20demayo Chapter 124 Changes After Marriage
Chapter 124 Changes After Marriage
On the third day of the wedding, the first light of dawn appeared.
Lin Chen woke up on the big bed in the main courtyard of the West Garden. His left arm was being used as a pillow by Su Xiaoxiao, and his right arm was being hugged by Wen Ruoxi, who had squeezed over to him.
He groggily opened his eyes and saw two sleeping faces so close to each other.
Su Xiaoxiao slept soundly, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows in the morning light, a slight smile on her lips.
Wen Ruoxi buried her face in his shoulder, placed one hand on his chest, and smacked her lips softly in her sleep.
Lin Chen tried to pull his arm away, and Su Xiaoxiao hummed in response, snuggling closer to him, but didn't wake up.
Wen Ruoxi woke up, opened her sleepy eyes to look at him, then closed them again:
"Don't move... sleep a little longer..."
"Fifth Sister-in-law," Lin Chen said, both amused and exasperated, "didn't I tell you to go back to Ningxiang Courtyard last night?"
Wen Ruoxi didn't even open her eyes, and mumbled:
"My room is too cold...it's warm here...besides, I'm here to discuss business with you..."
"Discussing business in the middle of the night?" Lin Chen was speechless. "And they've even taken it to bed?"
Wen Ruoxi finally opened her eyes and smiled slyly: "Didn't Eighth Brother say that business requires in-depth communication?"
Besides, Su Meimei hasn't said anything, yet you're already complaining about me?
Su Xiaoxiao woke up at this moment, her face flushed, and she whispered:
"Fifth Sister, feel free to stay if you want... the bed is big enough anyway."
Lin Chen looked at the two pretty faces so close to his own and sighed inwardly.
This married life was much more lively than he had imagined.
On the night of his wedding, he followed the custom and stayed in the bridal chamber in the West Garden.
After the tea ceremony the next morning, I planned to stay in one of the other seven courtyards in rotation.
Before evening even arrived, Wen Ruoxi came to him with a pile of account books to "discuss business."
The discussion went on until midnight, and then, "it was too late to go back," so they simply stayed at Xiyuan.
Upon learning this, Chu Yueyao brought her medicine kit to "examine his body" that very night. After the examination, she made the excuse that "it was too dark to walk at night."
Qin Shuyan was even more direct, bringing the household affairs account books to "seek instructions," and after seeking instructions, she said, "There's an account I need to check."
And then... that was it.
By the third night...
Xiao Yulou, Ye Qingying, and Murong Xue simply came together, ostensibly as "a gathering of sisters," but their gathering eventually led them to bed.
Only Liu Ruyan, who was pregnant and needed to rest, did not come to join the fun.
"Eighth Brother, what's with that expression?" Wen Ruoxi sat up, the thin blanket slipped down, revealing her fair shoulders.
"What, you're looking down on us?"
"How could I dare?" Lin Chen sighed.
"I just feel...shouldn't we get a bigger bed?"
Su Xiaoxiao chuckled, got up and dressed: "I'll go tell the maid to prepare hot water."
Fifth Sister, you should get up quickly too; you still need to pay your respects to Grandmother in a little while.
Wen Ruoxi reluctantly got up, complaining as she dressed:
"It's only been a short time... Grandmother, really, she's been married for three days and still demands to pay her respects..."
"It's the rules," Lin Chen said, standing up as well.
"Besides, how could Grandmother not know that the eight of you take turns coming to 'visit' me?"
She turns a blind eye to things, so we should be sensible.
After the three of them finished washing up and changing their clothes, they arrived at the main courtyard, where the other ladies had already arrived.
Su Wanqing and Liu Ruyan sat on either side of the old lady, one with a kind face and the other with a rosy complexion.
Chu Yueyao, Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, Ye Qingying, and Murong Xue sat at the lower end.
Upon seeing them arrive, they all wore meaningful smiles.
"Hey, how did the 'business' go last night, Fifth Sister?" Qin Shuyan teased.
Wen Ruoxi remained calm and composed.
"That's good. Eighth Brother has agreed to expand the scale of Zuiyue Pavilion."
"Really?" Chu Yueyao smiled, pursing her lips.
"How come I heard that when you took the account book there last night, you didn't even turn a single page?"
"Second Sister!" Wen Ruoxi scolded playfully, "You were eavesdropping!"
"I wasn't eavesdropping, you were just being too loud," Chu Yueyao said with a smile.
"They kept saying things like 'This account needs to be thoroughly checked' and 'This investment needs to be personally experienced'... It made me blush."
The women burst into laughter.
Lin Chen sat to the side, eyes downcast, pretending not to hear anything.
The old lady couldn't stop smiling as she watched the lively scene:
"Good, good, good, lively is good, a lively atmosphere makes it feel like home."
"Chen'er, you've worked so hard these past few days, eat more to nourish yourself."
The maidservant served breakfast, which was a medicinal porridge specially prepared by Chu Yueyao, along with several exquisite side dishes.
Lin Chen took a bite, and the taste was surprisingly good.
"Second sister-in-law's cooking is absolutely amazing," he praised.
Chu Yueyao blushed: "It's just some nourishing medicinal herbs, along with some ingredients. I'm glad Eighth Brother likes it."
"I love it, I love it so much!" Lin Chen said with a smile. "Will you make it for me every day from now on, Second Sister-in-law?"
"Dream on," Liu Ruyan laughed and scolded.
"Second sister also has to manage the family's medicine storehouse, so she doesn't have time to cook for you every day."
Besides, the sisters can take turns coming, one person per day, that's enough for you to eat.
"Sister-in-law is right," Lin Chen readily agreed.
After finishing breakfast amidst laughter and conversation, the old lady put down her chopsticks and said seriously:
"Chen'er, there's something I need to tell you."
"Grandmother, please speak."
"Someone from the palace came this morning," the old lady said.
"His Majesty has decreed that you must enter the palace for an audience at 9:00 AM."
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "So fast? It's only been four days since the wedding."
"His Majesty said he knows you are newly married, but the military situation in the north is urgent, and some things need to be arranged in advance." The old lady paused.
"In addition... His Majesty specifically mentioned that you should bring Mr. Li Bai with you."
A glint of light flashed in Lin Chen's eyes.
Bringing Li Bai along? Is this a test, or...?
"Okay," he nodded. "I'll be there in a bit."
……
At the beginning of the Si hour, Lin Chen and Li Bai arrived at the palace.
The palace was heavily guarded today, with imperial guards stationed every five or ten steps, creating a much more somber atmosphere than usual.
The eunuch leading the way kept his head down, walked hurriedly, and dared not utter a single word.
Outside the Imperial Study, the Imperial Advisor was already waiting.
"Duke Lin, Sword Immortal Li." The Imperial Advisor bowed slightly.
"His Majesty is waiting. Please follow me."
The three entered the imperial study, where Empress Zhao Lingyang was reviewing memorials.
Seeing them arrive, she put down her vermilion brush and looked up.
Today, the Empress wore a bright yellow casual dress, which made her look less majestic and more elegant.
Her gaze lingered on Lin Chen for a moment, then turned to Li Bai, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
"Your subject Lin Chen greets Your Majesty."
"This humble subject, Li Bai, pays his respects to Your Majesty."
The two bowed.
"Rise." The Empress waved her hand. "Take a seat."
The eunuchs brought over brocade stools, and Lin Chen and Li Bai sat down.
The Empress looked at Lin Chen and got straight to the point:
"Duke Lin, I have summoned you to the palace today for three matters."
"Your Majesty, please speak."