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

Chapter 221 Decisions and Warmth in the Study

After leaving the palace, Lin Chen did not go directly back to his residence, but instead took a detour to Zuiyue Pavilion.

As soon as I entered, I saw Wen Ruoxi leaning over the counter checking the accounts, her fingers clicking away on the abacus.

Hearing footsteps, Wen Ruoxi looked up and her eyes lit up instantly.

"Husband! What brings you here?"

She put down the account book and was about to get up when Lin Chen quickly took two steps forward and pressed her shoulder down:

"Sit still, I've come to check on you."

He sat down next to Wen Ruoxi and reached out to touch her forehead.

"How are you? Still throwing up?"

"Much better," Wen Ruoxi said with a smile, leaning against Lin Chen's shoulder.

"My second sister prescribed a remedy for me. After drinking it twice, my stomach felt much better, but my mouth still felt tasteless, and I kept craving something sour."

Lin Chen nodded: "Tell the kitchen what you want to eat. If that's not possible, I'll borrow the imperial chef from the palace for two days."

"No need for all that trouble." Wen Ruoxi laughed and playfully punched Lin Chen, then leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"My lord, I heard... you went to the palace to see His Majesty?"

"Yes." Lin Chen nodded. "There are some things I need to discuss with His Majesty."

He didn't elaborate, as the Cui family's affairs were too far-reaching, and he didn't want his family to worry too soon.

It's not too late to talk about it after things are settled.

Wen Ruoxi was also perceptive. Seeing that Lin Chen was unwilling to talk more, she didn't press him and instead brought up family matters:

"By the way, husband, Smurfette and Princess Yagyu's new house is almost finished being decorated. Would you like to go take a look?"

Lin Chen shook his head: "You guys handle it as you see fit. I trust your judgment."

"I knew you'd say that," Wen Ruoxi said playfully, though her eyes were full of laughter.

The two chatted about everyday things for a while, then Lin Chen glanced at the sky outside the window, stood up, and said:

"Let's go, I'll take you back to your residence. You shouldn't be running around every day in your health. Have the managers send the account books to the Prince's residence for review."

"I'm not that delicate—"

"Listen to me." Lin Chen took Wen Ruoxi's hand without further ado.

"You're newly pregnant, you need to take good care of yourself."

Wen Ruoxi was secretly delighted and let Lin Chen lead her out the door.

……

Back at the Prince's residence, Lin Chen escorted Wen Ruoxi back to her courtyard and settled her in before heading to his study.

Yuan Tiangang was already waiting.

"My lord."

Lin Chen took out the edict given to him by the Empress from his bosom and handed it over:

"You will set off this evening with Jing Ke, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals, and a thousand Great Snow Dragon Riders. Remember, march secretly and don't alert the enemy."

Yuan Tiangang took the imperial edict, glanced at it, and his expression turned solemn.

"I understand that the Cui family has already figured out their spies, warehouses, and private army locations in various prefectures these days."

"The entire operation can be completed in just three days."

"Keep it down." Lin Chen walked to the window and looked at the old locust tree in the yard.

"But those who should be eliminated, leave no one behind."

"Yes."

Yuan Tiangang bowed and withdrew.

Lin Chen stood by the window, pondering his next steps.

The Cui family has been rooted in Dayan for thousands of years, its roots deep and its influence profound.

But precisely because its roots are deep, it is also thoroughly rotten.

Colluding with the northern desert, smuggling salt and iron, raising assassins...

So he didn't feel any burden.

Just then, a soft knock came at the door, followed by Zhao Mingyue's gentle voice.

"My husband, are you there?"

Lin Chen turned around: "Yes, come in."

The door was pushed open, and Zhao Mingyue walked in carrying a mahogany tray with a white porcelain stew pot on it, still steaming.

"I asked the kitchen to make some ginseng soup. Drink some while it's hot."

Zhao Mingyue placed the tray on the desk, lifted the lid of the bowl, and a rich aroma of ginseng wafted out.

Lin Chen took the spoon she offered. "Thank you, Madam."

Zhao Mingyue sat down next to Lin Chen, placed her hands on her knees, and watched him drink the soup.

After Lin Chen had taken a few sips, she hesitated before speaking.

"Husband, are you really... going to take action against the Cui family?"

In the morning, she talked to Lin Chen about the Cui family. As a royal princess, she could naturally guess why Lin Chen had come to the palace.

Lin Chen put down his spoon and nodded slightly. "Yuan Tiangang has already set off with his men."

Zhao Mingyue pursed her lips, her fingers unconsciously twisting her sleeve:

"Wouldn't that be... a bit too cruel? The Cui family has over 100,000 members; not all of them necessarily deserve to die."

Lin Chen did not answer immediately.

He put down the stew pot and reached out to hold Zhao Mingyue's slightly cool hand.

"Mingyue, do you think I'm ruthless?"

Zhao Mingyue quickly shook her head: "No... I just..."

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"I just remember when I was little, the old lady of the Cui family went to the palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. At that time, she held my hand and gave me candy."

Lin Chen sighed and pulled Zhao Mingyue to sit down next to him.

"Mingyue, I know you have a kind heart. But the Cui family is different." Lin Chen held Zhao Mingyue's hand and said, word by word:

"They colluded with Beishuo, Nanyue, and Dongli to sell ironware, salt, and grain to enemy countries, which eventually became knives used to cut down the border troops of Dayan."

How many of the soldiers who died on the border in recent years died indirectly at their hands?

Zhao Mingyue's eyelashes trembled.

"Moreover," Lin Chen's voice deepened.

"Ever since I caused the Cui family to suffer several setbacks, they have long hated me to the core."

If I soften my heart and let them go, the people of Dayan might die in the future, or even—”

Lin Chen paused, then looked at Zhao Mingyue, "It might be our child."

Zhao Mingyue's body trembled slightly.

Lin Chen put his arm around her shoulder. "I'm not a bloodthirsty person. I'll kill those who deserve to die and leave the rest alone."

I have given orders that the elderly, women, children, unsuspecting relatives, and servants who were not involved in the crime should not be killed indiscriminately.

But those masterminds, those with blood on their hands, will not escape.

Zhao Mingyue leaned on Lin Chen's shoulder and remained silent for a while before nodding gently.

"I understand, my husband, you did the right thing."

Lin Chen laughed and pinched her cheek: "You figured it out so easily?"

"It's not that I can't understand it," Zhao Mingyue said softly.

"But... the Cui family is, after all, a thousand-year-old family with deep roots, so I'm a little uneasy."

But you're right, some people, if not eliminated, will cause endless trouble in the future.

She paused, then suddenly said very seriously, "Husband, thank you."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for explaining all this to me," Zhao Mingyue said. "You didn't have to say it."

Lin Chen lowered his head and kissed Zhao Mingyue's forehead, then smiled and said:

"Nonsense, you are my wife now, the person I want to spend my life with. There's nothing to hide."

Zhao Mingyue's eyes welled up with tears, and she buried her face in Lin Chen's neck.

"Um!"

The two embraced quietly for a moment, then Zhao Mingyue suddenly remembered something and looked up:

"By the way, my husband, His Majesty...didn't make things difficult for you today?"

Lin Chen smiled and said, "What, worried about me?"

"A little." Zhao Mingyue nodded honestly.

"Although Her Majesty is my sister, she is still the emperor. I'm afraid of her... afraid that she might be suspicious of you."

Lin Chen thought to himself, "She really is a woman who has been married off, like water spilled from a cup."

It's only been one night, and she's already won me over. I couldn't help but smile and say:

"Don't worry, I had a very good talk with Her Majesty. She even invited me to stay for a royal meal."

Zhao Mingyue asked in surprise, "Really?"

"Of course." A mischievous glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes. "I also gave Her Majesty a gift, and she was very happy."

"What gift?" Zhao Mingyue asked curiously.

Lin Chen smiled mysteriously: "It's a secret."

"You—" Zhao Mingyue glared at Lin Chen reproachfully, "Tell me about it."

"I can't tell you now," Lin Chen blinked. "You'll find out later."

He leaned close to Zhao Mingyue's ear, lowered his voice, and said with a mischievous grin:

"Madam specially brought me this nourishing soup today, is it... that you have something in mind?"

Zhao Mingyue was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening, and her cheeks flushed red.

"No, I didn't! I just saw you...working so hard..."

"But I want to." Lin Chen's hand had already wrapped around Zhao Mingyue's waist.

Zhao Mingyue exclaimed in surprise and subconsciously pushed Lin Chen.

"It's not even dark yet, and... and this is a study!"

"What happened in the study?" Without a word, Lin Chen picked Zhao Mingyue up and carried her to the soft couch in the inner room.

"It's quiet here, and no one will bother us."

"Wait—you haven't finished your ginseng soup yet—"

"Wait a while before drinking."

The soft curtains fell, blocking out the spring light from the room.

……

Meanwhile, at the Lin family manor outside the city.

A thousand Snow Dragon Riders stood silently, lined up in neat rows, while the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals and Jing Ke remained hidden in the shadows.

Yuan Tiangang stood with his hands behind his back at the front of the group and said calmly:

"The lord has ordered that the Cui family be annihilated within three days!"

The night wind howled, blowing the hem of his black robe.

The countdown to the end of the Cui family's thousand-year-old legacy has begun.