roccoschili Chapter 171 Niece Exposes Lin Chen's "Domestic Violence"
Chapter 171 Niece Exposes Lin Chen's "Domestic Violence"
Yesterday, the matriarch announced that the whole family would have lunch together today.
As a result, Lin Chen and Liu Ruyan completely forgot about the matter.
When they finished getting ready and went to the front hall, the whole family was already sitting there neatly.
The old lady sat in the main seat, her hair perfectly combed, without a single stray hair.
Her mother, Su Wanqing, sat to her left.
Sitting on my right is my little niece, Lin Nian'er.
The remaining sisters-in-law and Su Xiaoxiao were arranged in order.
The table was full of dishes, indicating that they had been waiting for quite some time.
"Oh, so our Prince Zhenbei has finally moved out?"
Fourth Sister-in-law Xiao Yulou was the first to speak, her hand gently resting on her slightly protruding belly, her smile full of profound meaning.
Lin Chen touched his nose and helped Liu Ruyan walk inside:
"We were delayed on the way."
Liu Ruyan's face was still red as she followed behind Lin Chen with her head down, her movements somewhat inconvenient.
The old lady, however, had a kind expression and beckoned:
"It's good that you're here. Please have a seat."
Lin Chen's mother, Su Wanqing, was not so easy to talk to. She glared at Lin Chen and got up to help Liu Ruyan.
"You silly child, all you do is fool around all day. Ruyan is now pregnant with twins."
Liu Ruyan's face flushed bright red: "Mother, I'm fine..."
"Are you alright yet?" Su Wanqing helped her sit down, then turned to instruct the maid.
"Get the First Madam a cushion, the thickest one."
Lin Chen chuckled awkwardly and slipped to his seat.
Su Xiaoxiao glanced at Lin Chen with a smile, picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in his bowl, without saying anything.
Just then, a childish voice came from the other side of the table:
"Uncle Hachi~"
My three-year-old niece, Lin Nian'er, slid off the chair with a "whoosh".
With its short legs, it came running over, opening its arms for a hug.
The little girl wore a pink dress today, with two little pigtails on her head, and she bounced around as she ran.
Lin Chen's heart melted, and he picked her up in one go:
"Does Nian'er miss her Eighth Uncle?"
"Yes!" Lin Nian'er nodded vigorously, then leaned close to Lin Chen's ear and whispered in what she thought was a very soft voice:
"Uncle, please don't hit Mother, okay? She's carrying a little brother."
"..."
The entire lobby fell silent instantly.
Dead silence.
Then--
"Pfft—" Someone couldn't hold it in any longer.
Hahahaha!
Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, and Ye Qingying, who were pregnant, covered their mouths and laughed, their shoulders shaking like leaves.
Chu Yueyao, Wen Ruoxi, and Murong Xue were the three who "received favors" last night.
At this moment, she was radiant and laughing heartily, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.
Liu Ruyan wanted to bury her face in the bowl; the tips of her ears were so red they looked like they could bleed.
Lin Chen coughed twice and pinched Lin Nian'er's chubby cheeks:
"Nian'er, be good. Your Uncle didn't hit your mother. Your Uncle was talking to your mother... about something, yes, about something very important."
"Really?" Lin Nian'er blinked her big eyes.
"Really, really." Lin Chen said this nonsense with a straight face.
"Your little brother in your mother's belly wants to see his father. Uncle Ba will keep him company... and talk to him."
Fifth Sister-in-law Wen Ruoxi laughed so hard she slapped the table: "Oh my god! Say something! Eighth Brother, your mouth is really..."
"Uncle Ba is lying!" Lin Nian'er pouted.
"I could hear my mother crying, crying so loudly! I didn't cry that loudly even when she hit me before!"
"..."
Another deathly silence fell.
Then, the front hall exploded.
"Hahaha, I can't take it anymore... my stomach hurts..."
Xiao Yulou laughed so hard he leaned against Wen Ruoxi, tears streaming down his face.
The old lady laughed until tears streamed down her face, pointing at Lin Chen and jokingly scolding him:
"You! In broad daylight, can't you even be a little more discreet!"
Su Wanqing was both amused and annoyed. She got up and picked up Lin Nian'er.
"Nian'er, you mustn't say things like that."
"I'm not making this up!" Lin Nian'er said earnestly.
"Mother kept saying 'Gently, gently,' Uncle Ba must have hit her too hard!"
Liu Ruyan had entered a state of "social paralysis," shrinking into her chair as if she wanted to disappear on the spot.
Lin Chen sighed, rubbing his forehead.
This meal is inedible.
The old lady waved her hand: "Alright, alright, stop fooling around and let's eat. Nian'er, come here to your great-grandmother."
The little girl slipped down from Su Wanqing's arms and ran over again.
The old lady lifted her onto her lap, picked up a piece of fish with the bones removed, and fed it to her with eyes full of affection.
The meal finally began amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.
Lin Chen had just taken a couple of bites when he felt Su Xiaoxiao gently kick him under the table.
Turning her head, Su Xiaoxiao blinked, her eyes saying:
"Let's see if you dare to act recklessly in broad daylight again."
Lin Chen quickly picked up a chicken wing for her: "Xiao Xiao, eat more to nourish your body."
"Oh, so you're already trying to curry favor with the main wife?" Xiao Yulou raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
"Weren't you quite imposing last night? I could hear the noise from my own yard."
"Fourth Sister-in-law!" Lin Chen said with a bitter face, "Can't you give me a way out?"
But secretly, he thought: Just wait, I'll let you experience what it's like to be in a socially awkward situation!
"I wouldn't dare make fun of the Prince of Zhenbei," Xiao Yulou said, covering her mouth with a laugh.
"I just think that someone who didn't go to bed until 5 a.m. last night and was still able to get up today is quite a talent."
Wen Ruoxi winked at Lin Chen:
"They're young and have good stamina, I understand."
Third Sister-in-law Qin Shuyan spoke softly:
"Eighth brother, you should also be careful, as your eldest sister is heavily pregnant now."
Second Sister-in-law Chu Yueyao smiled, pursing her lips:
"Third sister, don't worry about it. Eldest sister is happy to help."
Sixth Sister-in-law Ye Qingying coldly added insult to injury:
"I think we should set a rule for the eighth brother: he shall not be allowed to enter the inner courtyard during the day."
The women chattered amongst themselves, and Lin Chen felt like he had become the target of everyone's criticism. He could only bury his head in his food and pretend that he was invisible.
Liu Ruyan kept her head down and ate in small bites the whole time, wishing she could bury her face in the bowl.
After finally finishing this "public execution" meal, the maids cleared away the bowls and plates and replaced them with tea.
Lin Chen had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the old lady put down her teacup and clear her throat.
"Chen'er".
"Yes, Grandmother, please speak." Lin Chen immediately sat up straight.
"What are your plans for Princess Zhao Mingyue and Princess Liu Shengxue of Dongli?"
The moment those words were spoken, the table fell silent.
All eyes immediately focused on Lin Chen.
Lin Chen took a sip of tea and slowly began to speak:
"As for the eldest princess, I want to marry her, she is also interested in me, and the empress also hopes that I will marry her."
As for the one from Dongli... just give her the title of concubine and keep her in the manor. Of course, make sure she's well-treated in all aspects of her life.
The old lady frowned: "The eldest princess is His Majesty's own sister, a golden branch and jade leaf. How can she share a husband with another woman?"
Even if His Majesty agrees, would those old fogies in the Ministry of Rites and the royal family agree?
"They can agree or not, it's up to them." Lin Chen curled his lip.
"I am now the Prince of Zhenbei, with a large army under my command, and I have made great contributions... in short, I have made great contributions."
"What's wrong with marrying a princess? I haven't mistreated her. I welcomed her in with the respect due to a principal wife, and from now on, she'll be on equal footing with Xiaoxiao and my sisters-in-law in the household."
Mother Su Wanqing said worriedly, "That's true, but what about the royal family's reputation..."