’I thought I could take down that scoundrel openly and easily, but I ended up kicking a steel plate.’

The two words "illegitimate son" in particular pierced him to the core.

’This isn’t over!’

’If I can’t get him in the open, I’ll do it from the shadows!’

Lu Yuan rode on horseback alongside Gu Gaoxu. With Gu Gaoxu present, it was no longer appropriate for him to be cooped up in the carriage, getting cozy with Su Liyan.

Gu Gaoxu was in high spirits, chattering away with a wide grin. "I managed to round up almost thirty thousand more refugees from the Northwest. When are our factories going to open?"

"Oh, almost thirty thousand," Lu Yuan said nonchalantly. "Add that to the ten thousand or so we already have, and that’s a total of forty thousand. It should be just about enough, I suppose."

Gu Gaoxu continued, "Brother Lu, how are you going to manage so many people? Let’s not even talk about the cost of building the factories; just feeding them every day is enough to put a serious strain on my Prince Yan’s Mansion."

"Well, let’s see... Bicycles, tricycles, rotary washing machines, radios, juicers..." Lu Yuan listed them off. "But we still need to set up the production lines in the factories, and that’s going to be a hassle."

"What’s a ’juicer’? And a ’production line’?" Gu Gaoxu had never encountered these newfangled contraptions, and he was completely baffled.

’Back in Taiping City, I’d heard about bicycles and tricycles, but what in the world is going on inside Lu Yuan’s head? How does he come up with so many strange and wonderful ideas?’

Gu Gaoxu was completely bewildered, only knowing that Brother Lu’s abilities were truly heaven-reaching.

’When it came to inventions, of course I’m no match for him,’ Gu Gaoxu thought. ’Even my Martial Arts, which I take pride in, are a pale comparison. I still vividly remember him throwing me to the ground twice during our first match, leaving me scrambling like a dog.’

...

After several consecutive days of arduous travel, the group was beginning to show signs of fatigue.

Lu Yuan, however, was fine. Having cultivated the *Holy Body*, his physique was incredibly tough, so he naturally didn’t feel the exhaustion of the road.

This time, he had brought Su Liyan and his mother-in-law along, so he couldn’t have them roughing it every day, sleeping out in the wilds where Xingzi ran rampant.

So, early that day, Lu Yuan had the party stop at a Post House not far from the main road to rest for the night.

The Travelers and soldiers arranged for a night watch to protect Lu Yuan, Gu Gaoxu, and the others. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

A good night’s rest was in order...

"Dear, I’ve brought a basin of hot water. Let’s soak your feet," Su Liyan said, setting a wooden basin by the bed. She carried it with both hands, her pregnant belly now clearly showing.

Lu Yuan quickly put down his book and hurried over. "My darling! You must be exhausted after the last few days. You should let the servants do this."

"No, Dear. I want to be the one who takes care of you."

Su Liyan’s voice was soft and gentle as always.

She was certainly different from the alluring, bewitching, and sophisticated woman he’d met more than half a year ago.

Perhaps this was the power of love.

Su Liyan’s eyes twinkled, and she fidgeted with her fingers as she said shyly, "You and I... we haven’t slept in the same bed for a long time."

’Come to think of it, that was true. Ever since Su Liyan had gotten pregnant, they hadn’t really slept together, for fear of disturbing the baby.

On the other hand, it had been a very satisfying period for Zhao Qiao’er and Song Meiqin.

During that time, whether it was Zhao Qiao’er’s braying cries or Song Meiqin’s melodic moans, he found them both irresistible. Well, each had their own unique charm.

Speaking of those two, they had both remained in Taiping City. Zhao Qiao’er was resting at the Zhao Mansion, pregnant as well, and thankfully the old butler was there to help manage the household.

Song Meiqin, for her part, was managing the large factory in Taiping City with its several thousand workers, keeping her busy day in and day out.’

「But back to the present.」

Just then, Lu Yuan pulled Su Liyan by the hand, seating her on his lap.

His other hand rested on her thigh to steady her, afraid she might slip and fall, harming the baby.

Lu Yuan said dotingly, "If we’re going to soak our feet, of course we’re doing it together."