Having children earns benefit, start competing for dominance in the world by marrying a wife

Princess Junwan and Lu Chen had not bet for even two hours when she regretted agreeing to the wager with Lu Chen; she soon realized why Lu Chen dared to stake the schematics of the cannons.

Lu Chen was too powerful; she simply could not fend him off. On several occasions, she almost called him darling; once she did, it would mean she had lost.

Princess Junwan couldn't understand how there could be such a terrifying man in this world.

In a mix of anxiety and exhilaration, Princess Junwan gradually lost herself.

Fortunately, in the end, she managed to hold onto her bottom line. She did not call Lu Chen darling, nor did she say words like 'I love you.'

Another morning dawned.

Princess Junwan looked at the light outside the bedroom, her whole being lost in thought. Even as a Grandmaster, she was no match for Lu Chen without her skill.

At that moment, the brute was still holding her in his embrace, but by now Princess Junwan couldn't even muster anger. She just lay on her side, looking at the red curtains outside.

After what felt like ages, Princess Junwan noticed Lu Chen awaken before speaking, "Yesterday, you said that my attendants would come to see me today. If you do not let me go, they might suspect you're holding me captive."

Princess Junwan was utterly at a loss with the man behind her and could only speak to him softly and gently, hoping he would spare her for the moment and allow her to meet with her attendants.

Upon hearing Princess Junwan's words, Lu Chen didn't hesitate to release her and then got up from the bed.

Seeing this, Princess Junwan was momentarily stunned. She had thought the man might cling to her for a while before letting go, but she hadn't expected him to release her so quickly today.

Had he reached his limit?

While Princess Junwan was thinking this, Lu Chen said, "We've sweated a lot these past few days, let's take a good bath."

Just as Princess Junwan was about to say something, Lu Chen spoke to the maids outside the red curtain, "Is the hot water ready?"

The maid waiting outside hurriedly replied, "Prince, the hot water in the bath is ready."

Upon hearing the maid's answer, Lu Chen immediately stretched out his arms and scooped Princess Junwan up in a princess carry before heading straight to the bathtub.

Princess Junwan initially wanted to struggle a bit but ultimately chose to give up. She was utterly powerless at the moment and struggling in front of this man was futile. She was more concerned about provoking his wild side later on.

It was better to stay docile in his arms. To avoid falling, Princess Junwan couldn't help but raise her jade arms and wrap them around Lu Chen's neck.

Soon the two entered the bathtub in the inner room. Maids carrying baskets of flowers kept throwing petals into the steaming hot water, filling the bathtub with the fresh scent of flowers.

At this moment, Lu Chen smiled at Princess Junwan and said, "Your Majesty, allow me to serve you well in your bath!"

Hearing this, Princess Junwan's delicate body couldn't help but tremble slightly as she quickly said, "No need."

Lu Chen laughed, "That won't do. As the Empress, how could you bathe alone? You must be served."

Before Princess Junwan could say anything, Lu Chen had already set her down beside the bathtub.

Then, water splashed in the bathtub, and they both thoroughly bathed.

By the time the two emerged dressed, it was already almost noon.

Even as a Grandmaster, Princess Junwan could not endure any longer. She did not feel any pain, just a sense of tiredness, not of the body, but of the heart.

Meanwhile, in a pavilion over a pond in the outer courtyard, Hu Shu and some of Princess Junwan's attendants were anxiously waiting. The people from the North Prince Mansion had said they would see Princess Junwan today, but it was almost noon, and she had yet to appear.

The North Prince Mansion had allowed them to enter, but only as far as the mansion itself. After they had entered, they had been confined to the pavilion in the middle of the pond, not allowed to go anywhere else.

The guards of the North Prince Mansion were also constantly watching them in the courtyard. Hu Shu sensed that the Realm of the guards at the entrance was all above Ninth Grade, and several among them were Grandmasters.

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Even though she, a Grandmaster, was not afraid of these Masters, the average skill of these guards proved that North Country had a multitude of high-level martial artists.

Not to mention the mysterious weapons of North Country, just looking at the skill level of their martial artists, it was evident that North Country already possessed the strength to establish its own dynasty.

At this moment, a worried voice from one of Princess Junwan's entourage whispered, "The Princess hasn't really been put under house arrest, has she?"

Another member of the entourage said, "After all, Princess Junwan is the Hostage of Great Wu, and the alliance with North Country has just been signed; North Prince wouldn't dare to do such a thing."

"Then why hasn't the Princess come to see us?"

"Perhaps the Princess..."

...

While Princess Junwan's entourage was lost in discussion, a dignified and graceful beautiful woman entered the courtyard.

Seeing Princess Junwan appear, everyone instantly fell silent, and they spontaneously walked up to greet her.

"We pay our respects to Princess Junwan!"

Hu Shu asked, "Princess, are you alright?"

The moment Hu Shu finished speaking, he immediately noticed that something was off about Princess Junwan's aura, and soon her entourage did as well; after all, they were martial artists, and they were quite sensitive to changes in Junwan's aura.

The crowd looked at Princess Junwan in amazement, their faces filled with disbelief.

Princess Junwan said, "I apologize, Elder Hu, for making you wait."

Hu Shu, now somewhat incredulous, asked, "Princess, have you... have you broken through to the Grandmaster Realm?"

As these words were spoken, Princess Junwan's entourage also turned their gazes toward her. They had their suspicions, as the martial prowess emanating from Junwan was too overwhelming, but they were not certain that Junwan had indeed broken through to the Grandmaster Realm.

As everyone watched Princess Junwan with anticipation, she answered, "Yes, this humble one has indeed broken through to the Grandmaster Realm."

Upon hearing this, Princess Junwan's entourage became incredibly excited.

These individuals were all followers of Princess Junwan, believers in her potential to make a comeback. Their families, or the forces behind them, also supported Junwan's faction.

Ever since Princess Junwan's title had been revoked, they had been subjected to oppression from other factions. Their visit to North Country was a quest for an opportunity to rise again with Princess Junwan.

Unexpectedly, Princess Junwan had broken through to the Grandmaster Realm shortly after arriving in North Country.

At that moment, an excited retainer said, "Princess, now that you have broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, can we request the court to replace the Hostage?"

Although Great Wu had recently lost two Grandmasters, Grandmasters were still powerful forces in all the dynasties, and particularly because the Martial Emperor's court had lost two Grandmasters, they were all the more precious.

In the eyes of Princess Junwan's entourage, if the news of Princess Junwan becoming a Grandmaster were to reach Great Wu, the Martial Emperor would definitely negotiate with North Country to replace the Hostage and bring back Princess Junwan, now a Grandmaster.

However, at that moment, Princess Junwan said, "I was designated by North Prince himself to come to North Country as the Hostage; he won't let me leave North Country that easily. Besides, we have our own tasks to fulfill here in North Country, so let's discuss this matter after a year."

Upon hearing Princess Junwan's response, everyone immediately understood her intentions; they knew what she coveted most was North Country's secrets. Now that she had finally infiltrated North Prince Mansion, it was only natural that she didn't want to leave so soon.

The retainer who had just suggested replacing the Hostage said, "I recognize my error; I was too hasty and almost forgot Your Highness's plans."

Princess Junwan replied calmly, "It doesn't matter."

Hu Shu asked, "Princess, surely North Prince hasn't placed you under house arrest, has he?"

Princess Junwan answered, "No, I didn't meet you yesterday as I was on the verge of breaking through."

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