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

Chapter 161 Returning to the Capital

Three days later, at the south gate of Dingbei City.

A large army lined up to see them off.

Zhao Zilong, along with his eight Vajra Warriors and other generals, stood in front of the city gate, watching Lin Chen's entourage.

Lin Chen's return to Beijing this time was much more extravagant.

The entourage of the King of Zhenbei was led by thirty-six royal banners, with eighteen golden-armored heavenly guards on horseback in front.

This was sent by the Empress, and the eighteen golden-armored guards were also a gift from her.

Although the cultivation level is only one rank, it represents a different meaning.

There were eight horse-drawn carriages traveling with them.

Lin Chen and Ye Qingying sat in the first car, which was spacious enough for them to lie down and roll around.

Qin Shuyan and Xiao Yulou rode in the second car, which was specially padded and had excellent shock absorption.

The following vehicles carried luggage and supplies for the journey.

The accompanying entourage was even more luxurious:

Li Bai, still carrying his wine gourd and riding a green horse, walked on the left side of the caravan.

This guy was just sightseeing; if anything happened, it wouldn't be his place to do anything.

Jing Ke hid in the shadows, his whereabouts unknown.

Three female swordswomen rode on horseback to guard the second carriage.

The eighteen Heavenly Guards, dressed in black armor, stood on either side of the train procession.

The Thirteen Bodyguards were responsible for running errands for their loved ones.

Thirty-six Hidden Dragon Guards lay in ambush within a three-mile radius of the convoy, forming a network of hidden sentries.

The Thirteen Yan Yun Riders, all at the peak of the Grandmaster level, were responsible for scouting the route.

(Lin Chen summoned it specifically during the great battle, and it was already rusting in the system space.)

Finally, there were a thousand Great Snow Dragon Riders.

Five hundred of them—half of whom were at the early stage of Grandmaster level, a result of post-war breakthroughs.

The remaining five hundred were summoned by Lin Chen, making up the total of one thousand.

He is now the Prince of Zhenbei and can command a thousand private troops.

They announced to the outside world that they had won a great victory in the north and were now recruiting talented individuals.

Whether others believe it or not is none of his business.

He's in the Eastern Region now, so he can completely avoid eating beef!

Wen Tianxiang, Hong Lie, and Sun Bu'er, three imperial courtiers, also accompanied the emperor back to the capital.

It was ostensibly called "Guardian Prince," but Lin Chen knew it was more like the Empress wanted to keep an eye on him at all times.

Looking at this scene, Zhao Zilong smiled wryly:

"The lord's entourage is no less impressive than His Majesty's imperial procession."

Lin Chen leaned out of the carriage and said lazily:

"There's nothing I can do, my status is different now."

By the way, Zilong, send word immediately if anything happens in the North.

"Things in the capital... I doubt things will calm down either."

"Rest assured, my lord."

The convoy slowly set off.

The soldiers and civilians of Dingbei City knelt to see them off, their shouts shaking the heavens:

"Respectfully bidding farewell to Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!"

Lin Chen waved his hand and retreated into the carriage.

As the carriage curtain fell, he immediately slumped onto the cushions, resting his head on Ye Qingying's lap, and instructed Taiyi (one of the Thirteen Bodyguards), who was driving the carriage:

"Take it slow, no rush. We'll enjoy the scenery, listen to music in brothels, and take it easy along the way."

Taiyi smiled憨厚ly: "My lord commands, and I obey."

Ye Qingying chuckled softly and gently pressed Lin Chen's temples with both hands.

The convoy headed south, traveling no more than fifty li a day.

Lin Chen would stop to enjoy the scenery whenever he passed through a beautiful place.

When we come across a town, we always stay for two or three days to stroll through the market, eat local specialties, and enjoy music and opera.

Of course, brothels were indispensable.

That day, they arrived at Linjiang City in the southern part of the northern border.

After settling Qin Shuyan and the other two women in, Lin Chen took two Heavenly Guards and Taiyi and strolled to the city's largest brothel, "Fengyue Tower".

Upon seeing Lin Chen's extraordinary bearing and the imposing presence of his guards, the madam immediately greeted him with a beaming smile.

"This young master looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting our brothel? You've come to the right place. Today is the day our most beautiful courtesan, 'Moon Pity,' is performing..."

Lin Chen casually tossed a gold ingot aside:

"A private room, fine wine and delicious food. Please have Miss Yue Lian come and have a couple of drinks with me after her performance."

"Okay!"

In the private room, Lin Chen leaned against the window, watching the courtesan on the stage, her face veiled in light gauze, playing the pipa.

Taiyi and two Heavenly Guards stood guard outside the door, their eyes fixed straight ahead.

"Tsk, this piece is not bad..." Lin Chen sipped his wine and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.

"I took a liking to Miss Yue Lian first. How dare your brothel defy the Wang family?"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and looked downstairs—a young man in brocade robes, accompanied by a dozen servants, was confronting the madam.

The madam said hesitantly, "Young Master Wang, Miss Yue Lian has already been invited to a private room upstairs. What do you think...?"

"A private room?" Young Master Wang sneered. "Which blind fool dares to try and take someone from me? Tell him to get down here!"

Taiyi looked at Lin Chen: "My lord, your subordinate..."

"You handle it." Lin Chen waved his hand. "Don't let anyone die, just scare them a little."

"Yes."

As soon as Tai came downstairs, the young master Wang saw that he was only dressed as a guard and became even more arrogant:

"Call me your master..."

Before he could finish speaking, Taiyi subtly released the aura of a peak Grandmaster—

"Thump!"

Young Master Wang and a dozen servants knelt down on the ground, their faces pale and their bodies trembling.

How could they withstand the pressure of a Grandmaster?

Despite having many experts under his command, in some ordinary places in the Eastern Region, a Grandmaster is already someone who has founded a sect.

"Get lost," Taiyi uttered a single word.

Young Master Wang felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and he ran away as fast as he could, so fast that the servants couldn't even carry him away.

The madam and the guests were all stunned.

Who is this person?!

How can a mere guard possess such power?

Taiyi returned to the private room as if nothing had happened.

Before long, Miss Yue Lian entered carrying a pipa and bowed gracefully.

"This humble woman is Yue Lian, and greets you, sir."

She had already removed her veil, revealing a truly stunning beauty, especially her eyes, which were like autumn waters brimming with affection.

Lin Chen beckoned: "Come and sit down."

Yue Lian sat obediently beside Lin Chen, pouring him wine.

The two chatted about music and poetry for a while, and Lin Chen discovered that this courtesan was not only beautiful, but also very talented, with knowledge of music, chess, calligraphy and painting.

"With such talent and beauty as Miss Yue Lian, how did she end up in the world of prostitution?" Lin Chen asked.

Yue Lian's eyes dimmed: "Our family has fallen on hard times, and my father has incurred huge debts... We had no choice."

Lin Chen nodded and took out a silver note from his pocket—ten thousand taels.

"Buy your freedom and marry into a good family." He smiled faintly.

"This place of dust and grime is ultimately not my final destination."

Yue Lian was stunned. She looked at the silver note, then at Lin Chen, and suddenly knelt down and kowtowed:

"Young master's kindness is beyond repayment..."

"No need to report it." Lin Chen raised his hand in a gesture of support. "It was nothing."

He really just did it on a whim.

Ten thousand taels is nothing to him now.

As for beauty... there are the pregnant eldest sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, fourth sister-in-law, Su Xiaoxiao, and several other sisters-in-law.

Two other princesses are also to be married.

He has no shortage of women!

He has no shortage of beautiful women!

However, Yue Lian was determined to repay the debt of gratitude and insisted on following him.

Lin Chen had no choice but to nod.

"Here's what we'll do: you pack your things and wait for me to set off; you can come with me in the car."

Once you arrive in the capital, you'll be assigned a position as a female steward. As for what happens after that, that depends on your own fortune.

"Thank you, young master!" Yue Lian cried with joy and repeatedly bowed in gratitude.

Lin Chen had Taiyi redeem Yue Lian from her servitude and then had him take her out of the city to make arrangements.

He continued drinking and listening to music until evening before returning to the inn.

Qin Shuyan and the other two women were already used to Lin Chen frequenting brothels, so they didn't ask him any questions when he returned.

Ye Qingying silently helped Lin Chen change his clothes, and said with a smile:

"Eighth brother...didn't stay overnight today?"

Lin Chen reached out and put his arm around Ye Qingying, chuckling softly:

"With three beautiful ladies at home, why would I stay overnight in a brothel?"

Ye Qingying smiled slightly and said coquettishly, "You're so glib."

"I'm only smooth-talking to you." Lin Chen chuckled and kissed Ye Qingying on the cheek.

"Tonight... to my room?"

Ye Qingying trembled slightly and nodded gently.

……

It was late at night.

The candlelight flickered in Lin Chen's room.

Ye Qingying, wrapped in a thin blanket, stared at Lin Chen as he pulled out a booklet, her face flushed.

"The Art of Seduction: Practical Guide..." she read the title, blushing so deeply she wanted to disappear into the ground.

"Eighth Brother, where did you get this kind of book?!"

"It was given to me by the system," Lin Chen said truthfully—anyway, Ye Qingying wouldn't understand.

"Since the night is long anyway, shall we do some research?" Lin Chen grinned mischievously.

Ye Qingying bit her lip, but finally nodded.

This research took place in the middle of the night.