Having many children brings many blessings; the struggle for power begins with marriage.

Chapter 242 The Northern King you mentioned, is it Lu Chen?

After Wu Yuan led Wei Siyuan to Lu Chen's study, Wei Siyuan immediately knelt down and said to Lu Chen, "This humble general, Wei Siyuan, greets Your Highness. May Your Highness live a thousand years!"

Lu Chen immediately stood up from his seat, then put his hand on Wei Siyuan's shoulder and said, "General Wei, please rise quickly. I've finally been waiting for you."

Wei Siyuan then stood up. "Thank you, Your Highness!"

After Wei Siyuan got up, Lu Chen asked, "General Wei, how many large warships are there on Fengyun Island now?"

Upon hearing this question, Wei Siyuan paused for a moment before replying, "Your Highness, the ships on Fengyun Island are mostly medium-sized vessels; large ships are relatively few and cannot be considered warships."

After Wei Siyuan arrived in the Northern Kingdom, he saw the large merchant ships of the Dongfang family. The Dongfang family built their merchant ships to be particularly large because they engaged in maritime trade.

Before seeing the large merchant ships of the Dongfang family, Wei Siyuan had always thought that the ships of Fengyun Island were the largest. However, as soon as they arrived in the Northern Kingdom, they saw large merchant ships that were a whole ship taller than theirs. This made them feel that the ships they built on Fengyun Island were just fishing boats.

Now Wei Siyuan is too embarrassed to tell Lu Chen that the ship they built is a warship. How can a warship be like a small fishing boat in front of a merchant ship?

The prevailing view in this era was that the larger the ship, the stronger its power. In modern times, it would be perfectly normal for merchant ships to be larger than warships. We still live in an era where tonnage is the measure of combat power.

After hearing Wei Siyuan's words, Lu Chen thought for a moment. It seemed that if they wanted to build a navy, they would need to build ships, but they did not yet have the technology to build large ships.

We'll ask the Dongfang family later. The Dongfang family's merchant ships are so big, they must have shipbuilding craftsmen and shipbuilding technology.

Just then, Wei Siyuan spoke up and asked, "Your Highness, when I arrived in the Northern Kingdom, I heard that the Palace Master of Xuan Yue Palace resides in the Northern Prince's Mansion?"

When Lu Chen heard Wei Siyuan ask this question, he was taken aback. What did the fact that the Palace Master of Xuan Yue Palace lived in the Northern Prince's Mansion have to do with Wei Siyuan? Why would Wei Siyuan ask such a question?

Lu Chen asked curiously, "Why did you think of asking that question?"

Wei Siyuan asked directly, "I wonder if Your Highness knows that the Palace Mistress of Xuan Yue Palace is actually a princess of the Chen Kingdom?"

If Wei Siyuan were acting as a descendant of the Chen dynasty, he naturally wouldn't tell Lu Chen about Chen Wanrong. However, now that the Wei family has witnessed the birth of their chosen one, and the Northern King will be their master, they no longer need to pledge allegiance to the Chen royal family.

Wei Siyuan readily sold out Chen Wanrong. After all, Chen Wanrong was a princess of the Chen Kingdom, while Lu Chen was a vassal king of the Great Xia. It was obvious that Chen Wanrong, a princess of the Chen Kingdom, was plotting something if she came to live in the Northern King's Mansion.

As Lu Chen's subordinate, Wei Siyuan naturally had to bring up the matter and find out if Lu Chen knew about it.

Hearing Wei Siyuan's words, Lu Chen was stunned again.

How could Wei Siyuan, who lives on Fengyun Island, know about this?

Very few people know that Chen Wanrong is a princess of the Chen Kingdom. Even the women in Lu Chen's inner courtyard of the Northern Prince's Mansion do not know Chen Wanrong's true identity. Most of them think that Chen Wanrong is just the palace master of Xuan Yue Palace.

After regaining his senses, Lu Chen asked curiously, "How did you know her identity?"

Wei Siyuan said, "To be honest, Your Highness, the Wei family had a good relationship with the Chen royal family back then and was highly valued by them. After the Chen kingdom was destroyed, the Wei family moved to Fengyun Island and has been waiting for Your Highness's orders ever since."

"Initially, the Wei family intended to help the Chen Kingdom restore its kingdom, and over the years, their subordinates and the Chen princess have maintained correspondence."

"However, now that we have received the prince's orders, we will naturally assist the prince in achieving his hegemony, and the matter of the restoration of Chen Kingdom will no longer be related to the Wei family."

Hearing this, Lu Chen smiled and then said, "So that's how it is."

Lu Chen thought to himself, "I never expected that Chen Wanrong's people would become his people now. I wonder what Chen Wanrong will think when she finds out about this."

At this moment, Wei Siyuan continued, "Your Highness, Princess Chen's visit to the Northern Prince's residence must have some ulterior motive. You must be careful."

Hearing this, Lu Chen said calmly, "You don't need to worry about that. Before long, she will become my concubine and bear me children."

"You former officials of Chen need not worry too much."

This……

Wei Siyuan was slightly taken aback.

To be honest, the conflict between Chen Wanrong and Lu Chen was not what Wei Siyuan wanted to see. The Wei family had a very good relationship with the Chen royal family back then, and the Wei family's success today was also due to the support of the Chen royal family. If it weren't for the help of the Chen royal family, the Wei family might not have been able to wait for the appearance of the chosen one.

If the princess of Chen could marry the chosen one, that would be the best possible outcome.

After regaining his senses, Wei Siyuan said, "I understand."

Lu Chen continued, "Also, go tell her later that your Wei family has pledged allegiance to me. It's time for me to confront her."

Wei Siyuan said, "Your subordinate understands."

Lu Chen thought to himself, "We've dragged this out for so long. This is a good opportunity. The Wei family must be a very important force for Chen Wanrong. Now that the Wei family has sided with the Northern Kingdom, it will definitely be a huge blow to Chen Wanrong. It will make Chen Wanrong lose all hope of restoring her kingdom."

Furthermore, Chen Wanrong already knew about his affair with Lin Wanyun. She had been spying on him and Lin Wanyun's affair for quite some time, so Chen Wanrong probably guessed that he knew about her secret with Lin Wanyun.

Once she finds out that former officials of the Chen Kingdom have come to pledge allegiance to him, Chen Wanrong will definitely have a mental breakdown and will be unable to resist coming directly to him. He just needs to wait.

Wei Siyuan then reported the situation on Fengyun Island to Lu Chen. After the report was finished, Wei Siyuan went to Yunrong Courtyard under the guidance of the servants of the Prince's Mansion.

At this moment.

Lin Wanyun and Chen Wanrong were discussing the affairs of former officials of the Chen Kingdom in the pavilion.

Chen Wanrong said, "The Wei family should arrive in Yancheng in the next few days."

Lin Wanyun asked with concern, "Palace Master, are these Wei family members really reliable? After all, the Chen Kingdom has been gone for so many years, and people's hearts are easily changed. Moreover, they have 100,000 elite soldiers on Fengyun Island. They might have some undesirable thoughts."

Throughout history, when the royal family is weak, military generals with military power may have the idea of ​​becoming emperor themselves. Moreover, the Chen Kingdom has long been destroyed, and the Chen royal family only has one princess left. There is not even a prince. Why would anyone help you restore the kingdom if you don't have a prince? You might as well become emperor yourself and forcibly marry the royal princess.

Chen Wanrong said, "The Wei family has always been loyal to the Chen royal family. Many members of the Wei family died on the battlefield for the sake of the Chen kingdom. I was able to escape from the Chen capital thanks to the Wei family. Now I am the master of Xuan Yue Palace. With the power of Xuan Yue Palace, they will not change their minds."

Chen Wanrong naturally understood why Lin Wanyun was worried. If she were just a princess who couldn't even kill a chicken, the Wei family might use the banner of restoring the country to force her to marry after the Chen country was restored, then seize the country and finally make the Wei family the emperor.

However, she was not a princess who could not even kill a chicken. Behind her was the entire Xuan Yue Palace. The Wei family could not possibly be unaware of what kind of power the Xuan Yue Palace was. With such a super sect as the Xuan Yue Palace, Chen Wanrong did not believe that the Wei family would dare to have any thoughts of usurping the country.

After hearing Chen Wanrong's words, Lin Wanyun thought about it and felt that there was some truth to them. After all, Chen Wanrong was the Palace Master of Xuan Yue Palace, and Chen Wanrong herself was a Grandmaster. The Wei family might still be loyal to the Chen family and to Chen Wanrong.

Just as Lin Wanyun was thinking this, a maid from the Prince's mansion suddenly entered Yunrong Courtyard. Upon seeing a maid enter, Lin Wanyun and Chen Wanrong were both startled and instantly became alert.

Normally, without their permission, the maids of the Prince's mansion would not enter Yunrong Courtyard directly. Their status was rather special; they were guests in the Prince's mansion, so the other maids would stand outside Yunrong Courtyard.

At this moment, the maid said, "Palace Master Chen, a guest surnamed Wei wishes to see you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wanrong frowned slightly.

A guest surnamed Wei?

So, isn't that just Wei Siyuan?

Why would Wei Siyuan come to the Northern Prince's Mansion to see me?

Chen Wanrong and Lin Wanyun turned their heads simultaneously to look at each other. Lin Wanyun asked, "Palace Master, you didn't send him to the Northern Prince's residence to find you, did you?"

Chen Wanrong remained silent. This was the Northern Prince's residence. How could she possibly allow Wei Siyuan, a former official of the Chen Kingdom, to come to the Northern Prince's residence to find her? If she let him come to the Northern Prince's residence to find her, wouldn't Lu Chen discover her presence?

Lu Chen had already seen through their plan. If he were to find out that Chen had 100,000 elite troops on Fengyun Island, who knows what he might do.

Something unusual must be going on. Chen Wanrong couldn't believe that Wei Siyuan, who was already in his forties, was so stupid. He had come to the Northern Prince's mansion to find her. Something must have happened.

Chen Wanrong then asked the maid, "Where is he now?"

The maid replied, "It's in the Prince's residence."

Chen Wanrong immediately said, "Bring him over."

"Yes, Palace Master Chen."

The maid then turned and left. Not long after, a middle-aged man appeared at the entrance of Yunrong Courtyard.

Upon seeing Wei Siyuan's appearance, Chen Wanrong was stunned again. Although she had not seen Wei Siyuan for more than ten years, she could still recognize him at a glance. The middle-aged man in front of her was indeed Wei Siyuan, who had covered her escape from the capital of Chen Kingdom.

Wei Siyuan looks much the same as he did more than ten years ago, except that he has more facial hair and has matured a bit. He hasn't changed much overall.

Upon entering the courtyard, Wei Siyuan immediately recognized Chen Wanrong. Although Chen Wanrong had changed a lot since she was a little girl, she looked very much like the former Empress of Chen, so she was still easy to recognize.

Wei Siyuan immediately went outside the pavilion, knelt down on one knee, and said, "Wei Siyuan, a former official, pays his respects to the princess! Long live the princess!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wanrong and Lin Wanyun were taken aback.

This is the Northern Prince's residence. How could Wei Siyuan perform such a ceremony? Although "Palace Master" and "Princess" sound the same, if you add "Long live the Princess" after the title, others will immediately know that you are calling her "Princess".

Chen Wanrong was puzzled. Why didn't Wei Siyuan have any vigilance at all?

Chen Wanrong then said coldly, "Get up."

Wei Siyuan immediately got up from the ground and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Ok?

Chen Wanrong raised her eyebrows again. Calling her princess is one thing, but adding "Your Highness" is another. Is she afraid that people won't know she is a princess?

At this moment, Chen Wanrong said, "It's been more than ten years since I last saw you, Lord Wei has changed a lot."

Wei Siyuan said, "Compared to Her Highness the Princess, these changes in our old ministers are nothing."

Seeing Wei Siyuan address her as "Your Highness," Chen Wanrong could no longer contain herself and asked directly, "Why has Lord Wei come to the Northern Prince's residence to see me? Has something happened?"

Upon hearing this question, Wei Siyuan smiled and said, "Your Highness, I did not come here specifically to see you. I just happened to be at the Northern Prince's residence on business, so I took the opportunity to pay my respects to you."

This……

Upon hearing Wei Siyuan's answer, Chen Wanrong and Lin Wanyun immediately had a bad feeling.

Why did Wei Siyuan come to the Northern Prince's residence? What could a subject of the Chen Kingdom possibly want at the Northern Prince's residence?

Chen Wanrong quickly guessed the meaning behind Wei Siyuan's words, and she coldly said, "You... betrayed the Chen Kingdom?"

As she spoke, a chill emanated from Chen Wanrong's body, making the entire courtyard incredibly cold, as if a layer of frost had formed inside and outside the pavilion.

Wei Siyuan, still smiling, said, "Your Highness, what are you saying? The former ministers have never betrayed the Chen Kingdom, because the former ministers and the Wei family were originally the people of the Northern King."

This……

Chen Wanrong and Lin Wanyun were stunned when Wei Siyuan said this.

Chen Wanrong, in particular, was utterly shocked.

The Northern King's men?

Lu Chen's people?

How old is Lu Chen this year?

How could Wei Siyuan have been Lu Chen's person from the beginning?

Wei Siyuan knew, of course, that Chen Wanrong couldn't understand why he would say such a thing. After all, Lu Chen was only eighteen years old this year, while the Wei family had been in the Chen Kingdom since its founding, and the Wei family's history in the Chen Kingdom was almost a hundred years.

Even if Chen Wanrong couldn't understand it, Wei Siyuan couldn't just tell her some of the secrets. His main purpose in coming was to explain his position to Chen Wanrong. As for other things, he didn't need to tell her.

After Wei Siyuan finished speaking, Yunrong Courtyard became incredibly quiet, and even the sound of fish splashing in the lotus pond became extremely loud.

Chen Wanrong never expected that Wei Siyuan would actually be Lu Chen's man.

After a long pause, Chen Wanrong confirmed, "The Northern King you're talking about, is it Lu Chen?"

At this moment, Chen Wanrong was thinking that perhaps the Northern King Wei Siyuan mentioned was not Lu Chen, but someone else. The Northern King was just a title for a prince, and anyone could use that title. Perhaps there had been a Northern King in the Great Xia Dynasty that they did not know about.

However, Wei Siyuan spoke up at this moment, saying, "Yes."

Seeing that Wei Siyuan had admitted it, Chen Wanrong's expression became even colder. She had always thought that the descendant of Chen Guozhong was an important force she had been waiting for to help her restore her country, but now they actually came to tell her that they were Lu Chen's people.

Are you kidding me?

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Wanrong finally spoke, coldly saying, "The Wei family was almost wiped out for the sake of the Chen Kingdom. Now tell me, you were originally the Northern King's people. When was the Northern King born?"

Wei Siyuan sensed Chen Wanrong's anger and felt a chill, but he remained calm and said with a smile, "Your Highness, the Wei family has indeed done a lot for the Chen Kingdom, but that was only to repay the Chen Kingdom. There are some things that I cannot tell you too much, but I can tell you that the Wei family's master has only been the Northern King from the very beginning."

Chen Wanrong said, "So, when I came to the Northern Kingdom, your Wei family told the Northern King everything about me?"

Wei Siyuan said, "No, this is not the case. This is my first time visiting the Northern Prince's residence, and today is also my first time meeting the Northern Prince. However, judging from my conversation with the Northern Prince just now, the Northern Prince did indeed know your identity long ago."

"The reason why I, your former servant, have come to see you now is also at the behest of the Northern King."

After he finished speaking, there was another long silence.

Chen Wanrong didn't think Wei Siyuan would treat her like a fool. After all, what Wei Siyuan said was too strange. Lu Chen hadn't even been born yet, and their Wei family was already Lu Chen's people. Only a fool could be fooled by such words.

But in Lu Chen's case, the more contrary to common sense something is, the more likely it is to be true.

Chen Wanrong and Lin Wanyun had been in the Northern Kingdom for so long that they had already witnessed Lu Chen's many amazing abilities. They had also heard rumors in the Prince's Palace that Lu Chen was a disciple of an immortal.

In addition, Chen Wanrong herself had a master with extraordinary strength, and she had seen many strange things in the world, so Chen Wanrong quickly accepted Wei Siyuan's words.

If everything Wei Siyuan said is true, then it proves that someone was paving the way for Lu Chen even before he was born.

Thinking about it this way, it seems that everything that happened after Lu Chen came to the Northern Kingdom was driven by an invisible hand. Lu Chen is likely not an ordinary prince. Coupled with the rumors of being a disciple of an immortal, this further suggests that Lu Chen's identity is very special.

What kind of force is behind Lu Chen?

Chen Wanrong suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness; she felt as if she had bumped into a thick wall.

Lin Wanyun, the person closest to her, was killed by Lu Chen, and now Wei Siyuan is telling her that the important force she is waiting for to restore her country is also Lu Chen's people.

Since arriving in the Northern Kingdom, she felt as if the whole world revolved around Lu Chen.

Seeing that Chen Wanrong remained silent for a long time, Wei Siyuan continued, "Your Highness, there is no need for you and the Northern King to be on opposite sides. Although he is the child of the Xia Emperor, he is not just the Xia Emperor's child. You have many common interests. Moreover, according to the old ministers, his mother is the goddess of the Xuan Yue Palace, and he is the divine son of the Xuan Yue Palace."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wanrong coldly said, "You don't need to be his advocate. You can leave now."

(End of this chapter)