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

After deciding on the timing for launching the campaign against Dawu, Lu Chen discussed the appointment of officials with Zhuge Chongguang.

Most officials in the capital are less capable than those in the Northern Kingdom. After all, Lu Chen had always allowed the Northern Kingdom officials to handle various matters independently, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had always been supervising them.

Lu Chen didn't really want to put the officials in the capital in important positions, but if he didn't give them some suitable positions, those officials in the capital would probably feel uncomfortable.

At least they came to Yancheng with him, unlike those old hands who just coasted along in the capital. These officials still had some ambition.

There are quite a few things involved in assigning them jobs.

After Lu Chen and Zhuge Chongguang finished discussing the appointment of officials, the sun had already set, leaving only the red glow hanging on the horizon.

Looking out the window, Lu Chen saw that it was getting late and said, "Grand Secretary, you should go back for today. We can discuss the appointment of officials tomorrow."

Zhuge Chongguang immediately rose from his seat, bowed to Lu Chen, and said, "This old minister takes his leave!"

Zhuge Chongguang then turned and left the Imperial Study.

After Zhuge Chongguang left, Lu Chen went directly to Fengyun Palace.

When Lu Chen entered the Fengyun Palace, he saw Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao there as well. Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao were very worried about Mu Zixuan's condition, since Lu Chen did not have Mu Zixuan serve him in bed on the first night after his return, but instead had Chu Yuqin serve him.

It was naturally not appropriate for the two of them to interfere in this matter, but they could stay by Mu Zixuan's side and comfort her.

Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou spent the entire day at Fengyun Palace. Just as Mu Zixuan was preparing dinner, a maid outside suddenly shouted, "His Majesty has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, the three women were taken aback for a moment, and then quickly came out to greet them.

Before Mu Zixuan could even bow, Lu Chen said, "Xiaoxiao and Youyou are both here. That's perfect. You two don't need to go back tonight; just stay at Fengyun Palace."

Upon hearing this, the three girls instantly understood Lu Chen's meaning, and Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou couldn't help but blush.

Lu Chen then looked at Mu Zixuan and said, "Zixuan, it's so late, dinner should be ready by now."

Mu Zixuan quickly replied, "It's all ready. Your Majesty, I'll have the servants serve the dishes right away."

Immediately, Mu Zixuan ordered her maid to inform the kitchen staff to serve the dishes quickly.

Lu Chen then headed directly towards the Fengyun Palace.

After entering the Fengyun Hall, Lu Chen sat down at the round dining table. Mu Zixuan, Zhou Xiaoxiao, and Zhou Youyou also quickly came over, but they did not sit down immediately.

Now that Lu Chen's status is different, they dare not be as casual as before.

Seeing Mu Zixuan and Da Zhou and Xiao Zhou all standing, Lu Chen said with a smile, "Why are you all so afraid of me now that I'm back? It's like I'm a stranger to you all?"

"Hurry up and sit down."

Upon hearing Lu Chen speak, Mu Zixuan, Zhou Xiaoxiao, and Zhou Youyou all said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After he finished speaking, the three women sat down.

Seeing their restraint, Lu Chen said calmly, "Although I am now the Emperor, this is the inner palace, my home. You are my wives and concubines, my women, my closest people. Do you all want to distance yourselves from me and leave me all alone?"

Although Lu Chen's tone was very calm, Mu Zixuan and the other two girls immediately realized that Lu Chen was angry. Lu Chen rarely got angry before, and this was the first time they had seen him speak so harshly.

The three women simultaneously got up from their stools and immediately knelt on the ground.

Mu Zixuan said, "Your Majesty, we do not have such thoughts."

Seeing the three women kneeling on the ground trembling, Lu Chen sighed.

Just as he thought, anyone who gets into this position will eventually become a lonely figure.

It is said that the emperor has no family affairs, only state affairs. Even in the harem, the emperor's wives and concubines must maintain the demeanor of a subject before the emperor.

Although Lu Chen knew that this was how the times were, it still made him feel very uncomfortable.

Lu Chen understood that even if an emperor, who held the power of life and death, told his wives and concubines to be more at ease, they would still not dare to act recklessly, since a single word from him could lead to their demise and the destruction of their families.

Moreover, he wields far greater power than his father, who was constrained by powerful families. Now, however, he holds absolute power, and whatever he says goes; no one can restrain him.

For an emperor with such immense power, it would be virtually impossible for his wives and concubines not to fear him.

Lu Chen then said, "Zi Xuan, you've been married to me for several years now, don't you know what kind of person I am?"

Upon hearing this question, Mu Zixuan paused slightly before replying, "His Majesty is benevolent and kind, with lofty aspirations; he is a wise ruler, a rare sight indeed."

Lu Chen was quite dissatisfied with this trip home; Mu Zixuan's words were far too polite.

Lu Chen then got up from the stool, walked directly to Mu Zixuan, and squatted down.

Mu Zixuan was stunned again.

Lu Chen looked into Mu Zixuan's eyes and said, "Zixuan, what do you think? I'll issue an order to the inner palace that my wives and concubines are not allowed to kneel before me at the drop of a hat."

This……

Mu Zixuan instantly understood what Lu Chen meant; Lu Chen was very dissatisfied with the behavior of the three of them today.

Mu Zixuan immediately said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."

Lu Chen said, "If you know you're wrong, why don't you get up right away?"

"You want to kneel so badly? I'll let you kneel all you want on the bed later when we go to sleep."

Mu Zixuan and the other two girls immediately understood Lu Chen's implied meaning, and their cheeks became even redder and hotter.

The three women then got up from the ground.

Mu Zixuan then said, "Your Majesty, I understand your meaning, but the palace is no longer the former Northern Prince's residence. There are so many eyes watching us in the palace. If any of the wives or concubines in the palace are disrespectful, they will surely be impeached in the court in the future."

It is said that the emperor has no private affairs. However, if the ministers find out about the affairs of the harem, they will definitely bring it up during court sessions and use it as an opportunity to start a political struggle.

This was very common in any dynasty, so Mu Zixuan and the others had no choice. Even though they knew that Lu Chen disapproved of their cautiousness towards him, which would make him feel like he had become a lonely figure, they still had to consider the trouble that might result from being impolite.

Hearing Mu Zixuan say this, Lu Chen then said, "From now on, I will issue an order that matters of the harem are my family affairs and no minister is allowed to discuss them, unless it involves some businesses you operate outside or certain things you do that affect the Great Xia."

As Mu Zixuan was pondering something, Lu Chen immediately said, "Alright, this matter is settled then."

At this point, Lu Chen glanced at Mu Zixuan and Da Zhou and Xiao Zhou, and then continued, "I'll just say one thing: if you really leave me all alone and make me feel like I have no family ties, then I really won't consider feelings when I do things in the future."

"I'm sure you wouldn't want to see an emperor like my father, would you?"

Upon hearing this, the three women were taken aback.

They naturally did not want to see Lu Chen become a cold and ruthless emperor.

As soon as Lu Chen finished speaking, he sat down at the dining table again.

At this point, the servants began serving the dishes.

Lu Chen said, "Come and sit down quickly."

After regaining their senses, Mu Zixuan and the other two girls quickly sat down at the dining table. Because of what Lu Chen had just said, the three girls were no longer as cautious as before.

After the food was served, Zhou Xiaoxiao prepared a glass for Lu Chen and Zhou Youyou poured him a drink.

Lu Chen then said to Mu Zixuan, "Zixuan, after court yesterday, a minister came to me and talked to me about the matter of establishing an empress."

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou felt a pang of anxiety. (End of Chapter)