Ch. 106..110: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 106-110
Chapter 106 Taxation (2)_1 “Why did you bring this out?” Mrs. Zhang jumped in surprise.
“Since we made a lot, we brought some out,” Lin Ziyin replied.
“Give it to the children. We’ll be home in a while,” Mrs. Zhang suggested.
“We’re full,” Changting said, patting his stomach.
“Satisfied,” Yanzhi also chimed in.
“What happened?” Seeing Lou Zheng look upset and despondent, the old man sat by his side and asked him a few concerned questions.
“This year’s tax has to be paid,” Lou Zheng sighed. “Uncle, you know the situation in the village. Each family only has a small plot of land, growing soybeans; where can we find surplus silver to pay our taxes?”
“Why would you have to pay taxes before the autumn harvest?” Lin Ziyin asked curiously.
“The money for city wall construction,” Lou Zheng answered, “Although the amount is not much, you can see the situation in the village.”
Then Lou Zheng sighed heavily.
“The head of the family has gone to the government office to ask for concession, but they do not care,” Mrs. Zhang’s face also darkened.
The old man sighed after hearing this. This was indeed the hardest time of the year.
“What if there is no silver to pay?” Lin Ziyin asked.
“Then we pay in labor,” the old man answered.
After hearing this, Lin Ziyin did not continue asking questions. Going to the border to build military facilities without modern equipment — it was clear that it would be quite a hardship.
Luckily, the Lin Family had some silver saved up this year, so they didn’t have to worry about the tax problem.
Due to the somber topic, the adults in the carriage were all in low spirits. The two children could sense the depressed atmosphere, and both of them sat quietly and obediently beside Lin Ziyin.
After returning to the village, when Lou Zheng spread news about the tax demanded by the government office, the villagers began to sigh. Those families with strong laborers even wailed in despair.
This situation did not affect the Lin Family, and everyone went about their usual activities.
“Brother, we don’t have much soybeans at home. Could you and Brother Dayou buy more in the village?” Lin Ziyin asked after gazing at the stored soybeans at home.
“I’ve already been considering it,” Lin Changshu put down the bowl in his hand and answered.
“If there are peanuts and sesame seeds, we can buy them all back home,” Lin Ziyin added.
“What do we buy those for?” Zige asked.
“Oil can be pressed from peanuts and sesame seeds,” Lin Ziyin explained.
“I’ll ask around in the village later,” Changshu responded.
After dinner, Lin Changshu went out, and in a short while, many villagers had gathered at the Lin Family’s house.
“Changshu, are you really willing to buy soybeans at market price?” An elderly villager asked as soon as he saw Changshu.
The other villagers also looked at Changshu with hope in their eyes.
“Yes, we need as many as we can get,” Changshu confirmed.
They had many rooms in the house, enough storage for any amount of soybeans they could buy. He was not worried.
“However, let me make it clear beforehand: we won’t buy any that have gone moldy,” Changshu pointed out firmly.
“Of course, we’re all from the same village. Nobody would cheat you,” someone echoed.
“Can we send them over now?” someone else asked, afraid the Lin Family would change their minds.
“Sure,” Changshu nodded.
And so, the villagers dispersed, cheerfully relieved.
After a while, many villagers had brought their soybeans, sesame seeds, and peanuts.
Lin Ziyin, fearing that Changshu would not handle the matter well, personally oversaw the inspection. She carefully checked the goods every person brought.
Upon seeing her thoroughness, several households that had wanted to sneak in inferior goods hastily took their soybeans and left.
“Ziyin, you’re incredible. You can quote the quantity at a glance,” someone complimented her with a laugh.
With a faint smile, Lin Ziyin replied, “After much practice, it comes naturally.”
The speaker’s expression became awkward. Practice? They didn’t have that kind of opportunity. Not every family could have as successful a business as the Lin Family.
Chapter 107 Design Tools (1)_1 In less than three days, the warehouse of the Lin family was filled with soybeans, peanuts, and sesame seeds.
When people from the neighboring villages heard the news, some specifically came to sell their beans, which the Lin family accepted. After selling the beans, the village managed to get through this tax season rather smoothly.
Quite a few villagers appreciated the Lin family for their timely help. Of course, along with those who were grateful, there were also those who were envious and jealous.
Lin Ziyin didn’t have the time to think about what the villagers thought of her, she has been occupied these days. She didn’t have to worry about the tofu and soybean oil, but it was a crucial period for the corn, chili peppers, and tomatoes at the back of the house. Under her careful care, the corn grew well and the tomatoes turned red. To protect the tomatoes from birds, she simply had two children stand guard. The chili peppers had bloomed, and Lin Ziyin, fearing pest damage, came to pick the bugs on time every day.
As the patriarch of the family was not involved in the family business, he noticed Lin Ziyin had a lot of concern for the crops at the back and decided to take care of the farm work.
“Sister, Master Si is here to see you,” Lin Zige interjected while Lin Ziyin was busy in the field.
Lin Ziyin straightened her back, she was displeased. In her view, Si Jinhan was a lunatic with a good self-image and an arrogant behavior. His visit held nothing promising.
“Go and see him anyway, don’t be rude and offend him,” her grandfather advised, sitting in the chili field, plucking weeds, he noticed her disgruntled expression and reminded her.
“I know my boundaries, grandfather. You don’t worry,” Lin Ziyin assured him, and then left her tiny hoe aside, took off her gloves, and walked alongside Zige.
“Sister, the fruit has ripened, I just chased away a bird.” Changting ran over to share his triumph.
“Bird, fly,” Yanzhi exclaimed excitedly.
“Well done,” Lin Ziyin pinched the two children’s cheeks.
“Quick, don’t keep him waiting,” Lin Zige urged her.
Lin Ziyin nodded and quickened her steps to move forward.
When she got back to the living room, she found not only Si Jinhan but also Chu Suifeng had come. The two uninvited gentlemen were greatly enjoying themselves, looking around their house while a box was placed on the table.
“I greet the Prince and Master Si,” Lin Ziyin hurriedly bowed.
“Don’t bother,” Chu Suifeng brought his gaze back from elsewhere and landed on her.
“Little girl, you look energetic after so many days,” Si Jinhan smirked.
“As a country girl, doing a little more work, one becomes tough and seems spirited,” Lin Ziyin answered firmly but respectfully.
“Remember we talked about making screws last time, we need you to have a look,” Si Jinhan spoke directly, probably as he thought Lin Ziyin was too cold and not interesting, he didn’t want to bother with small talk with her.
Upon hearing this, the guard by the side immediately stepped forward to open the box; Lin Ziyin turned her eyes toward the box where a variety of sizes of screws were revealed.
As a student of mechanics, Lin Ziyin naturally takes great interest in machinery. Since coming to the ancient times, she had devoted herself to improving her living conditions for the past half year. So when she suddenly saw the different sizes and types of screws inside the box, her eyes lit up with joy.
Chu Suifeng noted her reaction, his face showed no change in expression, he simply asked, “What’s needed to tighten these screws?”
Chapter 108 Design Tools (2)_1 “If manpower is not enough, corresponding tools can be used.” Lin Ziyin responded instinctively.
“What tools?” Chu Suifeng asked.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ziyin immediately put down the screw in her hand and looked up.
She met Chu Suifeng’s icy gaze then quickly lowered her eyes.
“A set of tools, I’ll give you five hundred taels of silver,” Chu Suifeng spoke again, “and write off the silver you borrowed last time.”
Lin Ziyin looked at him in surprise, weighing the feasibility of the proposition in her mind. It wasn’t that she wasn’t moved by the prospect of the silver, but she knew that some silver could be taken, while some was too hot to handle. In an era where she had no means of self-protection, she didn’t want to draw attention.
“You are a citizen of Feng City, and contributing to Feng City should be a matter of pride for you,” Si Jinhan threatened.
“I can tell you about the tools, but you, my lord, must promise me that you won’t say that it was my idea publicly and ensure the safety of my family,” Lin Ziyin replied.
“Agreed.” Chu Suifeng was slightly surprised by her suggestion.
“Please wait, my lord.” Upon hearing Chu Suifeng’s agreement, Lin Ziyin finally agreed.
Quickly, she took several pieces of paper from the house, picked up a burnt stick from the kitchen, and started drawing on the paper.
“This is a wrench…” She explained as she drew.
Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan both came over and watched, one on each side. As Lin Ziyin continued, both were stunned by what they saw.
If they hadn’t seen and heard it for themselves, they would never believe that the unremarkable young girl before them could come up with so many wonderful ideas. Even the most outstanding craftsmen in their Tianji Building might not come up with such ingenious tools and designs.
“My lord, these are bearings, and the beads in the middle are the most important,” Lin Ziyin continued. “Moreover, regular maintenance is essential. Grease is needed for maintenance.”
As there were no engine oils in ancient times, Lin Ziyin subtly reminded them to use other types of grease instead.
“Alright. I’ll show it to you once I’ve made it,” Si Jinhan said, eyeing her meaningfully.
Lin Ziyin remained silent.
Chu Suifeng stood in front of her, staring at her intently, but she showed no sign of fear.
“Amitabha.” The chant of a few monks came from outside.
Lin Ziyin looked at the sky and found that it was nearly noon.
So she spoke politely but distantly, “I’m sorry, my lord, but I must go and exchange culinary skills with the masters.”
It was then that Chu Suifeng remembered her plan to open a private kitchen with him, and he nodded in understanding.
“It seems I’m in for a treat today,” Si Jinhan brazenly said.
“Let’s go.” Chu Suifeng, noticing a flash of annoyance on Lin Ziyin’s face, found it somehow funny and hastily stopped the arrogant Si Jinhan.
“Huh?” Si Jinhan looked at him in confusion.
“Let’s go back to Tianji Building” Chu Suifeng ordered.
Hearing it was an official matter, Si Jinhan immediately went off with him and the guard, leaving Lin Family property.
“Let’s get started.” Lin Ziyin breathed a sigh of relief and cheerfully addressed the monks who had just arrived.
“Master, what are we creating today?” Having visited frequently over some time, the little monks and the Lin Family were now well acquainted and spoke more freely.
“We will make superior tofu and steamed egg with tofu,” Lin Ziyin answered with a smile.
The Lin Family kitchen was spacious and even with several people, it did not feel crowded.
The eight monks watched Lin Ziyin busily working without blinking, fearing they might miss any of her actions.
The villagers of Shili Village watched Chu Suifeng and the others ride away on their tall horses with envy, but with the Lin Family now entwined with the Si Family, no one dared to mess with the Lin Family, even if some jealousy was harbored.
The Yan Family also saw Chu Suifeng and his party leave, and their narrowed eyes widened in shock. They became increasingly obsessed over the canceled marriage.
While no one in the village dared to mess with the Lin Family, the powerful from outside did. The moment Lin Ziyin left, trouble occurred.
Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Beaten (1)_1
Everyone in the Lin family was busy and it fell on Lin Ziyin to go to the market to buy supplies. Fortunately, each time she went out, Lou Zheng and Mrs. Zhang would accompany her, which reassured Lin Changshu and the others about letting Lin Ziyin go out.
Of course, Lin Ziyin did not use Lou Zheng’s oxcart for free. Whenever she went out, she would pay them in Silver.
Although Lou Zheng repeatedly refused, Lin Ziyin was insistent. If Lou Zheng did not want the copper coin, she would rather walk to the market instead of using Lou Zheng’s oxcart. As a result, Lou Zheng and Mrs. Zhang stopped being polite and accepted the copper coin.
Today was the 15th day of the month. Given the crowds at the market and the new batch of food freshly made at home, Lin Ziyin thought of delivering some to Ding’an Temple.
"We’re here." After arriving at the market, Mrs. Zhang and Lou Zheng parked the oxcart at an intersection. Lou Zheng led the way with a yoke on his shoulders, and Mrs. Zhang and Ziyin each carried a basin, following behind.
The market was very crowded and the weather hot. Before long, Lin Ziyin could feel her back drenched in sweat.
There was no option, the oxcart couldn’t be brought in, so she had to carry a full basin of items up the hill on foot.
"Make way." As Mrs. Zhang and Ziyin were nearing the temple gate, they heard a commotion from behind and then a troop of guards appeared. The guards, holding weapons and wearing a vigilant look, were busy dispersing the crowd.
Lin Ziyin was separated from Mrs. Zhang and Lou Zheng as she moved aside with the crowd, clutching her belongings.
Who could be so arrogant? Many people who came to Ding’an Temple to pray were dignitaries, but none had ever behaved so brazenly.
People jostled against her uncomfortably and the things she previously had found to be light now seemed to be weighing her down.
As many people craned their necks to watch the excitement, a red palanquin came into view, followed not only by guards, but also six beautiful maids on either side.
These six maids were all clad in fine silk, wearing pleated skirts and adorned with jewellery that outshone even the legitimate sons and daughters of high-ranking families, drawing expressive praise from onlookers.
Lin Ziyin was gripping her things tightly and had a slightly furrowed brow. The jostling was making her uncomfortable, she just wanted to quickly deliver these things to the temple.
Just as the red palanquin neared Lin Ziyin, she suddenly felt a strong push from behind.
Already pushed to the front by the crowd, this shove sent her tumbling into the middle of the road.
As she was holding stuff in her hands, under the force from the fall, the things flew out of the basin and landed in front of the palanquin.
Debris from the spilled items were scattered all around.
"How dare you." One of the maids pointed at Lin Ziyin, angrily admonishing her.
Lin Ziyin was sitting on the ground clutching her knees. Since she fell in front of so many people, she could not protect herself by curling up. Her knees hit the stony ground, causing a lot of pain. It was summer and they were dressed lightly. Lin Ziyin felt severe pain in her knees, they were surely scraped and bleeding.
Hearing the maid scolding her, she raised her head to apologize.
"You’re courting death." A guard ground his teeth angrily at her, not giving her a chance to speak.
Lin Ziyin also saw the splatters on the clothes of the people in front of her. What she had been holding in the basin was newly prepared Jelly, a food item. Even if the jelly were hard, it would shatter when hitting the ground. Lots of pieces were scattered on the silk dresses of the beautiful women in front of her. What alarmed Lin Ziyin even more was that there were also some pieces on the curtain of the red palanquin.
Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Beaten (2)_1
"Hmm?" A cold, indignant voice echoed from within the palanquin, imbued with an authoritative air tinged with annoyance.
"Your Majesty, it was a brazen commoner who dared to offend you." The maid knelt on the ground, her face flush with panic.
Her voice could not be considered quiet, and those nearby began to discuss amongst themselves upon hearing that the person inside the palanquin was a royal consort.
In Feng City, the only woman who could be addressed as ’Your Majesty’ was one of the women from the Wang Residence, likely a consort of his.
Although the prince did not have a main wife, he did have a few consorts. Therefore, everyone presumed that the woman within the palanquin was one of his consorts. All stretched their necks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful consort. As for Lin Ziyin lying on the ground, many people pointed, some in sympathy, others gleefully.
"Audacity." The soft voice from within the palanquin evoked a sense of hair-raising chill. "Drag her away for fifty severe lashes."
She spoke in an even tone, seemingly unperturbed by Lin Ziyin’s affront.
However, when the crowd heard her words, they all drew a collective gasp.
The consequences of receiving fifty lashes in the noble families were well known. A robust man would be injured, let alone a delicate woman.
"Your Majesty, I acknowledge my deserving punishment for offending you. I understand I am at your mercy. However, I appeal to you; would punishing me not dirty your hands and pollute your sight?" Lin Ziyin knew better than to provoke her further in such a precarious situation. But she wouldn’t just sit by and allow herself to be beaten without resistance either.
"Indeed eloquent." The cold voice from the sedan chair made its retort, though calm, Lin Ziyin could sense her raging anger, "Exactly because today I am here for prayers and would express sincerity. To prepare for this moment, I have been fasting and offering incense for the last three days. But you, my palanquin wasn’t even inside the temple yet and you deliberately soil it, tell me, who gave you the audacity? or who sent you here to provoke me?"
Lin Ziyin listened on, bowing her head, her mind abuzz with shock.
Judging by the voice and the tone of the consort, it seemed that she recognizes Lin Ziyin, but how could someone from the countryside farming family like the Lin Family cross paths with someone of such high status, let alone make an enemy out of them?
"Your Majesty, Ding’an Temple is always bustling with devotees. I am just a commoner, I wouldn’t dare offend you. There were too many people just now..."
"Dare not? Even without daring, you managed to soil my palanquin and maid. If you dared, would you try to kill me?" The consort retorted, her voice threatening. "Call someone, give her fifty slaps before taking her away for the lashings."
The voice from the palanquin had clearly reached a boiling point and decreed an additional punishment for Lin Ziyin after reprimanding her.
As her words fell, several sturdy maidservants, with malicious glares, approached Lin Ziyin from behind.
Upon seeing their hostile glances, frustration and fear filled Lin Ziyin’s heart.
The maidservants held Lin Ziyin’s arms, one on each side, while another standing in front of her with a malicious grin, "Young girl, your crafty tongue is of no use. How dare you scheme in front of Buddha, how wicked must your heart be?"
"Your Majesty." Lin Ziyin desperately looked towards the palanquin, hoping to buy some time.
She hoped that the commotion would alert Lou Zheng and Zhang, and they could bring in monks from Ding’an Temple to intervene. Maybe the figure inside the palanquin would let her go, out of respect for the monks.
"Still showing resistance." There was no response from the palanquin, but the maidservant in front of Lin Ziyin was ready to act.
The merciless slap landed across Lin Ziyin’s face, causing a ringing in her left ear.
She retorted with a furious glare.
"Such an insolent girl." The maidservant scolded as she continued to slap, each blow landed with full force.
After a dozen or so slaps, spots danced before Lin Ziyin’s eyes, and the people around her started to blur. She bit her lip, refusing to pass out, praying in her mind that Zhang and Lou Zheng would bring the monks over quickly.
Among the onlookers, some cheered while others, with faint hearts, couldn’t bear to watch and turned away. Slowly, Lin Ziyin’s head began to spin. She felt she was on the verge of collapsing, her face was numb from the pain, and her ears weren’t registering the sounds around her.