Having children earns benefit, start competing for dominance in the world by marrying a wife

After deciding when to dispatch troops to Great Wu, Lu Chen discussed the appointment of officials with Zhuge Zhongguang.

The abilities of most officials in the Capital city were inferior compared to those from the North Country, as Lu Chen had always let officials of the North Country handle various matters independently, and they were constantly monitored by the Brocade Guard.

Lu Chen was reluctant to assign the Capital city's officials to crucial positions, but if he didn't provide them with some suitable roles, those officials might feel discontent.

After all, they had followed him to Yan County, unlike those old foxes in the Capital city who were merely getting by; these officials still had some aspirations.

How to assign them tasks involved many considerations.

After Lu Chen and Zhuge Zhongguang finished discussing the appointments of the officials, the sunset had already fallen, leaving only the twilight hanging in the sky.

Seeing that it was getting late through the window, Lu Chen said, "Great Scholar, you may return for today. We can continue to discuss the appointment of officials tomorrow."

Zhuge Zhongguang then stood up from his seat and, bowing to Lu Chen, said, "This old official shall take his leave!"

Zhuge Zhongguang then turned and left the Imperial Study Room.

After Zhuge Zhongguang departed, Lu Chen went straight to the Wind Cloud Palace.

When Lu Chen entered the Wind Cloud Hall, he saw Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao were also there. Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao were quite worried about Mu Zixuan's condition, especially since on the first night of Lu Chen's return, he had not summoned Mu Zixuan to the bedchamber but Chu Yuqin instead.

This matter was naturally not something they could interfere with, but they could stay by Mu Zixuan's side to console her.

Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou had been in the Wind Cloud Palace all day and just as Mu Zixuan was about to have someone prepare dinner, a maid outside suddenly shouted loudly, "The Emperor has arrived!"

Hearing this, the three ladies were startled and then hurried out to greet him.

Before Mu Zixuan could even perform a courtesy, Lu Chen spoke, "Xiaoxiao and Youyou are here too. That's good. Don't go back tonight. Stay in the Wind Cloud Palace."

Hearing this, the three ladies immediately understood Lu Chen's intention, and Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou couldn't help but blush.

At this moment, Lu Chen looked at Mu Zixuan and said, "Zixuan, it's quite late already. Dinner should be ready, right?"

Mu Zixuan promptly responded, "It is prepared. Your consort will have the servants serve the dishes."

Mu Zixuan then ordered the maids to go and tell the Food House to serve the meal quickly.

Lu Chen meanwhile walked towards the Wind Cloud Hall.

After entering the Wind Cloud Hall, Lu Chen sat at a round dining table, and Mu Zixuan, Zhou Xiaoxiao, and Zhou Youyou quickly joined him, but they did not sit down immediately.

Now that Lu Chen's status had changed, they did not dare to be as informal as before.

Seeing that Mu Zixuan and both Zhou sisters were standing, Lu Chen said with a smile, "Why is it that since I've returned, you all seem so afraid of me, as if I'm a stranger to you?"

"Please sit down."

Hearing Lu Chen's words, Mu Zixuan, Zhou Xiaoxiao, and Zhou Youyou said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Only then did the three ladies take their seats.

Seeing their restraint, Lu Chen continued in a calm tone, "Although I am now the Emperor, this is the inner palace, my home. You are my wives and concubines, my women, the people closest to me. Do you all really want to distance yourselves from me and leave me a lonely man?"

Although Lu Chen's tone was placid, Mu Zixuan and the others instantly picked up on his irritation. He rarely got angry, and this was their first time hearing him speak so sternly.

Simultaneously, the three women hastily stood up from their seats and knelt on the ground.

Mu Zixuan said, "Your Majesty, we do not harbor such thoughts."

Seeing the three trembling on the ground, Lu Chen sighed.

As he had thought, assuming this position ultimately led one to become a lonely ruler.

It's often said that the Emperor has no personal affairs, only state affairs; even in the harem, the Emperor's wives must maintain the dignity of sovereign and subjects in his presence.

Although Lu Chen knew this era was just like that, he felt very uncomfortable.

Lu Chen also understood that, for someone like the Emperor who held the power of life and death, even if he verbally allowed his wives and concubines some freedom, they would not dare to act recklessly. After all, a single word from him could lead to their downfall, as well as the destruction of their families.

Moreover, compared to his father, the Emperor, his own power was even greater. His father had been restricted by the Aristocratic Family, but now he had sole control over state affairs. Whatever he said was law, and no one could limit him.

For an Emperor with such immense power, making his wives and concubines unafraid of him was almost an impossible task.

At this time, Lu Chen said, "Zixuan, you have been married to me for several years now. Don't you know what kind of person I am?"

Hearing this question, Mu Zixuan was slightly stunned, then said, "Your Majesty is benevolent and harmonious, with far-reaching ambition. You are a wise ruler, a rarity seen once in thousands of years."

Lu Chen was very dissatisfied with this answer. Mu Zixuan's words were too polite.

Lu Chen then rose from his seat and walked straight over to Mu Zixuan, then crouched down.

Mu Zixuan was taken aback once again.

Looking into Mu Zixuan's eyes, Lu Chen said, "Zixuan, what do you think about this? I will issue a command to the Inner Court that my wives and concubines are not to kneel before me so readily."

This...

Mu Zixuan immediately understood what Lu Chen meant. He was very dissatisfied with their behavior today.

Mu Zixuan quickly said, "Your Majesty, your concubine knows her mistake."

Lu Chen said, "Knowing your mistake, why not rise quickly?"

"You want to kneel so much? Later when we go to bed, I'll let you kneel all you want."

The meaning behind Lu Chen's words was clear to the three women; their cheeks instantly grew even redder and became incredibly hot.

Then the three women rose from the ground.

At this time, Mu Zixuan said, "Your Majesty, your concubine understands your point, but the Imperial Palace today is not what the North Prince Mansion used to be. With so many eyes watching in the palace, any misconduct by a wife will inevitably lead to impeachment at court."

It is said that the Emperor has no private matters; affairs of the Harem, once known to those ministers, will definitely be brought up in the court sessions and will be used as an opportunity to launch political struggles.

This is common in every dynasty, so even though they knew Lu Chen disliked their overly cautious behavior towards him, which might make him feel isolated, they also had to consider the troubles that might arise from acting disrespectfully.

Hearing Mu Zixuan say this, Lu Chen then said, "In the future, I will issue a command that matters of the Harem are my family affairs, and no minister is allowed to discuss them, unless it is something to do with the businesses you manage outside or some deeds that affect Great Xia."

Just as Mu Zixuan was about to say something, Lu Chen quickly said, "Alright, this matter is settled."

With that, Lu Chen glanced at Mu Zixuan and the two Zhou sisters, then continued, "I will just say this, if you really make me a man without kinship, feeling that I have no family, then from now on, I will truly not act with sentiment."

"I believe you do not wish to see an Emperor like my father, do you?"

Hearing these words, the three women felt a pang in their hearts.

They naturally did not want to see Lu Chen become a cold and heartless Emperor.

As Lu Chen's words fell, he once again sat down at the dining table.

At this time, the servants had already started serving the dishes.

Lu Chen said, "Come and sit down quickly."

After coming to their senses, Mu Zixuan and the two Zhou sisters hurriedly took their seats at the table. With the words Lu Chen had just said, the three women were no longer as cautious as before.

Once the dishes were served, Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou prepared a cup for Lu Chen while the other poured wine for him.

At this time, Lu Chen said to Mu Zixuan, "Zixuan, after yesterday's court session ended, a minister came to me and brought up the matter of appointing the Empress."

Hearing these words, Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou's hearts tightened.