I've announced that I'm destined to have many children, and my father has bestowed upon me

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze instantly.

Lu Yuchun's casual question was like an invisible slap in the face to Zhao Chenyu.

"Is it ambitious?"

These four words, filled with undisguised mockery and contempt, made Zhao Chenyu, who was kneeling on the ground, freeze.

He buried his head deeper, biting his lip hard, the humiliating taste of blood filling his mouth.

"I wouldn't dare."

The voice was squeezed out from between his teeth, dry and hoarse.

Lu Yuchun chuckled lightly, seemingly quite pleased with his humble posture.

"Dare not? I think you've got some nerve, daring to even flee the capital."

He picked up the cup of spiritual tea beside him and slowly blew on it to cool it down.

"I just received some interesting news yesterday."

Lu Yuchun put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, and that invisible pressure descended once more.

"Your father has arranged another marriage for your good-for-nothing brother."

Zhao Chenyu's heart sank.

It's Zhao Chen'an again!

Just how biased is Father Emperor?

"This time, the target is Xiao Chuchu, the 'Qilin Girl' of the Xiao family."

What?!

Zhao Chenyu suddenly raised his head, his face full of disbelief.

The Xiao family?

That ancient family that has been entrenched within the territory of the Great Xia Dynasty for thousands of years, yet even the Great Xia royal family has to show it deference.

Xiao Chuchu, ranked sixth on the Heavenly Pride List?

Has Father gone mad?!

Why should such a proud and talented woman marry Zhao Chen'an, a good-for-nothing who can't even escape the sea of ​​suffering?

This is no longer absurd; it's playing with the fate of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty!

How could the Xiao family possibly agree to that!

"It seems you also think it's outrageous."

Lu Yuchun took in Zhao Chenyu's shock and smiled knowingly.

"A dying dynasty, a notorious and useless prince, dares to covet the daughter of a thousand-year-old family. I also believe that the Xiao family will never agree to this."

He stood up and slowly paced around the hall, his purple python robe trailing on the ground with a soft rustling sound.

"So, I have an idea."

Lu Yuchun stopped and turned around to scrutinize Zhao Chenyu.

"What if I also propose marriage to the Xiao family?"

"A crown prince of a dynasty, the future ruler of the celestial empire. A useless prince of a dynasty, a laughing stock of the continent."

"What do you think the Xiao family will choose?"

Zhao Chenyu's heart pounded wildly, and he almost blurted it out.

"Of course! The Xiao family will definitely choose Your Highness!"

One is in the sky, the other is on the ground; this isn't even a choice!

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Lu Yuchun let out a hearty laugh of satisfaction, seemingly very pleased with Zhao Chenyu's "sensible" behavior.

"You are very smart."

He sat back down on the jade chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

"So, how about you go in my place next?"

Zhao Chenyu was stunned.

"I... propose marriage on behalf of His Highness?"

"That's right." Lu Yuchun's smile became meaningful. "As the Third Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, you proposed marriage to the Xiao family on behalf of my Great Xia Dynasty."

"Don't worry, I'll guarantee your safety on the road."

His tone shifted abruptly, his voice becoming deep and seductive.

"Moreover, the reason I'm sending you back this time isn't just to propose marriage."

"I want you to go back—"

"Ascension to the throne!"

boom!

These two words were like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploding in Zhao Chenyu's mind!

Ascension to the throne?

Let him go back and ascend the throne?!

He stared blankly at Lu Yuchun, momentarily thinking he was hallucinating.

Lu Yuchun seemed to enjoy his distraught appearance and continued speaking slowly.

"Your father is quite interesting. Instead of nurturing so many talented sons, he insists on throwing all the good things at that good-for-nothing."

"She is both the Holy Maiden of Jixia Academy and the Qilin Maiden of a ten-thousand-year-old family. She even went so far as to personally take action and fight against the old dean."

"I don't believe there's nothing fishy going on here."

Lu Yuchun's fingertips stopped on the armrest, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense.

"However, I don't care what he's up to."

"Now that you have come to my Great Xia, I will give you a chance."

"Once you get to that position, all his schemes and underhanded dealings will naturally fall apart."

The cold words instantly snapped Zhao Chenyu out of his shock.

He is not a fool.

At this moment, he finally understood Lu Yuchun's true intentions!

The marriage proposal was a lie!

He was brought into the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty and into the Xiao family, just to be used as bait!

A lure to tempt the Emperor and the hidden powerhouses of the Great Zhou!

This Lu Yuchun doesn't care about Xiao Chuchu at all. What he really wants is to take this opportunity to plan a shocking assassination!

He wants to kill his own father!

Then, they would support themselves as a puppet ruler to seize power, thereby annexing the entire Great Zhou without bloodshed!

What a ruthless calculation!

What a vicious method!

A chill ran from Zhao Chenyu's spine straight up to the top of his head.

His first reaction was fear, and he wanted to escape.

After all, that was his father, a top expert who had just advanced to the Dragon Transformation Realm!

However, that dignified and indifferent face flashed through his mind.

He recalled how his father had so readily betrothed Li Qingluan to Zhao Chen'an, extinguishing all his hopes.

He recalled the cold imperial decree from his father, after his plan was exposed, ordering him to be imprisoned in the imperial palace for eternity.

And that good-for-nothing Zhao Chen'an!

Why should I?!

Why is he born to be pampered in every way, while I have to kneel here like a dog, begging for other people's pity!

Unwilling!

Vengeful resentment!

Ambition!

A multitude of emotions, like venomous snakes, were frantically gnawing at the last vestiges of familial affection and reason in his heart.

Family ties?

In his father's eyes, his son was probably not even as important as a single hair on the head of that good-for-nothing Zhao Chen'an!

Since you are ruthless, don't blame me for being unjust!

Zhao Chenyu's body stopped trembling, and he slowly raised his head.

The face that had initially held a hint of trepidation was now filled with an icy coldness and resolute determination.

He kowtowed heavily, his voice resounding.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!"

"Zhao Chenyu is willing to return to the Great Zhou Dynasty and go to the Xiao family to propose marriage on behalf of His Highness!"

Lu Yuchun gazed at him for a long time, then a bright smile bloomed on her face.

"good!"

"very good!"

"As expected of someone of royal lineage, you have not disappointed me."

He stood up, walked to Zhao Chenyu, and looked down at the Zhou prince who had completely become his pawn.

"Remember, family ties are something that shouldn't exist in people like you and me, and... cannot exist in us!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a golden scroll flew out from his sleeve and landed lightly in front of Zhao Chenyu.

"Take it."

"This is the official letter from our Great Xia Dynasty, and also the list of betrothal gifts for the Xiao family."

"You just go on this trip."

"The rest is up to me!"