Mu Changtian didn't explicitly say he would help Lu Chen, as some things in politics cannot be said openly.
However, since he had already assured that Lu Chen's journey to North City would be smooth sailing, that meant he was sure to send people to protect the North Prince and communicate with the military as well.
Although Lu Chen was a political novice, he understood Mu Changtian's words and said, "Then, thank you, Father-in-law."
At that moment, Mu Changtian glanced at the servants in the hall, then said to them, "You may leave now, I have something to discuss with the North Prince alone."
"Yes."
The servants then left the hall.
Once they had gone, Lu Chen asked curiously, "May I know what Father-in-law wishes to discuss with me?"
Mu Changtian's decision to send the servants out of the hall before speaking meant it must be a matter of great importance.
Mu Changtian then said, "North Prince, I want to remind you that even if you safely arrive in North City, you won't always be out of harm's way."
"Why is that?" Lu Chen asked.
Knowing that Lu Chen was a political novice, Mu Changtian was quite straightforward.
"Your mother is the eldest daughter of the Chu Family, which naturally supports your faction."
"Even though you have left the Capital City, in the eyes of most princes, you still pose a great threat to them."
"Furthermore, the Chu Family may still hold expectations for you, which I believe; those princes will certainly think the same."
"If you remain alive, the Chu Family is likely to continue supporting you, but if you..."
Mu Changtian didn't continue, as the rest of his words were somewhat disrespectful, and he believed Lu Chen should have understood his point.
Having heard Mu Changtian's reminder, Lu Chen instantly grasped his meaning, especially since Chu Yuqin had warned him about it just that morning.
Lu Chen sighed inwardly.
His situation was indeed very dangerous.
As long as he lived, the Chu Family might always hope to count on him, and being a prominent family in the South, their support was crucial for any prince.
If he died, the Chu Family would lose their preferred candidate to support, and they would likely ally with another prince.
So, for any prince wishing to win over the Chu Family, the first order of business was probably to eliminate him, a so-called worthless prince, and completely cut the Chu Family's concerns.
What a headache.
He had intended to lay low and enjoy life upon arriving in this world, without any ambition for the throne.
He never expected that merely his lineage would bring him so much trouble.
There was nothing to be done about his lineage, as it was determined at birth and could not be changed.
Now, he had only two choices.
One was to find a way to completely stand against the Chu Family, making people believe he had broken with them completely.
The other was to eliminate all those who wished to remove him, securing his safety.
Choosing the latter also meant he was embarking on the path of emperorship.
From a personal standpoint, Lu Chen definitely wouldn't want to sever ties with the Chu Family completely.
First, his maternal grandfather had been very kind to him since he was young, and the Chu Family had always sent people to protect him. Even his first love in this world, Chu Yuqin, was part of the Chu Family.
Asking him to break off ties with the Chu Family completely was something he simply couldn't do.
Moreover, even if he truly severed ties with the Chu Family, those princes might not let him go, as no one knew for sure if he and the Chu Family were putting on a double act for show.
Therefore, removing him would be the most foolproof strategy.
In that case, those princes would still likely make a move on him.
That left him with only one choice left.
To step onto the imperial path!
Having thought it through, Lu Chen realized that if it had been before, he certainly would have struggled to contend with those princes for the throne.
But now things were different.
He had the System of Lots of Sons and Lots of Blessings.
As long as he went to North City and took more concubines, fathering more children, he would be able to quickly enhance his personal power.
Perhaps the throne wasn't out of reach for him after all.
Thinking of this, Lu Chen said to Mu Changtian, "Thank you, father-in-law, for your reminder. I understand what you mean."
...
After leaving Mu Mansion, Mu Zixuan, in the carriage, cautiously asked, "Prince, what did father say to you?"
Lu Chen gave a faint smile, then embraced Mu Zixuan in his arms.
"He didn't say much, he just told me to take good care of you."
At this moment, Mu Zixuan felt conflicted. She didn't know whether she should tell Lu Chen about the Zhou sisters, given that their identities were extremely sensitive.
Then, Lu Chen's hand gently stroked Mu Zixuan's hair and continued, "My darling, once we reach North City, you must bear many children for me."
Hearing such direct words, Mu Zixuan's face instantly blushed red. Although she was already a married woman, she was still new to these matters.
Seeing Mu Zixuan's shy demeanor, Lu Chen wanted to tease her on the spot, but in the end, he restrained himself.
Meanwhile.
Imperial Palace.
Royal Garden.
A middle-aged man dressed in a yellow Python Dragon Robe stood in a pavilion by the lotus pond, his hands clasped behind his back, watching the fish swim around.
A person dressed in black armor suddenly appeared behind him.
"Your Majesty, the North Prince has just visited Mu Mansion. During that time, Duke Mu had the servants leave the great hall and closed the doors to speak privately with the North Prince."
Hearing this, Sum Emperor murmured to himself, "It seems Mu Changtian values Chen quite highly."
With that, Sum Emperor turned his head to look at a red-robed eunuch nearby.
"Mr. Liu, do you think that after Chen leaves the Capital City, the Chu Family will give up on him?"
Upon hearing the question, the red-robed eunuch immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I dare not speculate recklessly."
Sum Emperor seemed slightly displeased as he spoke, "Speak when you are told to speak."
The eunuch hastened to say, "In my view, the Chu Family will likely abandon the North Prince and choose to support another prince."
Sum Emperor asked with interest, "Oh? Then tell me, who is the Chu Family most likely to choose?"
Mr. Liu trembled with fear.
He had always been by Sum Emperor's side and knew some secrets that others didn't. Sum Emperor hated the Chu Family to the bone and dreamed of getting rid of them.
If he were to say the Chu Family would support another prince next, wouldn't that be putting other princes in danger?
Sum Emperor continued, "Speak boldly, and I absolve you of any guilt."
Mr. Liu immediately knelt down, then said, "Your Majesty, I believe the Chu Family will most likely support Prince Lu Shuyun."
Since the mother of Prince Lu Shuyun also came from the South, it was only natural that if the Chu Family sought another ally, they would turn their attention to Prince Lu Shuyun.
Hearing Mr. Liu's words, Sum Emperor simply smiled faintly, muttering, "Supporting Shuyun, huh? Then Chen's journey may not be very peaceful."
At that moment, the soldier in black armor behind Sum Emperor asked, "Your Majesty, should we send someone to protect Prince Chen?"
Sum Emperor replied indifferently, "No need, someone will protect him. If he indeed runs into trouble, then it can only be said that his fate wasn't strong enough."
...
Night.
In the room, Lu Chen wanted to have a good talk with his darling, but thinking about how he had just taken her the night before and again in the morning, he let go of the thought.
Seeing her darling looking somewhat distressed, Mu Zixuan finally mustered the courage to say, "Prince, why don't you take Youyou and Xiaoxiao?"
Hearing this, Lu Chen's eyes lit up, surprised by his darling's generosity.
However, he still said, "My darling, how can you bear to push me to other women?"
Face blushing, Mu Zixuan said, "Prince, you've been staring at them all morning."
How could she not guess what was on Lu Chen's mind?
Mu Zixuan continued, "Moreover, they were my maids to begin with, serving the Prince as they should."
Embracing Mu Zixuan, Lu Chen said, "To have a wife like you, what more could a husband ask for?"
Then Mu Zixuan turned to Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao and said, "Youyou, Xiaoxiao, come here."
Afterwards, the candlelight in the room flickered.
...