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

Chapter 1 My grandmother made me marry my sister-in-law

When Lin Chen woke up, his head was throbbing as if he had been forced to drink three kilograms of strong liquor.

No, to be precise, he was indeed forced to drink three catties of strong liquor.

Last night, the original owner spent a fortune at the "Hundred Flowers Pavilion" for the newly crowned courtesan, drinking until he was unconscious. When two servants carried him back to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, he was barely alive.

But what really bothered Lin Chen wasn't the hangover, but the extra memories in his mind.

He crossed.

He transmigrated from a 21st-century Chinese office worker into the eighth son of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in the Dayan Dynasty of the Tianyuan Continent.

A top-tier playboy who is still six months away from his coming-of-age ceremony, yet is already "renowned throughout the capital".

"Eighth Prince is awake!"

A maid's surprised voice rang in my ears, followed by hurried footsteps.

Lin Chen barely opened his eyes. What he saw was a carved pear wood bed canopy. He was covered with a thin brocade quilt, and the room was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance.

This is the West Garden of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, the small courtyard where the original owner, Lin Chen, lived alone.

Memories flooded back like a tide.

Lord Zhenguo, Lin Tianxiong, was one of the Grand Masters of the Dayan Dynasty.

Three years ago, he led his seven sons to conquer the northern border, but they were surrounded by the enemy's Northern Shuo army, and all eight of them died on the battlefield.

When the news reached the country, it shocked the entire nation.

The once grand Duke Zhenguo Mansion was reduced to only the elderly, women, and children overnight.

The matriarch, Madam Lin Qin, came from the Qin family, a founding general's family, and used an iron-fisted approach to support the family, which was on the verge of collapse.

The mother, Su Wanqing, was gentle yet resilient, managing the household affairs while suppressing her grief.

There are also seven young widowed sisters-in-law, each bearing their own pain and supporting this once glorious family.

Lin Chen, the eighth son, completely let himself go after his father and elder brother died in battle. He frequented brothels and squandered money, becoming a laughing stock in the capital.

The last remaining member of the Zhenguo Duke's family was a hopeless case.

"Damn it..." Lin Chen rubbed his temples and sat up.

"Ding! Host's soul has been detected to be stable, meeting the binding requirements."

"Family system activating..."

"Bind successful!"

The mechanical voice rang in his mind, and Lin Chen was stunned for a moment, then a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

Here it comes, the standard equipment for time travelers!

The system interface appeared in my mind; it was simple and clear.

[Host: Lin Chen]

Age: 17 years and 6 months

[Cultivation Level: None (The original owner was neglecting martial arts, only focusing on physical fitness)]

[Family: Duke Zhenguo's Mansion (Current Status: In Decline)]

[System Functions: Clan System (Rewards Triggered by Major Events), Check-in System (Daily/Monthly/Yearly Check-in), System Space]

[New Player Gift Pack: To be claimed]

Lin Chen didn't hesitate: "Claim the newbie gift pack!"

"Ding! New player gift pack being distributed..."

"Received: [Grandmaster-level Perfect Cultivation Initiation] (Aura automatically concealed, perfectly mastered)"

"Obtained: [Character Summoning Card - Yuan Tiangang] (Half-step Celestial Realm, with background story, absolutely loyal)"

"Obtained: [Faction Summoning Card - 100 Bad Guys] (All members are at the First Rank, with maximum disguise and stealth abilities)"

"Acquired: [Martial Arts - Free and Easy Wandering] (A high-grade Heavenly Rank movement technique, automatically perfected)"

"Obtained: [Item - Storage Ring] (10 cubic meters of space, already equipped)"

A powerful yet gentle force instantly surged into his limbs and bones, and his martial arts insights were like a sudden awakening.

Lin Chen felt his bones cracking and his meridians opening up, and a set of exquisite and profound movement techniques appeared in his mind.

He is now a Grandmaster at the peak of his skill.

In the martial arts world, such a figure would be enough to establish a sect!

"This cheat code is really something..." Lin Chen's lips curled up slightly, but he quickly suppressed his smile.

According to the original owner's memories, her father, Lin Tianxiong, was a late-stage Grandmaster, and her seven elder brothers were at least third-rank, yet all of them died in battle.

The battlefield was indeed dangerous, but the fact that none of the eight men survived, and only three sets of remains were recovered, is itself eerie.

"Young Master, you're finally awake!" The butler, Lin Fu, who appeared to be around forty years old, pushed open the door and entered, his face full of worry.

"The matriarch instructed that you go to the main hall immediately upon waking, as there is important matter to discuss."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "What is it?"

Lin Fu's expression was complicated, and he hesitated to speak: "This... this old servant is not at liberty to say more. You will know when you go."

Half an hour later, Lin Chen changed into a plain brocade robe and stepped into the main hall of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, the "Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness".

Upon entering, one immediately senses a somber atmosphere.

Seated in the main seat was an elderly woman with white hair, dressed in a dark purple imperial robe, holding a dragon-headed cane. Although her face was aged, her eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

It is none other than the pillar of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, the Old Madam Qin Saihua.

The mother, Su Wanqing, sat to the left below. She was gentle and dignified, but her brows were furrowed with deep sorrow.

On the right sat seven young women, each with a different appearance and temperament, but all dressed simply; they were the seven widowed sisters-in-law.

Lin Chen glanced at it and secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.

The eldest sister-in-law, Liu Ruyan, the daughter of a military family, was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit that could not hide her beautiful figure, but her face was as cold as frost.

Second sister-in-law Chu Yueyao, with a gentle temperament, kept her head down and remained silent.

Third Sister-in-law Qin Shuyan, in charge of the accounts, sat upright.

Fourth Sister-in-law Xiao Yulou, a free-spirited woman of the martial world, always with her arms crossed over her chest.

Fifth Sister-in-law Wen Ruoxi, daughter of a wealthy businessman, has shrewd eyes.

Sixth Sister-in-law Ye Qingying, her expression as cold and aloof as the moon, remained expressionless.

Seventh Sister-in-law Murong Xue, with an exotic look, has worried eyes.

There was also a little one—the eldest sister-in-law's three-year-old daughter, Lin Nian'er, who was being held by her wet nurse, blinking her big eyes curiously.

"Grandson greets his grandmother, mother, and all his sisters-in-law."

Lin Chen bowed respectfully, but in his heart he was wondering: What's the purpose of such a big fuss?

The old lady's gaze fell on Lin Chen with an almost tangible intensity. After a long silence, she slowly spoke:

"Chen'er, you're almost 18!"

"Yes," Lin Chen replied.

"In another six months, you will be of legal age," the old lady said solemnly.

"According to the regulations of the imperial court, one can inherit the title after coming of age and become the new Duke of Zhenguo."

Lin Chen's heart stirred, but he didn't show it on his face: "Grandson understands."

"You understand?" The old lady sneered.

"If you truly understood, you would know the current predicament of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!"

"Your father and brothers have been dead for three years, and most of your disciples and old friends have scattered. Which of those demons and monsters in the court wouldn't want to tear a piece of flesh from the Lin family?"

"Although His Majesty cherishes our past relationship and has preserved the title, how many more years can this title be retained if there is no successor? If the Lin family line dies out, how can I face my ancestors in the afterlife!"

At this point, the old lady suddenly leaned on her cane, and there was a dull thud on the ground.

The hall was completely silent.

Lin Chen lowered his head, quickly calculating in his mind: Is this an attempt to force me to improve?

Sure enough, the old lady's next words almost made him lose his footing.

"Therefore, after discussing with several elders, I have made a decision." The old lady said, emphasizing each word.

"From this day forward, you, Lin Chen, will be responsible for all eight households!"

Lin Chen: "...?"

"The so-called 'one person shoulders the responsibility for eight households'," the old matriarch continued, ignoring his astonished expression.

"It means you must marry your seven sisters-in-law to produce offspring for your seven brothers and continue the family line!"

"Pfft—" Fifth Sister-in-law Wen Ruoxi had just picked up her teacup when she heard this and immediately spat it out.

"Outrageous!" Sister-in-law Liu Ruyan slammed her hand on the table, her pretty face flushed red.

"Grandmother! This matter violates moral principles and ethics; if word gets out, how will the Lin family save face!"

Second sister-in-law Chu Yueyao's face turned pale: "This...how can this be..."

Third Sister-in-law Qin Shuyan frowned.

Fourth Sister-in-law Xiao Yulou let out a cold laugh.

Sixth Sister-in-law Ye Qingying's eyes were icy cold.

Seventh Sister-in-law Murong Xue was at a loss.