xymnovel Chapter 48 is boring.
Chapter 48 is boring.
West Market, Huji Restaurant.
Lin Chen requested a private room, ordered roasted lamb leg and grape wine, and leaned against the window to watch the street scene.
Lin Wu and two guards stood watch outside the door.
The West Market was bustling with activity in the afternoon, with merchants from Central Asia leading camels and vendors hawking their exotic goods.
There were also orchids dancing in the street, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Lin Chen sipped his grape wine, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
This is the kind of life a time traveler should lead.
With money, power, and beautiful women, one can relax by listening to music, strolling through the streets, and enjoying delicious food.
Fighting and killing are too tiring.
Just as I was enjoying myself, a commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.
"Young Master Wang, I reserved this seat first!"
"You ordered it? Call it and see if it responds?"
Lin Chen peeked out and saw two young men in brocade robes arguing, surrounded by onlookers.
He recognized one of them—Wang Sheng, the eldest son of the third branch of the Wang family, who had lost power and dared not show his face in front of him.
The other one was unfamiliar, but judging from his clothes, he was also from a prominent family.
"Tsk, spoiled brats fighting." Lin Chen was uninterested.
Just as he was about to look away, he saw Wang Sheng wave his hand, and four guards behind him stepped forward, ready to fight.
The young master opposite him was not to be outdone, and he also had guards by his side.
With a fight seemingly imminent, the restaurant owner was frantic with worry.
Lin Chen sighed.
He didn't want to get involved in other people's business, but the commotion would disrupt his meal.
"Lin Wu".
"exist."
"Go down and tell them that if they want to fight, they should go outside and fight. Don't disturb my enjoyment."
Lin Wu accepted the order and went downstairs.
A moment later, the area downstairs became quiet.
Lin Chen continued drinking and eating meat.
Shortly after, Lin Wu returned and reported:
"Eighth Master, it's settled. As soon as Wang Sheng heard it was you, he slunk away with his guards."
That young man, surnamed Zhang, is from Jiangnan. He said he wanted to come up and thank you.
"No need," Lin Chen waved his hand. "Just let him eat in peace."
He didn't want to cause trouble.
The Zhang family of Jiangnan? Never heard of them, probably just a minor aristocratic family.
After finishing his roasted lamb leg, Lin Chen strolled around the West Market and bought some novelties.
The jade hairpin for the eldest sister-in-law, the pharmacopoeia for the second sister-in-law (from system check-in), the inkstone for the third sister-in-law, and the dagger for the fourth sister-in-law (from system check-in).
A veil for Sixth Sister-in-law, exotic spices for Seventh Sister-in-law, Buddhist prayer beads for Mother, and a warm jade pillow for Grandmother.
Of course, what he gave Wen Ruoxi was a pair of jade earrings, which he personally selected.
It was already evening when they returned to the mansion.
Lin Chen first went to pay his respects to his grandmother and presented her with a warm jade pillow.
The old lady smiled broadly: "You child, you've finally learned to be filial."
"My grandson has always been filial," Lin Chen said with a grin.
"Stop being so glib." The old lady glared at him, but her eyes were full of affection.
"Have you memorized all the rules for tomorrow's court session?"
"I've got it, I've got it." Lin Chen replied perfunctorily. "Speak less, nod more, answer His Majesty's questions, and don't say a word unless asked."
"You..." The old lady shook her head helplessly, but didn't say anything more.
She felt reassured now that Lin Chen was acting with discretion.
After leaving his grandmother's courtyard, Lin Chen went to his mother's place.
Su Wanqing was chanting sutras in the Buddhist hall.
"Mother, this is for you." Lin Chen handed over the Buddhist prayer beads.
Su Wanqing took it, her eyes slightly red: "Chen'er, you're so thoughtful."
After the mother and son talked for a while, Lin Chen took his leave.
Then, he went to each of the courtyards in turn and delivered the gifts to them one by one.
When the eldest sister-in-law, Liu Ruyan, received the jade hairpin, a smile appeared on her face: "Eighth brother, you've gone to so much trouble."
Second sister-in-law Chu Yueyao held the pharmacopoeia, unable to put it down:
"This is a unique copy! Where did Eighth Brother find it?"
Third Sister-in-law Qin Shuyan stroked the inkstone, a look of joy flashing in her eyes:
"This...this is a work by a master from the previous dynasty; it's priceless and unavailable."
Fourth Sister-in-law Xiao Yulou examined the dagger, her eyes shining: "A fine knife! Thank you, Eighth Brother!"
Sixth Sister-in-law Ye Qingying took the veil and whispered, "...It suits you very well."
Seventh Sister-in-law Murong Xue smelled the spices and smiled gently:
"This tastes like home... Eighth Brother, thank you."
Finally, Lin Chen arrived at Ningxiang Courtyard.
Wen Ruoxi had just returned from Zuiyue Pavilion and was removing her makeup.
Seeing Lin Chen enter, she turned around and smiled, "Did you have a good time shopping today, Eighth Brother?"
"It's alright." Lin Chen walked behind her and put the jade earrings on her ears. "This is for Fifth Sister-in-law."
In the bronze mirror, Wen Ruoxi looked at the swaying jade on her earlobe, her eyes rippling with emotion:
"It's so beautiful..."
Lin Chen leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I'm glad you like it, Fifth Sister-in-law."
A warm breath brushed against her ear, and Wen Ruoxi trembled, her cheeks flushing slightly: "Eighth Brother..."
"Um?"
"Where did you find that Miss Dongfang Bai?" Wen Ruoxi changed the subject.
"She played a piece in the Qin Yun Pavilion, and it was truly... breathtaking. Even the young master of the Su family said that this piece should only exist in heaven."
Lin Chen smiled.
Dongfang Bubai's musical skills were naturally beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"If Fifth Sister-in-law likes it, let her stay permanently. Her wages will be paid from the mansion, at the highest standard."
"Okay." Wen Ruoxi nodded, then suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, the young master of the Su family asked about the cooperation again today, saying he wants to meet you."
"Tomorrow," Lin Chen said. "I'll go to Zuiyue Pavilion to see him after I return from court tomorrow."
Wen Ruoxi agreed and got up to order dinner, but Lin Chen stopped her.
"Fifth Sister-in-law," Lin Chen looked at her, a smile in his eyes, "can I stay here tonight...?"
Wen Ruoxi blushed even more, lowered her head and said softly, "Eighth Brother, if you want to stay, then stay. Why ask me..."
"That won't do," Lin Chen said seriously. "It has to be Fifth Sister-in-law's permission."
Wen Ruoxi looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears: "I...agree."
Lin Chen smiled and picked her up in his arms.
"Ah!" Wen Ruoxi exclaimed, then buried her face in his chest, her voice barely audible, "We haven't had dinner yet..."
"No rush for dinner." Lin Chen carried her towards the inner room. "Let's take care of business first."
Red candles flickered, and gauze curtains hung gently.
That night, Lin Chen completely let loose.
His previous life's tens of gigabytes of learning materials gave him a wealth of theoretical knowledge, but he lacked practical experience.
Wen Ruoxi had never experienced anything like this before, and she was both shy and timid, but under Lin Chen's guidance, she gradually got into the swing of things.
They didn't fall asleep until the third watch of the night, embracing each other.
Before falling asleep, Lin Chen vaguely thought:
I have to attend court tomorrow... Oh well, I guess I'll just have to be late.
Anyway, he's a spoiled brat.
The next day, at 3:45 AM.
Lin Chen was gently woken up by Wen Ruoxi:
"Eighth brother, it's time to get up; it's time for court."
Lin Chen opened his eyes, looked at the pitch-black sky outside the window, and covered his face in anguish:
"Why is the court session so early...?"
Wen Ruoxi couldn't help but laugh and personally helped him get dressed.
The court robes were elaborate, and she meticulously adjusted them for him, finally putting on his official hat.
In the bronze mirror, Lin Chen was dressed in a purple robe and jade belt, with a majestic crown that accentuated his handsome face and extraordinary bearing.
But those eyes still carried a sleepy, languid quality.
"My eighth brother is so handsome." Wen Ruoxi straightened his hat, her eyes full of pride.
Lin Chen leaned over and kissed her: "Fifth Sister-in-law is beautiful too."
"Stop fooling around..." Wen Ruoxi pushed him, "Go on, don't be late for your first court session."
Lin Chen sighed, turned around and went out.
The carriage was ready in front of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Yuan Tiangang disguised himself as a coachman and drove the carriage himself. Having a half-step celestial being as the coachman was both safe and prestigious.
The carriage headed towards the imperial city.
Lin Chen leaned back in the car, closing his eyes to rest.
He thought to himself: Today's court assembly will probably just be a formality.
The Empress might ask a few questions about the Northern Frontier, but he could just brush them off.
After court, I went to Zuiyue Pavilion to see Su Mo, and then... continued to lie down.
perfect.