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

Chapter 538 The Empress's Thoughts

Everyone turned to look.

Empress Zhao Lingyang walked in from the entrance of the square.

Dressed in imperial attire, a black dragon robe, and a twelve-tassel crown with twelve strings of jade beads hanging in front of him, covering half of his face but unable to conceal his majesty.

The emperor's sword hangs at his waist, and the golden dragon on the scabbard glitters in the sunlight.

His steps were steady and his demeanor dignified, each step carrying the aura of an emperor.

He was holding a baby in his arms—Crown Prince Zhao Kun.

The little one was wrapped in a bright yellow swaddle, with only his little face showing. He was sleeping soundly, his little mouth slightly open, and his breathing was soft.

The entire square fell silent as soon as Zhao Lingyang appeared.

All eyes were on her, some with amazement, some with curiosity, some with scrutiny, and some with awe.

But there was more respect than anything else, not because she was the Empress, but because she was Lin Chen's woman and was holding Lin Chen's son in her arms.

The Emperor of Great Zhou glanced at the swaddled baby in Zhao Lingyang's arms, and his lips twitched.

The eyes of the Demon King lit up for a moment, then dimmed again.

The Flame Empress's gaze lingered on Zhao Lingyang for a moment, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.

Which of these powerful figures present wasn't a shrewd and calculating individual?

They already knew everything about Lin Chen's past.

Empress Zhao Lingyang, Lin Chen's woman.

Crown Prince Zhao Kun is Lin Chen's son.

Although Lin Chen and Zhao Lingyang never held a wedding ceremony, Zhao Kun also took his mother's surname.

But none of that matters. What matters is that Lin Chen acknowledges this son.

Zhang Yiyuan quickly went to greet him, beaming and bowing with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Your Majesty's presence is an honor to Tianyuan City. I have failed to greet you properly and hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Zhang Yiyuan addressed Zhao Lingyang as "Your Majesty" instead of "Madam Lin."

This is respect, and it's also about knowing your limits.

Lin Chen and Zhao Lingyang never had a wedding ceremony, so he can't just call them that.

Calling her Madam Lin is inappropriate; calling her Her Majesty the Empress is the safest bet.

Zhao Lingyang nodded slightly: "Lord Zhang, you are too kind. I have come here today for two reasons: first, to celebrate Lin Chen's success, and second, to bring my child out to broaden his horizons."

She glanced down at Zhao Kun in her arms, a gentle smile curving her lips.

"This child is cooped up in the palace all day; it's time for him to come out and get some fresh air."

Zhang Yiyuan glanced at Zhao Kun in his swaddling clothes and praised:

"His Highness the Crown Prince has the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix; he is clearly an outstanding individual and will surely become a wise and benevolent ruler when he grows up."

Zhao Lingyang smiled but didn't reply.

She knew that Zhang Yiyuan's words were three parts sincerity, three parts politeness, three parts flattery, and one part mere politeness.

But she found it pleasing to the ear.

Zhang Yiyuan stepped aside and gestured for them to proceed.

"Your Majesty, please come in. Young Master Lin's seat is in the center of the high platform. Please take the seat of honor."

Zhao Lingyang nodded and stepped onto the platform.

As she walked down the red carpet, the maids bowed and held up their flowers even higher.

As they passed the seats, the leaders of the various factions stood up and bowed in greeting.

Some people wanted to strike up a conversation, but seeing Zhao Lingyang's aura, they swallowed back the words they were about to say.

All eyes in the square followed the Empress from the entrance to the high platform.

Zhao Lingyang walked at a moderate pace, each step exuding the air of an emperor, without the slightest hint of the formality of a guest.

Zhao Kun, nestled in her arms, slept soundly, completely unaware of the commotion outside.

The central position on the high platform.

There were a few empty seats next to it.

Zhao Lingyang sat down in the first seat next to the main seat.

That spot had the best view; you could see the entire square and also clearly see Lin Chen on the high platform.

The maid immediately brought over tea, which was warm and just right for drinking.

Zhao Lingyang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked down at Zhao Kun in his arms.

The little one was still asleep, his mouth slightly open, breathing softly, the swaddle on his chest rising and falling.

She smiled slightly, put down the cup, and gently patted the swaddled baby.

The people in the audience each had their own thoughts, all waiting for that one person.

As the sun began to set and it approached the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), the void above Tianyuan City cracked open.

Lin Chen emerged from the crack, dressed in a moon-white robe, his hair tied up, a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and a faint smile on his lips.

He fell from the sky and landed right in front of the main seat.

Everyone in the square stood up, cupped their hands in a fist salute, and said in unison:

"Congratulations, Young Master Lin, on your breakthrough in cultivation! May your martial arts flourish!"

The sound was deafening, echoing through the sky, and even the wine glasses on the table trembled slightly.

Lin Chen stood on the high platform and glanced around at the audience.

Lingbo, Yan Ruyu, Mei Jiuniang, and Chi Meng were all sitting to his right, staring at Empress Zhao Lingyang.

Lin Chen's lips twitched, and he waved for everyone to sit down.

Zhao Lingyang looked at Lin Chen, a slight smile playing on his lips, then glared at him and said:

My arms are getting sore!

The sound wasn't loud, but Lin Chen heard it clearly.

A peak Celestial Immortal level cultivator, carrying a seven or eight pound child, and their arms get tired? You're kidding me.

But Lin Chen understood that this wasn't just a sore hand; it was a declaration of sovereignty.

"My man, I'm holding his son, my arms are sore, you have to comfort me."

Lin Chen smiled and reached out to take Zhao Kun's hand.

The little guy snuggled into his arms, wrinkled his nose, whimpered, and then went back to sleep.

She nestled her little face against his chest, found a comfortable position, and stayed still.

Lin Chen held his son in one arm and reached out with the other to gently pat Zhao Lingyang's hand.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Zhao Lingyang's lips curved slightly. He didn't say anything, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his eyes were full of smiles.

The leaders of various factions below the stage watched this scene with different expressions.

A glint flashed in the Flame Empress's eyes, and a certain thought arose in her mind.

Lin Chen glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, then said calmly:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I've invited you all here today for no other reason than—I'm happy."

Lin Chen's voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear it clearly, as if he were speaking right in their ears at dawn.

Everyone in the audience smiled kindly, even the city guards standing on the outermost edge laughed along.

"My cultivation has broken through, so I'm treating everyone to a meal. It's nothing big, I just want to have some fun with everyone."

"There's plenty of alcohol, plenty of meat, plenty of vegetables. Everyone, eat and drink to your heart's content, don't be shy."

The audience erupted in applause, with some shouting "Bravo!" and others exclaiming "Young Master Lin is so generous!"

Zhang Yiyuan stood below the stage, raised his hand, and announced in a loud voice, "Let the feast begin!"

The maids filed out of the kitchen carrying trays, each tray bearing a plate of exquisite dishes.

Steamed dragonfish, braised dragon meat, stewed phoenix with lingzhi mushrooms, lingzhi pork rib soup...

The dishes, with their perfect color, aroma, and taste, were served piping hot and placed on the table, filling the air with their fragrance.

One by one, the wine jars were brought up, and when the seals were broken, the aroma of wine filled the air.

Thousands of people in the square raised their glasses simultaneously and chanted in unison, "To Young Master Lin!"

Lin Chen held Zhao Kun with one arm and picked up a wine glass with the other, drinking it all in one gulp.

Zhao Kun rolled over in his arms, his little fist sticking out of the swaddling clothes, waving in the air, and then retracting.

Lin Chen looked down at his son and smiled.

The banquet began.

On the high platform, glasses clinked and toasts were exchanged; below, people sipped their drinks and toasted each other.

As the sun began to set, golden sunlight streamed onto the square and onto everyone's faces.

Laughter, singing, the sounds of rock-paper-scissors, and clinking glasses mingled together, creating a lively atmosphere like Chinese New Year.