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

Chapter 88 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom

When Lin Chen left the palace, it was already afternoon.

The carriage returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, where the area in front of the gate had already been cleaned up.

As soon as Lin Chen got out of the car, he saw Lin Fu and a group of servants waiting for him at the door.

"Welcome back to the Duke's residence!" the crowd shouted in unison.

Lin Chen waved his hand: "Alright, alright, stop with the formalities. Is Miss Su settled in?"

Lin Fu quickly said:

"Your Excellency, the Old Madam has instructed that Miss Su be settled in the main courtyard of the West Garden. Everything there has been prepared and is fully equipped."

"Okay." Lin Chen nodded. "I'll go take a look."

He walked straight to the West Garden, the place where he used to live.

Su Xiaoxiao was packing her luggage in the courtyard, with several maids helping her.

Upon seeing Lin Chen arrive, she quickly greeted him, "Young Master is back."

Lin Chen reached out and patted Su Xiaoxiao's head.

"You can stay here for now. If you need anything, just tell Uncle Fu, or come directly to me."

"It's already very good," Su Xiaoxiao said softly. "It's even more spacious than the courtyard in the Su family home."

"That's good." Lin Chen sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard.

"By the way, has Fourth Sister-in-law told you about the situation at the manor?"

Su Xiaoxiao nodded: "Mrs. Lin has already told Xiaoxiao about it."

Each of my seven older sisters has her own strengths and they are all wonderful people. I will try my best to get along well with them.

"Don't be so formal," Lin Chen said with a smile.

"They are all very nice people and won't make things difficult for you, but... there are two people you need to be careful with."

"Who?"

"My eldest sister-in-law, Liu Ruyan, is strong-willed and values ​​rules above all else; my sixth sister-in-law, Ye Qingying, is mysterious, taciturn, and not easy to get close to," Lin Chen said.

"As for the others, Second Sister-in-law is gentle, Third Sister-in-law is virtuous, Fifth Sister-in-law is shrewd and capable, Seventh Sister-in-law is dignified, and you are already familiar with Fourth Sister-in-law. Take your time, there's no rush."

Su Xiaoxiao carefully wrote it down: "Xiaoxiao understands."

Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Chu Yueyao walked in carrying a food box. Seeing Lin Chen there, a gentle smile bloomed on her face:

"Is Eighth Brother here too? I made some ginseng chicken soup to nourish my little sister."

"Second sister-in-law, you're so kind," Lin Chen said with a smile.

Chu Yueyao placed the food box on the stone table and took Su Xiaoxiao's hand:

"Little sister, if you're new here and there, just say so. There aren't many rules in our household, so just be at ease."

Su Xiaoxiao said gratefully, "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law."

"Don't mention it." Chu Yueyao looked at Lin Chen again, her eyes filled with longing.

"Eighth Brother, you've been gone for over a month and you've lost a lot of weight. Come to my place tonight, I'll take your pulse and prescribe some medicine to help you recover."

Looking into her gentle, watery eyes, Lin Chen felt a warmth in his heart: "Okay."

Chu Yueyao said a few more words, then took her leave.

After she left, Su Xiaoxiao whispered, "Second sister-in-law is such a kind person."

"My second sister-in-law comes from a family of renowned healers, and she's incredibly kind-hearted." Lin Chen stood up.

"Alright, you can take your time packing. I'm going to see my second sister-in-law."

"Please wait, young master."

……

A faint fragrance of medicine wafted through the Apricot Grove Garden.

Chu Yueyao blushed when she saw Lin Chen arrive so quickly:

"Eighth brother...didn't you say it would be tonight?"

"I miss my second sister-in-law, I can't wait." Lin Chen walked up behind her and gently hugged her from behind.

Chu Yueyao trembled. She turned around, looked up at Lin Chen, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Eighth brother... I miss you too."

After more than a month of separation, longing has already entwined my heart like vines.

Lin Chen lowered his head and kissed her, and Chu Yueyao initially gave a symbolic push.

She quickly softened in his arms and reached out to wrap her arms around his neck.

The kiss deepened, their breaths mingling.

Lin Chen picked her up and carried her into the inner room.

Chu Yueyao buried her face in his chest, too shy to look up.

The inner room was draped with curtains, and the fragrance of medicine was mixed with a seductive atmosphere.

Her clothes were loosened slightly, and the silk curtains swayed.

The two, who had been separated for so long, were both overcome with emotion upon their reunion. Chu Yueyao was more proactive than ever before, her gentleness tinged with a hint of eagerness.

As the passion subsided, Chu Yueyao leaned against Lin Chen's chest, her fingertips lightly tracing patterns on his chest.

"Eighth brother...have you encountered any danger in the past month or so?"

"No." Lin Chen hugged her tighter. "With my second sister-in-law waiting for me at home, how could I let anything happen to me?"

"You're so glib," Chu Yueyao said lightly, but her eyes were full of sweetness.

"Oh, right, I brought you a gift." Lin Chen took out a small jade bottle from his ring:

"This is 'Hibiscus Jade Dew,' a specialty of Jiangnan. It has beauty and skin-nourishing effects. Second sister-in-law, try it. If it works well, I'll have someone bring more."

Chu Yueyao accepted it, her eyes flashing with surprise: "Thank you, Eighth Brother."

She carefully put the jade bottle away, then remembered something: "Oh right, don't worry about Su Xiaoxiao, I'll take good care of her."

"With my second sister-in-law here, I feel at ease." Lin Chen kissed her forehead.

After a few more tender moments, Lin Chen got up and dressed.

Chu Yueyao helped him straighten his robes and said softly, "Will you come again tonight?"

"Come on," Lin Chen said with a smile, "but it'll be a little later. I'll go check on Seventh Sister-in-law first."

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

……

When Lin Chen came out of Xinglin Garden, he supported his back.

Although Chu Yueyao was gentle, the passion of their long-awaited reunion was truly exhausting.

Although he possesses the strength of a Grandmaster at the peak of his cultivation, this ability is unrelated to his actual strength.

Moreover, he didn't stop much along the way.

He smiled and shook his head, then walked towards Xuemei Courtyard.

Murong Xue was pruning plum blossoms in the courtyard when she saw Lin Chen arrive. She put down her pruning shears and went to greet him.

"Eighth Brother."

Lin Chen walked to her side and looked at the carefully tended plum branches: "Seventh Sister-in-law's skills are getting better and better."

"Eighth Brother is teasing me." Murong Xue blushed slightly. "Sit down, I'll make you some tea."

She brewed Zhaomeng tea, a specialty of the Nanzhao Kingdom, which has a delicate and elegant aroma.

Lin Chen took a sip and praised, "Seventh Sister-in-law's tea is still the best."

Murong Xue sat down beside him and carefully examined his face:

"Eighth brother has lost weight. The trip to Jiangnan... must have been very tiring?"

"It's alright." Lin Chen held her hand and said against his will, "I'm sorry to have worried Seventh Sister-in-law."

"It's understandable that I'm worried." Murong Xue lowered her head. "You are the pillar of the Lin family, you can't afford to get hurt."

Looking at her gentle appearance, Lin Chen's heart softened, and he pulled her into his arms.

"Seventh Sister-in-law, have you missed me these past month or so?"

"I want to..." Murong Xue leaned against his chest.

"I think about it every day, and I can't sleep well at night because of it."

"It won't happen again," Lin Chen said softly.

"The matter in Jiangnan is settled. I will basically not leave the capital unless there is something else going on, so I can spend more time with you all."

"Hmm." Murong Xue looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "Eighth Brother, from Nanzhao... Uncle Wang has sent a letter."

"Oh? What did you say?"

"Uncle Wang said that he appreciates your help in resolving the situation last time. My father wishes to formally ally with you and is willing to pay annual tribute of medicinal herbs and spices in exchange for the Lin family's protection," Murong Xue said.

"What does Eighth Brother think?"

Lin Chen pondered for a moment: "An alliance is fine, but there's no need for tribute. Normal trade is fine."

As for shelter... Seventh Sister-in-law's family is Lin's relative, so naturally they should be taken care of.

Murong Xue said gratefully, "Thank you, Eighth Brother."

"No need to thank me," Lin Chen said with a smile. "By the way, I brought a gift for Seventh Sister-in-law."

He took out a string of purple crystal necklaces from his pocket; each crystal was crystal clear and sparkled with a dreamlike luster in the sunlight.

"This is amethyst, a specialty of Jiangnan. It is said to have calming and beautifying effects. I think it would be a perfect match for Seventh Sister-in-law."

Murong Xue took the necklace, her eyes flashing with amazement: "So beautiful..."

"Let me put it on for you."

Lin Chen put the necklace on her.

The purple crystal accentuated her fair neck, making her appear even more noble and elegant.

"Is it pretty?" Murong Xue asked.

"You look good." Lin Chen lowered his head and kissed the side of her neck. "Seventh Sister-in-law looks good in anything."

Murong Xue blushed and leaned into his arms.

The two embraced and talked for a while, when Lin Chen suddenly felt the person in his arms become a little weak.

He looked down and saw that Murong Xue's eyes were glistening with tears and her cheeks were flushed.

"Seventh Sister-in-law?" he called softly.

Murong Xue didn't answer, but instead reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him first.

The kiss was tender and lingering, carrying the unique gentleness of the Nanzhao princess.

Lin Chen responded to her, gently stroking her waist.

When the curtains were lifted again, it was already dusk.

Lin Chen emerged from the inner room, supporting his back, and shook his head with a wry smile.

Murong Xue may seem gentle, but she is exceptionally passionate when she is aroused. In addition, the women of Nanzhao have a special constitution, and this passionate encounter almost broke his back.

Murong Xue followed behind, her face flushed, carefully straightening his robes:

"Eighth brother...are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Lin Chen said, forcing a smile. "It's just... I'm a little tired."

"Then get some rest tonight," Murong Xue said softly. "I'll have the kitchen prepare some nourishing soup."

"No need for now, I need to go see Fifth Sister-in-law."

"..."