Chapter 422: Chapter 264 Murong Xue’er_3

Hearing this, Lu Chen extended his claw and smacked it down on Wang Qingci’s buttocks, then said, “The bitch starts to slander me again, does she? It seems like Your Highness has been away from home too long, and you’ve become too bold.”

Wang Qingci, after being hit, let out a “yiying” sound and hurriedly said, “How would this one dare to slander the Prince? I am merely reminding the Prince.”

Today, Lu Chen didn’t press Wang Qingci onto the desk right away. Instead, he glanced again at the intelligence report about Murong Xue’er in his hand, before saying, “Since you mentioned she is beautiful, then she must indeed be quite the beauty. Now, I have to meet her.”

Having said that, Lu Chen spoke to the maidservant outside the study, “Xiao Huan, go and tell the State Preceptor that the Prince wants to host a noon banquet at the Hall of Political Affairs to receive the delegation from the Da Yue Dynasty.”

“Yes, Prince.”

After the maidservant went to relay the message to Zhuge Zhongguang, Wang Qingci asked, “The matter the Prince just spoke of, is it about this, right?”

Lu Chen pulled Wang Qingci into his arms, making her sit on his lap, then embraced her slender waist and said, “What else do you think it would be about? Do you think I will go to foster relationships with my wives and concubines later on?”

Wang Qingci said, “This one wouldn’t dare to make such a claim.”

“However, the Prince has indeed been working hard in Ningbei City lately, and you should truly relax on your return.”

At this point, Wang Qingci’s jade hand began to roam around Lu Chen’s body recklessly.

In his heart, Lu Chen chuckled silently, this sly fox.

Lu Chen said, “I had intended to let you off, but since Mr. Wang insists on challenging me, don’t blame me for not being courteous.”

In the midst of speaking, Lu Chen stood up, holding Wang Qingci, and directly pushed her onto the desk.

Then, with a wave of his hand, two streams of spiritual energy closed all the windows and doors of the study, and it was time for Lu Chen to relax.

…

At noon, after taking a bath, Lu Chen headed to the Hall of Political Affairs.

The noon banquet was also attended by some important officials of North Country.

When Lu Chen appeared in the Hall of Political Affairs, members of the Da Yue delegation had already taken their seats.

Upon seeing Lu Chen, Murong Xue’er, with the delegation members, all stood up.

Together, they said in unison:

“We pay our respects to the North Prince!”

Lu Chen replied with a smile, “You are too kind, everyone, please take your seats.”

At this time, Lu Chen’s gaze fell upon Murong Xue’er.

[Name: Murong Xue’er]

[Identity: A lady-in-waiting by the Empress of Da Yue’s side, the only daughter of the Murong Family, at the Extreme Realm Master level, 24 years old. The year the Empress of Da Yue ascended to the throne, the Murong Family was executed for opposing her, leaving only Murong Xue’er alive. The Empress of Da Yue took her into the palace and raised her as her confidant. This time, she has come to North Country, having received orders from the Empress of Da Yue to see what kind of person the North Prince is.]

[Rating: 95]

[Favorability: 50]

Seeing Murong Xue’er’s information, Lu Chen was slightly taken aback; why did he have such a strong sense of deja vu?

How could Murong Xue’er, whose family was killed by the Empress of Da Yue, become the confidant of the Empress?

Though surprised, Lu Chen quickly regained his composure. It wasn’t particularly strange after all. Murong Xue’er had been a child when brought to the palace, so she probably didn’t harbor any hatred towards the Empress.

Furthermore, it wasn’t hard to deduce from the fact that Murong Xue’er had attained the Master Realm at only twenty-four that she must have received excellent care from the Empress, being given abundant resources to train in martial arts, which allowed her to break through to the Master Realm by the age of twenty-four.

After reviewing Murong Xue’er’s information, Lu Chen’s eyes took a few more sweeps over her.

Murong Xue’er’s appearance was indeed as Wang Qingci had said, somewhat aloof. Dressed in simple black and white clothes with a matching hairband, her ink-wash style made her look like a talented woman.

Noticing Lu Chen’s continual gaze, Zhuge Zhongguang realized that if Lu Chen kept looking, it might be embarrassing. Zhuge Zhongguang promptly coughed and said, “Prince, since everyone is here, shall we start the banquet?”

Lu Chen then came to his senses and quickly said, “Oh, of course, let everyone please take a seat, we’ll chat while we eat.”

Murong Xue’er also noticed that Lu Chen had been staring at her face, and she couldn’t help but think that the rumors on the outside were correct, the North Prince truly did fancy beautiful women.

But with his penchant for beauty, how did he manage to breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm? Martial arts usually required abstinence, and even the Empress of Da Yue was no exception. Their realms improved so quickly in part because of their abundant resources, and also because of their abstemiousness.

It was indeed peculiar for the North Prince, a man who kept so many wives and concubines in the Prince’s Mansion and even had six children, to have advanced to the Grandmaster Realm in such a short time.

As Murong Xue’er puzzled over how Lu Chen’s strength had increased so rapidly, Lu Chen spoke up, “Envoy of the Great Jue, I am delighted that you would visit North Country as guests. I regret not having met you all at the first opportunity; that was my negligence. Today, I hope you enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”

“Play the music, dance!”

As Lu Chen’s words fell, a group of dancers appeared in the grand hall, and the melodious sound of the guqin echoed throughout.

At this moment, Wang Maoxue spoke out, “North Prince, you speak too modestly. Not long ago, you were in Ningbei City fighting against the armies of the Tianqi King, and not receiving us was purely that king’s fault, not related to the Prince.”

“On the contrary, it is our honor that the Prince, having just returned to Yan County, was willing to meet with us.”

Upon hearing these words, Lu Chen smiled and then asked directly, “May I know why the Yue Emperor has sent you all to North Country?”

Wang Maoxue replied, “To not keep the North Prince in the dark, originally we came here to help North Country ward off the invasion of the Barbarian Tribe. However, unexpectedly, North Country was strong enough not to need our help and handled the trouble with the barbarians effortlessly.”