Ch. 26..30: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 26-30

Chapter 26 Earn Again (2)_1 “Sister, let me help.” Lin Changting said happily. He liked calling Lin Zige “big sister” and Lin Ziyin “sister”.

“Good job.” Lin Ziyin complimented him with a smile.

“I’ll help too.” Lin Yanzhi also chimed in quickly.

Lin Ziyin commended him again with a smile, making the little guy laugh nonstop.

Cleaning the offal was a bit troublesome. When Lin Zige was not looking, Lin Ziyin scrubbed the large intestines and pig stomach clean with salt and flour, then threw them into boiling water to remove the smell. Afterwards, she sliced them and let Lin Changting stir-fry them with star anise and fennel.

Not long after, Lin Zige returned from sowing vegetable seeds. Lin Ziyin then had her heat up a pot to render fat from the pork, and saved the lard for later use.

“There’s so much lard. It will last us for a while.” Lin Zige exhaled a sigh of relief when she saw the jar filled with lard.

Lin Ziyin chose to ignore her. Ah, this young girl’s expectations were too low, clearly not on the same level as a person like her with grand ambitions. She wouldn’t be content with just eating meat and oil every day.

“We’ll have meat buns and tofu buns tonight.” Lin Ziyin said with a smile.

“Eat buns.” Lin Yanzhi nodded vigorously.

“Here, have a taste.” Lin Ziyin scooped a bit of the pork lard residue, the leftovers from rendering fat, into a small bowl for both kids.

“Delicious.” After having a bite, Lin Changting immediately praised almost laughing.

“Eat.” The little guy couldn’t stop himself from munching either.

“Sister, have a taste.” Lin Ziyin pushed a piece into Lin Zige’s mouth.

“So good.” Lin Zige said, surprised.

In the past, when the family was extremely short of silver, they couldn’t afford to use lard for cooking. They’d just rub a small piece of fat on the edge of the pot. But just overnight, they were even eating meat.

Lin Zige glanced at Lin Ziyin with slight gratitude.

Lin Ziyin, being generous as always, wrapped the meat and tofu buns in white flour, despite Lin Zige’s opposition.

Because she added her ground spice mix to the filling, the buns smelled incredibly delicious.

“What’s that smell?” Lin Changshu caught the aroma as soon as he stepped in.

“Meat buns smell good.” The little one quickly echoed, wanting credit, “Fire.”

Meaning, he helped tend to the fire today.

“Good boy.” The elderly man, having washed his hands, walked in.

Guo Huiniang also looked at her son with satisfaction.

“Dinner is ready, everyone’s here, let’s eat.” Lin Ziyin said with a smile.

Upon entering, Lin Changshu and his spouse saw a large plate of various meats on the dinner table alongside some pickles. The basket was filled with white and plump bread rolls and buns, and even white rice porridge was in their bowls.

“This much?” Guo Huiniang was a bit overwhelmed.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. With the income from tofu, our family won’t lack food and clothing.” Lin Ziyin knew what she was worried about, and gently reassured her.

“Oh…” Guo Huiniang quickly wiped away the tears that had welled up on her face.

“Grandpa, I want to buy a flat-bottomed pan.” Lin Ziyin started. “We’ll use the money from selling tofu tomorrow to buy it. If it’s not enough, we’ll owe our acquaintances.”

Upon hearing this, everyone stopped eating their buns.

“I plan to make a small profit at the fair five days from now. We can’t do without a flat-bottomed pan.” Lin Ziyin explained with a smile.

“Ah, alright then.” The old man nodded in agreement.

“Hurry up, eat it while it’s hot. Grandpa, have another one.” Lin Ziyin passed another meat bun to the old man, “Big brother, Sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard too, eat more. You still have work to do tonight.”

“You should eat too.” Guo Huiniang was somewhat taken aback, with a feeling of relief after a hardship.

The meal at the Lin family’s was the most abundant one in recent years, and also the most heartwarming.

Chapter 27 Bullying (1)_1 At night, the Lin family was making tofu for the second time. Lin Changshu and Guo Huiniang woke up early and began grinding soybeans in the kitchen. The old man was curious, so he also got up early to supervise the whole process.

This time, Ziyin didn’t use salt water to curdle the tofu, she directly used sour soy milk instead, adding a bit of flour. The tofu made this way was smoother and had a better texture.

In the morning, Lin Changshu had a bowl of tofu pudding and a couple of meat buns before heading to Ding’an Temple with a pole across his shoulder to deliver the tofu.

“Brother, tell them if it’s raining, we might not deliver.” Ziyin instructed, asking him to make it clear to the Guest Keeper at the temple.

“Sure.” Lin Changshu replied. His sister had many ideas, and now he was willing to listen to her.

“Sister, do we have plenty of scallions at home?” Ziyin asked.

“Not much.” Zige responded, “Just enough for our own consumption, the ones we just planted are still seedlings.”

“Can we buy some from households in the village who’ve got some?” Ziyin asked.

“White Sister’s family has some, we can ask at their house.” Guo Huiniang said.

“Alright,” said Ziyin. “We’ll need a larger quantity of scallions in about five days, about three to five pounds.”

“Alright.” Zige replied.

By the time their conversation ended, dawn broke.

Changting and Yanzhi were also called to join the adults for breakfast, which was tofu pudding or soy milk, served with tofu buns and meat buns.

“Grandfather, if it’s possible, could you accompany me to the mountain this morning?” Ziyin asked.

“Sure.” The old man replied, “Only a bit of piecemeal work is left in the field. I’ll accompany you to the mountain.”

The morning dew was still around. Once it dried, Ziyin and the old man each took a basket and headed for the mountain, while Changting was freed up as their pig was feeding on the soybean dregs. He took Yanzhi along to play with other kids in the village.

The two young boys had left home early to find their friends.

“Ziyin, is your health getting better?” A villager who saw Ziyin and the old man greeted them proactively.

“Yes, much better.” Ziyin replied graciously. Being friendly to the villagers was an art, and she was always pleased to maintain good relationships.

“Old man, are you going to the mountain?” Someone else noticed the baskets they were carrying.

“Mm-hmm.” The old man was even more taciturn.

Going to the mountain wasn’t strange. The Lin family had been impoverished due to consecutive illnesses, even the vegetation in their field was sold to cover Ziyin’s medical expenses. Everyone understood this situation, so they guessed the grandfather and granddaughter were foraging on the mountain.

Noboby suspected anything.

Looking at the mountain made her feel weary, Ziyin became short of breath not far from the base of the mountain. “Grandfather, slow down, I can’t make it.”

Watching the old man’s hearty stride ahead, Ziyin was filled with envy and resentment.

An old man was outperforming her, a youth in her prime. What an embarrassment!

“Take a rest.” The old man pointed to a flat rock. Being careful, he checked for snakes in the rock’s crevices with a stick.

“Thank you, grandfather.” Ziyin sat down on the rock. “Next time we come, we should bring some soy milk along.”

“Your body is weak.” The old man looked at her with an apologetic expression.

“I’ll get better once I start exercising more in the morning.” Ziyin replied bashfully.

Chapter 28 Bullying (2)_1 “Good.” The old man agreed with her, as farmers of course gained strength from more activity.

“Grandpa, are those water-pepper plants?” Lin Ziyin observed their surroundings, noticing a variety of wild vegetables growing all over the place. She had not expected there to be so many good things on the mountain.

Ziyin, that plant has a strange taste.” The old man replied.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ziyin immediately stood up, “Grandpa, this is a good thing. Let’s pick more of the tender leaves, I can use them.” Lin Ziyin said gleefully. This kind of wild vegetable had a spicy flavor, which could be used as a substitute for pepper. This way, they could save some money on spices.

When the old man heard that it could be used, he too started to help her pick without asking her for what.

The pair searched and picked along their path and filled half their basket in no time. Meanwhile, as they were walking uphill, Lin Ziyin also found some star anise and other spices.

“Grandpa, let’s go home, it’s getting late.” Lin Ziyin saw that their baskets were almost full, so she mentioned to the old man.

“Let’s head down the mountain.” The old man signaled emphatically, first hoisting up his own basket.

Lin Ziyin also hoisted her own small basket on her back.

The descent was much quicker than the ascent, and in no time, they were back in the village.

“Beat him up.” As soon as they entered the village, they heard a child yelling.

“Don’t beat him up.”

“Big brother, waa, don’t hit.” It was Yanzhi’s voice.

Lin Ziyin, amidst the raucous chatter of the children, instantly identified the voice of her own child.

The old man heard it too, and quickened his stride.

Lin Ziyin hurriedly caught up with him.

“I’ll beat you to death for bullying Yanzhi.” As they approached, they saw a larger child playfully pinning Changting down, with Lin Yanzhi pressed on the ground by another child of similar size to Changting. A short distance away, the Yan family was cracking melon seeds and watching the spectacle.

Fire instantly flared up in Lin Ziyin’s heart.

Without saying a word, she approached and kicked the larger child who was pinning Changting down. The child let out a high cry and fell flat, as the now-freed Changting rolled over and landed a punch on the child’s face.

Taken abelback, the child immediately burst into tears.

The old man had already pulled the child sitting on Lin Yanzhi away and help Lin Yanzhi into his arms.

“I’ll kill you.” The larger child was in his defiant years. After being surprised by Lin Ziyin’s kick and then punched by Changting, he got up and charged at Lin Ziyin.

Fearing that his sister might be at a disadvantage, Changting immediately grabbed the child’s legs.

“I’ll kick you to death.” was the malicious thought in the child’s mind, and he aimed a kick at Changting’s chest. Lin Ziyin saw this and couldn’t let him make the move. should he succeed, Changting would be seriously injured.

Lin Ziyin’s swiped her face cold, employing a Capturing Hand’s move, then twisted the child’s arm, immediately followed by a sharp scream, then a crunchy snap. The child’s arm was broken.

“Help, Lin Ziyin is murdering someone.” The woman from the Yan family who was initially leisurely watching the scene had her expression changing and charged at Lin Ziyin.

Without uttering a word, Lin Ziyin’s eyes flashed with a fierce light, and she reached for the sickle in her basket.

With a bright gleam in her eyes, the charging woman of the Yan family caught sight of the shiny sickle under the sun’s glare, and reflexively stopped in her tracks. Then she fell to the ground with a thud, screaming at the top of her voice, “This is horrendous, The Lin Family wants to commit murder.”

She was incredibly loud and shrill, and it happened to be just when the villagers had returned from their work in the fields preparing for their meal. Soon the under the trees at village entrance was teeming with people.

Seeing the third child of the Ma family rolling on the ground with a broken arm, woman of the Yan family sitting on the ground gasping through her sobs, and Lin Ziyin holding a sickle with a cold look in her eyes. The village immediately erupted into a wave of discussion.

“What’s going on here?” At this moment, a commanding voice rang out.

Everyone looked up to see Li Zheng, the village head speaking, standing right beside him was Lin Changshu, his face full of anger.

A good drama was unfolding, and everyone’s eyes were on Li Zheng, wanting to see how he would handle today’s matter.

Chapter 29 Compensation (1)_1 “What’s going on here? Are you all just standing around doing nothing?” Lou Zheng of Shili Village bristled at the gathered crowd. He had just returned from the government offices, hoping to apply for tax reduction for the village. The village’s harvest had been meager these past few years; after paying four-tenths of it in taxes, most families were barely scraping by.

However, the county magistrate rejected their application, leaving him stewing in frustration. On his way back, he ran into Lin Changshu. A conversation between them lifted his mood slightly. But upon returning to the village, he was shocked to find the villagers embroiled in a brawl.

This circumstance plunged his spirits once again.

“What’s the matter?” Lin Changshu saw, his son crying uncontrollably in the old man’s arms, his younger brother sporting a bruised face yet glaring fiercely at the folks from the Ma Family, and his sister actually holding a glittering sickle. What on earth had happened?

“Lou Zheng, you must stand up for our Ma Family. You can see for yourself; the young and old of the Lin Family are bullying our two boys.” Madam Yan implored through her tears.

“Yes, Lou Zheng, the Lin Family must not be let off lightly.” Another woman with high cheekbones came forward to support Madam Yan.

“What happened?” Lou Zheng asked the elderly man.

“Lou Zheng, need I say more? Four people from the Lin Family, young and old, broke my boy’s arm and even took out a sickle, ready to kill.” Madam Yan accused Lin Ziyin fiercely, and then hugged her adolescent child, wailing pitifully.

“Stop crying.” Lou Zheng roared, and Madam Yan was startled into silence.

“Lou Zheng, clearly, the Lin Family were the aggressors.” At this point, a young man who had just arrived pointed threateningly at Lin Ziyin. “Look, she’s still holding the murder weapon.”

“Murder weapon? Which eye of yours saw me killing someone with this sickle? Look around; there are quite a few uncles and brothers here holding farming tools, which can also be used to kill. Are they all murder weapons too?” Lin Ziyin retorted with a mocking smile.

Lin Changshu appeared concerned. “Ziyin, put down the sickle for now.”

“Brother, don’t worry,” Lin Ziyin comforted him. “The aggressor is still here. This sickle can protect me.”

Hearing her words, the villagers couldn’t help but laugh.

“Sharp-tongued, deliberately causing trouble.” The young man pointed at Lin Ziyin, fuming.

“With your manners, no one would want you even if you were given away for free. Yet, you talk about causing trouble. You sure have a long face for it. Your surname suits you so well, Ma Zhicai.” Lin Ziyin could tell from his features that he was from the Ma Family.

“Hahaha.” The villagers had initially found nothing unusual about Ma Zhicai’s slightly elongated face. But after Lin Ziyin’s comparison, they saw the resemblance between his face and a horse’s, and laughter filled the air.

“You slut.” Seeing her beloved second son’s humiliation, Madam Yan could no longer hold back her fury.

“Even if I were a slut, I couldn’t compete with you.” Lin Ziyin shot her a dismissive look. “Otherwise, how could you birth such a horse-faced son?”

At first, the villagers didn’t quite make sense of her words. But after a moment’s thought, the implication dawned on them: a horse face, wasn’t that almost equivalent to a beast?

Laughter around the crowd grew louder; some people even bent over with laughter.

Ma Zhicai’s face turned purple. Ever since he became a Tongsheng, he considered himself a scholar and always held high self-regard. But today, he was mocked by Lin Ziyin, a mere country lass, which left him choking on his pride.

“Lou Zheng, I request you to deal with this matter impartially.” Unable to outwit Lin Ziyin, Ma Zhicai appealed to Lou Zheng to step in.

Chapter 30 Compensation (2)_1 Lou Zheng was astonished. He had always thought of the Lin Family’s little girl as soft-spoken and timid. Unexpectedly, she had transformed markedly after a knock to her head, her eloquence fierce and mind sharper than before.

“Tell me, what exactly happened?” Lou Zheng’s authoritative gaze swept across Lin Ziyin.

“Lou Zheng, isn’t it obvious? The Lin Family has exploited their numerical advantage, so they should pay compensation for breaking Youcai’s arm,” said Mrs Yan, immediately siding with her son.

“What do you have to say?” Lou Zheng surprisingly did not base his judgement on Mrs Yan’s one-sided account.

“Thank you, Uncle Lou Zheng, for giving us an opportunity to explain.” Lin Ziyin’s voice was calm and measured. “Ladies and gentlemen, since all of you are here, I hope you can be the judge for us.”

Her modest yet firm demeanor surprised those present, and they were eager to hear what she would say next.

“I went up the mountain with my grandfather today, just like everyone else here. I only returned a short while ago,” Lin Ziyin began.

“Don’t change the subject, who cares about your nonsense? Tell us why you attacked us!” Mrs Yan bellowed.

“Indeed.” Ma Zhicai echoed.

“Fortunately, he is only a scholar. If he were a government official, I’d wager he would be completely inept.” Lin Ziyin, having confirmed Ma Zhicai’s identity, disliked him even more.

Ma Zhicai’s face darkened. If word of her slurs against him spread, he wouldn’t stand a chance in the scholar examinations.

“You wretch …” Mrs Yan was furious, but quickly lost all her steam when she saw Lin Ziyin menacingly brandish a sickle.

“When I got back to the village, I saw him pinning down Changting, while that bastard Youcai was on top of Yanzhi. Considering the age and size of them, it’s clear who was bullying whom. What’s more infuriating is that these people sat by, watching the spectacle while eating melon seeds!” Lin Ziyin pointed to the high cheekboned woman and a few people from Mrs Yan’s camp.

The accused women all lowered their heads amidst the murmurs of the crowd.

“It was just children messing about!” The high cheekboned woman retorted defiantly.

“So it was all fun and games, huh?” Lin Ziyin, suppressing her anger, brought Changting forward, lifted his tattered clothes to reveal the bruises and lumps all over his body, causing gasps from the crowd.

“I only wanted to pull Changting away. Never did I expect that the child would try to hit me. You all know about my health condition. Changting was worried for me; he held onto Youcai’s leg, and Youcai kicked him in his chest. If I hadn’t acted fast, Changting would be lying on the ground right now.” Lin Ziyin jeered. “What a joke indeed, my grandfather only pulled Yanzhi away, and now the Lin Family is accused of assaulting and murdering people? Would anyone care to explain this twisted accusation?”

She stared indignantly at Ma Family, leaving them flustered and embarrassed under the scornful gazes of the surrounding crowd, particularly Ma Zhicai, who felt thoroughly disgraced.

“Regardless, the one with a broken arm now is Youcai from our family. Morally and reasonably, you should pay compensation,” Ma Zhicai said, attempting to gather his composure.

Seeing the impudent behavior of Ma Family, Lin Changshu had the urge to assault them with a wooden cudgel.

He had just checked the wounds on his son’s body and found several bruises.

Lou Zheng was somewhat torn. Regardless of the context, the fact remained that the Ma Family had indeed suffered injuries.

“You also injured someone,” Lou Zheng understood that this situation had been provoked by the Ma Family.

“If we injured someone, we will compensate.” Ma Zhicai tried to appear reasonable.

“But how …” Mrs Yan disagreed.

“But you also have to compensate because Youcai’s arm is broken,” Ma Zhicai cut Mrs Yan off and then turned to Lin Ziyin.

“Okay.” Lin Ziyin agreed readily.

“Little sister.” Lin Changshu was tense. He knew that the Ma Family was shameless and shrewd. Getting entangled with them would likely lead to significant losses for the Lin Family. How could he have been so blind to not see the true faces of the Ma Family before?

No, the Ma Family had merely been pretending all along, their true colors only revealed upon seeing Ma Zhicai’s potential. On second thoughts, Lin Changshu felt relieved that Zige hadn’t married into the Ma Family.

“Be clear about the compensation,” Lin Ziyin said.

“For the injuries, our Ma Family will pay you 500 wen,” Ma Zhicai replied, “but your Lin Family must pay us 5 taels of silver.”

The crowd was abuzz. It was well-known how impoverished the Lin Family was. They were pushing the Lin Family to their limits.