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

Chapter 59 The Eldest Princess's Plea for Help

Morning light streamed through the window and fell on Xiao Yulou's bed.

Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes, his arm still wrapped around his fourth sister-in-law's firm yet slender waist.

Xiao Yulou was fast asleep, his handsome features softened in his sleep, and a satisfied smile lingered on his lips.

Lin Chen quietly got up and put on his robe.

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, they heard the sound of their sister-in-law, Liu Ruyan, teaching Lin Nian'er to practice swordsmanship from not far away.

"Uncle Ba!" Lin Nian'er, with her sharp eyes, ran over as soon as she saw him.

Lin Chen smiled and picked her up, saying, "Nian'er is really hardworking."

Liu Ruyan walked over, glanced at him, and remained calm:

"Were you at your fourth sister's place last night?"

"Sister-in-law is really well-informed." Lin Chen said without changing his expression.

Liu Ruyan sighed softly, "You... watch your step. Fourth Sister is straightforward; don't bully her."

"How could I dare to bully Fourth Sister-in-law?" Lin Chen said with a smile. "Don't worry, Eldest Sister-in-law, I know what I'm doing."

Liu Ruyan gave him a deep look, said nothing more, and took Nian'er's hand to continue practicing her sword.

Lin Chen wandered around the mansion.

Second sister-in-law Chu Yueyao was preparing medicine in the pharmacy when she saw him pass by. Her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head to continue her work.

Third Sister-in-law Qin Shuyan was organizing books in the library. When she saw him come, she just nodded slightly, but there was a smile in her eyes.

Fifth Sister-in-law Wen Ruoxi has gone to Zuiyue Pavilion, and Sixth Sister-in-law Ye Qingying disappeared after delivering the briefing.

Seventh Sister-in-law Murong Xue was in the kitchen researching new dishes when she saw him and gave him a sweet smile.

After having breakfast, Lin Chen prepared to go to the military camp.

Just as he stepped out of the Zhenwu Hall, he saw his mother, Su Wanqing, walking towards him.

"Chen'er," Su Wanqing said with a happy expression, "your maternal grandfather is going to hold a birthday banquet!"

Lin Chen was taken aback: "Grandfather? He doesn't dislike..."

"Things are different now," Su Wanqing said excitedly.

"Thanks to your pill, not only have my old injuries healed, but my cultivation bottleneck has also been loosened."

My father said this is the best he's been in his ninety-three years, and he wants to throw a birthday banquet to celebrate!

"I see," Lin Chen suddenly realized.

When is the birthday banquet scheduled?

"Ten days later," Su Wanqing said.

"Your maternal grandfather specifically instructed that you must go, and that you must bring... your seven sisters-in-law."

Her expression was somewhat complicated when she mentioned "seven sisters-in-law".

"Don't worry, Mother, I will go," Lin Chen said with a smile. "You should come along too; Grandfather will definitely want to see you."

Su Wanqing's eyes reddened slightly: "Yes, Mother will naturally go. Over the years... it is Mother who has been unfilial, unable to visit her parents' home often."

"It's all in the past," Lin Chen comforted him.

"We should visit each other more often from now on."

After seeing his mother off, Lin Chen boarded a carriage and headed to the Tiger Legion camp.

On the way, he pondered the matter of his maternal grandfather's birthday banquet.

Old Master Su was a great Confucian scholar with students and friends all over the country, so this birthday banquet was sure to be packed with guests.

His presence with his seven sisters-in-law and mother is bound to cause a stir.

But it was also an opportunity to formally demonstrate the Lin family's unity to the outside world.

……

The Tiger Warriors' camp was bustling with activity on the drill ground.

Eight thousand cavalrymen are undergoing training.

Yuan Tiangang stood on the command platform to supervise the training, while Zhao Zilong instructed on spear techniques.

Eight burly generals, each leading a thousand cavalry... these were the "Eight Great Vajras" rewarded by the system.

When Lin Chen arrived, Yuan Tiangang greeted him: "My lord."

"How's it going?"

"It went very smoothly," Yuan Tiangang said.

"Each of the eight Vajra Warriors leads a thousand cavalrymen, and with their perfect coordination, they will surely become an elite force in three months."

Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction.

Although the Eight Vajras concealed their cultivation level to around the early stage of Grandmaster, their foundation as late-stage Grandmasters was still there, making them naturally adept at training soldiers.

What's even better is that, as characters summoned by the system, they are naturally familiar with Yuan Tiangang, Zhao Zilong, and others, saving them a lot of trouble in getting to know each other.

"Have the origins of the Eight Vajras been arranged?" Lin Chen asked.

"It's all arranged," Yuan Tiangang said in a low voice.

"It is said that the generals were secretly trained by the old Duke in his early years and have been secretly trained in the northern border."

Now that their lord has inherited the title, they have come to serve him; no one in the army doubts this claim.

Lin Chen nodded; this excuse was quite reasonable.

It's perfectly normal for Lin Tianxiong, the father, to secretly cultivate some talents, as he is a grandmaster.

He walked up to the Eight Vajras. Upon seeing him, all eight knelt on one knee.

Greetings, Lord!

His voice was loud and clear, and his manner was powerful.

"Get up," Lin Chen said with a smile. "Train hard. In three months, I want to see a true iron cavalry."

"We will certainly not fail the Lord's trust!"

After inspecting the military camp, Lin Chen was about to leave when he suddenly saw a simple carriage drive into the camp.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing the face of Princess Zhao Mingyue.

Lin Chen was taken aback, then stepped forward and bowed:

"Your Highness, I pay my respects. What brings you to the military camp?"

Zhao Mingyue got out of the car and smiled:

"I had nothing to do today, so I came to check on you. I hope the Duke doesn't mind?"

"It is an honor for the Tiger Legion to have Your Highness here," Lin Chen said.

"It's just that the military camp is rather crude, and I'm afraid it might offend Your Highness."

"It's alright." Zhao Mingyue glanced around the training ground, a look of admiration flashing in her eyes.

"In just half a month, the Tiger Legion has already begun to take shape. The Duke's military management is indeed effective."

"Your Highness is too kind. It is all thanks to Mr. Yuan and the generals," Lin Chen said modestly.

The two walked slowly along the edge of the training ground.

Zhao Mingyue suddenly said, "Does the Duke know that His Majesty has been quite troubled lately?"

"Your Majesty, I am foolish and ignorant, please enlighten me."

"The northern border is unstable, the southern frontier is in turmoil, and the eastern border is stirring with ambition," Zhao Mingyue sighed softly.

"Although there are many capable ministers in the court, few can truly share Your Majesty's burdens."

The Duke has now inherited the title and commands the Tiger Guard, enjoying His Majesty's deep trust. He should do his best to share His Majesty's burdens.

Lin Chen's heart stirred.

The princess's words seemed to have a deeper meaning.

"Your subject will do his utmost."

Zhao Mingyue glanced at him, then suddenly lowered her voice: "There's something... I'd like to ask the Duke for help."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"The grain transport in Jiangnan has recently been repeatedly robbed," Zhao Mingyue said.

"The loss is not only of money and grain, but also of the court's reputation. I have heard that the looters may be from the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) and have colluded with certain officials in the court."

"Since the Duke is in charge of the Imperial City Guard, could you secretly investigate this matter?"

Lin Chen suddenly realized that this was the true purpose of the Princess's visit today.

Using the guise of investigation to carry out rectification.

The Grand Canal is crucial to the nation's foundation and people's livelihood. If someone is indeed colluding with underworld forces to profit from it, it should indeed be investigated.

Moreover, this request is reasonable and justifiable; it is neither a private matter for the royal family nor a matter of national policy.

It is more flexible to have the eldest princess propose it than for the empress to issue an edict herself.

"Your subject obeys." Lin Chen cupped his hands in greeting. "I will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly."

Zhao Mingyue nodded in satisfaction: "Then I will trouble you, Duke. I cannot stay any longer, so I will take my leave now."

"Your Highness, I see you off."

After seeing the princess off, Lin Chen returned to the military camp and told Yuan Tiangang about the matter.

"The canal transport in Jiangnan..." Yuan Tiangang pondered, "This matter is indeed suspicious. I will arrange for the Bad People to investigate immediately."

"Yes, investigate thoroughly."