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

Chapter 129 A Lingering Fragrance Before Departure

At noon, Lin Chen summoned his eight wives to the main courtyard.

The matriarch and Su Wanqing were also there.

"We'll be setting off in eight days. There are some things that need to be arranged in advance," Lin Chen said slowly, looking at the eight pretty faces.

"As previously agreed, Shuyan, Yulou, and Qingying will accompany me, while the other five will stay in the capital."

Liu Ruyan gently stroked her lower abdomen and said softly:

"Eighth brother, go without worry, we will take care of things in the manor."

"My sister-in-law is pregnant and needs to rest." Lin Chen took out a jade pendant and handed it to Liu Ruyan.

"This jade can nourish the blood and qi; my sister-in-law wears it close to her body."

Liu Ruyan accepted it, her eyes filled with tenderness: "Thank you, Eighth Brother."

Chu Yueyao pursed her lips and whispered, "Eighth Brother, I want to go with you too..."

"Second sister-in-law," Lin Chen said, taking her hand.

"Your medical skills are excellent, but the battlefield is dangerous, and I don't want you to be in danger."

Besides, the household medicine storehouse needs your management, and your sisters-in-law and Nian'er also need your care.

Chu Yueyao's eyes reddened, and she nodded.

Wen Ruoxi was quite straightforward:

"Don't worry, Eighth Brother. Leave the business to me. When you return victorious, Zuiyuexuan branches will have opened in at least all three parts of Dayan!"

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Then we'll have to rely on Fifth Sister-in-law."

Murong Xue smiled gently: "I will handle the social obligations at the manor, Eighth Brother, you don't need to worry about it."

Su Xiaoxiao was the most reluctant to part, tugging at Lin Chen's sleeve:

"My husband...please come back safely."

"Definitely." Lin Chen patted her head.

"Xiaoxiao should be good at home and spend more time with her older and younger sisters-in-law."

Finally, Lin Chen looked at Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, and Ye Qingying.

"Third sister-in-law accompanied the army and was in charge of documents and accounts."

Fourth Sister-in-law can assist General Zilong in training scouts.

Sixth Sister-in-law...you're in charge of intelligence liaison.

The Bad Guys and the Thirteen Protectors will send back messages; someone needs to organize and analyze them.

The three women answered in unison, "Yes."

Xiao Yulou suddenly said, "Eighth Brother, my cultivation is still shallow, only at the early stage of Grandmaster. If we encounter a strong enemy, I might be a burden to you..."

Lin Chen smiled and took out two jade bottles from his bosom.

"That's exactly what we were talking about." He opened the jade bottle and poured out two golden pills.

"This is the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, which can help martial artists break through bottlenecks."

Fourth Sister-in-law, Sixth Sister-in-law, take this, and I will help you refine it.

Everyone in the hall was startled.

Nine-turn golden pill!

Legend has it that this top-grade pill can help martial artists below the Celestial Realm break through to the next realm directly; a single pill is priceless!

Xiao Yulou and Ye Qingying exchanged a glance, both somewhat hesitant.

"Eighth Brother, this is too precious..." Ye Qingying said softly.

"We're family, no need for such expensive things." Lin Chen said without further ado, stuffing the pills into their hands.

"Take the medicine, then sit cross-legged and practice your internal energy."

The two women no longer refused, sat down cross-legged, and took the pills.

Once the elixir entered the stomach, it transformed into a powerful medicinal force that surged through the limbs and bones.

Their faces flushed instantly, and their auras fluctuated violently.

Lin Chen placed his hands on the backs of the two women, channeling his powerful inner energy to help them guide the medicinal effects.

Half an hour later, Xiao Yulou was the first to break through—from the mid-stage to the late-stage and peak of the Grandmaster realm, and finally settled at the early-stage of the Great Grandmaster realm!

A moment later, Ye Qingying, who had even greater talent, also broke through successfully and directly advanced to the late stage of Grandmaster!

The two women opened their eyes, feeling the surging power within them, both surprised and delighted.

"Thank you, Eighth Brother!" Xiao Yulou said happily.

Although Ye Qingying did not speak, her eyes were full of gratitude.

Lin Chen laughed and said, "Are you relieved now? As long as we don't encounter any top experts, we can protect ourselves."

The old lady nodded repeatedly as she read:

"Excellent! Excellent! Our Lin family has gained two more Grandmasters. Congratulations!"

Su Wanqing also smiled and said, "Chen'er has considered everything thoroughly."

……

In the following days, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion became very busy.

The Eight Great Warriors are preparing for war, and the 8,000 elite troops are training daily.

Five hundred Dragon Riders from the Great Snow Army trained alongside the Tiger Warriors.

Although there were only five hundred men, their chilling aura made even the Tiger Legion secretly tremble.

Li Chunfeng began refining array plates and flags in preparation for possible array battles.

Zhuge Liang then devoted himself to studying the geography of the northern border, military affairs, and the relationships between various forces.

In just a few days, he has written three booklets, which are extremely detailed.

Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, and Ye Qingying also began preparing their luggage.

Qin Shuyan brought a box full of account books, Xiao Yulou packed up light-body skills manuals and hidden weapons, and Ye Qingying... only brought a few sets of night clothes and disguise tools.

The other five ladies were not idle either.

Chu Yueyao prepared a large quantity of wound medicine and antidote pills.

Wen Ruoxi prepared a stack of banknotes and business contracts.

Murong Xue compiled information on several major clans in the Northern Territory.

Su Xiaoxiao sewed several pieces of underwear by hand.

Although Liu Ruyan was pregnant, she wrote to the old members of the Liu family in the northern border, asking them to look after her secretly.

The ninth day, at dusk.

Lin Chen was looking at the booklet compiled by Zhuge Liang in the study when Yuan Tiangang quietly appeared.

"My lord, I just received two messages."

"explain."

"First, Princess Zhao Mingyue has divorced her husband and is moving back to her residence today."

Yuan Tiangang paused for a moment, then said, "It is said that... it was a decree personally issued by His Majesty."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "The Empress is quick on her feet."

"Secondly, there's been unusual activity in Beishuo," Yuan Tiangang said in a deep voice.

"Wanyan Honglie secretly dispatched 30,000 elite troops, who left the camp and their whereabouts are unknown."

The Thirteen Protectors are tracking them, but the other party's movements are elusive and their whereabouts are yet to be determined.

A glint of light flashed in Lin Chen's eyes:

"Thirty thousand elite troops...if they're not on the front lines, where would they be?"

Zhuge Liang walked over from the side, gently waving his feather fan:

"My lord, I believe this army is likely a surprise force, intending to flank and attack from behind, or cut off our supply lines."

"Possibly," Lin Chen pondered.

"Order the Thirteen Protectors not to pursue them relentlessly, but to focus on ascertaining their movements."

In addition, have the Bad People closely monitor all grain routes and passes within the territory of Beishuo.

"Yes."

After Yuan Tiangang withdrew, Zhuge Liang smiled and said:

"My lord, His Majesty will surely come to see us off as we set off on our expedition tomorrow. There may be an unexpected 'gift' at that time."

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat: "Sir, you mean...?"

"Now that His Majesty has decided on this marriage alliance, he will surely proceed with it," Zhuge Liang said.

"The eldest princess's divorce is the first step. Tomorrow's farewell may be the second step."

Lin Chen smiled wryly: "I haven't agreed yet..."

"Rest assured, my lord, this matter has both advantages and disadvantages," Zhuge Liang analyzed.

"If you can marry the eldest princess, the royal family and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will be more closely bound together, which will be beneficial to your future actions."

However, this would also subject them to greater constraints from the royal family; how to balance these factors remains to be decided by the ruler.

Lin Chen rubbed his temples:

"Let's talk about it later. First, let's get past the northern border."

He only wanted to lie down and had no interest in doing anything big, like becoming emperor.

Of course, becoming the man behind the Empress is also an option.

However, Lin Chen did not want to provoke a ruler who was cunning and calculating.