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

But she felt that if things continued this way, she feared she wouldn't even wait for their Sect Hierarch to resurrect before she became North Prince's plaything.

Every time she thought about her body being wantonly toyed with by the North Prince, Xue Linglong felt deeply humiliated. She had willingly seduced North Prince and been intimate with him, but she could never become an unconscious plaything.

When the disciples of the Taiyin Divine Sect heard that Xue Linglong planned to leave Yan County, they were all very puzzled. Their objective had not yet been achieved; how could they leave Yan County at this time?

Especially the Elders of the Taiyin Divine Sect—they knew very well that their purpose of coming to Yan County was to take North Prince away. Now, without having captured North Prince, why leave Yan County?

Xue Linglong didn't explain much, she simply said that it seemed the people from Mysterious Moon Palace had become aware of their presence, hence they must leave quickly.

Once they heard that Mysterious Moon Palace might have discovered them, the disciples of the Taiyin Divine Sect hurriedly packed up their belongings. As a Demon Sect, they were anathema to the orthodox Mysterious Moon Palace, whose people would often kill on sight any of the Demon Sect's disciples they discovered.

Now that the Celestial from Mysterious Moon Palace was at North Prince Mansion, if that Celestial took action, they feared they would instantly turn to ash.

Noon.

Lu Chen was dealing with government affairs in his study when Qin Yushan suddenly ran over to tell him about Xue Linglong taking some people from Lu Mansion and heading south.

Hearing that Xue Linglong was planning to flee, Lu Chen was also startled.

It was his first time encountering a woman who wanted to run away after being with him. The women in North Prince Mansion generally, after being with him once, never thought of leaving him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

But Xue Linglong had been intimate with him twice, and now she planned to flee after coming to her senses.

Seeing Lu Chen silent, Qin Yushan asked, "Prince, shall we intercept them?"

Lu Chen came back to his senses, "No need, let them go."

This...

Everyone knew that Lu Chen was attracted to Xue Linglong, yet he was letting them go. If Xue Linglong fled, she would probably never come back.

Just then, Lu Chen said with a smile, "Sand that cannot be held is better tossed to the wind."

Ah, this...

Qin Yushan was taken aback; were these words really spoken by their Prince?

Wasn't their Prince known for keeping any woman he took a fancy to in his inner court? What could have caused such a sudden change?

As a subordinate, Qin Yushan didn't feel it was his place to say much. He promptly said, "Your subordinate understands."

Lu Chen said, "Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave."

"Yes, your subordinate shall take his leave." Once the words were spoken, Qin Yushan turned and left the study.

Watching Qin Yushan's departing figure, Lu Chen fell into thought. He believed that Xue Linglong would ultimately return; he just couldn't believe that a woman who had drunk Dragon and Phoenix Tea and been intimate with him could hold back forever.

...

After Xue Linglong's escape, Lu Chen's life returned to its usual state.

In the daytime, he handled the affairs of North Country, and at night, he cultivated relationships with his wives and concubines.

A few months passed in the blink of an eye, and the situation in Great Sum grew increasingly dire. The army led by Lu Yi, which was loyal to Sum Emperor, was quickly approaching the Royal Capital of Great Sum.

Seeing Lu Yi leading his forces directly toward the Royal Capital, Zhao King could no longer sit still. He stood up and declared that Lu Yi was a traitor, merely using the excuse of loyalty to the emperor to rebel. Therefore, he must go north to suppress the rebellion, claiming that the army he led was the true loyalist army.

And so, the armies led by Lu Yi and Zhao King both marched towards the same destination.

The ministers of Great Sum's Royal Capital were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, and some had already started writing letters to Lu Yi and Zhao King.

Meanwhile, North Country remained calm as usual. Lu Chen had specifically arranged for people to plant Spirit Rice, and although the yield of Spirit Rice planted outside the North Prince Mansion was noticeably lower, it grew quickly. After two cycles of planting, North Prince Mansion now possessed a thousand jin of Spirit Rice.

Lu Chen took some Spirit Rice and mixed it with regular rice, so if a military unit made contributions, they could eat rations mixed with Spirit Rice.

It didn't take long for the soldiers to discover that the new rice introduced by North Prince Mansion could turn ordinary people into Martial Artists, which instantly ignited their fighting spirit.

North Country.

Hall of Political Affairs.

After Lu Chen arrived at his throne, Li Rui was about to step forward and report on the recent work when Lu Chen spoke first, "Today, we'll not discuss other affairs, we will only talk about one matter."

Hearing this, the assembled ministers grew curious.

One matter?

What could it be?

These past months, it seemed as if North Country had no major issues, right?

Lu Chen started, "Ever since I arrived in North Country, I have continuously adopted a policy of nurturing and recuperation, encouraging the people to grow high-yield crops."

"After inspections by the Brocade Guard over this period, I have found that most farmers now have surplus food in their homes."

"I had thought that it would take several more years for North Country's food situation to improve. I did not expect that so quickly North Country would escape the food crisis."

Hearing the preface to Lu Chen's speech, the ministers in the Hall of Political Affairs became even more curious. What exactly did North Prince want to say after such a lengthy introduction?

Lu Chen continued, "However, even though North Country has moved past the bleak times of not having enough food or warm clothes, North Country is but a feudal state of Great Sum."

"Now, with turmoil erupting throughout Great Sum, the common people are suffering..."

With these words, the ministers instantly became excited. The hint was clear; how could they not understand what Lu Chen was about to propose?

The political scene of North Country had indeed become somewhat congested, with many officials continually waiting for new opportunities. Now, it seemed, their chance had finally arrived.

The voice of Lu Chen continued to echo through the hall.

"As a feudal state of Great Sum, as the children of Great Sum, we have the right, and the duty, to help the other commoners within Great Sum achieve a peaceful and happy life!"

"As a Prince of Great Sum, I cannot stand idly by while my own father faces dangers."

"Therefore, I have decided to lead our forces south, in loyalty to the emperor and to suppress the traitors, to end the long-standing unrest in Great Sum! Let the other commoners in Great Sum's territory live without war, just like the commoners in North Country!"