Chapter 272: You say Lu Yuan can't keep a low profile?

Kang Linfei is now just one word: speechless.

Really fucking speechless.

You just need to go back and tell His Majesty.

Such a big thing, and you're going to bring it up again later?

You're nothing but a fart!!

Good grief, Lu Yuan is really running wild relying on His Majesty's favor.

Speaking seriously, this is forging an imperial edict!!

Lu Yuan dares to forge it, but Kang Linfei wouldn't dare to accept it.

He's doing fine, he's over sixty now, his living conditions keep improving, and Kang Linfei still wants to live another twenty years.

Immediately, Kang Linfei said with a speechless expression:

"What you say doesn't count; I need to see His Majesty's imperial edict!"

Lu Yuan was about to say something, but seeing Kang Linfei's speechless look, he thought again and felt that saying it himself directly might not be appropriate.

Still, he needs to let his wife issue the edict first.

Fine.

Since that's the case, let Kang Linfei go to work tomorrow.

It's not a big deal to lose half a day.

Immediately, Lu Yuan said:

"Alright, then you wait at home tonight; the imperial edict will arrive tonight."

Kang Linfei: "……"

You son of a bitch, you make it sound like that imperial edict is from your own family, arriving tonight……

Kang Linfei also stayed silent; he knew Lu Yuan's relationship with His Majesty wasn't ordinary.

But……

As someone who has thoroughly read the sages' books and seen all kinds of allusions, Kang Linfei

This kind of plot, Kang Linfei is very familiar with.

Lu Yuan didn't know what Kang Linfei was thinking; after the two got in the car, Lu Yuan drove straight to the imperial palace.

Of course, Lu Yuan sending Kang Linfei there wasn't just about having him deliver a simple decree.

If that were the case, why would Lu Yuan need Kang Linfei? He could just ask anyone to deliver it.

On the way, Kang Linfei sat in the back, pondering.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan drove while glancing at the rearview mirror, looking at the absent-minded Kang Linfei and said:

"Grand Secretary."

"Hmm?"

After hearing the sound, Kang Linfei snapped back and gave Lu Yuan a strange look.

At this moment, Lu Yuan drove while smiling and said:

"Grand Secretary, you should now understand that the cabinet can't do anything to His Majesty anymore, right?"

Kang Linfei startled, then immediately said:

"The cabinet has never been able to do anything to His Majesty; we exist only to serve His Majesty."

Kang Linfei's words were tight as a drum, leaving no room for criticism.

And after Kang Linfei finished speaking, Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows and said:

"Grand Secretary, just between us, laying it all out: the cabinet now is nothing but fish on His Majesty's chopping block—he can have us whenever he wants.

It's just that right now there's a lot going on, and we haven't found anyone else; we're waiting for these two wars to pass, then things will calm down.

If His Majesty starts to think about it, what would happen?"

Kang Linfei stayed silent.

What else can he do?

Just a burp and a fart.

Lu Yuan didn't wait for Kang Linfei's answer, nor did he expect one; he just kept talking to himself.

"Now, there's an opportunity: help His Majesty settle this matter, stand on his side, and then Grand Secretary, you'd be safe, right?"

"As for how to handle it well, Grand Secretary, you should have a idea, right?"

Kang Linfei glanced at Lu Yuan ahead and still didn't speak.

How to handle it, Kang Linfei obviously understands.

It's just relying on his own status to persuade others.

After all, with two wars going on simultaneously, there will certainly be opposition in the court.

Even regarding the war against the Gilded Imperial Dynasty, some thought it was premature at the time, but His Majesty overruled opposition and decided unilaterally.

If another war were launched against the Southern Exchange Dynasty,

wouldn't the court be in an uproar?

By then, this matter would spread from the court down to the populace, and the common people wouldn't want it either.

So, we must rely on ourselves first to convince everyone in the court.

As for how to say it, Lu Yuan already taught me earlier.

At this moment, Lu Yuan said again:

"Grand Secretary, you must seize this opportunity well; the other two who want to step up have no chance, Grand Secretary, you understand, right?"

Kang Linfei understands as well.

But Kang Linfei was worried it wasn't these……

What Kang Linfei worried about was this bastard ahead of him!!

You say this is because that guy Lu Yuan got back into the cabinet, and from now on you'll definitely be counted as part of Lu Yuan's faction.

If Lu Yuan gets into trouble later, and the Emperor deals with Lu Yuan, won't you be implicated too?

But this matter, I can only agree to it.

After all, if I don't agree, I'm finished right now.

At least agreeing means I can still have a few good years.

At this moment, Kang Linfei wanted to cry but had no tears.

How could my fate be so miserable?

Kang Linfei hated it!

You say Lu Yuan can't keep a low profile?

Can't you stop being so energetic?!

The more you jump around, the sooner you'll be done, and once you're done, I'll have to go down with you!!

After thinking it over, Kang Linfei finally agreed, and could only agree.

Lu Yuan found it a bit strange—why was Kang Linfei so reluctant?

What's there to hesitate about this matter?

Obviously, just agree right away.

Still hesitating?

Has the Hanlin Academy gone stupid?

Have you really taken to that flower-watering, grass-tending life?

Lu Yuan didn't believe it.

He used to be a top official, now he's watering flowers and tending grass—such a huge status gap, does Kang Linfei really feel at ease?

Lu Yuan really couldn't figure it out.

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

Soon, arriving at the palace, Lu Yuan parked the carriage and then led Kang Linfei toward the palace's cabinet.

On the way, Kang Linfei pondered.

Finally, looking at Lu Yuan walking ahead, he suddenly said:

"Lord Lu..."

"Huh?"

Lu Yuan walked while turning his head to give Kang Linfei a strange look.

After Kang Linfei thought for a moment, he looked at Lu Yuan and spoke earnestly:

"Lord Lu, you are very learned; I've just seen that, but your learning lies mainly in practical affairs."

"But as for court learning, you seem not to know much."

Lu Yuan gave Kang Linfei an odd look, not knowing what he would say, while Kang Linfei looked at Lu Yuan and spoke earnestly:

"Lord Lu, sometimes you really need to think before you act; you are indeed favored, but throughout history, which dynasty has lacked favorites?"

"But what usually becomes of these favorites?"

"Of course, if you were merely a favorite, it might not be a problem, but you are not just a favorite—you are a powerful minister; although your title is only a baron, dukes must treat you politely when they see you."

"You must understand that great achievement can threaten the sovereign, and you must not overstep; that is the way to lasting safety."

Having said that, Kang Linfei paused, then sighed and continued looking at Lu Yuan:

"Lord Lu, I see your current trend is not right."

"As for my entering the cabinet, I believe that if you bring this up to the Emperor, he will surely agree."

"But you must know that this matter must be raised by you first, then the Emperor nods, and only then can I enter the cabinet."

"You letting me go first and then you telling the Emperor—that's overstepping!"

"Of course, you are now favored, the Emperor's current favorite, but if you are careless, a rift will appear between you and the Emperor, and once it appears it can never be mended."

"You should understand the principle that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger!"

Kang Linfei thought Lu Yuan wasn't stupid, but he really couldn't understand why Lu Yuan was so inattentive about this.

Could it be that Lu Yuan's brains are all spent on inventing and creating things?

Does Lu Yuan not understand even a bit of worldly wisdom?

Lu Yuan blinked while listening to Kang Linfei's words, somewhat amused.

"Oh~"

Lu Yuan then said, "Just now Kang Linfei knew I could enter the cabinet and stand beside the Emperor—why isn't he especially happy?"

"It's because he's afraid I'll get into trouble later and drag him down."

"That's the matter."

"Lu Yuan isn't a fool either; of course he knows he used to do the same thing before."

"But the problem is… the situation now isn't the same, is it?"

"The Emperor is now my wife~"

"Such a situation probably can't be found in any dynasty's history, right?"

"Even Heshen back then didn't make Qianlong's belly big, did he?"

Looking at Kang Linfei in front of him, Lu Yuan grinned, bared his teeth, and was about to say something.

Kang Linfei, meanwhile, looked at Lu Yuan and sighed:

This is a private matter, but publicly speaking, I also don't want you, Lord Lu, to run into any trouble.

Your mind is indeed different from ours; these days, the things you've come up with, this old man has also seen them with his own eyes.

It truly benefits the myriad people, so this old man still hopes that Lord Lu will give it some thought.

Lu Yuan then didn't bother explaining this to Kang Linfei, as there was no way to explain it.

Immediately, Lu Yuan could only chuckle and say:

"All right, thank you for your heartfelt words, Grand Secretary; I'll pay attention."

Having said that, Lu Yuan continued walking ahead.

Kang Linfei watched Lu Yuan like that, not knowing whether Lu Yuan had taken it in or not.

In the end, he sighed.

Soon, Lu Yuan had Kang Linfei sent into the cabinet.

The cabinet was very surprised at Kang Linfei's return, and Lu Yuan didn't elaborate further.

After seeing Kang Linfei off here, Lu Yuan just left directly.

There are still plenty of matters.

Lu Yuan left the imperial palace, then drove his little mini‑car off to look for Lin Fusheng, Wang Ping, and also his second uncle, third uncle, and so on.

These people came to his house in the evening for a meal.

After Lu Yuan finished wandering around, it was already past four or five in the evening.

Lu Yuan then ran over to check on his own building.

Then he went to look at the shop as well.

Along the way, he picked up his mother‑in‑law and Jade Lan little sister from the shop and brought them back.

Close up shop early today, then go home to cook.

When Lu Yuan parked his car outside the lane and returned to the Siheyuan, the residents of the Siheyuan who had already heard the news,

they had all gathered in the front courtyard.

Everyone was still quite curious about Lu Yuan being able to fly an airplane and soar in the sky.

They surrounded Lu Yuan, asking this and that.

They asked what Lu Yuan had gone off to do and what he had seen.

Lu Yuan was also happy to tell them.

Besides, Lu Yuan had been away for over a month.

Not seeing these people, I really missed them.

Looking at these familiar faces, Lu Yuan's mood was also quite good.

Especially since everyone is now more enthusiastic.

Of course, Lu Yuan knew in his heart that this enthusiasm would only last these two days; after that, things would go back to how they were.

After Lu Yuan had talked for a good while in the front courtyard, he then went back inside.

By then, his house was already packed with people.

Two large tables had been set up.

Changyu, the second uncle, the mother‑in‑law, Jade Lan little sister, and of course Kou Yang—these few were all busy in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Lin Fusheng, Director Xu, and Wang Ping, along with the third uncle and others, had arrived early, bringing their own children and wives, making the house lively indeed.

Of course, the most important person was still Gu Qingwan.

Gu Qingwan had also returned early, now bearing the air of the lady of the house, smiling as she greeted the guests.

No one here knew Gu Qingwan's identity, except, of course, the family members.

However, Lin Fusheng was oddly sizing up Gu Qingwan.

The current Lin Fusheng is truly different—he's the head of the Agriculture Bureau.

He often goes to the Ministry of Works, and sometimes even gets to wear court robes and make a trip to the palace.

But once inside the palace, he becomes a minor figure, trailing behind the senior officials of the Ministry of Works, head down, taking notes and such.

Lin Fusheng gazed at the present Gu Qingwan, and couldn't help but blink his eyes repeatedly.

Hiss—

How is it that the more I look at the Lu family's daughter‑in‑law now, the more familiar she seems?

I just have a feeling…

Like I've seen her somewhere before…

"Grandpa, what's there to worry about? Tonight let's have a drink—I've got some liquor brought back from a cultivation sect, and it's really good."

Lu Yuan looked at the dazed Lin Fusheng and grinned, saying:

Having come to his senses, Lin Fusheng, upon hearing there was liquor that immortals drink, instantly perked up and forgot what he had just been thinking about.

Excited Lin Fusheng immediately stood up anxiously and said:

"Where is it, where is it? Let me first see what kind of wine this immortal drinks—is it brewed from heavenly stars?"

After Lin Fusheng finished speaking, the household burst into laughter.

As for Lin Fusheng's wife, she couldn't help but mutter:

"You'd better have a little; this immortal's wine isn't such that a drop gets you drunk—be careful not to drink too much, or you'll sleep for two or three years!"

After Old Lady Lin finished speaking, before anyone else could say anything, Lu Yuan directly took out two jars of golden‑glowing fine wine from his storage space and laughed, saying:

"Granny, rest assured, drinking more of this wine not only won't harm the body, it's also beneficial—after one cup, all illnesses are gone, prolonging life."

"In a moment, not only will my great-grandfather want to drink, Granny, but also the grandsons and granddaughters will each need a little."

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, Lin Fusheng looked at his wife with a proud expression and said:

Did you hear? Hey, this is immortal liquor—how could it be bad!

Besides, my great-grandson knows more than you, old woman—no need for you to worry needlessly.

Lin Damei smiled, gave her husband a white look, then turned to Lu Yuan and said with a smile:

All right, I'll listen to my great-grandson; we'll each have a little drink later.

Gu Qingwan, standing nearby, also came over to her husband with a cheerful smile, preparing to help pour the wine from the jar into the wine pot so it would be easy to serve during the meal.

However, just as Gu Qingwan reached out, Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows, looked at her from the side, and said somewhat sternly:

Get lost!

Gu Qingwan froze, looking at her little man's fierce expression, and instantly a blissful smile appeared on her face.

The people behind the table also gazed at the couple with cheerful smiles.

Gu Qingwan's personality is nothing like Su Liyan's; if it were Su Liyan, she would definitely be extremely shy at this moment.

But Gu Qingwan let out a soft hum, then extended a jade-like finger, gently poking Lu Yuan's brow, and said in an utterly charming way:

Good, good, good~ big sister listens to you~

Having said that, Gu Qingwan then sat down, and looked at everyone with a sweet smile and said:

My little man is……

Before Gu Qingwan could finish her words, the door was suddenly flung open, and Gu Lie rushed in in a flurry, looking at Lu Yuan and shouting:

Brother!! You're not dead!!

(End of chapter)