Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 101 Warmth in the Mansion

The two returned to the mansion and went straight to the dining hall.

The matriarch, mother Su Wanqing, and several sisters-in-law were all present, as was Su Xiaoxiao.

There were more than a dozen dishes on the table. Although they were not as lavish as the family banquet held every ten days, they were still exquisite and delicious.

"Eighth Brother, Fifth Sister is back?" Qin Shuyan greeted with a smile. "Perfect timing for dinner."

Lin Chen sat down next to the old lady: "Grandmother, you look radiant today."

"Stop flattering me." The old lady said sternly, but her eyes held a smile.

"I heard you went to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion today? And even met that courtesan from the Western Regions?"

Lin Chen chuckled awkwardly, "Grandmother is really well-informed. I just went to listen to some music, that's all."

"I knew you wouldn't dare," the old lady snorted.

"However, Chen'er, you are now the Duke of Zhenguo, so you should be mindful of your status. It would be best to avoid those places of pleasure."

"Grandson remembers," Lin Chen obediently replied.

The old lady was finally satisfied and started eating.

During the meal, the sisters-in-law frequently served food to Lin Chen, and Su Xiaoxiao blushed as she served him soup.

Lin Chen accepted everything offered and ate with gusto, his mouth greasy with oil.

"Eighth Brother," Chu Yueyao asked softly, "how are the preparations for the Tiger Army inspection going?"

"That's about it," Lin Chen said. "His Majesty will personally inspect the area in ten days. You can all come and watch the spectacle."

"We've reserved some good seats for you, right in the very front row of the viewing platform."

Liu Ruyan frowned: "Eighth Brother, the military review is a matter of great national importance. Is it appropriate for us women to attend?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Lin Chen said nonchalantly.

"His Majesty didn't say that women couldn't watch. Besides, you are the ladies of the Lin family. It's only natural for you to go and watch your own army's review."

Qin Shuyan smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, Eighth Brother. It's perfect, we also want to see the might of the Tiger Legion."

Murong Xue said softly:

"Eighth Brother, the Nanzhao Kingdom has sent over several bolts of fine Yun brocade. I've made new clothes for all the older sisters and little sisters, so they can wear them on the day of the inspection."

"Seventh Sister-in-law, you're so kind," Lin Chen said with a smile.

Xiao Yulou raised an eyebrow:

"Eighth Brother, do you want me to show off my skills on the day of the inspection?"

"Let His Majesty see, the women of our Lin family are not to be trifled with."

"No, no, no," Lin Chen quickly waved his hands.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, you should keep a low profile. The inspection is to see the army, not individual martial arts skills."

"If you go up there and show off your skills, outshining the Tiger Warriors, General Zhao will definitely be furious with me."

All the women laughed.

Ye Qingying ate her meal in silence, occasionally glancing at Lin Chen with a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

Although she has now consummated her marriage with Lin Chen, she remains aloof and doesn't talk much.

Lin Chen noticed her gaze and blinked.

Ye Qingying blushed slightly and hurriedly lowered her head to eat.

This scene was witnessed by Chu Yueyao, who was sitting opposite her, and she smiled.

After dinner, the matriarch and Su Wanqing went for a walk, while the sisters-in-law returned to their respective courtyards.

Lin Chen called out to Liu Ruyan, "Sister-in-law, stay a moment, I have something to tell you."

Liu Ruyan nodded and followed him to the study.

……

In the study, Liu Ruyan closed the door and turned to look at Lin Chen:

"Eighth brother, what's so mysterious about this?"

Lin Chen pulled her to sit down on the soft couch:

"Sister-in-law, does Nian'er want a younger brother or sister?"

Liu Ruyan blushed:

"This child...did ask me last night, she said she was too lonely and wanted a playmate."

"What does sister-in-law think?" Lin Chen leaned closer.

Liu Ruyan's cheeks flushed under his gaze, and she turned her face away.

"I...I'll listen to you, anyway...it's only a matter of time."

"Shall I go to my sister-in-law's tonight?" Lin Chen asked, taking her hand.

Liu Ruyan's hand trembled, but she didn't pull it back; she just gave a soft "hmm".

After a brief moment of tenderness, Liu Ruyan suddenly said, "Eighth Brother, there's something I want to ask you."

"What is it?"

"What...what are your plans for the future?" Liu Ruyan asked seriously.

"You are now the Duke of Zhenguo, holding significant military power and enjoying His Majesty's deep trust."

But great achievements can overshadow one's master, a situation that has existed since ancient times. Have you thought about... how you plan to proceed in the future?

Lin Chen smiled: "Is sister-in-law worried about me?"

"How can I not worry?" Liu Ruyan said reproachfully.

"The Lin family may seem to be enjoying great success now, but in reality, they are walking on thin ice. Many people in the court are watching us, and many forces in the martial arts world are coveting us..."

Eighth Brother, although the Lin family has Mr. Yuan in charge, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow.

Lin Chen felt a warmth in his heart and put his arm around her shoulder:

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I know what I'm doing. I'll handle things properly with His Majesty."

As for my enemies in the court and in the martial arts world... I'll let them be if they don't bother me, but if they dare to, I'll let them know that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is not to be trifled with.

"You..." Liu Ruyan leaned on his shoulder and sighed softly.

"Always so confident, but Eighth Brother, promise me that no matter what you do, you must protect yourself first."

The Lin family cannot live without you, and neither can we sisters... "

"I promise you," Lin Chen said earnestly.

The two talked for a while longer before Liu Ruyan got up and left.

After she left, Lin Chen leaned back in his chair and fell into deep thought.

Liu Ruyan's concerns were not unfounded.

Although the Empress trusts him now, the mind of an emperor is the most difficult to fathom.

Favored today, but may be turned against tomorrow.

However, he has the system and enough trump cards, so he's not afraid.

Just then, I heard a slight breeze outside the window.

Li Chunfeng, dressed in a blue robe, appeared silently in the study.

"My lord."

"Mr. Li is here." Lin Chen frowned slightly. "What can I do for you?"

Li Chunfeng's expression was solemn: "Two things."

First, there are unusual movements in the secluded cultivation place of Yin Jiuyou, the Purple-Clad Pavilion Master. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is gathering, which seems to indicate a breakthrough.

His subordinates calculated that he might be released from quarantine earlier than expected, at most a month later.

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed: "He's coming out of seclusion early? It seems this old guy can't wait to take revenge."

"The second matter is even more troublesome," Li Chunfeng said in a deep voice.

"My subordinates have recently been divining the secrets of heaven and discovered that several hidden forces are secretly spying on the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."

These auras were extremely subtle; without the aid of the magic array, they would have been completely undetectable.

"A member of the royal family?" Lin Chen asked.

"Unsure," Li Chunfeng shook his head.

"There are several unfamiliar auras, all of whom are at least Celestial Realm cultivators, and one of them... has even reached the late Celestial Realm stage."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "Late-stage Celestial Realm? Besides the royal ancestor Zhao Wuji, are there any other late-stage Celestial Realm cultivators in the capital?"

"There should be," Li Chunfeng said.

"The Dayan Dynasty has been established for hundreds of years and has a profound foundation. It is not difficult for them to secretly cultivate a few Celestial Realm retainers."

Lin Chen pondered, "The Empress was able to secure the throne at such a young age. Besides the True Dragon Luck, she must have other trump cards. It makes sense that she has several Celestial Realm experts."

He paused, then asked, "What are they investigating?"

"The main focus is on investigating the master's cultivation level and the origins of his subordinate forces," Li Chunfeng said.

"However, with Guan Yu and Senior Dugu guarding the mansion, as well as the magic array set up by their subordinates, they dared not go deep inside and could only spy from the outside."

Even so, the lord's apparent strength has probably already been ascertained.

Lin Chen smiled indifferently:

"Let them investigate. In any case, they'll only find what I want them to know."

"Your Majesty is wise." Li Chunfeng paused, then continued:

"There is another matter. News has come from the northern border that there may be more to the story regarding the suppression of bandits by Wanyan Honglie, the Grand General of the Northern Shuo."