Ch. 281..285: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 281-285
Chapter 281: Chapter 281 Buying Thugs (5)_1
The Lin family’s soybean products, which were already well-known in Feng City and widely sought after by visiting merchants, were selling briskly, to the point they were a popular commodity. Many out-of-town merchants were so satisfied with the products that they made long-term supply agreements with the Lin family.
With such a steady customer base, their soybean products brought in a substantial income throughout the year.
The income from these sales, according to Lin Ziyin, would be distributed among the family, with no intervention from herself. However, the leftover soybean mash from each day was collected by her and sent to livestock farms to be used as fodder.
Lin Changshu was also very busy, both procuring the beans for the family and overseeing the distribution of the products. He and Wu Dayou worked in perfect harmony, ensuring that if one of them was out, the other would stay at home.
"After winter, we should arrange the marriage between Dayou and our youngest sister," Lin Changshu confided to his sister Lin Ziyin during a private conversation.
"Okay," Lin Ziyin nodded, "You and sister-in-law can make all the arrangements."
She didn’t have any concerns about Zige getting married. Wu Dayou’s character was well-known, he lived alone, so there was no worry of Zige being mistreated. As for their livelihood, they didn’t need to worry either. They had their own home and enough land. Lin Ziyin had already divided the newly cultivated land among all her siblings, giving each of them ten acres. Even without this land, Zige and Dayou, being hard workers, would not starve with the wages from the Lin family’s business, not to mention the share from the soybean products business.
It’s worth mentioning, whenever anyone, including Wu Dayou and Guo Huiniang, worked in the workshops, Lin Ziyin insisted on paying their wages. At first, they all protested, arguing that it made them feel like outsiders in the family.
Nevertheless, Lin Ziyin was adamant, explaining that it was natural and right to be paid for one’s labor. Since they were working in her workshop, they were entitled to the silver for their labor.
That was why everyone, including Cui Da, worked so assiduously. Lin Ziyin treated them not as lowly servants, but with a measure of respect.
"I will take care of all the expenses for furniture and other household items," Lin Ziyin decided.
"That’s not acceptable. As the eldest brother, how can I contribute nothing to it?" Lin Changshu protested.
"Brother and sister-in-law have their own life to take care of. Just helping her to prepare for her wedding is already a contribution. If you insist on contributing more, you can add a little bit to her dowry," Lin Ziyin suggested. Changshu was a caring older brother who took great care of his younger siblings.
While moved by his concern, Lin Ziyin wished he would think a bit more about his own little family. After all, he and Guo Huiniang had not had easy lives over the years.
"I understand," Lin Changshu replied, albeit somewhat sulkily.
As the eldest son of the family, with their parents gone, it was expected that he would bear all the expenses for his younger sister’s wedding, but his younger sister was shouldering the cost of the dowry instead. Although their current prosperity was due to her efforts, he still felt guilty.
"Once sister-in-law recovers her health, both of you can consider having another child," Lin Ziyin wisely shifted the conversation seeing his discomfort.
Upon hearing the mention of heirs and his wife, Guo Huiniang, a happy smile finally surfaced on Lin Changshu’s face. After enduring hardship with him and falling ill from poor postpartum recovery due to poverty, Huiniang’s health was finally improving, thanks to Master Hui Zhen’s care.
Changshu beamed at the prospect of having another child soon. "Having a child is a gift from heaven, we can’t force it."
Though he spoke modestly.
"Brother, sister-in-law, you’re still young. Heaven will surely bless our Lin family with another child." Lin Ziyin thought of Yanzhi’s maturity, and she too, was happy.
Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Hiring a Hitman(6)_1
The Marquis of Feng City, after much consideration, has decided that it would be best to keep a low profile for now. As such, he has gathered everyone in the family in the floral hall.
"By rights, the stores are part of your, women’s dowries, and as the family head, I shouldn’t interfere. However, given the unfavorable circumstances, not to mention the prince’s misunderstanding towards our Li Family, but also numerous aristocratic families in the city have word or two about us. If this continues, trouble is inevitable. Fortunately, disaster hasn’t struck yet, you might want to consider selling off some of the stores you own."
"Elder Brother, that cannot be." The Second Lady raised her objection first.
"What a woman thinks, do you have any say here when the elder brother has spoken?" The Second Master glanced at his wife. He had already aligned his views with the eldest brother, and this was a decision made after weighing pros and cons. The survival of Li Family weighed heavier than their wealth.
"It’s not that I’m deliberately going against you, elder brother, but according to the laws of Daqin, a woman’s dowry is her personal silver. If we sell the stores, what will we use for silver in the future?" The Lady Jin, who came from a smaller aristocratic family, has always been looking out for her immediate benefits.
The Marquis of Li remained silent, waiting for his daughters-in-law to express their views.
Madame You along with her mother-in-law also were not willing to sell off the stores. That plot of land in the south of the city was very favorable and coveted by many businesses. The Li Family had strong foresight; Before the elderly Marquis came to Feng City, he tried his best to purchase the shops in that area.
It was only because of those shops, the Li family was able to live in luxury today. If it depended only on the men’s paltry salaries, their family would be left disturbed by the wind from the northwest.
"Why did master suddenly think of selling the stores? Aren’t you aware about how thriving those stores are?" Lady Mu asked, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, yet keen to understand the reason. "The assets are ours, even if outsiders are envious and talk mere nonsense, doesn’t mean we have to sell our stores."
"What Sister-in-law said is right." Lady Jin immediately concurred, "Those idle people are just envious because we earn a substantial amount of rental income every year. However, petty discussions cannot harm us even a bit, so why fear about them?"
"If it were mere gossips, then there’s nothing to worry about. However, the prince has already conveyed his message. He finds our Li Family too ostentatious." The Marquis of Li explained with frustration. These women, they are short-sighted, only thinking about the immediate benefits but never the consequences.
"No way, why would the prince care about our stores?" The main Lady didn’t believe him.
"Isn’t it all because of the good deeds your precious daughter and daughter-in-law stirred up?" The Marquis of Li didn’t admit to his own desire to get a share in Li Family’s business and chose to put the blame entirely on Madame You and Li Yanran. "There are three major powers: the Prince, the Si Family, and Ding’an Temple in the Northern Land, which one could they possibly offend? Rather proudly, these two went directly and got caught in the act by the prince, bullying the Lin Family. Stealing business from the prince, how could he not be angry?"
The affairs of the Lin Family had reached the ears of the First and Second Lady. They knew a bit about Li Yanran and Madame You’s covetous intents for Lin Family’s business. But Madame You was indeed good at doing business, and a substantial amount of money was flowing into their stores each year under her management.
Although the Lin Family was a latecomer as a merchant, their fame had spread far and wide within a short half year. Where in every business initiative they undertook, money flowed in like water. If nothing else, just their refined oil and sauce, there were long queues lining up to buy, to the point where it could barely be bought.
Surely they wouldn’t be envious about this. So when they knew Li Yanran and Madame You was headed for Lin Family, they immediately agreed with both hands. However, Madame You and Li Yanran were too careless, with their threat to the Lin Family caught in the act by the prince. Alas, will today’s matter really end up in selling off the shops?
Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Hiring a Hitman(7)_1
"It’s all because of that slut Lin Ziyin, who drugged the Prince." Li Yanran was absolutely furious. The town’s south had many shops, and if she got married in the future, she would receive more dowry from the Residence. Selling the shops would mean her dowry would be less. What was even more infuriating was that the Prince truly warned the Li Family for the sake of an ordinary girl like Lin Ziyin.
Thinking that she was not valued as much as an ordinary girl in Chu Suifeng’s heart, Li Yanran had a sense of oppression in her chest. "Father, I refuse to believe that my cousin will harm us for that wench," she fumed.
"You still have the audacity to say that," Marquis Li retorted, seeing her defiant look, adding fuel to his anger. Though he could not discipline his daughter-in-law directly, he surely could discipline his daughter. "You were asked to maintain a gentle and virtuous demeanor before the Prince, but instead, you act like a shrew all the time. Haven’t you thought that the Prince might despise a jealous woman?"
"The Prince is busy with his duties every day, so I hardly get to see him, what can I do? The issue with the Lin Family this time was just an accident," Li Yanran said with tears in her eyes as she heard her father’s reproofs. She had always been the apple of her parents’ eyes in the Residence. When was the last time she was treated so harshly? She utterly despised Lin Ziyin for this.
"Even if it means showing the Prince, we have to sell some of the south town’s shops," Marquis Li finally commanded.
"Let’s sell some. We still hold the majority. Everyone should discuss which shops they’re willing to sell so we are ready when the time comes," Second Uncle Li sighed. "The Prince has become suspicious of our family, and traditionally, one’s dangerous when their accomplishments outshine the Prince’s. Apparently, he wants to forget our family’s support."
"Second brother, don’t utter those words again," Marquis Li glared at his younger brother.
Second Uncle Li sighed and didn’t say another word thereafter.
Selling the shops was a settled matter, no matter how unwilling everyone was. In the end, it was decided that each family would need to sell two of their shops. The younger generation, especially Madam Yu and the two daughters-in-law of the eldest household, was even more upset. As the younger generation, they didn’t have many shops to start with; selling two more was almost asking for their lives. But no one could disobey Marquis Li’s command, so they reluctantly agreed.
"I will not let that wench off." Li Yanran was stomping mad as she walked back to her courtyard.
She did not possess any shops at the moment. Still, her mother had promised her a shop as a dowry, which was now set to be sold. Realizing that she is being forced to sell a shop she’s not even had to govern for a day, she developed a fierce desire to murder Lin Ziyin.
Madam Yu saw Li Yanran’s rage and a hint of taunt flashed in her eyes. Li Yanran had been spoilt by the family and was somewhat arrogant. Despite the fact that the Prince had no feelings for her, she behaved as if she was the future Prince Consort within the Residence. When encountering difficulties, she knew nothing more than cursing and blaming the servants, but had no practical solutions. Each time, it was Madam Yu, her sister-in-law, who came to her rescue.
"Lin Ziyin is indeed audacious and shameless. Aiming to be the Prince’s Consort with her few businesses, she seems to forget her status. If I were in her place, I couldn’t swallow such humiliation. The title of Prince’s Consort rightfully belongs to my sister..." Madam Yu stopped speaking as she looked at Li Yanran.
As expected, Li Yanran’s eyes flashed a cruel light. Madam Yu smile faintly, it’s seemed like she was comforting Li Yanran. "Don’t think too much about it, sister. After all, it’s not unusual for a man to have several wives and concubines. The Prince might just be interested in her because she’s new. With our status, we don’t need to behave as shamelessly as her. But I do feel it’s unfair for you. If I were a man, I could teach her a lesson for you, but at this moment, I’m powerless.".
"Don’t speak anymore, sister-in-law, I know you care about me," Li Yanran huffed, taking Mindam Yu’s consolation to heart.
"Don’t do anything rash, sister. Now remember, you are an aristocratic lady; you can’t stoop to her level. Since you can’t vocalize your frustration, what are you gonna do? Hire Ghost Hand to assassinate her?" Madam Yu joked.
Assassination? A thought flicked across Li Yanran’s mind – not a bad idea.
Only by making Lin Ziyin a dead person could she release the anger inside her.
As she spent a lot of time with Li Yanran, Madam Yu knew her habits all too well. Seeing her expression, she knew she had left a deep impression on her.
"Alright, let’s let this matter pass. You don’t have to be so concerned, sister. Stooping to a common girl’s level will only tarnish your status. Now, I have to go and fill up the deed to present to father. Out of sight, out of mind..." Leaving a chatter in her wake, Madam Yu walked away with her maidservant.
Li Yanran stood silently under the corridor, her face indistinct and mysterious. No one knew what she was thinking or why she was lost in thought.
Chapter 284: Chapter 284 Whose Threat (1)_1
"Madam, could the young mistress have thought of a solution?" Upon returning to her room, Madame You’s maid immediately approached her with a smile and asked softly.
"What solution? All I did was console her a little and tell her to ease her mind and to not be jealous. What solution could you be talking about? People can only find peace in themselves, with the help of external persuasion." Madame You was somewhat clever and even with her close aides, she would not expose her cards so blatantly.
The maid responded by gently slapping her own mouth, "Look at the nonsensical things I am saying. I meant to ask whether the young mistress has come to terms with her issues and stopped moping."
"She’s grown up now, and she’s been studying etiquette and female precepts constantly. Such basics should not warrant your unnecessary worries." Madame You, unoffended, chuckled and accepted the medicinal tea offered by the maid.
The Li Residence maintained a group of devoted soldiers, something Li Yanran had accidentally discovered. However, she dared not use them. Of course, these soldiers would not heed the commands of a woman. But she was not in a hurry, for her beloved mother from the Mu Family had secretly prepared a few devoted guards for her. Even Marquis Li did not know about this, and these guards all belonged to the Mu Family of the Capital City.
"Remember well, go to Shili Village tonight and kill that wretch, Lin Ziyin." As night descended, Li Yanran sat alone in her room. It was pitch-black inside, and when everyone was asleep, she secretly summoned four of the devoted soldiers using her own method.
"Two of you shall go, and if you fail, do not bother returning to see me." Li Yanran ordered, her face cold and her voice ruthless.
"Yes, we will certainly fulfill the young mistress’s wish." The two soldiers respond respectfully.
"When you return, resume your tasks. Do not exit without my command." Reluctant to dispatch all of her soldiers at once, Li Yanran was somewhat peeved, "Remember, that wench is skilled in martial arts and has strong guards around her. Be careful on your end, do not bring back trouble for me."
"Yes, we understand." The soldiers promised once more.
Once the four soldiers had departed, Li Yanran collapsed onto her bed, letting out a sigh of relief. Her mother, Madame Mu, had pleaded with the Mu Family of the Capital City to train these soldiers for her, fearing her safety once she became the Prince’s consort.
To her surprise, they were first deployed against a peasant girl. She laughed silently - Lin Ziyin, just how important is your face? Is it your vanity or your life that takes precedence?
At the Lin Residence, Lin Ziyin was almost driven mad by Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan. To make matters worse, Situ Gong was incredibly annoying. After she had explained a strategy, all three would bombard her with peculiar questions, mostly about practical issues in Border City.
Lin Ziyin wondered why she was being made responsible for every issue in Border City, given her unofficial military position?
"Miss, please slow down. I cannot keep up with your words." Situ Gong, with evident distress, had beads of sweat on his forehead but his hands never stopped writing. The stack of manuscripts on the table was set aside for drying.
"Take your time, we’ll stop here for today. I need to check the fields, the seedlings have grown. Judging by the weather, it seems like it might rain. If the temperature drops at night, we need to light the fires in the greenhouses." Lin Ziyin replied with a smile.
"Mis, why don’t you talk a bit more? The temperature hasn’t dropped yet, a little while longer wouldn’t hurt." Situ Gong persuades with a smile.
"I’m sorry, Mister Situ. You are a strategist with the entire Northern Land on your mind for the Prince, while I’m just a peasant girl, whose greenhouses are her treasures." Lin Ziyin cheerily responded, then unceremoniously stood up.
Chapter 285: Chapter 285 Whose Threat (2)_1
"Can the temperature really be controlled inside the greenhouse?" Si Jinhan stood up with her.
Chu Suifeng also slowly stood up, judging by his actions, it seemed he also wanted to follow Lin Ziyin to take a look at the fields.
"Miss, your solutions have always been unique, growing plants in a greenhouse, that’s a great idea. This is a rare sight, if Miss Lin doesn’t mind, I’d also like to come and see." Situ Gong had been busy the whole day, his hands were numb, and he had finally finished jotting down the key points of what Lin Ziyin had said that day.
"There’s a greenhouse in the prince’s manor too." Lin Ziyin was not very pleased that these people were insisting on following her.
"The people in my manor need to learn from you, I need to see for myself how you do it." The meaning behind Chu Suifeng’s words was that he was afraid Lin Ziyin was withholding some secrets.
How dare they doubt her? Upon hearing this, Lin Ziyin’s face darkened. However, she didn’t dare confront Chu Suifeng, stewing in her anger, she and Qiaoqiao headed towards the greenhouse.
After the Northern Land entered deep autumn, temperature dropped rapidly. It seemed like people were still wearing autumn clothes just few days ago, but now people in the village were starting to bundle up in cotton-padded jackets. To ensure all the vegetables in the field could grow smoothly, the dragon fire in the greenhouse had been lit.
"The temperature is under control, and it can be adjusted at any time." Lin Ziyin had designed a simple "Thermometer" and "Hygrometer". After Cui Da and others responsible for the greenhouse understood the instructions, they strictly followed what Lin Ziyin had said.
"Warm like spring." Si Jinhan was curiously wandering around.
"What’s this?" He slightly furrowed his brows when he smelled the scent of the tomato mother plant.
"It’s something I bought from an outsider, I’m just trying to grow it." Seeing that the leaves of the peppers were a bit wilted, Lin Ziyin immediately told Cui Da, "Stop watering it immediately, peppers don’t like water. The soil below should be kept dry, only water it thoroughly after it dries out."
"Yes, miss, I’ll pay attention." Cui Da quickly remembered it.
There were many different types of plants growing in the greenhouse, several varieties that even an experienced farmer like him was planting for the first time. There were indeed some plants that he didn’t know much about.
"The cucumbers are good, they’ve already started climbing up the trellis." Looking at the tender vines, Lin Ziyin felt a surge of joy in her heart.
"Prince, Third Young Master, Miss Lin." A few young men from the prince’s manor came over, and immediately bowed in greeting when they saw them.
"Can the leeks be harvested now?"
"Let me take a look." Lin Ziyin didn’t answer in a rush.
Reaching the greenhouse where the leeks were planted, Lin Ziyin crouched down to take a look before saying, "We should also plant leeks in our greenhouse. Cui Da, have someone harvest them."
"The greenhouse seems to be very useful, these leeks look very fresh and vibrant." Si Jinhan said with a smile. Situ Gong was even more curious, looking around everywhere.
Soon, a few men from the village and people from Chu Suifeng’s manor began to harvest seedlings. Lin Ziyin quietly instructed Yu Shaohui, who then left.
"What a pity to pull them out." Although Si Jinhan was a noble prince, he wasn’t the kind of clueless hedonist who was out of touch with reality. In the Northern Land, fresh vegetables were extremely scarce in winter. It was a waste to pull up these well-grown leeks from the greenhouse, not to mention, they could bring in a lot of money if sold.
"Don’t harm the roots." Lin Ziyin reminded the people who were digging up the seedlings.
With a grunt of understanding, the labourers’ movements became much more careful.
"Miss, here’s the scissors." Yu Shaohui handed her a shiny new pair of scissors.
"Watch closely." Lin Ziyin said to the two village women who had followed her, but her hands started moving.
"Didn’t you say we can’t harm the roots?" Si Jinhan looked at her in bewilderment. The root hairs of leeks were extended quite a bit. Lin Ziyin actually used a pair of scissors to cut off all the root hairs, leaving only about two inches.