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

Chapter 229, Part 1: The Madam Sits in the Main Hall

morning.

When Lin Chen opened his eyes, sunlight was already streaming through the window, brightly illuminating half of the bed.

He rubbed his eyes, glanced out the window, and wow, the sun was almost directly overhead.

"I slept so well!"

Lin Chen propped himself up and sat up, feeling completely comfortable.

The energy I expended last night has been completely replenished.

Liu Shengxue is not by my side; he must have gone to pay his respects.

Lin Chen summoned a maid to help him wash up and change his clothes.

Then, as I strolled to the front hall, it was already bustling like a market.

"Sister Lan, you look even more charming today. I'm sure your husband will be captivated and will visit you again tonight."

Murong Xue held Lan Fenghuang's hand, and the two of them huddled together, whispering secrets.

A rare hint of shyness appeared on Lan Fenghuang's face.

"Sister Xue'er, don't talk nonsense. I just think that women should dress like women..."

On the other side, Xiao Yulou and Liu Shengxue stood in the corner of the hall, gesturing about something.

"Miss Liu Sheng's 'Swallow Return' technique is truly exquisite in its point of force application." Xiao Yulou drew his finger in the air.

"However, if you press your wrist down a little more during the turn, the sword energy will become more solid."

Liu Shengxue nodded earnestly: "Sister Xiao is right, I'll go back and practice some more."

The most lively group was the one in the center of the hall.

Five pregnant women, Chu Yueyao, Qin Shuyan, Wen Ruoxi, Ye Qingying, and Su Xiaoxiao, huddled together, chattering away.

"Let me tell you, I've been craving sour things lately!" Chu Yueyao said, touching her belly which was only a little over a month along, as if it were the truth.

"I had the kitchen make plum juice yesterday, and I drank two big bowls in one go!"

Qin Shuyan covered her mouth and laughed: "Come on, Second Sister, you said just a few days ago that you didn't like sour food."

"That's different!" Chu Yueyao said matter-of-factly, "This is what the child wants to eat!"

Ye Qingying calmly peeled the walnuts:

"I don't really have any particular food cravings, I'm just feeling sleepy. I fell asleep while sitting yesterday afternoon, and when I woke up it was already dark."

Su Xiaoxiao leaned closer and said mysteriously:

"I've heard that you can tell the baby's gender from the pregnancy symptoms!"

The one who likes sour food is the son, the one who likes spicy food is the daughter!

Wen Ruoxi blinked. "So, since I love both sour and spicy food, am I a twin?"

"Pfft—" Several women burst into laughter.

The old lady sat in the main seat, watching the lively scene, her eyes narrowed into slits with laughter.

Su Wanqing sat beside her, gently serving tea and water.

Zhao Mingyue sat next to the old lady, massaging her shoulders while smiling at everyone in the hall.

When Lin Chen walked in, he happened to hear Chu Yueyao talking about "twins".

"What are you chatting about that makes you so happy?" he asked with a smile.

All the women turned their heads at the same time.

"My husband is awake!" Zhao Mingyue said first, smiling broadly.

The old lady beckoned, "Chen'er, come and sit down. You didn't get up until late in the morning; you must have been exhausted last night?"

Lin Chen coughed lightly and sat down next to the old lady. "Grandmother, Mother, did you sleep well last night?"

"Good, good." The old lady patted his hand, but her eyes swept over the group of granddaughters-in-law in the hall, and she chuckled in a low voice:

"You young people should keep it down. This old man is hard of hearing, but your yard has terrible soundproofing!"

"Pfft—" Liu Ruyan was drinking tea and almost spat it out.

Murong Xue's shoulders trembled as she tried to suppress her laughter.

Lan Fenghuang and Liu Shengxue's faces turned red instantly.

Especially Yagyu Yuki, whose head was almost buried in his chest.

Because his courtyard was the closest to Lan Fenghuang's.

Lin Chen blushed slightly: "Grandmother, what you're saying..."

"What, can't I criticize what you've done?" The old lady glared at him, then burst into laughter again.

"But Grandma is happy! Our Lin family is thriving, that's a wonderful thing!"

Her gaze swept across the hall, finally settling on Zhao Mingyue, and she patted Lin Chen's hand:

"Chen'er, there are now eight pregnant women in the family. Grandma is happy to see this, but..."

The old lady changed the subject: "Mingyue is not young anymore, you two need to hurry up and make a move."

Zhao Mingyue paused, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Lin Chen looked at Zhao Mingyue, and their eyes met.

He blinked, then turned to the old lady and smiled:

"Grandma, don't worry, your grandson will definitely work harder to restore the family line as soon as possible!"

"Excellent! Excellent!" The old lady laughed heartily. "That's more like it!"

Su Wanqing smiled gently: "Mother, please don't rush them. The children know what they're doing."

"I know, I know," the old lady said with a smile. "It just makes me happy to see this whole family!"

When lunch was served, two large round tables were set out.

Lin Chen sat to his left with Liu Ruyan and to his right with Zhao Mingyue.

Liu Ruyan's belly was already quite noticeable, and her movements were a bit clumsy, so Lin Chen carefully served her food.

"This fish is fresh, eat more."

"And this soup is nutritious."

Liu Ruyan smiled at Lin Chen, "Husband, I can do it myself, you eat yours."

"That won't do," Lin Chen said seriously. "You're now a priority for protection in our family."

Xiao Yulou, standing opposite, pouted, "My husband is biased! He only dotes on my eldest sister!"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "What, you want me to serve you food too?"

"Let me think about it!" Xiao Yulou quickly handed over the bowl.

Lin Chen chuckled and placed a piece of spare rib on her plate.

"Okay, okay, everyone gets a share."

The lunch was a lively and enjoyable affair.

Seeing this scene, the old lady's eyes welled up with tears, and she whispered to Su Wanqing:

"Wanqing, it's been so many years since our Lin family has been this lively."

Su Wanqing said softly, "Mother, it will get more and more lively in the future."

After breakfast, Lin Chen accompanied several pregnant women for a walk in the garden.

Liu Ruyan walked very slowly, so Lin Chen helped her.

"Husband, who do you think the child will look like after it's born?" Liu Ruyan asked softly, touching her belly.

"You're the best," Lin Chen said with a smile. "You're beautiful."

"You're so glib." Liu Ruyan gave Lin Chen a reproachful look, but her eyes were full of happiness.

Ye Qingying and Xiao Yulou walked behind, discussing swordsmanship—yes, they were both pregnant and still discussing this.

"Qingying, I think we can modify that move 'Flying Flowers Chasing the Moon' from last time..." Xiao Yulou gestured.

Ye Qingying nodded seriously: "That makes sense. I'll try it after I give birth."

Lin Chen turned around and listened for a couple of sentences, then said with a wry smile, "Could you two ladies please calm down? You're both pregnant."

"Practicing swordsmanship isn't strenuous," Xiao Yulou said matter-of-factly. "It's good for children to get some exercise."

"Exactly," Ye Qingying agreed.

Lin Chen shook his head. Well, that's what it's like to have a good martial artist in your family.

After walking around and escorting the pregnant women back to their respective courtyards to rest, Lin Chen went to his study alone.