Lu Chen had traveled through time and become the ninth prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, but this identity brought him nothing but trouble.
He sighed deeply, staring at the imperial edict in his hand.
At that moment, a woman in a flowing green dress entered the hall. Her figure was graceful, and her presence carried an air of quiet elegance. Upon seeing Lu Chen's troubled expression, she spoke in a gentle, soothing voice, "Chen'er, the north is not as dangerous as they say. It is far from the capital, and perhaps... it will be a good place for you."
Her voice was as clear and refreshing as a spring breeze.
Lu Chen lifted his gaze to the woman before him, and the sadness on his face momentarily faded.
Her name was Chu Yuqin. Once a maid to his late mother, she had been treated as a sister by her, and so Lu Chen had always called her Aunt Chu. After his mother's passing when he was ten, Chu Yuqin had remained by his side, caring for him like family.
After arriving in this world, Lu Chen had regained his memories from Earth, but they were of little use. Unlike the time travelers in novels who possessed encyclopedic knowledge, he knew nothing of engineering or science beyond common sense. Even the classical poetry he had memorized in high school had long since faded from his mind. In the end, there was little difference between him and the natives of this world.
As for politics, Lu Chen understood only one thing—he must never get involved in the struggle for the throne. That path led only to death.
His mother had been born into the prestigious Chu family of Jiangnan. If he wished to vie for the throne, he wouldn't be without support. Many had even tried to persuade him to fight for power. But Lu Chen was keenly aware of his own limitations.
His current life of luxury and ease was not bad at all. There was no need to risk everything for ambition.
The only problem was his upcoming journey to the cold, harsh lands of the north.
Perhaps because he was deemed useless and only knew how to indulge himself, his father, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, had arranged his marriage to Mu Zixuan under the pretext that he had come of age. As part of this arrangement, he was granted a fief in Beijun.
In the past, many had dreamed of marrying Mu Zixuan, the most talented woman in the capital. But times had changed. Her family had been involved with a rebellious faction. Although the Mu family had used an iron scroll of immunity to save themselves, their status had plummeted.
Anyone with political acumen knew that marrying Mu Zixuan meant losing all chances of becoming the crown prince.
Lu Chen didn't care about the throne. What concerned him was whether the Mu family's past ties to traitors would one day disrupt his peaceful life.
But there was nothing he could do. This was an imperial decree. He could only accept his fate.
A faint smile played on Lu Chen's lips as he turned to Chu Yuqin. "Aunt Chu, if I go to Beijun, won't you feel lonely here in the capital?"
Chu Yuqin was more than just his late mother's maid. She was a member of the Chu family, representing their interests in front of him.
But with his marriage to Mu Zixuan and his exile to Beijun, his chances of becoming the crown prince were gone. The Chu family would have no reason to support him anymore. It was likely they would recall Chu Yuqin as well.
With her strength at the ninth rank, Chu Yuqin was among the elite of the Great Xia Dynasty. The Chu family would not waste such a formidable warrior on a useless prince.
Yet, Chu Yuqin simply smiled and said, "If you go to Beijun, I will go with you."
Lu Chen was stunned. "Aunt Chu, are you sure?"
She nodded, her smile unwavering. "Of course. I promised your mother that I would protect you for the rest of my life."
Then, teasingly, she added, "Or is it that now that you have a princess, you no longer want your aunt around?"
Lu Chen hastily replied, "How could that be? I'd be overjoyed if you came with me. Without you, I don't think I'd be able to sleep well."
As he spoke, he glanced at Chu Yuqin.
At twenty-eight, she was still breathtakingly beautiful. Clad in a flowing cyan dress, her snow-white skin held a faint blush, and her delicate features exuded an ethereal charm. Her eyes were as clear as spring water, and her lips curved into a knowing smile. Her long black hair was pinned high with a jade hairpin, with strands cascading over her shoulders like silk.
Lu Chen's feelings toward Chu Yuqin were complex. But one thing was clear—he did not want to let her go.
Chu Yuqin's voice was soft as she said, "Enough idle talk. You should prepare for your wedding."
---
A few days later, the Beiwang Mansion was bustling with activity. Red lanterns hung in every corner, and the halls were filled with the laughter of guests.
Today was Lu Chen's wedding day.
Even ministers who had no ties to him attended the grand event.
After the wedding banquet, Lu Chen wasted no time heading toward the bridal chamber.
Over the past few days, he had come to terms with his situation. Whatever Mu Zixuan's family had done, she was now his wife. There was no point in dwelling on the past.
Besides, Mu Zixuan was rumored to be a peerless beauty.
Unlike Chu Yuqin, whom he desired but could never openly claim, Mu Zixuan was his wife in name and reality. There was no reason to hesitate, he can completely claim her as his forever.
Pushing open the door, Lu Chen's gaze instantly locked onto the wedding bed.
A woman sat there in a red wedding dress, her face hidden beneath a veil. Even without seeing her features, her graceful figure alone was enough to captivate him.
Two maids stood beside her, both of them stunningly beautiful. In his previous life, Lu Chen would have never had the chance to even speak to such women, let alone have them as attendants.
Excitement surged within him as he stepped forward and took the ceremonial jade stick offered by a maid, gently lifting Mu Zixuan's veil.
The next moment, an exquisite face was revealed before him.
She was like a celestial maiden who had descended upon the mortal world, her beauty so breathtaking that Lu Chen momentarily forgot to breathe.
Mu Zixuan blushed seeing her man looking at her so intensely, her voice barely above a whisper. "Husband, it is time to drink..."
Seeing her shy demeanor, Lu Chen could no longer hold back. He reached for her, pulling her into his embrace.
The maids had initially intended to remind him about the wedding wine, but seeing their master's eagerness, they chose to stand quietly and serve.
Time passed in a blur.
Lying on the bed with Mu Zixuan in his arms, Lu Chen let out a satisfied sigh. Perhaps this was the life he had always wanted.
But just as he was about to drift off to sleep, a strange voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring his first wife. System activation successful!]
[A 'Many Children, Many Blessings' system has been bound to the host.]
[A new member gift pack has been distributed. Would you like to receive it?]