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

Chapter 241 Husband, let me help you undress

It was already dark when I came out of the old lady's courtyard.

As Lin Chen walked along the covered walkway, the old lady's words from earlier still echoed in his mind:

Come visit your grandmother more often and chat with her.

Not right.

It's not right.

When the old lady saw him, she would always say, "He's been out gallivanting somewhere again."

Why did your question, "When will I be able to hold my great-grandson?" suddenly soften today?

Lin Chen slowed his pace, thinking that he should ask the kitchen to make more of the old lady's favorite dishes and visit her more often!

Wait, why does this sound like a flag?

He cursed inwardly, thinking to himself, "The old lady is in good health, don't overthink it."

"Your Highness."

Lin Fu came over from the opposite side, bowed, and asked, "Where should we set the dinner table?"

Lin Chen paused in his steps.

good question.

Where to go tonight...?

Liu Ruyan is about to give birth, she's in her final month, so I need to visit her often, but I can't stay overnight. If I accidentally hurt the baby, that would be a huge problem.

Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, Ye Qingying, Chu Yueyao, Murong Xue, Su Xiaoxiao, and Wen Ruoxi—seven pregnant women—cannot stay overnight.

Zhao Mingyue just finished entertaining someone and needs to rest tonight; she can't handle coming back like this.

Liu Shengxue... never mind, let it cool down first.

That leaves only one.

"As for Miss Lan," Lin Chen said, "have the kitchen send dinner to her courtyard. I'll be there in a bit."

Lin Wu responded and turned to leave.

Lin Chen stood in the veranda, watching the last rays of the setting sun sink below the horizon, recalling his wedding night two days ago—

That waist, those legs, that gaze.

She has an innocent and pure appearance, but when she's moved, the red tinge at the corner of her eyes makes her so alluring that it melts your bones.

"Tsk tsk..." Lin Chen chuckled, "This vixen."

He lifted his foot and walked towards the west courtyard.

……

The west wing, Lan Fenghuang's residence.

When Lin Chen pushed the door open, Lan Fenghuang was sitting by the window, lost in thought.

Hearing the noise, she turned around, her eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up and bowed.

"My husband."

"What are you thinking about?" Lin Chen walked over, sat down next to her, and casually put his arm around her shoulder. "You seem lost in thought."

Lan Fenghuang's body stiffened slightly, then slowly softened, leaning into Lin Chen's arms, and whispered:

"I'm thinking about the High Priests of the Temple."

Lin Chen didn't reply, but instead played with her hair with his fingers.

Lan Fenghuang was quiet for a while, then suddenly asked, "Husband, do you think... I can go back?"

"Sure," Lin Chen replied without hesitation. "You can go back anytime you want, I'll go with you."

Lan Fenghuang raised her head and looked at him, a hint of disbelief in her eyes.

"real?"

"Really." Lin Chen pinched her cheek. "After a while, when I go to inspect the Dayan Territory, I'll take you with me to relax."

Blue Phoenix's eyes lit up immediately. "Really!"

Lin Chen was amused by her reaction and nodded slightly:

"Now everyone in the family is pregnant, and Mingyue is almost due too. Besides, it's not convenient for her to travel far due to her status."

"Liu Shengxue is from Dongli. I don't want to bring her along. I can't live without women. Without you, the journey will be so boring."

Lan Fenghuang blushed slightly and whispered, "As long as my husband is happy, I'm willing to stay with you."

"Great!" Lin Chen laughed heartily. "Once the baby is born and everything is settled, I'll take you to Zhongzhou."

Lan Fenghuang hummed in agreement and buried her head in Lin Chen's arms.

The two of them sat there, listening to the wind outside the window.

After a while, Lan Fenghuang suddenly spoke up: "Husband, let me sing you a song."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "A song from Nanzhao?"

"No, it's from Zhongzhou."

"Oh, you can even sing about Zhongzhou? Let's hear you sing it."

Lan Fenghuang cleared her throat and began to sing softly.

The melody is a bit strange, and I can't understand the lyrics, but it's very pleasant to listen to.

It's like a mountain breeze blowing through a bamboo forest, or like a stream flowing over stones.

Lin Chen closed his eyes to listen.

After the song ended, he opened his eyes: "What's the name of this song?"

Lan Fenghuang said softly, "The Return Journey".

"The Journey Home..." Lin Chen pondered for a moment, "That's a nice name. But are you singing in Zhongzhou dialect? I don't quite understand."

Lan Fenghuang smiled, pursing her lips: "It's an ancient saying; not many people know it nowadays."

"Then how did you know that?"

"It is a tradition passed down in the temple, and every generation of saintesses must learn it."

Lin Chen nodded thoughtfully, then noticed that Lan Fenghuang's expression was a little off, with her eyes slightly reddening.

"What's wrong?" He reached out and wiped her eyes. "You even made yourself cry while singing a song?"

Lan Fenghuang shook her head and smiled, "It's nothing, just... thank you, husband."

Lin Chen chuckled: "What are you thanking me for? I didn't do anything."

Lan Fenghuang didn't say anything, but simply rested her head on his shoulder.

Lin Chen held her in his arms, a sudden wave of emotion washing over him.

This girl came with a purpose and a mission.

But now, she sits here, nestled in his arms, singing to him.

Has she truly given up on him?

Lin Chen didn't bother to think about it too much.

Whether he truly belongs to me or not, he's still mine now, so he can't run away.

……

By the time dinner was served, it was already completely dark.

Lan Fenghuang didn't eat much; she kept putting food on Lin Chen's plate.

"My husband, this spirit beef is quite good, you should try it."

"Mmm, delicious," Lin Chen mumbled, chewing on the meat.

"This soup is very nourishing, you should drink more."

"Okay, drink it." Lin Chen picked up the bowl and gulped it down.

"And this—"

"Stop." Lin Chen put down his chopsticks, looked at her, and said, "Are you treating me like a pig to be fed?"

Lan Fenghuang was stunned for a moment, then her cheeks flushed red: "I... I just..."

"Just what?"

"I just wanted you to eat more," she whispered.

Lin Chen felt a strong urge to seduce her.

Despite her pure and innocent appearance, her eyes would sparkle with an unconscious allure when she was shy.

"I'm finished eating." He put down his chopsticks, beckoned to her with his finger, and said, "Come here."

Lan Fenghuang obediently got up and walked in front of him.

Lin Chen pulled her into his arms, leaned close to her ear, and whispered:

"You were quite capable on our wedding night, weren't you? Why are you acting like a timid little wife now?"

Lan Fenghuang's ears turned bright red instantly, and she turned her head away from him.

Lin Chen laughed out loud, pinched her chin and turned her face around: "Alright, I won't tease you anymore."

Lan Fenghuang looked up at him, her eyes watery.

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat—who could resist that gaze?

"Um..." he cleared his throat, "I'll sleep here tonight."

Blue Phoenix lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement.

The maids came in to clear the dishes, keeping their eyes down and their minds at ease. After they finished, they quickly left, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

Only two people remained in the room.

Lin Chen leaned back on the couch and patted the spot next to him: "Come sit down."

Lan Fenghuang walked over and sat down next to him.

The two remained silent for a while.

Lin Chen suddenly spoke up: "Tell me, what's the situation like at the Central Plains Gu God Palace now?"

Lan Fenghuang was taken aback, not expecting Lin Chen to ask this.

"I...I don't know either," she said softly. "Time has passed, and the temple's records may not be accurate."

"Then why do you want to go back?"

Blue Phoenix thought for a moment: "This is the mission of the temple and the successive saintesses."

"Mission?" Lin Chen shook his head and chuckled.

"Okay, I'll help you complete this mission when the time comes."

Lan Fenghuang looked at Lin Chen with incredibly soft eyes.

"My husband."

"Um?"

Why are you so good to me?

Lin Chen chuckled: "What kind of talk is that? You're my wife, who else would I treat well if not you?"

Lan Fenghuang lowered her eyelashes and remained silent.

Lin Chen reached out and ruffled her hair:

"Alright, stop thinking so much. Go to sleep early. I'll take you for a walk in the streets tomorrow."

Lan Fenghuang looked up, a hint of surprise in her eyes: "Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?" Lin Chen stood up. "Here, I'll show you something good."

He took a small box out of his pocket and handed it to her.

The blue phoenix opened, revealing a pair of white jade earrings carved into the shape of small phoenixes.

"this……"

"I had it specially made for you," Lin Chen said. "I originally planned to give it to you on our wedding night, but I was in too much of a rush that day and forgot."

Blue Phoenix held the box, her hands trembling slightly.

Seeing her reaction, Lin Chen found it amusing: "Is it really necessary? It's just a pair of earrings."

Blue Phoenix shook her head and said softly, "No..."

"Okay, I'll give you more next time."

Lin Chen interrupted Lan Fenghuang, casually placed the box beside her pillow, and then whispered in her ear:

"Madam, it's getting late, we should rest."

"Then... I'll help my husband undress!"

Lan Fenghuang quickly got up and helped Lin Chen undress.