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

Chapter 94 The Eldest Sister-in-Law's Initiative

Back at his residence, Lin Chen didn't go anywhere; he simply lay on the soft couch in the main house, taking a break.

Just then, familiar footsteps came from outside the window.

He lazily raised his eyes and saw Yuan Tiangang, dressed in a black robe, silently appear at the door of the study.

"My lord," Yuan Tiangang bowed respectfully.

"Oh, Mr. Yuan is back?" Lin Chen sat up and yawned.

"How's it going in Jiangnan? Has Patriarch Su been bullied by those old foxes?"

"Everything went smoothly." Yuan Tiangang walked to the desk and took out an account book from his sleeve.

"This is the Canal Transport Association's estimated revenue for the next three months."

Thanks to the Su family's skillful management, the various canal transport routes in Jiangnan have now been initially integrated.

According to the head of the Su family's estimate, the Chamber of Commerce will be officially operational in a month, and the Lin family's 20% share will yield approximately 500,000 taels of silver in monthly profits.

Lin Chen took the ledger and flipped through it casually, his head throbbing at the sight of the densely packed expected figures:

"So many? Patriarch Su is truly a business genius."

"Patriarch Su's methods are indeed highly skillful," Yuan Tiangang said.

"He used the Canal Transport Chamber of Commerce as a platform to integrate more than 50% of the freight resources in Jiangnan."

Nowadays, not only major families, but also some small and medium-sized businesses are actively seeking to join.

If all goes well, the Lin family's annual income from the Grand Canal Merchants Association is expected to exceed eight million taels next year.

"Great news." Lin Chen tossed the ledger aside.

"Making money is better than making no money. By the way, any news from the Cui and Zhou families?"

"The Zhou family is relatively well-behaved," Yuan Tiangang said.

"Zhou Wenyuan personally visited the head of the Su family in Suzhou to express his intention to cooperate, which seems to indicate that he has admitted defeat, but the Cui family..."

He paused:

"Although Cui Yongnian outwardly scaled back his industries in Jiangnan, he was still active in secret."

My subordinates discovered that he maintained contact with generals in Northern Shuo through several clandestine channels.

Lin Chen chuckled: "I know."

"Do you need...?" Yuan Tiangang gestured.

"No need." Lin Chen waved his hand. "Let him contact them. We can see what tricks the Cui family is up to."

"By the way, is there anything the Su family head needs help with?"

"Patriarch Su hopes that His Majesty can send some men to Jiangnan to oversee the situation, just in case," Yuan Tiangang said.

"After all, the integration of the canal transport associations will inevitably affect the interests of some people."

"Okay." Lin Chen thought for a moment.

"Let the Thirteen Protectors take a hundred Snow Dragon Riders to Jiangnan. They are all at the peak of the Grandmaster level, which is enough to handle most situations."

"The Thirteen Protectors?" Yuan Tiangang was taken aback.

"Oh, they're just a new batch of experts I recruited," Lin Chen lied without batting an eye.

"They are all skilled martial artists, loyal and reliable. Arrange for them to go to Jiangnan to cooperate with Patriarch Su."

It's actually a monthly sign-in reward, but Lin Chen doesn't need any more people right now, so he hasn't summoned it yet.

Although Grandmasters are the backbone of the nation, Lin Chen no longer takes them seriously.

In the past two months, in addition to the Thirteen Protectors, Lin Chen also had the Thirteen Riders of Yanyun, all of whom were at the peak of the Grandmaster level.

It's been four months since he transmigrated, yet he already wields enough power to dominate the world.

Life is so lonely! Lin Chen sighed inwardly.

Unaware of Lin Chen's inner thoughts, Yuan Tiangang continued:

"My lord, the head of the Su family also asked me to convey a message that if Miss Su needs anything in the manor, she should just ask, and the Su family will do its best to support her."

Lin Chen smiled: "Patriarch Su does dote on his daughter. Tell him that Xiao Xiao is doing very well at the manor and that he can rest assured."

As the two were talking, Lin Fu's voice came from outside the door: "Lord Duke, a visiting card has been sent from the Princess's residence."

Lin Chen was taken aback: "The Eldest Princess? What does she want with me?"

Upon receiving the visiting card, I noticed its gilded cover and elegant handwriting:

"Please invite the Duke of Zhenguo to Tingyu Pavilion at noon tomorrow to discuss important matters. — Zhao Mingyue"

"Listening to the Rain Pavilion..." Lin Chen stroked his chin.

"Isn't that the teahouse in the west of the city? Why did the Princess make an appointment there?"

Yuan Tiangang said, "Tingyu Pavilion is quiet and elegant. The Princess must not want to attract attention by choosing to meet there."

"Alright then." Lin Chen tossed the visiting card onto the table. "Since I'm free anyway, there's no harm in going to see them."

After Yuan Tiangang bowed and withdrew, Lin Chen lay back down on the soft couch, thinking about the Princess.

Third on the beauty list, 26 years old, married for seven years without consummating the marriage, suspected of having an endocrine disorder...

Has he come to terms with things? Does he want to take care of himself?

Lin Chen chuckled softly; it wasn't that he couldn't help with this.

It's because I'm always happy to help others!

Haha ...

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door again.

"Is Eighth Brother here?" It was Liu Ruyan's voice.

Lin Chen's eyes lit up: "Yes, sister-in-law, come in."

……

Liu Ruyan pushed open the door and came in, carrying a plate of freshly made pastries.

She changed into a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and her hair was neatly styled in a bun, but her face showed a hint of unease.

"Sister-in-law, please sit down." Lin Chen stood up and took the snacks. "What are these? They smell so good."

"Almond shortbread." Liu Ruyan sat down in the chair.

"Nian'er kept asking for some, so I made extra and brought some over to you."

Lin Chen picked up a piece and tasted it: "Mmm, crispy and sweet, sister-in-law's cooking is really good."

Liu Ruyan watched him eat with relish, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes, but she quickly straightened her face again:

"Eighth brother, I heard... the eldest princess has requested a meeting with you?"

"Sister-in-law, you're really well-informed," Lin Chen said with a smile. "The visiting card was just delivered; it'll be tomorrow at 1-3 PM."

"Why did the Princess invite you?" Liu Ruyan frowned.

"She has lived a secluded life for many years. Although she occasionally comes to Zuiyuexuan to listen to the zither and cultivate, it is only for listening to the zither and cultivating."

"Why would I suddenly ask you out alone... Is something wrong?"

"Who knows?" Lin Chen said casually.

"Won't we find out when we meet? Anyway, the princess wouldn't harm me."

Looking at his nonchalant demeanor, Liu Ruyan sighed:

"Eighth Brother, I know you are no ordinary person now, but the Eldest Princess has a special status and is also the daughter-in-law of the Zhou family... You still need to be careful."

"I know, I know." Lin Chen grasped her hand. "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I know what I'm doing."

Liu Ruyan blushed and tried to pull her hand away, but couldn't: "Eighth Brother...you..."

"Sister-in-law," Lin Chen looked at her earnestly, "about that day...you're not angry, are you?"

Liu Ruyan knew he was referring to that kiss, and her face turned even redder:

"What's there to be angry about... it's all... it's all in the past."

"That's good." Lin Chen smiled. "I was worried that my sister-in-law wouldn't talk to me."

"I'm not that petty," Liu Ruyan said reproachfully, her voice softening slightly.

As the two were talking, Lin Nian'er's childish voice came from outside the door:

"Mother! Eighth uncle!"

The little girl ran in and jumped onto Lin Chen's lap: "Eighth Uncle! Nian'er wants to eat candied hawthorns!"

Lin Chen picked her up: "Okay, Uncle Ba will buy it for you tomorrow."

"I want it now!" Lin Nian'er pleaded.

"It's almost dark now, the candied hawthorn vendors have all gone home," Lin Chen coaxed.

"Uncle Ba will definitely buy you some tomorrow, two skewers, okay?"

"Okay..." Lin Nian'er pouted.

Liu Ruyan watched from the side, her eyes full of tenderness.

She suddenly said, "Eighth Brother, would you like to dine at Plum Garden tonight? I'll have the kitchen prepare a few extra dishes."

Lin Chen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Great! I've been wanting to eat my sister-in-law's cooking for a while now."

"Then I'll go prepare." Liu Ruyan stood up, picked up Lin Nian'er, and

"Nian'er, come to the kitchen with me, let's make something delicious for Uncle Ba."

"Okay!" Lin Nian'er said happily.

After the mother and daughter left, Lin Chen leaned back in his chair, feeling happy.

It seems my sister-in-law has come to her senses.