Chapter 142: Chapter 126: Prince Zhenbei’s Great Defeat, the Demoness May Become Empress, Settling Old Scores

Qingzhu Hall.

Dawn broke on the second day.

Qi Muxue slowly awoke. Her thoughts immediately turned to the absurd events of the previous night, and she cast a reproachful glance at Lu Mingyuan, who was sleeping soundly beside her. She had always cultivated her virtue, often reading the Women’s Law compiled by the Confucian Family. She never imagined that last night, in the heat of the moment, she would do so many unbelievable things—things she normally wouldn’t even dare to dream of.

’It’s just too shameful!’

“Your Highness, the hot water is ready.”

Zi Yun and Hong Wan had already prepared the hot water with practiced ease, intending to help the Princess Consort with her bath. It was a task they performed as a matter of course, without needing to be told.

“What is this…?”

Qi Muxue held a hand to her messy hair, her mind still a bit foggy. She hadn’t fully processed the situation.

“His Highness has instructed us to do this so many times that it’s simply become a habit.”

A blush crept up Qi Muxue’s cheeks as she guessed the meaning behind their words.

She leaned in and whispered, “Is His Highness always like this with you? Can you really get used to it?”

Zi Yun and Hong Wan exchanged a glance and nodded gently.

Qi Muxue resignedly stood up to go bathe, but her legs nearly gave out. She stumbled, and would have fallen if not for Hong Wan’s quick reflexes in catching her.

After she had washed, bathed in the hot water, and changed into fresh clothes, she sat primly before the copper mirror to do her makeup. She had just raised her comb when a large, gentle hand covered her own. Through the mirror, she saw a handsome face, full of warmth, reflected back at her.

“Let me brush your hair.”

“Alright.” Hearing his words, Qi Muxue’s heart felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.

Lu Mingyuan held the comb in one hand and her long hair in the other. One stroke, two strokes… His movements were incredibly gentle.

Standing behind her, he noticed her damp hair and realized she had just finished her bath. The collar of her robe was quite loose, offering an almost entirely unobstructed view of her chest.

“My dear…”

“Hm?”

Lu Mingyuan praised her from the heart, “You are truly beautiful. Like a snow-covered mountain at night, vast and deep, and as white as the driven snow.”

Qi Muxue thought her husband was comparing her to a great, snow-covered mountain, a majestic landscape, and her heart swelled with delight.

Gazing at her silky black hair, which flowed like a waterfall, Lu Mingyuan nodded in satisfaction. “All done.”

“Ngh…”

The sound of their conversation had apparently woken the spirited young woman still in bed.

Huo Hongling rubbed her eyes and sat up groggily, her eyes narrowed. Looking down, she realized she was completely naked. Upon the bedsheets, two crimson stains were exceptionally conspicuous.

Only then did she recall the humiliating events of her wedding night.

The blood on the sheets was all the proof needed.

“You’re awake?”

Lu Mingyuan, wearing only a pair of pants that exposed his powerful upper body and the thick, full muscles of his arms, offered a gentle smile.

“Mmm…”

Huo Hongling’s face flushed crimson as she pulled the covers up to hide her body, leaving only a pair of furtive eyes exposed.

“Oh.”

As Lu Mingyuan stretched, he saw that Qi Muxue had already finished painting her eyebrows. The effect was excellent, adding even more radiance to her already stunning face.

“Since you’re up, you should get washed and dressed. We have to go pay our respects to our elders soon.”

Hearing Lu Mingyuan’s words, Huo Hongling nodded. She grabbed her clothes from the floor and began to put them on, but when she walked, it was with a noticeable limp.

’At least she can walk on her own.’

’As expected of the daughter of the Marquis Wu. Being a Martial Artist, her constitution is much better than most.’

Once the three of them had bathed and were fully dressed, they gathered a few things and headed to Yaoguang Palace to pay their respects.

As his wives, Huo Hongling and Qi Muxue were required to meet his mother, Noble Consort Wang Zhaoyan. According to etiquette, they needed to personally serve their parents-in-law during the meal to show filial piety and respect.

“When you see my mother, remember to address her properly,” Lu Mingyuan reminded them.

“I know, I’m not that stupid,” Huo Hongling pouted, puffing out her cheeks.

“Etiquette is still very important. Besides the form of address, there’s a lot more. Let me give you a brief overview…”

A faint smile touched Qi Muxue’s lips as she began to explain.

The three of them walked along the path to Yaoguang Palace.

By the window of an adjacent palace hall, a woman in red appeared.

Yang Yingchan watched their harmonious figures retreat, a complex look in her eyes. For some reason, a pang of envy grew in her heart.

She was, of course, aware that the Sixth Prince had taken wives.

She believed Qi Muxue was incredibly fortunate.

Her family background was impressive, a descendant of the Confucian Saint, and now she was the Princess Consort of Prince Huai’an. Her status was noble, and she would never have to worry about wealth or status. This marriage alliance was by no means a loss for her.

Even if she stayed away from official power and the whirlpool of the succession struggle, she could live a happy life.

In the hands of Prince Zhao, Lu Changfeng, she had never known a good day. Forget a harmonious and cheerful atmosphere; a day without being cursed at was a blessing.

Soon, the three of them arrived at Yaoguang Palace.

Aside from the Champion Marquis and Qi Xingyan, who were too busy to get away, all the other elders were present.

’What a big family,’ Lu Mingyuan couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.

Before he knew it, so many people had gathered around him. He was no longer alone.

They ate their morning meal, chatting idly about recent events.

The Champion Marquis was mustering troops at the training grounds to head north. With the current state of the Court’s treasury, they could only support an expeditionary force of 100,000 soldiers, plus 50,000 Qilin Iron Cavalry.

In the grand scheme of warfare, this was a very small number. Whenever the Emperor of Great Yan personally led an expedition, it was always with at least 500,000 troops and 100,000 Qilin Iron Cavalry. The Imperial Capital was a hub of well-maintained official roads, allowing for rapid troop movement.

However, in the eyes of the officials of the Imperial Court, it was no small number.

One hundred thousand of Great Yan’s elite troops could easily flatten many smaller nations, and could even annihilate mid-sized countries like Nan Zhou or Golden Crow.

Furthermore, there were the 50,000 Qilin Iron Cavalry, each a seasoned veteran capable of fighting a hundred men, their Martial Artist bodies forged to be exceedingly strong.

Considering Prince Zhenbei’s smooth progress thus far, it shouldn’t have been a problem.

The main force was still Prince Zhenbei’s 300,000 strong border troops. The Prince of Zhenbei hadn’t earned his title by sitting around; it was built on military merit. He himself was a Tenth Realm Martial Artist of the Vajra Realm, having forged a Glazed Impermeable Vajra Body.

After so many years, his Cultivation had likely improved even further. While the Champion Marquis’s martial prowess was comparable, his military achievements still fell short of the Prince’s.

After the meal and formalities were concluded, they chatted for a while. Wang Zhaoyan looked at her two daughters-in-law, growing more and more pleased the longer she looked.

She was especially pleased with Princess Consort Qi. A well-bred lady from a prestigious family, a virtuous wife, and a capable household manager all in one. It was said among the princes and nobles of the Capital City that any man should count himself lucky to marry Qi Muxue. Countless suitors had beaten a path to her door, and matchmakers had talked themselves hoarse, all to no avail. She never expected her own son to be the one to get so lucky.

’Say what you will, but my son’s ability with women is truly second to none.’

’Qi Muxue is absolutely the perfect candidate to sit securely on the Empress’s throne.’

’What a pity…’

Wang Zhaoyan sighed inwardly, careful not to let her feelings show. Instead, her eyes curved into crescents as she said with a broad smile,

“Mu Xue, Hong Ling, when are you going to give me a couple of fair, chubby grandchildren?”

Qi Muxue and Huo Hongling had different reactions to this question.

Qi Muxue, both shy and embarrassed, flushed and said, “It is all up to my husband.”

She had deftly passed the buck to Lu Mingyuan.

Huo Hongling stared at the floor, fiddling with her hands, unsure how to respond.

Lu Mingyuan managed a strained smile and replied, “Mother, please don’t make things difficult for them. You can’t force something like this. I’ve been sleeping with Zi Yun and Hong Wan for a long time, and they haven’t gotten pregnant either.”

“Fine, fine, go on and spoil them. Just leave your poor mother all alone,” Wang Zhaoyan said, feigning tears.

Wang Zhaoyan cleared her throat, her expression turning serious. “I am not a pedantic person. Though my reputation in the Harem isn’t the best, I am unfailingly loyal to my own. Since my son likes you, and you have committed yourselves to him, you may do as you wish in the future, so long as you don’t cross any lines. But I must still ask: now that you have married into the Royal Family, what are your plans?”

“To teach and spread knowledge, and to share my husband’s burdens.”

“To practice my martial arts and train soldiers… to… to share my husband’s burdens.”

“Acceptable. As long as it is beneficial to my son, it is not a problem.”

Seeing his mother instructing his new wives like this, Lu Mingyuan didn’t feel it was his place to interrupt, so he could only listen with a wry smile.

Wang Zhaoyan then began to lecture them on the full set of rules and customs of the palace.

’She’s been in the Harem for too long. This kind of ingrained thinking affects everything she does.’

Suddenly, a palace maid stepped forward and whispered a report to Wang Zhaoyan.

“What?!”

She cried out involuntarily.

“What is it, Mother?”

Wang Zhaoyan took a sharp breath. She hesitated for a moment, then frowned and said, “News has come from the front line. Prince Zhenbei has been utterly defeated, losing ten cities in a row. They say there has been a major upheaval in the Demon Country. The Sovereign of the Holy Netherworld is dead, and a Demoness has seized power. It seems she is poised to unify all of the Holy Netherworld, and I’m afraid she will come to settle old scores. This news is already seven or eight days old; we don’t know the current situation.”

Lu Mingyuan’s brow furrowed as well.

’It seems Great Yan’s plan to plunder the Southern Saint Ming was unreliable after all,’ he thought. ’Once the Demon Country recovered, it was inevitable they would come to settle the score.’

Once the Demoness finished cleaning up the rebel forces within her country…

…and unified the Holy Netherworld…

…then all of Great Yan would face a true crisis.

Upon hearing this, Huo Hongling’s expression changed drastically, and she spoke with great worry.

“Father…”

…

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