Doctor Lu Always Wants To Steal My Baby! Chapter 73
byChapter 73 The Scandal Has Been Going On For So Long
“Leyan? You’re awake?”
His eyelids were like heavy curtains. He Leyan lifted them, and the world gradually sharpened from a blur.
“Dad…” he called first, then “Daddy” and “Brother,” before asking curiously, “Why are you all here?”
“I’m going to train,” He Moyan immediately stood straight and said.
Since He Leyan was awake, his irritation was gone, and he could train in peace. If he stayed any longer, he might get tangled up again… singing that horrible, controlling children’s song.
He Chen nodded, letting him leave, then looked at He Leyan: “Is your head still dizzy? Do you have any strength?”
He Leyan shook his little head and felt himself: “Not dizzy.”
Just then, his little tummy rumbled, and the little cub’s face flushed: “I’m hungry.”
Of course he was hungry. For the past two days, he had relied entirely on external means for nutrition and hadn’t eaten a proper meal.
“Can he eat now?” He Chen asked Lu Changqing.
Lu Changqing nodded: “Start with something light. I’ve had someone prepare it; it will be delivered immediately.”
“Thank you,” He Chen said, then looked at Leyan, “Did you hear that? You can eat soon.”
“Thank you, Dad, thank you, Daddy,” He Leyan said happily and sensibly.
Seeing that although his little face was a bit thinner and less round than before, his spirit had recovered, He Chen was very happy: Thankfully, that method worked.
He hugged Leyan, and for the first time since Xiang Heng’s incident, a genuine smile appeared on his face.
Lu Changqing watched his smiling face for a moment and then spoke: “Why don’t you stay and eat with Leyan? I’ll handle things at the port.”
—Lu Jingshan, the Imperial Council Speaker, suddenly arrived at Hanxiao Star on behalf of the Emperor. Accompanying him were high-ranking military officials. Their intentions were unclear, and it was highly likely related to the ownership of Pingshan Base.
As the host, He Chen could not escape the duty of greeting and entertaining them, both by custom and reason. But he had just been through a fierce battle and was injured, so Lu Changqing didn’t want him to exert himself.
However, He Chen shook his head: “I’ll go too.”
After entrusting Leyan to Deng Tie’s care and promising him that he would return to sleep with him after dinner, He Chen left the ward with Lu Changqing.
He personally met the guests at the port and escorted them all the way to the banquet hall. He Chen’s demeanor, if not perfectly smooth, was at least calm and composed, showing no sign of fatigue or impatience.
“Vice Minister Chen may not have met me, but I have met you, and the impression was profound. The year I graduated from the military academy, you gave our graduation address. The kind of—I’m clumsy with words, but that kind of rigorous, upright, and capable demeanor you had on the podium—it struck me as truly extraordinary at the time. I felt like I was seeing the soul of a soldier.”
Good heavens, and he calls himself clumsy with words… Chu Yunqi was invited to the dinner and, listening to He Chen’s flattery, called him a true professional internally.
At the same time, he looked at Vice Minister Chen’s barely suppressed smile, which seemed familiar.
It was somewhat similar to his own expression when He Chen had praised him before.
Chu Yunqi picked up his teacup and suddenly fell into contemplation…
Meanwhile, He Chen continued speaking to Vice Minister Chen: “Especially that line you said, ‘It’s impossible to learn all military strategies in the academy; you must comprehend them in actual combat.’ That sentence helped me tremendously, and the longer I’ve been out of school, the more I realize the value of your words.”
Good heavens, if that were him, he’d be floating too.
Chu Yunqi glanced at Vice Minister Chen, who had been quite reserved upon arrival but now looked at He Chen with a “teachable youth” expression, and inwardly clicked his tongue.
As far as Chu Yunqi knew, this Vice Minister Chen liked to pretend to be profound and talk about theories. He was actually an eccentric in the military who wasn’t widely recognized. Of course, he didn’t recognize others much either, feeling that his talents were too high for the common folk.
He Chen’s words had likely hit him right where he lived.
Chu Yunqi was initially dismissive, but then he remembered his mother’s words: Your cousin is much more cunning than you… Following this, he recalled his mother’s constant nagging, which boiled down to observing and pondering more—figuring out what others lacked, what he could offer, and how to win over the people he needed…
Chu Yunqi hated all that, but thinking of the recent assassination attempt and his mother’s tears, his heart felt heavy: He couldn’t continue being a good-for-nothing who hid behind his mother and worried about nothing.
Chu Yunqi’s mind twisted and turned, thinking many things, while Lu Changqing quietly poured tea into He Chen’s cup, pushed it to his left hand, and signaled him to take a sip to wet his throat.
The people at the table—Chu Yunqi, Elder Fang, and the Hanhe Base personnel—were long accustomed to Lu Changqing’s actions. However, Vice Minister Chen and Lu Jingshan, seated at the head of the table, each cast a glance at Lu Changqing.
When Lu Changqing personally served He Chen food, taking meticulous care of him, Vice Minister Chen finally smiled and spoke: “General He and Dean Lu seem to be nearing a happy occasion.”
He Chen’s handsome face flushed slightly: “It’s my—”
“Please excuse us,” Lu Changqing held He Chen’s right hand, which was resting on his knee. “Xiao Chen injured his arm, so it’s temporarily inconvenient.”
“Understood, understood,” Vice Minister Chen laughed. “That’s perfectly appropriate; there’s nothing to excuse.”
As he spoke, he naturally inquired about the Pingshan Base rebellion, and the topic smoothly shifted to Pingshan Base.
He Chen answered his questions, and after a long while, he found a gap to glance at Lu Changqing. His right hand on his knee curled slightly: If this is acting, holding it for this long is enough, right? If he keeps holding it, He Chen will start sweating.
Lu Changqing released his hand. He Chen’s heart rate slowed and returned to normal. While speaking, he occasionally glanced at Lu Jingshan.
This was his first close encounter with Lu Jingshan. The man was indeed as Chu Yunqi described: taciturn and gloomy.
He Chen treated Vice Minister Chen with respect mixed with a perfectly appropriate degree of closeness, but he was much more distant and polite toward Lu Jingshan.
Lu Jingshan didn’t pay much attention to He Chen, but instead started talking to Chu Yunqi: “I heard His Highness encountered an assassination attempt recently. Were you unharmed?”
“No, thank you for your concern, Elder,” Chu Yunqi replied somewhat politely.
Lu Jingshan was Chu Yunlan’s godfather, and Chu Yunqi had never been close to him. But with his mother’s constant instruction, Chu Yunqi never offended these so-called pillar ministers.
“Your Highness’s demeanor is steady, and you’ve matured greatly. You’ve also made considerable progress in governance. I often watch the Hanxiao Star disaster relief video series you update on your webpage,” Lu Jingshan said.
Chu Yunqi was stunned: Seriously? Lu Jingshan, who rarely looked him in the eye, was praising him?
Chu Yunqi followed the topic and chatted with Lu Jingshan for a couple of sentences, picking up some food with his chopsticks and chewing distractedly: What was Lu Jingshan up to? Was he trying to reconcile with him on behalf of Chu Yunlan, or…
Was Lu Jingshan angry at Chu Yunlan for colluding with the He family? Everyone knew that Lu Jingshan was always at odds with those noble families…
Chu Yunqi pondered, patiently sitting in his seat and talking to Lu Jingshan, trying to discern more from his attitude.
The meal finally ended, and Chu Yunqi’s brain ached from all the thinking.
Leaving the banquet hall, he unconsciously followed his habit and walked to the first floor of the surgical inpatient building. Pushing open a ward door, he ran into Ning Tian inside and froze: “You’re not on duty?”
Ning Tian frowned: “What is His Highness doing here?”
“Is His Highness here?” the soldier on the bed behind Ning Tian asked—he was the one injured because of Chu Yunqi.
Hearing his familiar tone, Ning Tian frowned again, stepped aside, and let Chu Yunqi enter the ward.
“How are you today?”
Ning Tian heard Chu Yunqi ask his subordinate, his tone quite normal and respectful. After that, the two started chatting about some video account gossip.
Ning Tian gave Chu Yunqi a strange look, picked up the hot water kettle, and continued out to fetch hot water…
*
At this time, He Chen and Lu Changqing were walking toward their residence under the moonlight.
“Tired?” Seeing He Chen walk with his head down, nearly stepping into a puddle, Lu Changqing pulled him back and asked softly.
“Mm,” He Chen nodded. He was indeed tired and sleepy. If he didn’t have to walk, he could fall asleep the moment he closed his eyes.
Even if he was tired, he couldn’t fall asleep while walking. Lu Changqing spoke to keep him awake: “Were you always this eloquent?”
By the time the banquet ended, Vice Minister Chen was practically ready to call He Chen his lifelong confidant.
“I just wanted the Pingshan Base matter to go smoothly,” He Chen said, stopping his steps. “In the past, Brother Xiang always handled things like this for me.”
Lu Changqing also stopped, looking at He Chen’s lowered head. He couldn’t help but reach out and rub the top of his head: “He’s always with you.”
Mm. In his heart. He Chen clenched his fingers.
“Need a shoulder?” Lu Changqing asked softly again.
Ah, He Chen was startled. Looking at Lu Changqing, who was close by, a flicker of struggle crossed his eyes before he stepped back: “No need, I’m fine.”
He started walking again toward the residence. The faint moonlight revealed a slight blush on his face.
Lu Changqing silently retracted the hand he had extended and followed his steps.
“Ahem, today… that behavior of yours, was it for Lu Jingshan or Vice Minister Chen?” He Chen asked on the way.
“What behavior?” Lu Changqing asked.
“Senior Brother, don’t pretend you don’t know,” He Chen glanced at him.
Lu Changqing smiled and finally answered: “It was mainly for Vice Minister Chen; he is the Emperor’s confidant. Our scandal has been going on for so long; it’s time for others to see some progress.”
It seemed logical, yet somehow not.
He Chen was tired, and his brain wasn’t working well.
Reaching the main entrance, Lu Changqing stopped: “You go back and rest first. I have something else to attend to.”
“Lu Jingshan didn’t truly come for the Pingshan Base matter. He wants to personally inspect ‘his’ star mine.” Lu Changqing didn’t hide what he needed to do this time, but actively explained to He Chen.
“Do you need me to come along?” He Chen asked.
“No, you rest. If you feel unwell, remember to notify me,” Lu Changqing said.
He Chen nodded, watched Lu Changqing leave, and went upstairs alone.
Once upstairs, he looked down from the window again: So fast, the person was already out of sight.
He Chen looked at the empty path, thinking about how Lu Changqing and Lu Jingshan had zero interaction during dinner, and frowned slightly:
He had also played the hypocrite with He Yayun; he understood what kind of torment that was.
*
Lu Changqing just wanted to deal with Lu Jingshan quickly.
He and Lu Jingshan had always been mutually repulsive, and he believed Lu Jingshan wouldn’t tolerate spending an extra minute with him.
But after passing through the dark underground passage and reaching the mine, Lu Jingshan was engrossed, looking at the stones for a long time, asking many questions about the mining cycle, consumption, and reserves.
“Chu Jianheng personally decided the distribution plan for Blood Crystals; it will be announced soon. From now on, distribution will be based on merit points. Noble status will add a few merit points at most.”
“Blood Crystals are becoming scarcer, and the decline of the nobility is inevitable. It’s laughable that they still can’t see the future, tearing each other apart and fighting tooth and nail to preserve the little resources they have now.”
Fondly stroking the dark blue ore, Lu Jingshan sneered: “Chu Jianheng isn’t much better. He thinks weakening the nobility will strengthen the imperial power, but he doesn’t know that Blood Crystals will be replaced by this treasure.”
“If Blood Crystals can be replaced, then he, who treats Blood Crystals as a treasure, can naturally also be replaced…”
Lu Jingshan’s eyes were excited, even manic, as he spoke incessantly. Lu Changqing stood far away, saying nothing.
“You’ve done well,” Lu Jingshan suddenly looked at Lu Changqing. “Your eye for talent is decent too. That kid has some skill; he’s quick-witted and decisive. He can be a good gun.”
A good gun? Lu Changqing sensed the smugness in Lu Jingshan’s emotions and asked: “How do you know he is quick-witted and decisive?”
“I naturally know.”
“He Hongyi is old and useless. After being reprimanded by the Emperor, he’s cautious everywhere and didn’t even utter a sound when Pingshan was taken away. But He Sizhong is still young and hot-blooded. Just find someone to give him a little guidance, and he’ll think of causing trouble at Pingshan.”
Lu Changqing paused: “The Pingshan rebellion, was it your ‘guidance’? Just to see if He Chen had the ability?”
His voice was cold, and his eyes were even colder, but Lu Jingshan didn’t care.
“I naturally need to see his strength before deciding whether to cultivate him,” Lu Jingshan said as if it were obvious.
“What, did you develop real feelings?” Lu Jingshan sneered. “It’s not surprising. But has he seen your true appearance?”
Lu Jingshan’s tone was provocative, mixed with a curse-like malice. His gloomy eyes stared at Lu Changqing, far from how a father looks at his son. After staring enough, he tossed a medicine bottle and said indifferently: “Hide it well. Don’t let anyone know that I, Lu Jingshan, gave birth to a monster.”
Lu Changqing calmly caught the medicine bottle.
Lu Jingshan hated his calm demeanor, but he needed to use him and didn’t want any complications, so he commanded indifferently: “How many sets of mecha have been mass-produced? Find a way to transport a thousand sets out. I have a use for them.”
“Two thousand sets have been mass-produced. Is Father sure he only wants one thousand?” Lu Changqing asked.
“A thousand is enough,” Lu Jingshan dropped the sentence and walked away.
Lu Changqing watched him leave, his eyes deep and his expression calm. He summoned a confidant and said lightly: “Leak the matter of the Council Speaker raising a thousand private soldiers to His Majesty.”
*
Returning to the residence, Lu Changqing went upstairs and paused outside He Chen’s door, sensing his body temperature.
His temperature was normal, but he wasn’t asleep yet. Lu Changqing knocked on his door: “You were tired, why aren’t you sleeping?”
“A shower woke me up,” He Chen was sitting up in bed, his optical computer spread out on his lap. He was using the bedside lamp to look at the Pingshan Base data Xiang Heng had left him. Leyan was lying beside him, covered by a small blanket, sleeping soundly.
Lu Changqing looked at them, and the darkness in his eyes slowly receded.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Lu Changqing lowered his voice and told He Chen about Lu Jingshan’s actions.
“It was his doing, and it has nothing to do with Senior Brother. Senior Brother doesn’t need to apologize,” He Chen said calmly after listening to Lu Changqing. “Besides, even without his provocation, He Sizhong would target me sooner or later.”
“Regarding He Sizhong, should we fight fire with fire?” Lu Changqing looked at He Chen. “He Sizhong has a capable subordinate whose character isn’t bad but is constantly exploited and marginalized by He Sizhong. You understand what I mean. If Pingshan Base could ‘rebel,’ He Sizhong’s side might not be immune.”
He Chen’s eyes flickered with thought: “Let me think about it.”
“Do you have any concerns?” Lu Changqing asked.
“Rebellion means war. Although it would be a small-scale war, war inevitably leads to casualties,” He Chen said.
Even if the casualties were He Sizhong’s subordinates, not all of He Sizhong’s subordinates were necessarily bad people. Many were civilian soldiers with no political stance, like those at Hanhe Base.
“Senior Brother might think I’m too soft-hearted and not suited to be a general,” He Chen said. “But this is what I truly feel: I hope there will be as few wars as possible.”
“For a general, the five virtues are wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, courage, and strictness. Benevolence is one of the five virtues,” Lu Changqing said gently. “Only someone with your hope and your breadth of mind can be a good general.”
He Chen raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: “Senior Brother is very good with words.”
Lu Changqing curved his lips slightly: “I’m clumsy with words; I don’t say much.”
“…”
Lu Changqing spoke again, his expression becoming more serious: “The Blood Crystal distribution plan has been decided. Judging by Vice Minister Chen’s tone today, the old Fire Fox case is also nearing a conclusion. The He family has suffered continuous blows and is severely weakened. He Sizhong’s setback this time means he probably won’t be able to muster the energy to deal with you for a while.”
“No, I didn’t say we shouldn’t fight,” He Chen countered. “You can’t be on guard against a thief forever. I’ll look at the data on that subordinate and He Sizhong’s side first. If a battle is fought well, it’s possible to minimize or even achieve zero casualties.”
“Save that thinking for when you’re fully recovered,” Lu Changqing glanced at his complexion. His eyes were steady and more spirited than in previous days, but his face was still a little pale.
He Chen cooperatively put away the optical computer.
Since Lu Changqing was back, he had planned to sleep anyway.
“Then you should sleep,” Lu Changqing said.
He Chen nodded, but watching Lu Changqing turn to leave, he thought for a moment and still spoke: “Senior Brother, have you considered what kind of war the mass production of Zero might trigger?”