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

Chapter 213 Good kidneys, good everything!

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning.

Lin Chen finished his practice and let out a long breath.

I practiced the Dragon Tiger Guiding Technique for about half an hour, and my whole body felt relaxed and my spirits were high.

"Good kidneys, good everything," he muttered as he stretched.

There were maids waiting in the courtyard. When they saw Lin Chen finish his practice, they quickly brought him a hot water towel.

"Your Highness, Commander Liu arrived at dawn and is waiting in the front hall," the maid reported while helping him wash up.

"So early?" Lin Chen wiped his face. "Let him wait. I'll eat something first."

It was after an incense stick had burned by the time Lin Chen leisurely strolled to the front hall.

Liu Zhenshan stood in the hall, his back ramrod straight, his eyes bloodshot, clearly having stayed up all night.

"Your Highness." Upon seeing Lin Chen enter, Liu Zhenshan quickly clasped his hands in greeting.

"Sit down." Lin Chen sat down in the main seat and poured himself a cup of tea. "Three days have passed. How's the cleaning going?"

Liu Zhenshan took a booklet out of his pocket and presented it with both hands:

"Your Highness, in the past three days, I have thoroughly investigated all 3,200 people in the Imperial City Guard."

A total of 237 people were found to have problems, including 109 who were involved with high-ranking officials in the court, 68 who accepted bribes, and 44 who neglected their duties.

Sixteen others... are suspected of having secret dealings with local forces.

Lin Chen flipped through the booklet, glanced at it, and smiled.

"Goodness, there were quite a few woodworms. Have they all been dealt with?"

"As the Prince ordered, all of them are to be dismissed and investigated." Liu Zhenshan paused.

"However... this will leave the Imperial City Commander-in-Chief with a significant shortage of personnel, and we're worried about..."

"You don't need to worry about manpower." Lin Chen closed the booklet.

"From today onwards, I will be in charge of arranging the training for the Imperial City Guard."

Liu Zhenshan was taken aback: "Your Highness means..."

Lin Chen didn't answer, but simply called out, "Old Yuan."

Yuan Tiangang appeared in the hall silently.

"Have the Thirteen Protectors and the Thirteen Riders of Yanyun all arrived?" Lin Chen asked.

"We're already waiting outside," Yuan Tiangang said.

"Let them in."

A moment later, twenty-six people filed in.

The thirteen bodyguards were all dressed in black, exuding a calm and collected aura.

The thirteen riders of Yanyun were clad in light armor, with long swords at their waists, and their eyes were as sharp as eagles.

The moment those twenty-six people stood in the hall, the atmosphere in the entire front hall seemed to drop by a third.

Liu Zhenshan's palms were sweating.

Of these twenty-six people, even the weakest was at the peak of the Grandmaster level.

The leaders exuded an elegant aura, suggesting they had already reached the threshold of becoming Grandmasters.

"You should recognize these people, right?" Lin Chen pointed to the Thirteen Protectors.

"They are skilled in combined attack formations, and each individual is also a formidable fighter."

From today onwards, they will be responsible for training the Imperial City Guard's formation coordination.

After saying that, Lin Chen pointed to the Thirteen Riders of Yanyun: "These thirteen are skilled in riding, archery, charging, and raiding."

They will teach the Imperial City Guards their horsemanship and archery.

Liu Zhenshan swallowed hard. "Your Highness, isn't this... this entourage a bit too much?"

"Big?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "I think it's too small. The Imperial City Guard is His Majesty's sword. What use is it if the sword is not sharp?"

He stood up and walked to Liu Zhenshan:

"Commander Liu, I'll give you three months."

Three months from now, I want to see the Imperial City Guard completely transformed.

Of the 3,200 people, at least 50% need to break through their current cultivation level, and the rest need to increase their combat power by more than 70%. Is that possible?

Liu Zhenshan gritted his teeth and said, "Yes!"

"Very good." Lin Chen patted him on the shoulder.

"Old Yuan will coordinate the specific training plan with you. I only have one requirement—train until you drop dead."

"yes!"

"Alright, go make the arrangements." Lin Chen waved his hand. "Let's start today."

Liu Zhenshan accepted the order and withdrew.

After everyone left, Lin Chen leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh of relief.

"Finally, we've gotten rid of this mess."

A slight smile played on Yuan Tiangang's lips beneath his mask: "Is our master going to become a hands-off manager again?"

"Otherwise what?" Lin Chen said matter-of-factly.

"I've already sent the Thirteen Protectors and the Thirteen Riders of Yanyun over there. Do you expect me to keep an eye on them personally? That would be exhausting."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip: "By the way, training is training, but we can't stop investigating what needs to be investigated."

Keep a close eye on the Cui family in Jiangnan, the various sects and forces across the land, and the movements in Zhongzhou.

"Understood."

"Also," Lin Chen thought for a moment, "have the additional personnel sent to the Princess's residence arrived yet?"

"It arrived three days ago," Yuan Tiangang said.

"With two Hidden Dragon Guards protecting her in secret, and Jing Ke also looking after her, there will be no accidents before the wedding."

"That's good." Lin Chen put down his teacup. "Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go ahead and do your work. I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wen Ruoxi's voice came from outside the door:

"My husband—!"

Lin Chen sighed, rubbing his forehead.

The vengeful devils are here again!

Wen Ruoxi ran in, lifting her skirt. Seeing Yuan Tiangang, she toned down her demeanor slightly, but her eyes still sparkled.

"Husband, are you done with your work?"

"Just finished." Lin Chen said helplessly, "What is it now?"

"I made lotus seed soup, would you like to try some?" Wen Ruoxi leaned closer and took Lin Chen's arm.

"It took a lot of effort; it simmered over low heat for two hours."

Lin Chen looked at Wen Ruoxi's expectant eyes and smiled: "Okay, try it."

The two walked towards the backyard, Wen Ruoxi chattering incessantly:

"My husband, I felt exceptionally good when I woke up this morning. I had so much energy, and my appetite was great too. Don't you think so...?"

"Stop," Lin Chen interrupted Wen Ruo. "It's only been a few days? How could it be so fast?"

"Oh..." Wen Ruoxi slumped for a moment, but quickly perked up again.

"You still need to replenish your energy. You've been so busy lately, you must be tired."

Lin Chen rolled his eyes inwardly. Who was responsible for his exhaustion?

When they arrived at Wen Ruoxi's room, a bowl of lotus seed soup was already laid out on the table.

Lin Chen took a bite; the sweetness was just right, and the lotus seeds were soft and glutinous—it was indeed made with care.

"How is it?" Wen Ruoxi looked at Lin Chen expectantly.

"Not bad." Lin Chen nodded. "Better than the cook's."

"Of course." Wen Ruoxi said proudly, "I specially learned from the cook. There are specific techniques for controlling the heat and preparing the ingredients."

She sat down next to Lin Chen and whispered, "Husband, are you busy this afternoon?"

"What's wrong?"

"I want to go to Zuiyue Pavilion," Wen Ruoxi whispered.

"It's been a while since I've been there. The accounts need to be checked. Would you come with me?"

Lin Chen thought about how long it had been since he'd been there, and nodded with a smile.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

"That's great!" Wen Ruoxi happily kissed Lin Chen on the cheek.