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Hearing Hu Shu’s words, Wu Junwan also realized the terror of Lu Chen. She was merely an Extreme Realm Master and, while she could sense the powerful presence emanating from Lu Chen, she was unable to determine how strong he truly was, only that he was a Grandmaster.

However, the words of Pei Hong and Hu Shu made her understand that this Chen Lu’s strength was even more terrifying than she had imagined. It seemed his background was not simple.

Given the consideration, Rain-listening Pavilion likely had some connection with the power behind North Prince Mansion, though it was unclear what they aimed to achieve in North Country or what they hoped to gain from the North

Prince.

As such, Wu Junwan grew even more intrigued by this North Prince Lu Chen. What sort of value did he possess that warranted such support from so many forces?

But for the near term, answers to these questions would elude her; her only option was to leave the Qianhai Commercial Association in North Country and slowly dig for useful information.

At that moment, Wu Junwan continued to ask, “Elder Pei, Old Madame Hu, do you think that this Chen Lu has realized my true identity?”

Pei Hong answered, “It’s highly likely that he’s aware. Qianhai Commercial Association, despite its wealth, couldn’t possibly have two Grandmasters; however, he may not know that you’re the Princess of Great Wu. He might think you’re someone sent by the princess.”

After all, Wu Junwan was the Princess of Great Wu, a figure with actual authority. Normally she would not stealthily visit another dynasty without prior notice, as that would compromise her stature.

Also, the number of people who had seen Wu Junwan was quite limited, even within the Great Wu Dynasty few knew what their princess looked like. Thus, Pei Hong believed that the Tower Master of Rain-listening Pavilion might not recognize Wu Junwan as their princess. At most, he might guess that the three of them were connected to the Princess of Great Wu.

Of course, this was just what Pei Hong thought.

At this time, Hu Shu also spoke, “Elder Pei is right, I share the same view.”

Wu Junwan fell into deep thought and said no more.

Early the next morning.

As dawn began to break, Wu Junwan journeyed back to the Great Wu Dynasty in a carriage arranged by the Qianhai Commercial Association.

Upon hearing that Wu Junwan had left North Country so quickly, Lu Chen wasn’t surprised in the slightest. After all, given her position as the Princess of Great Wu, her safety was paramount. With a threat capable of endangering her life now present in North Country, it was natural she wouldn’t stay long.

In the morning, after finishing the porridge personally prepared by Mu Zixuan, Lu Chen headed to the Hall of Political Affairs for a minor court meeting.

The topics discussed that day were still related to the arrangements for the refugees of North Country. Lately, nine out of ten minor court meetings had revolved around matters of the refugees.

During the meeting, after discussions on refugee-related matters had concluded, Li Rui stood and said, “Prince, North Country’s population is growing too rapidly. The current number of officials is severely insufficient to manage such a multitude. This official suggests increasing their number.”

Almost every civil official at the court held several positions. While holding multiple posts meant receiving more subsidies according to North Country s current administrative system, it also meant an overwhelming increase in workload.

Previously they were used to slacking off, but now, overwhelmed with much more work, these officials simply couldn’t adapt.

After a recent punitive action as a lesson to others, these officials were loyal indeed, but lacking in capability.

The need to increase the number of officials was now urgent.

Hearing Li Rui’s suggestion, Lu Chen replied, “I, too, have been considering adding more officials, but North Country is impoverished, and most common folk are illiterate. Scholars from other areas within Great Xia are unwilling to become officials in North Country, making it difficult to increase the number of officials at present.”

Li Rui said, “This official has heard that a branch of the Chu Family has already moved to North Country. The Chu Family, being an Aristocratic Family for a thousand years, has many scholars. This official recommends allowing members of the Chu Family to enter the North Prince Mansion and assume important positions.”

Li Rui was well aware of Lu Chen’s relationship with the Chu Family and also knew Lu Chen’s generally suppressive stance towards Aristocratic Families, but given the dearth of talented individuals in North Country, they had to temporarily employ members of the Chu Family.

If the shortage of officials persisted, it would definitely impede Lu Chen s reform progress.

Upon hearing Li Rui’s words, Lu Chen considered for a moment, then replied, “That is possible; however, from now on, anyone seeking an official post must undergo an examination. The questions for the examination will be personally set by me. Only those who pass may qualify to become officials of North Country.”

After the matter of the officials was concluded, Li Rui stepped aside, and Lu Chen continued, “I have an announcement to make today. Yan County is too small, too dilapidated, and can no longer satisfy the growing commercial needs of North Country. I intend to build a new city, and henceforth, the North Prince Mansion shall move there.”

Hearing these words, the officials in the hall immediately started a buzzing discussion.

Building a new city posed two primary challenges: The first was sourcing the funds, and the second was labor. With so many refugees in North Country, labor was not an issue, but money certainly was.

Lu Chen continued, “You’re worried about funding, but many merchant associations will actively participate in the construction of the new city, and most of the major funding will come from the coffers of the Prince’s Mansion.’

At Lu Chen’s words, the officials ceased their discussion, since the Prince’s Mansion would be financing the construction, they wouldn’t need to worry about raising funds themselves, and that was a relief.

Their greatest fear was that the Prince’s Mansion would expect them, the officials, to secure the funding. With North Country being so impoverished, they had no means to raise money, and their only resource was through various taxes.

However, Lu Chen had exempted the agricultural tax, which was a major source, and current tax categories in North Country were strictly defined by the North Prince Mansion, so they didn’t have the authority to invent new taxes.

Lu Chen then continued, “The location for the new city has not been decided yet. Discuss among yourselves where the new city should be built.”

Upon hearing this, discussion once again filled the hall.

Meanwhile.

Inside the North Prince Mansion.

After completing her patrol, Chu Yuqin returned to her courtyard, planning to have a proper talk with Chu Qingli.

Chu Qingli was in her room, regulating her Inner Strength. Having been frequently trained by Lu Chen recently, she had significantly improved her skill, but the rapid growth was something she was struggling to adapt to.

Chu Yuqin knocked on the door, “Qing Li, are you in there? Sister is coming in. Hearing Chu Yuqin’s voice, Chu Qingli quickly pulled up her clothes. While practicing, she had been left with only an undergarment that exposed a lot of skin.

Her body was covered in red marks, and if Chu Yuqin saw them, she would surely comment on it later.

After hastily getting dressed, Chu Qingli coldly said, “I’m inside, sister, please come in.”

Responding to Chu Qingli’s answer, Chu Yuqin pushed the door open and saw Chu Qingli meditating, apparently having just been regulating her Inner Strength. Chu Yuqin sighed softly.

In Chu Yuqin’s perspective, Chu Qingli had been training so strenuously lately, probably in an effort to quickly advance her strength to surpass Lu Chen, and then forcibly take her sister away from the North Prince Mansion.

Chu Qingli looked at Chu Yuqin and asked, “Sister, did you need something from me?”

Chu Yuqin replied, “Qing Li, your recent training often leads you to deviate, which shows your mind is in turmoil. If you keep training this way, disaster is inevitable.”

“I’ve already spoken with Chen’er, for the next few months Bai will handle the security work of the Prince’s Mansion, so you should take some time to rest.” At these words, Chu Qingli was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly responded, “Sister, I’m fine.”

Chu Yuqin said, “Fine? Look at those red scars on your body. Chen’er has mentioned that those red scars are very difficult to eliminate. If they deepen further one day and even Chen’er can’t remove them, how will you marry?” “Moreover, these scars are the least of the problems. If you deviate and lose all your skill, will you still be able to stay in the North Prince Mansion?”

“I…” Chu Qingli faltered.

She wanted to say the scars had nothing to do with deviation but the lie had already been told, and there was no taking it back.

If she claimed the scars weren’t related to her deviation, then how did they come about?

How was she to explain this to Chu Yuqin?