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Qin Feng said, "Prince, you are wise. The Crown Prince wants you to publicly support him, and also to send troops to fend off other seigniors at the crucial moment."

Lu Chen's lips curved slightly upward, betraying a charmingly wicked smile.

Before Qin Feng could continue, Lu Chen interjected, "Good, I agree!"

Seeing how quickly Lu Chen had agreed, Qin Feng and the others were momentarily stunned; they had thought the North Prince would demand more conditions, not that he would agree so readily.

Qin Feng asked with some disbelief, "Prince, you really agree?"

Lu Chen said indifferently, "The Crown Prince is my elder brother; of course, I should give him face. Moreover, Great Sum has always followed the principle of primogeniture. After several hundred years of decay in our customs, it's time to return to the right path."

"Besides, the Crown Prince has shown such sincerity—offering treasures and gold, ceding lands, and even presenting such a beautiful woman to me. If I didn't agree, wouldn't I be ungrateful?"

As he spoke, Lu Chen turned to glance at Qin Yuwei standing beside him.

Feeling Lu Chen's gaze, Qin Yuwei couldn't help trembling involuntarily as if she were prey under a beast's watchful eye.

Thinking about her fate from now on, Qin Yuwei felt an immense sadness.

At this moment, Lu Chen suddenly thought of something and then said, "Right, when you go back, tell the Crown Prince to send more beauties to me in the future. Here in North Country, where it's freezing cold and poor, there are no beautiful women to be found."

Qin Feng hastened to say, "Yes, yes, your humble servant will inform the Crown Prince upon returning, to send more beauties to you, Prince."

It was then that Lu Chen waved his hand dismissively, "All right, if there's nothing else, you can all go back and rest."

Qin Feng rose and said, "Thank you, Prince!"

Afterward, Qin Feng led the envoys out of the courtyard and away from the North Prince Mansion. As they left, they all wore radiant smiles—after all, their mission was complete and the North Prince had indeed agreed to the Crown Prince's request.

As long as the North Prince remained content to stay in the North Country and took Lu Yi's side, then upon the Sum Emperor's demise, Lu Yi would likely ascend the throne with ease.

Given some time, Great Sum might eventually wield the same weapons as North Country, and by then, Great Sum could become even more powerful than North Country.

If their plan succeeded, the envoys who had been part of today's mission to North Country would see their status greatly elevated, giving Qin Feng and the others much cause for celebration.

After Qin Feng and the envoys had left the courtyard, Lu Chen ordered the servants of the Prince's Mansion to carry away the chests in the courtyard. Before long, aside from the maids, only Lu Chen, Zhuge Zhongguang, and Qin Yuwei remained.

Ignoring Qin Yuwei, Lu Chen asked Zhuge Zhongguang, "Great Scholar, do you think I should have agreed to the Crown Prince's request?"

Zhuge Zhongguang answered with a smile, "Prince, don't you already have the answer in your heart?"

Although Lu Chen had verbally agreed earlier, Zhuge Zhongguang could tell at a glance that Lu Chen was merely feigning agreement. If Lu Yi truly faced danger necessitating the North Country's troops to march south, Lu Chen would surely seize the opportunity to take the throne for himself during the southward campaign.

At this time, Zhuge Zhongguang continued, "Prince, if there's nothing else, your humble servant will return to attend to state affairs."

With that, Zhuge Zhongguang glanced at Qin Yuwei, knowing that Lu Chen might be preoccupied with important matters next, and hence he did not wish to disturb any further.

Lu Chen replied, "Hmm, very well."

The next moment, Zhuge Zhongguang left the courtyard, leaving only Lu Chen and Qin Yuwei in the company of the maids.

Qin Yuwei became extremely nervous; her hands involuntarily clutched at her dress, uncertain of what was to come.

Lu Chen then said indifferently, "Miss Qin, did you learn how to serve someone properly while you were in the East Palace?"

Hearing this question, Qin Yuwei was momentarily taken aback. She quickly reviewed the recent events and realized Qin Feng had not told the North Prince her surname, so how did he know she was a Qin?

Although curious, Qin Yuwei didn't voice this query. Instead, she answered, "Your Majesty, the female officials of the East Palace have taught this servant."

Ever since Qin Feng had sent her to the East Palace, the female officials had taught her daily how to please men. She had long lost the temperament of the Qin Family's miss and had been forced to learn those things.

Under the instruction of those female officials and though she had not yet practiced, Qin Yuwei was already very familiar with the affairs of men and women.

Lu Chen said with a smile, "Good, I will give you an opportunity. If you serve me well tonight, you will be free to move about Yan County in the future, and I can even grant you the status of a concubine."

Upon hearing Lu Chen's words, Qin Yuwei could scarcely believe it was true.

She had been prepared to be confined in the North Prince Mansion for life, but now Lu Chen was willing to let her leave, and though she could only move about in Yan County, it was still far better than lifetime confinement in the North Prince Mansion.

Qin Yuwei immediately said, "Thank you, Prince! This servant will serve you diligently!"

Lu Chen then told the maids, "Take her to bathe and change her clothes."

"Yes, Prince," they replied.

The maids then led Qin Yuwei away.

Lu Chen sat in the courtyard for a while longer before rising and retiring to his study.

As Qin Yuwei bathed, she found her mind wandering. She couldn't shake the feeling that the North Prince was not as she had imagined.

Then, she asked the maids by the pool, "May I ask, what kind of person is your Prince?"