RPAGF Chapter 40 Don't Try to Target My Sister
Chapter 40 Don't Try to Target My Sister
"This..." Lin Chen scratched his head.
"I'm not trying to shirk responsibility, it's just that... matters of the heart can't be rushed. Besides, I'm still young and want to enjoy life for a few more years!"
"Play?" A hint of amusement flashed in the Empress's eyes. "How? Continue browsing the brothels and sleeping with the courtesans?"
"That won't do!" Lin Chen said solemnly.
"I am now a person of status, how can I always go to such places?"
"I plan to... open a high-end club, the kind that only caters to dignitaries and nobles, where they can listen to music, drink wine, and discuss business. It's both elegant and profitable!"
His eyes lit up as he spoke: "Your Majesty, if you have some free time, would you please come and sit for a while? I will reserve the best private room for you, free of charge for life!"
The Empress was both amused and exasperated by his train of thought.
She summoned Lin Chen today to probe his background, gauge his ambitions, and then try to win him over with favors.
As it turned out, this guy was completely unresponsive, his mind was only on eating, drinking, having fun, and making money, and he seemed to have no interest in power whatsoever.
But the more this happened, the more uneasy the Empress felt.
Could a true playboy possess such methods?
How could someone like Yuan Tiangang be expected to serve him?
Could someone devise a plan to bring down the Second Prince and the Cui family?
"Lin Chen," the Empress suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to him.
"I'll ask you one last time—do you truly only want to live a life of wealth and leisure?"
Lin Chen looked at her slender yet upright back and quickly weighed his options.
Finally, he sighed, stood up, walked to the Empress's side, looked at the osmanthus tree in the courtyard outside the window, and said softly:
"Your Majesty, my father is a Grandmaster, and my seven elder brothers are at least of the third rank."
They devoted their lives to serving their emperor and country, yet died under mysterious circumstances.
"Sometimes I wonder, if Father hadn't been so upright back then, and my brothers hadn't fought so hard, would we have survived? Would the Lin family have avoided its decline?"
He turned his head and looked at the Empress:
"Therefore, I believe that living is the most important thing."
Having power and influence is good, but the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it. Right now, I just want to stay with the Lin family, take care of my sisters-in-law, earn a little money, and live a peaceful life.
"If Your Majesty will remember our past relationship, then let me live a life of wealth and leisure."
These words were spoken sincerely, tinged with a sense of vicissitude.
The empress turned to look at him; the two were no more than three feet apart.
She could see the composure in Lin Chen's eyes, and a hint of... weariness deep within them?
Is he genuinely tired, or is he faking it?
She couldn't tell.
"Fine," the Empress finally relented.
"I've reserved the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard for you. You can go if you want, or just keep your name on it if you don't."
But you cannot shirk your duties as Duke Zhenguo—if there is war in the northern border, you must go to war.
"Of course!" Lin Chen replied immediately.
"To defend my homeland is my inescapable duty!"
"Furthermore," the Empress added, "
"I grant you permission to expand your three hundred private soldiers to five hundred. However, you are responsible for their equipment, provisions, and pay."
Five hundred private soldiers! That's an extraordinary level of treatment!
Lin Chen was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Don't thank me yet," the Empress said calmly.
"I grant you special privileges, so you must also serve me."
"Train an elite army for me within three months. I want to see your military skills, Lin Chen."
This is a test, but also an opportunity.
Lin Chen understood and solemnly replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."
The atmosphere eased.
The Empress sat back down at her desk and suddenly said, "You just said you wanted to open a high-end club?"
"Yes, it's called 'Drunken Moon Pavilion,' and it's currently under renovation," Lin Chen said with a smile. "Is Your Majesty interested?"
"I have no interest." The Empress glanced at him.
"But my elder sister, Princess Zhao Mingyue, has recently returned to the capital. She enjoys refined pursuits and may go to take a look."
Third on the Rouge Ranking: Princess Zhao Mingyue of Dayan!
Lin Chen's eyes lit up: "Then I will certainly treat you well!"
"No need for that," the Empress said calmly.
"If she goes, you can receive her as usual, but there's one thing—you're not allowed to make any advances towards her."
That's a very straightforward statement.
Lin Chen quickly waved his hand: "Your Highness, I wouldn't dare! Her Highness is of noble birth, how could I presume to act rashly!"
"It's good that you understand." The Empress picked up her teacup, indicating that she was seeing the guest out.
Lin Chen, sensing the situation, bowed and said, "Your subject takes his leave."
As he reached the door, the Empress suddenly called out to him again: "Lin Chen."
"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"
The Empress looked at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions:
"I also bear responsibility for your father's situation. If I had assumed personal rule sooner, perhaps..."
"Your Majesty is too kind," Lin Chen said solemnly.
"It was a treacherous minister who harmed my father; it had nothing to do with Your Majesty. Now that the treacherous minister has been eliminated, my father's spirit in heaven should be comforted."
The Empress nodded and said nothing more.
Lin Chen left the warm pavilion and followed Qingluan out of the palace.
"Young Master Lin," Qingluan suddenly whispered, "His Majesty actually admires you quite a bit today."
"Oh?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow.
"His Majesty rarely speaks so much to anyone," Qingluan said, "and even less so...he makes concessions."
Lin Chen laughed: "That's because I'm thick-skinned."
Qingluan glanced at him but said nothing more.
On his way out of the palace, Lin Chen pondered his next move.
The Empress has been dealt with for now.
She gave him real power without pushing him too hard, and even tacitly allowed him to expand his private army.
This already represents a significant act of trust and courting.
Of course, surveillance is inevitable.
The position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard is the best source of intelligence.
"However..." Lin Chen's lips curled up slightly, "Want to spy on me? We'll have to see if you have the ability."
……
It was already late when they returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
The seven sisters-in-law were all waiting in the front hall. When they saw Lin Chen return, they all gathered around him.
"Eighth brother, what does His Majesty want to see me about?" Liu Ruyan asked anxiously.
Lin Chen took out the imperial edict of investiture and the documents from the Imperial City Guard, and briefly explained what had happened.
Everyone was both surprised and delighted.
"Duke Zhenguo! This is a formal investiture!" Qin Shuyan exclaimed excitedly.
"And there's the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard!" Wen Ruoxi's eyes lit up. "That's a position with real power!"
"Five hundred private soldiers!" Xiao Yulou clapped his hands. "Now our Duke's mansion's defenses are even more secure!"
Only Ye Qingying frowned slightly: "Your Majesty is... both valuing him and being wary of him."
"Sixth Sister-in-law sees things clearly," Lin Chen said with a smile.
"It's alright, let's get back to what we were doing. By the way, how's the renovation of Zuiyue Pavilion going?"
"That's about it," Wen Ruoxi said.
"We'll be having a trial opening the day after tomorrow, Eighth Brother, are you really going to personally oversee things?"
"Of course." Lin Chen stretched.
"I'm the boss, so I have to go and check it out. Besides, Princess Chang is coming, so we need to prepare properly."
"The Eldest Princess?" Everyone was taken aback.
Lin Chen relayed the Empress's words, and everyone's expressions varied.
Murong Xue said softly:
"Her Highness the Eldest Princess is gentle in nature, but has very high standards. If Eighth Brother can win her favor, it will be of great benefit to the Lin family."
"I'm just running a business," Lin Chen waved his hand.
"It's not a matter of favor or disfavor. By the way, I'll be going to Zuiyue Pavilion tomorrow to make the final arrangements. I'll leave the rest of the household in your care, sisters-in-law."
"Don't worry," Liu Ruyan nodded, "we're here."
As night deepened, everyone returned to their rooms.
Lin Chen lay on the master bedroom bed in Zhenwu Hall, his hands behind his head, gazing at the ceiling.
Empress, Eldest Princess, Purple Robe Tower, Northern Border, Seven Sisters-in-Law, Drunken Moon Pavilion...
There are many things to do, but we'll take it one step at a time.
He suddenly remembered the Empress's words from earlier that day, "Don't you dare lay a finger on her," and couldn't help but laugh.
"The Eldest Princess... ranked third on the Rouge Ranking, gentle and dignified..."
He turned over and closed his eyes.
"Go to sleep first. We'll be busy tomorrow."