Ch. 286..290: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 286-290

Chapter 286: Chapter 286 Whose Threat (3)_1

""You two give it a try," Lin Ziyin said to the two young wives from the village.

The women went straight to work. They were not naturally gifted in such tasks, but they were diligent and familiar with fieldwork. Lin Ziyin instructed them on how to cut the chives, and they quickly got the hang of it.

"After snipping the roots, it’s ready for planting," Lin Ziyin said. "I’ll show you how."

She put on leather gloves and began to dig shallow trenches in the prepared soil. Into these trenches, she arranged the chives in a row. An important step was to cover them with a thick layer of plant ash, known as yong. After being transplanted, chives can grow fat and easy to cut, she explained.

Indeed, the planted chives now formed neat rows, evenly spaced.

"After each harvest, you must promptly replenish the fertilizer. I will also bring you a comb for the soil in a few days," Lin Ziyin instructed seriously. "Chives’ soil can’t be left hard and dry, it needs to be combed regularly."

"Even soil can be combed?" Si Jinhan asked, looking at her curiously.

"Didn’t the third prince just see it?" Lin Ziyin responded flatly.

"Miss Lin seems to have considerable experience in farming. Could you open a new path for the people of our Northern Land?" Situ Gong asked.

"Mr. Situ, I am but a peasant girl, not the master of the Northern Land," Lin Ziyin answered effortlessly.

"Are you toying with me again?" Chu Suifeng interjected coolly.

Lin Ziyin’s smile stiffened, her anger seeping through as she turned to address the Prince. "Prince, you flatter me too much. Who am I? Just a simple country girl—I certainly don’t have the lofty ambitions you attribute to me. Rest assured, Prince, you have a virtuous wife at home and I have no interest in being a mistress."

"What is a ’mistress’?" Si Jinhan asked, barely holding back a laugh.

"Exactly what the third prince is thinking," Lin Ziyin responded coldly, her irritation at his teasing evident.

"Jealousy is unbecoming of a woman," Chu Suifeng said, observing her closely.

"So, everyone is well aware that I have no intention of trespassing on Prince’s territory," Lin Ziyin responded.

Chu Suifeng frowned slightly, Si Jinhan watched her with a teasing smile, while Situ Gong stood awkwardly to the side, surprised at the admission of Chu Suifeng’s vanity.

Lin Ziyin took off her gloves and handed them to Qiaoqiao. "Take these back and clean them thoroughly. Don’t let anyone else use them. Your young lady is a clean freak."

"Yes, young lady," Qiaoqiao enthusiastically replied, admiring Lin Ziyin’s boldness in standing up to the Prince.

Hearing Lin Ziyin’s instruction to Qiaoqiao, Chu Suifeng’s eyes widened slightly, wondering if Lin Ziyin was subtly mocking him.

"You all must follow Miss Lin’s instructions carefully when you return to the village," Situ Gong and Si Jinhan, sharing Chu Suifeng’s suspicion, quickly began directing the villagers, fearing Chu Suifeng might take his annoyance out on them.

The villagers obediently went to work, all of them wishing they had not heard Lin Ziyin’s words.

"Did you think the same?" Chu Suifeng asked coldly.

"Of course. Is the Prince worried that the villagers will not farm well?" Situ Gong replied, feigning nonchalance.

"Hmph." Chu Suifeng stormed off

That girl, he’d been nice to her and now she had grown audacious.

At lunch, all members of the Lin Family were nervous. Chu Suifeng had a stern look on his face, but no one knew exactly what had occurred, who had infuriated the Prince, or if they would face his wrath.

Chapter 287: Chapter 287 Whose Threat (4)_1

"Sour fish is good, so is boiled chicken, but braised pork knuckle is the best." Master Hui Zhen arrived at meal time, and his five martial monks were arranged to dine in the next room.

"Master, in the afternoon, please ask your disciples to check out the newly planted chives in the greenhouse," Lin Ziyin specially reminded him.

Ding’an Temple was different from Chu Suifeng’s villa. Every day, five people from the villa would come to learn and keep up with the latest developments in the greenhouse. On the other hand, the monks from Ding’an Temple only contacted the villa when needed.

That said, Master Hui Zhen and the martial monks were there punctually every day under the guise of collecting herbs on the mountain.

"It’s best to have someone dedicated to learn this daily, to avoid confusion," Lin Ziyin complained.

"Alright, little girl, I’ll get Fat Monk to arrange for someone to come over once I’m back." Master Hui Zhen happily agreed. The so-called Fat Monk referred to Master Hui Lian. As a junior disciple, Hui Zhen always referred to him this way. "Good, good, it’s a pity there’s no food at night."

"Master, the grass on the mountain has withered, there are no more herbs to gather." Lin Ziyin laughed at him, "Let’s see what excuse you’ll use to come here."

"I’ve already made it clear to the temple’s host and Fat Monk. In order to repay the benefactor for his contributions to the temple, I will come over daily to teach a few moves to those practicing martial arts in the villa, for the whole winter," Master Hui Zhen said, cunningly blinking his eyes.

What? However, the Lin Family was delighted to hear this.

"Really, Master, can we all be your disciples?" Every man has a dream of being a hero, and Lin Changshu and Wu Dayou were no exceptions.

"Your physiques are formed and won’t amount to much. Moreover, benefactors have too many distractions in their minds, it’s impossible to be a master." Master Hui Zhen dealt them a blow.

"Isn’t there any way at all?" Wu Dayou asked, unwilling to give up.

"I can teach you some basic breathing techniques. The rest should follow Lin benefactor’s teachings. Those are more practical for you." Master Hui Zhen took two bites to finish a large chicken leg with sauce.

Lin Ziyin listened with a smile, not in a hurry. The village elders were getting on in years, but there were also children in the private school. They could carefully learn from the Great Monk, and the village wouldn’t lack masters in the future.

Thinking of this, she reached out for some noodles to put in her bowl.

Chu Suifeng’s chopsticks were faster, he scooped up too much into his bowl before her.

Seeing that the remaining noodles were not enough, Lin Ziyin had to change direction and clip some roast duck. But as soon as she turned her chopsticks towards the roast duck, half of the roast duck had already been put into Chu Suifeng’s bowl.

After that, no matter what Lin Ziyin wanted to eat, Chu Suifeng was always much faster than her.

The Lin Family became increasingly nervous during the meal when they saw Chu Suifeng’s actions, guessing that Lin Ziyin must have annoyed him.

"You little..." Seeing that almost half of several dishes were left on the table, Master Hui Zhen was so angry that he almost threw his chopsticks at Chu Suifeng. "Can’t people eat in peace?"

Lin Ziyin suddenly remembered what she had said in the afternoon and couldn’t help but chuckle silently.

She didn’t bother picking a quarrel with Chu Suifeng, just sat quietly with her bowl, only eating the white rice in it.

Feeling sorry for her, Zige gave her some of her favorite dishes and put them in her bowl.

Si Jinhan looked at the small hill of food piled up in Chu Suifeng’s bowl and felt it was a bit too much.

Chu Suifeng, however, ate elegantly. Contending with Master Hui Zhen’s anger, Si Jinhan’s laughter, and the surprise of the Lin Family, he calmly finished all the food in his bowl without haste.

Chapter 288: Chapter 288 Whose Threat (5)_1

The prince has quite an appetite! The Lin family exclaimed.

"He’s a prince, how have you upset him?" After dinner, Zige pulled Lin Ziyin into her room and started lecturing her.

"I don’t want to provoke the prince, but his recent outbursts have been too frequent. He’s always picking fights with me, I just rub him the wrong way. What can I do?" Lin Ziyin helplessly complained, throwing her hands up.

"You’re truly clueless about how you offended him?" Lin Zige did not believe her. Recently, whether practicing martial arts or returning home, the prince and her sister had been spending the most time together.

"I genuinely have no clue, sis." Lin Ziyin adamantly denied causing offence.

"You’re too carefree, I can’t get through to you. But do remember, he is a prince after all, his status is not the same as ours." Zige fretfully admonished.

"Sis, don’t worry. I get it." Lin Ziyin also sighed. If not for Chu Suifeng’s different status, damn it, she wouldn’t want to be around someone with such volatile emotions and zero EQ.

In the afternoon, perhaps Chu Suifeng was consumed by anger, or maybe they had appointments; anyway, the prince took all his people and left the Lin residence.

With no one trailing behind Lin Ziyin, she felt a huge pressure lifted off her chest - it was a breath of relief.

That evening, as the sky grew dark, snowflakes surprisingly began to drift down from the sky.

"It’s just November and it’s already snowing?" Lin Ziyin, despite living in the northern parts of the modern world - though not as far as the Northeastern provinces - was uncertain about the weather here in the Northern Land.

"Sis, when does the weather start to warm up each year?" Lin Ziyin asked.

"Not until May does the frost subside and snow stop falling." Seeing her sister stepping barefoot on the woolen rug, Zige dragged her onto the bed, admonishing, "Get on the bed, it’s cold on the ground."

"You’re right, I’d almost forgotten." Lin Ziyin glanced at the rug beneath her feet and chuckled.

Zige looked at her, not understand what she found so funny.

"Qiaoqiao, take out the white tiger skin from the bottom of the trunk." Lin Ziyin instructed with a grin.

With an agreeing sound, Qiaoqiao took out a piece of white tiger skin from the bottom of the trunk.

"So beautiful, where did you get it?" The white tiger skin looked tantalizing - thick fur, pure color. It felt extremely warm to the touch.

"Bought it on my last trip to Border City." Lin Ziyin replied with a smile. "I kept it to give grandpa a surprise."

"To make a fur coat for grandpa?" Zige asked.

"Whatever grandpa prefers. My original plan was to lay it on the ground." Lin Ziyin said smiling, "But now we have the Earth Dragon to keep us warm, so there’s no need."

Indeed, that afternoon, heated walls and the Earth Dragon were officially lit in their home, and every room became very warm.

"Let’s go to grandpa’s room to have a look." Lin Ziyin slipped into her cotton shoes, picked up the tiger skin and started running.

Zige accompanied her with a smile as they headed for their grandfather’s room.

After dinner, their grandfather was still awake in his room. As soon as he heard their knock, he instantly opened the door.

"Grandpa, I’ve brought you something good." Lin Ziyin stuffed the tiger skin into her grandfather’s hands.

"A fur?" Although he had a wealth of experience, the grandfather recognized it instantly.

"I got it last time in Border City, wanted to surprise you. You can lay it on your bed, or have sis and sis-in-law make a fur coat for you, or use it on your rattan chair or on the floor." While talking, Lin Ziyin shoved the tiger skin into her grandfather’s hands.

The grandfather was somewhat touched as he took the tiger skin, "You child, you give all the best things to your grandpa." Holding the tiger skin, thoughts of his departed wife, son, and daughter-in-law came flooding in. Thinking that his family was finally living a good life, but realizing they would never get to see it, he was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions.

Chapter 289: Chapter 289 Whose Threat (6)_1

"Grandpa, if it isn’t warm enough, let Old Yao heat the kang a bit more," Lin Ziyin muttered.

"It’s warm enough, can’t you see I’ve left my cotton-padded jacket undone?" The old man temporarily set aside his melancholy under her distraction. "Zige, you’re busy every day too. Your brother and I discussed it yesterday, and we’ll proceed with your marriage to Dayou on the sixth day of next month. It’s awfully lonely for him to live in such a large house all by himself." Although he had arranged for Shaohui and some others to accompany him, the old man still felt that a home was incomplete without a mistress.

Upon hearing her own marriage discussed, Zige blushed like a cooked prawn, "Grandpa."

Her coquettish tone carried no authority.

"Boys should marry when they’ve grown up, girls likewise. In the blink of an eye, you’ve already grown so much." The old man was somewhat sentimental. "If your parents were still here, they would be delighted."

As he spoke, sadness emerged in the old man’s eyes.

"Grandpa, Mum and Dad have passed away, but they would definitely want us who’re still alive to live happily. As for Sister’s marriage, it’s a great joy." Seeing that Zige’s eyes were also moist, Lin Ziyin could only comfort them.

"The preparations are rather hasty, but you shouldn’t work anymore starting tomorrow. You should relax at home and prepare for your wedding," the old man commanded.

"Ah." Lin Zige gave her consent with a sigh.

"Tomorrow, I’ll prepare a list of the dowry items for you, sister. Once it’s ready, check and see what’s missing," Lin Ziyin said.

"No need for too many preparations. You’ve already given too much, sister." Considering the magnificent blue-brick compound of Wu Dayou, along with the land and bean products workshop, Lin Zige was overwhelmed with gratitude towards Lin Ziyin.

"While we can’t match the grandeur of a wealthy family, I will prepare everything you need for you," said Lin Ziyin.

"We have a house, land, shares, and our own hands. If anything’s lacking, Brother Dayou and I can earn it ourselves. If you prepared everything for us, we might risk becoming lazy from all the comfort. Others may not know how you come by your savings, but I do. I understand how difficult it is for a girl to manage such a large family," said Lin Zige earnestly.

The old man nodded in approval, looking fondly at his two granddaughters, "Zige, your sister and brother understand your intentions. You have provided them with a stable life, but they can’t rely on you forever. Happiness is earned by one’s own hands. They’re not lazy kids; they will earn what they want in the future."

"Grandpa, I understand," said Lin Ziyin, smiling.

Emerging from Grandpa’s room, Lin Ziyin’s mood was very pleasant. In the modern era, she had only a few friends and a little uncle. She craved maternal and paternal love, but her mother had passed away long ago, and her father? He was as good as nonexistent. As for siblings? Ha-ha, she was lucky to have been transported to this ancient world.

The room was as warm as spring, and Lin Ziyin fell asleep shortly after lying down.

In the silent night, the entire Shili Village also descended into sleep.

In the seemingly peaceful night, two silhouettes "flew" in. The target: Lin Ziyin’s room.

After finding the room they were looking for, two men in black produced a tube, intending to fly up to the second floor and cause mischief.

At the same time, Jue Ming and Jue Hui quietly entered the courtyard.

"Seeking death." With his hot temper, Jue Hui immediately reproached them in a low voice upon seeing the men in black intending to cause trouble, and he swooped in front of them.

Surprised by the quick and silent appearance of their opposers, the men in black speculated that they might be the Lin Family’s experts.

Chapter 290: Chapter 290 Whose Threat (7)_1

A thick layer of snow already covered the ground, and snowflakes were dancing in the sky. Both sides had already started their fight.

Seeing they’ve been spotted, the assassins in black glanced at each other grimly, immediately understanding each other’s thoughts. Once assigned a task, an assassin can only return upon completing it. Failure would invariably lead to death, survival through cowardice was absolutely not permitted.

All the assassins in black being discovered, their only hope of survival might be staking it all in a desperate fight.

After exchanging looks, one assassin rushed towards Jue Ming and Jue Hui, while another tried to break into the house through a window.

Lin Ziyin, who lived on the second floor, naturally heard the noise of the fight downstairs. However, she remained in her room, while Qiaoqiao had come from the next room to guard by her side.

The other rooms in the Lin Family house began to light up one after another. It seemed that everyone had been awakened. Even the dogs in the village began to bark louder.

Jue Ming clearly saw the actions of the man in black. He chuckled coldly and leapt up swiftly. Of course, he would not let the man in black have his way.

However, in reality, the man in black fell from the window before Jue Ming could act. Three arrows had pierced his body and one of his eyes was swollen shut.

As a mechanical expert, setting up small traps was not a difficult task at all.

While building the house, Lin Ziyin had already taken precautions. Considering the increasing scale of the family business, if some mean people tried to stir trouble or employ underhanded tactics, how could the Lin Family protect themselves? At that time, there was no Yu Shaohui or Jue Ming to protect them, so Lin Ziyin had prepared various defense mechanisms in every room of the house.

Of course, the cautious Ziyin also considered the possibility of the Tatars attacking.

The old saying "Better safe than sorry" proved to be true as she hadn’t expected to use the traps so soon.

Seeing his comrade injured, the other assassin in black was taken aback. Without considering his on-going fight with Jue Ming, he gritted his teeth, grabbed his comrade, and tried to escape over the wall.

Jue Ming and Jue Hui, both chuckled coldly and immediately gave chase.

"Try to capture them alive, if possible." Lin Ziyin’s calm voice echoed from upstairs.

"Yes." Jue Ming replied, and immediately pursued the enemy.

"You go on without me." The injured assassin, two miles away from Shili Village, began to falter, unwilling to drag his comrade down with him. "Bury me, and find an opportunity to kill that woman."

"Hold on while I find an opportunity to kill that wretched woman. Then, we can go back together." His comrade did not abandon him. As assassins, they had no friends, only comrades. The loyalty developed from childhood was there, and at this moment, as no one from the Lin Family had pursued them, they still had a chance of escape. They could still return to their master as long as they found an opportunity to assassinate their target in future.

"What wishful thinking." Jue Ming and Jue Hui, with frosty faces, had silently appeared behind them.

"We didn’t kill you just now because our Mistress did not want you to die in our courtyard, fearing it may frighten the villagers and children. Do you really think you could escape so easily?" Jue Hue started to speak cheerfully, "Amitabha, such evil thoughts will lead you to hell, Benefactor. Buddha says, ’Lay down the butcher’s knife, and instantly attain Buddhahood.’

"You monks from Ding’an Temple have fallen so low that you’ve become gatekeepers for a woman. Aren’t you ashamed?" Realizing their mention of Buddha, the black-clothed men felt today wasn’t going to end well for them.

The martial monks of Ding’an Temple are all experts—a fact they’d distinctly felt earlier. They were no match for these two monks.

"Amitabha, you Benefactor, refuse to repent even in death. Don’t blame us for showing no mercy." Jue Ming solemnly said, "Junior disciple, capture them alive."

"Alright." Jue Hui cheerfully agreed.

Seeing they couldn’t escape, the two black-clad men had no choice but to fight head-on.

Regrettably, despite their best efforts, they were severely injured.

The two assassins fell onto the snowy ground, secretly lamenting their fate. They had been dormant for so long and now, on their first assignment, they would lose their lives. The thought filled them with an unwilling bitterness.

Exchange one last look, they bit down hard on the hidden poison capsules in their teeth.

"Damn it." Seeing the assassins’ mouths suddenly drool black blood, Jue Ming realized too late to stop them.

After all, they were monks who had come from a temple and lacked experience.

"What do we do now? The Mistress wanted us to capture a live one." Jue Hui nervously looked at Jue Ming for instructions.

"Hang them on the tree for now. We’ll decide what to do once we’ve consulted with the Mistress." Jue Ming was also somewhat annoyed, but there was nothing he could do for the dead.

The two of them rushed back to the Lin Family house.

All of the Lin Family’s masters were waiting in the hall, along with several respected village elders.

After Jue Ming explained what had happened, expressions of fear appeared on the faces of the patriarch and Lin Changshu.

"Grandfather, Big Brother, you two should go and sleep." Lin Ziyin, however, was quite composed, showing no sign of panic. "Uncle Lou Zheng, you should go too. Tell the villagers that everything is fine."

The whole Lin Family village was worked up. It was sure to be a sleepless night.

"Let’s report this to the officials tomorrow." Lin Ziyin stood up, "You two have had a tough day. You should go and rest."

Seeing that she was not angry, both Jue Ming and Jue Hui quietly heaved a sigh of relief.

Seeing that the matter had been resolved, everyone dispersed.

Seeing that the assassins she had sent out hadn’t returned since the previous night, Li Yanran, lying in bed, had been feeling uneasy. She got up early the next morning, her eyes bloodshot.