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

If the North Prince truly trusted Qian Dahai, then the Qian Family would still be able to play its part; if the North Prince didn't trust him, the Qian Family would still be able to help Qianhai Commercial Association manage various businesses in the North Country.

In other words, for Wu Junwan, whether or not Qian Dahai could extract more intelligence from the North Prince Mansion, Qian Dahai and the Qian Family were still of great use to her, and she had no plans to give up on the Qian Family for the time being.

After hearing Wu Junwan's words, Pei Hong also realized that the Qian Family was still useful to her, so he stopped bringing up the matters of the Qian Family.

At this moment, he thought of the words the North Prince had said at the luncheon, and then he reminded her, "Your Highness, I saw the North Prince staring at you several times during the luncheon, and he also mentioned falling in love with Miss Qian at first sight. I think he may truly covet your beauty, and we'd better be wary of him."

The reputation of the North Prince was not very good to begin with; everyone said he was a lecher, and even the common folk of the North Country considered the North Prince quite worldly.

Wu Junwan offered a faint smile, then said, "Pei Hong is overthinking it, his words at the luncheon were just to remind me that he already knew Qianhai Commercial Association belonged to me, warning me not to cause trouble in the North Country using the association."

Pei Hong didn't continue the conversation and fell silent.

Initially, Pei Hong had also thought that Lu Chen's words were a warning to them not to cause trouble in the North Country with the commercial association, but as someone experienced, he always felt something was off about the way Lu Chen looked at Wu Junwan.

Perhaps he was overthinking it.

At this moment, Wu Junwan said, "What we should be most vigilant about now is the North Prince taking this opportunity to drive a wedge between the relationship between myself and Prince Wu Ming."

Wu Junwan had realized during the luncheon that Lu Chen had constantly belittled Wu Ming. It was clear that he was sowing discord in an attempt to make Wu Ming resent her.

As a woman not only leading this visit, but also being compared in various ways to Wu Ming, who was part of the delegation, Wu Ming was certainly very displeased.

Pei Hong offered a suggestion, "To prevent Prince Wu Ming from harboring any grudges against you, I think it would be better if you had a few words with His Highness, to avoid any sabotage from him when we finalize the trade agreement with the North Country."

Wu Junwan said, "There are people watching over him; he wouldn't go so far as to trip me up over this matter unless... "

Wu Junwan had not finished speaking when a soldier from the delegation hurriedly entered the courtyard, "Princess, something's wrong. Prince Wu Ming has gone to the North Prince Mansion to meet with the North Prince."

Upon hearing this, Wu Junwan's face instantly darkened, her brows furrowed slightly, then she asked, "Did that elderly man follow him there?"

The soldier replied, "He went too."

Wu Junwan pondered for a moment, then said, "It seems that the Emperor still doesn't want me to accumulate too much merit."

"Well, since that elder is also with Wu Ming, he probably won't do anything detrimental to Great Wu."

Wu Junwan did not recognize the elder with Wu Ming, but she had found out through various channels that the man was a Grandmaster sent by her father to protect Wu Ming.

Of course, while protecting him, he was also keeping an eye on Wu Ming to prevent him from doing anything unseemly.

At this time, Pei Hong said, "Prince Wu Ming is being a bit too hasty."

They had just arrived in Yan County today, and the luncheon had just ended, yet Wu Ming had rushed to find the North Prince. What could Wu Ming be doing with the North Prince? Obviously, he was discussing the trade agreement; he wanted to take credit for it.

Being so eager to seek the North Prince gave the impression that they were desperate for the North Country to sign the trade agreement.

Meanwhile.

In a pavilion in the outer courtyard of the North Prince Mansion.

Wu Ming and Lu Chen were sitting opposite each other.

Lu Chen poured a cup of tea for Wu Ming, then said with a smile, "I didn't expect Wu Ming to come to see me so soon. You're here to discuss the trade agreement, aren't you?"

Wu Ming said, "It seems the North Prince had anticipated my visit."

Lu Chen picked up the tea cup from the stone table, took a gentle sip, and then said, "With such a domineering Princess, the life of you brothers must be quite difficult."

Wu Ming said, "The North Prince seems to be quite knowledgeable about Great Wu's affairs?"

Lu Chen replied, "I wouldn't say extremely knowledgeable, but I do know a bit."

Then, Lu Chen asked, "Tell me, what does Prince Wu Ming want me to do for him?"

Upon hearing Lu Chen's question, Wu Ming was taken aback.

Help?

The North Prince offered to help him?

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Although he wasn't as capable as Wu Junwan, he wasn't naive.

Wu Ming said, "Perhaps the North Prince should state his conditions first."

Lu Chen said, "Honestly, I don't have many demands. I'm just troubled by your Princess, and frankly, I don't like her much."

With that, Lu Chen asked, "Prince Wu Ming should know who is behind Qianhai Commercial Association, right?"

Wu Ming replied, "Of course."

Lu Chen continued, "Princess Wu has allowed Qianhai Commercial Association to infiltrate the North Country and boldly probe for our secrets, making me feel uncomfortable."

Wu Ming said, "I feel like you consider her a tough woman to deal with, and that's why you want to cooperate with me?"

Lu Chen gave a smile and then said, "Prince Wu Ming can think of it that way. Compared to a woman skilled in scheming, I prefer straightforward dealings with an honest man like Prince Wu Ming."

Lu Chen's words immediately made Wu Ming feel insulted, but he didn't mind. Since the North Prince was wary of Wu Junwan, it was a good thing for him; he could use this to his advantage and reach an agreement with the North Prince, then snatch the credit for this mission to the North Country.

Lu Chen continued, "In this trade agreement, I will instruct it to be signed by Prince Wu Ming. What does Prince Wu Ming think of this?"

Wu Ming was taken aback; if he could sign the trade agreement, the outcome of this mission would essentially be his.

Wu Ming immediately said, "Then I thank the North Prince."