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

Chapter 199 My Little Niece Lin Nian'er's Troubles

It was evening.

Lin Chen sent Lin Wu to invite Lan Fenghuang to have dinner together.

"Miss Lan, the Prince invites you to dine with him in the main courtyard's flower hall tonight. Several ladies, the Dowager Madam, and the Old Madam will all be there."

Lin Wu stood outside the door and said respectfully.

Lan Fenghuang's heart tightened for a moment, then relaxed.

What's meant to happen will happen. She adjusted her sideburns in front of the bronze mirror, took a deep breath, and...

"Thank you for your help, Guard Lin. I'll be right there."

The main courtyard's flower hall was brightly lit, with a large round table set full of food, and laughter could be heard coming from inside.

When Lan Fenghuang stepped into the flower hall, the laughter paused slightly.

Several pairs of eyes fell on her simultaneously, some with curiosity, some with scrutiny, and some with friendly smiles.

"You're here?" Lin Chen waved to her. "Come sit down, don't be shy, there aren't that many rules in the manor."

The seat he pointed to was to his right, and it was empty.

Su Xiaoxiao sat on the left, nodding gently to Lan Fenghuang.

Lan Fenghuang composed herself and walked over to sit down.

She could feel the gazes of everyone at the table, especially those ladies she hadn't yet formally met.

"This must be Miss Lan?" The matriarch, seated at the head of the table, spoke first, her tone gentle.

"I've heard Chen'er mention her; she's from Nanzhao and is a very capable girl."

"You flatter me, Madam." Lan Fenghuang hurriedly stood up, intending to bow.

"Sit down and talk, sit down and talk," the old lady said with a smile, gesturing with her hand.

"Now that we're here, we're all family. Make yourself at home, Chen'er."

She turned to Lin Chen, deliberately putting on a stern face, "You're not allowed to bully that girl, do you hear me?"

"Grandmother!" Lin Chen gave a wry smile.

"What are you saying? When did I ever bully her? I'm too busy feeling sorry for her."

Everyone at the table laughed, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

At this moment, Su Wanqing took a brocade box from the maid, walked to Lan Fenghuang's side, and opened it herself.

Inside is a jadeite bangle with excellent clarity and a vibrant green hue.

"Child, take this."

Su Wanqing took Lan Fenghuang's hand and gently slipped the bracelet onto her wrist; the size was just right.

"A little gift to mark our meeting. From now on, this will be your home."

If Chen'er misbehaves, just come and tell me, and I'll teach him a lesson for you.

Lan Fenghuang looked at the warm, smooth jade bracelet on her wrist, then at Su Wanqing's gentle, smiling eyes, and her heart warmed, her throat tightening slightly.

"Thank you... thank you, Madam."

"Still calling me Madam?" Wen Ruoxi teased with a grin. "You should start calling me Mother!"

Lan Fenghuang blushed slightly and whispered, "Mother."

"Oh, good child." Su Wanqing patted Lan Fenghuang's hand with satisfaction and returned to her seat.

Liu Ruyan then smiled and spoke:

"Sister Lan, my third sister and I are discussing it. Princess Mingyue will be entering the house on the eighth day of next month. Then it will be your turn and that Liusheng sister from Dongli."

My mother and I have discussed it, and your wedding will be conducted according to the proper etiquette for a bride. The wedding dress and the ceremony must not be taken lightly.

Qin Shuyan smiled and agreed:

"There aren't many rules in the manor. My husband has always treated all the sisters equally, so Sister Lan doesn't need to be so reserved."

Second sister, fifth sister, eldest sister and I are not feeling well, so please be considerate and lend a helping hand.

Wen Ruoxi, being lively, immediately replied:

"Don't worry! I'm an expert at shopping and decorating! I guarantee Smurfette will look absolutely gorgeous!"

Chu Yueyao smiled gently.

"The west wing is all ready. If Smurfette needs anything else, just let me know."

Xiao Yulou, a straightforward and forthright person, chuckled and said:

"Smurfette, you are a Holy Maiden of the Temple, with considerable cultivation. Let's have a drink and chat sometime. I've been so bored lately."

Lin Chen said irritably, "Just shut up, you're pregnant!"

Xiao Yulou pouted and muttered, "You never seem to settle down, always bullying Big Sister!"

Her words caused everyone to cover their mouths and chuckle, while Liu Ruyan glared at Xiao Yulou with her beautiful eyes.

At this moment, Su Xiaoxiao spoke softly, "Sister Lan, let's make snacks for you together in the future."

Murong Xue, unable to contain herself any longer, left her seat and walked over, affectionately taking Lan Fenghuang's hand:

"Sister Lan, we promised each other, sisters united!"

Blue Phoenix was enveloped by this wave of enthusiasm, and her initial unease had long since turned into a warm current.

She looked at the sincere smiling faces and nodded emphatically:

"Thank you... thank you, sisters."

"Me too, me too!" A childish voice came from the other side of the table.

My four-year-old niece, Lin Nian'er, was seen struggling to lift herself up with the help of her wet nurse.

Her big, dark eyes stared at Lan Fenghuang, then she started counting on her chubby fingers, her little face scrunched up:

"Uncle Ba, which number is this pretty auntie? I only have ten fingers, I can't count them all!"

She counted on her fingers, carefully:

"Mother, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, Fifth Aunt, Sixth Aunt, Seventh Aunt, Eighth Aunt..."

Next month there will be Ninth Aunt, Princess Mingyue, Tenth Aunt, Princess Liusheng Xue... and then this aunt..."

She counted to eleven, but her fingers were too short, so she looked at Lin Chen for help.

The whole table erupted in laughter.

Lin Chen stood up, took Xiao Nian'er from the wet nurse's arms, placed her on his lap, and gently pinched her little nose:

"You little rascal, you counted quite clearly!"

"You can call me whatever you want, but Nian'er, you have to learn to count properly from your teacher and try to count to ninety-nine for your eighth uncle, okay?"

"Ninety-nine?"

Little Nian'er stared wide-eyed at her own little hands, then at the smiling aunts at the table, as if she thought this was an extremely difficult task.

"Husband!" Liu Ruyan glared at Lin Chen reproachfully, "You're talking nonsense and setting a bad example for the child."

"Exactly," Chu Yueyao laughed and scolded, "Ninety-nine? Aren't you afraid of working yourself to death?"

Su Wanqing and the old lady shook their heads and chuckled, their eyes filled with doting affection.

Lan Fenghuang looked at the lively and heartwarming scene.

Seeing Lin Chen being "condemned" by a group of ladies, yet still looking smug.

Looking at Xiao Nian'er's innocent and confused adorable appearance.

The corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up high.

Is this the life she's about to enter?

It was bustling and lively, full of life and human warmth, a stark contrast to her cold and disciplined days in the Nanzhao Temple.

The last bit of calculation and detachment in my heart quietly dissipated amidst the laughter.

Dinner began amidst laughter and conversation.

During the meal, when the topic of the Nanzhao Kingdom came up, Lan Fenghuang gradually opened up and whispered some interesting stories.

Murong Xue sat next to Lan Fenghuang, occasionally leaning in to whisper in her ear:

"See? I wasn't lying to you. Our family is always like this, very lively. From now on, we sisters must work together!"

Lan Fenghuang's cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled and nodded.

After the meal, the maids removed the bowls and plates and replaced them with tea and fruit.

The old lady was quite old, so after sitting for a while, she was helped back to rest by Su Wanqing.

Liu Ruyan, Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, and Ye Qingying, who were pregnant and prone to sleepiness, left first.

The rest of the people sat and chatted for a while, then gradually dispersed.

Lin Chen stood up and naturally took Lan Fenghuang's hand:

"Come on, I'll take you back to the west wing."

As night deepens, walking along the quiet corridor, one can faintly hear the chirping of insects in the distance.

"How was it?" Lin Chen asked with a smile.

"Were you scared? That's just how it is in the manor, lots of people, lots of chatter, it gets a bit too noisy."

Lan Fenghuang shook her head and squeezed Lin Chen's hand: "Very good, even better than I expected."

She paused, then spoke even softer, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Here we go again." Lin Chen shook his head and chuckled.

"I told you not to be so polite. You heard what they said. Ruyan and the others are handling the wedding arrangements, so you don't need to worry about it. Just stay put."

"Mm." Lan Fenghuang nodded, then suddenly remembered Xiao Nian'er's words and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Ninety-nine...you really do have lofty ambitions."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, leaned close to Lan Fenghuang's ear, lowered his voice, and said with a smile:

"What, afraid I'll neglect you? Now you're backing out..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lan Fenghuang tiptoed and quickly kissed Lin Chen on the cheek.

Then he let go of her hand and walked quickly towards the west wing.

Lin Chen touched the spot on his face where he had been kissed, and looked at Lan Fenghuang's slightly hurried yet vivid back view, and chuckled softly.

"I hope you won't make me regret it..."