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

Chapter 182 Succession to the Throne

Once the deal was settled, the atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed.

The Empress ordered tea to be served, and the three of them sat down and chatted.

As they chatted, the topic somehow shifted to royal succession.

"Your Majesty is twenty-four now." Lin Chen took a sip of tea.

"Regarding the crown prince... are there any plans?"

The hall was so quiet that you could hear the rustling of leaves in the wind outside the window.

Lin Chen's question about the "crown prince" was too sudden, like a stone thrown into a calm lake.

The Empress paused, holding her teacup, and looked up at Lin Chen, a hint of surprise flashing in her usually majestic phoenix eyes.

"So, the Prince of Zhenbei is concerned about my family affairs?" Her tone was unreadable, but she tapped the cup lightly with her fingertips.

Zhao Wuji sat to the side, stroking his beard without saying a word, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced between Lin Chen and the Empress.

"I was just asking casually," Lin Chen said calmly, taking another sip of tea.

"After all, His Majesty is already twenty-four. According to common sayings, at that age, children are old enough to run errands."

"Pfft—" Zhao Wuji almost spat out his tea, coughing twice.

"Young friend Lin's words are... down-to-earth."

The Empress's face flushed slightly, and she glared at Lin Chen: "Can royal matters be handled the same as those of ordinary people?"

"How is it different?" Lin Chen put down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

"Isn't it all about carrying on the family line and continuing the ancestral worship? It's just that the imperial succession is related to the foundation of the country, so it's even more important."

These words were so blunt that the Empress was momentarily speechless.

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji took over the conversation:

"Lingyang should indeed consider this. Although the selection of royal family members is not limited to the direct line, it is always more legitimate for the offspring with direct line blood to be selected."

The Empress paused for a moment, then slowly said:

"Ancestor, as you know, my cultivation of the Phoenix Heaven Technique has reached a crucial stage. If I am distracted at this moment..."

"It's not like you're being asked to have a baby right now," Lin Chen interjected. "Can't we at least start looking for someone first?"

The Empress looked at Lin Chen, her gaze somewhat complicated:

"The Prince of Zhenbei seems even more anxious than I am?"

"Why should I be in such a hurry?" Lin Chen chuckled, a playful smile on his face.

"I just feel that it would be a pity if His Majesty, with such talent, did not leave any descendants."

"Phoenix bloodline! Who knows, their child might be born a Grandmaster!"

Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up:

"That's true, Lingyang. You possess the body of a Heavenly Phoenix and the fortune of a true dragon of the royal family."

If one could find a Daoist partner with equally exceptional talent, the offspring's talent would likely be...

"Ancestor!" The Empress's cheeks flushed slightly, "You're getting more and more absurd."

"How can it be without a border?" Zhao Wuji asked seriously.

"This is a serious matter. Look at the emperors of past dynasties. If both parents were strong, how could their offspring be anything but good?"

The founding emperor established the nation through military force, and he and his great-grandmother had two sons, the second and the third, who were already considered immortals at the age of eighteen.

The Empress fell silent, her fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of the teacup.

Lin Chen chuckled inwardly as he looked at her.

This empress is usually dignified and solemn, but when it comes to marriage, she still has the mentality of a young girl.

"Actually," Lin Chen said slowly.

"I'm curious, does Your Majesty have a standard in mind? For example... what level of cultivation is required? What do they look like? What is their personality like?"

The Empress raised her eyes and met Lin Chen's ambiguous smile, her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

"Why is the Prince of Zhenbei asking such detailed questions?" She looked away.

"Just curious," Lin Chen shrugged.

"After all, if His Majesty were to choose a husband, it would certainly be a major event that would cause a sensation in the Eastern Region."

I'll do some inquiries beforehand, just in case I find a suitable candidate, I can help make the connection.

Zhao Wuji glanced at Lin Chen and suddenly smiled:

"Since you're so enthusiastic, young friend Lin, why don't you tell us what kind of person you think is worthy of Lingyang?"

These words created a subtle atmosphere in the hall.

The Empress tightened her grip on her fingertips, but instead of speaking, she quietly perked up her ears.

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that the old man was indeed shrewd.

"If you ask me," he cleared his throat and started counting on his fingers,

"First, you have to be strong enough, at least not weaker than His Majesty, right? Otherwise, you won't even be able to win an argument, how frustrating would that be?"

Zhao Wuji nodded: "That makes sense. What's the second one?"

"Secondly, you must have real achievements. Otherwise, the old ministers in the court will definitely gossip, saying things like 'you got promoted by your looks' or 'you live off a woman,' which is annoying to hear."

"Thirdly..." Lin Chen paused, looking at the Empress with a serious expression.

"It has to be something His Majesty truly likes; otherwise, forcing a couple together just for the sake of succession will only lead to a dull and tasteless life. What's the point?"

The Empress felt a little uncomfortable under Lin Chen's gaze. She lowered her head and took a sip of tea, only to find that the tea had gone cold.

Zhao Wuji stroked his beard and laughed heartily: "Well said! Then, in your opinion, young friend Lin, among all the civil and military officials and talented individuals from the Eastern Region, who meets these three criteria?"

Lin Chen pretended to think for a moment and said, "Well... let me think about it."

"What are you still thinking about?" Zhao Wuji bluntly stated, "I think you're quite suitable."

"Ancestor!" The Empress could no longer sit still; her face flushed red.

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"How did I talk nonsense?" Zhao Wuji said confidently.

"In terms of strength, Lin Chen is unfathomable, capable of holding off the Netherworld Sect's terrestrial immortals in the Northern Territory."

In terms of achievements, the victory in the North was undeniable; as for the third point…”

He looked at the Empress and asked with a smile, "Lingyang, what do you think of Lin Chen?"

The empress opened her mouth, but the words got stuck in her throat.

Can't say it well? That would be against my conscience.

Lin Chen was indeed dazzlingly outstanding; in terms of appearance, strength, and ability, there were few who could compare to him in the entire Eastern Region.

Agreed? That won't do either, wouldn't that play right into that old fox's hands?

After hesitating for a long time, she finally managed to squeeze out, "The Prince of Zhenbei... is certainly excellent."

"That works!" Zhao Wuji slapped his thigh. "A perfect match, a match made in heaven!"

Lin Chen almost burst out laughing when he saw the Empress's embarrassed, angry, and helpless expression.

He coughed lightly and said seriously:

"Ancestor, you can't say things like that. I'm already going to marry the Eldest Princess. If I were to make a move on His Majesty, wouldn't I become a scoundrel?"

"Scumbag?" Zhao Wuji didn't understand the term, but he could guess its meaning.

"What's wrong with that? It's not uncommon for sisters to marry the same man. Besides, Lingyang's status is special; she wouldn't stay at home to be a wife and mother, would she?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress's ears turned red, and she bit her lip, saying:

"Ancestor! What you're saying is getting more and more outrageous!"

"What's so outrageous?" Zhao Wuji became serious. "Lingyang, don't think the ancestor is joking."

Royal succession is a major event, and the choice of your husband is of paramount importance.

"A man like Lin Xiaoyou is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; you might not get another chance like this."

Then, he turned to Lin Chen, and said earnestly:

"Young friend Lin, don't think that I'm plotting against you."

I watched Lingyang grow up. His talent, temperament, and appearance are all top-notch.

If you succeed, it will be a great thing for the country, the people, and the royal family.

Lin Chen inwardly praised the old man's eloquence, but on his face, he showed a troubled expression:

"This matter... ultimately depends on His Majesty's wishes. If His Majesty is unwilling, I cannot force him, can I?"

The two of them turned to look at the Empress.

The empress lowered her head, twisting her sleeves with her fingers, her mind a jumbled mess.

Reason told her that her ancestors were right.

Lin Chen is indeed the most suitable candidate.

His strength was enough to keep the court in check, his achievements were enough to convince the public, and... she really didn't dislike him.

But emotionally, things have progressed too fast.

One minute they're discussing national affairs, the next they're talking about marriage and even having children...

Moreover, she still had a knot in her heart.

"I..." She took a deep breath, raised her head, her face still flushed, but her eyes had regained their clarity.

"I understand the Emperor's considerations, and I am also aware of the Prince of Zhenbei's excellence."

But this matter involves far-reaching issues and is not merely my private affair.

She looked at Lin Chen, her gaze sharpening:

"If the Prince of Zhenbei has a child with me, should the child be surnamed Zhao or Lin?"