The Ninth Prince's Hidden Path to Glory

Mu Changtian didn't explicitly say that he would help Lu Chen. In politics, some things just couldn't be said directly.

However, since he had promised that Lu Chen's journey to the Northern County would be smooth, it meant that he would surely send people to protect the Northern Prince and also inform the troops.

Although Lu Chen was naive in politics, he could still understand what Mu Changtian meant. Lu Chen said, "Thank you, father - in - law."

At this moment, Mu Changtian glanced at the servants in the hall and said to them, "Leave us. I have something to discuss with the Northern Prince alone."

"Yes, sir."

Immediately, the servants left the hall.

After the servants left, Lu Chen asked curiously, "I wonder what you want to talk to me about, father - in - law?"

For Mu Changtian to ask the servants to leave before talking to him, it must be something important.

Mu Changtian then said, "Northern Prince, I must remind you that even if you arrive safely in the Northern County, you won't be free from trouble forever."

Lu Chen asked, "Why is that?"

Knowing that Lu Chen was naive in politics, Mu Changtian simply made it clear.

"Your mother is the eldest daughter of the Chu family. Naturally, the Chu family supports you."

"Although you have left the capital, in the eyes of most princes, you are still a great threat."

"Moreover, the Chu family is very likely to still have expectations of you. Even I think so, and those princes will surely think the same."

"If you are still alive, the Chu family will probably support you forever. But if you..."

Mu Changtian didn't continue, because the following words would be disrespectful, and he believed that Lu Chen should already understand his meaning.

Hearing Mu Changtian's reminder, Lu Chen immediately understood what he meant. After all, Chu Yuqin had already warned him this morning.

Lu Chen sighed inwardly.

It seemed that he was indeed in a dangerous situation.

As long as he was alive, the Chu family might always have expectations of him. The Chu family was a large and influential family in Jiangnan. The support of the Chu family was very important for any prince.

If he died, the Chu family would lose their first choice of support, and they would turn to support other princes.

Therefore, for any prince who wanted to win over the Chu family, the most likely first thing to do would be to get rid of this useless prince, completely eliminating the Chu family's concerns.

What a headache.

Originally, after coming to this world, he had always planned to live a carefree life without any intention of competing for the throne.

Unexpectedly, just his background had brought him so many troubles.

There was nothing he could do. His background was determined at birth and couldn't be changed.

Now he had only two choices.

One was to find a way to completely oppose the Chu family, making people believe that he had broken with them.

The other choice was to eliminate all those who wanted to get rid of him, and then he would be safe.

Choosing the second option meant embarking on the path to the throne.

From a personal - feelings perspective, Lu Chen definitely wouldn't completely break with the Chu family.

First of all, his grandfather had been very kind to him since he was a child, and the Chu family had always sent people to protect him. Even Chu Yuqin, his first love in this world, was from the Chu family.

He really couldn't bring himself to completely break with the Chu family.

Moreover, even if he really broke with the Chu family, those princes might not let him go. After all, no one knew if it was just a charade between him and the Chu family for show.

So, getting rid of him was the safest plan for them.

In this way, those princes might still try to harm him.

That left only one last choice.Embark on the Path to the Throne!

Lu Chen contemplated that in the past, it would indeed have been arduous for him to contend with those princes for the throne. However, things were different now. He had acquired the "Blessed with Many Children" system. As long as he proceeded to the Northern County and took more concubines and sired more children, he could enhance his strength expeditiously. Perhaps that position might yet be his.

With this in mind, Lu Chen said to Mu Changtian, "Thank you for the reminder, father-in-law. I understand your intention."

...

After departing from the Mu Residence, Mu Zixuan gingerly inquired within the carriage, "My lord, what did father discuss with you?"

Lu Chen smiled faintly and then enfolded Mu Zixuan in his arms. "Nothing of great import. He merely instructed me to treat you well."

At this moment, Mu Zixuan was somewhat conflicted. She was uncertain whether she ought to inform Lu Chen about the two Zhou sisters, considering their highly sensitive identities.

At this juncture, Lu Chen's hand gently caressed Mu Zixuan's hair as he continued, "My beloved concubine, once we arrive in the Northern County, you must bear more children for me."

Upon hearing such forthright words, Mu Zixuan's complexion instantly flushed crimson. Although she was already a married woman, she had only recently been introduced to such matters.

Observing Mu Zixuan's bashful expression, Lu Chen was tempted to tease her but managed to restrain himself in the end.

Simultaneously, in the Imperial Palace.

In the Imperial Garden.

A middle-aged man attired in a yellow python robe stood in the pavilion by the lotus pond, his hands clasped behind his back as he watched the fish swimming to and fro. Suddenly, a man in black armor materialized behind him.

"Your Majesty, the Northern Prince has just visited the Mu Residence. During that time, Duke Mu dismissed the servants from the hall and held a private conversation with the Northern Prince behind closed doors."

Hearing this, Emperor Xia murmured to himself, "It appears that Mu Changtian holds the Ninth Prince in rather high regard."

Speaking of which, Emperor Xia turned his head to look at the eunuch in a red robe beside him.

"Eunuch Liu, do you think the Chu family will abandon the Ninth Prince after his departure from the capital this time?"

Upon hearing this question, the eunuch in red robe promptly replied, "Your Majesty, this servant dares not offer presumptuous remarks."

Emperor Xia, somewhat displeased, said, "Speak if I command you to."

The eunuch in red robe hastily responded, "In this servant's view, the Chu family will most likely forsake the Northern Prince and opt to support other princes."

Emperor Xia inquired with great interest, "Oh? Then tell me, who is the Chu family most likely to choose?"

Eunuch Liu trembled with fear. He had been in the company of Emperor Xia and was privy to certain matters unknown to others. Emperor Xia bore an intense hatred for the Chu family and had long dreamt of eradicating them. If he were to mention whom the Chu family might support next, would he not be endangering the other princes?

Emperor Xia continued, "Speak boldly. I grant you pardon for any offense."

Eunuch Liu immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, this servant believes that the Chu family will most likely support the Eighth Prince."

Since the mother of the Eighth Prince also hailed from the south of the Yangtze River, if the Chu family were to select a new candidate to support, their attention would inevitably fall upon the Eighth Prince.

Hearing Eunuch Liu's words, Emperor Xia merely smiled faintly and muttered, "Support the Eighth Prince. I'm afraid the Ninth Prince's journey will not be tranquil."

At this moment, the soldier in black armor behind Emperor Xia asked, "Your Majesty, should I dispatch someone to protect His Highness the Northern Prince?"

Emperor Xia replied indifferently, "There is no need. There will be those who protect him. If he truly encounters misfortune, it can only be attributed to his ill fortune."

...

In the evening.

Inside the room, Lu Chen had initially intended to engage in a heartfelt conversation with his beloved concubine. However, recalling that he had been intimate with her the previous day and that very morning, he abandoned the idea.

Perceiving that her husband seemed rather discomforted, Mu Zixuan finally summoned the courage to say, "My lord, why not take in Youyou and Xiaoxiao?"

Hearing this, Lu Chen's eyes brightened. He had not expected his beloved concubine to be so magnanimous.

Nevertheless, he said, "My beloved concubine, how can you bear to offer me to other women?"

Mu Zixuan blushed and said, "My lord, you were gazing intently at the two of them this morning."

How could she not fathom what was on Lu Chen's mind?

Mu Zixuan continued, "Moreover, the two of them are originally my maids who accompanied me in marriage. It is their duty to serve you, my lord."

Lu Chen embraced Mu Zixuan and said, "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?"

At this point, Mu Zixuan said to Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao, "Youyou, Xiaoxiao, come here."

Subsequently, the candlelight flickered within the room.

...