ATPnovel Chapter 126 The Empress Wants to Send Her Sister
Chapter 126 The Empress Wants to Send Her Sister
The atmosphere in the imperial study suddenly became heavy.
Although Li Bai still wore a smile, a sense of wariness had crept into his eyes.
Lin Chen smiled.
He smiled nonchalantly, as if the Empress had asked a trivial question.
"What does Your Majesty think?" Lin Chen asked in return.
The Empress stared at Lin Chen for a long time, then suddenly smiled:
"Never mind, I shouldn't have asked."
No matter who you are, as long as your heart is with Dayan and with the people, you are the Duke who protects Dayan.
"Your Majesty is wise." Lin Chen bowed.
"Alright, you may leave." The Empress waved her hand.
"We'll set off in ten days. Prepare well. The North... is in your hands now."
"Your subject takes his leave."
Lin Chen and Li Bai left the Imperial Study.
As Lin Chen walked out of the palace gates, he looked back at the magnificent palace and sighed with emotion.
The Empress's test, the secrets of Zhongzhou, the forces behind Beishuo...
Each and every one of these events reminded him that the real storm was just beginning.
"My lord," Li Bai whispered, "what the Empress just said..."
"She knows I have many hidden cards up my sleeve," Lin Chen said calmly.
"But she's smart; she knows some things shouldn't be investigated too deeply. As long as I'm harmless to Dayan, she'll continue to use me."
"What about Zhongzhou..."
"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it." Lin Chen chuckled.
"Anyway, with Mr. Li around, we're not afraid of even if a celestial being comes."
Besides, don't we still have General Guan and Senior Dugu? If a fight really breaks out, who's afraid of whom?
Li Bai also laughed: "Your Majesty is indeed magnanimous."
"What can I do if I'm not open-minded?" Lin Chen stretched.
"Let's go back to the manor."
I still have to deal with those eight ladies today... just thinking about it gives me a headache.
The two smiled at each other and got into the carriage.
……
Inside the imperial study, the Empress dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids, leaving only the Imperial Preceptor.
"Your Majesty, this person Lin Chen..." The Imperial Advisor hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
"Unfathomable." The Empress sighed.
"Imperial Advisor, do you think what he just said was true?"
The Imperial Advisor pondered for a moment and said, "This old minister believes that at least part of it is true."
As for the Netherworld Valley and the Central Plains… there are indeed relevant records in the royal archives, but this old minister did not expect that Your Majesty would tell Lin Chen about them.”
"I have no choice but to tell you," the Empress said with a wry smile.
"Li Bai is already a celestial being on earth; this news will spread sooner or later."
At that time, the forces of Zhongzhou will definitely come to investigate, and Lin Chen, as Li Bai's lord, will be the first to be affected.
I told him in advance so that he could be prepared.
"Your Majesty's intentions are profound." The Imperial Advisor bowed.
"It is only my concern that Lin Chen's power is growing stronger, and with a terrestrial immortal overseeing him, he may become too powerful to control in the future."
The Empress remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "How could I not know?"
However, Dayan is currently beset by internal and external troubles. To the north, Beishuo is eyeing it covetously; to the south, the Baiyue tribes are stirring up trouble; to the east, Dongli is secretly making plans; and to the west, the Western Regions are in turmoil.
Within the imperial court, although the Cui family was weak, they still harbored treacherous intentions, and other powerful families also had their own ulterior motives.
At times like these… I need Lin Chen as my weapon.”
"Does Your Majesty intend to... use someone else to do your dirty work?"
"Not entirely," the Empress shook her head.
"Although Lin Chen is unreliable, he is extremely loyal and affectionate towards the people, his family, and those around him."
I can see that he truly wants to protect Dayan and the people he cares about.
Such a person, as long as I do not betray him, he will not betray me either.
She paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes: "Besides... I still have a trump card in my hand."
"Your Majesty means..."
"Princess," the Empress said calmly, "my elder sister seems to treat Lin Chen somewhat differently."
The Imperial Advisor was taken aback: "Your Majesty intends to..."
"A marriage alliance," the Empress stated bluntly.
"If we can marry my elder sister to Lin Chen, the royal family and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will be one family."
Even if Lin Chen becomes stronger then, he will be an asset to the royal family, not a threat.
"But the eldest princess..."
"A divorce is the best solution," the Empress smiled.
"Lin Chen can even marry his widowed sister-in-law, let alone the Empress, who is ranked fourth on the Rouge Ranking."
Although the princess had been married to the Zhou family for seven years, they had never consummated their marriage and she remained a virgin.
Marrying Lin Chen as a secondary wife isn't a bad thing.
The important thing is... this way, I can keep Lin Chen firmly bound to the royal chariot.
The Imperial Advisor suddenly realized:
"Your Majesty's insight is brilliant. However... will Her Highness the Eldest Princess agree?"
"She will agree." A complex emotion flashed in the Empress's eyes.
"I can tell that she has feelings for Lin Chen."
It's just that because of his status, he has never dared to reveal it.
If I speak to her personally, she will not refuse.
"What about Lin Chen...?"
"I have my own way." The Empress waved her hand.
"Let's leave that aside for now; the most pressing matter is the northern border."
"Grand Preceptor, please make arrangements for the Imperial City Guard to fully cooperate with Lin Chen in investigating the forces behind Bei Shuo."
"Yes."
After the Imperial Advisor withdrew, the Empress sat alone in the Imperial Study, looking out the window with a constantly shifting expression in her eyes.
Lin Chen, Lin Chen, who exactly are you?
No matter who you are, as long as you are harmless to Da Yan, I will use you.
But what if one day you develop other ideas...
She bit her lip.
Then I have no choice but to...
……
When Lin Chen returned to the manor, it was already noon.
As soon as I entered, I heard bursts of laughter coming from the backyard.
He followed the sound and saw eight ladies gathered together in the garden pavilion, laughing heartily as they talked about something.
"What are you saying that makes you so happy?" Lin Chen walked over.
When Wen Ruoxi saw him arrive, her eyes lit up:
"Eighth Brother, you've returned just in time. We were just discussing who you're taking with you on your trip to the Northern Frontier."
Lin Chen was taken aback:
"Who are we taking? We're going to the North to fight, not for sightseeing. What are we taking you there for?"
"Why can't I bring it?" Xiao Yulou stood up, looking spirited and confident.
"I know martial arts and can protect you. Although the early stage of Grandmaster isn't very high, it's enough to deal with ordinary thugs."
"I know medicine," Chu Yueyao said softly.
"On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; it's always good to have a healer by your side."
"I can help you with the paperwork," Qin Shuyan said. "Military affairs are complicated, and someone always needs to help you organize them."
"I can handle the logistics," Wen Ruoxi said with a smile.
"The provisions and supplies for an army of 200,000 are no small matter."
"I can gather intelligence," Ye Qingying said calmly.
"Someone needs to investigate the situation in Beishuo."
Murong Xue smiled, pursing her lips.
"Although I can't be of much help, I can take care of my eighth brother's daily life."
Even Liu Ruyan spoke up:
"Although I cannot go, I can have the old subordinates of the Liu family assist you."
My father said there are still many former retainers and followers of the Liu family in the Northern Army who can be of use to you.
Only Su Xiaoxiao remained silent, simply looking at him with eyes full of worry.
Looking at the eight pretty faces, each with its own unique features, Lin Chen felt a warmth in his heart, but also a headache.
"I appreciate the kindness of my dear sisters-in-law," he said with a wry smile.
"But the North is a battlefield, where swords have no eyes. It's too dangerous. I'll feel at ease if you stay in the capital."
"No!" Xiao Yulou was the first to object. "We're worried about you going alone!"
"Exactly!" Wen Ruoxi chimed in.
"You're the pillar of our family. What will we do if something happens to you?"
"How about this," Qin Shuyan suggested.
"We'll draw lots, and whoever gets chosen will accompany Eighth Brother."
The others remained in the capital to manage the affairs of the household.
"That's a great idea!" Chu Yueyao agreed.
The women immediately began arranging the lottery, giving Lin Chen no chance to object.
Lin Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and looked at the old lady:
"Grandmother, look at this..."
The old lady smiled and said:
"If they want to go, let them go."
Anyway, with Mr. Li Bai around, there shouldn't be any safety issues.
Besides, when husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break metal; having them by your side to help you is a good thing.
"But……"
"There's no 'but' about it," the old lady waved her hand.
"It's settled then, but Ruyan can't go. She's pregnant and needs to rest."
The other seven people will draw lots to decide who will accompany you.
Lin Chen had no choice but to agree.
The lottery results came out quickly—Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, and Ye Qingying were the three winners.
Qin Shuyan beamed with joy, Xiao Yulou looked smug, and although Ye Qingying's expression remained calm, a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes.
Although the few who didn't win were disappointed, they didn't say anything more.
"Alright, it's settled then." The old lady gave the final decision.
"Shuyan, Yulou, and Qingying will accompany Chen'er to the Northern Border, while the others will remain in the capital."
Ruyan should take good care of her pregnancy, Yueyao should look after the family's medicine storehouse, Ruoxi should manage the business, Xue'er should handle the family's social obligations, and Xiaoxiao... Xiaoxiao will stay with Ruyan so that she can have someone to look after her.
"Yes, Grandmother," everyone replied in unison.
Lin Chen watched this scene with mixed feelings.
With a home like this, what more could a husband ask for?