He had transmigrated. Not only that, but he had become the ninth prince of the Great Xia Dynasty. However, this identity brought more trouble than benefits to Lu Chen.
Lu Chen stared at the imperial decree in his hand and let out a deep sigh.
At that moment, a woman in a flowing green dress entered the hall where Lu Chen was sitting. She had a graceful figure, her presence both elegant and warm.
Seeing the troubled expression on Lu Chen's face, the woman comforted him, saying, "Chen'er, there's no real danger in the north. Besides, it's far from the capital—perhaps it might even be a good place for you."
Her voice was soft and clear, like a spring breeze gently brushing against one's heart.
Lu Chen looked up at the woman before him, and the worry on his face instantly faded.
The woman's name was Chu Yuqin. She had once been his mother's personal maid, but his mother had always treated her like a sister, so Lu Chen addressed her as "Aunt Chu."
When Lu Chen was ten years old, his mother passed away. Since then, Chu Yuqin had always been by his side, taking care of him.
Not long after he transmigrated into this world, his memories from Earth resurfaced. However, those memories didn't provide him with much help.
Unlike the protagonists in novels who seemed to know everything after transmigrating, Lu Chen only retained basic common knowledge. He wasn't well-versed in science and engineering, nor could he remember much of the ancient poetry he had once memorized in high school—it was as if all of it had been completely erased from his mind. In short, he was no different from the people of this world.
As for politics, he knew even less. But there was one thing he understood very well—he must never get involved in the struggle for the throne. Otherwise, he might not even know how he died.
His mother had come from the prestigious Chu family in Jiangnan. If he wanted to compete for the crown prince's position, he wouldn't be without support. There were always people trying to persuade him to fight for power. But Lu Chen knew himself well enough—he wasn't cut out for it.
A life of luxury, where everything was provided for him, wasn't so bad. There was no need for him to take unnecessary risks.
Unfortunately, that easy life was about to end—he would soon be sent to the harsh, frigid north.
Perhaps because he had been acting too useless, only enjoying a life of comfort, the emperor—his father—used his coming of age as an excuse to grant him a marriage to Mu Zixuan and send him to govern the Northern Province.
In the past, countless men had dreamed of marrying Mu Zixuan, the number one talented woman of the capital.
But times had changed. Her family had been implicated in a rebellion due to their association with a treasonous clan. Although the Mu family had used an imperial pardon token to save themselves from complete ruin, their political status had plummeted.
Anyone with a shred of political sense knew that marrying Mu Zixuan meant forfeiting any chance of becoming the crown prince.
Lu Chen didn't care about the position of the crown prince. What he was concerned about was whether marrying Mu Zixuan, given her family's history, would one day disrupt his peaceful life.
But no matter his worries, this was an imperial decree from his father. He had no choice but to accept it.
Lu Chen's lips curved into a slight smile as he said, "Aunt Chu, if I go to the Northern Province, won't you feel lonely here in the capital?"
Chu Yuqin wasn't just his mother's former maid—she also carried the interests of the Chu family.
Now that Lu Chen was marrying Mu Zixuan and heading north, he had completely lost any chance of becoming the crown prince. The Chu family would no longer invest in him, and Chu Yuqin would likely leave him as well.
Chu Yuqin was a formidable warrior, ranked at the ninth tier. In the entire Great Xia Dynasty, ninth-tier experts were rare. There was no way the Chu family would allow a warrior of her caliber to continue serving a "useless" prince.
Chu Yuqin smiled gently and said, "Wherever you go, I will follow."
Lu Chen was stunned.
He hesitated before asking, "Aunt Chu, are you sure you want to come with me to the Northern Province?"
Chu Yuqin chuckled. "Of course. I made a promise to your mother—to protect you for life."
She then teased, "Or are you thinking that now that you have a wife, you no longer need your aunt?"
Lu Chen quickly shook his head. "How could that be? I'd love nothing more than for you to come with me! Without you, I might not even be able to sleep properly."
As he spoke, he glanced at Chu Yuqin.
She was twenty-eight years old, yet still breathtakingly beautiful.
She wore a flowing cyan dress, her flawless, snow-white complexion tinged with a faint blush. Her delicate features radiated charm, and her clear, watery eyes shone like pristine springs. The corners of her lips curved into a gentle smile, exuding warmth and grace.
Her long, jet-black hair was elegantly swept up into a high bun, adorned with a jade hairpin. Strands of silky hair cascaded down her shoulders, fluttering with the breeze. The dark pearl embedded in the hairpin gleamed against her raven locks, and her figure, accentuated by the flowing fabric of her dress, was truly mesmerizing.
Lu Chen's feelings toward Chu Yuqin were complicated, but there was one thing he knew for certain—he was deeply attracted to her.
If she were to leave his side, he wouldn't be able to bear it.
Chu Yuqin playfully scolded, "Alright, enough of that. Focus on preparing for your wedding."
—
A few days later.
The Northern Prince's Manor was abuzz with celebration. Red lanterns adorned every corner, and the entire estate was brightly decorated.
Today was Lu Chen's wedding day. Nearly all the court officials, regardless of their relationship with him, had come to attend.
After the wedding banquet, Lu Chen eagerly made his way to the bridal chamber.
He had thought things through. No matter what troubles Mu Zixuan's family had been involved in, she was his wife now. There was no need to overthink it.
She was his princess consort now. That was all that mattered.
Besides, rumors in the capital claimed that Mu Zixuan was an exceptional beauty. The thought of it made Lu Chen's heart race.
Unlike Chu Yuqin—who, due to her special status, was out of reach—Mu Zixuan was now his, in every sense of the word.
Stepping into the bridal chamber, Lu Chen's gaze immediately landed on the wedding bed.
A woman in a crimson wedding dress sat gracefully on the bed, her face hidden beneath a bridal veil. Even without seeing her features, her slender, elegant figure was enough to captivate him.
Standing beside her were two maids, both strikingly beautiful. If this were his past life, even marrying a woman as lovely as one of these maids would have been a challenge.
With anticipation, Lu Chen stepped forward, took the jade rod from one of the maids, and gently lifted the bridal veil.
In the next instant, an absolutely stunning face was revealed before him.
Mu Zixuan was like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal realm, a vision of ethereal beauty that left Lu Chen utterly spellbound.
Blushing, Mu Zixuan shyly murmured, "Husband… we should drink the…"
But before she could finish, Lu Chen could no longer hold back. He pounced on her.
The two maids had originally intended to remind them to drink the ceremonial wedding wine, but seeing that their master was already engaged in "official business," they simply stood aside in quiet attendance.
Who knew how much time had passed?
Lu Chen lay on the bed, holding Mu Zixuan in his arms, completely relaxed.
Perhaps… this was the life he truly wanted.
Just then, an unfamiliar female voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on acquiring your first wife. The "Many Sons, Many Blessings" system has been activated!]
[A newbie gift pack has been issued. Would you like to claim it?]
(End of Chapter.)