The Ninth Prince's Hidden Path to Glory

Having transmigrated and become the ninth prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, Lu Chen found this identity brought him quite a number of troubles.

Lu Chen looked at the imperial edict in his hand and let out a deep, weary sigh.

Just then, a woman in a long green dress with a voluptuous figure entered the hall where Lu Chen was.

Seeing Lu Chen's gloomy and troubled expression, the woman softly comforted him, "Chen'er, the north isn't as dangerous as you might think. Moreover, being far away from the capital might actually be a good place for you in some ways."

Her voice was as gentle and clear as the spring breeze that caresses one's heart, instantly soothing Lu Chen's troubled mind.

Lu Chen looked up at the woman before him, and the worry on his face dissipated like mist in the sun.

The woman was named Chu Yuqin. She had been a maid for his mother in the past, but his mother had always regarded her as a dear sister, so Lu Chen affectionately called her Aunt Chu.

When Lu Chen was ten years old, his mother passed away, and since then, it had been Chu Yuqin who had been by his side, taking care of him with unwavering devotion.

Not long after he transmigrated to this world, he regained his memories from Earth. However, these memories proved to be of little practical use to him.

Unlike the all-knowing transmigrators in novels, aside from some basic common sense, Lu Chen knew very little about science and engineering knowledge. Nor could he recall many ancient poems. Even though he had recited them daily in high school, by now, they had vanished from his mind completely. In truth, he was scarcely different from the ancients in these regards.

As for political matters, Lu Chen was utterly ignorant. But he knew one crucial thing: he must never get involved in the fierce and deadly fight for the throne. Otherwise, he might meet an untimely and unforeseen end without even realizing how.

His mother had been born into the prestigious Chu family, a prominent clan in the south of the Yangtze River. If he were to engage in the struggle for the throne, he wouldn't be entirely without support. And there had always been those who tried to persuade and tempt him to vie for that coveted position. Fortunately, he had a clear understanding of his own limitations and capabilities.

The life of being waited on hand and foot, with every need met without effort, was actually rather pleasant, and he saw no reason to take unnecessary risks.

It was just a pity that he would soon have to journey to the desolate and harsh northern region to endure a life of hardship.

Perhaps because he had seemed so inept and only concerned with enjoying a life of ease, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, who was also his father, had decreed that he marry Mu Zixuan and then be sent to establish his fiefdom in the Northern Prefecture.

In the past, many would have vied for the hand of Mu Zixuan, the renowned and talented beauty of the capital.But things were different now. Mu Zixuan's family had become entangled with a rebellious clan. Although the Mu family had managed to preserve themselves by using the Iron Certificate of Exemption from Death, their social standing had plummeted dramatically.

Anyone with even a modicum of political acumen knew that whoever married Mu Zixuan would essentially have no hope of attaining the position of the crown prince.

Lu Chen didn't care much about the crown prince position. What worried him was whether his marriage to Mu Zixuan, given her family's connection to the rebellion, might one day disrupt his comfortable and carefree life.

Worried as he was, since it was his father's imperial decree of marriage, he had no choice but to accept.

At this moment, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Lu Chen's lips as he said, "Aunt Chu, if I go to the Northern Prefecture, won't you feel lonely here all by yourself in the capital?"

Besides being his mother's maid, Chu Yuqin had a special status. She also hailed from the Chu family and, in Lu Chen's presence, represented the interests of the entire clan.

However, after Lu Chen married Mu Zixuan and departed for the Northern Prefecture, it meant that he had completely relinquished any chance of becoming the crown prince. The Chu family would no longer invest their hopes and resources in him, and it was likely that Chu Yuqin would leave his side as well.

Chu Yuqin had attained the ninth rank in martial prowess. In this relatively low-level martial world, there were few ninth-rank experts in the entire Great Xia Dynasty. It was improbable that the Chu family would allow such a highly skilled expert to follow a seemingly worthless prince.

Chu Yuqin smiled charmingly and replied, "If you go to the Northern Prefecture, I will go with you."Upon hearing this, Lu Chen was momentarily stunned.

Lu Chen asked, his eyes filled with doubt, "Aunt Chu, are you certain that you want to accompany me to the Northern Prefecture?"

Chu Yuqin answered with a warm and affectionate smile, "Of course. I promised your mother that I would protect you for a lifetime.

"Are you asking this because you now have a princess and no longer want your aunt around?"

Lu Chen quickly responded, "How could that be? I'm actually overjoyed at the thought of Aunt Chu coming with me to the Northern Prefecture. Without you, I might not be able to sleep soundly at night."

As he spoke, Lu Chen's gaze lingered on Chu Yuqin.

Chu Yuqin was twenty-eight years old this year, yet her beauty was as radiant and captivating as ever.

She was dressed in a cyan cloud-patterned dress. Her flawless face was as fair as freshly fallen snow, with a delicate blush that added a touch of alluring charm. Her eyes were like clear, sparkling springs, and the slight curve of her lips was filled with a gentle and endearing smile, exuding an air of grace and tenderness.

Her jet-black hair was elegantly combed up and coiled high, with strands of hair like soft willow branches cascading down over her fragrant shoulders. The black pearl on the jasper hairpin glistened brightly against her dark hair, and the delicate curves accentuated by the cyan dress enhanced her captivating allure.

Lu Chen's feelings for Chu Yuqin were complex and somewhat indescribable. But one thing he was certain of was that he was deeply attracted to her.

If Chu Yuqin were to leave his side, he would feel a profound sense of loss and longing.At this time, Chu Yuqin said fondly, "Alright, stop being so talkative. You should start preparing for your wedding."

...

A few days later.

The Northern Prince's Mansion was a scene of great festivity and jubilation, decorated with brightly colored lanterns and festoons everywhere. Big red lanterns hung in rows, casting a warm and inviting glow.

Today was Lu Chen's wedding day, and nearly all the ministers, whether they had a close relationship with him or not, had come to offer their congratulations.

After the wedding banquet finally came to an end, Lu Chen could scarcely contain his eagerness as he made his way to the bridal chamber.

Over the past few days, Lu Chen had come to terms with the situation. Regardless of what had befallen Mu Zixuan's family, now that she had married him, he decided there was no need to dwell on it too much.

Since Mu Zixuan had become his princess, and thinking of the rumors that she was a great beauty, Lu Chen's heart was filled with anticipation and excitement.

Unlike with Chu Yuqin, although Lu Chen had feelings for her, she had a special status that made things complicated. Now that Mu Zixuan had married him, she was someone he could truly get to know and be close to.

Upon entering the bridal chamber, Lu Chen's gaze immediately locked onto the wedding bed.

At this moment, sitting on the wedding bed was a woman in a bright red wedding dress. She had a red veil covering her face, so he couldn't see her features. But her slender and graceful figure alone was enough to capture Lu Chen's attention.On either side of the woman stood two maidservants, both possessing strikingly beautiful appearances. In his previous life, it would have been an arduous feat for Lu Chen to marry a beauty like these maids as his wife.

With a heart pounding in anticipation, Lu Chen approached Mu Zixuan. He took a jade rod from one of the maidservants' hands and gently lifted the red veil.

In the very next instant, a visage of such exquisite beauty came into view that it seemed as if Mu Zixuan were a fairy who had descended to the mortal realm or a celestial maiden from the heavens, rendering Lu Chen completely entranced.

Blushing prettily, Mu Zixuan uttered with a hint of shyness, "My lord, it's time for us to drink the..."

Unable to resist the allure of her coy demeanor any longer, Lu Chen lunged forward without hesitation.

The two maidservants had initially intended to remind Lu Chen about the nuptial wine they were supposed to drink. However, seeing that he had already embarked on more...intimate matters, they had no choice but to stand quietly to the side, ready to attend to their needs.

An indeterminate amount of time passed.

Lu Chen lay in bed, his arm draped around Mu Zixuan's body, feeling thoroughly relaxed. Perhaps this was the very life he had yearned for.

But just at that moment, the voice of an unfamiliar woman rang out.