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

Chapter 172 Discussing Wedding Details

"Mother, dignity is given by others, but it is also earned by oneself," Lin Chen said solemnly.

"My Lin family is full of loyal martyrs; my father and brothers all died on the battlefield."

I just won another victory in the North, and that's what gives me this confidence.

Since the Empress has spoken, it means she has tacitly agreed.

As for those people in the Ministry of Rites—”

Lin Chen sneered: "If they're so capable, let them guard the northern border and see if they'll still listen to the rules when the Northern Shu Iron Cavalry comes."

These words were spoken with such authority that the eyes of the sisters-in-law and Su Xiaoxiao lit up.

Xiao Yulou clapped his hands in praise: "That's right! Eighth Brother is now the backbone of Dayan. What's wrong with him marrying a princess?"

Besides, the princess's decision was entirely of her own volition; it was a matter of mutual affection. Who was it to bother?

Ye Qingying nodded in agreement: "Those old men talk about classical Chinese all day long, but when it comes to actual fighting, they run faster than anyone else."

The old lady pondered for a moment, then looked at Su Xiaoxiao: "Xiaoxiao, what do you think?"

Everyone looked at the legitimate wife.

Although they were marrying Lin Chen, they were, in principle, still the wives of the other wives, unlike Su Xiaoxiao who was officially married.

Su Xiaoxiao smiled slightly.

"Grandmother, since my husband likes it, I naturally have no objection."

Her Highness the Eldest Princess is gentle, virtuous, well-educated, and reasonable. Xiaoxiao will treat her with courtesy and will never put her husband in a difficult position.

That's a very dignified and sophisticated way of saying it.

Lin Chen quickly chimed in, "Look! Little one is so sensible and has such a broad perspective!"

Su Xiaoxiao smiled sweetly at Lin Chen.

She didn't care how many wives Lin Chen married; all she knew was that this man had her in his heart, and that was enough.

The old lady sighed, "Alright, alright, since His Majesty has made his decision, this old woman won't say anything more."

However, since we are going to marry her, we have to follow the rules. The eldest princess is of royal blood, and the proper etiquette cannot be neglected.

Seven days from now is an auspicious day; you should send the betrothal gifts first.

The eighth day of next month is also an auspicious day, perfect for holding the wedding.

"Alright, I'll listen to Grandmother." Lin Chen nodded.

"What about Princess Dongli?" asked her mother, Su Wanqing.

"After all, she is a princess from a neighboring country. If this is not handled properly, it may cause gossip."

Lin Chen leaned back, looking languid:

"She's just an extra. Dongli wanted to use a honey trap, so I played along."

However, she is, after all, a princess of a country, so she has to maintain appearances.

As I mentioned before, the betrothal gifts should be 100,000 taels of gold, plus some jewelry and silk. As long as we don't skimp on the formalities, that's fine.

"Once she's inside, she just needs to behave herself. I don't expect her to be truly on our side."

Ye Qingying frowned slightly: "Liu Shengxue is a noble lady of the Dongli royal family. She is willing to be your concubine. I'm afraid she has ulterior motives."

"Who cares what she's after?" Lin Chen laughed nonchalantly.

"With the current strength of our manor, any conspiracy or trickery is just a paper tiger."

With Guan Yu and Li Bai, two legendary figures on land, in command, who in the Eastern Region would dare to act recklessly?

These words were arrogant, but no one present thought they were wrong.

The Prince's Mansion certainly has the financial strength to back it up.

As for Lin Chen making a fuss from time to time, everyone had gotten used to it.

But the old lady still gave her instructions:

"Our Lin family is now too big to be ignored, so we should try to make as few enemies as possible."

Although Dong Li's motives were not pure, he should not treat a woman harshly.

"Just be careful, after she enters the household... don't give her any children yet."

She paused, looked at Lin Chen, and said earnestly:

"Chen'er, you are now the Prince of Zhenbei, the head of your family, no longer the spoiled brat you used to be."

Countless eyes are watching you outside the mansion. Think twice before you act, understand?

"Grandson understands," Lin Chen replied solemnly.

"Good, I understand." The old lady smiled.

"However, we must be arrogant when necessary. Our Lin family has the confidence to do so now."

"As long as you don't rebel or bring disaster to the country, you can marry as many wives as you want; Grandma supports you."

"Hehe, Grandma still loves me the most." Lin Chen chuckled and went over to massage the old lady's shoulders.

Su Wanqing laughed and scolded, "You're so good at sweet-talking people!"

Of her eight children, only Lin Chen knew how to coax people from a young age, which fostered his spoiled and dissolute lifestyle.

The family chatted for a while longer, then the old lady, being elderly, needed to take a nap, and everyone prepared to disperse.

As soon as Lin Chen stood up, he was surrounded by several of his sisters-in-law.

"Eighth brother, are you trying to slip away already?" Wen Ruoxi said with a half-smile.

"Exactly! Now that the eldest sisters all have children, and the eldest princess is almost ready to marry into the family, you need to come up with a plan and give it your all!"

Since it concerned the continuation of her bloodline, Chu Yueyao became bolder.

"Indeed!" Murong Xue chimed in, "Eighth Brother, you can't show favoritism!"

Lin Chen's scalp tingled, and he instantly felt a slight pain in his kidneys:

"Sisters-in-law, let me catch my breath first..."

Wen Ruoxi snorted lightly, "That won't do, unless..."

"Unless what?" Lin Chen asked warily.

The three women exchanged a glance and said in unison:

"Unless you agree to let us conceive before the Princess enters the household!"

Lin Chen: "..."

Goodness, this is going to drain him dry.

Su Xiaoxiao covered her mouth and laughed, while Liu Ruyan and the others also smiled, looking like they were watching a show.

Finally, the old lady spoke up: "Alright, alright, stop teasing Chen'er."

"No one can predict pregnancy, you all need to take care of Chen'er's health!"

The sisters-in-law then let Lin Chen go, but their eyes revealed a resentment.

Lin Chen fled from the front hall as if escaping. Just as he reached the corridor, he heard footsteps behind him.

When I turned around, it was Su Xiaoxiao.

"Why are you running so fast?" Su Xiaoxiao walked over with a smile.

"How can I not run away? If I stay any longer, I'm afraid they'll tear me apart alive." Lin Chen exaggeratedly wiped away his sweat.

Su Xiaoxiao walked to Lin Chen's side, gently took his arm, and said softly:

"Husband, I'm not in a hurry. You should take care of my sisters-in-law first!"

"My wife is so understanding!" Lin Chen said with a smile. "I'll make it up to you tonight!"

"real?"

Su Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up. She didn't say she was in a hurry, but she wasn't really worried.

As the first wife of the eight families, she did not want to fall behind others.

"Of course, you bear the bloodline of our family!"

As Lin Chen spoke, he gave Su Xiaoxiao a hard kiss on the cheek.

Su Xiaoxiao's cheeks flushed slightly. She glanced at the guards and maids not far away and said in a low voice:

"What Nian'er said today will probably spread throughout the capital very soon."

Lin Chen chuckled: "Let the rumors spread. My wife and I are very loving. Who does it bother?"

Besides, everyone in the household is reliable and won't spread rumors.

"You're so cheeky." Su Xiaoxiao gently pinched Lin Chen, then said seriously:

"Seriously, have you really thought things through regarding the Princess?"

Lin Chen put away his joking expression and nodded:

"I've thought it through, Zhao Mingyue... she's had a tough time."

The Empress betrothed her to me, both to win her over and to give her someone to rely on. I am not one to let a beauty down.

"What about Princess Dongli?"

"Yagyuu Yuki?" Lin Chen scoffed.

"The Dongli royal family sent her here to either plant a pawn by my side or to keep me in check for the time being."

I decided to play along and give her a title, which would both keep Dongli in check and allow me to see what tricks they were up to.

Anyway, they're right under my nose, they can't cause any trouble.

Su Xiaoxiao nodded: "It's good that you know what I'm talking about. I'm just worried that... with more and more women in the manor, there will inevitably be trouble in the future."

"That Miss Lan is still in the manor; I don't think her intentions towards you are pure!"

"Who cares what she thinks!" Lin Chen smiled nonchalantly.

"If you have too many lice, you won't be afraid of being bitten. Why not eat what's offered to you?"

Lin Chen paused for a moment, then said with a serious expression:

"Xiaoxiao, no matter how many wives I marry, you will always be the most important person in my heart. In our family, you're the boss."

Su Xiaoxiao's eyes were slightly red as she leaned on Lin Chen's shoulder.

"I know, I just... I'm just worried you'll get too tired."

"Tired?" Lin Chen laughed. "With such an understanding wife like you, what do I have to be tired about?"

After spending some time together, Lin Chen made an excuse to inform Zhao Mingyue about the betrothal gifts, changed his clothes, and left the palace.