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

Chapter 183 The Empress's Thoughts

Empress Zhao Lingyang's question hits the nail on the head.

Zhao Wuji frowned; this was indeed a problem.

Those of royal blood must bear the surname Zhao; this is an ancestral rule.

But would a powerful figure like Lin Chen allow his child to take his mother's surname?

Lin Chen laughed.

"That's a good question, Your Majesty." He slowly poured himself another cup of tea.

"If I were to say that the child must bear the surname Lin, what would Your Majesty say?"

The Empress pursed her lips: "Then there's no need to discuss it further."

What if I said the child could have the surname Zhao?

The Empress paused, then asked, "What are you after?"

"As for His Majesty Tu," Lin Chen chuckled.

"Besides, does it really matter what surname a child has? What matters is whose blood flows in their veins."

"As long as he's my son, what difference does it make whether he's surnamed Zhao or Lin? If he succeeds in the future, I, as his father, will still be proud."

Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up: "Young friend Lin is so magnanimous!"

The Empress was not so easily fooled: "The Prince of Zhenbei makes it sound so easy."

If you really have a prince, dare you say you wouldn't push him to the throne?

At that time, will the Great Yan Empire still belong to the Zhao family?

"Why not?" Lin Chen retorted. "Isn't the child your bloodline?"

As long as he meets the royal selection criteria, and his surname is Zhao, then he's a member of the Zhao family. As for me…”

Lin Chen smiled and said, "I have no interest in the throne."

Being an emperor is exhausting. You have to get up early every day to attend court, review memorials until midnight, and balance the power of various factions.

Where can I find the carefree life I have now?

The Empress stared at Lin Chen for a long time, seemingly trying to determine whether his words were true or false.

"Your Majesty doesn't believe me?" Lin Chen shrugged. "How about I make a heart-demon oath?"

"That won't be necessary." The Empress shifted her gaze, her tone softening.

"I just... need time to think about it."

"It's only right to think about it." Lin Chen stood up. "It's a life-long commitment, so it's good to be cautious."

He walked to the entrance of the hall, then turned back and added:

"But Your Majesty should hurry, I'm quite popular. You might regret it if someone else snatches me away one day."

The Empress was both amused and exasperated by his words.

"The Prince of Zhenbei is far too confident."

"That's not called confidence, that's called self-awareness." Lin Chen smiled and waved his hand. "Your subject takes his leave."

After he had walked a distance away, Zhao Wuji looked at the Empress:

"Lingyang, you really need to think this over carefully. Lin Chen may not be serious, but he's quite shrewd."

If he were willing, he would indeed be the best candidate.

The Empress watched the receding figure outside the palace and asked softly:

"Ancestor, do you really think... he did it all for me?"

Zhao Wuji was silent for a moment, then smiled: "Silly girl, does it matter?"

Importantly, he was willing to let his offspring bear the surname Zhao, and was willing to uphold the legitimacy of the imperial family.

As for what he really thinks...

Zhao Wuji stroked his beard, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes:

"As long as interests align, what difference does it make whether the intentions are genuine or not?"

The Empress remained silent.

She recalled the look in Lin Chen's eyes when he looked at her earlier; there was indeed admiration and amusement in those eyes.

But deeper down, there seems to be something else.

"Let me think about it some more," she said in the end.

But Zhao Wuji could tell that the girl was interested.

Yeah.

The old man thought to himself, if it really works out, the royal family will have a few more peerless experts to oversee things.

With the Empress having an outstanding offspring, Lin Chen was completely bound to the Great Yan ship.

A win-win-win situation.

As for relationships...

Zhao Wuji glanced at the Empress's slightly flushed profile and chuckled inwardly.

Young people, they'll find it as they get to know each other, won't they?

……

Lin Chen left the palace in a good mood.

Today's trip to the palace was quite fruitful.

Not only did it make the royal family owe two favors, but it also revealed the Empress's thoughts.

"Tsk, number one on the Rouge Ranking..." Lin Chen stroked his chin.

"If he could really be the man behind her, that would be truly..."

Lin Chen was feeling quite pleased with himself when the carriage suddenly stopped.

"Your Highness, we've arrived," Lin Wu said.

Lin Chen got out of the carriage and had just entered the Prince's Mansion when Su Xiaoxiao came to greet him.

"My husband is back." Su Xiaoxiao took his outer robe. "Is everything alright in the palace?"

"It's nothing, just some small talk." Lin Chen put his arm around her. "What's wrong, missed me?"

"No, I didn't." Su Xiaoxiao blushed. "I was just worried about you."

"Don't worry, your husband is very capable," Lin Chen said with a smile.

"By the way, I'm going to Ruyan Courtyard tonight, so you should get some rest."

"Okay!" Su Xiaoxiao smiled lightly.

"Sister Ruyan, you've gained weight, you need to be careful, okay?"

Lin Chen touched his nose and chuckled dryly, "Do you think I'm such a reckless person?"

"Aren't you one?" Su Xiaoxiao blinked.

Lin Chen was speechless at Su Xiaoxiao's words, and reached out to tickle her.

"You little rascal, now you dare to tease your husband, huh?"

"Ouch! It itches... Husband, I was wrong, I was wrong!"

Su Xiaoxiao laughed and tried to dodge, but Lin Chen eventually pulled her into his arms and kissed her several times before stopping.

Having had her fill of commotion, Su Xiaoxiao straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, her cheeks still flushed.

"Honestly, Sister Ruyan's belly is getting bigger and bigger, so you have to be careful and not be as reckless as before."

"I know, I know." Lin Chen raised his hands in surrender. "I'm not a newbie, I have experience, okay?"

Then, smiling, he pinched Su Xiaoxiao's cheek:

"Alright, I understand. You go and rest first. I'll go check on Ruyan."

"Okay." Su Xiaoxiao nodded, then added:

"If Sister Ruyan is tired, come back early and don't bother her."

"Yes, madam!" Lin Chen made an exaggerated bow, which made Su Xiaoxiao chuckle.

After watching Su Xiaoxiao return to her room, Lin Chen turned and walked towards Liu Ruyan's courtyard.

It was late at night, and the palace was very quiet.

The lights were still on in Liu Ruyan's courtyard.

When Lin Chen pushed open the door, Liu Ruyan was leaning against the couch reading a book, with one hand gently resting on her swollen belly.

She's almost six months pregnant, and her belly is already quite noticeable.

The loose nightgown couldn't conceal her rounded curves, and in the candlelight, she radiated a warm glow.

"Ruyan," Lin Chen called softly.

Liu Ruyan looked up and saw Lin Chen; a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"My husband is here? I thought you weren't coming tonight."

"How could that be?" Lin Chen walked over and sat down naturally on the edge of the couch, placing his hand on Liu Ruyan's belly.

"I promised you I'd come, how could I go back on my word?"

I can feel slight fetal movement under my palm.

Lin Chen's eyes lit up: "The little guy kicked again?"

"Hmm, he's been particularly active tonight." Liu Ruyan put down her book and placed her hand on top of Lin Chen's.

"They're probably excited because they knew you were coming."

"Hey, this kid, he already knows how to please his dad even before he's born." Lin Chen grinned from ear to ear.

Liu Ruyan retorted playfully, "What if it's a girl?"

"A daughter is even better!" Lin Chen immediately changed his tune. "A daughter is a father's little cotton-padded jacket. If she's as cute as Nian'er, I'll hold her every day and never let go."

Liu Ruyan was amused and gently punched him: "You're good at saying nice things."

After chatting and laughing for a while, Lin Chen suddenly became serious:

"Ruyan, today... let's just chat. You're feeling unwell, you need to rest well."

Liu Ruyan was stunned for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly: "You... really think so?"

"Of course." Lin Chen said seriously, "I'm a man of principle. Pregnant women come first, and safety is the top priority."

Looking at Lin Chen's "I'm so upright" expression, Liu Ruyan couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"Come on, I know you too well. I must have given you a little warning."

"Ahem..." Lin Chen coughed twice, exposed, "Well, I did say a few words, but it's mainly because I have high awareness!"

Liu Ruyan smiled and shook her head, then leaned closer to him.

"Actually... appropriate... is also acceptable."

"I know that!" Lin Chen immediately replied, "I'm an experienced driver, I know the safety driving manual by heart!"

"What 'veteran driver'..."

Liu Ruyan didn't understand the word, but judging from Lin Chen's smug look, she knew it wasn't a compliment. She spat lightly, "You're so frivolous."

Lin Chen chuckled, carefully pulling Liu Ruyan into his arms and gently patting her back.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. How about... we lie down and talk?"

Liu Ruyan looked up at Lin Chen. In the candlelight, Lin Chen's eyes were gentle, without his usual roguishness.

A warmth filled her heart, and she nodded gently, "Okay."