ATPnovel Chapter 53 Sister-in-law Seven Has Figured It Out
Chapter 53 Sister-in-law Seven Has Figured It Out
The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies' expression changed: "Vice Minister Zhang, inspecting tribute goods is the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites. What are you doing...?"
"I am acting on the orders of the Prime Minister to review the lists of tribute items from various foreign delegations." Vice Minister Zhang glanced at Lin Chen, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
"What? Just because the Duke of Zhenguo is here, does that mean I can't carry out my duties?"
This is aimed at him.
Lin Chen slowly took a sip of tea: "If Minister Zhang wants to do his work, I will naturally not stop him."
But... the Nanzhao delegation only arrived yesterday, and the list of tribute items has not yet been submitted. What is Minister Zhang investigating?"
Vice Minister Zhang hesitated for a moment, then argued forcefully, "I was conducting an advance inspection to prevent any potential problems!"
"Oh?" Lin Chen put down his teacup. "Does Vice Minister Zhang know what the punishment is according to the Great Yan Law for trespassing into the Court of State Ceremonial and interfering with a foreign mission?"
"You..." Zhang Shilang's face flushed red.
"I recall it was thirty strokes of the cane, followed by dismissal and investigation." Lin Chen looked at the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, "Lord Wang, what do you say?"
The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies quickly said, "The Duke of Zhenguo is right, Vice Minister Zhang, please return. Don't break the rules!"
Vice Minister Zhang gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Lin Chen, and stormed off.
The hall returned to silence.
Murong Hong said gratefully, "Thank you very much for helping me out of this predicament, Duke Zhenguo."
"It's my duty," Lin Chen said calmly.
"Seventh Sister-in-law's family is the Lin family's relatives. If the Nanzhao delegation needs anything in Dayan, they can come to me."
These words were spoken with such authority that joy was evident in the eyes of everyone in the Nanzhao delegation.
The subsequent negotiations went smoothly.
Nanzhao was willing to strengthen trade with Dayan, exchanging medicinal herbs and spices for grain and ironware.
On behalf of the Lin family, Lin Chen signed an exclusive agency agreement with Nanzhao—from now on, Nanzhao specialties entering Dayan will be given priority to Lin family shops.
This is a big business deal.
After reaching an agreement, Murong Hong took out a token from his robes:
"Duke Zhenguo, this is the Phoenix Emblem Token of my Nanzhao royal family. Holding this token allows one to travel freely within the territory of Nanzhao and mobilize local troops. Today, I present it to you, Duke, as a token of our sincerity."
Lin Chen took the token; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, engraved with exquisite phoenix patterns.
"Uncle Wang, your gift is too kind; I am unworthy of it."
"Of course," Murong Hong said with a smile.
"Now that Xue'er has married into the Lin family, she is a member of the Lin family. From now on, Nanzhao and the Lin family are one family."
After speaking for a while longer, the delegation took their leave.
After seeing Uncle Wang off, Murong Xue turned to look at Lin Chen, her eyes filled with emotion:
"Eighth brother, thank you so much for today."
"Seventh Sister-in-law is being too polite," Lin Chen said with a smile.
"By the way, I heard there's a restaurant near the Honglu Temple that serves excellent Nanzhao cuisine. Would Seventh Sister-in-law like to come with me to try it?"
Murong Xue's eyes lit up: "Eighth Brother, do you know that Nanzhao Tower?"
I've heard people mention it.
Some spoiled young masters don't just know how to frequent brothels and listen to music...
"That one is definitely authentic." Murong Xue rarely showed such girlish excitement.
"My favorite dishes are their sour fish soup and bamboo rice!"
"Then let's go try it."
……
The Nanzhao Restaurant was decorated in an exotic style. The two of them asked for a private room and ordered the restaurant's signature dishes.
While waiting for the food, Murong Xue asked softly:
"Eighth Brother, regarding the Tiger Legion... are you confident? I've heard that many in the court are waiting to see us fail."
Lin Chen leaned back lazily in his chair: "Let them see. Anyway, with Mr. Yuan handling things, I just need to put my name on it."
"But what about His Majesty..."
"His Majesty wants results, not processes," Lin Chen said with a smile.
"Three months later, I'll hand her over an elite force; as for how they're trained, she doesn't care."
Murong Xue suddenly realized: "So Eighth Brother had planned this all along."
"I wouldn't say I'm bothered by it," Lin Chen said honestly.
"I'm just lazy, but luckily I have talented people under me, so I don't have to do everything myself."
These words were spoken with such confidence that Murong Xue couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
"Eighth Brother is truly... different from others."
The dishes were served quickly.
The sour fish soup was tangy and spicy, the bamboo rice had a wonderful aroma, and there were also several other Nanzhao specialty dishes. The taste was truly authentic.
Murong Xue ate happily and became more talkative: "When I was little, my mother often cooked for me herself, but after I married into the Dayan Kingdom, I rarely ate it anymore..."
As she spoke, a look of reminiscence appeared in her eyes.
Lin Chen picked up a piece of fish for her: "Seventh Sister-in-law, I'll come with you anytime you want to eat it. When I have time, I'll accompany you back to Nanzhao."
Murong Xue looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears: "Eighth Brother, why...why are you so good to me?"
"Because you're Seventh Sister-in-law," Lin Chen said matter-of-factly.
"The Lin family is now one family, so naturally we should take care of each other."
"Is it just... because I'm Seventh Sister-in-law?" Murong Xue's voice trailed off.
Lin Chen looked at her slightly flushed cheeks, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said softly:
"Also because Seventh Sister-in-law is gentle, kind, and understanding, people... can't help but want to protect her."
These words were ambiguous, and Murong Xue blushed even more, lowering her head to eat her food, not daring to look at him.
The two ate in silence, but the atmosphere gradually became more intimate.
After the meal, Lin Chen escorted Murong Xue back to her residence.
Inside the carriage, Murong Xue leaned on his shoulder, softly recounting interesting stories about Nanzhao.
Lin Chen listened quietly, occasionally responding with a few words.
Upon arriving at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Murong Xue alighted from the carriage and suddenly turned around:
"Eighth Brother, are you going to Nanzhao Tower again tomorrow?"
Lin Chen smiled: "If Seventh Sister-in-law wants to go, I'll go with her."
"Then... it's a deal."
Murong Xue strode into the mansion, her back view showing a hint of panic.
Lin Chen looked in the direction she disappeared, a slight smile playing on his lips.
This seventh sister-in-law seems to have... figured it out.
……
Lin Chen spent the next few days in a very leisurely manner.
The preparations for the Tiger Legion were left to Yuan Tiangang; he only needed to check in occasionally.
Yuan Tiangang truly lived up to his title of "Bad Leader," possessing extremely high efficiency.
In just three days, eight thousand martial artists of the seventh rank or above were selected from the Beijing Garrison and various guards to begin basic training.
Li Chunfeng was also sent out by Lin Chen to set up training formations.
He set up "basic spirit gathering array", "gravity array" and "illusion killing array" around the military camp, which could both accelerate the soldiers' training and simulate the actual combat environment.
Lin Chen went to see it once and was very satisfied.
At this rate, we can easily deliver an elite force in three months.
At other times, he would stay at the mansion with his sisters-in-law.
The eldest sister-in-law, Liu Ruyan, began teaching her daughter, Lin Nian'er, martial arts and calligraphy.
The little girl is quite talented; at the age of three, she could already hold a horse stance and dance with great skill.
When Lin Chen went to check on her, Liu Ruyan was correcting her daughter's movements with a gentle expression, completely different from her usual resolute demeanor.
"Uncle Ba!" Lin Nian'er saw him, rushed over and hugged his leg, "Nian'er learned a new move today!"
Lin Chen smiled and picked her up: "Nian'er is so great. Come here, your Uncle Ba brought you some delicious food."
He took out an oil paper package from his pocket, inside which were sugar figurines he had bought at the West Market.
Lin Nian'er's eyes lit up, and she sweetly thanked the sugar figurine.
Liu Ruyan walked over, a smile in her eyes: "Eighth Brother spoils her again."
"Kids should be spoiled," Lin Chen said with a smile. "Sister-in-law, don't be too strict. Nian'er is still young and doesn't need to learn martial arts so early."
Liu Ruyan nodded, then suddenly said, "Eighth Brother, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you... for bringing laughter back to this home," Liu Ruyan said softly.
"After Father and Brother left, the mansion was lifeless. It was you who brought everything back to life."
Lin Chen felt a warmth in his heart: "Sister-in-law, you're too kind. This is what I should do."