Having many children brings many blessings; the struggle for power begins with marriage.

Upon hearing that the Prince of Zhennan had indeed mentioned Ji Yunmeng, Emperor Zhou's face immediately darkened.

With the two having spoken to this point, Emperor Zhou had essentially understood the meaning behind the Prince of Zhennan's words.

He didn't reply immediately, but slowly stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to the Prince of Zhennan, and looked at the sky outside the window.

Clearly, the Prince of Zhennan's intention was to arrange a marriage between the royal family and the Prince of Zhennan's mansion, marrying Ji Yunmeng to Lu Chen, so that the entire Prince of Zhennan's mansion would stand on his side and help him overthrow the Empress Dowager.

As for what the Prince of Zhennan said about Lu Chen being in love with Ji Yunmeng, that's all nonsense.

Emperor Zhou fell silent for a moment.

The wind blowing in from outside the window, carrying the coolness of early autumn, stirred the hem of his robe.

Although the Zhou royal family had always regarded the Zhennan Prince's Mansion as a thorn in their side since the death of Emperor Taizu, and wanted to erase it from the Great Zhou Dynasty.

However, things are different now. The Zhennan Prince's Mansion has declined, and the Prince of Zhennan now only has one descendant. If Lu Chen gets into trouble, the entire Zhennan Prince's Mansion will almost be disbanded.

Most importantly, the Prince of Zhennan wouldn't live much longer either. The Zhou Emperor turned around and glanced at the Prince of Zhennan. The Prince of Zhennan's complexion was indeed not good, and there was a hint of defeat between his brows.

If one can take control of the Zhennan Prince's Mansion at this time and turn it into one's own power, then the chances of overthrowing the Empress Dowager, settling accounts with the Pei family, and regaining power will be much greater.

Emperor Zhou was already tempted.

In his eyes, it was a very worthwhile deal to gain such powerful support by exchanging a princess for her.

Moreover, after Ji Yunmeng marries into the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, she might be able to take control of the entire mansion. Once the Prince of Zhennan dies, wouldn't the mansion be under Ji Yunmeng's control? As for Lu Chen, that good-for-nothing, a faint smile appeared on Zhou Huang's lips. Although there were rumors that he was actually a Spirit Warrior, Zhou Huang did not believe that Lu Chen had much ability.

Even if Lu Chen is indeed a spiritual martial artist, he is only starting to cultivate at this age and has only just begun to draw spiritual energy into his body. It is unlikely that he will achieve anything in the future. Therefore, it is not difficult for Ji Yunmeng to take control of the Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

Seeing that the Zhou Emperor remained silent, the Prince of Zhennan spoke again, saying, "If Your Majesty is unwilling, then let it be." With that, he made a move to turn and leave.

Upon hearing the voice of the Prince of Zhennan, Emperor Zhou instantly snapped out of his daze.

Unwilling?
No, no, no, he'd love to; he can't let a sure thing slip away.

Emperor Zhou hurriedly said, "What the Prince of Zhennan says is true. The Prince of Zhennan's Mansion and the royal family are bound together by fate. Since Lu Chen is interested in Yun An, and Yun An also likes him, then I will grant them their wish."

"I will issue the decree immediately. Please wait a moment, Prince Zhennan."

The imperial edict bestowing marriage upon Ji Yunmeng and Lu Chen is unlikely to be delivered. Everything sent out from Wanshou Palace is likely to be inspected by the Empress Dowager's people. Therefore, Emperor Zhou plans to have the Prince of Zhennan take the imperial edict out directly. After the Prince of Zhennan takes the edict out, he will announce the matter, and then the matter will be settled. Even if the Empress Dowager is unwilling to see them unite, she will have no choice but to accept it.

Emperor Zhou then ordered a eunuch to bring over the writing implements. A young eunuch bowed his head and respectfully presented the writing implements, laying out Xuan paper and grinding ink on the imperial desk.

Emperor Zhou sat down at the desk in the Hall of Longevity and began to write the imperial edict bestowing the marriage.

The brush tip scratched across the Xuan paper, and after a moment, the imperial edict was written. After it was finished, Emperor Zhou personally picked it up and solemnly handed it to the Prince of Zhennan.

The Prince of Zhennan extended his slightly withered hand to receive the imperial edict, glanced at it, and then raised his head to express his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

At this moment, Emperor Zhou reminded him, his brows furrowing slightly: "You should be aware of what this marriage will bring to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion if word gets out. I hope the Zhennan Prince's Mansion can be prepared."

The Empress Dowager certainly did not want to see the Zhennan Prince's Mansion and her puppet emperor unite, so in order to break their alliance, she would inevitably try to destroy the entire Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

The Zhennan Prince's Mansion's weakness is very obvious: Lu Chen. Once Lu Chen is dealt with, and the Zhennan Prince dies, the Zhennan Prince's Mansion will naturally be gone.

Upon hearing Emperor Zhou's reminder, the Prince of Zhennan carefully put away the imperial edict, tucking it into his sleeve. Then, he raised his head and said with a firm gaze, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will not allow anyone to ruin this marriage."

Emperor Zhou nodded and said, "With your words, I am relieved." A look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

At this moment, the Prince of Zhennan cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave." He bowed slightly and gave a salute.

Seeing that the Prince of Zhennan wanted to leave after receiving the imperial decree proposing marriage, Emperor Zhou thought that the Prince's life force wouldn't last much longer, so he wanted to leave the palace as soon as possible before being exposed. At this moment, Emperor Zhou raised his hand and said, "Very well."

Without saying anything more, the Prince of Zhennan took the imperial edict and turned to leave the Wanshou Hall.

His footsteps echoed in the empty hall, gradually fading into the distance.

The palace door was pushed open and closed by the eunuch on duty, making a dull thud.

Watching the departing figure of the Prince of Zhennan, a glint flashed in Emperor Zhou's eyes. He stood there, motionless, until the doors of the main hall were completely closed.

After the Prince of Zhennan walked out of the inner palace gate, a beautiful figure emerged from the shadow of the pillars in the Hall of Longevity.

Mu Yunxi walked slowly to Zhou Huang's side and said softly, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, you have gained another ally. With the help of the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, it will be much easier for Your Majesty to return to that position."

Upon hearing Mu Yunxi's words, Emperor Zhou's face remained expressionless.

Even without the help of the Prince of Zhennan's mansion, he could still reclaim that position; it was only a matter of time.

However, being able to take this opportunity to resolve the trouble caused by the Prince of Zhennan's mansion can be considered a double blessing for him.

At this moment, Emperor Zhou turned his head and glanced at Mu Yunxi beside the pillar. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he asked, "Holy Maiden, when will your people arrive in the capital?"

Mu Yunxi replied, bowing slightly, "Your Majesty need not worry, they are already on their way to the capital."

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible shadow of gloom flashed across Emperor Zhou's eyes.

He thought to himself: I hope these people won't affect my plans.

……

After the Prince of Zhennan left the Wanshou Palace, the people Pei Shuhua had planted there began to take action, quickly relaying the information they had gathered to Pei Shuhua.

Although few people know about the conversation between Prince Zhennan and Emperor Zhou in the Wanshou Hall, the fact that Prince Zhennan left with an imperial edict in his hand, the bright yellow scroll of which was particularly eye-catching in the moonlight, indicates that Emperor Zhou was preparing to make a move.

At this very moment, in the Empress Dowager's bedroom.

The hall was filled with the calming scent of sandalwood, with wisps of smoke rising gently.

On the soft couch, Pei Shuhua leaned against a pillow, her jade hand supporting her forehead.

Listening to the eunuch's report below, her beautiful face turned extremely cold. She never expected that the Emperor Zhou would dare to openly give the imperial edict to the Prince of Zhennan, allowing the Prince of Zhennan to take it out so brazenly.

Clearly, Emperor Zhou had calculated that he dared not offend a dying man and would not dare to take action against him, which is why he gave the imperial edict to the Prince of Zhennan.

Although she didn't know the contents of the imperial edict in the hands of the Prince of Zhennan, Pei Shuhua had a vague sense of unease.

She sat up straight, her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and immediately addressed the eunuchs and maids in the hall, her voice cold and authoritative: "Investigate immediately! I need to know the contents of that imperial edict!"

"Yes!" Several eunuchs and maids hurriedly knelt down to accept the order, and then quickly left the hall.

……

The Prince of Zhennan's Mansion.

After returning to his palace, the first thing the Prince of Zhennan did was to summon Lu Chen to the council hall.

He first sat down in the main seat of the hall, placed the imperial edict on the table beside him, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and moistened his throat.

When Lu Chen arrived at the council hall, almost all the powerful figures from the Zhennan Prince's Mansion were present.

They stood on either side, some standing, some sitting, all their eyes fixed on the direction of the doorway.

At this moment, Lu Chen glanced at the Prince of Zhennan sitting in the main seat, then looked at the people on both sides, and then his gaze fell on the table.

The Prince of Zhennan seemed to be holding a scroll of imperial edict in his hand. The bright yellow silk shone softly in the candlelight, and he looked very happy, with an undisguised smile in his eyes.

Lu Chen walked to the center of the hall, stopped, and asked directly, "Father, what imperial decree has the Zhou Emperor issued this time?" His voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

With a smile, the Prince of Zhennan reached out and picked up the imperial edict, weighing it in his hand: "Good thing."

Upon hearing this, the others in the hall had basically guessed what the imperial edict in the hands of the Prince of Zhennan was for.

Previously, the Prince of Zhennan went to the palace, mainly to propose marriage on behalf of Lu Chen.

When he returned, he was carrying an imperial edict, which strongly suggested that it contained the Zhou Emperor's decree of marriage to Lu Chen. (End of Chapter)