When Wang Qingci stepped out of Lu Chen's study, her robes were in disarray, her hair tousled, and her cheeks flushed crimson. Her gait was unsteady, as though her legs could barely support her.
Just as she exited the main courtyard, she ran straight into Chu Yuqin, who happened to be patrolling the area. The moment Chu Yuqin saw Wang Qingci's disheveled state, she instantly knew what had happened. This vixen must have seduced her Chen'er again.
With a sneer, Chu Yuqin said coldly, "Miss Wang, I hear Baihua tower business is booming these days. As the proprietor, why do you spend more time at the palace than managing your brothel?"
Wang Qingci, seeing the jealousy dancing in Chu Yuqin's eyes, smiled knowingly. She understood full well why Chu Yuqin loathed her. It wasn't complicated—she served the King of the North nightly, while Chu Yuqin, despite her noble bearing, could only watch from the sidelines.
With a light chuckle, Wang Qingci replied, "Madam Chu, the princesses and the other madams are all with child. Naturally, I'm the only one left to tend to His Highness' needs. You know how much pressure the prince endures every day. If I don't relieve his stress, will Madam Chu take over in my stead?"
"If Madam Chu is willing to help the prince unwind every night, then I'll happily take my leave starting tomorrow."
The moment the words landed, Chu Yuqin's expression darkened. A gust of wind erupted from her body, her robes whipping wildly as her spiritual energy surged.
"Wang Qingci," she spat, her voice sharp, "you're just Chen'er's slave. I suggest you remember your place and watch your mouth!"
"If I decide to kill you, even Chen'er wouldn't utter a word in protest!"
But Wang Qingci only smiled sweetly, her voice soft and unhurried. "Madam Chu, if you truly wish to kill me, then by all means. Just know—if I'm no longer here to serve the prince, you'll be the one left to bear the burden of his needs every day."
Chu Yuqin's face turned red with a mixture of fury and embarrassment. She opened her mouth, but only managed to squeeze out a single word. "You—!"
Realizing that Wang Qingci wasn't intimidated in the slightest, Chu Yuqin scoffed and turned away, her voice trailing behind her as she walked off toward the eastern wing of the palace.
"A mere tool used by Chen'er to vent his lust—why should I lower myself to argue with a tool?"
Wang Qingci wasn't angered in the slightest. She was just a tool, after all. But as long as the King of the North continued to favor her, that was enough.
Watching Chu Yuqin's retreating figure, Wang Qingci's lips curled into a smirk. She whispered softly to herself, "Madam Chu… patience only lasts so long. Sooner or later, you'll find yourself in his bed too."
Though Chu Yuqin had maintained her distance from Lu Chen over the past six months, her duties as commander of the inner courtyard meant she often encountered scenes where Lu Chen manhandled and tormented Wang Qingci. Wang Qingci had noticed something: every time Chu Yuqin appeared—or even when her name was mentioned—Lu Chen's demeanor would shift violently. His lust would spiral out of control, and he would become utterly unhinged. She'd bear the brunt of his madness afterward.
It was clear as day that Lu Chen's desire for Chu Yuqin was intensifying. He might be restraining himself for now, but how long would that self-control last?
One day, their paths might "accidentally" cross. And when that happened, Chu Yuqin wouldn't be able to run.
Once Chu Yuqin vanished from view, Wang Qingci turned to leave—but paused when she saw Mu Zixuan standing not far away.
Mu Zixuan had recovered well after giving birth. Though still resting at times, she could now get up and move around the palace without assistance.
Unlike her interactions with Chu Yuqin, Wang Qingci was deeply respectful toward Mu Zixuan. She immediately curtsied and said, "Greetings, Princess."
Mu Zixuan smiled and nodded gently. "Miss Wang, no need for formalities."
She was aware of Wang Qingci's role—just a favored plaything of Lu Chen's. Such things didn't bother Mu Zixuan. In that era, it was commonplace for husbands to keep concubines or female slaves. Most noblewomen turned a blind eye, and Mu Zixuan was no exception.
She then asked casually, "Is the prince in the study?"
Wang Qingci nodded. "Yes, the prince is still inside."
"Very well," said Mu Zixuan. "Go on with your business. I'll speak with him."
There was a growing sense of dignity in Mu Zixuan's demeanor now. Her posture and tone exuded the calm authority befitting a princess.
Just as Wang Qingci turned to leave, a thought occurred to her. She turned back quickly and said, "Oh, Princess… there's something I'd like to trouble you with. If you're willing to hear it."
Mu Zixuan tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "What is it, Miss Wang? You may speak freely."
Wang Qingci glanced toward the study, then lowered her voice. "Princess… is it not time for the prince to take another concubine? Forgive me for overstepping, but…"
Ever since Mu Zixuan's pregnancy, Wang Qingci had been shouldering the task of serving Lu Chen alone. Despite being a ninth-rank warrior, even she found herself utterly drained.
Now that Mu Zixuan had recently given birth, it was clear she wouldn't be resuming her bedroom duties any time soon. Which meant Wang Qingci would continue to bear the burden alone.
As a mere slave, Wang Qingci had no right to comment on matters of concubinage. But she truly couldn't take it anymore. Her body, honed by cultivation though it was, had its limits.
She believed Mu Zixuan was a magnanimous woman who wouldn't object to Lu Chen taking another concubine. Besides, given the prince's current roster of wives and concubines, it wasn't nearly enough to meet his needs.
Mu Zixuan immediately understood Wang Qingci's implication. The poor girl was on the verge of collapse.
She thought to herself, Even a ninth-rank warrior can't keep up? Just how monstrous is his stamina?
When she first married Lu Chen back in the capital, she assumed he was a pampered playboy whose body had been hollowed out by wine and women. But now…
Mu Zixuan let out a small sigh, then said, "Miss Wang, I'll raise the matter with the prince. You needn't worry any longer."
Wang Qingci bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Princess."
"I shall take my leave, then."
With that, she turned and finally departed from the courtyard.
—Meanwhile—
Lu Chen had just exited his study when he spotted Chu Yuqin nearby. Her cheeks were still tinged with red, her expression tight. He immediately called out to her.
"Aunt Chu, wait. I need to ask you something."
Chu Yuqin paused, turned, and looked at him questioningly. "Chen'er, what is it?"
Lu Chen asked, "Aunt Chu, I've heard that the higher a warrior's cultivation, the harder it is for them to get pregnant. Is that true?"
She nodded slowly. "That's correct. Why?"
Her heart tensed slightly. Why was Chen'er suddenly asking this? Was he suspecting something about her?
After all, she was the only female warrior of high cultivation who remained close to him within the inner courtyard.
But Lu Chen's next words brought her relief.
"I've been with Wang Qingci countless times," he said, frowning slightly, "yet she still hasn't conceived. And there's nothing wrong with her body."
"Even if it's harder for warriors to conceive as their cultivation increases… half a year without any reaction at all? That seems strange."
Chu Yuqin exhaled quietly. So it was about Wang Qingci. She had been worried for nothing.
Smiling faintly, she replied, "Chen'er, haven't you learned? Warriors above the fifth rank can use their internal energy to purge toxins and impurities from their bodies."
"Even mild poisons can be expelled with inner strength. If there's something affecting her fertility, it might be getting flushed out automatically without her knowing."
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