NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50 - 50: Why Doesn't the Prince Take a Concubine Part 1
Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Why Doesn’t the Prince Take a Concubine Part 1
Translator: 549690339
Upon hearing Mu Zixuan’s voice, Chu Yuqin, who had been in a befuddled and amorous state, instantly sobered up.
She quickly pushed Lu Chen with force and said anxiously, “Chen’er, let go of Madam, Zixuan is coming in!”
Lu Chen felt like crying but had no tears to shed.
My dear Princess, why choose to come now of all times? Why exactly now!
Then, Lu Chen had no choice but to let go of Chu Yuqin.
However, Chu Yuqin didn’t run away immediately; she looked at Lu Chen with concern and asked, “Chen’er, are you feeling better now?”
Lu Chen nodded and said, “Yes, much better, it seems that doing this is indeed helpful.”
“Madam Chu, you will have to help me regulate my body on a regular basis in the future.”
Chu Yuqin said, “Can’t Zixuan and the others help you with that?”
Lu Chen said, “Zixuan and the other two aren’t martial artists, they lack inner strength, it won’t work, and Qingci seems to have no feelings for me, so she can’t meet the conditions for dual cultivation either.”
Upon hearing Lu Chen’s words, Chu Yuqin’s brain nearly fried; she quickly said, “Alright then, if you feel unwell in the future, come and find me. 1 have to go now.”
With those words, Chu Yuqin immediately headed for the door.
When Mu Zixuan saw Chu Yuqin open the door, she was momentarily startled.
Chu Yuqin quickly explained, “I was just checking on Chen’er’s health, you two talk, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Yuqin hurriedly made her escape.
Seeing Chu Yuqin’s frantic silhouette and her flushed face, Mu Zixuan instantly realized what had just happened.
She turned to Lu Chen and apologized, “Prince, it is all this consort’s fault for interrupting your moment; I will be more careful in the future.”
Hearing this, Lu Chen gave a slight smile and then said, “It’s fine; Madam Chu and I were just chatting, and we didn’t do anything inappropriate.”
“By the way, my beloved consort, did you come to see me about something?”
Mu Zixuan immediately entered the study and responded, “Prince…”
Just as Mu Zixuan was about to speak, she suddenly smelled something pungent. As Lu Chen’s Princess, how could Mu Zixuan not recognize that scent?
Mu Zixuan looked at Lu Chen, somewhat speechless, thinking he just said they hadn’t done anything improper, yet the room was heavy with that odor.
Seeing Mu Zixuan suddenly stop speaking and wearing a strange expression on her face, Lu Chen knew she must have misunderstood and quickly added, “Oh, right, Qingci was here earlier.”
Hearing this, Mu Zixuan then realized that the smell in the room was caused by Wang Qingci.
Lu Chen continued, “My consort, go ahead and speak your mind.”
Mu Zixuan immediately said, “Prince, I took over the business of the Prince’s Mansion today and found that our soap and perfume sales in the capital have dropped significantly recently; I’m not sure what’s causing this.”
Lu Chen was taken aback; he immediately came over to Mu Zixuan, then wrapped his arms around her body and said, “My consort, you’ve just had a child, why not rest properly instead of taking over the business of the Prince’s Mansion so soon.”
Mu Zixuan said, “Prince, this consort would be idle in the mansion anyway, and besides, Feng’er is being taken care of.”
In ancient times, when the ladies of noble families had children, they would usually hire a wet nurse, and the Prince’s Mansion was no exception.
After Mu Zixuan gave birth to a child, although she also cared for the child, most of the time it was the Prince’s Mansion’s wet nurses and maids who looked after them, allowing her to relax more.
Mu Zixuan was someone who couldn’t sit still, and after being pregnant and staying in the Prince’s Mansion for so long, she had grown somewhat tired of it, so as soon as she had recovered from childbirth, she once again took over the business affairs of the Prince’s Mansion.
Mu Zixuan continued to ask, “Prince, I heard that you established an organization to collect intelligence. Do you know what’s going on in the Capital city?”
Even though the Brocade Guard had not made a public appearance, Mu Zixuan had seen some of them coming to report intelligence to Lu Chen these past few days at the Prince’s Mansion, so she had some understanding of the Brocade Guard and also knew that Lu Chen had established an intelligence agency.
Mu Zixuan had just given birth, and Lu Chen definitely wouldn’t tell her about the affairs of the Duke Mu Residence.
At that time, Lu Chen said, “The Capital city has been quite turbulent recently; I’ve heard that the commanders of the Imperial Guard have been changed over and over, and the downturn in the Prince’s Mansion’s business may also be related to the current situation.”
Mu Zixuan showed a thoughtful look and then said, “So that’s it, 1 was wondering why the business of the Prince’s Mansion had dropped so swiftly.” As for the decline in the Prince’s Mansion’s business, Lu Chen had basically figured out the reasons, and it definitely wasn’t just because of the instability of the times.
Soap, perfume, and scented soaps were all new things that sold very well in the Capital city and were very profitable; it was impossible that no one would covet them.
Before, with the Duke Mu Residence keeping watch, no one dared to target the businesses of the North Prince Mansion. But now that the entire Duke Mu Residence was being exiled, who would fear the Duke Mu Residence?
And with the North Prince far off in North City, he couldn’t manage the Capital city.
The shops of the North Prince Mansion in the Capital city were probably either robbed or vandalized, and it’s likely that some people were already coveting the methods of producing soap and perfume.
From now on, the business strategy of the Prince’s Mansion must change; it would be best to find local merchants or high-ranking officials to collaborate with and share some of the profits with others, otherwise they would always be eyeing us.
Thinking of this, Lu Chen said to Mu Zixuan, “My love, from now on our business at the Prince’s Mansion should not only be conducted in the Capital city but also spread to other fiefs.”
“In the future, when conducting business, try to give gifts to those fiefs’ Seigniors, especially shares in the shops; otherwise, others will keep eyeing them.”
Upon hearing Lu Chen’s reminder, Mu Zixuan instantly understood what Lu Chen meant.
Doing business required understanding the niceties of human relations, and some profits that should be conceded must be given up.
Mu Zixuan then said, “I will keep your reminder in mind, Prince.”
At that moment, Mu Zixuan suddenly thought of something and then said, “Prince, there’s something I’m not sure whether or not 1 should mention.”
Lu Chen gave a faint smile, and then he gently teased her delicate nose, “Between husband and wife, what can’t be said? Go ahead, what is it?”
Mu Zixuan said, “Prince, 1 have only just given birth to a child and the Xiaoxiao sisters are also pregnant, so now it’s only Miss Wang serving you alone.”
“Your health has been getting better and better recently, and it seems Miss Wang is somewhat overwhelmed. Perhaps it’s time for you to take a concubine?”
Upon hearing the mention of Wang Qingci, Lu Chen felt a bit irritated inside. Of course, he was not angry with Mu Zixuan but was put off by the thought that Wang Qingci had managed to detach her own feelings.
After pondering for a moment, Lu Chen said, “Since my love has already mentioned it, then I shall find a time to take a concubine.”
“However, North City doesn’t seem to have many beautiful women, and you know, I may be lustful, but I am only interested in peerless beauties. Ordinary women do not intrigue me much.”
Hearing this, Mu Zixuan thought for a moment, and then said, “Prince, how about we issue a Concubine Invitation, and openly invite families from the entire Great Xia Dynasty to send in concubines.”
“By then, many families will surely send their daughters to the North Prince Mansion for selection, and with enough candidates, there will definitely be someone who catches your eye..”