Chu Yuqin felt a growing sense of unease. If this continued, something was bound to happen.
Flushed with a mix of shame and frustration, she bit her lip and warned, "Chen'er, if you don't let me go right now, I'll get angry!"
Seeing her flushed cheeks and flustered expression, Lu Chen could only relent. He slowly released her from his grasp, though there was a reluctant glint in his eyes.
He wasn't in any hurry. After all, women in ancient times cared deeply about reputation and propriety. Even though Chu Yuqin's affection toward him was already incredibly high, she might not be ready to accept their relationship just yet. That kind of acceptance would take time.
As soon as Lu Chen let go, Chu Yuqin stepped back hastily, putting some distance between them. Yet, she didn't rebuke him any further.
Taking a moment to check herself, Chu Yuqin sensed her cultivation had returned. Her brows furrowed slightly as she asked curiously, "Chen'er, just now when my power suddenly disappeared… was that because of your so-called opportunity?"
Lu Chen nodded. "Yeah. It has to do with the technique I cultivate."
He looked at her seriously and continued, "Any woman who harbors love for me will temporarily lose her power and feel weakened upon physical contact with me."
Chu Yuqin instantly froze, and then—her eyes widened in realization. The implication in Lu Chen's words hit her like a bolt of lightning.
She glared at him, her face burning even redder than before. She turned her head and muttered under her breath, "You little rascal, what nonsense are you spouting… I'm your aunt!"
With a flustered snort, she spun around. "I'm not wasting another word on you. I'm going on patrol."
But before her words had fully landed, Chu Yuqin bolted—no, fled—from the room.
Her heart thudded violently in her chest, as if it were about to leap out. Her body was hot—almost feverish.
What did I just hear?
That brat… was he insinuating something toward me?!
She felt like she had been struck with lightning. He dared to think such thoughts about her? She was his aunt! Even though they weren't blood-related, hadn't she watched him grow up since he was an infant? Heck, she even cleaned his potty.
[T|N: lol mc has some real distance to remove, tho he is taking it slow which is good.]
Moreover, she was a widow. Though she had never reached the stage to consummated her marriage and remained chaste, she had still been married once. How could he have such… indecent thoughts about her?
Yet, as her thoughts spiraled, a guilty feeling began to rise in her heart.
She hadn't felt this way back in the capital. Even though she'd often looked at Lu Chen, she had never experienced the kind of heat and restlessness she did now.
But just a few months later, now her feelings had started to shift. The thought alone made her want to hide her face.
What's wrong with me?
How could I think of him like that…?
Chu Yuqin sighed softly, her voice tinged with both guilt and helplessness.
"It seems Chen'er has really grown up… he's becoming more and more of a man. I… I'll have to keep my distance from now on."
Trying to calm her restless body, Chu Yuqin sat cross-legged and began cultivating, channeling her qi to steady her racing heart.
…
Back in the main courtyard, Lu Chen stood still, staring at the direction Chu Yuqin had fled in. Her curvaceous figure, especially that graceful, swaying back—made his blood boil.
He shook his head, exhaling a hot breath. He couldn't lose control again.
Suppressing his rising desire, he turned and made his way toward the North Courtyard.
At that moment, Zhou Youyou had just gotten up and was preparing to head over to Mu Zixuan's place.
"Xiaohuan, I'm going to go see Sister Mu first. Come over after you've tidied up," she said with a gentle smile.
Just as she opened the door, she bumped into someone—Lu Chen.
Before she could even react, Lu Chen scooped up her delicate frame in one swift motion and carried her straight into the room.
"Ah! Your Majesty!" Zhou Youyou gasped, her cheeks flushing.
Xiaohuan, who was inside making the bed, instinctively turned her head at the sudden voice. When she saw the scene before her—Lu Chen carrying Zhou Youyou in his arms—her face turned bright red.
As a palace maid, she naturally understood what was about to happen. Without a word, she swiftly stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her.
…
[The host and Zhou Youyou have cultivated a relationship once. Qi Refining Skill EXP +10. Rejuvenation Hand EXP +20.]
[Congratulations! Zhou Youyou is now pregnant. Reward: 10,000 kilograms of breeding potatoes.]
[Pregnancy rewards are encouragement rewards. Once the child is born, greater rewards will follow.]
After the flames of passion had settled, Lu Chen felt significantly better.
But today's events also served as a stark reminder—he had to break through to the ninth level soon. Otherwise, controlling his urges would become increasingly difficult, and problems could easily arise.
Inside his own mansion, or within the inner courtyard, such things weren't a concern at all. Everyone here was his. But if he ever left the palace and encountered a beautiful woman on the outside… things could become messy if he can't control himself at all.
He looked down at the petite beauty in his arms.
Zhou Youyou's starry eyes were half-closed, her face flushed like the first light of dawn. Her lotus-like arms rested on his shoulders, soft and tender. Her releasing a sweaty but sweet feminine scent plus her glistening skin which is due his efforts for the last few hours truly make her more beautiful.
She was really the cute, delicate type. As Lu Chen thought about how he had been cultivating feelings with her lately, he felt a tinge of guilt. She hadn't been getting proper rest at all.
Even though she was his woman, he didn't see her as a tool for childbirth. He genuinely liked her—truly.
Lu Chen glanced at the system reward. The smile on his face widened.
He gently stroked her smooth skin and whispered into her ear, "Youyou, you're really my lucky star."
With 10,000 kilograms of breeding potatoes, he could revolutionize the North County's agricultural production within just a few years.
Due to the cold climate, North County wasn't suitable for growing rice, and wheat yields were always subpar.
But potatoes were different. The soil here was perfectly suited for them.
If he planted potatoes across North County, food supply would skyrocket, and the people would never starve again.
In an agricultural society, what was more important than food?
With food in hand, peace and stability would follow.
…
Meanwhile, at Baihua Tower—
Wang Qingci had just returned when she was approached by the same elderly woman from the previous day.
"Saintess, did you uncover anything last night?"
Wang Qingci's voice was calm and measured. "I didn't detect any trace of the mysterious expert. Only Chu Yuqin, a ninth-rank master, was present in the inner courtyard."
Hearing that, the old woman grew eager. "Saintess, since the expert has already left the Northern Palace, then tonight is our chance!"
Wang Qingci frowned slightly. "Granny Yu, you seem rather… anxious."
Chen Yu responded quickly, "Saintess, this mission was entrusted to us by the Eighth Prince himself. If we wait too long and let the Blood Moon Tower complete the mission first, your standing with the prince will plummet."
"But if we strike first and succeed, the Eighth Prince will see your true worth."
Wang Qingci's voice grew colder. "There's no need for that. The Eighth Prince sent people from the Blood Moon Tower precisely to ensure that nothing goes wrong."
"If we act prematurely and alert the target, and the mission fails because of it, we'll be the ones to shoulder the blame. Our entire Misty Rain Pavilion wouldn't be able to bear the consequences."
Hearing her reasoning, Chen Yu had no choice but to keep silent.
…
Several hours later, in Youbei City—
In a quiet restaurant, a group dressed in black robes with red accents sat around a table. Their presence was like shadows.
Suddenly, a bird flew in and landed on the shoulder of a man wearing a bamboo hat.
He calmly caught the bird, removed a small note tied to its claw, and opened it.
After reading the contents, the corners of his mouth curled into a sinister smile.
"Very good. Since the grandmaster has left, it's time for that useless prince to go meet his mother in the afterlife."
…
That night.
Within the inner courtyard of the palace, a familiar dark figure appeared once again.
Different time, same place. The same people.
Chu Yuqin narrowed her eyes the moment she saw the shadow. Her hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword.
But before she could act, the figure spoke in a gentle tone, "Madam Chu, why haven't you rested yet? So diligent… You truly care deeply for His Highness, don't you?"
Recognizing the voice, Chu Yuqin snorted coldly. "Sneaking around in the dark. How disgraceful."
Even though Lu Chen had already told her that Wang Qingci belonged to him and could be completely controlled, for some reason, she still felt a sense of discomfort every time she saw her.
She didn't like Wang Qingci one bit.
Before Wang Qingci could respond, Lu Chen's voice called out from inside the room.
"Qingci, since you're here, come in."
Wang Qingci gave a slight nod to Chu Yuqin, then walked around her and entered Lu Chen's chambers.
The night before, when Lu Chen and Wang Qingci had "cultivated," he discovered that his Qi Refining Technique hadn't gained any experience.
After consulting the system, he learned that he could only gain experience from a woman once per day.
Since they had already been together earlier that day, the second time yielded no results.
And so, Lu Chen had no choice. For the next several nights, Wang Qingci would have to visit him—without fail.
He had to reach the ninth level as quickly as possible.
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
Support the Translation! 🌐✨
30+ Advanced Chapters are currently available in Patreon, make sure to visit and support our team.
patreon.com/Immortal_author
https://ko-fi.com/immortalauthor
https://discord.gg/KscfBegBPT