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

Chapter 293 The Prince just told me something

After hearing Lu Chen's words, Dongfang Yi glanced at the steamship blueprints in his hand again, still finding it hard to believe.

If what Lu Chen said is true, and this steamship can move without human or wind power, and is made entirely of metal, then wouldn't they be invincible at sea in the future?

Just as Dongfang Yi was staring at the steamship in his hand in a daze, Lu Chen spoke up: "The Northern Kingdom doesn't have much of an industrial base yet, so it's not easy to build a steamship like this. There's no need to rush. I can wait three to five years."

For now, their navy can continue to use wooden ships. The large ships built by the Eastern family can still be used as warships with cannons, so there is no need to use steamships.

Just then, Dongfang Yi suddenly thought of something and asked, "Your Highness, can this steam engine really provide power for the large ship?"

Lu Chen said, "That's natural. The steam locomotives manufactured in Dayu City have been successfully tested, and the railway from Yancheng to Dayu City is already under construction. Before long, you will be able to see carriages that do not need to be pulled by horses."

"From now on, it will only take a few days to travel from Dayu City to Yan City."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yi said, "Your Highness, how about this: I'll first take out a few merchant ships, then place this steam engine on them, modify the ships, and test the steam engine's performance?"

Lu Chen thought for a moment, then said, "This is feasible. In a few days, I will have the craftsmen of Dayu City make a few steam engines suitable for merchant ships and test their power performance."

Lu Chen thought to himself that since he wasn't in a hurry, he might as well try modifying the existing wooden boat first. If the modification went well, he might be able to mass-produce steam warships in no time.

Building steamships from metal requires a large amount of metal, and since the industry in the north is underdeveloped, it would take a lot of time to build metal steamships. However, wooden ships are different.

If it's a wooden boat, the craftsmen of the Eastern family can build it, and the Northern Kingdom has many forests, providing more wood for shipbuilding.

However, steam engines require coal and operate at extremely high temperatures, so it's unclear whether a steam turbine could be mounted on a wooden boat.

Now it's time to see how the transformation experiments in Dayu City and the Dongfang family go; let's hope they succeed.

Lu Chen then said, "Patriarch Dongfang, if there's nothing else, you should go back first. The city will be relocated in a few days, so your family should make preparations."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yi was about to say "take your leave," but then he suddenly remembered something and continued, "Your Highness, I've remembered something, and I wonder if I may speak of it?"

Lu Chen asked curiously, "What is it? Tell me."

Dongfang Yi asked, "What does Your Highness think of my daughter?"

Hearing this question, Lu Chen was stunned. He hadn't expected Dongfang Yi to ask him this question.

Why is Dongfang Yi asking this question? Could it be that this guy is planning to sell his daughter?

Thinking of this, Lu Chen asked, "Longyue is diligent, hardworking, intelligent, and capable; she is an outstanding woman."

At this moment, Dongfang Yi said, "When I was in Jiangnan, I was looking for a husband for my daughter, but she never thought of those poets and scholars. Until she met Your Highness, I found that she often painted in her room, and the paintings were of Your Highness. She often lost her appetite because of painting, which shows that she admires Your Highness very much."

"I wonder if Your Highness could grant my daughter a chance? To allow her to serve Your Highness?"

Hearing this, Lu Chen smiled. Just as he had thought, Dongfang Yi was planning to marry Dongfang Longyue to him.

This is not surprising, though. It wasn't just Dongfang Yi who was trying to force daughters into his palace. Lu Chen knew what they were thinking; they wanted to make their families and the palace even closer together.

Lu Chen then said, "I don't have the habit of forcing others. It depends on Long Yue's wishes. If she agrees, she can marry into the Northern Prince's Mansion at any time. If she doesn't agree, you shouldn't force her."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yi quickly replied, "No, no, I have always respected my daughter's choice."

"I believe my daughter will be very happy to hear this news."

Lu Chen smiled and said, "She might not be happy. She's a woman who prefers independence. Currently, she runs the Oriental Newspaper, which is nominally a business of the Oriental family. If she marries into the Wang Mansion, it means she'll have to hand over the Oriental Newspaper to someone else in the Oriental family to manage. Do you think she wants to give it up?"

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yi was taken aback; he had almost forgotten about it.

The main reason Lu Chen had the Dongfang family establish a newspaper was to allow them to create a platform for public opinion in a "people's" way. If Dongfang Longyue married the Northern King, she would become a member of the Northern King's household. At that point, it would be unsuitable for her to continue serving as the editor-in-chief of the Dongfang newspaper, and she would have to give up that position to someone else in the Dongfang family.

If Dongfang Longyue has already married into the Northern Prince's mansion and become the Northern Prince's concubine, yet she still controls the Dongfang Newspaper, wouldn't that be telling everyone that the Dongfang Newspaper is the Northern Prince's mansion's newspaper?

Dongfang Yi couldn't help but think that, given his daughter's personality, if he asked her to do nothing but stay in the Northern Prince's mansion every day to serve the Northern Prince, she probably really wouldn't do it.

Thinking of this, Dongfang Yi suddenly felt at a loss for what to do. At this moment, Lu Chen continued, "Don't worry, Patriarch Dongfang. If Longyue is willing to marry me, I can let her continue to serve as the editor-in-chief of Dongfang News. However, I may give her a formal title a few years later, and once I give her a formal title, she will have to give up her position as the editor-in-chief of Dongfang News."

Upon hearing Lu Chen's words, Dongfang Yi instantly understood what Lu Chen meant. Lu Chen meant that Dongfang Longyue could move into the Northern Prince's Mansion now and serve Lu Chen. As for when Dongfang Longyue would be given a formal title, it would depend on when Dongfang Longyue was willing to give up her position as the editor-in-chief of the Dongfang Daily.

Dongfang Yi felt this was a good idea. It was possible to make it a fait accompli first, and then formally marry them when they had children.

The Dongfang family is an affiliated family of the Northern Prince's Mansion. Dongfang Yi still trusts Lu Chen very much. If it were someone else, Dongfang Yi, as a father, would definitely not agree to Dongfang Longyue having marital relations with a man before formal marriage. But the Northern Prince is different; the Northern Prince is the chosen one.

Once Dongfang Longyue becomes the Northern King's woman, she will be tainted by destiny, and Dongfang Longyue will be bound to the Northern King.

Moving into the Northern Prince's Mansion first is not out of the question.

Thinking of this, Dongfang Yi said excitedly, "Your Highness, I will tell Longyue later that once we move to the new city, I will let Longyue live in the Northern Prince's Mansion to serve Your Highness."

Hearing this, Lu Chen smiled and said, "Patriarch Dongfang, I still maintain that everything must be done voluntarily by Longyue. You must not force Longyue."

Dongfang Yi said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will not force my daughter. I am merely conveying Your Highness's message."

At this point, Dongfang Yi was already eager to go to the Dongfang Newspaper Office to tell his daughter the news. "Your Highness, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

Lu Chen said, "Okay."

Then Dongfang Yi turned and left the study. Seeing Dongfang Yi's departing figure, Lu Chen couldn't help but wonder if Dongfang Longyue would agree to move into the Northern Prince's Mansion ahead of schedule.

Although Dongfang Longyue's favorability rating for him was already 95, favorability rating does not necessarily mean that she is willing to have certain things happen with him. For example, Chu Yuqin was like that back then. Chu Yuqin's favorability rating for him was also in the 90s, even close to 100, but Chu Yuqin always felt resentful about their different identities.

Dongfang Longyue is a self-reliant woman. She may worry that she will lose the opportunity to continue managing the newspaper after marrying into the royal family. Although Lu Chen has said that he can allow her to live in the royal family first and then continue to run the Dongfang newspaper, once Dongfang Longyue enters the royal family, she will eventually resign from her position as editor-in-chief of the Dongfang newspaper.

Just then, Lu Chen suddenly thought of something. He smiled slightly. If Dongfang Longyue was worried that she would leave the Dongfang Newspaper after marrying him, then he could just create another "job" for her.

Not long ago, he had been thinking about having the Northern Prince's Mansion also publish a newspaper. The current official newspaper is nominally a media organization of the Northern Kingdom's small court. Although the relationship between the Northern Kingdom's small court and the Northern Prince's Mansion is still very close, as his children grow up, the affairs of the Northern Kingdom's small court and the Northern Prince's Mansion will eventually separate.

Lu Chen didn't want the politics of the small court to enter his own palace, and for his children to get involved in various political matters. If that happened, his Northern Palace would probably be in complete chaos.

Even the small court in the North has its own official gazette. How could the Northern King's Mansion, a business tycoon with so many industries, not have its own newspaper?

If the Northern Prince's Mansion were to publish a newspaper, in addition to releasing real-time news, it could also publish information related to the Northern Prince's Mansion's industries.

Once Dongfang Longyue married into the Northern Prince's Mansion, the mansion's newspaper and magazine were handed over to her for management.

……

Oriental Daily News.

Inside the room, Dongfang Longyue was holding a calligraphy brush and quickly writing down the latest news reports on paper.

Although the North now has fountain pens, which are convenient writing tools, Dongfang Longyue has not changed her habit of using a calligraphy brush.

Of course, even though Dongfang Longyue uses a brush, she writes just as fast as those who use fountain pens.

Just as Dongfang Longyue was engrossed in writing, an employee entered her office. "Miss, the master is here to see you."

Hearing this, Dongfang Longyue was stunned. She had just returned home. Why was her father coming to find her now?

Then Dongfang Longyue said, "Let my father come to the office."

"Yes, Miss."

The newspaper staff then left the room, and shortly afterward, Dongfang Yi appeared in Dongfang Longyue's study.

Upon seeing Dongfang Yi, Dongfang Longyue put down her calligraphy brush and asked, "Father, is there something you need from me?"

Dongfang Yi said, "I just went to the Northern King's Mansion."

Hearing this, Dongfang Longyue was not too surprised. The Northern King wanted the head of the Dongfang family to assist the craftsmen of Dayu City in building warships. As the head of the Dongfang family, her father would naturally go to the Northern King's mansion to inquire about the warships so that the Dongfang family could cooperate with the craftsmen of Dayu City.

But what does this have to do with her?

Although she is a member of the Dongfang family, she currently manages the Dongfang Newspaper and does not interfere in other matters of the Dongfang family.

Just as Dongfang Longyue was about to say something, Dongfang Yi said with a smile, "The prince just told me something."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Longyue was startled and immediately sensed something was amiss.

Dongfang Yi continued, "What the prince means is that he has taken a liking to you and wants you to marry into the Northern Prince's Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Longyue's heart tightened.

it's over...

Just as she expected.

She had actually guessed that this day would come. When the Northern King was alone with her, his hints were already very obvious. However, she did not expect this day to come so soon.

It wasn't that she disliked Lu Chen, but in her opinion, once she entered the Northern Prince's Mansion, she would probably have to stay there forever.

Having been used to freedom since childhood, she would probably get sick if she stayed in the Northern Prince's Mansion to be a wife and mother all the time.

Seeing that Dongfang Longyue's expression was somewhat unpleasant, Dongfang Yi immediately guessed what she was thinking. He then asked, "Do you think that after marrying into the Northern Prince's Mansion, you'll have to give up your position as the editor-in-chief of the Dongfang Daily?"

Dongfang Longyue said, "Dongfang Newspaper is a private newspaper. Once my daughter marries into the Northern Prince's Mansion, the Prince will definitely make her give up this position to someone else."

Dongfang Yi stroked his beard and said, "You don't need to worry about that for now. The prince means that you can continue to manage the Dongfang Newspaper. He won't give you a formal title for now. He will give you a formal title whenever you are willing to give up this position."

This……

Dongfang Longyue instantly realized that the Northern King meant that she should first enter the Northern King's mansion to serve him, and they would have the de facto relationship as husband and wife. As for the formal status, it was up to her to decide whether she valued it or not.

Thinking of this, Dongfang Longyue felt a little emotional. She had guessed that the Northern King would take her into his harem when she first saw him, but she never expected that this lecherous man would want to take her body first.

Seeing that Dongfang Longyue had fallen silent, Dongfang Yi asked, "Longyue, have you really thought it through?"

Dongfang Longyue remained silent, not uttering a word, as she too was making a decision.

At this moment, Dongfang Yi said, "Longyue, think about it, how many men in this world are worthy of you?"

"And how many men can you actually fancy?"

"The Northern King is undoubtedly your best choice. In addition, our family is an affiliated family of the Chosen One, so you won't suffer any losses by marrying the Northern King."

"If you don't marry the Northern King, you won't have many other men to marry. Are you planning to remain single for the rest of your life?"

"Even if you want to remain unmarried forever, I'm afraid the Northern King won't agree."

At this point, Dongfang Yi glanced at Dongfang Longyue to see her reaction. Seeing that Dongfang Longyue still did not react, Dongfang Yi continued to persuade her: "Father does not want to use any family mission to pressure you, but Father can see that you have feelings for the Northern King. Do you think Father does not know that there are quite a few portraits of the Northern King in your study?"

Upon hearing Dongfang Yi's words, Dongfang Longyue instantly snapped out of her daze. She looked at Dongfang Yi and asked, "Father, why did you enter my study without permission?"

Dongfang Yi said, "This is not my fault. Your brother found it when he went into your study. Why didn't you go home when you were at the newspaper office? You should have asked him to go home and get your things for you."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Longyue immediately realized that she had been too busy recently, and since her brother had come to the newspaper office, she had asked him to go back and help her get her things.

Her original intention was to have a servant from the Dongfang family, who was also her personal maid in the Prince's mansion, enter the study to retrieve something. However, her brother actually ran into the study to retrieve something himself and even told his father that there was a portrait of the Northern Prince in the study!

Dongfang Yi then said, "Think about it."

At this moment, Dongfang Longyue said, "No need to consider it. After we move to the new city, I will move to the Northern Prince's Mansion to serve the prince."

Dongfang Longyue had also figured it out. Anyway, she had feelings for the Northern King, and the Northern King had said that as long as she didn't want a title, she could continue to be the editor-in-chief of the Dongfang Daily. So she could just keep dragging it out. She believed that the Northern King wouldn't care whether she had a title or not.

The Northern King is a lecherous man; he only wants her body, so she should satisfy him.

Although the Northern King desires her body, it's probably only temporary. With so many women, he certainly can't handle them all.

It's highly likely that the Northern King will only share a room with her once or twice, and then he'll lose interest in her because he'll lose interest. At that point, even if she lives in the Northern King's mansion, she'll be able to focus all her energy on the Eastern News Agency.

Seeing that Dongfang Longyue had agreed, Dongfang Yi smiled brightly. Now their Dongfang family and the Northern Prince's Mansion were even more closely bound together.

Seeing her father smiling so happily, Dongfang Longyue suddenly realized something. She stared straight into her father's eyes and asked in an icy tone, "Father, wasn't it you who took the initiative to suggest to the Northern Prince that I be sent to the Northern Prince's residence?"

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yi was startled and instantly felt incredibly guilty. He stroked his beard and said, "How could that be? How could Father bear to send you away so early? This is the Northern King's will."

Seeing how nervous Dongfang Yi was, Dongfang Longyue instantly understood what was going on. It must have been her father who had brought up her matter with the Northern King.

Dongfang Longyue then said, "Father, I have important matters to attend to. You should go back."

At this point, Dongfang Longyue picked up her brush and continued writing furiously on the paper.

Seeing that Dongfang Longyue didn't say anything more, Dongfang Yi felt relieved. He then turned and walked towards the door, but just as he reached the door, Dongfang Longyue's voice came again, "I will go home tonight and tell Grandpa everything you did today."

Dongfang Yi was taken aback.

This……

In the end, Dongfang Yi was severely scolded by the old man of the Dongfang family, but this did not change the outcome that Dongfang Longyue would move into the Prince's Mansion. After all, Dongfang Longyue herself had already agreed, and everything was just waiting for the relocation of the city to be completed.

(End of this chapter)