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

Chapter 214 Yagyu Yuki Performs a Dance

In the afternoon, at Zuiyue Pavilion.

Wen Ruoxi flipped through the account book, while Lin Chen leaned back on the soft couch, listening to her talk in a half-hearted manner.

"Last month's revenue didn't increase much; it seems the market is saturated," Wen Ruoxi muttered as she looked at the screen.

"We need to open branches all over Dayan as soon as possible; our expenses have been quite high lately..."

Lin Chen squinted, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Counting the days, there are less than four days left until the wedding.

Everything that needed to be prepared for the eldest princess has been prepared.

The wedding of Liu Shengxue and Lan Fenghuang is also being prepared.

Once he's done with all that, he'll have to start inspecting things in various places.

The Cui family of Jiangnan, the caravans of the Northwest, sects from various regions... a whole host of troubles await him.

"Husband?" Wen Ruoxi's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Um?"

"What are you thinking about?" Wen Ruoxi closed the ledger and sat down next to Lin Chen. "You seem distracted."

"It's nothing," Lin Chen said with a soft laugh, putting his arm around Wen Ruoxi.

"I was just thinking that when we have time in the future, our family will go on a trip to see the mountains and rivers."

"Really?" Wen Ruoxi's eyes lit up. "Where to?"

"I haven't decided yet," Lin Chen laughed. "Anyway, I can't stay cooped up in the capital all the time. I need to go out for a walk and clear my head."

"It's a deal then," Wen Ruoxi leaned on Lin Chen's shoulder. "No going back on your word."

"No regrets."

As the two were talking, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the window.

Wen Ruoxi frowned: "What's going on?"

She got up, walked to the window, looked down, and froze.

"My husband, come and see!"

Lin Chen walked over and looked down in the direction of her gaze.

At the entrance of Zuiyuexuan, several people dressed in Dongli attire were arguing with the waiter.

The leader was a woman.

"Yagyuu Yuki..." Lin Chen narrowed his eyes.

"Why is she here?" Wen Ruoxi whispered.

Lin Chen thought for a moment and said, "I'll go down and take a look."

"I'll go too."

The two went downstairs, and the waiter saw Wen Ruoxi and hurried over:

"Fifth Madam, these guests from Dongli insist on seeing you. I told them you were busy, but they refuse to leave..."

Wen Ruoxi waved her hand, signaling the waiter to leave, then looked at Liu Shengxue:

"I am deeply sorry for not welcoming the Third Princess properly."

Liu Shengxue nodded slightly: "Fifth Madam, you are too kind. I have come today to pick out a few pieces of jewelry."

Lin Chen carefully examined Liu Shengxue from head to toe.

Her eyebrows and eyes were exquisitely beautiful, truly deserving of the title of ninth on the Rouge Ranking.

"What kind of jewelry would the princess like to choose?" Wen Ruoxi asked.

"A wedding gift for Her Highness the Eldest Princess," said Liu Shengxue.

"With the Princess and the Prince of Zhenbei's wedding imminent, I should prepare a gift."

Wen Ruoxi glanced at Lin Chen.

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Your Highness is very kind, but Dongli should have no shortage of gifts, so why bother coming to Zuiyue Pavilion?"

Liu Shengxue looked at Lin Chen, her eyes calm:

"I came in a hurry and did not bring anything with me. Moreover, I have long heard of the fame of Zuiyue Pavilion and have wanted to come and see it for a long time. Today I just happened to have some free time, so I came."

She paused, then said, "If Your Highness does not welcome me, I will leave now."

"Since you're already here, there's no reason to turn you away." Lin Chen gestured for them to enter.

"Please come in. I'll have Ruoxi help you choose."

Wen Ruoxi understood and led Liu Shengxue into the inner hall.

Lin Chen didn't go inside, but sat down in the outer hall and casually flipped through the catalog.

About an incense stick later, Wen Ruoxi and Liu Shengxue came out.

Liu Shengxue chose a set of ruby ​​headdresses, which were exquisitely crafted and quite valuable.

"This set will do," said Yagyu Yuki.

"Please pack it up carefully, Fifth Madam. I will have someone come and pick it up later."

"You're too kind, Princess." Wen Ruoxi instructed the shop assistant to pack the items.

Liu Shengxue did not leave immediately, but instead walked up to Lin Chen:

"Your Highness, may I have a word with you in private?"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "Please!"

The two walked into a private room.

"Your Highness," Liu Shengxue said bluntly, "Does Your Highness still remember when I entered the palace at the age of fifteen?"

"I remember," Lin Chen nodded. "The invitations have already been sent out."

"That's good." Liu Shengxue paused. "I... have something I'd like to ask Your Highness."

"explain."

"I am skilled in sword dance," said Liu Shengxue, looking at Lin Chen.

"On our wedding night, I would like to perform a dance for Your Highness first. I wonder... if this is in accordance with the rules?"

Lin Chen laughed: "Here, there are no rules or regulations. If you want to dance, then dance."

A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Shengxue's eyes: "Your Highness doesn't mind?"

"What do you mind?" Lin Chen retorted.

"Your swordsmanship and dancing are both superb, and your reputation is widespread. Why not have you dance to add to the festivities?"

Anyway, she was just a concubine, and pleasing men with her beauty was her duty.

Liu Shengxue was silent for a moment, then said, "Then...would Your Highness like to take a look now?"

Lin Chen was taken aback: "Now?"

"Mm." Yagyu Yuki nodded. "Let's just consider it... let's just consider it an early inspection."

This was said quite bluntly, and Lin Chen immediately laughed:

"You're quite straightforward. Fine, let's see."

Yagyu Yuki took out a long sword from the storage bag at his waist.

The scabbard is antique, and the hilt is wrapped with silver thread, clearly indicating that it is not an ordinary item.

Then, holding his sword, he walked to the open space in the hall and nodded slightly to Lin Chen:

"Your Highness, I've made a fool of myself."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sword was drawn.

The clear sound of a sword echoed throughout the hall.

Liu Shengxue moved swiftly, his sword following his movements.

The starting motion is very slow, like a cloud spreading out.

But soon, the sword's momentum quickened, rising like a sudden gust of wind.

Lin Chen watched intently.

This sword dance truly lives up to its reputation.

It possesses both the grace of dance and the sharpness of swordsmanship.

Yagyu Yuki's waist was extremely flexible; every movement—turning, twisting, bending over—was perfectly executed.

The sword light flowed in her hand, sometimes like a silver snake spitting its tongue, sometimes like a white crane spreading its wings.

What's most remarkable is that her eyes are always cold and aloof, yet her sword intent carries an indescribable tenderness.

It's like... like it's telling a story.

But Lin Chen's mind was not on the sword dance at all; instead, he was thinking of the knowledge imparted to him by his "teachers" in his previous life.

After the dance ended, Liu Shengxue sheathed his sword and stood there, slightly out of breath.

The hall was quiet for a few moments, then applause broke out.

It's Wen Ruoxi.

"The princess danced so well," Wen Ruoxi exclaimed sincerely.

Liu Shengxue nodded slightly and looked at Lin Chen: "What does Your Highness think?"

Lin Chen stroked his chin and chuckled:

"Not bad, flexible body, strong waist, and the movements are precise, but..."

"What is it?" Yagyu Yuki asked.

"It's just missing something," Lin Chen coughed lightly.

"Sword dance, sword dance, since it is a dance, it must have the charm of a dance. Your sword intent is sufficient, but your dance intent... is still a little lacking."

Liu Shengxue frowned slightly. "Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

"Let's put it this way," Lin Chen said, walking up to Liu Shengxue.

"Your dance just now was for outsiders. It was beautiful, but not alluring."

He took the sword from Yagyu Yuki and casually twirled it:

"If you're going to dance for me... then it has to be like this."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Chen moved.

He didn't have the graceful figure of Yagyu Yuki, but his movements were clean and swift, and his sword flashed like a bolt of lightning.

After a few turns and a few spins, the sword's momentum suddenly slowed down.

The sword tip flicked lightly, like a fingertip brushing against a cheek.

The sword blade is horizontal and slanted, like an arm embracing the waist.

It was clearly the same sword technique, but in Lin Chen's hands, it had an indescribable ambiguity.

Wen Ruoxi was stunned.

Yagyu Yuki was also stunned.

After a moment, Lin Chen sheathed his sword and handed it back to Liu Shengxue:

"Do you understand?"

Liu Shengxue took the sword, remained silent for a long time, and then said softly:

"Your Highness... is indeed extraordinary."

"So-so." Lin Chen waved his hand. "Go back and practice hard. I'll be waiting to see you on your wedding night."

Liu Shengxue gave Lin Chen a deep look.

"I understand. Farewell."

After everyone left, Wen Ruoxi approached:

"Husband, who taught you that dance you just did?"

"I made it up on the spot." Lin Chen shrugged, a smile playing on his lips. "How about it? Aren't you captivated?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Wen Ruoxi took his arm. "I'm completely infatuated with him."

Lin Chen coughed lightly: "Then how about letting me get a good rest tonight?"

"Not good at all!" Wen Ruoxi rolled her eyes. "We made a promise, are you going to go back on your word?"

Lin Chen smiled wryly to himself, but forced a smile and said, "How could that be? I was just worried you were too tired these past few days..."

"I'm not tired. Oh, by the way, my husband, there are some account books that I'd like to discuss with you in more detail."

Wen Ruoxi interrupted Lin Chen and said with a meaningful look.

Then, without giving Lin Chen any room to refuse, she took his arm and walked upstairs.