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

Chapter 162 Mountain Stream

The convoy continued its leisurely journey.

Lin Chen's life was incredibly comfortable.

During the day, enjoy the mountains and rivers and see all the scenery along the way.

He would spend his evenings studying "cultivation techniques" with Ye Qingying, working very diligently.

Qin Shuyan and Xiao Yulou touched their lower abdomens, watching Ye Qingying's increasingly radiant appearance as she was nourished, and they were filled with envy.

But there was nothing she could do; the baby in her belly was precious, and she could only watch helplessly.

Xiao Yulou privately pulled Qin Shuyan aside and whispered:

"Third sister, look at sixth sister's complexion, it's as rosy as a peach blossom..."

Qin Shuyan smiled lightly, "That's right, Eighth Brother really is... lacking in self-control."

On this day, the convoy passed through a mountain valley.

In the distance, the peaks are verdant and layered, while nearby, a stream murmurs gently.

The forest is filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers; the scenery is as beautiful as a painting.

Lin Chen lifted the carriage curtain and stretched.

"This place is nice, let's set up camp! We're not moving today, let's rest for a bit."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The convoy quickly got to work, tents were pitched, and wisps of smoke rose from chimneys.

It was evening.

Lin Chen strolled to Ye Qingying's tent, lifted the curtain, and peeked inside:

"Sixth Sister-in-law, shall we go for a walk?"

Ye Qingying, who was organizing intelligence, turned around upon hearing this, her eyes smiling: "Where to?"

"Let's listen to the sound of the water in the mountain stream ahead," Lin Chen said, blinking.

Ye Qingying put down the intelligence report, got up, and followed them out.

The two walked along the path toward the mountain stream, with the guards discreetly following at a distance.

The stream was crystal clear, and you could see fish swimming around.

Lin Chen found a flat, large rock, pulled Ye Qingying to sit down, and naturally put his arm around Ye Qingying's shoulder.

Ye Qingying leaned gently against Lin Chen's chest and whispered:

"It's so quiet here."

"Hmm, it's more comfortable than in the carriage." Lin Chen sniffed the fragrance of Ye Qingying's hair, his hand wandering downwards.

"Sixth Sister-in-law, you've had a tough time these past few days."

Ye Qingying's face flushed, and she whispered, "What are you saying..."

"To tell you the truth," Lin Chen whispered in Ye Qingying's ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.

"Traveling during the day and then having to practice martial arts with me at night, isn't that tiring?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingying's ears turned red, and she gently nudged Lin Chen.

"Don't talk nonsense here..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Lin Chen chuckled.

His hand had already reached the sash around Ye Qingying's waist, and with a gentle flick of his fingertips...

"Sixth Sister-in-law, look at the moonlight, the sound of the water... What a beautiful scene, it would be a shame to waste it."

Ye Qingying's heart was pounding, and she looked around:

"Someone will..."

"Don't worry, I've already ordered them to guard the perimeter; no one dares to come over."

As Lin Chen spoke, he untied the sash of Ye Qingying's outer robe, revealing a section of her fair neck.

The sound of the mountain stream seemed louder, drowning out some of the subtler sounds.

Ye Qingying trembled slightly, whether from the cool evening breeze or something else, she didn't know.

Lin Chen's kiss landed on her neck, warm and tingling, making Ye Qingying let out a soft moan.

"Leng Yao?" Lin Chen asked in a low voice, but his arms tightened around Ye Qingying.

"Yes... a little..." Ye Qingying's voice was barely audible.

Lin Chen chuckled and wrapped the two of them in his cloak.

Beneath the cloak, his movements did not cease.

As their clothes gradually fell away and their skin touched, Ye Qingying gasped.

The stone surface was slightly cool, but Lin Chen's body temperature quickly dispelled the chill.

The water murmured softly, and occasionally a night bird would call out.

Under this natural curtain, everything is both logical and breathtaking.

The moonlight slowly rose, illuminating the shimmering water and the intertwined figures on the rocks.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of water continued, only now with a different rhythm.

Ye Qingying leaned against Lin Chen's chest, her cheek pressed against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her whole body felt weak and powerless.

"Sixth Sister-in-law, your body... is getting weaker and weaker."

Lin Chen stroked Ye Qingying's smooth back, a slight smile playing on his lips, and thought to himself how wonderful it would be to have a cigarette right now.

Ye Qingying was too tired to speak, so she could only roll her eyes.

The two snuggled together for a while before straightening their clothes.

Ye Qingying's legs were still weak, so Lin Chen simply picked her up and carried her back the way they came.

Ye Qingying wrapped her arms around Lin Chen's neck, buried her face in his shoulder, and whispered:

"Eighth brother..."

"Um?"

"I...Is there something wrong with my body?" Ye Qingying's voice carried a hint of grievance and anxiety.

"I came out with my third and fourth sisters-in-law, and they all have... but I..."

Lin Chen paused, looked down at Ye Qingying, and seeing that her eyes were slightly red, he couldn't help but comfort her:

"Don't overthink it, it's just not the right time yet."

"Really?" Ye Qingying looked up at Lin Chen, her eyes glistening with tears.

"I've told you so many times..."

"What's the rush?" Lin Chen kissed Ye Qingying's forehead. "What's meant to happen will happen eventually. Besides..."

He then grinned mischievously and said, "Why don't we just try a little harder?"

Ye Qingying burst into laughter through her tears, and lightly punched Lin Chen, "You're so frivolous!"

When they returned to the camp, Qin Shuyan and Xiao Yulou were sitting around the campfire talking.

Upon seeing the two return, they both revealed mischievous smiles.

"You're back?" Xiao Yulou blinked. "Isn't the scenery by the stream nice?"

Ye Qingying blushed and lowered her head, not daring to look directly at him.

Lin Chen, thick-skinned, grinned and said:

"The scenery is especially beautiful; I'll take my fourth sister-in-law there next time."

"Get lost, I wouldn't dare go crazy with you right now," Xiao Yulou said with a laugh.

……

After traveling for more than ten days, the caravan entered the Central Plains.

One day, I passed through a place called Qingshan County.

Lin Chen led only a few people into the city to rest.

We've had enough of sleeping in horse-drawn carriages and tents along the way.

While resting at a tea stall, I overheard several people talking.

"Have you heard? Those bandits from Black Wind Stronghold came down the mountain again yesterday and robbed the Li Family Village!"

"Sigh, we can't live like this anymore. The government has launched several campaigns to suppress them, and each time they claim to have won a great victory, but the more they suppress the bandits, the more they seem to grow."

"Shh... Keep your voice down, Magistrate Li has plenty of eyes and ears."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and beckoned the tea stall owner over:

"Boss, what's the background of this Black Wind Stronghold?"

The boss looked around and lowered his voice:

"Sir, you're from out of town, aren't you? Don't ask too many questions, this matter... is too complicated."

Lin Chen took out a silver ingot and placed it on the table.

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he quickly took the money, lowering his voice even further:

"Black Wind Stronghold has more than 300 people, and its leader is called Black-Faced Tiger. He is said to be a third-rank master, and he is very powerful."

Strangely, every time the government launched a campaign against the bandits, the mountain bandits seemed to know in advance and always managed to escape.

"Oh?" Lin Chen said thoughtfully, "Then this Magistrate Zhao..."

The boss didn't dare say anything more, just waved his hand and turned to get back to work.

Lin Chen didn't make things difficult for him, and instead transmitted his voice to Jing Ke, who was hidden in the shadows:

"Go find Tingfeng Tower. I need to know the entire relationship between Black Wind Stronghold and the county magistrate."

"Yes."

Jing Ke accepted the order and left.

He returned in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, his voice ringing directly in Lin Chen's mind:

"My lord, it has been investigated."

The bandits numbered over 320, with their leader, Black-Faced Tiger, being a third-rank martial artist, and their two deputies being fourth-rank.

On the county government side, the county magistrate, Li Dequan, was a distant nephew of Li Qian, a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel, and the county lieutenant, Wang Biao, was Li Dequan's brother-in-law.

Before each bandit suppression operation, Wang Biao would send someone to inform the mountain stronghold.

Lin Chen scoffed: "Collusion between officials and bandits, an old trick."

"Go and handle this. Kill all the bandit leaders, and make the ordinary bandits surrender voluntarily. As for the county magistrate and the county constable..."

Lin Chen's eyes turned cold:

"Keeping this scourge alive is just a waste of food. Execute him and display his head publicly, then issue a notice in my name so that the entire county can see it."

"Yes."

Jing Ke responded and disappeared.

Ye Qingying asked softly, "Does Eighth Brother want to get involved in this?"

"I've got nothing better to do," Lin Chen stretched. "I might as well do a good deed and stretch my muscles."

Qin Shuyan looked at Lin Chen and said softly, "Eighth Brother is kind-hearted."

"Don't flatter me." Lin Chen waved his hand.

"I just don't like them."