Tang 77 felt a headache coming on just thinking about those stubborn and obstinate old men. In this situation, Lan Yu was probably going to leave the morning court session, and his absence this morning would give others something to say about him.

Tang 77 didn't care much, since Lan Yu would handle them anyway, and it wasn't him who would suffer.

Tang enjoyed the snacks that Lan Yu had prepared for her with a clear conscience!

Before he had eaten more than a few bites, Lan Yu arrived, his face still gloomy.

Tang 77 imagined what it would be like for Lan Yu to be verbally attacked and couldn't help but shudder. Lan Yu's ears must still be ringing.

Tang 77 pretended to be unaware and asked innocently, "Lord City, was the court session unpleasant today? You looked rather pale!"

Li Fei, standing behind Lan Yu, looked at his master with heartache, then at the innocent-looking Tang 77, and couldn't help but feel worried for his master.

Yesterday, I heard from the secret guard that Tang 77 went to the Ministry of Revenue's residence. Lan Yu was worried that Geng Rui was too stubborn and would make Tang 77 feel wronged, so she rushed over. The secret guard said that the two were drinking and chatting happily.

Lan Yu's face was always icy cold. Later, when the two went to the study to discuss matters, Lan Yu looked like he was about to devour someone.

Li Fei just couldn't understand. If the city lord was worried about Miss 77, he could have just gone in and taken her away. Why wait outside all by himself? Wasn't he just asking for trouble?

What Li Fei couldn't understand was that when the city lord got off the carriage back at the palace, he was hugging the regent and was in a very happy mood. But after the court session, he didn't know what Lord Geng had said to the city lord, but he turned into this cold and aloof person. The city lord wasn't like this before!

Tang 77 was waiting for Lan Yu to talk about matters of the court, but Lan Yu coldly asked, "Are you very familiar with Geng Rui?"

Tang 771 was completely bewildered and said inexplicably, "Speaking of which, we only met for the first time yesterday because of official business. The city lord is right, that Geng Rui is indeed quite capable. Working with him is very easy!"

Tang 77 ate and talked, looking relaxed and carefree, while Lan Yu's expression grew increasingly unpleasant, as if the whole world owed her something.

Seeing this, Tang 77 lost her appetite and said with concern, "Brother Lanyu, are you feeling unwell? Your complexion is getting worse and worse. I'll have someone invite Fang Wenyuan to come and take a look at you!"

Lan Yu said, feeling aggrieved, "You still know how to call me brother? Didn't you call me 'city lord' so smoothly just now?"

Tang 77 said very considerately, "Isn't this a matter of the distinction between ruler and subject? From now on, I will have to address you as City Lord, so that those old scholars won't make things difficult for you."

I've eaten and drunk my fill, now I'm going to find Geng Rui to discuss the workshop matter!

"Is Geng Rui really that good?" Lan Yu asked abruptly.

Tang 77 didn't notice anything unusual. She nodded and said, "Although Geng Rui is a bit stubborn, he's a man of great wisdom. I'm fine!"

Lan Yu clenched his fist, his long fingers with distinct knuckles. He said coldly, "I also want to hear your opinions. In the future, when you discuss matters with Geng Rui, you can come to my Mingzheng Hall."

Also, I've arranged for Geng Rui to take care of some business, and he won't be at the residence for the next two or three days!

Tang 77 was displeased. She said with dissatisfaction, "I just got the commercial district planning and workshop construction sorted out with Lord Geng. What am I going to do if you take him away?"

Lan Yu was just one point away from vomiting blood. Was this little girl really naive or was she deliberately trying to annoy her? She kept mentioning Geng Rui.

While Lan Yu was feeling down, Tang 77 had already eaten and drunk his fill. He waved to Lan Yu and said, "Brother City Lord, I'm going back to my residence. The people my family sent should be here by now. Don't worry, my ideas for developing industry and commerce coincide with Geng Rui's. With his strong support, Lanling will soon prosper!"

It's Geng Rui again. If Geng Rui were in front of her right now, Lan Yu would probably tear him apart with her bare hands.

Despite having only met once, Tang 77 kept talking about it. Even Geng Rui, that taciturn man, came to inquire after court why Tang 77 hadn't come to the morning court session. This is why Geng Rui inexplicably got the arduous task of inspecting the surrounding counties.

Lan Yu ignored Tang 77 and directly ordered Li Fei to call Li Liang over.

Li Fei and Li Liang are brothers, so Li Fei naturally reminded his younger brother, "Be careful later, the city lord is in a bad mood, don't run into trouble!"

Li Liang greeted Lan Yu with trepidation. Lan Yu said expressionlessly, "Li Liang, you brothers have followed me for so many years, and I trust you the most. I'm entrusting 77 to you, so you must take responsibility. Not only are you responsible for her safety, but if she goes somewhere she shouldn't go, you must stop her. If you really can't stop her, you must report to me immediately, understand?"

Li Liang nodded, then shook his head, looking completely bewildered, and asked, "Lord, the Regent doesn't need a waist token to come to the palace. I wonder, is there any place she can't go?"

Lan Yu sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Hadn't she made herself clear enough? It was obvious that going to Geng Rui's residence late at night was inappropriate!

But how could he say those words? Lan Yu said with a stern face, "You good-for-nothing, you don't understand, do you? Go ask your older brother, and get out of here!"

Poor Li Liang was scolded for no reason and slunk away to find Li Fei.