Zhen Nan Prince Manor, Prince Zhen Nan’s study.

Prince Zhen Nan sat at the desk made of agarwood, flipping through the dossier arranged by the Deceit Suppression Bureau.

Lu Chen’s figure appeared at the entrance of the study. After entering, he took the initiative to speak: "Father, you were looking for me."

Upon hearing Lu Chen’s voice, Prince Zhen Nan put down the dossier in his hands, looked at Lu Chen, and said, "It’s been delayed for so long; you and Princess Yun’an should be married already."

Originally, Lu Chen should have married Ji Yunmeng long ago, but due to the matters involving the Earth Realm Strange, it had been postponed until now.

Of course, the most significant reason they hadn’t married yet was that Prince Zhen Nan was worried that Ji Yunmeng entering the Zhen Nan Prince Manor would disrupt some of his plans for the manor.

After all, Ji Yunmeng was still a member of the royal family, and her heart certainly leaned towards the Great Zhou Royal Family.

Her arrival at the Zhen Nan Prince Manor would essentially be the royal family placing a spy within the manor.

Prince Zhen Nan now somewhat regretted actively seeking this marriage alliance from Emperor Zhou.

But one could not blame him; he hadn’t anticipated the Zhen Nan Prince Manor having such sudden prospects for a turnaround.

Now, this marriage cannot be delayed indefinitely; the Great Zhou Royal Family would certainly become suspicious if it’s continually postponed.

Having just regained his fief and military power, immediately repudiating the marriage would clearly appear problematic; so marrying sooner would dispel the royal family’s doubts instead.

Lu Chen said, "Alright, I’ll follow Father’s lead on this."

Actually, Lu Chen was eager to marry sooner, as he hoped to gain more system rewards, enhance his power, and prepare for dealing with those Earth Realm Stranges in the future.

At this time, Prince Zhen Nan suddenly remembered something and asked, puzzled: "I heard the woman you brought back from the Hundred Flowers Tower left the Zhen Nan Prince Manor? Didn’t you say she helps you with your cultivation? Why did you let her go?"

Anything happening in the Zhen Nan Prince Manor would be reported by the hidden guards to Prince Zhen Nan, especially regarding Lu Chen. He was informed immediately when Zhou Youyou left the manor.

This puzzled him, why would Lu Chen let this woman leave?

Lu Chen replied: "If she stays at the Zhen Nan Prince Manor all day, I’m afraid she’d get bored."

Prince Zhen Nan said: "I see."

Prince Zhen Nan didn’t linger on this matter; it was Lu Chen’s personal affair, and Lu Chen knew what he was doing.

Just at this moment, Lu Chen thought about the Yellow Springs Sect and proactively said: "Father, there’s no need to continue investigating the Yellow Springs Sect."

Hearing this, Prince Zhen Nan asked, confused: "Why is that?"

Lu Chen wouldn’t make such a statement without reason; he must have discovered something.

Lu Chen straightforwardly said: "I had someone look into the families exterminated by the Wolf Demon, and I found they had close ties with the Imperial Faction; so this Yellow Springs Sect probably has connections with the Empress Dowager’s faction, likely the Empress Dowager clearing out dissidents."

Initially, Lu Chen had been reluctant to speak, but if he remained silent, the Deceit Suppression Bureau might continue treating the Yellow Springs Sect as a mysterious force to investigate, eventually uncovering that Pei Shuhua was also involved. Therefore, he informed Prince Zhen Nan ahead of time, so the bureau would no longer probe the sect, as they just needed to know the sect is related to the Empress Dowager.

Prince Zhen Nan fell into silent contemplation.

He had faintly sensed this connection but hadn’t instructed anyone to investigate it from a factional dispute perspective.

Since Lu Chen had already discovered the Yellow Springs Sect’s link to the Empress Dowager, there was indeed no need to investigate further.

However, this means the Earth Realm Strange clues are severed, leaving them focused wholly on the village massacre case.

Regaining clarity, Prince Zhen Nan chuckled softly, saying: "That woman is ruthless; using evil spirits to eliminate enemies. Now that this handle has landed in our hands, we must use it wisely."

If the Wolf Demon is indeed a tool created by the Empress Dowager’s faction to eliminate dissidents, they need only gather sufficient evidence; when the Zhen Nan Prince Manor must confront the Empress Dowager’s faction or the royal family, they can present the evidence to inform the citizens that the royal family colludes with evil spirits.

If the Zhen Nan Prince Manor intends to rebel, this evidence alone would suffice to justify legitimacy.

Of course, all depends on whether Lu Chen harbors aspirations of becoming the emperor.

Prince Zhen Nan himself already has one foot in the grave; he is unquestionably incapable of becoming emperor.

If Lu Chen desires it, he might use the royal collusion with evil spirits as a catalyst for uprising.

At this moment, Lu Chen asked: "Father, do you have anything else? If not, I’ll head back to train."

Prince Zhen Nan said: "Alright, go ahead."

Lu Chen then turned and left the study.

As soon as he stepped out, Lu Xun appeared before him, saying: "Princely Heir, Miss Zhou wants to invite you to the Hundred Flowers Tower."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen instantly realized it was likely a female Ancestor of the Strange arriving in the capital city, most likely Zhou Xiaoxiao.

Thinking this, Lu Chen spoke no further, left the Zhen Nan Prince Manor, mounted a carriage, and headed straight to the Hundred Flowers Tower.

Hundred Flowers Tower.

Zhou Xiaoxiao sat at the wooden table, pondering how to probe Lu Chen when she met him later.

She was still somewhat anxious, worried that Zhou Youyou had betrayed the Heavenly Fate Sect, and this was an elaborate setup by Zhou Youyou and Lu Chen.

But she thought of Zhou Youyou as her own sister, believing she wouldn’t trick her.

She merely needed to verify if Lu Chen indeed possessed vibrant vitality within; as for any intimate engagement with Lu Chen, she wouldn’t agree to it.

Zhou Xiaoxiao had resolved to pretend to serve Lu Chen, then excuse herself citing her menstrual cycle to leave.

With her menstruation, Lu Chen surely wouldn’t insist on such relations, would he?

While Zhou Xiaoxiao was lost in thought, Zhou Youyou entered the room: "Sister, Lu Chen has arrived."

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaoxiao immediately gathered her focus.

At this moment, the door opened, and Lu Chen’s figure appeared in the doorway.

Zhou Xiaoxiao’s first look at him made her mind reel.

Lu Chen had a strikingly handsome brow ridge, slightly arched but not aggressive, with longish eye shapes, deep and dark pupils exuding profoundness, and a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, making him irresistibly charming.

Seeing Zhou Xiaoxiao fixate on Lu Chen, unable to look away, Zhou Youyou reflected: Her plan worked; when Zhou Xiaoxiao expressed a desire to meet Lu Chen, she thought if Lu Chen could use incantation skills to captivate Zhou Youyou, he could do the same with her sister. As long as Lu Chen met her sister, Zhou Xiaoxiao shouldn’t be able to escape.

It appeared to be exactly the case; unknown to Zhou Youyou, what kind of incantation skill Lu Chen used to trigger such a response at first sight—and she couldn’t be blamed for betraying the Heavenly Fate Sect, as she was cursed, forced to obey Lu Chen’s orders.

At this moment, Zhou Youyou blamed her actions entirely on the incantation she was under.

Lu Chen glanced over Zhou Xiaoxiao’s personal data.

[Name: Zhou Xiaoxiao]

[Identity: Right Protector of the Heavenly Fate Sect]

[State: She heard from her sister that you possess vibrant vitality and rapidly replenish inner vitality, and aims to verify if her sister’s words are true. If confirmed, she plans to report your details to the Sect Hierarch.]

[Cultivation State: Early-stage Xuan Realm]

[Score: 100]

[Favorability: 20]