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

Lu Chen held Mu Zixuan and Chu Yuqin in his arms, greedily inhaling the fragrance of their bodies.

At that moment, Lu Chen said, "Zixuan, Madam Chu, you've worked hard."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zixuan and Chu Yuqin were about to say something when Lu Chen turned his head to look at the other wives and concubines beside him, "You've also worked hard."

Then, Lu Chen's gaze fell on Lin Wanyun. He smiled and said, "Wanyun, the Lin Family has already moved to Yan County. Go and see them in the next couple of days."

Hearing this, Lin Wanyun was slightly taken aback. A blush involuntarily spread across her cheeks. With the Lin Family moving to Yan County, it meant that she was likely to officially marry Lu Chen soon.

Lu Chen then glanced at the others and noticed that Wu Junwan and Murong Xue'er were not present.

Although the two of them were already his women, they didn't have a formal status, so they didn't come out to greet Lu Chen to avoid giving people something to talk about.

Lu Chen didn't give it much thought. He caressed Mu Zixuan and Chu Yuqin's slender waists before saying, "All right, go back now. I have to hold a court assembly later. We can talk more during the family banquet tonight."

Upon hearing these words, the women didn't say much to Lu Chen. After all, now that Lu Chen was back, there was plenty of time to slowly talk with him about everything on their minds.

Afterwards, the women returned to the Imperial Palace, and Lu Chen immediately summoned the officials from the North Country.

Many officials from the Capital city had followed Lu Chen to Yan County, which would soon lead to substantial changes in the political landscape.

The court assembly held that day was just to let the ministers from the Capital city get to know the original ministers from the North Country.

Soon, the Great Court Assembly began.

Lu Chen sat on the Dragon Throne, looking over the people in the great hall. The court had clearly divided into two distinct factions: his original supporters and the ministers who had come from the Capital city.

At that time, Lu Chen said, "Starting today, the court assemblies will follow the old rules of the North Country, with a minor one every seven days and a major one monthly."

Hearing this, the ministers from the Capital city were stunned.

A minor court assembly every seven days?

Could that be true?

Don't emperors have to attend court every day?

Only negligent rulers often skipped court; could it be that after becoming an emperor, Lu Chen was planning on indulging in pleasure?

The ministers who had come with Lu Chen from the Capital city were officials with aspirations, ideals, and ambitions. Those without ambitions and wanting to retire stayed in the Capital city and did not come to Yan County.

These ministers did not want to see the new ruler become decadent.

At this point, Lin Gaoyuan stood up and asked, "Your Majesty, won't changing the court assemblies to once every seven days delay the execution of orders?"

Lu Chen said, "You can rest assured about that. The North Country has always operated this way, and it won't delay the execution of any orders. On the contrary, it will actually improve the efficiency of the officials."

"I've long noticed that with daily court assemblies, some ministers come to court without even having woken up properly, dozing off during the session, and having no idea what was discussed after the assembly."

"Moreover, the issues discussed at daily court assemblies are basically trivial matters; it's a pure waste of time."

"Of course, even with a court assembly every seven days, it doesn't mean you can't report urgent matters to me. If you have important issues, you can still submit official documents, which I will deal with daily."

"From now on, the minor court assembly every seven days, as well as the major one monthly, will mainly discuss more significant issues. Don't bring up trivial matters for discussion anymore."

After hearing Lu Chen's response, Lin Gaoyuan said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Then Lin Gaoyuan returned to his place.

Lu Chen scanned the officials and then said, "Additionally, the beloved ministers who accompanied me from the Capital city need not worry. The personnel arrangements will be distributed to you in a few days and will also be published in the Great Sum Times."

Although Lu Chen looked down on some of the officials from the Capital city, among the ones who had come with him to Yan County, there were still those who were insightful and forward-thinking. Lu Chen intended to reshape the court's personnel structure.

Of course, the main focus was still on his own people. For all the important departments, such as those controlling the finances, he would entrust them to the officials summoned by the system, to those coming from the Universal Academy.

Today's court assembly was relatively brief and didn't touch upon any significant matters. It was simply an opportunity for the officials from the Capital City and the North Country to familiarize themselves with each other, in preparation for the assignment of their positions and the commencement of their duties.

After the court assembly concluded, Lu Chen went to the Wind Cloud Palace.

The Wind Cloud Palace had been expanded from the original Wind Cloud Court, and now it was built even more majestic and spectacular.

When Lu Chen arrived at the Wind Cloud Hall, Mu Zixuan and the others were already waiting, and during the dinner, he saw Wu Junwan and Murong Xue'er as well.

Just as Lu Chen thought about walking over to them and giving them an embrace, a little boy suddenly burst out from nowhere.

"Daddy, daddy..."

Hearing this, Lu Chen was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered. He hurriedly squatted down with open arms.

The next moment, the little boy threw himself into Lu Chen's embrace.

Lu Chen lifted Lu Changfeng, laughing as he said, "Feng'er, I never expected you to start talking so soon."

Right then, Lu Huanhuan and Lu Changsheng also came before Lu Chen. Seeing the three of them, Lu Chen's face showed a kindly smile.

He had only been away from Yan County for less than a year, yet he hadn't expected his children to have changed so much in that time. They were indeed his offspring.

After playing with his children for a while, Lu Chen then took his place at the head of the table.

During the family banquet, Mu Zixuan spoke up, "Your Majesty, now that Feng'er has also started to speak, it is time to find him a teacher."

In this era, a teacher for a prince isn't just anybody; it often involves political arrangements.

Lu Chen thought for a moment before saying, "As for the matter of his teacher, I have already made arrangements."

Hearing Lu Chen's response, Mu Zixuan dropped the subject. Since Lu Chen had a plan in mind, there was no need for her to say more. Continue your story on empire

Lu Chen glanced at Wu Junwan and Murong Xue'er, then his gaze returned to Mu Zixuan. "Zixuan, many things must have happened in Yan County during my absence, right? I remember you wrote me a letter saying that someone had intended to harm the North Prince Mansion?"

Mu Zixuan replied, "There was indeed an attempt to harm the North Prince Mansion, but with Sister Wu's help, the matter has already been resolved."

Upon hearing Mu Zixuan's response, Lu Chen looked towards Wu Junwan again, smiling as he said, "Junwan, you must have worked hard."

Wu Junwan responded indifferently, "It was my duty."

Although Wu Junwan appeared aloof, inside she was full of anticipation, having eagerly awaited Lu Chen's return.

Of course, it wasn't just Wu Junwan who felt this way. Every woman in the great hall was looking forward to Lu Chen's return, each longing for him to visit her room tonight.

However, they all knew well that as Lu Chen had just returned, it was impossible for him to visit each woman. Tonight, it was certain that Mu Zixuan would be the one to attend to him.

Unfortunately, the women had clearly guessed wrong about Lu Chen's intentions.

During the dinner, Lu Chen learned in detail about the events that had transpired in Yan County after his departure. They dined until eleven o'clock.

As the dinner came to an end, all the women's gazes fell upon Lu Chen, as if a pack of hungry wolves had fixed their eyes upon a succulent sheep.

Lu Chen smiled faintly and then said to Chu Yuqin, "Madam Chu, I would like to have a word with you tonight about some matters."

Upon hearing this, the women internally sighed, having thought that, on his first night back, Lu Chen would have several of them attend to him simultaneously. They had not anticipated he would choose only one, and not Mu Zixuan at that.

At this moment, Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou anxiously watched Mu Zixuan, who had been a Princess Consort before and was seemingly the most likely candidate to become the next Empress. However, on the first day of Lu Chen's return, he did not summon Mu Zixuan to attend to him but chose Chu Yuqin instead.

This made Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou worry about whether Mu Zixuan might feel unsettled inside.

But at this moment, Mu Zixuan showed no signs of disappointment on her face. She did not care at all whom Lu Chen chose to attend him, nor did she have a strong desire for the position of Empress.