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

Chapter 347 Alliance Leader Yang's Little Thoughts

The next day.

Lin Chen didn't get out of bed until the sun was high in the sky.

Lan Fenghuang had already washed and dressed and was sitting by the window drinking tea. When she saw Lin Chen get up, she smiled and handed him a cup of warm water.

Lin Chen took the drink and drank some, which made his throat feel better.

After washing up, I came out to find Alliance Leader Yang already waiting in the courtyard.

I changed into a new outfit today, a dark blue robe with silver thread embroidered on the cuffs, and a silver crown on my head. I look much more energetic than yesterday.

He was standing with his hands behind his back under the eaves, talking to a young man from the clan, when he saw Lin Chen come out, he immediately greeted him with a smile:

"Did Your Highness sleep well last night?"

Lin Chen nodded: "That's good."

After speaking, he glanced at the next room. The door was open, the room was empty, the bedding was neatly folded, and the window was open.

Lingbo is long gone; no one knows when she left or where she went.

Lin Chen withdrew his gaze and muttered to himself: This woman is truly unpredictable.

Alliance Leader Yang, oblivious to Lin Chen's distraction, smiled and leaned closer, lowering his voice:

"Your Highness, are you really not going to reconsider those girls?"

"I have several nieces, even more beautiful than those from yesterday; their looks and figures are among the best in the world."

Lin Chen was both amused and exasperated, and waved his hand:

"Alliance Leader Yang, there's really no need. Don't bother."

Alliance Leader Yang looked regretful and sighed.

He was truly disappointed. Although he had given women before, none of them were as effective as using them to build relationships now.

He served as the leader of the alliance in Nanyue for decades and had met at least eighty or a hundred officials from the Dayan Kingdom, ten out of ten of whom were lecherous.

Some openly ask for it, some secretly take it, and some say they don't want it but sneak it over at night.

Lin Chen, a womanizer who has married dozens of women and indulges in nightly revelry, is now refusing to open his mouth even when offered a woman. He is truly unfathomable.

"Alright then," Alliance Leader Yang shook his head and said with a smile.

"If Your Highness ever wishes to try something new, just let me know. My nieces aren't going to run away, are they?"

Lin Chen felt somewhat helpless and waved his hand, preparing to take his leave.

Alliance Leader Yang quickly cupped his hands to stop him:

"Your Highness, please don't rush. It's already noon. Have some lunch before you leave."

I had some simple mountain food prepared for you; it's nothing much, just a token of my appreciation.

Lin Chen glanced at the sky; the sun was already high in the sky, so it wasn't the right time to leave.

He nodded: "Then I'll trouble you."

Leader Yang clapped his hands happily and gave the order.

Before long, a table was set up in the courtyard. There weren't many dishes, but each one was exquisite.

Alliance Leader Yang invited Lin Chen to sit down and personally poured him a glass of wine:

"Your Highness, this is wine that I have stored myself for many years. It is not an expensive wine, but it is mellow and does not cause headaches."

Lin Chen took a sip; it was indeed quite good. It was smooth on the palate, with a subtle osmanthus fragrance in the aftertaste. He nodded.

"Good wine."

Leader Yang smiled and poured himself a glass.

After a few drinks, Leader Yang gradually became more talkative.

"Your Highness, I have a question, but I'm not sure if I should ask it."

Lin Chen ate his meal without even lifting his eyelids and said, "Ask."

Leader Yang put down his chopsticks and considered his words carefully:

"During your inspection tour, Your Highness killed so many corrupt officials, and the Dayan Dynasty... didn't anyone say anything?"

Lin Chenyi smiled knowingly and asked, "What did you say?"

Alliance Leader Yang said, "Although I live in Nanyue, I am aware of the affairs of the Dayan Dynasty."

Those officials are deeply entrenched in their networks. If you kill one of their people, how could their classmates, fellow students, and classmates not hate you? How could they not try to trip you up?

Lin Chen smiled faintly: "Go ahead and use it, I don't care."

Alliance Leader Yang paused for a moment, then lightly patted his lips and said obsequiously:

"Look at my mouth! Your Highness's divine skills are unparalleled, even the people of Zhongzhou are in awe of you, how could you possibly care about their opinions?"

Lin Chen picked up his wine glass and said casually:

"Leader Yang, you have been the leader of the alliance in Nanyue for decades. The Blackwater, White Miao, and Golden Tooth tribes all give you face. You are no ordinary person."

Alliance Leader Yang waved his hand and gave a wry smile:

"Your Highness flatters me. What alliance leader? He's just a peacemaker."

The three factions have been fighting for centuries, and no one's advice has worked. I'm just a messenger.

He paused, looked at Lin Chen, his eyes filled with a hint of probing.

"Your Highness, I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Does Da Yan really have no designs on Nan Yue?"

Lin Chen said in a serious tone:

"No, we haven't even sorted out our own affairs on our own territory, so we don't have time to worry about others."

Besides, the Southern Yue region is mountainous and densely forested, and its people are known for their fierce nature. It's easy to conquer, but difficult to govern. The Great Yan Dynasty simply wouldn't bother with that effort.

Alliance Leader Yang stared at Lin Chen for a long while, then nodded and picked up his wine glass:

"Your Highness speaks the truth. I toast you."

The two clinked glasses. After finishing his drink, Leader Yang wiped his mouth and suddenly sighed:

"Your Highness, let me speak from the bottom of my heart."

The Hundred Tribes of Nanyue appeared lively, but in reality, they were a disorganized mess.

None of the three factions are willing to submit to the others, so I, the old leader of the alliance, am just a figurehead.

Sometimes I think that if Nanyue could be like Dayan, with a real emperor ruling it, maybe life would be better.

But then I thought, forget it, we southerners are used to being wild, we can't stand being controlled."

Lin Chen listened without replying.

He understood what Alliance Leader Yang meant.

Nan Yue needs someone who can keep things under control, but this person cannot be from Dayan, nor can they be from any of the three parts.

Ideally, this person should be from the Southern Yue region and have a good relationship with the Dayan people, so that they can speak with both sides.

Leader Yang probably has someone in mind for this role, but he hasn't said it outright.

Lin Chen didn't ask any questions, and slowly drank his wine.

By the time we finished eating, the sun was already beginning to set.

After seeing him off at the entrance of the village, Alliance Leader Yang hesitated for a moment and said:

"Your Highness, I have a favor to ask."

"explain."

Alliance Leader Yang paused for a moment, then said:

"When Your Highness returns, if it is convenient, please convey a message to His Majesty of Dayan: the Hundred Tribes of Nanyue are willing to maintain friendly relations with Dayan for generations to come, not as enemies, but as friends."

Lin Chen said calmly, "Okay."

Leader Yang smiled, took a step back, and bowed deeply.

Lin Chen boarded the carriage, and the curtain was lowered.

The carriage slowly started moving, and Leader Yang stood at the entrance of the village, waving until the carriage disappeared into the dense forest.

Lan Fenghuang leaned against Lin Chen, glanced back, and whispered:

"Alliance Leader Yang is no ordinary person."

Lin Chen closed his eyes: "Hmm, old fox."

Lan Fenghuang smiled and said, "But he's not a bad person at heart."

Lin Chen didn't speak, but a playful smile appeared on his face.

The carriage swayed and moved forward, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Lingbo reappeared at some point, walking leisurely beside the carriage.

The white clothes fluttered gently in the wind, like a shadow.