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

Chapter 167 Grandmother's Admonition

The Zhenguo Duke's Mansion now has a new plaque.

The four large characters of "【Zhenbei Prince's Mansion】" gleamed brightly in the sunlight!

As soon as the carriage came to a stop in front of the Prince's mansion, the gatekeeper shouted at the top of his lungs:

"The Prince has returned to the manor!"

That shout brought the entire palace to life.

Before Lin Chen even got out of the car, he heard hurried footsteps coming from inside.

He lifted the car curtain while carrying Lin Nian'er, and then helped several pregnant sisters-in-law out of the car.

Lan Fenghuang followed beside her, curiously watching the sky above the palace.

"Slow down, everyone," Lin Chen instructed his sisters-in-law.

The main gate swung open, and the steward, Lin Fu, led a group of servants out to greet them, all of whom knelt on the ground in unison.

"Welcome back to the Prince's residence!"

"Get up, get up." Lin Chen waved his hand. "Where are Grandmother and Mother?"

"The Old Madam and Madam have been waiting in the main hall for quite some time," Lin Fu said, standing up with a smile that crinkled his face.

"I instructed them to prepare tea and snacks early this morning, saying that His Highness must be hungry after a long journey."

Lin Chen nodded, handed Lin Nian'er to the female sword attendant, and then said to Su Xiao behind him:

"Take Miss Lan to the guest room to settle in first. I'll come over after I've met with my grandmother and mother."

Su Xiaoxiao responded and led Lan Fenghuang to the backyard.

Before leaving, Lan Fenghuang gave Lin Chen a deep look, then glanced around at the layout of the palace before turning to follow him.

Lin Chen then led his sisters-in-law toward the main hall.

Before even entering the door, I could hear the old lady's voice coming from inside:

"Is that Chen'er back?"

Lin Chen quickened his pace.

Upon entering the hall, I saw my grandmother sitting upright in the grand chair at the head of the table, with my mother sitting beside her.

"Grandson greets grandmother and mother." Lin Chen lifted his robe and was about to kneel.

"Get up, get up quickly!" The old lady hurriedly waved, "Come here and let your grandmother take a look."

Lin Chen got up and walked closer.

The old lady held Lin Chen's hand and looked him up and down, her eyes slightly red:

"You've lost weight and gotten darker. The North is bitterly cold; this battle... must have been tough, right?"

"It's alright," Lin Chen said with a smile.

"My grandson has returned safe and sound!"

Lin Chen's mother, Madam Su, also held his hand and wiped away her tears.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Now your father and brothers can rest in peace."

The atmosphere in the hall became heavy after these words were spoken.

Old Madam Lin patted Madam Su's hand: "On such a joyous day, let's not dwell on sad things."

She looked at the granddaughters-in-law behind Lin Chen, "Yueyao, Ruoxi, Xue'er, come and sit down."

Chu Yueyao and the other two stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Grandmother; greetings, Mother."

"Good children, please sit down." The old lady smiled kindly.

"You must be tired from the journey. How are Shuyan and the others?"

"My three sisters-in-law are pregnant and have had a long journey; they must be feeling quite tired. I've asked them to go back to their rooms and rest," Lin Chen explained.

"Should I have them come to pay their respects to Grandmother and Mother again tonight?"

"Pregnant?!" Mrs. Su's eyes lit up. "All of her?"

"Hmm!" Lin Chen touched his nose.

"My third and fourth sisters-in-law are almost two months pregnant, and my sixth sister-in-law is only recently pregnant."

"Oh dear!" Old Madam Lin immediately beamed with joy.

"This is wonderful news! Our Lin family will soon have four more members."

Mrs. Su was so happy that she rubbed her hands together.

"No wonder Shuyan wrote to me the other day saying she wasn't feeling well. I thought it was just a change in environment, but it turns out she's pregnant!"

"That's great, that's great!"

The old lady looked at Lin Chen and complained:

"You silly child, why didn't you say something so important sooner?"

"I just wanted to give my grandmother and mother a surprise in person," Lin Chen said with a grin.

"A pleasant surprise, truly a pleasant surprise!" The old lady beamed from ear to ear. "However..."

Her expression turned slightly serious. "Chen'er, you have now been granted the title of king, and your position is extremely high."

But the more this is the case, the more careful we must be with our words and actions.

Grandmother heard that you killed quite a few people on your way back to the capital and in the North?

Lin Chen stopped smiling and explained:

"Grandmother, if I don't act decisively in the north, the casualties in this battle will likely be even greater."

None of the Cui family members died unjustly.

As for the journey back to the capital, that corrupt official—his grandson did not do the wrong thing by killing him, and the Empress will not say anything.

"Grandmother knows," the old lady sighed.

"It's just that our Lin family has been loyal and virtuous for generations. Your father and your elder brother both sacrificed their lives for the country."

Now you command a large army, and your achievements are so great that they threaten the emperor's power... Although His Majesty has bestowed honors upon you, the emperor's heart is unpredictable, so you must be careful with your words and actions."

"Grandson understands." Lin Chen nodded.

"It's good that you understand." The old lady patted Lin Chen's hand.

"Grandma is old and can't help you much, but I can remind you of one thing:"

A tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind. Sometimes it's best to be discreet.

"Yes."

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore," Madam Su interjected with a smile.

"Chen'er must be hungry after her long journey. Someone, bring up the cloud cakes that have been prepared. Chen'er loved to eat this when she was little."

The maidservant quickly served tea and snacks.

Lin Chen chatted with his grandmother and mother for a while, telling them interesting stories about the northern border and the journey back to the capital, which made the old lady laugh.

After about two incense sticks had burned, the old lady waved her hand and said:

"Alright, you have a palace banquet to attend tonight, go back and get some rest!"

"Understood, Grandmother."

After seeing his grandmother and mother off, Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

Wen Ruoxi covered her mouth and chuckled, "Look how nervous you are."

"How could I not be nervous?" Lin Chen shrugged. "Grandma's eyes are like they can read minds."

Chu Yueyao said softly, "Grandmother is doing this for your own good."

"I know." Lin Chen stretched.

"Let's go, you guys go back to the hospital to rest first, I'll go check on Xiaoxiao."

……

In the west courtyard, Su Xiaoxiao was tidying up Lin Chen's clothes in her room.

The door was pushed open, and Lin Chen walked in.

"Husband!" Su Xiaoxiao smiled broadly when she saw Lin Chen. "Have you greeted Grandmother and Mother?"

"Mmm." Lin Chen closed the door behind him, then stepped forward and hugged Su Xiaoxiao from behind. "Did you miss me?"

Su Xiaoxiao blushed, but nodded gently: "I've thought about it!"

"I want to too." Lin Chen rested his chin on Su Xiaoxiao's shoulder, inhaling the fragrance of her hair.

"During those days in the North, every night when I lay in bed, my mind was filled with thoughts of you."

"Me too!" Su Xiaoxiao murmured softly, leaning gently into Lin Chen's arms.

Lin Chen turned her around and lowered his head to kiss her.

The kiss was deep and urgent, filled with the longing of a reunion after a short separation.

Su Xiaoxiao initially pushed him away reservedly, but soon wrapped her arms around Lin Chen's neck in response.

After a long while, the two finally separated.

Su Xiaoxiao, panting, her cheeks flushed, said, "Husband... hasn't bathed yet..."

"Let's shower together." Lin Chen picked her up and carried her to the inner bathroom.

The hot water in the bathtub was already prepared, and flower petals floated on the surface.

Lin Chen quickly removed their clothes and, holding Su Xiaoxiao, sat down in the tub.

"Ah..." The warm water enveloped her body, and Su Xiaoxiao let out a soft cry.

Lin Chen hugged her from behind, his hand gently stroking her lower abdomen:

"Thank you for your hard work during this time."

"It's not tiring," Su Xiaoxiao whispered, leaning against Lin Chen's chest.

"I just...miss you so much."

"We won't be apart for this long anymore." Lin Chen kissed Su Xiaoxiao's earlobe.

"I heard you've tidied up your backyard garden? Take me to see it tomorrow."

"Okay." Su Xiaoxiao turned around and looked at Lin Chen face to face.

"My lord, the northern border...is it very dangerous?"

"It's alright." Lin Chen didn't want to talk about the battlefield anymore and changed the subject.

"By the way, is Lan Fenghuang settled in?"

"Yes, I'll stay in the guest room in the east wing." Su Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment before saying:

"My lord, that Miss Lan..."

"What's wrong?"

"I always felt that the way she looked at people was a bit..." Su Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, "like she was sizing up prey."

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Don't worry about her. She can't cause any trouble in this manor."

"That's good." Su Xiaoxiao felt relieved, but then suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, the Dongli delegation just sent an invitation, saying they will pay a visit in person tomorrow."

Lin Chen frowned slightly. He sent a visiting card so soon after they parted ways?

Have they made a decision so quickly?

Thinking of this, Lin Chen spoke up:

"No need to wait until tomorrow, have them come immediately."

"Immediately?" Su Xiaoxiao was taken aback. "My husband just got back, isn't he going to rest..."

"Some things need to be done while the iron is hot." Lin Chen closed his eyes and transmitted his voice to Yuan Tiangang:

"Go and inform them that I am free."

"Yes."