When Lu Chen saw Mu Zixuan retching, he already had a good guess.
After all, just a few days ago, the system had notified him—and the method to craft the new soap had appeared because of Mu Zixuan's condition.
Even so, knowing she might be pregnant wasn't enough. She still needed a proper diagnosis.
He hadn't begun cultivating the Rejuvenation Arts yet, so examining her himself was out of the question. The best he could do now was summon a physician.
Mu Zixuan was quickly moved to her room. As she lay on the bed, she looked up at Lu Chen and said softly, "Your Majesty, I'm all right."
Lu Chen gently caressed her cheek, a faint smile on his lips. "Just rest for now. The doctor will be here soon."
Before long, the royal physician arrived. After checking her pulse, his eyes lit up. He immediately bowed and announced respectfully, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. The princess is with child!"
At that moment, the entire room burst into joy.
Zhou Xiaoxiao grabbed Mu Zixuan's hand excitedly and said, "Sister, this is wonderful! You're pregnant! Our Prince finally has an heir!"
Lu Chen, equally pleased, ordered, "Xiao Rou, give the doctor two taels of silver as a reward."
The physician was overjoyed. "Many thanks for your generosity, Your Majesty!"
In these times, two taels of silver was no trivial amount. A physician might see dozens of patients and still not earn that much.
Once the doctor departed, Lu Chen placed his hand gently over Mu Zixuan's stomach and grinned. "Beloved, it seems our... tireless efforts these past few days have finally paid off."
Mu Zixuan's cheeks turned crimson. So many people were still in the room, and yet Lu Chen spoke so openly...
"My Lord," she murmured, "I won't be able to serve you for some time now."
Lu Chen nodded. "That's fine. Just take care of yourself and the baby."
After a moment, Mu Zixuan asked, "When do you plan to bring Xiaoxiao and Youyou into the palace formally?"
Though both Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou had already become his women, the wedding banquet had yet to be held.
Since they were to be formally taken as concubines, proper rites and a banquet were required.
Lu Chen thought for a moment and said, "In two days."
Mu Zixuan smiled. "Then, may I handle the arrangements?"
"If my beloved consort is willing," Lu Chen replied, "I'll trouble you with it."
Watching the tenderness between them, Chu Yuqin couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. Quietly, she turned and slipped away.
Once, she was the one by Lu Chen's side. But now that he had a princess, he no longer seemed to need her—just an aunt in name. That realization made her feel... empty.
---
A Few Days Later
Word spread from the Northern Prince's Palace: the Prince would soon be taking a concubine.
As soon as the news broke, various factions in Beijun began preparing lavish gifts.
---
Baihua Tower
A woman in a crimson robe sat by the window, gazing at the bustling streets below.
Her robe, loosely worn, revealed her fair collarbone and a delicate patch of smooth skin—an image that could easily bewilder any onlooker.
She was breathtaking.
Her features were exquisite—rosy cheeks, gentle allure, and eyes that seemed to carry a spring haze. Her lips curled into a subtle smile, her charm boundless.
A phoenix hairpin held up her high bun, while long, jet-black hair cascaded down her shoulders. Her graceful figure added to her enchantment.
At that moment, a masked woman entered and stood behind the curtain.
"Saintess," the woman said softly, "the Pavilion Master asks that you complete your mission as soon as possible... and leave Beijun."
The woman in red let out a cold laugh. Her voice was crisp and clear, like a bird singing in the woods.
"The Northern King has been holed up in his residence. We haven't even confirmed whether the Grandmaster beside him has left. How are we supposed to complete the mission so easily?"
"The Pavilion Master said this was His Highness's command," the masked woman replied. "He has no choice but to obey. If you require any assistance, you need only ask."
Wang Qingci's voice grew colder. "Forget it. Tell him I'll find a chance to get close to the Northern King soon. But ask him not to rush me."
Wang Qingci was growing restless. She had arrived in Yancheng two months ago and even taken the humiliating step of becoming an oiran—all just to get close to the Northern King. Yet, ever since his arrival, he hadn't visited Baihua Tower even once.
Rumor had it that the Northern King was crude and lustful, fond of sneaking into brothels to listen to music.
But now that he had come to Beijun, he'd become an entirely different man—remaining locked within the palace.
She had tried sending spies into the palace, but the guards were tight and Chu Yuqin personally oversaw everything. It was near impossible to slip someone in.
Their intel was lacking.
Just then, a blue bird fluttered in through the window. Wang Qingci reached out and took it, untying the message attached to its leg.
After reading the note, her lips curved upward.
So their information had been correct after all.
The Northern King truly was lustful.
He had only been in Beijun a few days and was already taking in concubines.
This was good.
If she could use this opportunity to enter the palace, perhaps she could catch his eye.
The honey trap had always been her most effective weapon—especially when it came to assassinations.
---
A Few Days Later – Northern Prince's Palace
Today, Lu Chen would officially take Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou as concubines. The palace was decked out in full splendor, guests arriving in waves with lavish gifts.
Everything had been arranged by Mu Zixuan herself. Invitations had been sent to every major power in Beijun.
She also intended to use this grand occasion to promote the new soap, so she invited many local factions.
While gifts were being accepted outside, Lu Chen sat in the martial arena. He casually listened to palace officials report on the gifts each faction had brought, all while scanning the crowd of women attending the banquet.
In the Daxia Dynasty, it was rare for unmarried girls to appear at another's wedding. But today, many noble families had brought their daughters, hoping to catch the Prince's eye.
Lu Chen swept his gaze across them, but quickly lost interest.
"Yancheng really is too small," he muttered to himself. "Not a single beauty with a score over 90..."
Just as he was about to give up, a woman in a violet dress entered his view.
---
[Name: Wang Qingci]
[Identity: Ninth-Rank Warrior | Adopted Daughter of the Jiangnan Wang Family | Saintess of Misty Rain Pavilion | Temporary Owner of Baihua Tower | Attending the wedding banquet to assassinate the Northern King using a beauty trap.]
[Score: 95]
[Favorability: 0]
---
Lu Chen blinked in surprise.
A ninth-rank assassin?
No—she didn't sneak in. She walked in openly.
His gaze fell on Wang Qingci's seductive form—those snow-white shoulders, the hint of exposed skin—and he felt his heart stir slightly.
A beauty scoring 95, and she just happened to be an assassin.
How unfortunate...
Finding someone with such a high rating was difficult enough. Even if she came with ill intentions, she was too valuable to simply cast aside.
No matter what, he had to find a way to capture this seductive rose... and make her submit to him for life and bear his child.
Lu Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought.
By now, the Dragon and Phoenix Tree should have matured.
Later, he would brew tea using its leaves to test the effects.
If the Dragon and Phoenix Tea worked as expected, then the roles between him and Wang Qingci... might just reverse.
A faint smile played at his lips.
Sometimes, the hunter must play the prey.
﹌﹌﹌
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