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

Chapter 58 The Eight Great Vajras

In the imperial study, Empress Zhao Lingyang listened to Lin Chen's request with a half-smile:

"Duke Zhenguo, are you treating the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) like your own backyard?"

"Your Majesty is wise," Lin Chen said with a grin. "I simply enjoy listening to music and playing chess; I mean nothing more."

"No other meaning?" The Empress raised an eyebrow. "The four women—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—are all beautiful as flowers. You just wanted to listen to music and play chess?"

"Of course," Lin Chen replied without changing his expression. "I am a respectable person."

The Empress chuckled at his words: "A respectable person? Would a respectable person want to keep a courtesan as a mistress?"

"That's called booking the entire venue, not keeping someone as a mistress," Lin Chen corrected.

"I will give the Imperial Music Bureau two thousand taels of silver per month, the Ministry of Rites two thousand taels, and Your Majesty... three thousand taels. What do you think?"

A look of surprise flashed in the Empress's eyes: "Three thousand taels of silver for me?"

"Yes," Lin Chen said matter-of-factly.

"Your Majesty is very busy with state affairs and works very hard. Consider this three thousand taels as my respectful tribute to Your Majesty. Your Majesty can buy whatever you want without going through the Imperial Treasury."

The Empress gave him a deep look:

"You know how to handle people. Fine, granted. But..."

She paused for a moment, then said, "The Princess has been visiting Zuiyue Pavilion quite often lately. You should spend more time with her. She's in a bad mood, and having you around might cheer her up."

"I obey your decree."

Lin Chen understood.

The Empress is using the Eldest Princess to give him a warning!

You're allowed to act recklessly, but you have to take good care of my sister.

But aren't you afraid of becoming her brother-in-law?

It doesn't matter, though. Princess Zhao Mingyue is gentle and dignified, and she ranks third on the Rouge Ranking.

Chatting and drinking tea with her is also a pleasure.

Having obtained permission from the Ministry of Rites and His Majesty, Lin Chen left the palace with satisfaction.

Upon returning to the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau), he handed the approval document and imperial edict to Granny Li.

After reading it, Granny Li was completely convinced—this master truly had connections everywhere!

"From this day forward, the four ladies skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting will be exclusively for the Duke," said Granny Li with a fawning smile.

"This old servant will give the order to ensure that no one else is disturbing us."

"Very good." Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction and rewarded her with another hundred taels.

Upon entering Tianyin Pavilion, the four women, already aware of the news, bowed in unison upon seeing Lin Chen:

"Thank you for your kindness, Duke!"

Although they were still official prostitutes, from then on they only needed to serve Lin Chen and no longer had to deal with those messy customers, which was an immense blessing.

"Get up." Lin Chen sat down on the soft couch.

"From now on, when I come, you will accompany me. When I don't come, you can rest and go wherever you want, and your wages will remain the same."

"Thank you, Duke!" The four women wept with joy.

Seeing their joyful expressions, Lin Chen was also in a good mood.

This is the benefit of power—a single word can change someone's fate.

In the time that followed, he completely let loose.

The four women each used their skills to serve him comfortably, with a constant stream of fine wine and delicacies, and laughter filling the room.

Lin Chen, with women on his left and right, listened to a little tune, sipped fine wine, and occasionally recited a few limericks and painted a few pictures.

Although his skill level was average, he was flattered by the four women who praised him so much that he felt quite elated.

This is the kind of life a spoiled brat should live!

It wasn't until evening that Lin Chen left the Jiaofangsi with lingering enjoyment.

When they returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, the lanterns were already lit.

Lin Chen went to Ningxiang Courtyard first.

Wen Ruoxi was checking the accounts when she saw him return. She smiled and asked, "Did you have fun today, Eighth Brother?"

"I'm happy." Lin Chen walked over and hugged her. "But what makes me happiest is coming back to see Fifth Sister-in-law."

Wen Ruoxi blushed: "You're so glib. By the way, Zuiyue Pavilion gained three more gold card members today, all of them wealthy merchants from Jiangnan."

"Fifth Sister-in-law, you've worked hard." Lin Chen kissed her on the cheek. "I'll stay here tonight and treat you well."

Wen Ruoxi buried her face in his chest, blushing, and said, "You're so frivolous..."

That night, red candles flickered in Ningxiang Courtyard.

……

The next day, Lin Chen slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting up.

Wen Ruoxi had already gone to Zuiyue Pavilion. Lin Chen was dressed with the help of a maid, and the Grandmaster's divine sense swept over the mansion.

The eldest sister-in-law is teaching her daughter to read, the second sister-in-law is dispensing medicine in the pharmacy, the third sister-in-law is organizing her collection of books, the fourth sister-in-law is practicing swordsmanship, the sixth sister-in-law has just put the intelligence briefing in the study, and the seventh sister-in-law is studying the Nanzhao cuisine recipes in the kitchen.

Everyone performs their duties and has their own interests, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

Lin Chen was very satisfied with this atmosphere.

After a quick breakfast, I went to the training ground and saw my fourth sister-in-law, Xiao Yulou, still practicing her sword. Her sword energy was powerful and she looked heroic.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, what excellent swordsmanship!" he clapped.

Xiao Yulou sheathed his sword and wiped his sweat: "Eighth Brother, would you like to give it a try?"

"Forget it, I can't beat Fourth Sister-in-law." Lin Chen said with a grin. "But if Fourth Sister-in-law wants to spar, we can compete in something else."

"Compare what?" Xiao Yulou raised an eyebrow.

"For example... bedroom skills?" Lin Chen lowered his voice.

Xiao Yulou blushed and kicked out, yelling, "Get lost!"

Lin Chen laughed and dodged, "Fourth Sister-in-law, don't be angry, I'm serious. Look at Fifth Sister-in-law and Seventh Sister-in-law..."

"That's because they wanted to," Xiao Yulou scoffed. "I didn't agree to it."

"When will Fourth Sister-in-law agree?" Lin Chen leaned closer. "I'm getting impatient."

Xiao Yulou looked at his face so close to hers, and her heart suddenly raced.

This eighth brother, though unreliable, is... undeniably charming.

"You...you have to beat me first." She turned her head away.

"That's what Fourth Sister-in-law said," Lin Chen laughed. "Shall we have a competition tonight?"

"Let's compete!" Xiao Yulou retorted, unwilling to be outdone.

That evening, Lin Chen indeed went to Xiao Yulou's courtyard.

The two first fought a real battle in the martial arts arena.

Of course, Lin Chen suppressed his cultivation to the first rank, pretending to have won by a narrow margin, and then...

"Fourth Sister-in-law, you lost." Lin Chen hugged the panting Xiao Yulou. "As agreed, you have to listen to me tonight."

Xiao Yulou was both ashamed and angry, but the words had already been spoken and could not be taken back.

That night, spring was in full bloom in Xiao Yulou's courtyard.

……

Afterwards, Lin Chen put his arm around Xiao Yulou, and the two talked.

"Eighth Brother, is your cultivation level really only at the first rank?" Xiao Yulou suddenly asked.

"Yes, what's wrong?" Lin Chen asked without changing his expression.

"It's nothing," Xiao Yulou shook his head, "I just feel... you're sometimes unfathomable."

"That's just your fourth sister-in-law overthinking it," Lin Chen laughed. "I'm just a playboy, nothing unfathomable about me."

Xiao Yulou asked no more questions, leaned against him, and whispered:

"Eighth brother, from now on... you must treat us well."

"Of course," Lin Chen said earnestly, "You are all my people, so I will naturally treat you well."

Xiao Yulou closed his eyes contentedly.

Just then, a system notification sounded in Lin Chen's mind:

"Ding! A breakthrough in the relationship between the host and a core member of the family has been detected, triggering a stage reward!"

"Acquired: [Faction Summoning Card - Eight Vajras] (All members are late-stage Grandmasters, skilled in combined attacks, capable of setting up the Eight Gates Formation, and can slay early-stage Celestials.)"

"Obtained: [Item - Marrow Cleansing Pill] x8 (Low-grade Heavenly Rank, can reshape physical constitution)"

The Eight Vajras! All of them are at the late stage of Grandmaster level!

Lin Chen's eyes lit up.

"System, summon the Eight Vajra Warriors and arrange for them to conceal their cultivation to around the early stage of Grandmaster, disguise themselves as descendants of my father's former subordinates, and come to surrender in batches."

"Send them to report to the Tiger Warriors first and await Zhao Zilong's orders."

"Ding! Command being executed..."

"The Eight Vajra Warriors have been summoned and are proceeding to the Tiger Legion camp in succession."

Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction.

With these thirteen Grandmasters at the later stages, the Tiger Legion's strength will increase dramatically.

Moreover, they are skilled in combined attacks and can set up the Eight Gates Formation, which can even kill Celestials!

The Tiger Legion's fighting power is overwhelming.

"Eighth Brother, what are you thinking about?" Xiao Yulou asked.

"I miss Fourth Sister-in-law." Lin Chen smiled and kissed her. "Fourth Sister-in-law is so beautiful, I can't get enough of looking at her."

"You're so glib," Xiao Yulou scolded playfully, but her eyes were full of sweetness.