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

Chapter 3 The Eldest Sister-in-Law and the Fourth Sister-in-Law

In the following days, Lin Chen's behavior left everyone in the mansion baffled.

He still sleeps until noon every day, and after getting up, he either teases the birds in the yard or goes out for a stroll.

However, unlike before, he no longer went to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to spend lavishly. Instead, he went to teahouses to listen to storytelling, restaurants to eat, and occasionally bought some trinkets to take home.

"Has Eighth Master changed his ways?" Aunt Liu in the kitchen muttered to herself.

"I think it's just for show, to impress the old lady," said Manager Li, the accountant, dismissively. "A leopard can't change its spots."

These discussions naturally did not escape Lin Chen's ears.

The thugs, disguised as servants, have thoroughly monitored everyone in the mansion.

On the afternoon of the third day, Lin Chen "bumped into" his sister-in-law Liu Ruyan, who was teaching Lin Nian'er to read, in the garden.

"Greetings, sister-in-law." Lin Chen greeted her with a smile.

Liu Ruyan's expression was indifferent. She merely nodded slightly and pulled Nian'er behind her, adopting a defensive posture.

Lin Chen didn't mind and took out a paper packet from his sleeve: "I just passed by West Street and bought some osmanthus candy from Li's shop. Would Nian'er like to try some?"

Lin Nian'er's eyes lit up, and she looked at her mother timidly.

Liu Ruyan frowned: "Eighth Brother, Nian'er is still young. Eating too much sugar is bad for her teeth."

"Just one piece." Lin Chen squatted down and said to Nian'er with a smile, "But Nian'er has to promise Uncle Ba that after you finish this candy you'll study hard to read and become a talented woman in the future, okay?"

Lin Nian'er nodded vigorously.

Seeing this, Liu Ruyan could no longer stop them.

Watching Lin Chen carefully unwrap the candy and hand it to Nian'er, her eyes flickered slightly.

"Sister-in-law," Lin Chen stood up, suddenly lowering his voice.

"I know you don't want that. Don't worry, although I, Lin Chen, am a scoundrel, I wouldn't go so far as to force a woman. I'll find a way to deal with Grandmother."

Liu Ruyan was taken aback, not expecting him to bring it up on his own initiative.

"Of course," Lin Chen changed the subject with a grin, "If you change your mind in the future, I'll welcome you anytime."

"You!" The slight goodwill that had just arisen in Liu Ruyan vanished instantly, her pretty face turning bright red with anger.

"lecher!"

He grabbed Nian'er and turned to leave.

Lin Chen watched her retreating figure and touched his nose: "I think I went a little too far with that."

But it's okay, there's plenty of time.

On the seventh day, a system notification sounded:

"Ding! A major family event has been detected: The decision to [Single-Handle Eight Branches] has been made, triggering a reward!"

"Obtained: [Martial Arts - Heavenly Evolution Sword Technique] (High-grade Earth Rank, automatically perfected)"

"Received: [Item - Marrow Cleansing Pill] ×10 (Improves physical constitution, no side effects)"

"Received: 10000 taels of silver"

Lin Chen's eyes lit up.

The Marrow Cleansing Pill arrived just in time; it can be used by my sisters-in-law and Nian'er.

However, we need to find a suitable reason to send it out.

Just as he was pondering this, his steward Lin Fu rushed over to report: "Eighth Master, Minister Li's residence has sent a letter."

Lin Chen took the gold-embossed invitation, glanced at it, and smiled.

His fiancée, Li Yanran, invited him to her home for a chat the next day.

"The drama of annulment has finally begun." Lin Chen casually tossed the invitation aside.

"Reply to the Li family, this young master will be at the appointment on time tomorrow."

Lin Fu said worriedly, "Eighth Prince, Minister Li has been getting close to the Second Prince lately; I'm afraid his intentions are not good..."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Lin Chen stretched.

"I've been looking for a chance to establish my authority. Tell the kitchen to add more dishes tonight, so I can eat my fill and slap them in the face tomorrow."

Looking at Lin Chen's nonchalant back view, Lin Fu shook his head with a wry smile.

This Eighth Master really doesn't know fear.

But for some reason, Lin Fu felt that there seemed to be something different hidden in the depths of Eighth Master's eyes today.

Like... a sleeping tiger about to open its eyes.

……

The next morning, Lin Chen got up very early, which was unusual for him.

It wasn't because he valued his meeting with Li Yanran.

On the contrary, he was woken up by a system notification sound.

"Ding! Daily check-in successful!"

"Received: 100 taels of silver"

"Obtained: [Item - Disguise Mask] x1 (Changes facial features for three hours)"

"Obtained: [Intelligence - Recent Movements of Minister Li's Residence] ×1"

Lin Chen rubbed his eyes and sat up. With a thought, the information came to mind.

"Interesting." A slight smile appeared on his lips.

Intelligence indicates that Minister Li Chongming has been in close contact with the Second Prince's residence for the past three months.

His daughter, Li Yanran, had a pleasant conversation with Wang Yun, the son of the Minister of Rites, at a poetry gathering half a month ago.

The invitation sent to him yesterday, inviting him to his residence, was at the behest of Li Chongming.

There were two purposes: one was to annul the engagement, and the other was to test the strength of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

"They're treating me like an easy target." Lin Chen stretched and called for a maid to help him wash up.

Today, he specially chose a moon-white brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a silver crown on his head. With his already handsome face, he really looked like a dashing young gentleman.

If you didn't look at those eyes that always held a hint of mockery.

"Eighth Master looks so handsome today!" Maid Xiao Cui exclaimed, blushing.

Lin Chen tossed her a silver ingot: "It can talk, this is a reward for you."

Before leaving, he went to the main hall to pay his respects to the old lady.

The old lady was having breakfast when she saw his attire and raised an eyebrow: "Going to the Li family?"

"Yes." Lin Chen bowed respectfully. "Grandson will go and annul the engagement."

The old lady paused, "How did you know it was a annulment?"

"Just a guess," Lin Chen said with a grin.

"Now that the Li family has climbed up to the Second Prince, how could they possibly look down on our fallen Duke's mansion? My grandson is wise enough not to hinder Miss Li's bright future."

The old lady gave him a deep look: "You're quite perceptive. But remember, annulment is fine, but you can't disgrace the Lin family."

"Grandson understands."

"Also," the old lady put down her chopsticks, "your father made a marriage agreement with Li Chongming back then because he was a fairly upright person."

Now that he has broken his promise, you don't need to be polite. When it's time to slap him in the face, don't hesitate.

Lin Chen's eyes lit up: "Grandmother means..."

"I didn't say anything." The old lady picked up her teacup. "Go on, and come back soon. The kitchen made ginseng chicken soup for lunch to help you recover."

"Alright!"

Lin Chen was in a great mood after leaving the main hall.

With the old lady's words, he can now act freely today.

Just as I reached the front yard, I ran into Fourth Sister-in-law Xiao Yulou returning from the martial arts training ground.

She was dressed in a smart outfit, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her ponytail tied high, exuding a heroic air.

"Good morning, Fourth Sister-in-law," Lin Chen greeted her with a smile.

Xiao Yulou glanced at him and sneered, "Dressed all high and mighty, going to meet your fiancée?"

"Is Fourth Sister-in-law jealous?" Lin Chen took two steps closer and lowered his voice. "How about I skip it and practice martial arts with Fourth Sister-in-law instead?"

"Get lost!" Xiao Yulou kicked out, but Lin Chen easily dodged it.

A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Although that kick wasn't delivered with full force, it was still lightning fast. How could this spoiled eighth brother have dodged it?

"Fourth Sister-in-law, you're so cruel." Lin Chen pretended to rub a non-existent injury. "If I were crippled, who would take care of you?"

Xiao Yulou's pretty face flushed with anger, and she kicked him again: "Who needs your care! If you talk nonsense again, I'll throw you into the pool!"

Lin Chen laughed heartily, and with a sway of his body, he had already retreated several meters:

"Fourth Sister-in-law, please calm down. I have some important business to attend to, and I'll play with you when I get back!"

Watching Lin Chen's departing figure, Xiao Yulou frowned.

Was that movement technique just now a coincidence?