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

Seeing that Lu Chen's gaze was fixed on Xue Linglong beside him, Lu Yi frowned.

He suddenly remembered a rumor he had heard before: that his ninth brother was a lecherous man who would do anything to possess any beautiful woman he saw.

They didn't even spare Chu Yuqin and Lu Chen.

Lu Yi was immediately displeased. Although he had never touched Xue Linglong's body since their marriage, Xue Linglong was, after all, his nominal Crown Princess and his woman.

Lu Chen actually coveted his woman; no man could stand that.

At this moment, Lu Chen looked at Xue Linglong and said, "Sister-in-law, it's been years since we last met. I didn't expect you to have grown even more beautiful."

Hearing this, Xue Linglong was slightly stunned, then looked at Lu Yi beside her with a frightened expression.

"Ninth Brother is joking. Sister-in-law is getting old and will only get uglier, not more beautiful."

Lu Chen said with a smile, "The more mature a woman is, the more elegant she becomes, and the more beautiful she looks. A woman with such elegance as my sister-in-law will never become ugly."

Lu Yi, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer and said directly to Lu Chen, "Ninth Brother, we are so grateful that you took us in this time, otherwise I'm afraid I would have nowhere to go."

Lu Chen said, "My brother and I are brothers bound by blood. If my brother is in trouble, it is only natural that I should lend a helping hand."

"If you need anything in the Northern Kingdom in the future, please feel free to ask. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best to meet your needs."

Lu Chen didn't intend to try to get Lu Yi to talk today, since Lu Yi had only arrived in Yancheng today.

At this moment, Lu Yi sighed and said, "Ninth Brother, we brothers used to think that once you came to the fiefdom, you would just drift through life aimlessly. We never expected that you would not only bring happiness to the people of the Northern Kingdom, but also possess such strong military power. We were all wrong about you back then."

"If Ninth Brother had demonstrated his talent in the capital back then, Father would probably have made you Crown Prince long ago, and we brothers would certainly have been very convinced of his abilities."

Lu Chen smiled and then said, "I'm not very interested in that position. My brother has been overseeing the country for a while, so he should have seen through the intrigues in the court."

"Instead of scheming against those ministers, wouldn't it be more enjoyable to come to the Northern Kingdom and be a carefree prince? What do you say, Your Majesty?"

Lu Yi smiled and said, "Ninth Brother is right."

Lu Chen then said, "Brother, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll head back now."

At this point, Lu Chen glanced at Xue Linglong again.

Xue Linglong wore a purple chiffon dress that hugged her voluptuous and graceful figure. Although she looked dignified and elegant, Lu Chen always felt that there was a wild side to her.

Lu Chen thought to himself, "This woman is pretty, but she's a bit ruthless."

They actually gave Lu Yi a eunuch cultivation manual to practice, turning Lu Yi directly into a eunuch.

No wonder Qin Yuwei was still a virgin when she was sent to the Northern Prince's Mansion, allowing him to get a bargain. He really thought that his elder brother was so engrossed in martial arts that he had no interest in beautiful women. It turns out he just couldn't have that function anymore.

Lu Yi smiled and said, "Alright, Ninth Brother, go ahead and get busy. I won't take up any more of your time."

Lu Chen then turned and left the Lu residence.

As soon as Lu Chen left, Lu Yi's face darkened, and he unleashed a furious rage at Xue Linglong.

"Linglong, do you perhaps think that since I am no longer the Crown Prince and have lost all power, you want to abandon me and flirt with my ninth brother? Are you trying to seduce him!"

"What a shameless woman!"

Although Lu Yi verbally berated Xue Linglong, he did not lay a hand on her. Xue Linglong's identity was rather special, and he did not dare to directly hit her.

Upon hearing this, Xue Linglong appeared flustered and quickly said, "Your Highness, it's all because of the Northern Prince watching me. I wouldn't dare have such thoughts. I belong to Your Highness in life and in death!"

Lu Yi snorted coldly and said, "Everyone says that the Northern King is a lecherous man who won't let any beautiful woman he sees go. Today I've witnessed it firsthand; he even covets his own sister-in-law!"

Xue Linglong said weakly, "From now on, I will stay obediently in the mansion and never go out, so that the Prince of the North will never see me."

Lu Yi was about to say something when he suddenly paused, as if he had thought of something.

and many more……

If the Northern King really covets Xue Linglong's body, could he take advantage of this?

If Xue Linglong can win over the Northern King's heart, wouldn't it be easier for him to agree to some of her requests?

Thinking of this, Lu Yi's expression softened a bit. However, the thought that he hadn't even had a chance to enjoy his Crown Princess yet, and now he was being asked to seduce other men, made Lu Yi feel extremely unhappy.

However, for the sake of his great cause, this small sacrifice was worthwhile, especially since he had no real intention of giving Xue Linglong to the Northern King.

The Xue family, to which Xue Linglong belongs, has close ties with the Taiyin Divine Sect. If Xue Linglong is really given to the Northern King, then I will no longer be able to use the Taiyin Divine Sect to do things for me in the future.

At this moment, Lu Yi smiled and said to Xue Linglong, who was standing beside him, "Linglong, I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you just now."

"You don't need to stay in the mansion all the time. Now that we are on the Northern King's territory, we should naturally build good relationships with the people of the Northern King's mansion. In the future, you should find more opportunities to go to the Northern King's mansion and visit the Northern King's wife and the others more often."

Xue Linglong immediately saw through Lu Yi's little scheme, but she didn't expose him, because Xue Linglong's original purpose was to get close to the Northern King.

Xue Linglong immediately replied, "I understand."

……

night.

While Lu Chen was eating, he said to Mu Zixuan and the others, "The Crown Prince and his family have come to Yancheng."

Upon hearing this, the women were taken aback.

The eldest prince?

Didn't the eldest prince disappear after launching a coup? How did his family suddenly appear in the Northern Kingdom, and in Yancheng no less?

They quickly realized that Lu Chen had most likely brought them to Yancheng. It seemed that Lu Chen thought they still had value and therefore intended to protect them.

This was a man's matter, and Mu Zixuan and the others didn't intend to pry too much into it.

At this moment, Lu Chen said to Mu Zixuan, "My dear consort, you should try to visit the First Princess Consort more often in the future."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zixuan was taken aback for a moment, but she quickly understood Lu Chen's meaning. "This concubine understands."

Lu Chen continued, "I only discovered today that my sister-in-law is no ordinary person; she's actually a Grandmaster."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yuqin, who was standing to the side, was stunned. She turned to look at Lu Chen and asked, "Grandmaster? She really might be a Grandmaster? I remember the First Princess Consort is only thirty years old this year, right?"

Chu Yuqin was very surprised. Although Xue Linglong was about the same age as her, Xue Linglong was a well-bred young lady from the Xue family. She only knew how to play the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, and she had never heard of her practicing martial arts. How could she have broken through to become a grandmaster at this age?

Although Chu Yuqin herself was already a Grandmaster, she knew very well that if it weren't for Lu Chen's dual cultivation technique and his elixir, she would likely have remained at the Grandmaster level for the rest of her life and would never have become a Grandmaster.

Xue Linglong didn't have Lu Chen's help, yet she was still a Grandmaster.

not right...

Chu Yuqin instantly realized that Xue Linglong might not be the Xue Linglong she remembered, or even the real Xue Linglong.

She then warned, "Chen'er, this Grand Princess Consort has a serious problem. You must be careful; she may have ulterior motives."

Lu Chen said with a smile, "I'm just afraid she doesn't have any other motives."

This……

Chu Yuqin looked at Lu Chen with suspicion.

This little rascal isn't stupid; he can definitely see that Xue Linglong has some ulterior motives. But why does Lu Chen still want the princess and Xue Linglong to interact more?

Chu Yuqin didn't think much of it. She said to Mu Zixuan, "Zixuan, if you ever have to deal with this Grand Princess Consort in the future, try to include me."

The other party is a Grandmaster, and Chu Yuqin is worried that Xue Linglong might harm Mu Zixuan or the others in the Northern Prince's Mansion.

Mu Zixuan said, "Okay, Sister Chu."

……

a few days later.

Lu Chen returned to the Lu residence.

After entering the Lu residence, Lu Chen was led into the reception room by a servant.

Lu Yi then asked, "What brings Ninth Brother here this time?"

Lu Chen smiled and said, "I just came to see if you're comfortable staying here, and if you need anything."

Lu Yi immediately replied, "I'm used to it, very used to it, and I don't really need it for now."

At this point, Lu Yi continued, "Ninth Brother, please sit down. Someone, prepare some tea."

Lu Chen then sat down next to him. At this moment, there were only the two of them in the reception room. Just as Lu Chen was about to ask Lu Yi about the situation in the capital, Xue Linglong slowly walked in from outside. Xue Linglong was still wearing a purple gauze dress, and she looked like a beautiful woman.

Lu Chen's gaze fell directly on Xue Linglong. Seeing this, Lu Yi was not angry this time; instead, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

He was now pretty sure that his ninth brother was after Xue Linglong's beauty.

At this moment, Xue Linglong spoke up, "Ninth Brother, you've arrived."

Xue Linglong exuded a captivating charm with every gesture she made.

Lu Chen said with a smile, "I haven't seen you for a few days, and you've become even more beautiful."

Xue Linglong said with a smile, "Ninth Brother has such a sweet tongue, no wonder so many women want to marry you."

Lu Yi said calmly, "Linglong, please sit down too."

"Yes, my husband." Xue Linglong then sat down on a wooden chair.

After the servants served tea, Lu Chen spoke up, "Brother, I have a question, but I'm not sure if I should ask it."

Lu Yi said, "Ninth Brother, please speak."

Lu Chen said, "Your Majesty, you know I've always supported you in ascending to that position. I've always thought you were a mature and steady person, and you're already the Crown Prince. Logically, you should be able to sit on that throne sooner or later. Why are you in such a hurry this time?"

Upon hearing this question, Lu Yi sighed, "Alas, I don't want to do this either, but if I don't, I might lose my life."

"You must have heard about the incident a while ago where the Lin family colluded with a group of regional princes to poison the Emperor, right?"

Lu Chen said, "Yes, I know, but I heard that the Lin family was framed."

Lu Yi sighed deeply again, "There are witnesses and physical evidence. How could it be a frame-up? The main reason why the Lin family was able to clear their name so easily is because Consort Yu, whom Father Emperor favored, whispered in his ear. Therefore, Father Emperor firmly believed that someone had framed the Lin family."

"As a result, Lin Gaoyuan was released, but my father believed that Zhao Xiang was responsible for everything. Without any evidence, he arrested Zhao Xiang and a group of ministers, and I suddenly became all alone."

"Moreover, Consort Yu has been constantly bewitching Father Emperor, making him believe that I am the mastermind behind all of this. I've heard that Father Emperor not only plans to establish another crown prince, but also intends to poison me. In this situation, do you think I have any chance of survival if I don't rebel?"

Lu Chen said, "So that's how it is. I was wondering why my brother was in such a hurry."

"So, in your opinion, Your Majesty, the Lin family must have colluded with that vassal king?"

Lu Yi replied, "It's most likely the King of Zhao. The King of Zhao is powerful now and has already destroyed several vassal states. In less than two years, the King of Zhao will surely be able to bring his army to the capital."

Lu Yi sighed again, "Father has been blinded by thieves. I heard that the Lin family somehow obtained some so-called elixir, which temporarily restored Father's senses. Father really believed it was a life-saving elixir, so he trusted the Lin family even more. Little did he know that it was not an elixir at all. I consulted the doctors at the Imperial Hospital. That kind of pill can deplete a person's life force in a short period of time, making them appear as if they have recovered their health, but in reality, the body of someone who takes that kind of pill will only get worse and worse."

Seeing Lu Yi's pained expression, Lu Chen couldn't help but smile inwardly. His older brother was really good at acting. If he didn't know what was going on, he might have actually been fooled by him.

At this moment, Lu Yi suddenly thought of something and said to Lu Chen, "Ninth Brother, there is something else you may not know. If this matter gets out, it will definitely shake the foundation of the Great Xia Kingdom. I only discovered it by chance, and I still can't believe that Father Emperor did it."

Hearing this, Lu Chen feigned curiosity and asked, "What's wrong? Is it that serious?"

Lu Yi glanced at the maids in the hall, then waved for them to leave.

After the maids left, the maid at the door closed the door to the main hall. Then, Lu Yi whispered, "You've probably heard about the many martial artists who have mysteriously disappeared within the Great Xia territory, haven't you?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen frowned, his interest immediately piqued.

He had only asked casually out of curiosity earlier, but now he was genuinely interested.

After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard hasn't found much information about it so far. If Lu Yi really knows something, then it would be easy for him to get it.

Lu Chen then said, "I've heard about it too. Could what my royal brother said be related to the disappearance of the Great Xia martial artists?"

Lu Yi said with a panicked expression, "Yes."

Lu Chen, with an incredulous expression, pressed on, "Could it be... that Father Emperor did this?!"

Lu Yi said in a low voice, "Unbelievable, right? When I heard about this, I couldn't believe it was related to my father either."

Lu Chen asked, "What is Father Emperor doing with so many martial artists?"

Lu Yi said, "I heard that my father obtained an evil treasure that can absorb the power and essence of martial artists. It is rumored that one can achieve immortality or break through to the Celestial Realm through that treasure. Didn't my father send heavy cavalry to Jiangnan a while ago? Those soldiers were there to bring that thing back."

"When I raised my army, I won over a heavy cavalry captain who was involved in transporting that item. He told me that before they transported the item, they sacrificed many warriors, and since the heavy cavalry soldiers who participated in the transport returned, they have been dying one after another. That is why the captain wanted to join me. Moreover, when we led our troops into the palace, I saw with my own eyes that the soldiers' blood was being sucked away by something, and those soldiers turned into dried corpses in an instant."

At this point, a look of fear appeared on Lu Yi's face.

Hearing Lu Yi's words, Xue Linglong frowned slightly. Although she knew this matter was related to the Xia Emperor, she hadn't expected Lu Yi to know about it as well, and even more than she did. Furthermore, Lu Yi had never told her before, only revealing it now before the Northern King. (End of Chapter)