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

Chapter 419 Returning Home

The hall was silent for a few seconds, then erupted into chaos.

"What?!"

"Your Majesty is pregnant?!"

"This...this..."

The Empress's smile deepened as she observed the reactions of her officials.

"What? You're not happy that I'm pregnant?"

The officials, as if waking from a dream, hurriedly bowed and greeted him: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the birth of your imperial heir!"

"May the Great Yan Empire be forever secure!"

The Empress looked at the officials who were bowing in respect and said calmly, "Rise, all of you."

The officials stood up straight, each with a smile on their face, but their eyes held a complex expression.

Some were happy, some were worried, some were calculating, and some were bewildered.

Lin Chen stood there, taking in everyone's expressions, and understood everything perfectly.

At this moment, at Su Wenbo's prompting, an official from the Ministry of Rites cautiously stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, according to the rites, the Imperial Consort should enter the palace."

However, given the Prince of Zhenbei's special status and his command of a large army, residing in the palace would likely be...inconvenient.

The words were phrased euphemistically, but everyone understood the meaning.

Let a strong, capable man live in the harem? Wouldn't that be like a son-in-law marrying into the wife's family?

Not to mention, Lin Chen also bears the heavy responsibility of supporting the eight branches of the Lin family, and there are a lot of pregnant women in the family...

The Empress waved her hand: "I have already made up my mind about this matter."

She glanced at Lin Chen, then said:

"Lin Chen's title is Zhenji Qianwang, and his royal residence is located in Dongshan."

The title of Imperial Consort only needs to be announced to the world; there is no need for him to reside in the palace.

The official from the Ministry of Rites was taken aback: "This...this seems inappropriate—"

"What I say is the rule of rites," the Empress interrupted him.

The Ministry of Rites official immediately shut up, retreated, and dared not say another word.

Zhao Wuji stroked his beard beside him, nodding with a smile:

"This arrangement is excellent! I've been to Lin Chen's villa in Dongshan; it's incredibly grand, almost as impressive as the imperial palace. It saves us the trouble of making any changes, haha!"

Lin Chen glanced at Zhao Wuji. This old man is sensible!

Zhao Wuji winked at Lin Chen, then slowly walked away with his hands behind his back.

"Alright, that's all for now, you guys continue."

The officials hurriedly and respectfully saw him off in unison: "Respectfully seeing off the Holy Emperor—"

The Empress looked at Lin Chen: "Prince Qian, do you have any objections?"

Lin Chen clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject has no objection."

Nonsense, what objections could there be?

Dongshan Villa is so nice! The air is fresh, the place is spacious, and you can have a wife and kids in a warm bed. Who would want to live in the palace?

The Empress nodded: "Then it's settled. Court adjourned."

"Court adjourned—"

Lin Chen turned and walked out, his steps light and quick.

As he reached the palace entrance, he suddenly turned around and glanced at the Empress on the dragon throne.

The Empress was also looking at him.

Their eyes met, and they both smiled at the same time.

In that smile, there was tacit understanding, joy, and a tiny bit—something indescribable.

Lin Chen stepped out of the palace gate, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and soared into the air, flying towards Dongshan Mountain.

The royal guards and imperial guards looked up, saw it was Lin Chen, and then silently lowered their heads again.

Flying is prohibited in the royal palace? That's what they say to others.

Sir, let him fly if he wants; there's no stopping him anyway.

……

Dongshan Villa.

Lin Chen landed on the bluestone slab outside the main hall.

The sunlight shone in from the east, bathing the entire courtyard in a golden glow.

He stood there and took a deep breath.

The air is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus, the scent of dew, and—the smell of home.

The courtyard was already packed with people.

Liu Ruyan stood at the front, holding Lin Nianjun in her arms. She wore a light purple dress, her hair was neatly combed, and she had a faint smile on her face.

She didn't run away, nor did she get agitated.

He just stood there, looking at Lin Chen.

Zhao Mingyue stood next to Liu Ruyan, her pregnant belly protruding, holding a book in her hand, her expression indifferent, but her eyes suddenly turned a little red.

Chu Yueyao stood next to Zhao Mingyue, also supporting her pregnant belly, looking at Lin Chen with a tender expression.

Qin Shuyan stood under the eaves, leaning against the door frame, her nearly ten-month pregnant belly protruding, her eyes already red.

Xiao Yulou stood next to Qin Shuyan, holding a sword in his hand, showing no signs of being about to give birth.

Wen Ruoxi stood on the steps, holding an account book in her hand. When she saw Lin Chen, the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

Ye Qingying stood next to Wen Ruoxi, her expression aloof, but her eyes sparkling.

Murong Xue and Su Xiaoxiao stood behind Ye Qingying, holding hands, their eyes red.

Lan Fenghuang stood under the corridor, saw Lin Chen, and nodded and smiled.

Liu Shengxue also stood under the corridor, holding Liu Sheng Piaopiao's hand.

Shanling Kongya stood behind Yagyu Yuki, wearing a light blue dress, with a smile on her lips, but a hint of nervousness in her eyes.

Yao Yao stood next to Lan Fenghuang and winked at Lin Chen meaningfully.

Ah Yue, Da Shuang, and Xiao Shuang stood quietly behind Lan Fenghuang.

Qin Xin and her four companions, along with Qing'er and her five companions, stood in a row under the eaves, all looking at Lin Chen.

The old lady sat in a grand chair at the entrance of the main room, leaning on her cane, looking at Lin Chen with reddened eyes.

Su Wanqing stood next to the old lady, holding onto the armrest of the chair, looking at Lin Chen, her eyes also reddening.

Lin Nian'er stood in front of the old lady, her hair tied in two little pigtails, wearing a little red jacket, and holding a small wildflower in her hand, waiting to give it to her father.

The courtyard was packed with people.

Lin Chen stood in the middle of the courtyard, looking at all those familiar faces, his heart felt like it was filled with something.

"I'm back." Lin Chen flashed a smile, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

Lin Nian'er was the first to rush over, her short legs moving incredibly fast as she plunged headfirst into Lin Chen's arms, squeezing the little wildflower in her hand into a specimen-like shape.

"Daddy, you're finally back! I missed you so much! I missed you every single day! I missed you even when I was eating, sleeping, or pooping!"

Lin Chen bent down, picked her up, and kissed her on the cheek: "Daddy missed you too."

Lin Nian'er hugged Lin Chen's neck and kissed him on the cheek, smearing his face with saliva.

Liu Ruyan carried Lin Nianjun over, stood in front of Lin Chen, and reached out to touch Lin Chen's face.

"You've lost weight."

"I haven't lost weight—"

"You've lost weight."

Lin Chen shut up, after all, he was only 11 years old when Liu Ruyan entered the Lin family.

Liu Ruyan handed Lin Nianjun to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen took his son; the little guy had gained a lot of weight and was quite chubby.

Lin Nianjun stared at Lin Chen for two seconds, then his lips trembled—and he burst into tears.

Lin Chen: "...No, why are you crying as soon as you see me? What's the meaning of that?"

Liu Ruyan smiled: "Shy."

Lin Chen tossed his son around and said, "Call me Dad."

Lin Nianjun cried even louder, tears streaming down his face.

Liu Ruyan took her son back, and the little guy immediately stopped crying, snuggled in his mother's arms, secretly glanced at Lin Chen, and then quickly buried his head in Liu Ruyan's chest.

Lin Chen: "...This little brat."

Liu Ruyan glared at Lin Chen and said, "You're the brat."

Zhao Mingyue walked over and stood in front of Lin Chen. "You're back?"

"Um."

Zhao Mingyue reached out and pinched Lin Chen's face, then looked him over as if inspecting goods.

"You've lost weight."

Lin Chen had given up on explaining.

Zhao Mingyue rolled her eyes: "You've caused quite a stir out there, haven't you?"

Lin Chen smiled guiltily, "No, no, I was very well-behaved."

Zhao Mingyue snorted and handed him the book in her hand: "Wen Ruoxi has checked this month's accounts. Take a look at them again."

Lin Chen looked at the familiar account book in his hand and sighed, "I just got back."

Zhao Mingyue retorted matter-of-factly, "So what if I just got back? Does that mean I don't have to do any work? Do you think all these mouths to feed will starve?"

Lin Chen opened his mouth, only to find himself speechless.