xymnovel Chapter 102 Sister-in-law's Agreement
Chapter 102 Sister-in-law's Agreement
"Oh?"
"My divination reveals that the air of war in the northern border is growing increasingly tense," Li Chunfeng said solemnly.
"Although it is not obvious yet, there are signs that a major battle is about to break out."
"After His Majesty's coming of age, he will be going to patrol the northern border; I'm afraid... it won't be peaceful."
Lin Chen nodded:
"Understood. After the inspection and crowning, I will make a trip to the North."
Whatever Bei Shuo wants to do, they need to know that with our Duke's Mansion in the Northern Border of Dayan, they can't cause any trouble.
"My lord, you must be careful," Li Chunfeng reminded him.
"Wanyan Honglie is the sixth strongest on the Earth Ranking, with the cultivation level of a late-stage Grandmaster, and his ability to command troops is outstanding."
If Beishuo truly intends to move south, it will be with overwhelming force.
"Don't worry," Lin Chen said nonchalantly, "I know what I'm doing."
Li Chunfeng reported a few more things before taking his leave.
Lin Chen sat alone in the study, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.
Purple Robe Tower, the Royal Family, Northern Shuo... troubles just keep piling up.
It doesn't matter.
there is always a solution to a problem.
He now has enough strength to meet any challenge.
……
In the stillness of the night, Lin Chen arrived at the Plum Garden as promised.
Liu Ruyan had already prepared everything; several small dishes and a pot of warm wine were laid out on the table.
Seeing Lin Chen arrive, she blushed slightly: "Eighth Brother is here? Please have a seat."
Lin Chen sat down opposite her, raising his wine glass: "Sister-in-law, would you like to drink and admire the moon with me?"
"Stop being so cheeky," Liu Ruyan scolded.
"This is medicinal wine, specially prepared by my second sister. She said it helps... helps with pregnancy."
Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and her face grew redder and redder.
Lin Chen smiled: "Second sister-in-law is so thoughtful, then... shall we not let her kindness go to waste?"
Liu Ruyan glared at him, but then raised her glass: "Drink."
The two shared a drink.
The medicinal wine, when swallowed, has a warm and lingering sensation, which is quite unique.
After three cups, Liu Ruyan's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were brimming with tears.
She was already stunningly beautiful, and now she was even more radiant.
"Eighth brother..." she whispered, "I...I feel a little dizzy."
Lin Chen got up, walked to her side, and picked her up in his arms.
"Sister-in-law is drunk, let me take you back to your room."
Liu Ruyan wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her face in his chest, and softly murmured "Mmm".
Inside the bedroom, red candles flickered.
The curtains hang lightly, and spring is gradually intensifying.
Although Liu Ruyan had a strong personality, she was unusually gentle at this moment.
She took the initiative to kiss Lin Chen's lips.
That night, the lights in Plum Garden stayed on very late.
……
The next day, when Lin Chen woke up, Liu Ruyan was still fast asleep.
He gently got up, covered her with the blanket, and left the bedroom.
I had just stretched my limbs in the courtyard when a system notification sounded in my mind:
"Ding! Detection indicates a deepening relationship between the host and core family members, triggering a special reward!"
"Received: [Item - Pregnancy Elixir] ×10 bottles (Superior Earth Rank, increases the chance of conception and nourishes the fetus)"
"Acquired: [Martial Arts - Dragon and Phoenix Harmony Technique] Part 1 (High-grade Heaven-rank Dual Cultivation Technique, automatically perfected)"
Pregnancy Elixir?
Lin Chen's eyes lit up.
This thing came at just the right time.
What my grandmother and mother hope for most now is for my sisters-in-law to get pregnant so that the Lin family bloodline can continue.
As for the Dragon and Phoenix Harmony Technique, it can increase pleasure and enhance the cultivation of both parties, which is not bad.
He took a bottle of Pregnancy Elixir, placed it beside Liu Ruyan's pillow, and then left Plum Garden.
……
After leaving Plum Garden, Lin Chen went to Dark Fragrance Pavilion.
Ye Qingying was practicing her sword in the courtyard when she saw Lin Chen arrive. She sheathed her sword and stood still.
"Eighth Brother, so early?"
"I've come to talk to Sixth Sister-in-law about something." Lin Chen sat down opposite her.
"Any new developments at the Purple Robe Tower?"
Ye Qingying handed over a secret report:
"The spiritual energy fluctuations in Yin Jiuyou's seclusion site have intensified, and he may really have to come out of seclusion ahead of schedule."
Furthermore, the Purple Robe Tower's activities in the Northern Territory are becoming increasingly frequent, and they have made contact with several tribes in Northern Shuo.
"The Northern Shuo tribe?" Lin Chen frowned. "What are they planning to do?"
"I don't know." Ye Qingying shook her head.
"But the Purple Robe Tower seems to be training assassins for those tribes and teaching them martial arts. Although it's not a large-scale operation, it's very secretive."
Lin Chen pondered for a moment:
"Keep an eye on it. The Purple Robe Tower is definitely plotting something big. Once Yin Jiuyou comes out of seclusion, everything will be revealed."
"Understood." Ye Qingying paused, then whispered, "Eighth Brother, you... be careful."
Lin Chen was taken aback, then smiled: "Sixth Sister-in-law, are you worried about me?"
Ye Qingying blushed slightly and turned her head away: "I'm afraid that if something happens to you, it will implicate the manor."
"You're just saying one thing and meaning another." Lin Chen walked up to her and lifted her chin.
"Sixth Sister-in-law, you're getting cuter and cuter."
Ye Qingying glared at him, but didn't look away: "You're so unserious."
Lin Chen lowered his head and lightly kissed her lips: "Shall I come see you tonight?"
"...Whatever you want." Ye Qingying's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"Then it's settled." Lin Chen smiled and left.
Ye Qingying watched his departing figure, a slight smile playing on her lips, a tender look flashing in her eyes.
……
The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.
Empress Zhao Lingyang stood by the window, looking at the secret report in her hand, her brows slightly furrowed.
Qingluan stood behind her and reported in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo went to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion again today and met with the courtesan Yue Ji from the Western Regions."
However, he only listened to music and drank wine; he did not stay overnight.
"Moon Princess..." the Empress said calmly, "Have you investigated her background?"
"It's been investigated," Qingluan said.
"This woman's real name is Su Yue. She is from Jiangnan and is indeed the daughter of a collateral branch of the Su family."
Three years ago, her family fell into poverty and she ended up in prostitution.
She disguised herself as a dancer from the Western Regions to raise her status; she had no special background.
"The Su family..." The Empress mused.
"Lin Chen's fiancée, Su Xiaoxiao, is the eldest daughter of the Su family. Could this Su Yue... be a pawn planted by the Su family to surround Lin Chen?"
"It shouldn't be." Qingluan shook her head. "Su Yue entered the Hundred Flowers Pavilion first, and Lin Chen's marriage to the Su family came later."
Furthermore, Su Yue and Su Xiaoxiao have no connection whatsoever; it seems to be just a coincidence.
The Empress nodded, then asked, "How's the investigation going with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"
"We can't find out." Qingluan smiled bitterly.
"The mansion is filled with array formations, suggesting that a true Celestial Realm expert is in charge. Our spies simply cannot get in."
From the outside, it can be observed that Lin Chen has 500 Great Dragon Snow Riders, all of whom are at the first rank, and 300 guards inside the manor, the lowest of whom are at the third rank.
There are also eight female sword attendants, all of whom are at the mid-stage of the Grandmaster level, who serve as personal guards for the female members of the family.
The Eight Vajra Warriors are all Grandmasters, and Zhao Zilong, the deputy commander of the Tiger Army, is suspected to be at the peak of the Grandmaster level.
Mr. Bai of Zuiyuexuan is suspected to be at the peak of the Grandmaster level.
The thirteen bodyguards sent to Jiangnan were all peak-level grandmasters.
There's also Yuan Tiangang, a half-step Celestial, and Li Chunfeng, a suspected Celestial expert.
Furthermore, the Tiger Legion's 8,000 iron cavalry have completed training and possess formidable combat power.
"Not only..." The Empress's eyes were deep, "The Duke's mansion has even more hidden experts, at least at the late stage of the Celestial Realm."
Qingluan remained silent, knowing that the Empress must have already sent a celestial being to investigate.
The Empress remained silent for a long time, then sighed softly, "Lin Chen, oh Lin Chen, you've really given me a difficult problem!"
She turned and looked at another confidential report on the table: "What about Beishuo?"
"Wanyan Honglie's suppression of the bandits is progressing smoothly; the Black Wind Bandits have been routed," Qingluan said.
"But the Northern Shuo army did not withdraw; instead, they built fortifications and stockpiled grain and fodder on the border."
The Ministry of War suspects that the Northern Shuo may intend to invade the south.
"Wanyan Honglie..." A cold glint flashed in the Empress's eyes.
"That old fox wouldn't go to the border without a reason. He ordered the Zhenbei Army to strengthen its defenses and be ready to meet the enemy at any time."
"Yes."
"And also," the Empress paused, "how are the preparations for Lin Chen's coming-of-age ceremony going?"
"The Ministry of Rites is fully prepared," Qingluan said.
"Minister Su is personally overseeing the event, and everything is being done at the highest level. The date is set for the eighth day of next month, when His Majesty will be present and all officials will be in attendance."
The Empress nodded: "I trust Su Wenyuan to handle things."
She walked to the imperial desk, picked up the vermilion pen, and began to review a memorial.
He stopped writing halfway through his critique and asked, "Qingluan, what do you think of Lin Chen...?"
Qingluan was taken aback, and said cautiously:
"Although Duke Lin appears to be unrestrained and unconventional, he is actually meticulous and skillful."
The Tiger Warriors were formed and handled the grain transport in Jiangnan with great skill.
Moreover, he treats his family extremely well; all eight wives in his household are devoted to him… He is a capable man.
"If you've got the guts..." the Empress murmured.
"Yes, he is indeed capable. But the more capable he is, the more uneasy I feel... He has too many hidden cards up his sleeve."
Qingluan dared not reply.
The Empress remained silent for a long time, then sighed softly:
"Alright, let's wait and see. As long as he is loyal to the country, I will certainly not treat him unfairly. But if he has ulterior motives..."
A hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.