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

Chapter 266 So, the Northern King has taken a fancy to your looks?

Chen Wanrong left and returned to Xuan Yue Palace.

Even though Lu Chen was reluctant, he still let her leave.

Lu Chen is a scumbag who likes all the beautiful women in the inner courtyard, but he is also a promiscuous man. He still has very deep feelings for Chen Wanrong, the fairy. Suddenly, the palace lost a woman, and he felt very uncomfortable.

For a long time after Chen Wanrong left, Lu Chen would still go to Yunrong Courtyard from time to time to reminisce about the days when Chen Wanrong was there. If he occasionally ran into Lin Wanyun at Yunrong Courtyard, he would beat her up.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Lu Chen was discussing the terms of the trade cooperation agreement with the delegation from Dayue, while also preparing for his wedding with Chu Yuqin and Chu Qingli.

Since it's about taking a concubine, it should be done in a grand and dignified manner, unlike taking a concubine who is taken in quietly.

After half a month of discussions, the terms of the trade cooperation agreement between the Northern Kingdom and the Dayue Dynasty have been basically finalized, and the next step is to officially sign the trade cooperation agreement.

morning.

After getting out of bed, Lu Chen began to get dressed with Lin Wanyun's help.

Although Lin Wanyun was helping Lu Chen get dressed, there was a hint of resentment in her eyes.

This scoundrel has come to Yunrong Courtyard many times in the past two weeks. Although she is the only one living in Yunrong Courtyard now, she doesn't think Lu Chen came to see her.

She always felt that this little rascal came to Yunrong Courtyard because he mistook her for Chen Wanrong.

At this moment, Lin Wanyun asked, "Are you mistaking me for Rongrong?"

Hearing Lin Wanyun's question, Lu Chen was taken aback. He turned to look at Lin Wanyun and said with a smile, "Aunt Lin, why do you think that?"

"Although I'm not a good person, I wouldn't do something so inhuman. How could I possibly treat you as Rongrong? She is her, and you are you."

At this moment, Lin Wanyun pulled hard on Lu Chen's belt, fastening it for him, and said as she did so, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

Lu Chen asked with a smile, "Aunt Lin, are you jealous?"

Lin Wanyun said coldly, "You're just being presumptuous."

After saying that, Lin Wanyun stopped talking and continued to help Lu Chen get dressed.

At this moment, Lu Chen seemed to remember something and asked, "I'm getting married soon, why don't you marry into the royal family together?"

As soon as Lu Chen finished speaking, Lin Wanyun refused, saying, "No need. After all, I am a member of Xuan Yue Palace and it is not suitable for me to get married. You can let me have your child secretly, as long as no one else knows."

"Moreover, the Lin family is still in the capital. If I marry you, and people find out that I am Prime Minister Lin's adopted daughter, it will ruin the entire Lin family."

The Northern Kingdom is now the strongest vassal state in the entire Great Xia Dynasty, and Lu Chen is the strongest vassal king among them. The conflict between the Northern Kingdom and the imperial court will only become more and more acute, and war between the two sides will break out sooner or later.

If others were to find out now that Lin Gaoyuan's adopted daughter was in the Northern Prince's Mansion, Emperor Xia might think that the Lin family had sided with the Northern Prince's Mansion, and the entire Lin family would likely not have a good end. Therefore, Lin Wanyun felt that it was better for her to keep a low profile in the Northern Prince's Mansion and not to make any public appearances.

Lu Chen smiled and said, "That's true. Then you'll have to make do for a while. Once the Great Xia is settled, I'll give you a proper title."

Lin Wanyun pursed her lips and said, "No need. I'm so old, what do I need a title for? Just be good to Rongrong and don't let her down."

Lin Wanyun thought to herself that by the time the Great Xia Dynasty settled down and Lu Chen ascended the throne, she would probably be in her forties or fifties. At that time, she would be old, and it would be a miracle if Lu Chen still liked her.

As long as Lu Chen treats Chen Wanrong well and the child he and Chen Wanrong might have, she will be very happy. As for herself, she can stay by Lu Chen's side and help Chen Wanrong take care of the child.

Lu Chen said, "I will definitely give you a title, and besides, you're not that old. Nan Yan is in her thirties, and she's still my concubine."

Lin Wanyun didn't say anything more; she started to fix Lu Chen's hair.

However, she thought to herself that she hadn't expected this little rascal to have a conscience. She originally thought that Lu Chen was just lusting after her body, and that after a while, Lu Chen would lose interest in her and had no intention of taking responsibility for her.

Thinking of this, Lin Wanyun's heart raced. She wished she could stay by Lu Chen's side forever and take care of him for her Sister Yue.

……

After getting dressed and washing up, Lu Chen had a simple breakfast in the main hall before heading to the Hall of State Affairs.

When Lu Chen arrived at the Hall of State Affairs, the envoys of the Dayue Dynasty and the officials of the Northern Kingdom were already there.

Lu Chen waved his sleeve, sat on the throne, and looked at the people of the Dayue Dynasty delegation kneeling below, saying, "Miss Murong, do you have any additions to the trade cooperation agreement? If not, let's sign it according to what we agreed on before."

Once the trade cooperation agreement is signed, there will be no tariffs on goods from the Northern Kingdom entering the Dayue Dynasty, and similarly, there will be no tariffs on grain from the Dayue Dynasty entering the Northern Kingdom.

For Lu Chen, the biggest benefit is that in the future, the Northern Kingdom can directly purchase large quantities of grain from the Dayue Dynasty in the name of the Northern Prince's Mansion, without having to secretly purchase grain through Tingyu Tower anymore.

However, once this trade cooperation agreement is signed, the Dayue Dynasty will send an envoy to be permanently stationed in Yancheng of the Northern Kingdom, and the Northern Kingdom will also send an envoy to be permanently stationed in the capital of the Dayue Dynasty.

They claimed it was for trade cooperation, to avoid any problems arising between the caravans in their respective territories, leaving no one to resolve them.

Both sides exchanged delegations, so that any business issues could be communicated immediately.

Although it is said to be for commercial trade, it is obvious to anyone with eyes that this is no different from establishing diplomatic relations, except that the two sides have not publicly and directly established diplomatic relations.

Murong Xue'er smiled and said, "Your Highness, we have no objections to the contents of the trade cooperation agreement and can sign it today."

Lu Chen said, "Alright, in that case, bring in the trade cooperation agreement."

As soon as Lu Chen finished speaking, two Imperial Guards entered the main hall carrying two scrolls. One Imperial Guard placed the scroll on the table in front of Murong Xue'er, and the other Imperial Guard placed the scroll on the table in front of Lu Chen.

When the scroll is opened, there is a black brocade cloth with the terms of the trade cooperation between the Northern Kingdom and Dayue recorded in yellow characters.

Although the Northern Kingdom was already capable of large-scale papermaking, brocade cloth was still used in treaties signed with other countries. Cloth was less prone to damage than paper, and this also showed respect for the Dayue Dynasty, since other dynasties had not yet used paper to sign two treaties.

Once the scroll was unrolled, Lu Chen took out the royal seal and stamped it directly onto the scroll, while Murong Xue'er also took out a seal from her sleeve and stamped it as well.

After the stamps were affixed, the two parties exchanged scrolls.

When Murong Xue'er placed the scroll in front of Lu Chen, Lu Chen discovered that the seal Murong Xue'er had used was actually the seal of the Dayue Dynasty.

Lu Chen smiled inwardly. He had thought that Murong Xue'er was just called the inner palace prime minister of the Dayue Dynasty, but now it seemed that it was more than just a title. She already possessed the seal of the prime minister of Dayue, so what difference was there between her and the prime minister of Dayue?

Lu Chen didn't think much of it and continued to stamp the scroll with the royal seal. After stamping, the two exchanged scrolls again.

In this way, the trade cooperation agreement between the two countries is considered complete.

Murong Xue'er then said, "Your Majesty, now that the trade cooperation agreement has been signed, our delegation should return to Dayue. Please determine the members of the Northern delegation within the next two days and send them back to Dayue with us."

Lu Chen said, "No problem."

……

Two days later, the Dayue delegation left three people from the Dayue Dynasty in the Northern Kingdom, while the rest returned to Dayue with Murong Xue'er. Of course, Lu Chen also sent several officials from the Northern Kingdom to accompany the Dayue delegation back to the Dayue capital.

The Dayue delegation had just left Yancheng when the people sent by the Great Xia court arrived in Yancheng.

To Lu Chen's surprise, this time his father did not send Situ Ce to find him, but instead sent Right Chancellor Zhao Wenhan.

Lu Chen and Zhao Wenhan didn't have much interaction. In fact, when he was in the capital, he never spoke a word to Zhao Wenhan. He had only met Zhao Wenhan a few times at most.

The purpose of Emperor Xia sending Zhao Wenhan to the Northern Kingdom was similar to that of sending Situ Ce last time. He simply wanted Zhao Wenhan to deliver a message to Lu Chen, saying that the princes of the court were all useless people, and then praising the Northern King for being both literate and martial, and having the appearance of an emperor.

Lu Chen understood that Emperor Xia was trying to appease him, which was why he had Zhao Wenhan come and say these things to him. He didn't believe that Emperor Xia would one day give him that position.

Emperor Xia even doubted that he was his biological son, so how could he possibly pass the throne to him?

What Lu Chen is most worried about now is that Xia Huang's plan has already reached that stage. Xia Huang is already preparing to unite with the Grandmasters to besiege Zhuge Chongguang. Zhuge Chongguang is an important figure in the Northern Kingdom, and Lu Chen does not want to see anything happen to Zhuge Chongguang.

The reason he can be so relaxed now, and still have time to cultivate his relationship with his wives and concubines every day, is because Zhuge Chongguang took over most of the government affairs after arriving in the North.

Without Zhuge Chongguang, Lu Chen doubted whether he would have time to cultivate relationships with his wives and concubines in the future.

Unlike the Northern Kingdom delegation, Zhao Wenhan only stayed in Yancheng for two days. After conveying Emperor Xia's message to Lu Chen, he hurriedly left Yancheng.

Zhao Wenhan was also afraid of death. He was afraid that the Northern Kingdom would suddenly rise up in rebellion and kill him as a sacrifice to the flag.

After seeing Zhao Wenhan off, Lu Chen finally got to do what he had always wanted to do: marry Chu Yuqin.

……

The Great Yue Dynasty.

The Empress's bedroom.

Behind the red curtain, a woman's fair back was faintly visible. Outside the curtain, a woman was kneeling. The one kneeling on the ground was Murong Xue'er, who had just returned to the Dayue Dynasty from the Northern Kingdom.

From behind the curtain, the woman chuckled and said, "So, the Northern King has taken a fancy to your looks?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Xue'er's expression changed slightly. "Your Majesty, this servant has never seduced the Prince of the North. It was simply that he was the one who was watching this servant the whole time."

Emperor Yue ignored Murong Xue'er's words and said indifferently, "A lecherous person like him was able to break through to the Grandmaster realm at the age of seventeen or eighteen. It seems that the cultivation method he practices is quite extraordinary."

Emperor Yue continued, "Since he is interested in you, I will trouble you to visit the Northern Kingdom more often in the future."

This……

Upon hearing Yuehuang's words, Murong Xue'er was stunned.

Could it be that the Emperor Yue is planning to use her as a honey trap to seduce the King of the North?

Murong Xue'er didn't think that her beauty trap would work on Lu Chen. Although Lu Chen liked beautiful women, the women around him were all very beautiful. It was probably just a passing fancy that made him glance at her a few more times.

Seeing that Murong Xue'er remained silent, Emperor Yue's tone suddenly turned icy, "What, you're unwilling?"

Murong Xue'er quickly replied, "Your Majesty, this servant is willing. Whatever Your Majesty commands, this servant will do."

Emperor Yue then continued, "By the way, I've heard that you keep quite a few male lovers outside. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Xue'er was so frightened that she immediately prostrated herself on the ground and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not true. I rarely leave the palace, how could I possibly keep male lovers outside? Moreover, I am still a virgin and have never had any affair with any man."

Emperor Yue said, "So, someone is framing you. Who do you think would spread such rumors?"

Murong Xue'er said, "This servant does not know."

The Emperor continued, "I wonder, is there anything that a mere palace chancellor like you doesn't know?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Xue'er's delicate body trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat poured down her face.

At this moment, no more sounds came from inside the curtain, and several maids hurriedly came out from behind the curtain, while the emperor's red phoenix robe became faintly visible.

It was obvious that the Emperor was getting dressed inside.

After a while, Emperor Yue spoke again: "Although someone framed you for keeping male lovers outside, in order to clear your name, I think we should investigate this matter thoroughly."

As they were speaking, a gust of wind blew in from inside, and then the red curtain was blown open, revealing a stunningly beautiful face that could captivate all.

The next moment, Murong Xue'er, who was lying on the ground, suddenly flew up and her body flew directly into the curtain.

Immediately afterwards, Murong Xue'er's clothes were torn to shreds, revealing her fair skin. Murong Xue'er appeared completely naked in front of Emperor Yue.

Emperor Yue glanced at Murong Xue'er's body and then said, "Your virginity mark is still there. It seems you were indeed framed."

As she spoke, Yuehuang gently raised her hand, and a golden silk blanket flew from the bed into her hand. She then threw the blanket onto Murong Xue'er, covering her fair and jade-like body.

Emperor Yue continued, "Go out."

Murong Xue'er quickly draped a blanket over herself to cover herself and bowed, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Murong Xue'er then turned and left the Empress's palace.

When Murong Xue'er came out, she found that she was sweating profusely, and even the blanket that Yue Huang had draped over her was soaked with sweat.

Murong Xue'er breathed a sigh of relief, then composed herself and returned to her room.

at the same time.

The Great Wu Dynasty.

In a city in the southeast, a group of people were kneeling before Wu Junwan, kowtowing and begging for mercy. "Your Highness, spare our lives! If you spare our lives, we will do whatever you ask the Zhang family to do. We are your dogs."

Hearing this, Wu Yunwan smiled and said, "Patriarch Zhang, why did you do this in the first place? I gave you enough time to surrender, but instead of cherishing it, you gathered more rebels and tried to establish yourselves as kings."

The man kneeling before Wu Yunwan was about to say something when Wu Yunwan directly said, "Drag him away and behead him."

Soon after, a number of soldiers came over, pulled up all the people kneeling in front of Wu Yunwan, and dragged them away to other places.

"Your Highness, spare my life!"

"Your Highness, Your Highness, spare my life!"

"You surnamed Wu, you'll die a horrible death! Even as a ghost, I'll haunt your Wu family!"

……

The sounds from afar gradually subsided.

At this moment, Wu Yunwan murmured, "I've been out for so long, it's time to go back. I wonder if my good brothers have been missing me."

With the destruction of the Zhang family, the largest aristocratic family in the southeast, the internal strife in Da Wu also came to an end. In this internal strife, she, as the eldest princess, undoubtedly played the greatest role.

She persuaded most of the rebel leaders to surrender, and then led her troops to wipe out the remaining rebels and deal with the traitors who had launched the rebellion.

Before her, several of her brothers had also led troops to quell rebellions. The Empress Wu originally intended for her brothers to accumulate some military merits, but unexpectedly, her brothers were of no use at all. They not only fell into the rebels' trap and lost many of the Great Wu soldiers, but they also almost did not return.

Finally, after repeated suggestions from Prime Minister Chai Jiliang, Emperor Wu agreed to let Princess Wu Junwan lead the troops to quell the rebellion.

This was the first time that the Great Wu had allowed a woman to lead an army, and naturally many people in the court opposed it. However, despite their opposition, the ministers were well aware that Princess Wu Junwan definitely had the ability to quell the rebellion.

Their opposition was not due to Wu Yunwan's personal abilities. As can be seen from the fact that Wu Yunwan was made the eldest princess by Emperor Wu, her personal abilities were not weak. The main reason why the officials in the court opposed Wu Yunwan leading troops was because Wu Yunwan was a woman.

Moreover, Wu Yunwan has a very close relationship with the Empress of the neighboring Dayue Dynasty. She is now leading troops to quell the rebellion and accumulate military merits. In addition, she also has a huge intelligence agency under her control. It is self-evident what she wants to do in the future.

The officials of Da Wu did not want a female emperor to emerge in Da Wu.

At that very moment, Wu Yunwan was preparing to order the army to return to the capital of Dawu when a soldier came to her, handed her a letter with both hands, and knelt down, saying, "Your Highness, this is a letter from Prime Minister Chai. He wants you to return to the capital as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)