Having children earns benefit, start competing for dominance in the world by marrying a wife

Seeing so many people in the court actually agreeing to the trade treaty proposed by the North Country, Chai Jiliang's face darkened.

He glanced at those who stood up to agree with the North Country's trade treaty and found that most of them were from Prince Wu Ming's faction and other ministers without faction affiliation, while the ministers from Prince Lu Yi's faction had almost remained silent.

Now that Prince Wu Ming was still in North Country, and the ministers of his faction had agreed to the trade treaty proposed by the North Country, it suggested that there was likely some deal between Prince Wu Ming and the North Prince, which accounted for the situation in court.

At this time, the Martial Emperor looked at the ministers below but did not immediately make a decision. After a long time, the Martial Emperor finally spoke, "Now that the North Country's great army has already moved south into Lingtu County, if we do not agree to this treaty, I fear the North Country's army will continue to press south."

While saying this, the Martial Emperor's fingertips tapped continuously on the Dragon Throne, and after a while, he said, "The goods from the North Country are indeed of great use to Great Wu. With North Country in its prime, even if I do not agree to this trade treaty, the North Prince will not easily give up."

"Given this, I shall agree to this treaty and put an end to this war as soon as possible."

Seeing the Martial Emperor actually saying such words, Chai Jiliang could hardly believe it. The Martial Emperor had always been a hard-liner, someone who belonged to the war faction, the type who would not turn back until hitting a wall. How could he capitulate so quickly today?

In fact, the Martial Emperor also had his own considerations; he wanted to quickly conclude the peace talks and then send Wu Junwan to the North Country.

As long as Wu Junwan managed to obtain the manufacturing methods and blueprints of the North Country's weapons, Great Wu would soon be able to restore its strength. By then, all they had lost, he would personally snatch back.

He was still in his prime, with plenty of time, and he had a great chance to avenge the past humiliations.

...

Soon, the news that the Martial Emperor agreed to the trade treaty reached the North Country.

With this, the peace negotiations between North Country and Great Wu were almost completed, with only the issue of the hostage remaining.

In the Hall of Political Affairs of the North Country.

Prince Wu Ming looked nervously at Lu Chen.

Truth be told, he was not entirely certain that Lu Chen would keep his word.

After all, his emperor father had already agreed to the trade treaty, and the North Prince could very well renege at this moment and continue to keep him as a hostage.

At this time, Prince Wu Ming said, "North Prince, now that the terms of the peace talks have been negotiated, should we not sign a pact?"

What Prince Wu Ming called a pact was naturally not an alliance pact but a treaty of reparations. The term "pact" was used merely for sounding more pleasant.

Lu Chen, sitting on his throne, smilingly said, "Of course we can."

Then, Lu Chen said to the Jinyiwei Guard next to him, "Bring out the prepared pact."

Speaking of this, Lu Chen turned to Prince Wu Ming standing in the great hall and said, "Prince Wu Ming, please be seated."

Prince Wu Ming and the members of the Great Wu delegation had been standing for many days now, always on their feet during negotiations, but today, since the treaty was to be signed, they couldn't be kept standing—it's impossible to write while standing.

As Lu Chen's words fell, the officials of North Country on the left of the great hall immediately vacated their seats, and then Prince Wu Ming and the people of the Great Wu delegation took their places.

Soon, the Jinyiwei Guard brought two copies of the already drafted pact to Lu Chen and Prince Wu Ming respectively.

When Prince Wu Ming saw that the name listed in the hostage section of the scroll was Wu Junwan, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, the North Prince had honored the agreement and allowed Wu Junwan to be the hostage in North Country.

At that moment, Prince Wu Ming's long-suppressed emotions seemed to relax, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upward slightly.

This woman was finally out of the game!

He only needed to bring down Chai Jiliang, the core figure of Wu Junwan's faction, and then Wu Junwan's influence in Great Wu's court would be utterly shattered, and she would never have a chance for a comeback.

Thinking of this, Prince Wu Ming felt an immense sense of satisfaction, and after glancing over the other terms of the treaty and finding no issues, he immediately signed and stamped it.

Meanwhile, Lu Chen, while signing the scroll, said, "Prince Wu Ming, I hope that upon your return, you will be able to send the hostage promptly."

Prince Wu Ming smilingly said, "Please rest assured, North Prince, within a month, my royal sister will appear in Yan County."

Lu Chen said, "It would be for the best."

Once the treaty was signed and all procedures completed, Prince Wu Ming immediately rose from his seat and, bowing with his hands clasped, said, "Then we will take our leave."

Lu Chen smilingly said, "Prince Wu Ming, you seem to fancy the ladies of North Country so much, don't you plan to stay in North Country for a while?"

Wu Ming said, "Thank you for the kind offer, North Prince, but I need to return to Great Wu to report to my father, the Martial Emperor, so I won't stay for too long."

Lu Chen replied, "Very well, safe travels."

As soon as Lu Chen finished speaking, Wu Ming swiftly left Yan County with the delegation from Great Wu.

Wu Ming couldn't wait to leave Yan County, not wanting to stay a moment longer than necessary.

After signing the treaty, Lu Chen returned to the inner court. He planned to rest well for the next few days before hurrying to father more children, hoping to have several more within a year as he was preparing to head south and seize the throne next year.

When Lu Chen returned to the inner court, he was surprised to find Murong Xue'er also there in the Wind Cloud Court. He stood momentarily stunned upon seeing Mu Zixuan and the others chatting with Murong Xue'er.

When did Murong Xue'er get along so well with Mu Zixuan and the others?

In the past, whenever Murong Xue'er visited the Prince's Mansion, she would rarely enter the inner court and would usually just go to the study to engage in intimate relations with him.

Today, in his absence, Murong Xue'er not only entered the inner court on her visit to the Prince's Mansion but also struck up a conversation with his wives and concubines.

At this moment, the women noticed Lu Chen's return. They immediately rose to their feet and said, "Greetings, Prince."

Lu Chen smiled at Murong Xue'er and inquired, "Miss Murong, what brings you here?"

Before Murong Xue'er could speak, Mu Zixuan interjected, "Prince, didn't you ask Miss Murong to help the Mansion's tailors make a few Phoenix Robes? Miss Murong is here today for that very reason."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen realized what the situation was about.

Then, Chu Yuqin asked, puzzled, "Chen'er, why are you having Phoenix Robes made? I heard that the robes you're commissioning are to be made after the style worn by the Yue Emperor."

Chapter Find:

All the women turned their gazes to Lu Chen, curious about the issue. As a man, if he was interested in that position in the Capital City, it would be logical to have Dragon Robes made in preparation. What use would there be in having red Phoenix Robes made?

Lu Chen replied with a light smile, "I've noticed that among my women, quite a few thirst for power and aspire to be Empress. So I thought I'd give them a chance to experience the joy of being an Empress."

As he said this, Lu Chen's gaze fell on Yelv Nanyan, who went briefly blank. She quickly spoke up, "Prince, I now only wish to bear sons and daughters for you, and have no other aspirations."

Yelv Nanyan thought Lu Chen was hinting that she should be more content with her lot.

Lu Chen said, "Nanyan, you've misunderstood my intention."

Before Lu Chen could explain further, Wang Qingci chuckled and then questioned, "The joy of being an Empress that the Prince speaks of, it wouldn't happen to be an experience shared in bed, would it?"

Lu Chen's eyes landed on Wang Qingci, and he chuckled internally, finding that the wily vixen understood him well.

Hearing Wang Qingci say this, the other women grasped Lu Chen's meaning, their cheeks reddened, and they looked at him with a blend of embarrassment and intrigue.

Lu Chen cleared his throat and said, "Wu Junwan is Princess Junwan and is greatly fixated on the idea of becoming an Empress. To ensure she remains content in North Country, her wish has to be fulfilled. And Rongrong is also a princess. Though she is currently in Mysterious Moon Palace, she too harbors dreams of being an Empress.

As her darling, it's only right for me to help realize her dreams, isn't it?"

Chu Yuqin gave Lu Chen a reproachful look. "You're not doing it for them. I think you're just fixated on the Empress Great Jue, so you want others to wear her Phoenix Robe and play her role."

Lu Chen said, "Madam Chu, I swear, I have no such intentions."

Standing by, Wang Qingci said with a sly smile, "The Prince loves role-playing, after all. Look, you already have children and yet you still call her 'Madam.'"

Lu Chen snorted and replied, "Oh, so you're ganging up to slander me, are you?"

"Qingci, tonight, you're to come to Madam Chu's room! I need to have a good talk with the both of you."

Before Wang Qingci could say anything, Chu Yuqin immediately protested, "No way!"

She and Wang Qingci had always had a poor relationship; she didn't want to share Lu Chen's attention with that wily vixen.

Wang Qingci, covering her mouth and laughing, said, "I would indeed like to admire Madam Chu's charm, but unfortunately, Madam Chu will not agree."

Lu Chen said, "It doesn't matter whether she agrees or not, you must come tonight."

Chu Yuqin's cheeks flushed crimson as she exclaimed, "Chen'er, you!"

At that moment, a female guard entered the yard and said, "Prince, Master Xuanyuan requests an audience!"

Lu Chen no longer continued his flirtatious banter with his wives and concubines. Instead, he immediately went to the study.