"Mother Empress, is it true? You are going to attack the State of Zhao? Then, can I go on the expedition with Chu Chen?"
The Empress Dowager heard this, but shook her head with a wry smile, "Why are you worrying about matters of war? What you need to do now is manage state affairs."
"It's not that I don't trust your ability to fight, but the battles in the future will be very dangerous. You are the Crown Prince, how can you go on expeditions so casually?"
Chu Chen also nodded, "Yes, Your Highness, His Majesty is right. Your safety is the most important."
Li Xinyue thought for a moment, and her eyes suddenly lit up, "Mother Empress, I need to stay by Chu Chen's side, so that information doesn't leak out. If I don't go with Chu Chen, what if someone gets the news from me?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and shook her head, "Then you can accompany me wherever I go. That way, no information will be leaked, right?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xinyue's expression immediately collapsed, "Mother Empress, how can you do this?"
"This humble subject wants to keep an eye on Chu Chen, lest he meets any other beauties in the State of Zhao and gets his mind confused."
The Empress Dowager smiled and waved her hand, "Alright, we'll talk about this in three days. Chu Chen, you may go back and prepare. We will depart in three days, and I will see you off."
Chu Chen nodded, respectfully bowed to the Empress Dowager, and then left the warm pavilion with Li Xinyue.
Chu Chen couldn't help but say, "Your Highness the Princess, why did you suddenly come out? You almost scared me."
Li Xinyue rolled her eyes at him, "What, are you so afraid of me coming over? Have you done anything wrong?"
Chu Chen forced a relaxed smile, "Your Highness, what could I possibly do? You just barged in. I didn't even dare to breathe in front of His Majesty."
Li Xinyue snorted, "That's right. Let's go, I'm going home with you."
Chu Chen was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, this might not be appropriate. If I take you home, will it affect your reputation?"
Li Xinyue rolled her eyes at him and said, "What reputation will it affect? As long as we don't let others know, it's fine. Mother Empress said I shouldn't reveal state secrets. I'm doing this for the good of the country."
Chu Chen was left speechless by Li Xinyue, and finally let her get into the carriage.
The two sat together in the carriage, both lost in thought as the carriage swayed.
Suddenly barging into the warm pavilion had dispelled Li Xinyue's suspicions, but her inner tension had not eased.
This matter was like a thorn in Li Xinyue's heart. If it couldn't be resolved completely, she would never feel at ease.
In her heart, she had already set her sights on Chu Chen. As for anyone else, they were not even in her consideration.
Since Chu Chen was surrounded by so many temptations, she might as well take the initiative to deepen her relationship with him. That way, no matter what he did, he would first think of the moments they spent together, and it would serve as a warning.
Meanwhile, Chu Chen, though outwardly expressionless, was inwardly filled with lingering fear.
Fortunately, Li Xinyue hadn't suddenly barged into the warm pavilion yesterday. Otherwise, if she had discovered his relationship with the Empress Dowager, who knew what kind of chaos would have ensued.
Although today's incident was an accident, it also showed that he and the Empress Dowager could no longer be so blatant, at least not where Li Xinyue could discover them.
Many things were fine as long as the veil wasn't lifted. Once it was, it would be difficult to go back to how things were.
"Your Highness the Princess, I really cannot take you to the State of Zhao in three days. Many things are not as simple as we imagine; it is a chain reaction where one move affects the whole."
Li Xinyue snorted, "What, do you really want to bring back some beauties from the State of Zhao? Then I definitely can't let you go alone."
Chu Chen couldn't help but chuckle, and sighed helplessly, "Your Highness the Princess, this humble subject dares not. This is all His Majesty's decision."
Li Xinyue turned her head triumphantly and said, "Then I don't care. Since you're pushing this matter onto Mother Empress, it means you have no objections to me accompanying you, right?"
Chu Chen shrugged helplessly. Li Xinyue continued, "Then I will go and persuade Mother Empress properly. I believe Mother Empress will definitely agree."
"No matter what happens in three days, I will be by your side for these three days, humph."
At the same time, about a hundred zhang behind the carriage, the Old God of War walked along, shaking his head with a wry smile.
Why was Princess Xinyue in the carriage with Chu Chen?
Judging by the situation, Princess Xinyue was going to his home with him?
The Old God of War quickly quickened his pace. Although this was the imperial city, it would be difficult to explain to His Majesty if something happened after he lost track of them.
The carriage returned to the Prime Minister's mansion. Chu Chen led Li Xinyue to the main hall and arranged for someone to serve tea and water.
"Your Highness the Princess, I apologize for the inconvenience. You have to stay with me these few days. I will arrange for someone to clean a room for you."
"After I leave Shuangyue City, you can stay here in the Prime Minister's mansion."
Upon hearing this, Li Xinyue immediately stood up with a 'ceng' sound.
"That won't do. I already said I'm going to follow you all the way. What kind of half-heartedness is that?"
Chu Chen shook his head with a wry smile.
"Your Highness the Princess, isn't it a good thing for you to stay in the Prime Minister's mansion and cultivate properly?"
"Following me on a journey outside is not conducive to cultivation, and how can you surpass other princesses?"
Li Xinyue thought for a moment and nodded.
"What you said makes some sense. In that case, I will stay here for now and wait for you to return in the Prime Minister's mansion."
Hearing this, Chu Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
He couldn't bring Li Xinyue on the expedition to the State of Wei, as he would be bringing Li Mengdie along for the battle. If the two of them met, who knew what would happen.
Li Xinyue would definitely overthink things then, and Chu Chen would absolutely not give them that opportunity.
However, Li Xinyue had not finished speaking.
"Chu Chen, I know you don't want me to go to battle with you. I can agree to stay, but you also have to promise me one thing."
"Princess, please speak. I will agree to anything I can."
Li Xinyue smiled, "You can naturally agree. That is, I must eat and sleep with you for these three days."
Chu Chen was stunned for a moment, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Your Highness the Princess, this is not very appropriate. If we do this, what about Your Highness the Princess's reputation?"
Li Xinyue snorted, "Don't mention that. I haven't said anything, do you need to?"
"After you leave Shuangyue City, who knows how many temptations await you. I can't let others snatch you away."
Li Xinyue said indignantly.