Chu Yuqin had long heard Lu Chen mention that he possessed a fate intertwined with immortality, so witnessing him wield immortal techniques came as no great surprise to her.
However, hearing about something and seeing it unfold before one's eyes were entirely different matters.
At that moment, Zhou Xiaoxiao, who lay quietly on the bed, let out a soft moan. Slowly, her beautiful eyes fluttered open and fixed on Lu Chen. With a hint of confusion and amazement in her voice, she asked, "My Lord, what exactly did you do just now? Why do I feel so... comfortable? There wasn't even the slightest bit of pain!"
Hearing Zhou Xiaoxiao's question, Mu Zixuan's thoughts drifted to the time when she had given birth.
Back then, although her body hadn't emitted any green light, she remembered clearly how comfortable she had felt when Lu Chen touched her. The aching fatigue had vanished as if swept away by a breeze, and within days, she had returned to her pre-pregnancy state, vigorous and unburdened.
At the time, she had attributed her swift recovery to her naturally strong constitution. But now, in light of what she had just witnessed, Mu Zixuan realized Lu Chen might have employed some sort of mystical method to aid her recovery—something far beyond the capabilities of mere mortals.
Lu Chen didn't immediately answer Zhou Xiaoxiao's question. Instead, he waited until the color returned to her cheeks and her breathing stabilized. Only then did he speak, his tone gentle and calm, "This is my own special method of treatment. It will help you recover more quickly."
The moment Lu Chen's words fell, Chu Yuqin turned around sharply and addressed the midwives and palace maids with a stern expression: "Not a single word of what happened here today must be leaked. Understood?"
Seeing the seriousness in Chu Yuqin's eyes and the firm authority in her tone, the midwives and maids instantly lowered their heads and replied in unison, "Yes, Madam Chu."
They had never seen such a miraculous form of healing before. Clearly, this was no ordinary medical technique—it was magic, the kind found only in legends.
As that realization settled in, excitement surged within their hearts. It wasn't every day one served someone with divine powers. Like the immortals, whose existence they had only ever heard of in hushed tales and ancient books, now stood before them—not as some distant myth, but as their very own prince.
To serve an immortal—what an unimaginable honor! A fate that even the noblest in the realm would envy.
Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaoxiao sat up slowly from the bed, her body light and unburdened. Lu Chen immediately stepped forward to support her. It was clear she had completely recovered, her body returning to its pre-childbirth condition without the slightest sign of weakness.
She carefully picked up the newborn child beside her and held her close, her gaze soft and loving as she examined the tiny face.
"Your Majesty," she said gently, "I've only given birth to a daughter for you…"
Her voice carried a trace of regret.
She had seen firsthand how much Lu Chen doted on Lu Changfeng. It was easy to assume that he preferred sons, that his affection lay more readily with male heirs. And now, having given birth to a daughter, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of inadequacy—guilt, even.
In this era, it was common knowledge: a mother's status often rose with the birth of a son. Only sons could secure and elevate a woman's place in the royal household.
But Lu Chen, hearing her quiet apology, simply gazed at the child in her arms and smiled.
"Xiaoxiao," he said warmly, "whether it's a son or a daughter, to me, there's not much difference."
"In my palace, daughters will receive the same as sons. While they may not inherit the exact same titles, they will never be mistreated. I will protect and care for every one of my children equally. You don't need to worry about such things."
His words were like spring rain, gently washing away Zhou Xiaoxiao's unease. Relief and gratitude flooded her expression.
At that moment, Mu Zixuan, ever mindful, stepped forward and reminded, "Prince, the child still hasn't been named. Please bestow her with a name."
Lu Chen pondered for a moment, then said, "Let her be called Lu Huanhuan. May she grow up in joy and happiness."
Zhou Xiaoxiao repeated the name under her breath, her voice tinged with warmth. "Huanhuan… Huanhuan. Your Majesty, it's a beautiful name."
Just then, a hurried voice rang out from outside the room.
"Your Majesty! Commander Qin requests an audience. He says it's an urgent matter and hopes you can proceed to the study immediately!"
It was customary for Lu Chen to stay by Zhou Xiaoxiao's side after childbirth. And the palace maids were usually perceptive enough not to disturb him unless the matter was of great importance.
Chu Yuqin, noting the subtle change in Lu Chen's expression, quickly said, "Chen'er, since it's Commander Qin, it must be something significant. Go, we'll stay with Xiaoxiao."
Lu Chen gave a nod. "Alright, I'll head there now."
With that, he turned and departed, leaving the warm atmosphere of the birthing chamber behind as he made his way to his private study.
By the time he arrived, Qin Yushan was already waiting, his expression grim.
Lu Chen pushed open the door and asked directly, "Commander Qin, what's the matter?"
Without delay, Qin Yushan pulled out a bamboo tube and removed the rolled-up sheepskin parchment inside. He unfurled it and handed it to Lu Chen, his tone low and tense.
"Your Majesty, there are unusual movements among the northern barbarians."
The moment the words were spoken, Lu Chen's brows furrowed deeply, forming a crease like the character "川".
Since arriving in Beijun, Lu Chen had never feared assassination attempts from the capital's traitorous scum, nor had he worried much about the powerful aristocratic families entrenched in the north.
What truly kept him awake at night were the barbarians who roamed beyond Beijun's northern borders.
And now, the news of their strange movements sent a jolt of unease through his heart.
If the barbarian army truly advanced south, Beijun would be the first to suffer. The cities within his fiefdom would be reduced to charnel houses under the hooves of barbarian cavalry.
Beijun's stagnant development and widespread poverty were largely due to these intermittent barbarian raids. Each incursion left devastation in its wake, making it nearly impossible for the region to recover or flourish.
Lu Chen took the parchment from Qin Yushan's hands and scanned its contents carefully. The document reported that the barbarians had begun to gather their forces. However, they had yet to form a complete army. Based on estimations, it would take at least two months for them to assemble fully.
He remained silent for a long time, digesting the implications.
Seeing this, Qin Yushan stepped forward and added solemnly, "Your Highness, our spies have reported that this time, the barbarians are not coming just to plunder food or resources. Their goal is to fully seize Beijun."
"Their king intends to establish a nation and use Yancheng as its capital!"
Lu Chen's eyes narrowed as he scoffed coldly. "They want to claim Beijun and establish a country here? Then where would that leave me? What nonsense. Wishful thinking!"
As the vassal prince of Beijun, Lu Chen's authority and identity were tied to his territory. If he lost Beijun, he would lose everything.
Qin Yushan's voice turned grave. "Your Majesty, based on the mobilization orders intercepted from their royal court, the barbarians are expected to send no fewer than 300,000 cavalry to invade Beijun."
"Currently, Beijun has only 30,000 soldiers under arms—and most of them are stationed in Yancheng. They wouldn't stand a chance against such overwhelming force. We must make preparations without delay."
Lu Chen fell silent once more.
A war of this scale was nothing like palace intrigues or assassination attempts.
If assassins came, he could use a few grenades and handle them decisively.
But 300,000 barbarian cavalry?
That would be a black tide, a sea of steel and hooves.
Historically, the Great Xia Dynasty had always struggled to combat the barbarians effectively. The reason was simple—barbarian forces were almost entirely composed of cavalry. Their tactics revolved around speed and overwhelming momentum.
They struck swiftly, long before Xia's forces could organize a proper defense. By the time reinforcements arrived, the barbarians had already completed their plunder and retreated like waves receding into the mountains.
For years, the dynasty's strategy against these foes had remained purely defensive.
But this time… things were different.
The barbarians weren't planning a quick raid—they intended to stay, to establish dominance, to rule.
That meant they wouldn't retreat at the first sign of resistance. They would push forward, relentless and brutal.
And even if Beijun could be held, the price would be steep.
The cities might be reduced to rubble. Countless lives would be lost. Families torn apart, livelihoods shattered.
Lu Chen clenched his fists.
If everyone in Beijun were slaughtered by barbarian blades, then what would he be prince of?
What legacy would he have left to protect?
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