Lu Chen swiftly ordered the maids to prepare a room and instructed them to assist Bai Qingqing with a bath and rest.
He had originally planned to spend some time with Bai Qingqing that night—perhaps even have a proper conversation. However, just as he was entertaining the thought, Chu Yuqin unexpectedly appeared.
At the time, Lu Chen was sitting in his study, his mind still preoccupied with the image of Bai Qingqing's cold yet captivating beauty.
Knock knock knock...
The sound of gentle knocking snapped him out of his daze.
"The door's open. Come in," Lu Chen called out.
A moment later, Chu Yuqin pushed the door open and stepped inside.
She wore a jade-green cloud-patterned gown that clung to her graceful figure, accentuating every delicate curve. Her hair was tied in a dignified woman's bun, giving her the elegant air of a refined, mature lady. She had the aura of a woman who had once been married—because she had indeed been.
Seeing her, Lu Chen smiled and asked casually, "Aunt Chu, what brings you here at this hour?"
Chu Yuqin didn't beat around the bush. "Chen'er, Xiaobai suddenly lost her power today. Did it have something to do with you?"
She had experienced similar sudden losses of spiritual power in Lu Chen's presence before. Naturally, she began to suspect it was related to him. If it was, there was no problem—she could dismiss the incident easily. But if Bai Qingqing was experiencing some physical condition or latent illness, she needed to know so she could act quickly. That concern was what brought her here.
Lu Chen didn't bother to deny it and responded directly, "Yes, it's my fault. I told you before—any woman who truly loves me will lose her powers when she touches my body."
Chu Yuqin's expression froze with a strange look.
Of course, she remembered those words.
At the time, she had taken it as a jest, assuming the little rascal was teasing her.
But now, knowing Bai Qingqing lost her power for that very reason… a strange sensation gripped Chu Yuqin's heart.
That meant—she herself must harbor feelings for Chen'er?
She dared not follow that line of thought.
Such a relationship between them… it was impossible. Absolutely forbidden.
Hurriedly, she suppressed her turbulent emotions and shifted the topic.
"You mentioned before that you could use magic to heal the body. Did you use it today to examine Xiaobai's condition?"
Lu Chen nodded. "I did. There's nothing seriously wrong. Her cultivation had a minor deviation, but I've already corrected it. I'll give her another adjustment session later—she should recover just fine."
Chu Yuqin let out a soft sigh of relief.
So, it really was just a cultivation mishap.
She had feared that Bai Qingqing might be terminally ill and had chosen to come to the Northern Palace just to spend her final days with them. Thankfully, that was not the case.
"It's good that she's alright," Chu Yuqin murmured.
At that moment, her eyes glanced at the stack of military documents on Lu Chen's desk. "Chen'er, any movement from the barbarians yet?"
"Not yet," Lu Chen replied calmly, "but that gives us the perfect window to make our own preparations. You and Zixuan should depart south the day after tomorrow."
Chu Yuqin raised her eyebrows slightly and reminded, "Youyou is due soon. Traveling right now may not be wise."
That one sentence immediately made Lu Chen pause.
Right—how could he have overlooked that?
Zhou Youyou's belly was already very round. In her condition, it would be impossible for her to endure the rigors of a long journey.
Should he have her remain in Yancheng instead?
The idea posed a serious dilemma.
Even though their odds of defeating the barbarians were high, Yancheng would inevitably become the front line in the coming battle. He didn't want any unnecessary concerns weighing him down.
And if Zhou Youyou stayed here, what if the enemy discovered her identity and used underhanded means to target her?
Although unlikely, it wasn't out of the realm of possibility. On the battlefield, anything could happen.
Just as Lu Chen was lost in thought, a maid's anxious voice suddenly echoed from outside:
"My lord! It's urgent—something terrible has happened!"
Startled, Chu Yuqin quickly stepped to the door and swung it open. The breathless maid rushed inside and blurted out, "My lord… Madam Zhou… something has happened to her!"
Lu Chen's face turned grim. He stood up immediately and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
The maid stammered, trying to catch her breath. "Madam Zhou was resting in the pavilion, when she suddenly clutched her stomach in pain. There was blood—so much blood—spilled on the floor! She told me to find you immediately!"
Lu Chen's expression darkened further.
There was no time for questions now—Zhou Youyou's life was clearly in danger.
Without delay, he dashed out of the study and headed straight toward Zhou Youyou's residence.
Chu Yuqin followed closely behind, determined to offer whatever help she could.
Very soon, the entire palace descended into chaos.
Maidservants hurried back and forth, some carrying clean linens, others fetching water and herbs. The once-serene palace was now filled with frantic footsteps and hushed whispers of concern for their lady.
In the East Courtyard's pavilion, Lin Wanyun noticed the commotion. Curious, she stopped a passing maid and asked, "Hey, what's going on? Why does everyone look so panicked?"
The maid quickly bowed and answered, "Madam Xiao Zhou's water broke. We're heading to the North Courtyard to assist."
Lin Wanyun blinked in surprise.
Madam Xiao Zhou?
She didn't immediately recognize the name. The palace servants had their own informal way of distinguishing between Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao—calling them "Xiao Zhou" and "Da Zhou" respectively.
[A|N: Guys Xiao means little or younger wherease Da here means big or older.]
But since they referred to the woman as a "madam," Lin Wanyun surmised it must be one of the Northern King's concubines.
She released the maid. "Understood. Go on, then."
After the maid bowed and hurried off, Lin Wanyun returned to the pavilion and turned to Chen Wanrong. "Palace Master, I believe this is a golden opportunity. If you can save the life of the Northern King's concubine, he'll be deeply grateful."
If Chen Wanrong wanted to plant the Love Gu in Lu Chen, she first had to win his affection. Only then could the Gu be successfully planted.
If she acted too hastily, even if the Love Gu were placed, it would fail to control him entirely.
Chen Wanrong fell silent for a moment, her expression calm but calculating.
After a while, she said coldly, "Aunt Lin, have someone inform the Northern King that I possess a way to save his wife. If he requires help, he may come to me."
Seeing her agree, Lin Wanyun immediately turned toward the courtyard gate, intercepted a maid en route to the North Courtyard, and passed along the message.
The maid, upon hearing that someone might be able to save Madam Xiao Zhou, didn't dare waste time and rushed off at full speed to report it to Lu Chen.
Meanwhile, Lin Wanyun returned to the pavilion and sat beside Chen Wanrong.
"Palace Master, what's the next step? Should we head south with the Northern King's concubines when the time comes?"
Their original plan had seemed simple enough to execute. But now, with the barbarians advancing and the Northern King preparing for a full-scale confrontation in Yancheng, everything had changed.
Chen Wanrong didn't respond immediately.
Her gaze lingered in the direction of the North Courtyard. After a long silence, she finally spoke. "We've waited this long. A little more time won't matter. If he dies in the battle, we'll go to the capital and ally with another prince."
The throne was an irresistible lure for any royal contender. Chen Wanrong had no doubt they could find someone willing to work with Xuanyue Palace.
But compared to the others, the Northern King remained the ideal candidate. He wasn't based in the capital, which made him far easier to maneuver.
Still, if necessary... they would move on to someone else.
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