Rebirth: I Became The Villain's Dark Moon Chapter 173: Establishing Authority - Novel Cool

Chapter 173: Establishing Authority

Chapter 173: Establishing Authority

After Meng Qianqian moved into the same courtyard as Lu Yuan, she gradually became familiar with his daily routine. For instance, he would wake up early every day, read for half a mark of time, and then go to court. Every night, he would spend an hour at the back mountain, returning drenched in sweat.

On the few occasions when she happened to stumble upon him, Chen Guanshi would express his concern, fearing that she might misunderstand the situation. He would explain that the Grand Commander was practicing his sword skills, unwavering in his dedication for over a decade.

Others only saw his high position and power but failed to notice the relentless hard work behind his authority.

As she lay in bed, Meng Qianqian's thoughts drifted back to Lu Yuan's unintentional mention of his childhood.

This was the first time he had ever voluntarily brought up his past.

Chen Guanshi had once shared with her that Lu Yuan was separated from his birth mother at a young age and was later adopted by the Prime Minister. She had assumed that he must have been adopted soon after they lost each other, and she couldn't help but sigh at the thought of his challenging life in the Prime Minister's residence.

Now, it seemed that even before he entered the Prime Minister's residence, Lu Yuan had already endured the hardships of a tumultuous life.

Meng Qianqian suddenly realized how little she actually knew about him.

Even as she lay in bed, Meng Qianqian couldn't help but murmur, "Lu Yuan, what kind of past have you had?"

-

After Lu Yuan decided to skip the morning court session, he shifted his sword practice to the early morning.

Drenched in sweat from the rigorous practice, he naturally had to bathe and change into fresh clothes.

Just as he finished washing up and put on his clothes, he heard Meng Qianqian calling out for her baby outside his door.

Suddenly, a shameful scene from the previous day flashed across his mind, and Lu Yuan's breath hitched. Was this girl intentionally calling him like that?

He flung the door open and exclaimed, "Meng Xiaojiu!"

Meng Qianqian stood in the corridor, holding Bao Shu, as they both turned their heads towards him.

Bao Shu, with a milk bottle in her hand, blew a bubble of milk, 'Pop!'

Lu Yuan glanced at the little one and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.

Meng Qianqian tilted her head and asked, "Grand Commander, is there something wrong?"

"I..." Lu Yuan opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

Meng Qianqian's gaze fell on his right hand, which was holding the belt, "Do you need help with that?"

She said as she patted Bao Shu's little head, "Wait a moment, Baosu, I'll play with you later. Qing Shuang, take good care of her."

Qing Shuang stepped forward and took Bao Shu from Meng Qianqian's arms.

Meng Qianqian walked towards Lu Yuan and said, "Grand Commander, here."

With an expressionless face, Lu Yuan handed over the belt to her.

Meng Qianqian pulled him into the room, standing in front of him. She slowly moved closer, her hands circling behind him as she buckled the belt around his slender waist, devoid of an ounce of excess flesh.

From a distance, it looked like she was nestling into his embrace, gently hugging him.

Meng Qianqian's movements were smooth and graceful, after all, she had plenty of practice from dressing Bao Shu daily.

"Alright, Grand Commander," Lu Yuan coldly acknowledged.

Meng Qianqian curved her lips slightly, "I'll go call for Tan-er. She loves her morning sleep, and usually doesn't wake up easily."

Tan-er was a deep sleeper, and it was challenging to get her up most of the time.

After she left, Bao Shu, wobbled over unsteadily and started ranting at Lu Yuan in a gibberish that only Qing Shuang could understand.

Lu Yuan furrowed his brows, puzzled, and asked Qing Shuang, "What is she saying?"

"She says you're already so old, and yet you still need others to dress you up. Aren't you ashamed? If you can't be a good father, then don't be one. She'll be your father." Qing Shuang translated.

Lu Yuan clenched his fists, "This little one!"

On the other side, the Old Madam was up and arguing with Zhao Si.

Zhao Si and Xi Que were sent by the Imperial Household Department to attend to the Old Madam after she moved into the Grand Commander's residence. When they heard that there was a 'Zhao Si' in the residence as well, the servants were almost convinced that the previous 'Zhao Si' had returned from the dead.

Thankfully, it was just a coincidence of names, and the servants heaved a sigh of relief, realizing it was just a case of identical names causing the confusion.

"I won't ride your carriage!"

"Old ancestor, please give me some tasks. I'm bored staying idle like this."

"Ever since Zhao Si entered the Governor's Mansion, he's had nothing to do. With people attending to the Old Dowager and servants taking care of the chores around the courtyard, he's bored to death!"

The Old Dowager harrumphed, "I want to ride Qianqian's carriage!"

Zhao Si bowed with his hands folded, "Please, please."

Magpie covered her mouth and giggled.

"Great-grandmother," Meng Qianqian said as she stepped in.

The Old Dowager threw herself onto the bed, "Oh, Zhao Si won't let me ride in his carriage!"

Zhao Si shook his body in disbelief, "That's not... How can you turn the tables on me like this?"

Meng Qianqian couldn't help but find the situation amusing. She pressed down on her uplifted lips and said helplessly, "In that case, great-grandmother will have to squeeze into the carriage with my husband and me."

Zhao Si stretched out his hand, "Miss!"

The Old Dowager smiled mischievously, "Hehe~"

Meng Qianqian, Lu Yuan, and the Old Dowager rode in one carriage. Baoshui also wanted to get in, but was pulled back by Tan'er.

Tan'er giggled, "Baopiggy, you ride with Sister Nihe!"

Baoshui decisively extended her little hand in refusal! Tan'er: "Your refusal is invalid."

At the front gate, Cen, the estate manager, carefully inspected the carriage, ensuring there were no oversights. He then stood by the carriage window and whispered to Meng Qianqian, "Madam, this is the first time the Grand Governor is attending a wedding banquet. If there are any lapses in etiquette, please remind him."

Meng Qianqian was puzzled, "With his former status, he must have received numerous wedding invitations, right?"

Cen confirmed, "Indeed, he received many, and there were even requests for him to officiate weddings. But the Grand Governor dislikes officiating weddings."

Meng Qianqian asked, "Then what does he like?"

Cen smiled, "Sending people off on their final journey."

Meng Qianqian: "..."

Yu Zichuan and Qingshuang also went along.

The two of them were there to be spectators of the drama.

Instead of taking a carriage, they rode horses, which offered a better view and made it easier to spectate.

The group set off for the Lu family.

Meng Qianqian guessed that the journey would not be peaceful, but she didn't expect to encounter the first familiar face even before the banquet began.

Two carriages approached from the opposite direction, both intending to turn east onto Qingfeng Street, neither willing to yield.

A voice that was naturally intimidating came from the other carriage, "Who dares block my way?"

The coachman replied, "Your Excellency, it seems to be... the Governor's carriage."

Before he could finish, Lu Yuan lifted the curtain and looked at the other carriage with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "What a coincidence. It's been a while, Your Excellency Yang. I hope you've been well."

Minister Yang had known Lu Yuan for many years, so he could naturally recognize each other's voices.

In the past, Minister Yang would have certainly yielded to Lu Yuan. But now, he didn't even lift the curtain, merely replying indifferently, "So it's the Grand Governor. This old man has just returned from court and is in a hurry to attend to an important matter. I shall take my leave first."

This statement was a way of telling Lu Yuan: You, Lu Yuan, don't even dare to attend court nowadays. Don't expect me to give way to you, do you?

"Let's go."

He ordered the coachman.

Lu Yuan curled his lips into a smile, "Did I say I would let you go first?"

Minister Yang's voice turned cold, "Do you intend to confront me in the street?"

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Your Excellency Yang, your words are too heavy. You are a veteran of three reigns and a pillar of the nation. How dare I lay a finger on you?"

Minister Yang snorted in disdain.

Little did he know that as soon as he finished snorting, he heard Lu Yuan say, "Take off the wheels."

Minister Yang slapped the table and angrily lifted the curtain, "I'd like to see who dares!"

Yu Zichuan: "It's done."

One wheel in his hand, and one at his feet.

Taking apart a carriage was much easier than tearing down a house.

Boom!

The carriage collapsed, and Minister Yang immediately fell into a squat, his buttocks touching the ground, "Lu Yuan!!!""

(End of Chapter)

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