Chapter 254: Chapter 190 North Prince Must Not Stay i

Lin Wanyun had not anticipated that Lu Chen would say such things, which brought to her mind the words her sworn younger brother had said to her not long ago.

Her adoptive father wanted her to marry this young man before her and become his woman.

Once Lin Wanyun recovered, she hastily said, “Chen’er, such words must not be spoken recklessly.”

Seeing Lin Wanyun’s body tremble slightly, as if she had been startled, Lu Chen continued, “Madam Lin, you have been at the North Prince Mansion for a while now and should know me quite well. I have often visited Spring Sound Court recently, favoring Yelv Nanyan far more than my other wives and concubines.”

“This is because I prefer mature women with charm, just like Yelv Nanyan.”

“And Madam Lin, you are precisely such a woman.”

Upon hearing Lu Chen’s blatant words, Lin Wanyun felt as if her heart was ready to leap out of her chest, and she even began to suspect that Lu Chen might have already started to take an interest in her.

Lin Wanyun was somewhat relieved that she had become sworn sisters with Yue, or else Lu Chen might really have harbored intentions towards her.

Lin Wanyun then said, “Chen’er, let’s not talk about this. Let’s discuss the cooperation between North City and the Mysterious Moon Palace.”

Lu Chen said with a smile, “Alright.”

Lin Wanyun asked, “What kind of people do you need? You can tell me, and I will convey it to the Palace Master later so that she can send some disciples down the mountain.”

After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen replied, “I need some people who can read. Do Mysterious Moon Palace’s disciples know how to read?”

Lin Wanyun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

Read and write?

Why does Lu Chen need literate people?

Now that North City had lost its Heavy Cavalry, and with Lu Chen radically reforming the region, his measures had already affected the interests of many.

His current situation was extremely perilous, and yet the first thing he asked for from the Mysterious Moon Palace was not powerful disciples but literate ones.

Literate people could not protect him.

Curious, Lin Wanyun said, “The majority of disciples at the Mysterious Moon Palace can read and write, but what do you need literate people for?”

Lu Chen sighed and said, “I’ve discovered that the commoners of North City are mostly uneducated, barely able to read or write. They can’t even understand public notices without someone to explain them to them.”

“That’s why I’ve decided to find some people to specifically teach them to read and write.”

This…

Lin Wanyun was somewhat speechless.

Do ordinary commoners need to read and write?

Of course, they don’t.

She always felt that Lu Chen might be taking on a bit too much.

Although she could see that Lu Chen was quite kind to the commoners, going so far as to abolish all farm taxes, his benevolence seemed excessive; he was even planning to hire someone to teach the commoners to read and write.

Lin Wanyun, like others of her time, believed it unnecessary for ordinary commoners to be literate. Not everyone could achieve scholarly honors; it was enough for them to live quietly as commoners all their lives.

Although she thought this way, Lin Wanyun still responded, “Then all right, I will speak to the Palace Master later and ask her to send some disciples down the mountain who can read and write.”

This was the first collaboration with North City, and also the closest she had come to Lu Chen, so the Mysterious Moon Palace must seize this opportunity, no matter how peculiar Lu Chen’s request, they ought to agree.

Still, Lin Wanyun felt that Lu Chen’s request was too modest for the Mysterious Moon Palace, so she probed further, “Chen’er, is there anything else you need?”

“Perhaps intelligence or something of the sort?”

Lu Chen said with a smile, “I don’t need that for now, I have my own network of informants.”

Even though the resources of the Mysterious Moon Palace were considerable, Lu Chen had no plans to truly rely on them at this stage, not until he had won over Chen Wanrong.

Then, Lu Chen whispered, “Madam Lin, I wish to pursue Miss Chen, and I certainly need your help in this matter.”

Lin Wanyun smiled slightly, “Don’t worry, I will definitely put in a good word for you in front of her.”

Lu Chen said, “Then I shall trouble Madam Lin.”

At this point, Lu Chen started to feel drowsy. Having practiced with his spear all through the previous night, even he, a Grandmaster, felt a bit overwhelmed. He then continued, “Madam Lin, if there is nothing else, I will go back to sleep now. I did not sleep last night as I was busy in the study.”

Lin Wanyun said, “Go ahead, Chen’er, you should rest.”

Without further comment, Lu Chen returned straight to the main compound. On his way back, he noticed that all his wives and concubines were sitting in the main hall of the compound, sipping tea. Upon Lu Chen’s return, he saw Chu Yuqin looking at him with a look of silent reproach.

Seeing Chu Yuqin’s expression, Lu Chen felt puzzled; could it be that she had discovered something?

At that moment, Mu Zixuan said with a beaming smile, “Prince, I had the servants prepare some porridge. Would you like to have it now?”

Lu Chen replied, “Yes.”

He then took a seat to the side. No sooner had he sat down than he noticed his women gazing intently at him.

Chu Yuqin then remarked, “Chen’er, the study can be quite cold at night. If you have matters to attend to, it’s better to return to your bedroom. Spending a whole night in the study could expose you to the cold, which might adversely affect your cultivation.”

Lu Chen replied with a smile, “Madam Chu, you’re right. I’ll be more careful next time.”