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

Chapter 173 Princess's Residence

The eldest princess's residence was located in Mingyue Garden in the east of the city.

"The prince has arrived!" The gatekeeper grinned from ear to ear.

As their future masters, they knew months ago that Lin Chen was to marry the princess.

Lin Chen casually tossed a gold bean over:

"Here's what I'm giving you, lead the way."

Upon entering the garden, Lin Chen's eyes darted around.

The Mingyue Garden is elegantly decorated, with pavilions and towers arranged in a harmonious and orderly manner.

It just lacked the liveliness of his palace, but had a more tranquil atmosphere.

After passing through two corridors, you can see a golden expanse in the garden from afar, where the chrysanthemums are in full bloom.

Zhao Mingyue, dressed in a light blue dress, was bending over to look at the flowers.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around with a gentle smile on her face.

"Why are you here?"

The voice was soft and gentle, and it was pleasant to listen to.

Lin Chen chuckled and walked a few steps to her:

"I've come to see you. What, aren't you welcome?"

"How could I dare?" Zhao Mingyue smiled lightly, "I just didn't expect you to come today."

The two walked slowly side by side in the garden.

Lin Chen turned his head to look at Zhao Mingyue, who was tall and only half a head shorter than him.

Although she was eight years older than him, she looked to be only in her early twenties.

Her Grandmaster-level cultivation gave her delicate skin, and having gone through a marriage, she exuded a calm demeanor, unlike the impetuousness of a young girl.

"Grandmother has chosen the wedding date," Lin Chen said bluntly.

"The eighth day of next month is an auspicious day. The betrothal gifts will be delivered in seven days. Feel free to make any requests you may have."

Zhao Mingyue paused, turned to look at Lin Chen, and asked, "So rushed?"

"Is it in a hurry?" Lin Chen blinked. "I already think it's too late. What, doesn't the Princess want to marry me soon?"

"No," Zhao Mingyue shook her head, "I just feel... it's a bit too fast."

The two walked to a pavilion and sat down.

A maid served tea and snacks, and Zhao Mingyue personally poured Lin Chen a cup of tea.

Lin Chen took the teacup, his fingers "accidentally" touching the back of Zhao Mingyue's hand.

Zhao Mingyue rolled her eyes at Lin Chen, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.

"What is Your Highness doing?"

"It was a slip of the hand." Lin Chen said without changing his expression. "By the way, I've made a rough list of betrothal gifts. Take a look and see if there's anything else you want to add."

He took a roll of paper out of his pocket and handed it to him.

Zhao Mingyue took it, unfolded it, read a few lines, and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Isn't this gift... a bit too much?"

The list was densely packed with over eighty loads of gold, silver, jade, silk, satin, farms, and shops—a higher standard than that of a prince marrying his principal wife.

"It's not heavy." Lin Chen crossed his legs.

"Marrying the Princess requires a grand ceremony. Besides, when has my woman, Lin Chen's woman, ever been mistreated?"

Zhao Mingyue put the order form back on the table, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.

"You can decide for me, Mingyue doesn't have any requests."

That's what she said, but Lin Chen could see a faint smile in her eyes.

"Really no requests?" Lin Chen leaned closer.

"For example...where will we live after we get married? My mansion is big, but if you want to stay at Mingyue Garden occasionally, that's fine too."

"A woman should follow her husband," Zhao Mingyue said softly, "naturally, she should stay in the Prince's residence."

"Then...where's the bed?" Lin Chen suddenly lowered his voice, winking and making faces.

"Do you prefer it hard or soft? I'll have someone prepare it in advance."

Zhao Mingyue paused, holding her teacup, and looked at Lin Chen with a half-smile:

"Is Your Highness... already thinking about the wedding night?"

"No way!" Lin Chen leaned back, adopting a serious expression.

"I'm just showing concern for your wife's daily life; I'm very considerate."

"Thank you so much," Zhao Mingyue said calmly.

"As for the bed, Your Highness may arrange it as you see fit."

Lin Chen touched his nose, feeling he couldn't continue the conversation.

Zhao Mingyue's attitude was too calm, so he didn't feel any sense of accomplishment when he tried to tease her.

"By the way," Lin Chen changed the subject, "once you've entered the manor, how do people address you? Your Highness, the Eldest Princess? Or...?"

"Once I'm inside, I'm simply Zhao Mingyue." She put down her teacup, her gaze calm.

"She's not some princess, Your Highness, don't worry, Mingyue understands."

Lin Chen's heart stirred, and he suddenly reached out and grasped Zhao Mingyue's hand, which was resting on the table.

Her hands were slightly cool, and her skin was delicate.

Zhao Mingyue didn't dodge, but just squinted at Lin Chen.

"Don't worry," Lin Chen said seriously.

"Although I, Lin Chen, am sometimes unreliable, I never mistreat my own woman."

"Once you're inside, you're my wife, just like Xiaoxiao and the others—you're all mine."

Zhao Mingyue's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded gently.

But the next second, she felt Lin Chen's thumb begin to rub against the back of her hand.

Zhao Mingyue: "..."

"Your Highness," Zhao Mingyue said with a hint of helplessness, "just talk, don't get physical."

"I'm just trying to deepen our relationship," Lin Chen said with a grin, but his hands stopped moving.

"By the way, there's something I need to make clear to you first."

"Um?"

"My sisters-in-law and Xiaoxiao are all people I love," Lin Chen said.

"After you came in..."

"Your Highness, rest assured," Zhao Mingyue interrupted Lin Chen.

"Mingyue is not a jealous person and will not make things difficult for them. After they enter the family, they will be your wives, and you will get along well with them."

"That's good." Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

"Actually, they're all quite easy to get along with; you'll see later."

The two chatted about everyday things for a while.

Lin Chen realized that Zhao Mingyue was indeed a sensible person.

She has a clear understanding of her situation.

This marriage was highly political; the royal family needed to win over the Lin family, and he also needed to use it to show that he had no intention of becoming emperor.

But she didn't resist; instead, she had a kind of easygoing and accepting attitude.

"To be honest," Lin Chen suddenly said, "what do you think of me as a person?"

Zhao Mingyue's lips curled into a slight smile: "Does Your Highness want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"Of course it's the truth."

"The truth is," Zhao Mingyue said slowly.

"He's unreliable, but not a bad person. He has extremely high cultivation talent, but he's incredibly lazy and lecherous. However, he's genuinely good to those around him."

Lin Chen's lips twitched as he listened: "This evaluation... is alright, I guess."

"What's wrong, Your Highness? Are you not satisfied?" A sly glint flashed in Zhao Mingyue's eyes.

"Then, Mingyue, say something nicer?"

"No, that's enough." Lin Chen raised his hands in surrender. "I'm getting embarrassed if you keep talking."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Lin Chen grew bolder and leaned closer to whisper:

"So... what are your thoughts on matters of marriage?"

Zhao Mingyue calmly sipped her tea: "Matters between husband and wife should be left to nature."

"I mean," Lin Chen lowered his voice, "you... didn't have any experience before, right?"

Zhao Mingyue's eyes remained calm and expressionless: "What does Your Highness wish to ask?"

"Just...curious." Lin Chen touched his nose.

"You've been married to the Zhou family's son for seven years, why haven't you consummated your marriage?"

"I don't want to, and he wouldn't dare!" Zhao Mingyue put down her teacup.

"So, Mingyue is still a virgin. Is Your Highness satisfied now?"

Lin Chen chuckled: "Satisfied, extremely satisfied."

Seeing Lin Chen's smug look, Zhao Mingyue couldn't help but shake her head:

"Does Your Highness care so much about this?"

"Of course I care," Lin Chen said matter-of-factly. "I don't want to be the one left holding the bag."

The sisters-in-law are in special circumstances, but as for the others, Lin Chen is a bit of a germaphobe.

"A sucker?" Zhao Mingyue frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Uh... well..." Lin Chen was momentarily speechless, "Anyway, that's the gist of it."

Zhao Mingyue smiled when she saw Lin Chen's embarrassed expression:

"Your Highness, rest assured, Mingyue is not only a virgin, but has never had physical intimacy with a man."

Lin Chen chuckled, "That's good. I'll teach you properly then!"

"Then thank you very much for your kindness, Your Highness!" Zhao Mingyue's cheeks flushed slightly, but her voice remained calm.

"However, royal girls are taught by their matrons from the age of fifteen, and they learn about human affairs, look at picture books, and learn skills."

Although Mingyue has never practiced it, she understands what she needs to understand.

Lin Chen's eyes suddenly lit up: "So you have a lot of theoretical experience, but zero practical experience?"

"You could say that."

"That's great!" Lin Chen slapped his thigh. "I love this!"

"..."

"Your Highness, can you be serious for once?" Zhao Mingyue said, rubbing her forehead.

"I'm being very serious," Lin Chen blinked and said earnestly.

"Husbands and wives should engage in sexual relations and continue the family line. Isn't that a matter of course?"

Zhao Mingyue was speechless after being cornered by Lin Chen, and could only glare at him.

Lin Chen found her expression amusing.

Zhao Mingyue is usually dignified and composed, and it's rare for her to show such an expression.

"Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore." Lin Chen stood up.

"Come on, show me around your garden."