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

Chapter 207 The Gift from the Joyful Union Sect

Not long after.

A young man dressed in pink walked in.

The man walked with a swaying gait, his waist as supple as a willow branch. He bowed respectfully as he approached.

"Yan Ruyu, outer sect steward of the Hehuan Sect, greets the Prince of Zhenbei and all the ladies~"

The last syllable of the word "Madam" was drawn out, making all the women and Lin Chen shudder.

"Are you from the Hehuan Sect?" Xiao Yulou frowned, her hand instinctively reaching for her waist. Not finding her sword, she remembered that Lin Chen had forbidden her from carrying any sharp weapons since she became pregnant.

"Madam has a good eye!" Yan Ruyu said with a charming smile.

"Our sect leader, Mei Jiu Niang, admires the prince's demeanor and specially ordered Ru Yu to send a small gift to establish a good relationship."

He clapped his hands, and two attendants carried in a mahogany box.

The box was opened, revealing a jade carving of a "flying goddess" that was half a person's height.

The jade is warm and lustrous, the carving is exquisite, and the woman is barely clothed, captivating the heart.

"Wow." Lin Chen's eyes lit up. "That's quite a generous offer, a thousand-year-old warm jade?"

"Your Highness has a good eye!" Liu Ruyu covered her mouth and laughed.

"Placing this image in the bedroom can nourish the complexion and aid in spiritual cultivation."

The sect leader said, "The prince's mansion has many beauties, which is just what we need."

These words created a subtle atmosphere in the courtyard.

Liu Ruyan's expression remained calm, but she gently tapped the back of the chair with her fingers.

Chu Yueyao frowned slightly.

Qin Shuyan put down the ancient book and narrowed her eyes slightly.

Xiao Yulou gave a cold laugh.

Ye Qingying's eyes grew even colder.

Murong Xue pouted.

Lan Fenghuang glanced at the jade statue with a slight blush on her cheeks, then looked at Lin Chen.

Su Xiaoxiao blinked and looked at Wen Ruoxi.

Wen Ruoxi exploded: "What do you mean? The Hehuan Sect sent this thing because they think we sisters aren't beautiful enough and need it to nourish us?!"

"Madam has misunderstood," Yan Ruyu said calmly.

"This is just icing on the cake. The sect leader also said that if Your Highness has time in the future, you are welcome to visit the Hehuan Sect."

The sisters in the valley will definitely treat you well~

The implication in those words is clear to even a fool.

Lin Chen coughed lightly: "I accept the gift. Please thank your sect leader for me. As for being a guest... we can talk about it another time."

Yan Ruyu didn't press the matter further, bowed again, and swayed away.

As soon as the person left, Wen Ruoxi pointed at the jade carving: "Husband! You're going to accept this too?!"

"Why wouldn't I accept it?" Lin Chen asked matter-of-factly. "It's free, why not take it?"

"But this was a gift from the Joyful Union Sect! Who knows what their intentions are!"

"Fifth Sister is right," Xiao Yulou said coldly.

"The Hehuan Sect is skilled in the art of sexual cultivation and seduction? Sending this thing, they probably don't have good intentions."

Chu Yueyao stood up, walked to the jade carving, examined it carefully, and then gently sniffed it:

"The jade is top-quality warm jade, and the carving is also fine. On the surface, it looks like an ordinary ornament."

"The surface?" Ye Qingying grasped the key point.

"Hmm." Chu Yueyao nodded. "If the Hehuan Sect really wanted to do something, they wouldn't do it openly."

But the gift itself... certainly gives rise to certain thoughts.

Qin Shuyan frowned slightly and said softly:

"Winning hearts is the best policy. Giving such an ambiguous gift will leave a thorn in our hearts, regardless of whether our husbands accept it or not."

"If we accept it, we'll feel uneasy; if we don't, it'll make my husband seem guilty and calculating."

Xiao Yulou snorted, "That Mei Jiu Niang must have heard that her husband has a bunch of wives and wants to steal one away from him!"

Su Xiaoxiao weakly raised her hand: "I think... maybe she really wants to make good connections?"

After all, the Netherworld Sect has closed its mountains, and the various sects of the demonic path are definitely realigning themselves now…”

"Xiaoxiao, you're just too kind to people." Wen Ruoxi glared at Lin Chen, her cheeks puffed out.

"My lord! Tell me, are you tempted? Do you want to go to the Hehuan Sect to meet the 'Sisters of the Valley'?"

Lin Chen was both amused and exasperated: "What could I possibly be thinking about? I can barely take care of my own family, how could I possibly have time to think about outsiders?"

Upon hearing this, Lan Fenghuang blushed again.

Liu Ruyan smiled and smoothed things over: "Alright, Fifth Sister, your husband knows what he's doing."

However, this jade carving still needs to be carefully examined, lest we fall for a scam.

"Of course!" Lin Chen nodded slightly and said calmly to the air.

"Lord Guan, come and take a look!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Guan Yu appeared, stroking his long beard.

He stretched out his large hand and gently pressed it on the jade carving.

After a moment, he stopped: "No traps, no poison, no spells, just a piece of well-carved warm jade."

Lin Chen spread his hands: "See, is there no problem? I'll put it in my room later, it'll be a feast for the eyes."

"Put it in your room?" Wen Ruoxi's eyes lit up. "No way! Put it in my room!"

"Didn't you say you were disgusted?" Lin Chen was speechless.

"I...I suddenly think it's quite pretty!" Wen Ruoxi said confidently.

"I'll put it in my room, I'll keep an eye on it every day, and see what kind of trouble it gets into!"

The women burst into knowing laughter.

Liu Ruyan shook her head and said to Lan Fenghuang, "Sister Lan, please don't take offense. It's always like this at home."

Lan Fenghuang smiled slightly, "It's better to have a lively atmosphere."

Just then, Lin Wu ran in.

"Your Highness! Someone from the palace has arrived, saying His Majesty summons you to the palace!"

Lin Chen's smile vanished.

The women quieted down.

"Did you say what it was about?" Lin Chen asked.

"He didn't say anything, but my father-in-law didn't look well."

Lin Chen hesitated for a moment, then stood up: "I'll go check on Ru Yan. You take care of things at home."

"Don't worry, my husband."

Lin Chen strode towards the front hall, while the women exchanged bewildered glances.

Wen Ruoxi muttered to herself, "They summoned me right after receiving the gifts; I hope nothing bad will happen?"

Chu Yueyao said softly, "His Majesty summoned us urgently, there must be something important. Let's not speculate, let's wait for my husband to return before we talk about it."

Liu Ruyan nodded: "Everyone, go home. Those who need to rest should rest, and those who need to take care of their pregnancy should take care of their pregnancy."

"Smurfette, I've had the butler register your dowry. I'll show you the list later."

"Thank you for your help, elder sister."

Everyone dispersed.

Wen Ruoxi then directed people to move the jade carving into her own courtyard.

"Gently, gently! Put it by the window, yes, right there... wait, let's put it by the bedside, it'll be more effective closer..."

The maid suppressed a laugh: "Fifth Madam, this jade carving is quite heavy, moving it around..."

"What do you know!" Wen Ruoxi said, hands on her hips. "This is called 'sincerity brings results'!"

Outside the window, Liu Ruyan and Chu Yueyao walked side by side. Upon hearing this, they smiled at each other.

"Fifth Sister is really grasping at straws when she's desperate."

"As long as she's happy."

The two walked to the pavilion and sat down. Chu Yueyao took Liu Ruyan's pulse:

"The eldest sister's pulse is stable, and the child is very healthy."

"Thank you for your hard work." Liu Ruyan gently stroked her belly.

"Second Sister, you said His Majesty urgently summoned my husband, what is it about?"

Chu Yueyao chuckled softly, "No matter what happens, my husband will handle it. Eldest sister, just focus on your pregnancy and don't worry too much!"

"I know!" Liu Ruyan nodded gently, but her gaze drifted towards the palace, her eyes slightly darkening.

"I just want my husband to see the baby born with his own eyes."

Liu Ruyan knew that Lin Chen would have to make a trip to Zhongzhou sooner or later.

"It should be fine!" Chu Yueyao's expression also darkened, and she said softly:

"In one week, the eldest princess will enter the house, followed by Yagyu Yuki and Lan Meimei."

A month passed in the time it took to go back and forth, and over in Zhongzhou…”

"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore!" Liu Ruyan smiled, feigning nonchalance.

"My husband has his own plans. He... has never let us down. All we need to do is protect the Lin family!"

"Mmm!" Chu Yueyao grasped Liu Ruyan's hand.

"Eldest sister is right. We should just stay home and take good care of our family. My husband is destined for great things. With his talent, he will have to go to Zhongzhou sooner or later."

Despite saying that, both of them harbored unresolved sorrows...