Chapter 419: Chapter 263 He is Already a Grandmaster_3

Hearing this, the Sum Emperor fell into deep thought, then he said, “Back then, Chu Yue had a maid by her side; she should know many things unknown to others.”

From behind the bookcase, a shadow spoke, “Chu Yuqin is now in the North Prince Mansion, my subordinates are unable to contact her for the moment.”

The Sum Emperor frowned slightly, then said, “Continue the investigation.”

Although all the evidence from various sources indicated that Chu Yue had not been in contact with any other man for over a year before her pregnancy, the Sum Emperor still didn’t believe that Lu Chen was his child. Every time he visited Chu Yue’s room, he never regained consciousness, how could he believe that something had happened between him and Chu Yue.

If it hadn’t been for the need to stabilize the throne and the reluctance to offend the Chu Family, he probably would have turned against them long ago.

Moreover, making such a matter public wasn’t a good thing for an emperor; it was a disgrace. Even though he knew for certain that Lu Chen couldn’t possibly be his child, he couldn’t say it out loud.

The reason he was still having people investigate this matter after more than a decade was mainly that he couldn’t get over it. Because of this matter, the Shadow Guard had killed no small number of men related to Chu Yue, but he was still restless without finding Lu Chen’s biological father.

…

Meanwhile.

In a military camp of the Great Wu Dynasty.

Wu Junwan, clad in silver-white armor, was talking with the leader of a rebel faction, already the fourth one to choose surrender to her.

The reason for Wu Junwan’s smooth suppression of the rebellion was primarily her strategy of encirclement without attack, using military force as a deterrent on the one hand, while on the other, sending envoys to persuade surrender, and employing various means to buy off the people around the rebels.

Wu Junwan controlled the Qianhai Commercial Association, and she also held the strongest intelligence agency in Great Wu. With money and connections at her disposal, it was an easy task for her to precisely buy off the people around the rebel leaders.

After negotiations with Wu Junwan concluded, the rebel leader left the tent with a smile.

Watching the back of the departing rebel leader, Wu Junwan’s smile instantly solidified, then she asked the person next to her, “This should be the last persuadable rebel leader, right?”

The Military General beside Wu Junwan immediately replied, “Yes, the remaining rebels are mainly supported by the Aristocratic Families of the Southwest Region, and they’re highly unlikely to surrender.”

Hearing this, Wu Junwan coldly said, “Find a way to get rid of that man in a few days.”

“Yes, Princess Junwan.”

Wu Junwan cared about the rebels, not the rebel leaders. She bought off the people around the rebel leaders to help her take control of the rebels. As for those who bargained with her, such as the rebel leaders, they were better off dead.

Just then, a soldier entered the tent, presenting an envelope to Wu Junwan, “Your Highness, there is intelligence from North Country.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Junwan immediately took the envelope from the soldier, opened it, and glanced at the contents.

As Wu Junwan read about North Country’s annihilation of Tianqi King’s army of four hundred thousand, her expression turned very stern.

At that moment, Wu Junwan asked, “Is this information confirmed?”

The soldier replied, “This news has been published in the official reports of North Country, and our people have learned that the North Prince is already on his way back to Yan County. He will soon receive the envoys from Da Yue Dynasty, so there is a high likelihood that this news is true.”

Hearing this, Wu Junwan murmured to herself, “I thought it would be impressive enough if North Country could hold off Tianqi King’s invasion, but they’ve gone and annihilated Tianqi King’s army outright. North Country is growing faster than I imagined.”

At that point, Wu Junwan suddenly remembered the intelligence report mentioning that the Da Yue Dynasty sent envoys to North Country. She looked at the intelligence again and a smile smoothed over her features.

She also realized why her good sister would send envoys to North Country at this time. Clearly, the Yue Emperor planned to use North Country to divide Great Sum. Despite North Country’s strength, its rise was not good for the Great Sum court, nor for the Sum Emperor.

Once the Sum Emperor had dealt with the matter of the Southern Aristocratic Families’ rebellion, he would probably move to weaken the vassals next. If she could incite war between North Country and the Great Sum court, the division of Great Sum could be expected in no time. North Country had a proven military might, definitely not as fragile as the Southern rebels; a rebellion by North Country would be a disaster for Great Sum, but for other kingdoms, it would be a most welcome event. Without Great Sum, a powerful adversary, they could not only expand opportunistically, but external pressures would also be greatly reduced in the future.

Wu Junwan thought to herself, now that Da Yue Dynasty had made a move, Mr. Chai, the Prime Minister, should also know what to do.

Since Da Yue wanted to establish official communications with North Country, then Great Wu must also get involved. This would more easily provoke the Great Sum court. Once North Country established diplomatic relations with other kingdoms, it wasn’t far from de facto independence. When that time came, Great Sum would definitely take action against North Country.

Now what the Great Wu Dynasty needed to do was to fan the flames and make the fire burn even brighter.

Thinking this, Wu Junwan said, “I will write a letter to Mr. Chai later; come to my tent to collect it in two hours.”

The soldier replied, “Understood, Princess Junwan.”

…

Half a month later.

North Country, Yan County.

Today the North Gate of Yan County was packed with people, for it was the day of the North Prince’s triumphant return. The citizens of Yan County spontaneously headed to the North Gate to welcome the North Prince.

To confirm if the North Prince had really defeated Tianqi King, spies from various countries were also mixed in with the crowd, waiting for the North Prince’s return.

The envoys from the Da Yue Dynasty also found a place to wait for the North Prince’s entourage.

Suddenly, the dashing figure of the North Prince appeared in the distance.

As the North Prince rode slowly down the Avenue of Entrance to the city, the surrounding citizens of North Country immediately burst into cheers.

In the middle of the crowd, Murong Xue’er in her black and white attire glanced at Lu Chen on horseback and muttered to herself, “Indeed, a man of exceptional handsomeness.”

“It seems we have underestimated the North Prince, he is already a Grandmaster.”

…