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

Chapter 130 The Empress's Promise

Day 10, early morning.

Outside the north gate of the capital, banners fluttered in the wind.

Eight thousand elite soldiers stood in formation, their military bearing impeccable, exuding a fierce aura.

The five hundred Great Dragon Snow Riders were so formidable that it was impossible to look directly at them.

Empress Zhao Lingyang personally led civil and military officials to see her off.

The imperial carriage stopped, and the Empress, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing a crown, exuded majesty.

She stepped down from the imperial carriage, her gaze sweeping across the military formation before finally settling on Lin Chen.

"Your subject Lin Chen greets Your Majesty." Lin Chen bowed respectfully.

"Rise." The Empress raised her hand and said loudly:

"Lord Lin Chen, the Duke of Zhenguo, is commendable for his loyalty and bravery. He has been ordered to tour the north and command the three armies. I hope you will live up to my expectations and enhance the prestige of our nation!"

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations!" Lin Chen replied loudly.

The Empress nodded, took a cup of wine from the female official Qingluan, and personally handed it to Lin Chen:

"This toast is for your departure, I say."

Lin Chen accepted the drink with both hands and downed it in one gulp: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The Empress then looked at the army formation and raised her voice:

"Listen up, Tiger Warriors! Go forth to fight, defend your homeland, and I will await your triumphant return in the capital!"

Those who perform meritorious service will be richly rewarded, and those who die in battle will receive double the compensation!

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

Eight thousand soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

After the ceremony, the Empress walked to Lin Chen's side and whispered:

"Lin Chen, I have something to say to you privately."

The two walked to the side, and the Empress looked at Lin Chen with a complicated expression in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"The northern border is dangerous. Wanyan Honglie is cunning and shrewd, and Tuoba Lie is a late-stage Celestial Realm expert. You... must be careful," the Empress said softly.

"If things cannot be accomplished, you may retreat and defend the pass for the time being. I will not blame you."

Lin Chen was somewhat surprised: "Your Majesty..."

"I know what you're trying to say," the Empress interrupted him.

"I am the emperor, but I am also a human being. Lin Chen, you have rendered meritorious service to the country and have been helpful to me. I do not wish for anything to happen to you."

She paused, then said:

"Furthermore, regarding your elder sister's matter... you should already know about it. After returning from the Northern Frontier, I hope you will consider it carefully."

Lin Chen smiled bitterly to himself; they had indeed come.

"Your Majesty, I already have eight wives..."

"I know," the Empress said, looking at him.

"Therefore, I say that she is my equal wife, with the same status as your eight wives."

My elder sister is gentle and kind, and she won't compete with them for favor.

Besides... this is a good thing for you, for the Lin family, and for the royal family.

Lin Chen was silent for a moment, then said:

"This matter will be discussed again after Rongchen returns from the northern border."

The Empress nodded: "Very well, I await your triumphant return."

She stepped back, regaining her imperial bearing, and declared loudly:

"The time has come, the army shall march!"

Lin Chen mounted his horse, bowed to the Empress, and then looked at his family members seeing him off on the city wall.

The old matriarch, Su Wanqing, and the five ladies stood on the city tower, waving to him.

Liu Ruyan stroked her lower abdomen, Chu Yueyao's eyes were red, Wen Ruoxi waved her handkerchief, Murong Xue smiled dignifiedly, and Su Xiaoxiao was already crying her eyes out.

Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, and Ye Qingying had already changed into military uniforms and were riding horses behind Lin Chen.

The Eight Vajra Warriors led the way, with Zhao Zilong, Li Bai, Li Chunfeng, and Zhuge Liang accompanying them on either side.

"Let's go!" Lin Chen gave the order.

Eight thousand elite Tiger Warriors and five hundred Snow Dragon Riders marched northward in a grand procession.

The empress stood outside the city gate, watching the army depart into the distance, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes.

The Imperial Advisor walked to her side and whispered, "Your Majesty, let's return to the palace."

"Grand Preceptor," the Empress said softly, "do you think... he will return?"

"The Duke of Lin is blessed with good fortune and is protected by a terrestrial deity; he will surely return safely," said the Imperial Preceptor.

The Empress nodded and turned to walk towards the imperial carriage.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned back to look north, and murmured to herself:

"Lin Chen, I am waiting for you in the capital."

If you do not return... I will raze the Northern Frontier to the ground and avenge you.

The sound was very soft and dissipated with the wind.

But the Imperial Advisor heard it clearly and was startled.

His Majesty's feelings for Lin Chen seem to have transcended the mere affection between ruler and subject...

……

"Eighth Brother, what did His Majesty say to you privately just now?" Xiao Yulou asked curiously.

Lin Chen smiled and said, "It's nothing, just a reminder to be careful."

"I'm afraid it's more than that," Ye Qingying said calmly. "The way His Majesty looks at you is quite unusual."

Qin Shuyan smiled, pursing her lips: "Is Sixth Sister jealous?"

Ye Qingying blushed: "What nonsense are you talking about, Third Sister!"

The girls burst into laughter.

Lin Chen looked at them, feeling a warmth in his heart.

With such a family and such subordinates, what reason does he have not to win?

North, here I come.

Wanyan Honglie, Tuoba Lie, the man in black robes...

Get ready for the storm.

He looked up at the northern sky, where dark clouds covered the sky and thunder rumbled faintly.

The real war is about to begin.

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away in the northern camp, Wanyan Honglie was looking at the sand table, his eyes flashing with a fierce light.

"Report—!" The scout rushed into the tent.

"Marshal! Duke Lin Chen of Dayan has led 8,000 elite troops out of the capital and is expected to arrive at the northern border in twenty days!"

Wanyan Honglie sneered:

"Eight thousand? The Empress is truly stingy. Pass down the order: proceed according to plan!"

"yes!"

After the scouts left, Wanyan Honglie looked into the shadows inside the tent:

"Your Excellency, Lin Chen has arrived. What's next..."

From the shadows, the man in black robes slowly emerged, his voice hoarse:

"Rest assured, I have laid an inescapable trap. Lin Chen is doomed to die here."

He paused, a strange red light flashing in his eyes:

"However... what interests me more is the terrestrial immortal beside him."

If we can capture him and present him to our lord, it will be a great achievement.

Greed also flashed in Wanyan Honglie's eyes:

"Your Excellency is right. Then... let them never return!"

The two looked at each other, both revealing cruel smiles.

……

On the third day of the march, they came to a flat riverbank beside the official road.

Eight thousand elite soldiers set up camp in an orderly manner, with wisps of smoke rising from their cooking fires.

The central command tent had already been set up, but it was empty.

Because at this moment, Lin Chen was half-lying in a specially made four-wheeled carriage.

Her head was resting on Xiao Yulou's lap, her feet were on Qin Shuyan's knees, and she had a grape that Ye Qingying had handed her in her mouth.

The carriage was unbelievably spacious; it was practically a mobile room.

There was a soft couch, a coffee table, a bookshelf, and even a small dressing table.

The car walls are lined with soft silk, and the floor is covered with a thick carpet, which provides sound insulation and shock absorption.

"Eighth Brother, that's going too far." Qin Shuyan gently tapped Lin Chen's calf with the account book.

"What kind of commander-in-chief marches in a horse-drawn carriage? It would be a laughing stock if word got out."

Lin Chen chewed on a grape and mumbled:

"Third sister-in-law, you are mistaken! I am conserving my strength and planning ahead."

Besides, didn't I ride a horse when I left the capital? As long as the posture was right, that's enough.

Xiao Yulou smiled and ran her fingers through Lin Chen's hair.

"Yes, yes, Eighth Brother is the best actor, but this carriage of yours... is a bit too comfortable."

"It has to be comfortable." Lin Chen squinted his eyes contentedly.

"Why sit when you can lie down for the entire twenty-day journey? Fourth Sister-in-law, your massage skills have improved quite a bit."

Ye Qingying was silently peeling grapes when she suddenly spoke:

"There are spies watching from a hundred miles away, and there are already more than ten groups."

Lin Chen said lazily:

"Let them see. The slower we go, the more anxious Wanyan Honglie will become. When he's anxious, he's more likely to make mistakes."

Zhuge Liang's voice came from outside the carriage:

"My lord, today's itinerary is complete. Shall we proceed as planned and camp here for three days?"

"Three days is too long, two days will do," Lin Chen thought for a moment.

"Let the soldiers rest and recuperate. Send scouts to explore a hundred miles ahead and see if there are any foolish mountain bandits or brigands. It'll be a good opportunity for them to practice their skills."

"I understand."

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Qin Shuyan put down the account book, leaned close to Lin Chen's ear, and breathed softly:

"Eighth Brother, you said we should conserve our energy... then who was up until the wee hours last night?"

Lin Chen blushed and coughed lightly:

"Um... special circumstances, special circumstances."

Xiao Yulou pinched him:

"What special circumstances? You're just greedy! My third sister, sixth sister, and I take turns...taking turns to keep you company, and you still aren't satisfied?"

Although Ye Qingying didn't say anything, her ears were already bright red, and her hand trembled slightly as she handed over the grapes.

Lin Chen chuckled, sat up, and pulled the three women into his arms:

"My three sisters-in-law are all incredibly beautiful, I just couldn't help myself."

Besides, my sister-in-law is pregnant, aren't you worried?

The three girls blushed.

Qin Shuyan spat lightly, "Who's in a hurry? Shameless!"

Xiao Yulou buried her face in his shoulder: "Eighth brother, you...you've tried so hard for so long, and yet..."

Ye Qingying's voice was barely audible: "I'm not in a hurry..."

"Aren't you in a hurry?" Lin Chen teased her.

"Sixth Sister-in-law, if you're not in a hurry, then I'll just visit Third and Fourth Sister-in-law tonight?"

"No way!" Ye Qingying blurted out, then realized her mistake and felt incredibly embarrassed.

The three women laughed together, and the carriage was filled with the warmth of spring.