As a ninth-rank warrior, Chu Yuqin held an esteemed position within the Northern Prince's Palace, overseeing its entire guard. Yet, despite her high status, the soldiers stationed at the palace gate hesitated to let her wake the prince.
In the past, it had been no issue for Chu Yuqin to rouse the young prince, but now he was married. If she entered unannounced, she might stumble upon an intimate moment between Lu Chen and his new bride—a situation that would be nothing short of mortifying.
And judging by the muffled sounds drifting from the bridal chamber...
Even though the courtyard gate stood some distance from the room, the faint noises carried in the morning air.
Chu Yuqin frowned. Though she had never married, she was a grown woman—one who understood all too well the reason for such sounds.
"This little rascal is already so restless first thing in the morning," she muttered to herself, shaking her head.
Turning to the soldier beside her, she issued a direct order. "From now on, only female guards will be stationed at this gate."
The soldier stiffened before quickly responding, "Yes, Madam Chu!"
The moment he finished speaking, he hastily retreated from what he clearly considered a perilous situation.
---
Inside the room, after an enjoyable morning, Lu Chen held Mu Zixuan in his arms. Her cheeks were still flushed, and she found it difficult to meet his gaze.
Lu Chen gently stroked her silky hair and teased, "My dear wife, are you satisfied with your husband?"
Mu Zixuan let out a soft hum in response.
Before their marriage, she had worried about whether he would be too young or immature. But after meeting him, all those concerns had melted away.
After a night of intimacy, she found that the King of the North had already grown into a man. While he was not yet the most powerful warrior, he possessed a strength that left her utterly convinced.
Not to mention, he was undeniably handsome—exactly the kind of man she had dreamed of marrying.
The Mu family's fall from grace due to their association with a rebellious faction meant that they would struggle to regain power for years to come. In that sense, marrying a prince was a blessing.
Her father had once hoped she would become the Crown Princess, but Mu Zixuan had never been interested in such a role. In her view, being the wife of an idle prince was far preferable to the ruthless struggle that came with being the emperor's consort.
Furthermore, the Northern King's fief was far from the capital. Once they left, they might never return. The thought of being away from the political battlefield brought her a sense of relief and joy.
Lu Chen suddenly said, "Tomorrow, we leave for Beijun. Before that, let's visit your father together."
Mu Zixuan nodded. "Alright."
With the help of two beautiful maids, Lu Chen took a quick bath and then stepped out of the room, feeling refreshed.
---
The moment he stepped into the courtyard and saw Chu Yuqin standing by the gate, his eyes lit up. He immediately activated his system to scan her details.
[Name: Chu Yuqin] [Identity: Former maid of Chu Yue, sworn sister of Chu Yue, representative of the Chu family's interests, widow of Wang Han, current leader of the Northern Prince's guards, and the Northern Prince's first love.] [Power Level: 97] [Favorability: 98]
Lu Chen blinked, confused. Wang Han had died on the very day of their wedding—before they could even consummate the marriage. How did that make her his wife?
And what was this about her being his first love? He certainly admired her, but wasn't this system being a bit too dramatic?
Still, he couldn't ignore the fact that Chu Yuqin had an incredibly high power level and an even higher favorability rating toward him. That alone was enough to spark a few wicked thoughts in his mind.
With a smirk, he called out, "Aunt Chu, you've been eavesdropping on me early in the morning, haven't you?"
Chu Yuqin immediately spat, glaring at him. "You little rascal! Already being so shameless first thing in the morning. It's important to continue the family line, but you need to take care of your health too!"
Lu Chen chuckled. "Don't worry, Aunt Chu. I have plenty of stamina."
Chu Yuqin rolled her eyes at him before speaking in a more serious tone. "After breakfast, you should visit Duke Mu. Though he's fallen from favor, his influence in the army remains strong. When you leave for Beijun, you'll need his support."
Lu Chen raised an eyebrow. "Why do I need him to help me settle in Beijun?"
Chu Yuqin smiled faintly. "Chen'er, you don't think your journey there will be smooth sailing, do you?"
Lu Chen's expression stiffened. "Aunt Chu, what do you mean? Don't scare me like that."
Chu Yuqin's tone grew more serious. "You may not be a contender for the throne, but for some people, the only harmless prince is a dead one."
Lu Chen fell silent, digesting her words.
He had always assumed that staying out of court politics and avoiding alliances with powerful ministers would keep him safe. But he had overlooked one crucial detail—his identity alone was enough to make him a target.
His mother hailed from the powerful Chu family, and her political standing meant that he was automatically associated with their faction. Even if he remained uninvolved, there were those who saw him as an obstacle.
Some factions might even believe that eliminating him was necessary to force the Chu family to shift their allegiance elsewhere.
Realization dawned upon him, but rather than fear, he felt a surge of confidence.
If it had been yesterday, he might have worried. But now, with the system backing him, he was no longer the same defenseless prince.
"Aunt Chu, I understand," he finally said.
At that moment, Chu Yuqin's gaze shifted to Mu Zixuan, who was stepping out of the room, supported by the two Zhou sisters. The young princess moved with a slight limp, her delicate features tinged with the remnants of last night's passion.
Seeing Chu Yuqin, Mu Zixuan immediately greeted her. "Madam Chu."
Technically, as the princess, Mu Zixuan held a higher rank. But she understood Chu Yuqin's true status in the Northern Prince's Mansion and treated her with proper respect.
Chu Yuqin smiled and nodded. "Zixuan, from now on, I leave Chen'er in your care."
Mu Zixuan replied earnestly, "Rest assured, Madam Chu. I will take good care of the prince."
Satisfied, Chu Yuqin turned and left.
---
After breakfast, Lu Chen and Mu Zixuan made their way to Duke Mu's residence.
Mu Changtian, a tall and burly man, exuded an air of strength and authority. Upon seeing Lu Chen, he immediately bowed. "Greetings, King of the North."
Lu Chen quickly responded, "Father-in-law, there's no need for such formalities."
Mu Changtian studied him briefly before motioning toward the hall. "Please, King Bei, come inside."
As they sat down, Mu Changtian asked, "What are your plans once you take up your fief in Beijun?"
To be honest, he didn't expect much of an answer. Firstly, Lu Chen was still young this year, and he saw Lu Chen as an idle prince who had never shown interest in governance or military affairs.
Of course, this does not mean that he looks down on Lu Chen. After all, Lu Chen is still a prince.
Lu Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "To govern Beijun well and live a peaceful life with Zixuan."
Mu Changtian nearly regretted asking. This boy was clearly still a political novice. He didn't even understand the meaning of what he had just said.
He sighed inwardly, wondering if marrying his daughter to Lu Chen had been the right choice.
However, when Lu Chen added, "I heard my father-in-law has strong military influence. I may need your help in Beijun," Mu Changtian couldn't help but chuckle.
Although he does have a strong influence in the military, no one would say it directly.
But it's better this way. The more ignorant Lu Chen is, the more important his daughter will be in the Northern Prince's Mansion. This is actually a good thing for his daughter.
Smiling, Mu Changtian reassured him, "Don't worry, King Bei. Your journey to Beijun will be smooth sailing."