Chapter 426 - Chapter 426: Chapter 266: So, the North Prince has taken a liking to your beauty?_1

Chapter 426: Chapter 266: So, the North Prince has taken a liking to your beauty?_1

Chen Wanrong left and returned to the Mysterious Moon Palace.

Even though Lu Chen was reluctant, he still let her go.

Lu Chen was a scoundrel, for he liked all the beautiful women in his inner courtyard, yet he was also a hopeless romantic. He had profound feelings for Chen Wanrong, this fairy-like woman, and suddenly the Prince’s Mansion felt empty without her, which he found quite unsettling.

For a long time after Chen Wanrong’s departure, Lu Chen would occasionally visit Yunrong Courtyard to reminisce about the days when she was there. If he happened to encounter Lin Wanyun there, he would pin her down and have his way with her.

Half a month flew by. During this time, Lu Chen was negotiating the terms of a trade agreement with the delegation from the Da Yue Dynasty on one hand and preparing for his wedding with Chu Yuqin and Chu Qingli on the other.

Since it was a marriage to a Side Concubine, it naturally had to be a grand and public affair, not done quietly like bringing in a mere concubine.

After half a month of discussion, the terms of the trade agreement between the North Country and the Da Yue Dynasty were essentially settled, and what followed was the formal signing of the agreement.

Morning.

After getting up from bed, Lu Chen started to dress with the assistance of Lin Wanyun.

Though Lin Wanyun’s hands were busy helping Lu Chen with his clothes, her eyes carried a hint of resentment.

That scoundrel had visited Yunrong Courtyard many times in the past half a month. Even though she was now the only one living in Yunrong Courtyard, she didn’t believe that Lu Chen had come for her.

She always felt that the scoundrel came to Yunrong Courtyard and treated her as if she were Chen Wanrong.

At that moment, Lin Wanyun asked, “Do you see me as Rongrong?”

Hearing Lin Wanyun’s question, Lu Chen was taken aback. He turned his head to look at Lin Wanyun and, with a smile, said, “Madam Lin, why would you think that?”

“Although I am not a good person, I would not stoop to such indecency. How could I possibly see you as Rongrong? She is her, and you are you.”

At this point, Lin Wanyun pulled Lu Chen’s belt tightly, fastening it properly for him and while doing so, spoke, “Don’t think I don’t know what’s in your mind.”

Lu Chen, smiling, asked, “Madam Lin, could it be that you are jealous?”

Lin Wanyun coldly said, “You flatter yourself.”

With that, Lin Wanyun fell silent and continued to help Lu Chen dress.

Lu Chen, thinking of something, then said, “I will be getting married soon; how about you marry into the Prince’s Mansion with me?”

No sooner had Lu Chen finished his words than Lin Wanyun rejected the offer, “There’s no need. After all, I belong to the Mysterious Moon Palace and am not suitable for marriage. Besides, I have no objections to bearing your children secretly, as long as others remain unaware.”

“Moreover, the Lin Family is still in the Capital City. If I were to marry you, and people came to know that I am the adopted daughter of Prime Minister Lin, it could endanger the entire Lin Family.”

Nowadays, the North Country was the strongest feudal state within the Great Sum, and Lu Chen was the most powerful among the seigniors. The conflict between the North Country and the imperial court was becoming increasingly acute, and it was only a matter of time before war would break out.

If others were to learn now that the adopted daughter of Lin Gaoyuan lived in the North Prince Mansion, the Sum Emperor might suspect that the Lin Family had defected to the North Prince Mansion. The Lin Family would likely face dire consequences; thus, Lin Wanyun thought it best to keep a low profile in the North Prince Mansion and avoid public appearances.

Lu Chen, with a smile, replied, “That’s true. I will just have to trouble you for a while. Once things in the Great Sum have stabilized, I’ll give you a proper status.”

Lin Wanyun curled her lip, “No need. At my age, what good is a status? Just treat Rongrong well and don’t let her down; that’s enough for me.”

Lin Wanyun thought to herself that by the time Great Sum stabilized and Lu Chen ascended the throne, she would likely be in her forties or fifties. By then, she would be old, and it would be a miracle if Lu Chen still favored her.

As long as Lu Chen treated Chen Wanrong well and took care of the children they might have, she would be very happy. As for herself, she planned to stay by Lu Chen’s side and help Chen Wanrong take care of the children.

Lu Chen said, “You must be given a status, and your age is certainly not an issue. Nanyan is in her thirties and is still my Side Concubine.”

Lin Wanyun didn’t say more and began to arrange Lu Chen’s hair.

However, she thought to herself that maybe this scoundrel had a bit of a conscience after all. She had assumed that Lu Chen was only interested in her body, and that once some time passed, he would lose interest and not hold himself responsible for her.

At this thought, Lin Wanyun’s heartbeat quickened slightly. She indeed hoped to stay by Lu Chen’s side forever, taking care of him for her sister Yue.

…

After getting dressed and having a quick breakfast, Lu Chen went to the Hall of Political Affairs.

By the time Lu Chen arrived at the Hall of Political Affairs, the envoys from the Da Yue Dynasty and officials from the North Country were mostly in attendance.

With a wave of his sleeve, Lu Chen took his seat on the throne, addressing the kneeling delegation from the Da Yue Dynasty below, “Miss Murong, I wonder if you have any additions to the trade agreement. If there are none, let us sign it according to the content we settled upon previously.”

Once the agreement was signed, goods from the North Country would enter the Da Yue Dynasty tax-free, and similarly, Da Yue Dynasty’s grain would enter the North Country without tariffs.

For Lu Chen, the greatest benefit was that, from now on, the North Country could purchase grain directly in large quantities in the name of the North Prince Mansion, no longer having to do so surreptitiously through Rain-listening Pavilion.