Ch. 31..35: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 31-35

Chapter 31 Compensation (1)_1 “Changting, while your uncle, grandfather, and everyone else is here, tell me why you got into a fight?” This time, Lin Ziyin didn’t make any promises, but simply lowered her head and asked her brother who was both wronged and angry.

“They called our elder sister a slut and said our Lin Family had no face. They claimed we swindled silver from them, the Ma Family, and then they pulled Yanzhi’s ear.” At this point, Lin Changting couldn’t help but cry.

“Ear.” Yanzhi pointed to his own ear, “They cursed.”

“Lou Zheng, you heard the whole process too, don’t you think the blame should rest squarely on them for instigating a fight and causing injuries? How do you suggest they compensate us in silver? Everybody here knows well the circumstances under which our Lin Family owes them money. To be blunt, even if we, the Lin Family, refuse to pay them the two taels of silver, the Ma Family would have nothing to say.” Lin Ziyin said while looking at everyone.

Everyone present nodded in agreement. The Ma Family boy started looking down on the Lin Family girl just because he passed the Tongsheng exam. In rural areas, it is unheard-of for anyone to break off an engagement for no reason and tarnish the reputation of a girl. The girl’s family has every right to return no dowry at all, and can even demand compensation for the loss of reputation. It is only the benevolent Lin Family that has agreed to return everything to the Ma Family.

“You, the Lin Family, promised to return the silver within a year. You can’t go back on your word.” Mrs. Yan got panicky upon hearing this, two taels of silver was not a small amount, it was a farmer family’s annual income.

“We’ve promised to return it, but what has your Ma Family done? Calling someone a slut? Such words were said by a half-grown child. Maybe he heard it too often at home and his sense of smell isn’t working anymore when he goes out. The aunts and sisters-in-law in the village need to be careful not to get smeared with this.” Lin Ziyin responded harshly.

“You…” Upon realizing that Lin Ziyin was indirectly calling her a slut, Mrs. Yan intended to retaliate without thinking.

Lin Ziyin shot her a cold glance, scaring Mrs. Yan into swallowing the words she was about to blurt out.

“So, how do you plan on compensating?” Ma Zhicai quickly changed the subject when he saw his mother defeated. “They’re all children. Didn’t you go too far? Shouldn’t you compensate with silver? And about the original two taels of silver, it was you Lin Family who wanted to return it.”

His intention was clear: he was afraid that Lin Ziyin would not return the silver they owed to his family.

“Don’t worry, we, the Lin Family, always keep our promises. Once we promised to return the two taels of silver, we will definitely return them. However, this unprincipled kid, despite being half-grown, dared to make offensive comments that tarnished my sister’s reputation. I demand that he kneel down and apologize to our Lin Family in front of everyone in the village. And considering they attacked two members of the Lin Family, five hundred coins as compensation is surely not enough. At least it should be one tael of silver. If you request compensation for the injury, we will pay it as you suggested,” Lin Ziyin said.

“I won’t kneel.” Ma Youcai, who was sitting on the ground crying, stared defiantly at Lin Ziyin.

“Well then, sorry, but our Lin Family won’t pay a single copper coin, plus the original two taels of silver will be gone too. Uncle Lou Zheng, what do you think?” Lin Ziyin asked Lou Zheng.

Lou Zheng felt a headache coming on at Lin Ziyin’s suggestion. In his heart, he was cursing at the Ma Family. Honestly, five taels of silver was too much to ask for. He wanted to help the Lin Family reduce some of the payment, but Lin Ziyin had already agreed to pay the amount.

This left him without any chance to intervene. The boy is still too young, Lou thought to himself.

Lin Ziyin asked his opinion, so he glanced at Old Master Lin first and then said, “Ziyin is just a girl, she cannot make final decisions. Old Master, what do you think?”

After considering it carefully, Lou Zheng finally sided with the weaker Lin Family.

The old master gave Lin Ziyin a glance and then replied in a deep voice, “Let’s go by what the young girl says.”

Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Compensation (2)_1 “Fine,” Lou Zheng, with no other options, reluctantly turned to the Ma family, “You all heard it. Whether or not you accept the silver is up to you.”

“I won’t…” Ma Youcai defiantly shouted.

Lin Ziyin sneered, “Grandfather, let’s go home, we need to attend to my brother’s and Yanzhi’s wounds.”

“Alright.” The old man, leading Changting and carrying Lin Changshu’s empty load, prepared to return home. Lin Changshu, carrying Lin Yanzhi, followed behind after casting a fierce glare at the Ma family.

“You can’t leave.” Yan Family’s matriarch grew frantic as the prospect of losing the incoming silver became real. She stretched out her arm, intending to stop Lin Ziyin.

“Robbery, huh? Does injuring someone who’s obstructing my path not count?” Lin Ziyin held aloft his sickle, deliberately asking the surrounding villagers.

“It doesn’t count, we all saw it.” Some villagers stirred, and it turned out that there were still plenty of kind-hearted people in the countryside. After grasping the crux of the matter, many found the Ma family’s actions distasteful.

They had seen shameless people, but never had they encountered ones as shameless as the Ma family. It was the Ma family who started the conflict, and they assaulted the children of the Lin family. Yet, they had the audacity to frame the Lins.

As for Ma Zhicai, the village scholar, the villagers had a good impression of him. He spent his days studying diligently and behaved modestly. However, they did not expect such a gentle person to be so ruthless when framing others.

“Kneel and apologize.” Ma Zhicai impatiently kicked Ma Youcai, who was lying on the ground.

He still needed to attend private school, and his family was in dire need of silver. He obviously couldn’t let go of the silver that Lin family was offering.

“Me?” Ma Youcai’s face was covered in tears and snot, and the child in the woman’s arms was also frightened.

“Hurry up.” Ma Zhicai said sternly.

“Listen to your brother.” Yan Shi came to her senses, although she looked at her younger son with sympathy, she was tempted by the silver and chose to apologize without dignity, “Only with the silver, can we treat your arm.”

“That’s right, we expect the same from you. How you settle between you two is your business, but I am set on holding the Ma family accountable.” Lin Ziyin sneered as he looked at Yan Shi, who was unwilling to kneel.

“Why so?” The high-cheekboned woman was displeased.

“Because you failed to control your son.” Lin Ziyin coldly retorted, “It’s not unusual for children to fight, but look at who your child is hitting and the lack of intervention from your side. What if one day, your child beats every kid in the village, will you maintain the same attitude then?”

Upon hearing this, the villagers all looked at the high-cheekboned woman with exceptional disdain, forcing her to lower her head under their gaze.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have scolded the girl from the Lin family. I won’t do it again.” Under the pressure from Yan Shi and Ma Zhicai, Ma Youcai closed his eyes and knelt on the ground to apologize, though unwillingly.

The other child also knelt down and repeated the apology.

“My son has apologized. Now, give us the silver. We can wait for the two taels, but the silver for medical treatment, we cannot. Give it to us right now,” Yan Shi said loudly.

“We don’t have any silver on us,” Lin Ziyin cheerfully replied.

“You want to renege on your word? Lou Zheng, you saw it too. We’ve done what we must. If the Lin family is obstinate, they’ll have to compensate us with their land,” Ma Zhicai said, glaring at Lin Ziyin with menace.

“We can’t sell the land,” Lin Changshu said anxiously. The family had sold everything they could to cover the medical expenses incurred by their parents’ injuries and Lin Ziyin’s recent illness, including several acres of their farmland. What remained was just enough to sustain their livelihoods. If they sold more, what would the Lin family eat?

“If you don’t have the silver, then mortgage the land,” Yan Shi said, her spirits revived.

“I’ll cover the silver,” a burly man declared, as a crowd began to gather from the direction of the mountain.

Chapter 33 Preparation (1)_1 “Dayou, this has nothing to do with you.” Lin Changshu saw the person, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Aren’t we still best buddies?” The man complained, “I’ve been on the mountain these few days and had no idea such a big thing happened at your house. Isn’t this just a matter of a few taels of silver? I’ll pay.”

After hearing this, Lin Ziyin took a longer look at the man in front of her and noticed that his eyes were clear and honest. However, she didn’t have much of an impression of him in her mind.

“No need.” Lin Ziyin started speaking, and then walked over to Ma Youcai.

“What do you want?” Ma Youcai was a bit scared by her approach and seeing her dark eyes, he stepped back.

“What do I want? Of course.” Lin Ziyin quickly reached out, grabbing his drooping arm and then there was a snapping sound.

“Ah!” Ma Youcai yelled out.

Everyone’s ears were filled with his terrified scream, sending a chill down their spines.

“You little whore, you want to die?” Yan Family’s woman, seeing her son in pain, immediately tried to push Lin Ziyin away like a madwoman.

But Lin Ziyin had already jumped aside, and Lin Changshu had rushed over to protect her.

“What are you screaming for? His arm’s fine, isn’t it?” Lin Ziyin coldly said, laughing.

Ma Youcai and the Yan woman both froze upon hearing this.

“It’s fine. It’s really fine.” Ma Youcai slowly waved his arm, realizing he could move it and immediately cheered.

Idiot! Ma Zhicai felt a surge of anger and frustration.

“Lou Zheng, his arm was just dislocated. That five taels of silver has nothing to do with us.” Lin Ziyin cheerfully said to Lou Zheng.

“If his arm is healed, then naturally there’s no need for compensation.” Lou Zheng looked at Lin Ziyin again and found that this girl was actually quite skilled, raising his opinion of her.

“What do you mean no compensation?” Yan’s woman panicked and reached out to grab Lin Ziyin.

But Lin Ziyin dodged her and didn’t let her get near.

“Hey, I’m asking you Tongsheng, are you planning to blackmail us like your mother?” She looked at the pale-faced Ma Zhicai and asked.

“If he dares to extort us, we brothers won’t let him.” The man who spoke earlier started speaking up again.

“Right, we’re from the same village, if anyone dares to extort us, we’ll report to the authorities.” The group, many of whom were young men, all agreed.

“Zhicai?” Yan’s woman panicked and could only look to her son.

“If Youcai’s arm is fine, then naturally you won’t need to compensate.” Ma Zhicai hesitated before finally answering her.

“Did you all hear that clearly? A year from now, our Lin Family only needs to return one tael of silver to the Ma Family, be our witnesses.” Lin Ziyin loudly said to the villagers.

“We’ve heard.” Many people shouted out. “We’re not afraid of them blackmailing us.”

“What?” Yan’s woman broke down in tears.

Ma Zhicai’s face turned black with anger.

“Thank you all very much. Uncle Lou Zheng, come over for dinner at our house later.” Lin Ziyin invited, smiling, “We need to go home and check on the kids.”

“Alright, hurry home. Those two kids are seriously injured.” Lou Zheng emphasized the word ‘seriously’.

“Dayou, come over for dinner tomorrow, we couldn’t entertain you today.” Lin Changshu apologized to his friend.

“What formality between us brothers? These two wild chickens, take them home for Ziyin and the two kids.” Dayou said, stuffing the two chickens into the old man’s basket.

Chapter 34 Preparation (2)_1 “This?” Lin Changshu was somewhat shy about it.

“I often come to your house for meals.” Wu Dayou was displeased.

“Thank you, Brother Dayou. Please come over for dinner tomorrow. I’ll cook a wild chicken for you.” Lin Ziyin casually said. There’s always a way to return a favor.

“Alright.” Wu Dayou agreed with a smile.

So, the old man, Lin Changshu, Lin Ziyin and the two injured children returned home. The village spectators, left without a spectacle, also dispersed.

“A full ounce of silver, already gone?” Under the tree, Mrs. Yan was shedding a waterfall of tears.

“So many people watching, what could I do? It was all that kid’s fault, less use and more trouble.” Ma Zhicai glared furiously at his younger brother.

On hearing this, Mrs. Yan also slapped her youngest son several times in anger.

Ma Youcai, realising he was in trouble, didn’t dare to speak and hung his head as Mrs. Yan slapped him several times.

When the children arrived home, Lin Zige and Guo Huiniang were shocked and immediately burst into tears.

“I’m going to settle the score with them.” Lin Zige grabbed a sickle, intending to go out.

“Come back, we’ve already taken our revenge.” Lin Ziyin stopped her and narrated the day’s events.

“They got off easy.” Lin Zige was hot-tempered. After hearing what happened, she finally calmed down.

“Cook eggs for them, then roll the eggs on their bodies to help dissipate the bruises.” Lin Ziyin advised.

“Oh, I’ll go now.” Guo Huiniang wiped her tears and hurriedly went to boil eggs.

“We have medicinal wine at home,” the old Mr. Lin began, while Lin Changshu had already gone into the house to find it.

Once the medicinal wine was found, he checked for any internal injuries on the children. Finding only superficial injuries, he applied the medicinal wine to them, finally heaving a sigh of relief.

“If you ever encounter someone you can’t beat in the future, run.” Lin Ziyin instructs her younger brother, pointing at his head, “See, not only did you get hurt, but you also let Yanzhi get injured. He’s much younger.”

“Not scared.” The little guy surprisingly remained defiant, “They insulted sis.”

“You… ” Lin Ziyin didn’t know what else to say.

Once the household calmed down, they finally started to have lunch.

The lunch was hearty with leftover pork from the previous night, and a new dish of fried tofu with shredded pork. The whole family ate till they were stuffed. From then on, Guo Huiniang restricted the children from going out.

“Why pick so many wild vegetables? These vegetables taste strange, nobody in the village wants to eat it.” After lunch, and after soaking the beans, Lin Zige was tidying up the basket. When she saw waterweed, she asked unhappily.

“These are all good things. We will need them for business we will start in a few days,” Lin Ziyin replied with a smile. “But, you need to help me air dry them later, so we can grind them into powder tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Lin Zige agreed in one breath.

The next day, Wu Dayou did come for dinner as promised, even bringing a piece of wild boar meat with him.

“Why soak so many beans?” Familiar with the Lins, Wu Dayou felt free to ask when he saw the beans in the house.

“Not telling you,” Lin Zige replied.

Wu Dayou, scratching his nose, didn’t ask any further.

Five days passed quickly. The day before the temple fair, Lin Ziyin asked Lin Changshu and Wu Dayou to transport the stove and firewood to Ding’an Temple. Beginning from that afternoon, she started making tofu with the help of her family.

“We made so much. What if we can’t sell it all tomorrow?” Looking at the excessive amount of tofu, much more than usual, Lin Zige was worried.

“Don’t worry, this stuff is tasty, we won’t have trouble selling it.” Wu Dayou whispered to reassure her.

Because Wu Dayou got along well with the Lin family, and always a bachelor, he often enjoyed meals at their home. He had missed seeing Ziyin get hurt because he was in the mountains hunting. Upon returning and learning what happened, he was filled with self-reproach.

As he spent time with the Lins these days, Lin Ziyin also noticed that he seemed to have uncommon feelings for her elder sister Zige. The Lin family was comfortable being close to him, so they didn’t hide the tofu making from him.

Indeed, these days he had been quite helpful with many things.

Lin Ziyin didn’t hesitate to put him to work.

Chapter 35: First Meeting (1)_1 “Wake up, we need to get up early to go to the market.” Early in the morning, before dawn, Lin Changting and Lin Yanzhi were roused from sleep as well.

“Okay, let’s go to the market.” The night before, Lin Changting knew that he could go to the market with his family. He was so excited he barely managed to fall asleep.

Lin Yanzhi was somewhat drowsy, but he knew following Lin Ziyin to the market meant they would get to eat something delicious, which made him very happy.

“Delicious.” said Wu Dayou, laughing as he ate his tofu pudding. “We will travel by ox-cart later, it won’t be tiring.”

“Thank you for your help.” said Lin Changshu, gratefully. The ox-cart belonged to Lou Zheng’s family, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for the Lin family to borrow it. But Wu Dayou, being a closer relative to Lou Zheng, was shameless enough to borrow it.

Wu Dayou had volunteered the use of the ox-cart for the Lin Family, which touched Lin Changshu deeply.

“Is this all we’re taking?” Lin Zige asked, carrying a bag of bamboo sticks, and helped Lin Ziyin to pack the seasonings they had ground the day before in a basket.

“Tasty.” Wu Dayou ate two big bowls of tofu pudding and two large steamed buns before he put his bowl down. The tofu pudding the Lin family made now was much better than before, and they were very generous with the soup ingredients. The soy milk was even boiled with large bones.

“Cover the kids well.” Guo Huiniang dressed the children in several layers of old jackets and fetched a gown for the old man. “Grandfather, it’s cold outside, wear more layers. Sister, don’t catch a cold.”

Lin Ziyin was touched knowing she had not forgotten to care for her. Guo Huiniang played the role of sister-in-law flawlessly.

“We’re ready to go.” Seeing his family settled in the ox-cart, Lin Changshu loaded several baskets of tofu onto the cart. Then, driven by Wu Dayou, the ox-cart started moving.

Since it was the busy season for farming, there were not many people in the village who could spare the time to go to the market.

Lin Ziyin and his family set out early, so they didn’t run into anyone from their village on the road.

By the time they reached the market, they were among the early arrivals.

Having had some experience with open-air markets at temples, Wu Dayou and Lin Changshu paid the ground rent to the market manager, delivered tofu to Ding’an Temple, and then moved out the stove and firewood kept in the temple.

Soon, many more pilgrims arrived. These people included ordinary folk, merchants from all over the place, and some beautifully dressed ladies.

Before long, there was a line of horse-drawn carriages at the foot of the mountain, and vendors started to call out loudly, advertising their goods.

“Little sister, let’s start the fire.” Seeing others already doing business and nothing was happening on their side, Lin Zige started to feel anxious.

“No need to hurry.” Lin Ziyin replied with a grin. “Let’s light the fire first.”

“What are you selling?” asked the noodle-seller next to them.

“Just some snacks,” Lin Ziyin said, smiling gently while getting to work, “Sister-in-law, put the flat pan on the fire.”

“Okay, it’s coming,” Guo Huiniang replied, putting a large, flat pan on the stove.

Lin Changshu had never done business before and was a little nervous. “Little sister, will it work?” he asked.

“No problem.” Lin Ziyin replied with a slight smile. It wasn’t surprising the others were nervous: all the money they’d made selling tofu in the past few days had been spent on this large pot. They were practically penniless now.

Lin Ziyin tied up her coloured apron that Zige had made for her the previous day, took a knife, and skilfully cut the tofu into uniform pieces. She poured some lard into the flat pan, put the tofu in, and flipped it once it was heated and ready to serve. She finished by adding her own seasonings.