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

Chapter 267 Spending the Night at the Jiaofangsi

When Lin Chen came out of the palace, it was already dusk.

Just as I was about to return home, I suddenly stopped and remembered something.

It seems like I haven't seen those four girls from the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district) for quite some time.

When he first transmigrated, on a whim, he booked four courtesans.

Every month, a mountain of hard-earned money is poured into it, and it's incredibly satisfying.

But later, when there were more women in the family, he visited less often.

Come to think of it, it's been more than a month since I last went there.

Lin Chen stroked his chin.

I've got nothing to do tonight anyway, might as well go check it out.

By the way—let's cool down the anger that Mei Jiu Niang stirred up today.

Thinking it over, Lin Chen turned and walked towards the Jiaofangsi (a type of entertainment venue).

……

The Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) was located deep in the street between the East and West Markets, a quiet oasis amidst the hustle and bustle, with a row of large red lanterns hanging at its entrance.

When Lin Chen arrived, there were several carriages parked at the entrance, looking like young masters from some noble family who had come to seek pleasure.

He didn't go through the main entrance, but went around to the side alley and entered through the back door.

The old woman guarding the gate saw him, her eyes lit up, and she quickly came to greet him:

"Oh my, Your Highness! You've finally arrived! Qin Xin and the others have been talking about you every day!"

Lin Chen casually tossed her a silver ingot: "Same as always, don't make a fuss."

The old woman caught the silver, her smile so wide it almost disappeared from her eyes.

"Yes, Your Highness, please come inside. This old servant will show you the way!"

……

backyard.

The lights were still on in the small building where Qin Xin and the others lived.

As soon as Lin Chen got downstairs, he heard a burst of laughter coming from upstairs.

They chirped and chattered like a flock of sparrows.

He smiled and pushed the door open to go inside.

Halfway up the stairs, a head popped out from upstairs.

It is artistic conception.

The girl's eyes widened when she saw Lin Chen, and then she exclaimed "Wow!"

"Young Master Lin! It's Young Master Lin!"

She turned and ran back, shouting as she ran:

"Sisters! Young Master Lin is here! Young Master Lin is here!"

Chaos erupted upstairs.

Lin Chen slowly walked up the stairs, and as soon as he peeked out at the top, he was surrounded by four women.

Qin Xin stood at the front, dressed in white with long hair flowing down her shoulders, her gentle demeanor like a lady who had stepped out of a painting.

She was looking at Lin Chen at that moment, her eyes slightly red.

"Sir...you still know to come?"

The voice was soft, with a hint of grievance.

Lin Chen coughed lightly: "Well... there's been a lot going on at home lately."

Qi Yun stood beside Qin Xin, dressed in a blue robe, holding a chess piece in her hand, and pouted as she said:

"Too much trouble? Perhaps you have too many wives at home and have forgotten about us?"

Lin Chen remained calm and chuckled, "How could that be? I could forget anyone but you guys."

Shuyu, wearing a light blue dress and holding a book, couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.

"Sir, you still have such a sharp tongue."

The youngest, dressed in a pink dress, had already squeezed in front of Lin Chen, her eyes sparkling.

"Sir, are you staying today?"

Lin Chen reached out and ruffled her hair. "What's wrong? Missed me?"

Hua Yi blushed, but still nodded vigorously.

Lin Chen smiled, walked into the room, leaned back on the soft couch, and sighed comfortably.

"Come here, give me a report on what you've been up to lately."

Four women gathered around and sat down next to him.

Qin Xin spoke first: "I recently learned a new piece, a folk tune from Jiangnan. Would you like to hear it, sir?"

Lin Chen nodded: "Yes, I must listen."

Qi Yun continued, "I've recently studied a new chess position called the 'Trap Dragon Position.' Would you like to give it a try, sir?"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "Trapped Dragon Formation? That's an interesting name. I'll give it a try later."

Shuyu said slowly, "I've recently been reading a miscellaneous book about anecdotes from a previous dynasty. There's a rather interesting passage in it. Would you like to hear it, sir?"

Lin Chen reached out and pinched her cheek, laughing, "The books you read must be interesting. Tell me about them."

Hua Yi grew impatient and tugged at Lin Chen's sleeve.

"Young master, I've painted many pictures recently, including flowers, birds, and figures. Would you like to take a look?"

Lin Chen laughed: "Alright, alright, I'll look at them all."

……

The heart of the zither goes to fetch the zither, the rhythm of the chessboard goes to set up the chessboard, the language of books goes to fetch the books, and the meaning of painting goes to fetch the paintings.

Lin Chen leaned against the soft couch, watching them busy themselves, thinking to himself—

Should we just take them as mistresses?

At this moment, Qin Xin returned first, and sat down holding her zither.

She tuned the strings, glanced up at Lin Chen, and then gently placed her fingers on the strings.

The sound of a piano began.

It's a gentle, soothing tune from the Jiangnan region, like basking in the spring sunshine.

Lin Chen closed his eyes and listened, a slow smile spreading across his face.

When the music ended, he opened his eyes and clapped.

"It sounds great, really great, a huge improvement from before."

Qin Xin's eyes lit up, and she smiled down.

Qi Yun approached and set up the chessboard: "Your Highness, would you like to play a game?"

Lin Chen sat up, looking at the densely packed chess pieces on the chessboard, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"What kind of situation is this?"

Qi Yun pointed to the chessboard: "This is the 'Trap Dragon Formation.' The black pieces are trapped in the center, surrounded by white pieces. It seems like a dead end, but there is a glimmer of hope. To this day, no one has been able to solve it."

Lin Chen stared at the chessboard for a long time, then suddenly reached out, picked up a black piece, and placed it in a corner to the side.

"here."

Qi Yun was stunned.

She stared at that spot for a long time, then gasped.

"Sir...how did you know?"

Lin Chen shrugged: "Just guessing."

Chess Rhyme: "..."

She had studied the chess game for three months without finding a solution, but Lin Chen guessed it at a glance?

Shuyu laughed out loud, "Sister Yun, are you feeling discouraged?"

Qi Yun glanced at her, but her gaze towards Lin Chen changed.

Shuyu brought the book over, sat down next to Lin Chen, and turned to a page:

"Your Highness, this passage tells the story of the last emperor of the previous dynasty. It says that he was addicted to wine and women, neglected state affairs, and in the end, his country was destroyed, his family perished, and he was killed by the rebels."

She read a passage aloud, reciting it vividly and expressively.

After listening, Lin Chen nodded: "This is the standard template of a spendthrift son. But then again, if I were born in that position, I'd probably be about the same."

Shuyu paused for a moment, then burst out laughing:

"Sir, you really dare to say that."

Lin Chen said matter-of-factly, "Just telling the truth."

Hua Yi brought over a thick stack of paintings, placed them on the couch, and looked at Lin Chen expectantly:

"Young master, look!"

Lin Chen took the paintings and flipped through them one by one.

There are flowers, birds, people, and scenery.

It's really well drawn.

"This one's good." He pulled one out. "When was this drawn?"

Huayi leaned over and took a look: "This was painted the day before yesterday. It's about the osmanthus tree in the yard."

Lin Chen nodded: "It has spiritual energy."

Hua Yi smiled so much that her eyes curved into crescent moons.

……

As we chatted, the night grew late.

The moon hung high outside the window, illuminating the entire courtyard in a silvery light.

The candlelight flickered in the room, and four women surrounded Lin Chen, chattering away.

Lin Chen leaned back on the soft couch, listening to their voices, and made a decision in his heart.

Having made up his mind, Lin Chen stretched and yawned.

Qin Xin noticed and said softly, "Master, are you tired?"

Lin Chen shook his head: "I'm not tired, just a little sleepy."

Hua Yi leaned closer: "Then, young master... will you stay tonight?"

Her face turned red after she finished speaking.

The other three also looked at Lin Chen, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Lin Chen looked around and chuckled, "Stay."

The four women's eyes lit up, and they said in unison:

"Let's go prepare hot water."

Lin Chen nodded slightly, watching the four women leave joyfully, and couldn't help but recall Mei Jiu Niang's words.

Women don't like men who are aloof; they prefer men who are straightforward and genuine.

……

The next day.

Lin Chen came out of the brothel, looked up at the moon, and sighed softly.

He had actually spent a whole day and night at the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment venue).

From last night until now, more than ten hours have passed.

Lin Chen touched his waist.

It's a little sour.

He took a deep breath, circulated his internal energy, and dispelled the soreness.

Then they strolled back.

As Lin Chen reached the entrance of a quiet alley, he suddenly stopped.

He frowned slightly; someone was watching him.

It was located on a rooftop about fifty feet to the rear.

His aura was well concealed, but it couldn't escape the notice of his divine sense, which was at the peak of the Celestial Realm.

Lin Chen pretended not to notice and continued walking forward.

As he walked, he used his divine sense to pinpoint the person's location.

The person didn't move.

Just stare at him.

Lin Chen couldn't help but mutter to himself:

Whose people are they? Those few from the righteous sects of Zhongzhou? Or some other force?

Without making a sound, he turned into a nearby alley.

The person stirred slightly, drifted down from the roof, and quietly followed.

Lin Chen walked deep into the alley and suddenly stopped.

Look back.

"Aren't you tired after staring at it for so long?"

The alley was deserted; there wasn't a soul in sight.

Lin Chen smiled.

"Not coming out? Then I'm leaving."

He turned and continued walking.

After taking two steps, a soft laugh suddenly came from behind.

Lin Chen turned around.

A man dressed in black stood at the entrance of the alley, the moonlight shining on him.

Medium build, average looks, the kind of person you wouldn't recognize in a crowd.

But those eyes were very bright.

"The Prince of Zhenbei truly lives up to his reputation," the man said, his voice neither loud nor soft.

"I used ninety percent of my stealth ability, but you still found me."

Lin Chen looked at the man in black and asked calmly:

"From the Qingyun Sect? Or the Heavenly Sword Pavilion?"

The man paused for a moment, then laughed.

"Your Highness, you have a good eye. I am Yun Zhongge from the Qingyun Sect."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow.

Song in the Clouds.

The one Mei Jiu Niang mentioned was an elder of the Qingyun Sect, a terrestrial immortal in the early stages.

"Elder Yun," Lin Chen said, "why are you following me in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Yun Zhongge smiled and said, "I have long admired the reputation of the Prince of Zhenbei and would like to see it for myself."

Lin Chen smiled as well: "Finished seeing it all? How did you feel?"

Yun Zhongge nodded: "Younger than rumored, and also more... lecherous than rumored."

Lin Chen shrugged: "Thanks for the compliment. May I go now?"

Yun Zhongge didn't move, looked at Lin Chen, and said:

"Prince Zhenbei, would you be interested in having a chat?"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "What are you talking about?"

Yun Zhongge said, "Let's talk about the future of the Eastern Region."

Lin Chen was silent for two seconds, then looked into the distance and said calmly:

"Since you're all here, why don't you all have a chat?"