The moment Mu Zixuan heard the familiar voice, her gaze instinctively turned toward its source.
Her body froze.
She stood rooted to the spot, utterly stunned.
She never imagined she would see her mother again in this lifetime.
From the moment she had married Lu Chen, she had mentally prepared herself to never return to the capital, to never again set eyes upon her family.
And yet, here—just over a year later—her mother stood before her.
Mu Zixuan was overwhelmed with emotion. So this was the surprise the prince had mentioned!
It truly was a grand surprise!
Tears began to well in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks before she could stop them.
At the same time, Mrs. Mu, upon catching sight of her daughter, was equally overwhelmed with emotion and immediately rushed forward.
The mother and daughter embraced tightly, holding each other as though fearing the other might vanish again.
Mu Zixuan sobbed uncontrollably, and Mrs. Mu wept as well.
Zixuan cried because she had been reunited with her family after enduring so long apart. Mrs. Mu cried because the Mu family had narrowly escaped annihilation. She had once believed she would never see her daughter again in this life.
After a while, Mu Zixuan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked up, intending to comfort her mother. But just then, she noticed several other familiar figures standing nearby.
Her eyes widened as she recognized Mu Changtian, her father, along with her two elder brothers.
Even the household servants from the Mu Mansion had appeared...
Something was off.
No matter how naive she might have been, Mu Zixuan was no fool. The presence of her entire family here in Beijun could only mean one thing—something serious must have happened in the capital.
Her father, Mu Changtian, was a duke and a former military commander. Although his command had been revoked, the emperor would never have allowed him to simply leave the capital unless something drastic had occurred.
And yet, here they all were.
Something had definitely happened.
She turned to her mother, her voice tight with concern. "Mother, what happened? Why have you all come to Beijun?"
Mu Changtian stepped forward and let out a long, weary sigh before answering, "Zixuan, come inside first. We'll explain everything."
Mu Zixuan nodded silently and followed them into the Mu Mansion's reception hall.
There, Mu Changtian recounted everything—the sudden political turmoil in the capital, the downfall of the Mu family, the emperor's decree, and their long, humiliating road to exile. Only then did Mu Zixuan fully understand the ordeal her family had endured.
And in that moment, she didn't feel the slightest bit of blame toward Lu Chen for hiding all of this from her.
She understood.
When the Mu family fell, she had just given birth and was still weak and vulnerable. If she had heard such devastating news back then, the shock alone might have harmed her.
Now, instead of blaming him, her heart filled with gratitude.
She never would have imagined that it would be Lu Chen, the King of the North, who had ultimately saved her family from ruin.
She felt incredibly fortunate.
Had she not married Lu Chen, perhaps both she and the entire Mu family would have long since perished.
After spending two heartfelt hours in the Mu Mansion, Mu Zixuan finally made her way back to the palace.
At that time, Lu Chen was in his study, going through a report from the Jinyiwei.
Knock, knock, knock—
A soft knock echoed at the door.
"My Lord, may I come in?"
Lu Chen set the document aside, stood up, and said with a smile, "Come in."
As the door creaked open, Mu Zixuan entered. Lu Chen's smile deepened.
"How was it, my beloved? Do you like the surprise I prepared for you?"
Before his words had even finished, Mu Zixuan threw herself into his arms.
Feeling the familiar warmth and softness in his embrace, Lu Chen gently patted her slender back, offering comfort through his touch.
Mu Zixuan choked with emotion. "Wuwuwu… Prince, thank you… Thank you for saving my family!"
Lu Chen smiled gently. "You're my beloved consort. I could never bear to see you mourning the loss of your loved ones. It was only right that I helped them."
He continued to stroke her back soothingly. "Alright now, don't cry. The Mu family is safe, and with them now here in Beijun, it'll be much easier for you to visit them often."
He gently nudged her back and used his fingers to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
In that moment, Mu Zixuan's teary eyes and rosy cheeks made her appear even more radiant, her beauty amplified by the emotion that adorned her face.
She gazed at Lu Chen, her heart brimming with gratitude and affection. She didn't know how to express everything she felt—but her eyes spoke volumes.
Lu Chen looked into her eyes and, unable to resist, kissed her deeply.
"Mmm…"
Mu Zixuan didn't resist. Ever since becoming pregnant, she had distanced herself from such intimacy. But now, with her emotions surging and her heart overflowing with thankfulness, she found herself craving Lu Chen's closeness.
Lu Chen usually didn't entertain such affections in his study. It was his workplace, not a bedchamber. At most, he might discipline Wang Qingci, the maidservant, for amusement.
But with the atmosphere already so thick with emotion and affection, even he couldn't find it in himself to pull away.
---
[The host and Mu Zixuan have shared intimacy once. Qi Refining experience increased by 20. Rejuvenation Hand experience increased by 20.]
[Congratulations to the host on the birth of another child. Rewards: 200 122mm howitzers, 1,000 artillery shells, and cement manufacturing technology.]
[The more children the host has, the greater the rewards. Please continue your efforts and produce more offspring!]
---
The sudden system notification made Lu Chen freeze mid-movement.
He had been enjoying a moment of tenderness with Mu Zixuan, never expecting such a prompt from the system right then.
Beside him, Mu Zixuan noticed his pause. Her eyes shimmered with emotion as she smiled sweetly. "Husband, is something wrong?"
It was only at moments like these that Mu Zixuan would call him "husband." Sometimes, depending on her mood, she'd even call him "hubby" or "husband."
Lu Chen reached out, gently brushing the sweat off her pale forehead.
"Xiaoxiao should have given birth," he replied softly.
Mu Zixuan's eyes widened in realization. She immediately sat up and said, "Husband, let's go see her."
Despite the intimacy they had just shared, Mu Zixuan wasn't someone who confused priorities. This wasn't the time for pleasure—this was something far more important.
Lu Chen nodded. "Alright. Let's get dressed and head over."
The two quickly straightened up and left for the Northern Courtyard, where Zhou Xiaoxiao had been staying.
That area was already abuzz with activity.
Zhou Xiaoxiao lay weakly on the bed, her face pale and damp with sweat.
Lu Chen approached the bedside, sat down beside her, and gently held her hand.
"Xiaoxiao, you've just given birth. Why didn't you send someone to inform me?"
If not for the system alert, he wouldn't have even known she had delivered.
Zhou Xiaoxiao mustered a faint smile. "Your Highness has been so busy lately. I didn't want to disturb you."
Mu Zixuan, standing beside her, softly interjected, "Sister, the prince wouldn't have minded."
Lu Chen chuckled lightly. "Xiaoxiao, remember to inform me next time, alright?"
Zhou Xiaoxiao blinked. Her eyes widened slightly at the unexpected remark. She had just gone through the pain of childbirth, and he was already talking about next time? A faint blush bloomed on her pallid cheeks.
Seeing her so frail, Lu Chen didn't hesitate. He immediately activated his spiritual energy and placed his hand over her.
Rejuvenation Hand.
A soft green glow enveloped Zhou Xiaoxiao's body, soothing her pain and replenishing her energy.
The tension in her body melted away. Fatigue vanished. Pain disappeared.
The comfort was indescribable.
Mu Zixuan, Chu Yuqin, and the others nearby were astonished at the sight of the green spiritual energy illuminating the room.
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