After listening to Lu Chen's statement, Lin Wanyun couldn't help but raise her doubts, "Your Highness, I've heard that the Northern Region has only thirty thousand troops under its command, and yet you said that the barbarians are marching south with three hundred thousand soldiers this time. Can thirty thousand men possibly resist such an overwhelming force?"
Upon hearing her concern, Lu Chen's face displayed no fear. Instead, a calm but determined expression emerged, resolute and unwavering. "Even if we can't, we must. I am the Northern King. If I can't even defend the land of the north, what right do I have to bear that title? If I allow the Beijun to fall, what face will I have to return to the capital and meet the eyes of my father? How can I look upon the people of the North again?"
"..."
Hearing those words, both Chen Wanrong and Lin Wanyun were momentarily stunned, struck silent by the unexpected passion and resolve in Lu Chen's tone.
This… this wasn't the same Northern King they had imagined.
At that moment, Chu Yuqin stared at Lu Chen with eyes full of veiled resentment. She wasn't foolish—she immediately understood that Lu Chen was deliberately putting on a performance in front of Chen Wanrong and Lin Wanyun.
True, Lu Chen had indeed shown courage and a genuine determination to defend Yancheng against the barbarian incursion. But normally, he would not speak in such grandiose terms, nor act with such overt dramatics.
This impassioned and heroic facade—this air of righteous valor—was clearly meant as a show, aimed at the women before him.
And what did that suggest?
It meant Lu Chen had taken a liking to the Palace Master of Xuanyue Palace and was putting on a display of masculinity to impress her.
However, what Chu Yuqin failed to consider was that Lu Chen wasn't only playing to Chen Wanrong. He was also intrigued by Lin Wanyun.
Chen Wanrong's brows twitched ever so slightly. A glint of thoughtfulness flickered in her eyes as she fell into silent contemplation.
Their original plan had seemed simple enough—they expected to execute it effortlessly upon arriving in the Beijun. Yet unexpected complications had continued to arise. First, they encountered the shadow guards loyal to Emperor Xia the moment they entered the city. Now, they found that the Northern King was not at all the indulgent fool they had assumed him to be.
This man was far more complex, far more dangerous than they had anticipated.
It appeared that using the Love Poison on him wouldn't be so easy after all.
Not until the barbarian threat was repelled.
And that led to a dangerous possibility—if the Northern King insisted on making a final stand at Yancheng, the odds of him dying on the battlefield would be alarmingly high.
If he died, they would lose the only vessel with the royal bloodline suitable for creating the Dragon Subduing Curse.
Would they be forced to abandon the Northern King entirely?
As these thoughts lingered, Lu Chen suddenly smiled and looked toward Lin Wanyun. "Aunt Lin, Aunt Chu… in a few days, both of you should head south to Anping City. After I drive out the barbarians, if you still wish to travel through the Northern Region, you are welcome to return. At that time, I promise to treat you with all due hospitality."
He spoke with a natural ease and calm confidence, his tone light yet meaningful.
Lu Chen was extremely confident in the influence of the Dragon and Phoenix Tea. Under its subtle effects, he was certain that both Chen Wanrong and Lin Wanyun would eventually return to Yancheng. Moreover—
—they still needed his royal blood to complete the Dragon Subduing Curse. Their objective remained unfulfilled, and there was no way they would simply abandon Beijun without seeing it through.
At this moment, a sentence he had once recalled when capturing Wang Qingci surfaced in his mind.
Hunters often wear the face of prey.
Right now, he appeared weak—like prey caught in the gaze of predators. But when the northern crisis was resolved, it would be his turn to hunt.
Lin Wanyun gave no response to Lu Chen's suggestion. Instead, she turned toward Chen Wanrong, awaiting her decision. After all, Chen Wanrong was the Palace Master of Xuanyue Palace. The final say was hers.
Chen Wanrong's face remained as placid as ever. She replied evenly, "Very well."
Given the circumstances, it was indeed no longer suitable for them to remain in Yancheng.
In truth, Chen Wanrong had briefly considered using the chaos of the barbarian invasion to fake Lu Chen's death, then spirit him away to Xuanyue Palace in secret, where they could extract his blood at their own pace and complete the Dragon Subduing Curse.
But she dismissed that plan almost immediately.
Lu Chen was still a prince of Great Xia. Even if they managed to fake his death convincingly, there was always a chance that someone would uncover the truth.
And if Emperor Xia learned that Xuanyue Palace had kidnapped his son...
He would investigate thoroughly. He would notice.
More importantly, it would ignite a direct confrontation between Xuanyue Palace and the Great Xia Empire—something they could not afford at this stage.
Before the Dragon Subduing Curse was fully formed, Xuanyue Palace had to maintain at least the appearance of peace. An open war with the emperor would be catastrophic.
Unlike the noble clans and corrupt court officials who underestimated him, Xuanyue Palace knew exactly what kind of terrifying power Emperor Xia wielded.
To others, Emperor Xia might seem no more than a mighty martial expert.
But to the upper echelons of Xuanyue Palace, he was a monster hiding beneath a mortal crown.
Ever since one of their sacred relics had fallen into his hands due to Chu Yue's betrayal, Xuanyue Palace had become deeply cautious. They knew—beyond a shadow of a doubt—that they could not defeat Emperor Xia in their current state.
All other factions in Great Xia feared the National Preceptor, Situ Ce.
But Xuanyue Palace? They feared only the emperor.
After receiving Chen Wanrong's answer, Lu Chen stood and clasped his hands politely. "Then I shall leave you, Aunt Chu, Aunt Lin, Miss Chen. Please continue your conversation. I won't disturb your time together any longer."
Having said that, he turned and walked out of the pavilion without another word.
Once he left, Lin Wanyun quickly leaned closer to Chu Yuqin and whispered while holding her hand, "Qin'er, people outside say that the Northern King is a lecherous, foolish man without discipline. But… why do I feel he's not like that at all?"
Chu Yuqin smiled faintly and replied, "Chen'er has matured a great deal since arriving in the north. Perhaps witnessing the suffering of the people firsthand has awakened a sense of duty within him."
Then, as if remembering something, she hesitated before continuing.
"As for his lust… He's not exactly what you'd call a lustful man, but to be honest, I don't think there's anything wrong with his desires."
"If he wasn't a little lustful, how would he pass on the royal line?"
Lin Wanyun furrowed her brow slightly, unsure of what to make of it.
Had the Northern King truly changed since coming to the frontier?
But hadn't they heard reports that, after arriving in Beijun, he'd filled his manor with beautiful concubines and spent his days drinking and indulging in pleasures, paying no heed to the lives of his subjects?
Then again, this wasn't the right time to dwell on such matters.
Chu Yuqin turned her gaze toward Chen Wanrong, who remained seated in silent elegance. Her beauty seemed to melt into the setting, serene and unreachable. Even a fleeting glance at her brought peace to the heart.
Chu Yuqin sighed softly to herself. So this is the Palace Master of Xuanyue Palace…
No wonder that little scoundrel couldn't take his eyes off her.
But it was such a pity…
The Palace Master of Xuanyue Palace could not marry freely.
That little rascal could only look. He couldn't touch.
Just then, Lin Wanyun smiled and said, "Qin'er, tell me what's been happening in the capital these past few years. I haven't returned home in so long."
Chu Yuqin nodded, "Alright."
The two women held hands and sat together, speaking softly and leisurely as the day waned into dusk.
***
That evening.
A woman dressed in black, her face half-concealed beneath a thin veil, appeared at the gates of the Northern King's residence. In her hand, she held a long, narrow sword.
The moment the palace guards spotted her standing silently outside the gate, holding a weapon, they immediately drew their blades and surrounded her cautiously.
"Who goes there?!"
The woman remained still as stone, her voice cold and steady, "I'm here to see Madam Chu."
The guards glanced at each other in surprise. After a moment, the squad leader stepped forward with caution.
"Please wait here, young lady. I will go inform Madam Chu."
He didn't dare act rashly. Two women had already visited the palace earlier today, and from the look of this newcomer, she too might be one of the Northern King's esteemed guests.
Better to be safe than offend someone important.
He turned and quickly rushed into the palace to report the situation to Chu Yuqin.
Upon hearing that yet another woman had come knocking at the door—
Chu Yuqin was momentarily dumbfounded.
What was going on today?
Why were all the guests suddenly flocking to this place?
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