Mu Changtian did not explicitly say that he would help Lu Chen, for some things in politics cannot be spoken so plainly.
However, since he had already assured Lu Chen that his journey to North City would go smoothly, this confirmed that he would definitely send people to protect the North Prince and would also liaise with the military.
Although Lu Chen was a political novice, he could understand what Mu Changtian meant. Lu Chen said, "Then, I thank you, father-in-law."
At this moment, Mu Changtian glanced at the servants in the hall, then said to them, "You all may leave us, I have something to discuss with the North Prince alone."
"Yes."
The servants then left the hall.
After the servants had exited, an intrigued Lu Chen asked, "May I know what matter my father-in-law wishes to discuss with me?"
Mu Changtian sending the servants away from the hall before having a discussion surely meant that it was something very important.
Mu Changtian then said, "North Prince, I must remind you that even if you safely reach North City, you won't be safe at all times."
Lu Chen asked, "Why is that?"
Mu Changtian knew Lu Chen was a political novice, so he decided to be clear about it.
"Your mother is the eldest daughter of the Chu Family, which naturally aligns them with your faction."
"Although you have left Capital City, in the eyes of most princes, you still pose a significant threat to them."
"Moreover, the Chu Family might still have expectations of you, a view I share, and so will those princes."
"If you are still here, the Chu Family might continue to support you, but if you were..."
Mu Changtian did not continue, as the rest of his words would be somewhat disrespectful and he believed Lu Chen must have grasped his meaning.
Upon hearing Mu Changtian's warning, Lu Chen instantly understood what he meant, especially since Chu Yuqin had reminded him about it just that morning.
Lu Chen sighed to himself.
His own situation was indeed perilous.
If he remained alive, the Chu Family might always harbor expectations of him, and being a major family in the South, their support was crucial for any prince.
If he died, the Chu Family would lose their primary candidate for support and would then shift to backing another prince.
Thus, for any prince seeking the Chu Family's alliance, the most likely first step would be to eliminate him, the expendable prince, and completely cut off the Chu Family's concerns.
What a headache.
Ever since arriving in this world, he had planned to live a life of leisure without competing for the throne.
Unexpectedly, his mere heritage brought him so many problems.
But there was nothing he could do; one's birth was determined by fate and could not be changed.
Now he had only two choices.
One was to find a way to completely turn against the Chu Family, making everyone believe they had severed ties.
The other choice was to eliminate all those wanting to get rid of him, securing his safety.
Choosing the second option would mean he was embarking on the path of the emperor.
From a personal standpoint, there was no way Lu Chen could entirely turn his back on the Chu Family.
Firstly, his maternal grandfather had always treated him well, and the Chu Family had continuously provided him protection; plus, his first love in this world, Chu Yuqin, was from the Chu Family.
He simply couldn't bring himself to sever ties completely with the Chu Family.
Moreover, even if he did break away from the Chu Family, those princes might not necessarily spare him, after all, no one knew whether this was just a ruse performed by him and the Chu Family for show.
Therefore, eliminating him was still the most foolproof strategy.
In doing so, those princes would still likely attempt to make a move against him.
That left him with only one option.
To embark on the path of the emperor!
After some thought, Lu Chen figured that previously, he indeed would have struggled to compete with the other princes for that position.
But now things were different.
He had the System of Lots of Sons and Lots of Blessings.
As long as he took multiple consorts and had many children after arriving in North City, he could quickly enhance his power.
That position might not be unattainable for him after all.
With this in mind, Lu Chen said to Mu Changtian, "Thank you for the reminder, father-in-law, I understand your point."
...
Having left Mu Mansion, Mu Zixuan tentatively asked from inside the carriage, "Prince, what did father say to you?"
Lu Chen smiled faintly and then pulled Mu Zixuan into his embrace.
"He didn't say much, he urged me to take good care of you."
At this moment, Mu Zixuan was somewhat conflicted. She didn't know whether she should tell Lu Chen about the Zhou sisters, considering their identities were extremely sensitive.
Then, Lu Chen caressed her hair gently as he continued, "My consort, once we arrive in North City, you should bear many children for me."
Hearing such a direct statement, Mu Zixuan's face instantly turned crimson. Although she was already a married woman, she had just begun to engage in such matters.
Seeing Mu Zixuan's shy expression, Lu Chen wanted to tease her right away, but ultimately he restrained himself.
Meanwhile.
Imperial Palace.
Royal Garden.
A middle-aged man in a yellow Python Dragon Robe stood in the pavilion by the lotus pond, hands clasped behind him, watching the fishes swim in the pond.
A person clad in black armor suddenly appeared behind him.
"Your Majesty, the North Prince has just visited Mu Mansion. During that visit, Duke Mu ordered the servants to leave the hall and he closed the door to talk about certain matters with the North Prince alone."
Hearing this, the Sum Emperor muttered to himself, "It seems that Mu Changtian holds Chen in high regard."
At this, the Sum Emperor turned to look at the red-robed eunuch standing beside him.
"Mr. Liu, what do you think? After Chen leaves Capital City, will the Chu Family simply give up on him?"
Hearing this question, the red-robed eunuch promptly replied, "Your Majesty, I dare not speculate recklessly."
The Sum Emperor expressed his displeasure, "Just speak your mind."
The red-robed eunuch hurriedly said, "In your servant's view, it's highly likely the Chu Family will abandon the North Prince and choose to support another Prince."
The Sum Emperor asked with interest, "Oh? Then who do you think the Chu Family is most likely to choose?"
Mr. Liu trembled with fear.
Always by the Sum Emperor's side, he knew things others did not. The Sum Emperor loathed the Chu Family to the bone and dreamed of eliminating them.
If he suggested who the Chu Family might support next, wouldn't he be endangering that Prince?
The Sum Emperor continued, "Speak boldly, you will not be punished."
Mr. Liu immediately knelt to the ground and then said, "Your Majesty, your servant thinks the Chu Family is most likely to support Prince Lu Shuyun."
The mother of Prince Lu Shuyun was also from the South, so if the Chu Family was to choose another ally, they would undoubtedly focus on Prince Lu Shuyun.
Upon hearing Mr. Liu's reply, the Sum Emperor merely smiled faintly, murmuring, "Supporting Shuyun, eh? Then Chen's journey will probably not be peaceful."
At that moment, the soldier in black armor behind the Sum Emperor asked, "Your Majesty, shall I assign someone to protect the North Prince?"
The Sum Emperor said indifferently, "No need, someone will protect him. If he truly runs into trouble, it only means his fate wasn't strong enough."
...
Evening.
In the room, Lu Chen wanted to have a proper talk with his consort, but remembering they had been intimate just yesterday and earlier this morning, he decided against it.
Seeing her darling appeared rather distressed, Mu Zixuan eventually mustered the courage and said, "Prince, why don't you take Youyou and Xiaoxiao?"
Hearing this, Lu Chen's eyes brightened, not expecting his consort to be so magnanimous.
But he still responded, "My consort, how could you bear to push me into the arms of other women?"
Mu Zixuan blushed and replied, "Prince, you were staring at them all morning."
How could she possibly fail to guess Lu Chen's thoughts?
Mu Zixuan continued, "Besides, both of them were my dowry maids, serving you is their duty."
Holding Mu Zixuan, Lu Chen said, "To have a wife like you, what more could I ask for?"
At that point, Mu Zixuan called out to Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao, "Youyou, Xiaoxiao, come here."
Then, the candlelight within the room flickered.
...