Ch. 111..115: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 111-115

Chapter 111: Chapter 111 Coming Forward (1)_1

"Such a lively scene, I do love a spectacle." Just as Lin Ziyin felt she could take no more, Si Jinhan emerged from the hillside like a deity.

With the fall of his words, the two old women holding down Lin Ziyin were flung aside, and the one who had been slapping her curiously fell onto a nearby rock, blood spurting from her mouth.

"Third son?" The voice from the sedan carried a tone of anger and surprise.

"Consort Gao, so powerful. I heard that those who come to Ding’an Temple to worship Buddha are usually of good heart, and thus fulfilled. It seems that Consort Gao has not held the Buddha’s compassion in her heart." Si Jinhan spoke cheerfully, but his eyes did not smile. "By the way, I wonder if the Prince knows of Consort Gao’s actions?"

"Third son." A delicate hand extended from the sedan curtain, leading a maid to quickly approach and open the sedan door. A woman in broad red sleeves appeared before everyone’s eyes.

When people saw the woman’s face, they gasped in admiration.

Consort Gao looked at Si Jinhan with a faint smile, "I didn’t expect to meet Young Master Si here. I came to Ding’an Temple to worship Buddha with a compassionate heart. However, this girl was so ungrateful, she dirtied my sedan and maids with filth. If Buddha sees this, would he not think I am insincere?"

"Little girl, what have you brought?" Si Jinhan ignored her, but looked down at Lin Ziyin at his feet.

Lin Ziyin’s face was swollen, the pain nearly making her cry. Because of the swelling, her eyes were reduced to thin slits barely allowing her to see the people before her.

It didn’t matter if they were monks from the temple or not, as long as they could save her.

"Young Master Si, I brought my family’s new products today, intending to let the temple masters taste them. But today, as Her Highness came and the crowd admiring her was too much, I was pushed out. Not holding firmly to the contents in my arms, I scared Her Highness. It’s all my fault." Lin Ziyin smiled bitterly as she responded.

Everything that happened, she had suffered. She was not foolish, she could hear from the woman’s words that this noble woman before her was intentionally picking on her. Perhaps her being pushed down earlier was not an accident.

If she was not mistaken, this woman’s hostility towards her must be related to Prince Ling.

She had heard that the world of nobility was full of scheming, Lin Ziyin didn’t expect that without stepping foot in the prince’s residence, she would fall into such misfortune.

"Amitabha." As she finished speaking, a monk’s chanting echoed from above.

After hearing Lin Ziyin’s words, Consort Gao was filled with anger. This girl was indeed glib, even after dirtying her sedan she still tried to drag her into the mess.

What made her even angrier was that the things in the basin were supposed to be food for the temple?

The surrounding people who heard Lin Ziyin’s words began to whisper. Those who came to worship naturally had faith in the Buddha and Bodhisattva. Since the stuff in the basin was food for the temple, associating it with the Buddha and Bodhisattva was inevitable, so when they remembered Consort Gao calling them dirt earlier, the crowds’ looks towards her subtly changed.

Consort Gao was extremely angry. She was a consort bestowed by the Emperor to the Prince Ling residence. In this Feng City of the Northern Land, how many women could rank above her? Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, her coming to Ding’an Temple was a matter of grace for the temple.

But only she knew that in front of the Great Monk of Ding’an Temple she was nothing, not to mention in the eyes of Si Jinhan, the favored one of Prince Ling. Compared to him, her role as a consort was far less significant.

Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Take the Lead (2)_1

"Master." After weighing things in her heart for a moment, the high consort lowered her stance a bit. "I just encountered a bit of a small problem, and bothered Master to personally come down the mountain to welcome me."

She gave a non-smiling smile at Master Hui Lian and Master Hui Zhen.

Si Jinhan chuckled with a wicked smile. This high consort wasn’t completely devoid of brain cells after all, she actually knew to make the first move.

Since she said so, even though Masters Hui Lian and Hui Zhen didn’t originally come to welcome her, they couldn’t say they didn’t right now.

"Amitabha." Master Hui Lian put his hands together, "The fact that Consort is willing to come to Ding’an Temple to offer prayers, all arrangements have already been made by the Host. However, today this humble monk wants to ask the Consort for a favor, Benefactor Lin has always provided food to our temple, today they also came to provide food, I can only ask the Consort to pardon them for causing a disturbance due to the number of people, hope the Consort will forgive them this one time for the sake of Ding’an Temple."

"Since Master is pleading, I will let her go today. However, her recklessly adventurous behavior at such a young age is not pleasing. When the opportunity arises, it would be better to let her tone down her temper in front of the Buddha." The high consort had no choice but to give face to Master Hui Lian, she was secretly irritated in her heart, blaming her servants for not being harsher earlier, and for their sluggishness.

"I’m sorry, High Consort, this Miss Lin is the one who saved my Si family. If she didn’t have this passionate character, the last time this master might not have made it." Si Jinhan, who was always afraid that the world wouldn’t be chaotic enough, added on. Coupled with the fact that he really couldn’t stand the high consort’s self-righteous appearance, he did not follow along with the high consort’s words. "She indeed offended the consort, but she had her reasons. The consort hit her in front of me, the consort surely isn’t trying to slap me in the face, right?"

After speaking, he smirked at the high consort.

The high consort’s face stiffened, she realized that Si Jinhan was planning to stand up for the lowly farming girl.

"Third young master, you’re making a serious allegation. I barely know her. Originally, I thought she was just an ordinary country girl. If I’d known her connection with the third young master was so deep, how could I not give face to the third young master?" In just a moment, her face returned to a florid smile.

"So, now can I take the people away?" Si Jinhan asked with a wicked smile.

"Of course." The high consort nodded her head.

"Amitabha." Master Hui Zhen spoke up, "Benefactor, you are filled with aggression, inappropriate for offering prayers, please leave." His words were succinct and his intent to drive her away was very clear.

The surrounding pilgrims and commoners instantly let out low exclamations of surprise.

Master Hui Lian was in a difficult position. Although he disliked the high consort’s bullying, he was also very troubled.

As the guest monk in the temple, he always needed to deal with various pilgrims, and cared more about worldly matters compared to others. As for Master Hui Zhen, he was very straightforward, and didn’t leave any face for the high consort. If the high consort went back and complained to the prince, things might become uncontrollable. Who knows how far they would go?

He wanted to soften the situation, but Master Hui Zhen spoke so quickly. The words to drive her away have been spoken, if he were to speak more and stand up for the high consort, he could be sure, when he returned, the straightforward Hui Zhen is sure to take issue with him. He might even hold a grudge for a long time.

"Benefactor Lin, please follow this humble monk to the pharmacy." After Master Hui Zhen finished speaking, he went directly to Lin Ziyin and examined her injuries first. He found that it was just a superficial wound and felt a bit relieved.

He did not hide his affectionate feelings for Lin Ziyin.

"Benefactor." The arriving martial monks glared at the high consort without any fear of her status.

Because of the presence of Lin Ziyin, the food in the temple improved a lot, and all the monks in the temple privately expressed their gratitude to Lin Ziyin. In addition, Lin Ziyin often interacted with them during these days. These monks considered Lin Ziyin as one of them.

The few monks who were learning cooking skills from Lin Ziyin respected her even more. When they got the news that Lin Ziyin was beaten at the mountain gate, they were eager to rush over to rescue her. As a result, more people came over.

"Master." The high consort looked at Master Hui Zhen incredulously.

However, Master Hui Zhen and a group of martial monks had already taken Lin Ziyin up the mountain.

"Consort, this is a Buddhist holy land, where compassion is emphasized. This master sincerely advises the consort, when you have time, go back and cultivate for a while, when you understand what kindness is, come back to offer incense. Maybe Buddha could forgive your act today." Si Jinhan sarcastically ridiculed her.

A stream of successful remarks left the high consort pale in the face.

"By the way, if that girl offends the consort again, the consort should better aim at me. I am not the sort of person who would forget her favors." Just as the high consort was about to faint, the words of Si Jinhan were undoubtedly like inserting a knife into her heart.

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Resentment(1)_1

The whispers among the surrounding pilgrims began to grow louder, and the bolder ones even dared to steal glances at the high-ranking Consort Gao as they gossiped.

"Master Si, your majesty has indeed shown you great respect today," The nonchalant attitude of Si Jinhan irritated Consort Gao, fueling her anger. "I have said before that I had no prior knowledge of the girl. Now, knowing that she is affiliated with the third young master, why would I bother her again?"

"I hope so," Si Jinhan was unequivocal towards her appeasement yet seemingly uninterested.

"Compassion is a basic requirement for Buddhist worship, Being able to grasp the essence of Buddhism, the Consort, may also come to more realizations upon returning to the Residence," Si Jinhan spoke with sarcasm as he looked at her. "However, I believe that thinking and doing are two different things. The Consort might as well take some time to reflect upon returning."

Fury loomed over Consort Gao’s face, forming a deep shade of red.

Having finished speaking, Si Jinhan chuckled and started walking up the mountain.

"Your Highness," a terrified maid approached for instruction. The remaining maids, elderly women, and guards also looked unpleasant. With the judgmental whispers of the pilgrims, they were feeling rather uncomfortable.

A place like Ding’an Temple was absolutely not their playground.

"Once the medication is applied, it will start to get better in about an hour." Master Hui Zhen gave Lin Ziyin a jar of white ointment when they returned to the temple, instructing her to apply it to her face.

As tears streamed down her face, Madame Zhang helped Lin Ziyin apply the ointment, "Young lady, you have suffered a great deal today."

"Alas, it’s all because I was useless. I couldn’t help when you were beaten," Lou Zheng admitted his distraught. After they dispersed earlier, Lou Zheng and his wife were able to witness the entire conflict between Lin Ziyin and Consort Gao due to their advantageous position. However, out of fear, they did not intervene; instead, they went up the mountain to seek help from the monks.

"Uncle, you shouldn’t blame yourself," Lin Ziyin finally broke her silence. "In that kind of situation, even if you had stepped in, you would have been beaten as well. Asking the monks for help was the right thing to do. If you didn’t ask the monks to step in when you did, I might not have survived."

Lin Ziyin profoundly expressed her gratitude for this gesture.

"Your brother and Dayou entrusted you to me. I failed to protect you, and even if you don’t blame me, my conscience won’t rest," Lou Zheng confessed, feeling embarrassed.

"Really, it has nothing to do with you. It’s the Lin Family who has brought this trouble," Lin Ziyin let out a bitter smile and then looked around at the concerned monks, "Apologies, but because of the conflict, I broke a container. I don’t know If I have brought enough food for the monks?"

"Amitabha," Master Hui Zhen clasped his hands and bowed in gratitude, "Benefactor, despite facing hardship, you still thought of the monks at the temple. I express my deepest gratitude here."

"Is this a new product?" Monk Wufa asked with curiosity, "The master has worked hard."

"Yes, they’re new, I came here today to prepare new dishes for the masters," replied Lin Ziyin.

"Given the nature of your injuries, please refrain from cooking for today," Master Hui Zhen insisted with a stern face. Despite being a monk, he held a heart full of chivalry. His dealings were unconventional. After numerous encounters with Lin Ziyin, he had developed a great fondness towards her and certainly did not wish to see her being mistreated.

If it weren’t for the unique relationship between Prince Ling and the temple, what he showed to Consort Gao earlier would have been much more than just an angry expression.

"The master’s ointment works wonders. Besides, it’s just a facial injury, it won’t affect my cooking," Lin Ziyin replied with a faint smile. She had a hidden agenda. Today’s confrontation with Consort Gao had raised her alarm. The Lin Family alone now held the craftsmanship secrets of both bean products and deep-fried vegetable oil, attracting the attention of many in secret.

The Lin Family, being of humble origin, could not contend with the powerful.

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Resentment(2)_1

Given the current situation, she either needed to find a powerful force to protect her, or obediently hand over the recipe.

Naturally, Lin Ziyin did not want the latter. If she handed over the recipe, the Lin Family would surely plunge back into poverty once again. As a transmigrator from another world, she refused to accept such a fate. Thus, the only option remaining was to seek a powerful backer.

Ding’an Temple was her first choice. Monks, by nature, were unattached to worldly desires and would not covet the recipe in her hands. All she needed to do was maintain a good relationship with the Temple. She is currently helping the monks cook while injured which would undoubtedly induce a sense of guilt and gratitude from them. As for the future, the Lin Family needed to become stronger. Since they have started to gain notoriety, she must work hard to consolidate the Lin Family’s power in the shortest time possible so that no one would dare to look down on them.

Indeed, as soon as she finished speaking, a look of gratitude washed over all the monks’ faces around her.

"Amitabha." The host, appearing in the Chan Hall at some point, said, "Benefactor, you were injured for the monks of this temple. It would be better to wait until you have recovered fully before returning to teach us."

"Thank you, Master. My body is truly fine. As for today’s incident, it was my own carelessness that led to offending a high-ranking person. I can’t blame anyone else." Lin Ziyin gently stood up to explain, "I have brought a new product. Wukong and the others don’t know how to prepare it, so it’s better for me to do it. Furthermore, the weather is hot. The newly arrived product can help to cool the body. It would be a waste to keep it without using."

"Amitabha." Master Host thanked her when he saw that she was not just being polite, "Hui Zhen, take good care of Benefactor."

"Yes, elder brother," Hui Zhen promptly responded.

"Get the fire started," Lin Ziyin commanded Wukong and the others.

Thus, several Firehead Monks joyfully went to the firewood room, followed by Lin Ziyin and Zhang Shi.

One basin of jelly was smashed, leaving behind three basins, which was neither too many nor too few.

Lin Ziyin prepared both hot and cold dish according to the portions. This era did not have soy sauce yet, and Lin Ziyin had started to make her first batch at home. However, it would take four months before it was ready, so there was no soy sauce in the jelly.

So, she directly used salt and pepper for the hot jelly, while for the cold dish, she used diluted sauce with vinegar and mashed garlic.

Despite the lack of ingredients for these two dishes, they were now sufficient to be classified as delicacies in this era.

"You sure do know how to stir up trouble," Si Jinhan appeared in the busy kitchen with a sardonic tone.

Lin Ziyin was currently busy plating the pig’s head. She didn’t want to provoke Si Jinhan as she found this man to be mercurial and not someone a minor figure like her could become friends with.

However, Si Jinhan had saved her today, so it was seemly to respond, "I am grateful to Young Master Si for saving me today. Regarding today’s incident, whether it’s right or wrong, I believe Young Master Si knows it clearly."

Her tone was calm without a hint of irritation.

The more Lin Ziyin adopted this attitude, the more fascinated Si Jinhan was with her.

"From your tone, it seems that you think it is I who brought upon you this misfortune?" Si Jinhan displayed his usual foul mood.

"I did not say that," Lin Ziyin calmly rebutted, "The Lin Family is of humble origins, how would we dare to offend Young Master Si from the Si Family?"

Si Jinhan awkwardly touched his nose and unusually ceased his teasing. He understood the right from wrong regarding today’s incident. In regard to the Lin Family, it was he and Chu Suifeng who were in debt. It seemed that some people have to be taught a lesson first before they know their proper place.

Considering this, Si Jinhan’s eyes revealed a ruthless look.

Unfortunately, Lin Ziyin had kept her head down and hadn’t glanced at him once, completely ignoring his menacing expression.

"Is this the new dish?" Si Jinhan familiarly took a pair of chopsticks, picked up a piece of jelly and put it into his mouth, "The taste is not bad, just that the mashed garlic is somewhat overwhelming."

Lin Ziyin didn’t want to speak and increased her pace, "It’s fine. When autumn arrives, I will brew some more seasonings. By then, these dishes will become even more delicious. For now, it will have to suffice."

"Benefactor Lin, it’s already very good." Several little monks helping in the kitchen were used to spending the most time with Lin Ziyin and felt a special closeness to her.

"Take it to the Master for a taste. If there are no issues, I will leave first." Lin Ziyin’s tone softened of its own accord when speaking to the little monks.

Si Jinhan watched her treating others differently and stared at her with slanted eyes.

Lin Ziyin and Zhang Shi, who were worried, sat quietly on one side.

In a short moment, both Monk Hui Zhen and Master Hui Lian appeared in the kitchen, "Benefactor Lin, you’re a hero, adding a new dish for the temple."

Hearing this, they were clearly satisfied.

"In that case, in the future, as long as the temple informs us in advance, I will prepare what the temple needs." Lin Ziyin stood up and continued, "I’ve been out for a while, I should return."

"Take the ointment with you. Apply it once in the morning and evening, and it will be completely healed in three days, leaving no bruises. Once it is healed, continue to use it for skincare. If you run out, come see me in the future." Master Hui Zhen gave her the original white bottle.

"Old monk, you’re too partial." Si Jinhan beside them was furious.

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Punishment (1)_1

"Third son, you’re a man after all, demanding these ointments for your face all day. Aren’t you afraid others will laugh if they find out?" Master Hui Zhen replied impassively.

Insulting his masculinity? Anyone else would have been enranged. But not only does Si Jinhan have a bad temper, he also has a particularly thick skin. "There are countless women in the world who aren’t as good-looking as me, so of course I need to maintain this face and make them jealous." he answered cheerfully.

"Thank you, Master. We’re leaving first." Lin Ziyin didn’t want to keep going on about it. After thanking Master Hui Zhen, she took the bottle and left with Lou Zheng.

This time, Si Jinhan didn’t stop her.

Once Lin Ziyin and her group came outside, they found that some Little Monks who studied martial arts had been waiting for her by the ox cart.

"Benefactor Lin, we’ll escort you home," said a playful Little Monk with a smile.

"There’s no need." Lin Ziyin declined, feeling embarrassed.

"The roads aren’t safe, we’ll accompany you. If you want to come here next time, please let our brothers know, we’ll come pick you up," another simple-minded Little Monk added.

"Benefactor, don’t worry, we all practice martial arts, a little road like that is no problem for us," explained another Little Monk.

"Thank you," Lin Ziyin could see they were genuinely concerned about her and stopped refusing.

The Little Monks were still young. They climbed into the ox-cart with Lin Ziyin and Lou Zheng and happily took Lin Ziyin home.

Consort Gao sat in the horse carriage, feeling both ashamed and angry, and also somewhat uneasy.

She had begged the Prince for so many days to let her go to Ding’an Temple for good fortune. However, she never thought that today she would not even be allowed to step foot in the temple’s main gate. How was she supposed to explain this to the Prince? And would the little vixens at home laugh at her?

"Consort, we’re here," announced the maid from outside the carriage, pulling Consort Gao back from her reverie.

"Don’t say a word that you’re not supposed to." Consort Gao warned the others coldly.

"Yes." The maids, the old women, and the young servants all replied in hushed voices.

After the consort got out of the carriage, an elderly woman dressed respectfully and clutching her belly alighted, and a maid rushed over to support her.

"It’s all my fault, my uselessness has brought trouble upon the Consort. Because of me, the Consort couldn’t even step inside the temple." As soon as the old woman got out of the carriage, she began to lament loudly.

"It’s alright, there’s no need to blame yourself. You’ve been with me for many years, it’s natural for people to fall ill. How could I abandon you when you’re not feeling well?" Consort Gao responded in a affectionate and considerate manner.

The guards at the gate didn’t say a word or look directly at her.

Consort Gao didn’t mind and entered the side door with her maids and the old woman.

"Huh, isn’t Consort Gao supposed to be at Ding’an Temple praying for blessings? Why is she back at this hour?" Just as she entered the residence, a group of women all decked in fancy clothes and jewels blocked her path.

Having her path blocked as soon as she entered the residence, coupled with the humiliation at Ding’an Temple, Consort Gao’s face turned an ugly shade of green.

"It’s all my fault. I was feeling ill and the Consort was considerate and decided to return on my account." The old woman ’weakly’ replied.

"Oh, you were perfectly fine this morning, but fell ill at the temple gate? It’s neither morning nor evening, it just so happens that you fell ill at the temple gate. I wonder if Buddha will blame you for your insincerity?" A women in a purple dress covered her mouth with a handkerchief and giggled, "you weren’t ill in the morning, and not in the evening, but you fell ill at the temple gate. I wonder if the Buddha will blame you for your lack of sincerity?"

Consort Gao’s face turned solemn. She had thought up an excuse on her way back, expecting the taunts of these fox spirits when she returned to the residence. So, she had an answer ready, "Buddha is merciful and will understand my good intentions."