Lu Yuan with a mournful face and said:

"Brother, you'll have to save me later; I'm doing this to vent your anger!!"

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said strangely:

"Did I tell you to vent my anger?"

Hearing Lu Yuan's words, Gu Lie was dazed and said:

"Brother!! How can you turn your face and not recognize people!!"

Lu Yuan grinned a few times, then stopped teasing Gu Lie and just said:

"Did you personally beat Kang Linfei?"

Gu Lie shook his head and said:

"No, I'm not stupid; I had someone else beat him, and I wore a mask so no one knows who it was…"

"But… they seem to have already figured it out, saying they were wearing the Ministry of War's boots…"

Hearing Gu Lie's words, Lu Yuan slightly nodded and said:

"It's fine, it's not a big deal."

As long as Gu Lie didn't openly beat him himself, with everyone seeing it, then it's fine.

As expected, Gu Qingwan was then on the throne, sternly rebuking the perpetrator.

Saying what huge gall this person has, daring to commit violence in the imperial palace.

Must be strictly investigated, blah blah blah.

But everyone knows this matter will definitely end up being dropped.

So these people just made a fuss here before Gu Qingwan, and in the end Kang Linfei could only be grudgingly escorted away.

After the Chonghua Hall had quieted down.

Gu Qingwan sat upright on the throne, slightly turned her head to look at the big redwood door of the side hall with a crack, and rebuked:

"Hurry up and get out!"

After Gu Qingwan finished speaking, Gu Lie shot out.

Then someone slid into a kneel before Gu Qingwan's throne.

Lu Yuan also hurriedly stubbed out his cigarette and followed up.

Gu Qingwan looked at her brother's ridiculous appearance and almost couldn't hold back laughter.

This matter is alright; although her brother acted arrogantly and rashly, at least he didn't do it himself.

Even if these people guessed who it was, without evidence, what could they do?

So the matter was dragged on, major issues minimized, minor issues settled.

If Kang Linfei's disciples really still want to cause trouble, just find two scapegoats to give them a few dozen military strokes.

And there's nothing else.

After Gu Qingwan scolded Gu Lie a few sentences, she finally turned her gaze to Lu Yuan.

Actually, regarding today's affair, Gu Qingwan isn't angry even now.

Having just said it all to Lu Yuan, venting that anger, naturally there's no anger left in her heart.

However… she still needs to have the emperor's dignity on her face.

Well… to be precise, it's the older sister's dignity.

If today it were just her and Lu Yuan alone, the only people left in this hall would be herself and Lu Yuan.

After Gu Qingwan finished her temper, she now just wants Lu Yuan to come over and sit.

Even… Gu Qingwan even wants Lu Yuan to rest his head on her lap.

After all~ this little thing likes to pillow on her legs~

But not now.

Gu Lie is here.

If Gu Lie is here, Gu Qingwan absolutely cannot pull this stunt.

In front of Gu Lie, I have always been a very dignified older sister.

It's precisely because of this that I've been able to keep Gu Lie under control.

Of course, earlier I called Lu Yuan 'brother' and such…… Gu Lie was also there.

However, back then I had no choice, and my identity wasn't exposed either, so it didn't matter.

But now it's different.

In this situation, if I still act the same as before and let Gu Lie see……

Then where is my dignity?

If I keep acting like this now, Gu Lie sometimes won't listen to me; if I continue like that, I'll have even less control over him in the future.

So, if Gu Lie is here, Gu Qingwan still puts on the air of a dignified empress.

But when looking at Lu Yuan, Gu Qingwan's heart is still soft.

On the surface she is very dignified and cold, but she still says to Lu Yuan:

"Today I've been busy all morning, you must be hungry; I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare some food for you."

Gu Lie is good at reading expressions; seeing his sister say that, he knows his sister is no longer angry.

Immediately he knelt on the ground, grinning and said:

"Sister, I want to eat too; I've been hungry all afternoon."

Seeing her brother's silly smile, Gu Qingwan gave him a white look, but the corner of her mouth still curled into a slight smile as she said:

"Fine~ you two together."

It's been over three months since we last saw each other; Gu Qingwan has never been separated from her brother for this long before.

Now her brother has returned victorious, intact and unharmed; Gu Qingwan is truly delighted.

Even if she wanted to put on an act of dignity and coldness, she can't manage it now.

And Lu Yuan, after a moment of stunned silence, quickly said:

"No need, I ate some snacks at 10:30 this morning; I'm not especially hungry, besides it's already 3:30, almost 4."

"It's almost time for dinner; I can just go home to eat."

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, Gu Qingwan hadn't said anything yet, but Gu Lie immediately exclaimed excitedly:

"Then let's go eat at older brother's house tonight; Sister Su cooks well, and we should also invite Changliang; he entrusted me to bring something, and I still need to give it to him."

These two kids have gotten along well.

Last time, they played together all day and became buddies.

That's also normal; Gu Lie doesn't have any friends, and peers his age have been beaten up by him.

Only Su Changliang can spar with Gu Lie.

Moreover, boys this age naturally make friends easily.

As long as their temperaments match, becoming friends is instantaneous.

However……

Lu Yuan asked curiously:

"What did Changliang ask you to bring?"

Gu Lie immediately replied:

"Last time he knew I was going south, he heard from others that the butter hot pot there is delicious, and asked me to buy some when I return."

"I bought quite a bit."

"By the way, shall we have hot pot today?"

Lu Yuan blinked.

In the deep winter it's still okay; now…… fine, who let Gu Lie be the victorious returning great general?

Immediately, Lu Yuan looked at Gu Lie still kneeling on the ground, grinning and said:

"Alright, shall we go?"

The next second, Gu Lie immediately stood up excitedly and said:

"Go!"

However, just as Gu Lie finished speaking, Gu Qingwan sitting on the throne had a black line on her face.

Do these two people even have me in their eyes?!!

I'm still sitting here!!

The next second, Gu Qingwan, speechless, slapped the dragon desk and said:

"What are you running off for? You just got back—have you reported to the Ministry of War? Have you handed over the tiger tally?"

After Gu Qingwan said that, Gu Lie smacked his forehead, oh right, he almost forgot that.

Immediately, Gu Lie hurriedly said:

"I'll go right now."

After saying that, Gu Lie hurriedly left; after Gu Lie left, Lu Yuan also looked at Gu Qingwan and blinked, saying:

"Then I'll go first; I'll head back to buy some vegetables, meat, etc."

After Gu Lie left, Gu Qingwan no longer needed to keep up her composure; she immediately nodded slightly and said:

"Alright, sister still has some matters to attend to; later sister will go with Gu Lie."

"Okay."

Lu Yuan nodded and then left directly.

We need to hurry back first; wearing this court attire, Lu Yuan feels uncomfortable, long sleeves, long pant legs—it's unpleasant.

On the way home, Lu Yuan still turned heads quite a lot.

After all…

Where would you find someone wearing court attire and riding a bicycle?

This is really too ridiculous.

Lu Yuan didn't go straight home; instead, he headed straight to his family's shop.

First tell his wife to come home early tonight, as guests are coming in the evening.

When he arrived at the shop, Lu Yuan found it already packed with people.

These people??

Hmm…

Lu Yuan felt they probably weren't ordinary customers.

Market response… isn't that fast yet.

Lu Yuan guessed, maybe it's because he was just made a baron today, plus that little scene at the court assembly.

So these high-ranking officials… as soon as they got home, they had the women in his household order clothes, as a show of favor.

Fortunately the shop is large enough, with the courtyard roofed over, and the second floor even has a place for tea and chat.

It can actually accommodate so many people.

As soon as Lu Yuan entered, he saw his wife and Jade Orchid lass measuring a lady's size.

When Lu Yuan arrived, Su Liyan immediately put down her work and quickly walked over to him, saying:

"Brother~ are you done over there?"

Today Gu Lie returned victorious to court; logically, Su Liyan should also go to welcome him.

But there are too many people; Lu Yuan worried his wife going to such a crowded place might bump her belly, so he didn't let her go.

Lu Yuan nodded, then curiously looked at his wife and said:

"So many people."

Speaking of these people, Su Liyan also had a strange look and said:

"It's as if they suddenly came; around 3 p. m., quite a few people came together."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan slightly nodded; indeed so.

Hmm…

Lu Yuan thought for a moment, then leaned close to his wife's ear and whispered:

"How many have been ordered so far?"

Su Liyan blinked, then quickly said:

"We've already ordered fifty pieces; I estimate that after everyone here is measured, we'll have sixty or seventy pieces."

Lu Yuan nodded, then softly said to his wife's ear:

"Wife, don't make that white jade orchid piece you wore yesterday anymore."

"If anyone still wants that outfit, tell them we don't have that fabric and discontinue this style."

"Eh?"

Su Liyan heard her husband's words, looked astonished, and wondered why they wouldn't do business when there's demand.

Su Liyan was very puzzled, but still chose to listen to her husband.

By the way…

Actually, few of those who came today to order clothes wanted yesterday's white jade orchid piece.

They all want this crabapple standard rhyme piece with a hint of pink that I'm wearing.

Lu Yuan didn't explain further to his wife; in short, his actions boil down to a few words.

Awesome, limited edition, can't buy.

Lu Yuan then leaned close to his wife's ear again and whispered:

"Also, this crabapple standard rhyme piece you're wearing will only be made to order thirty pieces; once they're all sold, we'll stop taking orders and close the shop."

This is called brand culture.

Lu Yuan gave the clothes he designed for his wife a nice name.

Naming clothes like this is unheard of in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Yesterday's pure white piece was the White Jade Orchid; today's piece is the Crabapple Standard Rhyme.

Lu Yuan didn't explain further to his wife; on the way home, he said he needed to hurry and buy some things to bring back.

Otherwise, his diligent mother-in-law would definitely start preparing dinner.

Tonight we're having hot pot at home; preparing now would be pointless.

Having said that, Lu Yuan lightly patted his wife's buttocks, then laughed and said:

"I'm going to change clothes."

Su Liyan still hadn't figured out what her husband had just said.

As a result, that pat from her husband left Su Liyan feeling dazed; the shy Su Liyan immediately glanced at the people nearby.

Seeing no one paying attention, Su Liyan shyly followed her husband to the changing room and helped him take off his court attire.

Lu Yuan changed into his own clothes, left the shop, and went straight to buy hot pot ingredients—meat, vegetables, and so on.

On the way, he also notified Chang Liang to come to his house for dinner tonight.

Chang Liang's post is right here in this ward market, and he doesn't let Chang Liang work the night shift.

He just comes here during the day to oversee this street.

The reason is nothing else — to protect his sister, to protect his wife.

Although it's said that no one dares to cause trouble here in Huangcheng nowadays, one fears not the ten thousand but the one chance.

If something really happens, Changliang can take care of it.

As soon as Lu Yuan left the market, he saw Su Changliang standing at the entrance of this street, Su Changliang was helping people with directions.

With the operation of the train, the number of outsiders in Huangcheng is also increasing.

Newcomers, wanting to buy something but not knowing where to go, Su Changliang would help point them the way.

After making arrangements with Su Changliang, Lu Yuan rode his vehicle home.

Upon returning home, his mother-in-law was indeed busy, washing vegetables while chatting with the aunts in the courtyard.

"Mother, don't busy yourself tonight; wash these vegetables, people are coming over to eat hot pot at home tonight."

After stopping his bicycle, Lu Yuan, while holding the meat and vegetables in his hand, smiled at Su's mother.

Su's mother blinked and realized that the guest coming today is definitely that great general.

Su's mother knew what her son-in-law was up to today.

Such a high-ranking official, Su's mother had never seen one before; she immediately smiled and took the vegetables and meat her son-in-law handed over.

Lu Yuan, after handing them over, also smiled and said:

"Mother, slice the mutton a bit thinner."

Su's mother then looked at her son-in-law and smiled, saying:

"You still don't trust Mom's knife skills? Rest assured~"

Lu Yuan chuckled, then went back to the room to move the table and chair out to read a bit.

And those aunts in the courtyard.

They stared at Lu Yuan with black lines on their faces.

No... this is really a beast!!

This is your mother-in-law!!

How can you order people around like this!!

Although you call her 'mother' nicely, this talk is really not something to joke about!!

As soon as things are handed over, you go and cross your legs?!!

Can't you come over and help wash?

You're addicted to ordering the Su family around, right?

This is truly not human!!

Lu Yuan then sat down, crossed his legs, and held a cigarette in his mouth.

While he was feeling for a match, a swish sounded from the side, a match was struck and handed over.

Su's mother had just gone back to the room to look for scissors, and removed the string tied to the vegetables and meat.

Seeing her son-in-law looking for a lighter to light a cigarette, she immediately lit it for him.

Lu Yuan glanced at the match in front of him, then at his mother-in-law bending over to hand him a match.

Lu Yuan was a bit dazed.

After he came to his senses, Lu Yuan hurriedly said:

"No need, no need, Mother, I'll do it myself."

Even though Lu Yuan is carefree, he can't let his mother-in-law light his cigarette.

However, Su's mother was startled, then gave Lu Yuan a white-eyed look and smiled, saying:

"Why be formal with Mother? There's nothing to it, hurry up, it's about to go out."

Lu Yuan blinked.

This... this is the legendary mother-in-law lighting a cigarette, boundless magic??

Thanks to Yinian Chengyue elder brother for the 15000 book coins reward, thank you very much, elder brother consume rationally!

Thanks to Fazhen elder brother for the 1000 book coins reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to pitt, lian elder brother for the 500 book coins reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to Chunshu Kaixin elder brother for the 500 book coins reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to Wo Bugai Ming La elder brother for the 500 book coins reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to San Guan Jue Chen elder brother for the 250 book coins reward,???

Thanks to book friends 2020050, 202210, 20180516 three elder brothers for the 100 book coins reward, thank you very much~

(End of chapter)