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

Chapter 290 Trip to Dongshan

The group walked together toward the island in the middle of the lake.

The winding bridge stretches towards the center of the lake, with lanterns hanging on both sides, already beginning to light up and shimmering with a warm glow in the twilight.

Lin Nian'er skipped and hopped along at the front, occasionally turning back to call out:

"Hurry up, hurry up!"

Lin Chen supported Liu Ruyan and walked slowly behind her.

Liu Ruyan glanced at him and said, "You don't need to help me. I can walk by myself."

Lin Chen wouldn't let go: "I know you can walk, but I just want to support you."

Liu Ruyan smiled helplessly and could only let Lin Chen support her.

Zhao Mingyue watched from the side, a smile playing on her lips.

Once you cross the bridge, you'll reach the island in the middle of the lake.

The eighteen courtyards are arranged according to the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams, and are distributed on the island in a staggered manner, each with its own style.

Some are elegant, some are luxurious, some are simple, and some are rustic.

Li Chunfeng introduced from the side:

"These eighteen courtyards are built in eighteen different styles, and each lady can choose one."

Wen Ruoxi's eyes lit up: "Can I choose?"

Lin Chen smiled and nodded: "Yes, first come, first served."

Before she could finish speaking, Wen Ruoxi had already darted out.

Qin Shuyan called out from behind, "Slow down!"

Wen Ruoxi didn't even turn her head: "If you're slow, they'll all be picked out!"

The crowd was both amused and exasperated, and followed suit.

……

The old lady held Su Wanqing's hand and walked slowly at the back.

Watching the group of young people chattering and scrambling for the yard, the old lady smiled:

"It's so good to be young."

Su Wanqing nodded: "Yes, watching them make a fuss makes me feel good."

The old lady patted her hand: "Let's find a quiet place, far away from them, so as not to cause any trouble."

Su Wanqing smiled: "Mother is right, that's exactly what I was thinking too."

The two walked to the side and chose the most secluded courtyard.

The courtyard is small, but quiet and elegant. Several old pine trees are planted in the courtyard, and a gravel path winds through it. There is also a small pavilion in the corner, which faces the lake and offers a view.

The old lady nodded in satisfaction:

"This is it, quiet and peaceful."

Su Wanqing nodded, "That's exactly what I wanted."

……

On the other side, Wen Ruoxi had already rushed into the most magnificent courtyard.

The courtyard was filled with carved beams and painted rafters, even the windows were made of Phoebe zhennan wood, and there was a small fountain in the courtyard that made a splashing sound.

Wen Ruoxi stood in the middle of the courtyard, opened her arms, and took a deep breath:

"This is mine!"

Qin Shuyan followed behind, glanced at it, and rolled her eyes:

"upstart."

Wen Ruoxi turned around and glared at her: "That's called taste! What about your seat?"

Qin Shuyan pointed to the elegant courtyard next to her. The courtyard was full of bamboo, quiet and peaceful, with the wind rustling through it.

"That's what you call good taste," Qin Shuyan said casually.

Wen Ruoxi pouted: "Bamboo? Aren't you afraid of ghosts at night?"

Qin Shuyan: "...You're the one who's afraid of ghosts."

……

Xiao Yulou chose the most spacious courtyard.

The courtyard was about half the size of a football field, and there was a weapons rack against the wall, with all kinds of weapons, including knives, spears, swords, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks.

In the middle there is a training ground, paved with bluestone, as smooth as a mirror.

Xiao Yulou stood in the middle of the courtyard, drew his sword from his waist, and casually twirled it.

"A good place."

She smiled with satisfaction.

Chu Yueyao chose the one closest to the medicine garden.

The aroma of herbs filled the air as she stood in the courtyard. She took a deep breath, a look of blissful delight on her face.

"It smells so good..."

……

Ye Qingying chose the most secluded one.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it was quiet. In one corner, there were a few plum trees that hadn't bloomed yet, but their gnarled branches were quite charming.

She stood in the courtyard, closed her eyes, savored the quiet around her, then opened her eyes and nodded.

No one bothered us.

Good.

……

Murong Xue chose the most exquisite one.

The courtyard has a small bridge over a stream, artificial hills and pavilions, and a small pond with several koi swimming around.

She stood on the bridge, looking at the fish in the water, and smiled.

"Now this feels like a place to live."

The one Su Xiaoxiao chose was the most cozy.

The yard was full of flowers, red, yellow and purple, blooming vibrantly.

There was also a small swing hanging between two trees, swaying gently in the wind.

She sat on it, gently swaying twice, her eyes curving into crescent moons:

"very nice."

……

Lan Fenghuang and Liu Shengxue chose two adjacent seats.

Lan Fenghuang's courtyard was filled with flowers of all colors, as alluring as she was.

She stood among the flowers, waving to Liu Shengxue:

Come visit sometime!

Liu Shengxue nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Her courtyard was very simple, with a few white plum trees and white sand on the ground. It was extremely simple.

……

Yao Yao chose a courtyard that was neither too big nor too small.

There are several osmanthus trees in the yard. They haven't bloomed yet, but their leaves are lush and green, which is pleasing to the eye.

She stood in the middle of the courtyard, her face slightly flushed, and whispered:

"This...this is mine?"

Qing'er peeked out from the side: "Sister Yao Yao, have you made your choice? Want to browse around some more?"

Yao Yao shook her head: "This place is fine."

……

Five little girls, Qing'er, Dai'er, Xi'er, Su'er, and Ling'er, stood at the entrance of a large courtyard, looking at each other.

"This courtyard... is it for us?" Qing'er asked softly.

Li Chunfeng nodded in agreement: "Yes, this was prepared especially for you."

There are nine separate rooms inside, all designed by the lord himself.

The five little girls went in and their eyes widened in amazement.

There are nine rooms, each a separate living space with large windows that provide excellent natural light.

There is also a common living room in the middle, furnished with a soft couch, coffee table, bookshelves, and paintings hanging on the walls.

……

The four—Qin Xin, Qi Yun, Shu Yu, and Hua Yi—stood at the entrance of another large courtyard.

This courtyard is similar in layout to Qing'er's house, with nine separate rooms and a large living room in the middle.

However, the decor is more elegant, with calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, books on the bookshelves, and a chessboard on the coffee table.

Qin Xin nodded in satisfaction: "It's much better than the Prince's Mansion."

Qi Yun walked in, sat down in front of the chessboard, and casually placed a few pieces:

"This courtyard suits my taste perfectly."

Shuyu walked to the bookshelf, picked up a book, and started reading:

"He also has quite a few books."

The painter stands by the window, gazing at the scenery outside:

"The view from this window is picturesque."

Qin Xin smiled: "Don't bother choosing anymore, let's pick a room first."

The four women each chose a room and settled in.

……

Finally, two courtyards remained empty.

After strolling around her own courtyard, Wen Ruoxi wandered out again and saw the two empty courtyards, pausing for a moment:

"Why isn't anyone choosing these two?"

Qin Shuyan, standing nearby, said casually, "Let's keep it as a backup?"

Wen Ruoxi blinked: "Backup? For whom?"

Qin Shuyan gave Lin Chen's main courtyard a meaningful look, but said nothing.

Wen Ruoxi followed her gaze, then suddenly realized what she meant, and covered her mouth to laugh:

"Oh—I understand, I understand."

She leaned closer to Qin Shuyan and whispered, "Do you think these two seats are enough?"

Qin Shuyan rolled her eyes: "How would I know?"

Wen Ruoxi counted on her fingers: "There are about ten of us now, plus those five girls, and four of them are skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting... Hmm, it seems like that's not enough."

Qin Shuyan smiled helplessly, "Why are you worrying about this?"

Wen Ruoxi said matter-of-factly, "I'm just worried about my husband. It would be so awkward if we didn't have enough room in the future."

Qin Shuyan: "..."

……

Lin Chen's main courtyard is in the very center; it is the largest and most imposing.

He stood at the gate of the courtyard, looked at the courtyard, and nodded in satisfaction.

There are two large locust trees at the entrance, with lush branches and leaves.

Further inside is a large courtyard paved with bluestone, suitable for martial arts practice and banquets.

Further inside is the main building, with nine rooms, carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an extraordinary grandeur.

There are still plenty of rooms on both sides, so there's no worry about not having a place to stay.

Zhuge Liang followed behind him:

"My lord, are you satisfied with this courtyard?"

Lin Chen nodded: "Satisfied, extremely satisfied."

He walked into the main room and looked at the furnishings. They were all arranged in his preferred style: simple, elegant, and not flashy.

Zhuge Liang said from the side, "Dinner has been prepared and is in the main hall."

Lin Chen nodded and turned to walk towards the main hall.