Ch. 176..180: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 176-180
Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Calculation from Various Parties (5)_1
"I know, our talk was about the greenhouse." Lin Ziyin said with a laugh.
"That’s good." Zige breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew that although Ziyin seemed cold by nature, she was actually very kind-hearted. But, discussing the Guo family’s affairs wasn’t easy. As the saying goes, ’one can provide aid in emergencies, but not perpetually support the poor’. The current state of their home was all because of the money that Ziyin had strived to earn. The money leaving their home should, logically, be within Ziyin’s say. Remembering Guo Huiniang’s soft and indecisive nature, Zige sighed.
The people of the Guo family were decent, but the family of their eldest daughter-in-law was not easy to deal with. How could they go on living like this?
Upon hearing that Ziyin wanted to discuss the greenhouse, Lin Changshu rushed over immediately.
Once he entered the room, he found not only Lin Ziyin waiting for him, but also their grandfather.
"The greenhouse should be ready after the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the oilcloth that manager Hei promised hasn’t arrived." Lin Changshu went straight to the point as he walked in.
"I know. The greenhouse isn’t urgent. Big brother, the reason I called you here so late is to discuss my sister-in-law’s family matters. I heard there was an issue with the ducks at her home?" Lin Ziyin asked.
"Yes." Lin Changshu looked at her in surprise, then replied with a nod.
"Don’t mind Ziyin’s curiosity, she is also worried about your in-laws." The old man looked at him and explained.
"Grandfather, I understand." Lin Changshu answered, sitting upright.
"Have you thought about how to deal with this?" Lin Ziyin asked.
"My mother-in-law, father-in-law, and two uncles-in-law are honest people. The brother’s wife is decent too; it’s just that relations of her family are more complex. When my in-law family is in trouble, as a son-in-law, I can’t just stand by idly. So, I plan to give my father-in-law fifty taels of silver. As for more, it’s temporarily impossible." Lin Changshu was shrewd, looking at the issues even more carefully than most.
"What does the sister-in-law think?" Lin Ziyin asked with concern.
"Your sister-in-law has said she will go along with whatever I decide." answered Lin Changshu.
"If it’s fifty taels of silver, that’s fine. Here’s what we’ll do, big brother. When you go to present the gift the day after tomorrow, I’ll come and get you all. You must wait for me." Lin Ziyin said with a smile, then pulled out a silver note worth fifty taels and handed it over. "This is a little something from me for my uncle and aunt."
"But how can I accept? You’ve already given us so many products like tofu, dried tofu and soy milk, we’re not lacking in money." Lin Changshu adamantly refused.
"How much money could you possibly have?" Lin Ziyin pushed the silver note into his arms. "We’re siblings, don’t treat me as an outsider."
"Take it." the old man said.
Lin Changshu looked at the old man but did not extend his hand.
The old man glared at him, "Your wife’s family is honest and kind. If you don’t accept Ziyin’s money, she’ll feel upset."
"Yes, grandfather." Lin Changshu sneaked a peek at Ziyin, saw her stern face, and had no choice but to reach out and take the silver note.
"Let’s get some rest early, we have to get up early tomorrow." After passing the silver note, Lin Ziyin finally stood up. "Grandfather, you should also rest early."
"Alright." The old man’s health had improved a lot with good food and clothing recently.
He obediently stood up and walked out with his hands behind his back.
"Thank you, Ziyin." Lin Changshu said as he watched her.
"Brother, we are siblings." Lin Ziyin replied with a smile, then left.
The next day, Lin Ziyin watched as the elderly Guo couple took their leave in the ox cart. Both of them looked at the old man and Ziyin with a sense of shame and deep gratitude in their eyes. Guo Huiniang, her sister-in-law, also had red eyes. Lin Ziyin speculated that the silver note of fifty taels had definitely been handed over.
Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Calculation from Various Parties (6)_1
The next day, Lin Changshu and Guo Huiniang accompanied her to the market to buy some festival gifts, planning to deliver them to Guo’s village the day after. Lin Ziyin went directly with the martial monk to the private restaurant in the temple.
"In seven days, it’s going to be the Mid-Autumn Festival, so there will definitely be a lot of people coming for prayers and incense. I’m thinking of adding a new pastry item here," Lin Ziyin discussed with Master Hui Lian.
"You want the temple to act as a dealer?" asked Master Hui Lian.
"Yes," Lin Ziyin nodded, "However, I will not make the temple labor in vain. For each pastry sold, I will give the temple a tenth of the profit," said Lin Ziyin, "And the temple does not need to exert any effort. Just display it at the front of the temple and at the Vegetarian Feast for sale."
"Agreed." Master Hui Lian agreed promptly. Much of Lin Ziyin’s considerations were for the temple, and her proposal was beneficial to the temple, making it not difficult to achieve.
By afternoon, Lin Ziyin had completed preparing the Vegetarian Feast for ten tables and returned early with Lin Changshu and Guo Huiniang along with the gifts.
Upon returning home, Lin Zige saw Guo Huiniang had bought four types of pastries, two bolts of fabric, five pounds of pork, and two chickens. He cheerfully came over to help carry the things into the house.
As soon as Lin Ziyin returned home, she hurriedly entered the kitchen.
"From this afternoon onwards, we’ll be making pastries, and we’ll have to work overtime in the evening," Lin Ziyin instructed.
"Miss, what kind of pastries are we making?" asked Cui Da of the Cui family, puzzled.
"Mooncakes," Lin Ziyin said, "You all need to boil all the chestnuts until they are soft, grind them into mash, do the same for the dates, and the red beans. They need to be boiled until they are almost done and then mashed. Stir-fry some peanuts and melon seeds, and remove the shells," Lin Ziyin instructed everyone, "I’ll go find some more people to help."
"Alright, Miss." Seeing her bustling around, the Cui family, the Li family, and the Qian family all sprung into action, they called all the women they could find at home to assist. On the other hand, Lin Ziyin assigned Lin Zige to go find the Bai family’s mother and daughter-in-law and the Zhang family members to help out.
Lin Zige had no idea what she was planning to do but still hurriedly ran out to find people.
"Zige." Unexpectedly, Lin Zige bumped into the sanctimonious Ma Zhicai as soon as she stepped out of the house.
"Move aside." Lin Zige didn’t give him a good look.
"Zige, I was too abrupt with my actions last time, I’m truly sorry. I’ve been thinking about it these days and realized that I was wrong. So, I’ve been looking for an opportunity to apologize to you," Ma Zhicai bowed respectfully.
Lin Zige had an expression of disgust on her face, "Are you sick or what? I’m busy. Who wants to listen to you babbling?"
"Zige, I’m really sorry. If you don’t forgive me, I feel too ashamed to face people," Ma Zhicai again offered a low bow, apologizing profusely, "It’s all my fault. As long as you forgive me, I promise that the next time we meet, I will treat you as a neighbor."
Lin Zige was half-dead with anger yet she was stopped by him. Moreover, it seemed like Ma Zhicai had taken the wrong medicine today, as the words coming out of his mouth were not too excessive, which made it impossible for her to curse him.
"Cousin, who is this lady?" At that moment, two graceful-looking girls emerged from the small path. Despite their worn clothes, both were quite attractive. At this moment, the two girls were looking at Lin Zige curiously.
"This is a younger sister from my neighbor’s family. It is my fault, last time I upset her for no reason," Ma Zhicai explained in shame, "I was apologizing to her but it seems she is still unwilling to forgive me."
"Dear, Miss," one of the girls who wore a date-red shirt smiled and spoke, "Since we are all from the same village and we frequent each other’s company, even though my cousin made a mistake, he is actively apologizing. I kindly request you to be generous and forgive him this one time."
Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Calculation from Various Parties (7)_1
"Cousin, how did you manage to upset a girl? Wait till we get home, we’ll tell our aunt and have her set you straight." A girl teased Lin Zige, raising her eyebrows with a smirk.
"Yes, yes, it’s all my fault. Zige, you see?" Ma Zhicai gave a bitter smile, looking at Lin Zige.
"Let’s drop the matter." Lin Zige said coldly. "I don’t mind, could you please clear the path?"
Although the two so-called cousins of the Ma Family were seemingly defending her, Lin Zige felt something was amiss. She barely knew those two girls, yet they were acting as if they were familiar with her, what was their angle?
"Good, so sorry for the trouble." Ma Zhicai appeared especially pleased, and without further ado, made way for her.
Lin Zige didn’t want to look at those three across her anymore. She hurriedly passed by them, not even sparing them an extra glance.
"Is that Lin Zige, cousin?" After Lin Zige left, the girl dressed in peach red, looked at Zige’s retreating figure enviously and asked Ma Zhicai.
"Exactly, treat her with more respect when you see her in the future." Ma Zhicai reprimanded with a stone face. "And avoid messing things up due to impatience."
"Is Lin Family as well-off as our aunt describes?" The girl in jujube red asked longingly.
"Did you see the biggest blue-brick courtyard in the village?" Ma Zhicai asked.
The two girls nodded in response.
"That belongs to the Lin Family." Ma Zhicai commented coldly.
The two looked at each other, both seeing surprise in the other’s eyes.
"Don’t let your eagerness show and arouse the Lin Family’s suspicion. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will arrange for you to meet Lin Changshu and Wu Dayou. As for the opportunities, it’s up to you to seize them." On seeing their elated expressions, Ma Zhicai poured cold water over them. "The most difficult to deal with in the Lin Family isn’t them, but the second lady. If you encounter her, be very careful."
"Cousin, we got it." The girl in the jujube red dress responded with a suppressed laugh.
"Let’s go home. My mother will start spreading some words around for the next few days. You both need to be careful, know what to say when you meet someone, okay?" Ma Zhicai instructed anxiously.
"Got it."
...
After finally shedding the vexatious Ma Zhicai, Lin Zige reached Lou Zheng’s home first.
"You need help, sure. You go ahead and find others, my daughter-in-law and I will be right there." Mrs. Zhang said cheerily. The fields were almost entirely harvested, and very few people were left to wasteland reclamation, everyone had gone home to be busy.
Always hustling for money, suddenly being idle at home felt odd to both Mrs. Zhang and her daughter-in-law.
"Husband, guard the house, we’re going to help at Ziyin’s." Mrs. Zhang announced loudly towards Lou Zheng, who was tidying up the yard behind the house.
"Got it, go ahead." Lou Zheng responded likewise.
"Mother, I’m ready." Her daughter-in-law appeared in clean clothes.
"Let’s go, don’t make them impatient." Mrs. Zhang hustled her along.
The daughter-in-law nodded, quickening her pace to catch up with her mother-in-law.
Upon reaching the Lin Family, they found that the mother and daughter-in-law of the Bai Family were already there, busy in the kitchen.
"Ziyin, what do you need us to do?" Mrs. Zhang asked as she entered.
"Making pastries." Lin Ziyin, dressed in a homemade apron, replied. Seeing both families arrived, she removed the face mask on her mouth. "It is thirty silver coins a day if it sells well, with bonus on top; working overtime is extra." Lin Ziyin said. "You might not be able to return home to cook dinner. Everyone from your home will have to stay here for the evening meal."
On hearing that there was more silver to be earned, and that food and drink were provided as well, everyone in Mrs. Zhang’s family beamed with joy.
"That sounds great, but what kind of pastries? Can we make them?" Mrs. Bai voiced her concerns.
"Mooncakes." Lin Ziyin answered.
"That’s simple, we have made those before." Mrs. Bai said with a laugh.
"Mrs. Bai, the pastries I make are not the same as the ones you’re used to. You just need to prepare the filling outside, pour it into the mould and press the design." Lin Ziyin explained with a smile.
"Prepare the filling and press the design?" Mrs. Bai was dumbfounded.
"Elder sister, don’t worry. Ziyin has many ideas, and the pastries she makes are not just simple mooncakes. Let’s listen to her." Mrs. Zhang teased.
"Alright alright, let’s listen to Ziyin." Mrs. Bai agreed while nodding her head incessantly.
"Are there any more trustworthy, hardworking, and clean women in the village?" Lin Ziyin asked, observing only five women had arrived, she became a bit anxious.
More people are needed? Even fifteen-year-old Bai Yunxian from the Bai Family was present.
"Yes, find two more." Lin Ziyin said. "The project time is short, we need to expedite."
"If you’re okay with it, maybe get Fang Cao and that woman from Shuanzhu’s family." Mrs. Zhang suggested after a moment’s hesitation.
On hearing this, Lin Ziyin responded with a faint smile. "Our family doesn’t have many requirements, a person just needs to be capable."
"Perfect, both of them are careful and silent workers. They will work quietly, and they won’t be too nosy upon returning." Mrs. Zhang was pleased. Life had not been easy for the orphaned child and widowed mother of Shuanzhu’s family.
Guo Huiniang went out to fetch them, and before long, she returned with two shy individuals, a young married woman and a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl. Although they were attired in worn-out clothes, both looked tidy.
Lin Ziyin asked the two to hold out their hands for inspection, and then accepted them.
Upon hearing that they were included, the woman from Shuanzhu’s family and Fang Cao secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Helping Relatives(1)_1
Lin Ziyin had prepared a large overcoat for everyone in the kitchen, along with hats and masks.
Bai Dama and the others found it very novel, and accepted them with smiles.
"The most important thing when making pastries is cleanliness. I hope all of you can remember that. You must wash your hands before and after meals, scrub them twice thoroughly with soap nuts, and you must wear the hats and masks while making pastries. If you forget, I will fine you according to the rules," Lin Ziyin stated sternly.
"Yes, Miss," all the servants of Lin Family hurriedly agreed.
Seeing her serious demeanor, Mrs. Zhang and the others were scared into taking her words seriously too.
The pastries Lin Ziyin made were truly different from other households.
Simply looking at the several dishes of filling that Lin Ziyin brought out from another room, Bai Dama and the others were stunned. The aromatic smell of the filling that hit their noses, even though the baking had not yet begun, made them wonder just how amazing the finished pastry would smell.
"Watch how I do it," Lin Ziyin said as she brushed oil on the awakened dough, then began to pinch the filling onto it before putting it into the mould to shape.
The resulting pastry looked like a plum blossom. It was incredibly beautiful.
Bai Yunxian, Fang Cao, and the other girls watched without blinking their eyes.
"Little sister, I thought these things you carved were just for play. I didn’t realize they had such uses," Zige curiously said and then tried her hand at making one.
It was well done. It even had characters on it.
"Once you understand, get started," Lin Ziyin instructed.
Bai Dama and the others started getting busy. Initially, the pastries they made didn’t look good, and the fillings were uneven. But they were all accustomed to working in the kitchen, so it didn’t take long for them to improve.
"Sister-in-law, do you know of any place selling ready-made wooden boxes?" Lin Ziyin asked.
"There might be some, but probably not enough," Lin Zige answered.
"No matter, let’s first get someone to buy some from the city," Lin Ziyin said, a bit annoyed for not having thought of Mid-Autumn Festival as an business opportunity and felt a bit flustered for not being prepared ahead of time.
"How about this, tomorrow let your uncle bring some men to my mother’s side. Over there, there are many people skilled in bamboo and carpentry work. If we’re in a hurry, we might be able to get some made," Mrs. Zhang proposed.
"Okay," Lin Ziyin nodded. "I’ll have Kong Yier and the others check the market for any available first."
The Lin Family had ready-made ovens, a big and a small one, all made by Lin Ziyin during her spare time. Since Chu Suifeng owed her a favor, she didn’t hesitate to use the manpower of Tianji Pavilion.
The oven is one of those benefits.
By nighttime, the first batch of mooncakes came out of the oven, filling the room with their enticing fragrance. Even those in the kitchen were drooling over the smell.
"Everyone, have a taste," Lin Ziyin said, handing out the less visually appealing mooncakes to everyone.
"Delicious."
"Tasty."
"I want more," Yanzhi blinked his big eyes as he said, with his mouth stuffed full like a small hamster.
"There’s plenty, you can eat as much as you want," Lin Ziyin said, squeezing his cheek.
"Thank you, sister," Bai Dunzi uttered softly.
"Go, take some to Great Grandpa and the others," Lin Ziyin said, putting some mooncakes into a small basket and asked Changting to carry it out.
The young ones eagerly obliged.
"We came here to work, but ended up benefiting the kids," Bai Saozi laughed.
"A few extras for them won’t make a difference," Lin Ziyin replied with a smile. Seeing Shuanzhu looking down with slightly red eyes, her heart softened slightly, guessing she was thinking of her own child. "Saozi and Fang Cao, when you go back, please take a couple of pieces for your children," she said.
Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Helping Relatives(2)_1
"No, no need." Mrs. Shuanzhu waved her hand, her face also whitening in terror.
"The festival is coming soon, it’s for the enjoyment of the children." Lin Ziyin smiled and persuaded, "These aren’t exactly high-quality, and for those you’d want afterward, I may not be able to spare the time to give you."
"Thank you, Ziyin." Fang Cao and Lin Ziyin were about the same age. When she heard Ziyin’s words, her face was full of gratitude, without any unnecessary formalities.
Lin Ziyin responded with a slight nod.
In the evening, Kong Yier and Yu Shao’en returned, bringing back a cartload of wooden boxes. They were quite ordinary, coming in two shapes: circular and rectangular.
Lin Ziyin took them and examined them, finding them acceptable.
The Qian Family wrapped the mooncakes in oil paper, placing six in each box, one with chestnut filling, one with red dates, one with assorted nuts, one with mung bean paste, one with meat filling, and lastly, one with ’ice skin’.
The top was uniformly marked with the words ’moon reunion’ written on red paper by Qian Xuan. After such packaging, the mooncakes instantly levelled up.
"Miss, dinner is ready." Cui Da’s family came over to report.
"Coming." Lin Ziyin answered.
"Ziyin, I want to go home and inform my family that I won’t be returning tonight," said Fang Cao.
"Alright." Lin Ziyin nodded in agreement.
Mrs. Shuanzhu was also in a hurry to go home and look after her child, and to inform her family that she would be working late.
"You all eat first, then go home and let them know," Lin Ziyin said.
Even though Fang Cao and Mrs. Shuanzhu were in a hurry, they didn’t feel it was right to leave straight away, so they followed the group to the side room for dinner.
The Lin Family certainly treated everyone well, with two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, along with eggs, meat, tofu, nothing was missing for dinner.
The main course was white buns and rice, a rare treat in the eyes of farmers.
After dinner, Lin Ziyin packed four mooncakes for Fang Cao to take home. Only after Mrs. Shuanzhu and Fang Cao had repeatedly thanked her did they take the mooncakes and rush home.
The next morning, Lin Ziyin got up early. "Ziyin, it’s busy at home, we’ll stay and help in the morning. We have the ox cart, so we can just make a trip in the afternoon."
"Sister-in-law, you rarely go home a few times a year, aren’t you afraid that if you don’t go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival, the villagers will gossip about our aunt?" Lin Ziyin said worriedly.
"I’ve already told my parents last time, if it’s busy at home, we’ll go in the afternoon and not stay for dinner. We can go around noon, and you can also go and take a look at that time, then we’ll come back together." Guo Huiniang answered with a faint smile.
"Since it’s agreed, alright, sister-in-law, when you go, take a few more boxes of mooncakes." Lin Ziyin said.
"Alright." Guo Huiniang agreed.
As they were speaking, Master Hui Zhen came with two Martial Monks. "Girl, why are you up so early today?"
"The new pastries need to be sold, so we have to get up early. The kitchen has made lean meat porridge, layered pancakes and meat buns, you guys should go and eat, they’ve been saved for you." Lin Ziyin said.
"It’s you, girl, who knows the poor monk’s preferences." Master Hui Zhen cheerfully led the two Martial Monks towards the flower hall.
Upon seeing them enter, Cui Da’s family immediately served the prepared food into the room.
Last night, Mrs. Bai, Fang Cao and the others worked until after midnight before lodging at the Lin Family. They got up early in the morning while it was still dark and started working again. Given the good food provided by the Lin Family, no one was complaining or showing signs of tiredness.