Just as the air between them grew thick with emotion, a voice echoed from outside the room, snapping Chu Yuqin out of her daze like a bucket of cold water.
It was Mu Zixuan.
Her expression changed instantly. The heat in her eyes faded, replaced by panic as she shoved Lu Chen away with both hands. "Chen'er, let go of Auntie—Zixuan's coming in!"
Lu Chen looked like he could cry.
Of all times, dear wifey, why must you come now? Can't you show up any other moment?!
He had no choice. With great reluctance, Lu Chen released Chu Yuqin from his embrace.
But to his surprise, Chu Yuqin didn't flee right away. Instead, she stood there for a moment, her gaze fixed on him, filled with concern. "Chen'er, are you feeling better now?"
Lu Chen adjusted his clothes slightly and gave a faint smile. "Yeah… much better. It seems this method really is effective."
He added half-jokingly, "Aunt Chu, from now on you'll have to regularly help me maintain my health."
Chu Yuqin's cheeks flushed again, but she still managed to retort, "Why not let Zixuan or the others help you?"
Lu Chen shook his head seriously. "Zixuan and the other two aren't warriors. They lack internal strength, so it won't work. As for Qingci… she doesn't seem to have any romantic feelings toward me. We don't meet the conditions needed for dual cultivation."
Chu Yuqin's mind reeled, her head feeling like it might explode. She lowered her gaze, quickly said, "Alright then, if you're ever feeling unwell again… come find me," and immediately turned to leave.
Just as she opened the door, she came face-to-face with Mu Zixuan, who stood stunned in the hallway.
Chu Yuqin's heartbeat quickened, but she tried to compose herself. "I was just checking Chen'er's condition," she explained quickly. "You two talk, I'll take my leave."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and practically ran away.
Mu Zixuan watched Chu Yuqin's fleeing figure, taking note of her unusually red cheeks and flustered appearance. Her sharp instincts as a woman immediately pieced things together.
She turned slowly to look at Lu Chen, then lowered her head slightly and said apologetically, "Your Majesty… it's my fault. I disturbed your intimate moment. I'll be more careful next time."
Lu Chen gave a dry chuckle, slightly awkward. "It's alright. Aunt Chu and I were just talking—nothing happened."
He quickly added, "By the way, my dear, what brings you here?"
Mu Zixuan entered the room but paused halfway through her reply. Her nose wrinkled slightly as she caught a very familiar scent lingering in the air.
It was thick, musky, and unmistakably… that kind of smell.
As Lu Chen's wife, Mu Zixuan naturally recognized it.
Her expression turned blank as she stared at him, clearly not believing his earlier words. Lu Chen instantly realized what she must be thinking, and added hastily, "Ah, right! Qingci was here earlier. That's probably where the smell is from."
Hearing that, Mu Zixuan's expression finally eased a little. So, it wasn't Chu Yuqin after all.
She sat down across from him and got to the point. "Your Highness, I came because I took over managing the palace's internal businesses today. But I noticed that the sales of soap and perfume in the capital have dropped significantly recently. I'm not sure why."
Lu Chen's brows furrowed slightly, and he rose to sit beside her, gently wrapping an arm around her waist. "My love, you've just given birth. Why not rest for a bit longer? There's no rush to take over palace matters."
Mu Zixuan leaned against him and replied softly, "Your Majesty, I have nothing else to do in the palace. And there are capable people managing the rest."
As was tradition among aristocracy, after childbirth, a wet nurse was often hired to assist with raising the child. The royal palace was no exception. Though Mu Zixuan often spent time with the baby, most of the care fell to the nursemaids and attendants. Her days were relatively free.
Besides, she wasn't one to idle. During her pregnancy, she had been confined to the palace for months, and the dull routine was beginning to suffocate her. Resuming control of the palace business gave her a sense of purpose.
She continued, "I heard… you recently formed an intelligence group to gather information from across the city. Do you know what's been happening in the capital lately?"
Though the Jinyiwei were secretive, Mu Zixuan had seen their figures appearing frequently in the palace in recent days. She had quietly pieced together that Lu Chen had built an underground intelligence network.
Lu Chen didn't plan on burdening her with political concerns, especially since she had just given birth, so he avoided mentioning the turmoil at Duke Mu's Mansion.
Still, he replied casually, "There's been quite a bit of unrest in the capital. I heard the commander of the Imperial Guards has been replaced again. That kind of instability might be affecting our business."
Mu Zixuan nodded thoughtfully. "That would make sense. I was wondering how the palace business declined so suddenly."
Lu Chen, of course, understood the deeper reason. Soap, perfume, and other scented goods were relatively new and had made a fortune. But when something becomes popular, envy always follows.
Previously, people had kept their hands off the commercial interests because of Duke Mu's influence. But now that the entire Mu family was facing exile, who would be afraid of them anymore?
And the Prince of North himself was stationed in Beijun, far from the capital, with limited influence.
Their shops in the capital were likely being targeted—either sabotaged or outright seized. Someone had likely already begun investigating the production techniques for the perfumes and soaps.
If they didn't adapt soon, the palace's hard-earned fortune would vanish.
After a brief silence, Lu Chen spoke solemnly, "My dear, from now on, we shouldn't limit ourselves to business in the capital. We'll expand to other territories."
"When doing business, we must also learn to share. Offer gifts and a share of the profits to the local lords and high-ranking officials. If we try to hoard everything, others will only become more eager to take it from us."
Mu Zixuan's eyes gleamed with understanding. Lu Chen was right—business wasn't just about selling products. It was about navigating human relationships and knowing when to compromise.
She nodded. "I understand, Your Majesty. I will act accordingly."
After a pause, her expression turned hesitant. "There's something else I've been meaning to bring up… but I'm not sure if I should."
Lu Chen smiled warmly and gently touched the bridge of her nose. "We're husband and wife—what can't be said between us? Go on, tell me."
Mu Zixuan hesitated no longer. "Your Majesty, I've just given birth, and Xiaoxiao and her sister are also pregnant. For now… only Miss Wang is attending to your needs."
"Your health has improved greatly recently, but Miss Wang seems to be a bit… overwhelmed. Have you considered taking in another concubine?"
At the mention of Wang Qingci, Lu Chen's expression darkened slightly—not because of Mu Zixuan, but because Qingci herself had stubbornly suppressed her feelings toward him.
He sighed inwardly, but kept his tone light. "Since you brought it up, my love, I suppose it's time. I'll look into it when the opportunity arises."
He gave her a cheeky grin. "But you know how I am. Although I have a lustful nature, I'm picky. Ordinary women don't move me. I only like the truly stunning ones."
Mu Zixuan fell silent in thought, then offered, "How about this—let's publicly issue a letter to recruit concubines. We'll make it known to all noble families across the Great Xia Dynasty."
"Once word spreads, countless families will send their daughters to Beijun for the selection. With enough candidates… surely there will be one who captures Your Majesty's heart."
Lu Chen's eyes lit up slightly at her suggestion. He chuckled softly and said, "That's a brilliant idea, my love."
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
Support the Translation! 🌐✨
30+ Advanced Chapters are currently available in Patreon, make sure to visit and support our team.
patreon.com/Immortal_author
https://ko-fi.com/immortalauthor
https://discord.gg/KscfBegBPT