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

Chapter 52 My Sister-in-Law Needs My Support

As evening fell, Lin Chen ascended to the fourth floor of the Qin Yun Pavilion.

Upon entering, the room is elegantly furnished and filled with the faint scent of incense.

Dongfang Bubai (Dongfang Bai) was sitting in front of the qin platform.

She was dressed in white, her black hair cascading down her back, her face exquisitely beautiful yet cold as ice.

Upon seeing Lin Chen enter, she rose and bowed, saying, "My lord."

"No need for formalities." Lin Chen sat down in the guest seat. "I heard from Fifth Sister-in-law that you wanted to play the zither for me?"

"Yes." Dongfang Bai's voice was cold and clear. "Since I am serving my lord, I should perform a song."

She sat back down on the piano stand and gently plucked the strings with her slender fingers.

The sound of the zither rose, like a clear spring flowing over stones, like the wind passing through a pine forest.

It started off gentle, gradually became more intense, and finally transformed into the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses, filled with a chilling aura of killing intent!

Lin Chen closed his eyes and listened.

The music of this instrument contains the principles of musical martial arts. If played on the battlefield, it can boost morale and also disturb the enemy's mind.

As expected of products from the system, they all have unique skills.

The song ended, but the lingering melody still resonated.

"What a fine instrument!" Lin Chen exclaimed. "Miss Dongfang's musical skills are unparalleled in this world."

"You flatter me, my lord." Dongfang Bai's expression remained indifferent.

"Now that I am in charge of Zuiyue Pavilion, I will do my duty. If any scoundrels dare to cause trouble in the future, my zither... may kill them."

These words were spoken in a plain tone, yet they were incredibly powerful.

Lin Chen smiled: "With Miss Dongfang here, Zuiyue Pavilion is as stable as Mount Tai."

After saying a few more words, Lin Chen got up to take his leave.

As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back:

"Miss Dongfang, since your name is Bai, please refer to yourself as Mr. Bai in public from now on, to avoid arousing suspicion."

"Yes."

After leaving Qin Yun Pavilion, Lin Chen went downstairs.

Wen Ruoxi was already waiting for him at the door.

"Eighth brother, shall we return to the manor?"

Lin Chen looked at her and suddenly smiled:

"Fifth Sister-in-law, tonight... I'll still be staying at Ningxiang Courtyard."

Wen Ruoxi blushed, lowered her head, and whispered, "Okay."

The carriage headed towards the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Lin Chen leaned against the carriage, reflecting on the events of the day.

Court affairs, military matters, family matters, business... a myriad of things to do.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

Take it slow, do it one thing at a time.

Anyway, he has plenty of time and plenty of trump cards.

Moreover, having saved my maternal grandfather today, the Su family, a prominent Confucian clan, is now completely bound to the Lin family's cause.

The most important thing is that my mother is happy; that's more important than anything else.

Lin Chen smiled slightly and closed his eyes.

Let's talk about tomorrow's problems tomorrow.

Now, let's go back and keep Fifth Sister-in-law company.

……

As the morning light streamed through the windows of Ningxiang Courtyard, Wen Ruoxi was no longer by his side, but the warmth of her body still lingered on his pillow.

Lin Chen slowly got up, looked at the neatly folded moon-white brocade robe on the bedside table, and a smile appeared on his lips.

This fifth sister-in-law is so meticulous; she even prepared what he should wear today.

Just as I finished dressing, a maid's voice came from outside the door:

"Eighth Master, the Seventh Madam has sent someone to say she's waiting for you in the front hall."

Seventh Sister-in-law Murong Xue?

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. Could the Nanzhao spices he sent her a few days ago be a return gift?

In the front hall, Murong Xue, dressed in a light blue palace gown and with a magnolia hairpin given to her by Lin Chen in her hair, sat serenely, sipping tea.

Upon seeing Lin Chen enter, she rose and gave a graceful bow: "Eighth Brother."

"Seventh Sister-in-law, no need for such formalities." Lin Chen sat down opposite her. "You've come so early, is there something you need?"

"Don't rush to say it." Murong Xue took out a small sachet from her sleeve.

"This is a 'calming incense' made with spices given by my eighth brother. It has the effect of calming the mind and soothing the nerves."

My eighth brother works tirelessly day and night; wearing this incense will help him sleep and relieve fatigue.

The sachet is embroidered with the phoenix tail pattern unique to the Nanzhao Kingdom, and the stitches are delicate, clearly indicating that it was made by hand.

Lin Chen took it; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, with a delicate fragrance. "Thank you for your trouble, Seventh Sister-in-law."

Murong Xue smiled gently, "We're family, no need for formalities. By the way, Eighth Brother, are you busy today?"

"It's nothing important." Lin Chen thought for a moment. "Mr. Yuan has gone to make preparations for the Tiger Legion. I'll go check on them later."

"That's perfect." A hint of hesitation flashed in Murong Xue's eyes.

"The delegation from my maternal family, Nanzhao, arrived in the capital yesterday and is going to the Honglu Temple today to deliver their credentials."

"My eighth brother is now the Duke of Zhenguo and the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard. Would you mind accompanying me?"

Lin Chen understood; they wanted him to save face.

Although Nanzhao was a small country, it was located in the southwest and was rich in medicinal herbs, spices, and jade, and traded frequently with Dayan.

After the Lin family declined, the connection between Nanzhao and the Lin family was severed. Now that the Lin family has been revived and the Nanzhao delegation has come to visit, it is natural to re-establish contact.

"Sure," Lin Chen readily agreed. "It'll be a good opportunity for me to experience the culture of Nanzhao."

Murong Xue's eyes were full of joy: "Then I'll go prepare the car."

……

Half an hour later, the carriage headed towards the Court of State Ceremonies.

Inside the car, Murong Xue introduced softly:

"The chief envoy of this mission is my uncle, Murong Hong, and the deputy envoy is Meng Huo, the number one warrior of Nanzhao. Both of them are Grandmasters."

In addition, there were more than a dozen accompanying officials and merchants.

"How strong is Nanzhao?" Lin Chen asked casually.

"The Nanzhao Kingdom is small, but its martial arts are not weak," Murong Xue said solemnly.

"The royal family has three Grandmasters in charge, and more than twenty other Grandmasters."

The Imperial Preceptor Meng Chi was ranked fourth on the Earthly Ranking, with a cultivation level of the late Grandmaster stage.

However, Nanzhao did not participate in the conflicts in the Central Plains, so its reputation remained obscure.

Lin Chen nodded.

The Tianyuan Continent is dotted with small countries. Some of these countries may not have large territories, but they have a long history of martial arts and have experts at the Celestial Realm.

These countries are typically neutral and do not participate in great power rivalries.

After all, if celestial beings intervene in war, they will be attacked by the whole world.

"Has Seventh Sister-in-law complained about marrying into Dayan in Nanzhao?"

Murong Xue's expression darkened:

"It was originally a political marriage; Nanzhao wanted to use the Lin family's influence to establish itself in the Central Plains."

But after his father and elder brother died in battle, Nanzhao severed all ties.

The delegation's visit is also to witness the Lin family's revival and to renew old friendships.

Lin Chen held her hand: "Seventh Sister-in-law, don't worry, from now on, the Lin family will be your support."

Murong Xue's eyes were slightly red, and she nodded gently.

The carriage stopped in front of the Honglu Temple.

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial was already waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Lin Chen alight from the carriage, he quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"This humble official pays his respects to the Duke of Zhenguo!"

"No need for formalities." Lin Chen waved his hand. "Has the Nanzhao delegation arrived?"

"It's been a quarter of an hour; they're waiting in the side hall," the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies said in a low voice.

"However, several officials in the court were indifferent to the Nanzhao delegation."

Lin Chen understood; someone was trying to intimidate him.

"lead the way."

Inside the side hall, the members of the Nanzhao delegation sat upright and attentive.

The leader was a middle-aged man in his fifties, whose face bore a resemblance to Murong Xue; he was none other than Murong Hong, the uncle of the King of Nanzhao.

Sitting beside him was a dark-skinned, burly man with a deep, resonant voice; he was none other than the deputy envoy, Meng Huo.

Upon seeing Lin Chen and Murong Xue enter, Murong Hong's eyes lit up, and he stood up to greet them:

"Murong Hong of Nanzhao greets the Duke of Zhenguo!"

"Uncle Wang, there's no need for such formalities," Lin Chen returned the greeting with a smile. "Seventh Sister-in-law often mentions you, saying that you dote on her the most."

Murong Hong glanced at Murong Xue, a look of guilt flashing in his eyes:

"It's Uncle Wang's fault for letting Xue'er down. All these years... she's suffered so much."

Murong Xue shook her head: "Uncle Wang, you flatter me. Xue'er is doing very well in the Lin family."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial served tea and snacks, and just as they were about to discuss serious matters, a commotion suddenly arose outside the door:

"Where is the Nanzhao delegation? I have been ordered to inspect the tribute!"

An official in a scarlet robe barged in with several attendants, his expression arrogant.