Chapter 59: Chapter 59: A Tree That Stands Out in the Forest Will Be Blown Down by the Wind i
Translator: 549690339
After completing the formalities, Mu Changtian said with a hint of embarrassment, “Prince, 1 never expected that the person who would save the Mu Mansion would be you.”
On their way to North City, Mu Changtian and his companions had considered the possibility that the mysterious Prince mentioned by Liang Zong was indeed the North Prince, since North City was the North Prince’s fiefdom.
But the thought that “the mysterious Prince is the North Prince” only flickered through their minds briefly, as they quickly dismissed it.
Yet, the person standing before them now was the North Prince himself.
This left them extremely shocked.
They simply could not believe that the North Prince, who was rumored to be unlearned and utterly dissolute, could hide so deeply!
From the fact that the North Prince was able to produce a Great Returning Pill, and the massive forces at his command, it was clear that even Prince Lu Yi would be no match for him in a struggle for succession.
At that moment, a question simultaneously arose in the hearts of Mu Changtian and his two sons: why would the North Prince, with such extensive power, still choose to hide his capabilities?
If he were to participate in the struggle for succession, with the forces at his command, coupled with the support from the aristocratic families of the South, then the throne in the Capital City might very well become his.
But now, having been sent to North City, if he still aspired to the throne, in the end, he would have to resort to raising an army.
However, Mu Changtian and his companions had also seen the conditions of North City; raising an army there would make it difficult to win against the elite soldiers of the Great Sum.
Even if they won, Great Sum would be plunged into misery and suffering, leaving the North Prince with nothing but a mess to inherit.
Lu Chen then said, “Please take your seats, don’t stand on formality.”
Having said this, Lu Chen entered the private room, and the Brocade Guards at the door closed it behind him.
After Lu Chen entered the room, Mu Changtian directly asked, “Prince, with such a massive force at your command, why did you choose to conceal your talents in the Capital City?”
Lu Chen answered indifferently, “When the tree stands out in the forest, the wind will destroy it.”
“My father, the Emperor, is still in the prime of life. If he knew I had such a powerful force in my hands, what do you think he would do, father-in-law?” Upon hearing this, the three members of the Mu family came to an immediate realization.
As a Prince, possessing such formidable power and having insiders within the military, the Sum Emperor would undoubtedly become suspicious upon learning of it.
You, a Prince, amassing your own forces and winning over the soldiers of the military while your father, the Emperor, is still in his prime—what are you planning?
However, Mu Changtian still found it somewhat incomprehensible—there was no need for the North Prince to pretend to be a wastrel even if he possessed great power; he simply had to avoid exposing his trump card.
Although confused, Mu Changtian decided not to pursue his questions any further.
Having realized that the North Prince was a man of deep schemes, Mu Changtian no longer saw him as a political novice. He now believed that the North Prince’s actions were the result of careful deliberation.
The North Prince surely had even greater plans!
Although the North Prince was also a blood relation of the Sum Emperor, because he had reached out to save the Mu Mansion, and because Mu Zixuan was the Prince’s wife, Mu Changtian had no misgivings toward Lu Chen.
Mu Changtian then said, “The North Prince saved our Mu Mansion. If you ever have need of me in the future, I, Mu Changtian, will give my utmost devotion!” With these words, Mu Changtian was openly declaring his loyalty to Lu Chen. Upon hearing Mu Changtian speak thus, Mu Xingping and Mu Jingwu hurriedly followed suit, saying, “We also vow to follow the North Prince to the death!”
Lu Chen responded with a smile, “We are all family; no need for such talk.”
At this point, Lu Chen looked at Mu Changtian and asked, “Father-in-law, there’s actually a question that has been puzzling me, but 1 haven’t found the right person to ask. Now that you are here, I’d like to seek your advice.”
When speaking with his own people, Lu Chen would not use “this Prince” to refer to himself, but “1,” as a way to narrow the distance between them.
However, Mu Changtian was rather traditional. Although Lu Chen was his son-in-law, he was also a Prince, and in Mu Changtian’s eyes, the identity of Lu Chen as a Prince was greater than that of a son-in-law. Still with utmost respect, Mu Changtian replied, “Prince, please speak.”
Lu Chen immediately asked, “Logically speaking, if my imperial father were to eliminate the Aristocratic Families, he would definitely need a sharp sword, and without a doubt, you, my father-in-law, would be the most suitable. But why…”
Lu Chen did not continue, as this was touching upon the sore point of Mu Changtian.
Mu Changtian instantly understood what Lu Chen wanted to ask. He sighed softly and replied, “Prince, His Majesty has actually never trusted me, or perhaps, in his eyes, I am not that sharp sword. Even if I were, I could only be the Aristocratic Family’s sword.”
Mu Changtian originally intended to call the Sum Emperor by name, but considering that the North Prince was the Sum Emperor’s son, it was not appropriate to speak his name directly in front of him, so in the end, he still addressed him as “His Majesty.”
At that moment, Mu Changtian thought of something and continued, “Moreover, 1 suspect that His Majesty already has a sharper sword in his hands.”
Hearing Mu Changtian’s words, Lu Chen fell into deep thought.
After a while, Lu Chen said, “The Mu Mansion is gone, 1 have prepared a new residence for you, only you will probably have to change your surname from now on.”
Mu Changtian immediately replied, “Thank you, North Prince.”
Being able to survive was good enough, as for changing the surname, Mu Changtian was not so concerned about that. After the Sum Emperor’s death, their surname could be changed back just the same.
At this moment, Mu Changtian tentatively asked, “Prince, what are your plans after arriving in North City?”
In Mu Changtian’s view, with such a powerful force at his disposal, the North Prince could not possibly be content with being an idle prince in North City. Mu Changtian wanted to seize this opportunity.
As long as the North Prince ascended the throne in the future, becoming the new Sum Emperor, then the Mu Mansion could restore its former glory.
Although the decline of the Mu Mansion was due to the Sum Emperor, Mu Changtian did not harbor much hatred towards Lu Chen, who was a son of the Sum Emperor, because it was a political struggle, and the interests of a son were different from those of the father.
Throughout history, it has often happened that old emperors would exile their old officials, and then new emperors would reuse these exiled officials. This was an opportunity for the new emperors to show favor. The exiled officials who returned to court would often not hold animosity against the new emperor but would be grateful instead.
Hearing Mu Changtian’s question, the corners of Lu Chen’s mouth rose slightly, revealing a hint of a smile.
“I have no plans at the moment.”
This…
Mu Changtian was taken aback.
He did not believe Lu Chen’s words.
The North Prince had concealed his talents in the Capital City for so many years and had accumulated such a powerful force. If it were said that the North Prince had no plans at all, probably nobody would believe it.
Lu Chen knew Mu Changtian did not believe him, so he continued, “The time has not come yet, any hustle would be in vain.”
Mu Changtian immediately realized that the North Prince was waiting for the right opportunity!
He knew it! How could such a scheming person like the North Prince settle for obscurity!
Mu Changtian immediately said, “Prince, if you need my assistance in the future, I, Mu Changtian, will not hesitate to give my life!”
Lu Chen replied, “Let’s not talk about the future. I need my father-in-law’s help right now.”
Mu Changtian immediately responded, “Please tell me, Prince.”
Lu Chen said, “1 plan to train a Cavalry in North City, but I do not have a suitable general. I wonder if you, my father-in-law, are interested?”
Hearing what Lu Chen said, Mu Changtian felt excited. He had not expected to be of use so soon after arriving in North City. He quickly stood up, bowed to Lu Chen, and said, “I will train this Cavalry as soon as possible, and 1 will not disappoint your expectations, Prince!”
Lu Chen nodded and then stood up, saying, “Well then, let us end here for today. Later, 1 will have the Princess consort visit your new home to see you all.”
With that, Lu Chen walked towards the door.
Mu Changtian and his two sons once again bowed and said, “We respectfully send off the Prince!”
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