Ch. 326..330: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 326-330

Chapter 326: Chapter 326 Good Things (1)_1

"Ziyin." Seeing that Zige was resolutely refusing their silver, Lin Changshu turned his pleading eyes towards Lin Ziyin.

Siblings’ genuine affection is rare. Although Ziyin takes charge of the household affairs, she never asserts herself in their emotional interactions, never making decisions for them.

"Ziyin, help me out here." Guo Huiniang noticing Ziyin had remained quiet, straightforwardly entreated for help.

"Sister, don’t concern yourself with this matter. No matter what you say, I will not accept these silvers." Lin Zige was adamant.

"Sister, since these are the heartfelt intentions of our brother and sister-in-law, rejecting them outright would leave them feeling uneasy. How about this? You take the silver notes from the box, use them at your discretion." Lin Ziyin paused, fully aware of Zige’s stubbornness, carefully wording her suggestion. "Brother, Sister-in-law, don’t be anxious. As sister mentioned, even after marriage, she won’t be without some form of income. Besides, if there ever comes a time when they encounter difficulties, we won’t stand by and do nothing. Thus, you giving such a significant amount of silver all at once would only make sister uncomfortable. Why don’t you both take a step back and find peace of mind?"

Lin Changshu, Zige and Guo Huiniang glanced at each other, believing her words to be quite reasonable.

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony and will take it." Lin Zige took two five-ounce silvers from the box, "this amount is more than enough, thank you Brother and Sister-in-law."

She deeply bowed to Lin Changshu and Guo Huiniang, in Zige’s eyes, her brother and sister-in-law fully assumed the roles of her parents after their death.

"Zige." Lin Changshu seemed rather distressed.

"Brother, Sister-in-law, it’s already been decided. Since sister has taken the silver, you should pocket the remaining silvers." Lin Ziyin laughed.

"Ziyin, thank you." Zige embraced her, shedding tears. She was going to be married off, and although it was still within the same village, she couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.

Lin Ziyin had already sent over the dowry she had prepared. All of Zige’s dowry had been prepared by Ziyin. Even the jewelry Zige was to wear today were items Ziyin had specifically ordered.

"We’re in the same village, and you’ll still be coming to work here every day, don’t be sad." Ziyin laughed and comforted her.

"Zige, we don’t have any good items to give, these shoes and scarves were hand-embroidered by your sister-in-law, hope you don’t mind." Aunt Guihua and Chun Ling felt somewhat ashamed. They had just moved to Shili Village and were now without any possessions they could offer.

"Aunt, my cousins." Zige gratefully said, "Even if you hadn’t helped with my dowry these past few days, Uncle and my cousins have been busying themselves making furniture. That affection is more valuable than anything else. Thank you." After finishing, Zige bowed slightly to them.

"That won’t do." Aunt Guihua, with tears in her eyes, helped her up, "This is your big day, you’re the most important person here, there’s no need to show respect to me."

"Hurry up, the Bridegroom’s sedan chair has arrived." The elder lady Bai came in to hurry them.

As she heard the sound of the suona from outside, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Lin Ziyin couched, "Don’t keep Brother Dayou waiting outside."

Since both families’ banquets were held together, the feast could only begin after the newlyweds had completed their ceremonial bows.

"Zige, this is a modest gift from us, maidens." Bai Yunxian and a group of girls came over, all carrying gifts.

They were here to contribute to Lin Zige’s dowry, each carrying gifts of varying values. Those closer in relation tended to give more. Bai Yunxian, in particular, had a closer relationship with Zige due to the good relations between Bai and Lin families. She gifted Zige a silver bracelet, which was considered a costly contribution in village standards.

 

Chapter 327: Chapter 327 Good Things (2)_1

If it had been before, Bai Yunxian of the Bai Family would never have been able to afford a silver bracelet weighing two taels, but things were different for the Bai Family now.

There were many people in the Bai Family. Apart from Bai Dunzi, everyone else was a working member. In a month, the wages of the whole family amounted to over ten taels of silver.

Most of the other female companions brought gifts like hand-embroidered shoes, socks and handkerchiefs. Seeing Bai Yunxian’s gift, everyone showed envious eyes, and some showed a sense of shame.

Lin Zige received the gifts and thanked everyone one by one.

"Hurry up and redo your makeup." Lin Ziyin urged.

Bai’s sister-in-law quickly applied the white jade ointment gifted by Master Hui Zhen and had the village matchmaker saying auspicious phrases before covering Zige with a wedding veil.

Lin Changshu wore a dark red cotton coat that made him look energetic. If it wasn’t for his sister’s wedding, he would never have chosen such a flamboyant color. However, Lin Ziyin thought that her elder brother looked very refined. He and his sister-in-law, Guo Huiniang, wearing dark red coats, looked very fitting. He looked dashing.

"Little sister, let your brother carry you to the sedan chair." Lin Changshu slightly squatted and bent over.

Lin Zige, under the cover of her veil, could not see her surroundings clearly. But the sadness of parting from her family weighed heavy on her heart. She quietly thanked Lin Changshu. As she leaned on Lin Changshu’s back, her tears started falling drop by drop.

"You can’t cry." Guo Huiniang’s mother, Ms. He, quickly warned.

The He Family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were very generous. Under Lin Ziyin’s guidance, the Guo Family had completely turned their fate around. Not only had they moved into a new house, but they also had quite a bit of silver saved up.

Therefore, upon hearing of Zige’s marriage, the Guo Family specially went to the Silver Building to have a set of silver wedding jewelry made and sent it as a gift.

This set of bridal jewelry also added to the Guo family’s reputation. Guo Shuanzhu hasn’t gotten married yet, but many villagers are already inquiring about the Guo Family’s situation, considering if they could establish a marriage alliance with the Guo Family.

Lin Ziyin had witnessed many weddings in modern times. People were always happy at other people’s weddings, always full of smiles. Every time, she’d also watch the newlyweds toast with a smile. But this time it was her own sister getting married, and the feelings in her heart were truly different.

Perhaps Zige’s sadness was rubbing off on her. Her eyes were constantly stinging, and she felt like crying.

"Miss." Qiaoqiao quietly comforted her.

Lin Ziyin gave a faint smile, indicating that she was fine.

As Lin Changshu carried Zige out, firecrackers were set off outside with a furious popping sound.

Amid the sound of firecrackers, Wu Dayou, wearing a large red groom’s suit, looked spirited as he approached Lin Changshu. "Big brother, leave it to me."

"I will carry her to the sedan chair myself." It’s a tradition in the Northern Land that the bride’s feet shouldn’t touch the ground before the wedding. The further a bride’s brother carries her, the more importance he places on her.

Lin Changshu didn’t let go of the bride, and no matter how eager Wu Dayou was, he couldn’t do anything. He had no option but to follow Lin Changshu with a forced laugh, watching him take Zige all the way to the bridal sedan. Till now, he hadn’t even touched the bride’s dress.

"The Prince is here." Suddenly, at that time, Chu Suifeng arrived, and naturally with him was the flamboyant Si Jinhan.

The villagers were in a panic. Everyone knew of the good relationship between the Prince and the Lin Family, but even so, no one had thought that the Prince would personally attend Lin Zige’s wedding.

"I heard that the eldest daughter of the Lin Family is getting married. As a partner of the Lin Family, I naturally have to come for a drink in celebration." Chu Suifeng said casually, providing an implicit explanation for everyone.

"Bring in the wedding gift." Chu Suifeng ordered.

Chapter 328: Chapter 328 Good Things (3)_1

Immediately, several guards emerged from behind him.

Each of these guards was holding something in their hands, some held high-quality fabrics, others held boxes, inside of which were glittering gold ornaments. The gasps of admiration from the onlooking villagers were low but filled with envy.

"Since I am here for the wedding banquet, I have also brought a gift," said Si Jinhan, waving his hand.

The guards who were standing beside him also presented a wooden box, which also contained gold ornaments.

Overwhelmed by the opulence of the gifts, Wu Dayou looked at Lin Ziyin with an inquiring look.

"Thank you, Prince and Third Young Master. The banquet will start soon, please come and have a seat in the study," Lin Ziyin replied with a light smile.

Seeing that she agreed to accept the gifts from both distinguished guests, Wu Dayou covertly sighed with relief, then stepped forward to thank Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan.

"We are all familiar friends, no need for excessive formality, don’t miss the auspicious time," Chu Suifeng unusually softened his approach today.

Upon seeing that even the Prince personally came to give blessings and brought so many gifts, the villagers felt a tremendous sense of pride. Especially those working in the workshops felt their confidence soar a hundred-fold.

With the support of the Prince and the Third Young Master, the business in the workshops would get better and better. In the future, everyone’s life will also improve more and more.

The music of the Suona horn was played once again, and the bridal sedan was finally lifted.

The village elder and Lin Changshu watched the departure of the bridal sedan with unspeakable melancholy. Lin Ziyin had no time to feel sentimental, as distinguished guests were continuously arriving at the Lin Family. These people all did business with the Lin Family, and they were guests who intentionally stayed in Feng City after hearing the good news.

"Ziyin, with so many people, the original tables are not enough," said Guo Huiniang, who was busy beyond measure. With no mother-in-law at home, she had to take care of all the big and small affairs.

"No problem, just open up the west courtyard and add more tables there. There’s plenty of food, we won’t run short," Lin Ziyin laughed and said.

"Amitabha," Master Hui Zhen, followed by a few martial monks, came to join the festivities. "I’ve brought some peace charms for the newlyweds. Girl, you can pass them along."

"Thank you, Master," Lin Ziyin cheerfully received the peace charms and hastily sent Qiaoqiao to deliver them to Wu Dayou’s courtyard. Not everyone could get peace charms from Ding’an Temple; Lin Ziyin didn’t care whether these charms worked or not. Everyone believed in them, and she was more than happy to make Zige and Wu Dayou feel at ease.

"The Prince and the Third Young Master are in the study, Master, you can go find them," suggested Lin Ziyin. Seeing the monks standing awkwardly in the courtyard, she couldn’t help but to laugh as she spoke.

Upon hearing her words, Hui Zhen happily led the martial monks away.

Hei Yi and Hei Er, too, had come bearing gifts to honorable the occasion. Lin Ziyin decided to seat them with Congyi and the martial monks, as they were all familiar with each other.

Concerned that the villagers who were unfamiliar with the merchants might offend the distinguished guests, she decided to seat this group in the west courtyard.

When any family in the village held a celebration, the entire village would show up to give blessings. The gifts they brought varied; yet, being farmer folk, they didn’t fuss over the matter. Most brought eggs, or vegetables from their land, or a few coins. The host family would never scorn a gift, no matter how humble.

Moreover, anyone stepping forward to offer congratulations put animosities aside. Offering congratulations showed that a person acknowledged they were wrong and had come to apologize. The villagers may not be wealthy, but everyone valued their reputation. If a disagreement arose, they found it hard to swallow their pride and apologize directly. So, they would wait until a celebration to send a small gift. Any quarrels had to be suppressed, at least for that day. If not, the rest of the village would scorn the quarreller as being petty.

Chapter 329: Chapter 329 Good Things (4)_1

Therefore, when Lin Changshu and the elderly saw the Ma Family come over to express their congratulations, even if they were displeased, they still accepted the gifts and did not show any displeasure to the Ma Family. Not only did the main branch of the Ma Family come, but Bao Family also brought their two children and sat on the banquet table waiting for the dishes to be served.

"They have the nerve to come." Bai Yunxian indignantly spoke to the young ladies.

"Indeed, they have quite thick skins." Those who went to work at the Lin Family, would practice martial arts every morning. The village girls nowadays were quite feisty.

Bai Yunxian’s murmurings gained the support of her companions.

Moreover, everyone unanimously sat together, completely isolating the Ma Family.

Yan family almost fainted with envy today after seeing Lin Zige’s dowry. It was not only incomparable to anything else in the entire village, but even the city-born girls with slightly poor families would not be able to match it. Moreover, she learned from the villagers’ discussions that the highly profitable soy product workshop of the Lin Family was already divided among the brothers and sisters by Lin Ziyin. This meant that even if Lin Zige sat at home and did nothing in the future, she would not lack silver to spend.

Yanshi had no idea how much silver could be earned from soy products in a month. But she knew how much the villagers who worked in the bean curd shop earned in a month. Their monthly wages were almost as much as her husband earned while serving as a second shopkeeper outside. Not to mention the extra things they received during festivals.

If the soy products were not making a significant profit, would Lin Changshu be willing to pay so much to the villagers?

The golden goose, Lin Zige, could have been her daughter-in-law, but she slipped through their fingers. Yan was so regretful that she almost wanted to ram into a wall, especially when she saw the wedding gift given by Prince Mausoleum to Lin Zige, her eyes almost popped out.

No matter how the villagers look at Bao Family and their children, Bao didn’t care. Others were unwilling to sit with her, so she simply took a seat at Yan Family’s table, just to relish today’s meal.

Yan didn’t want to share a table with her, but looking around, she found that all the other tables were full. This was not her own place, so Yan had to bear with Bao Family, even if she found them displeasing.

Da Gouzi and Ergouzi were eagerly waiting for the dishes to be served. Smelling the fragrance from the kitchen, they were itching to run to the kitchen and bring out all the food.

Ma Zhicai stubbornly squeezed into Lou Zheng’s table with Ma Dalang, even though the rest of the people at Lou Zheng’s table frowned and ignored them. The father and son seemed to not mind at all and kept trying to join into others’ conversations.

Unfortunately, every time they interjected, the conversation would halt. However, since Ma Dalang had always been a diplomat, they greeted all the embarrassment with a smile. This made it awkward for others, so during the subsequent conversations, fewer people made things difficult for them.

"I heard that Wu Xin’s studies are exceptional. In the spring, can Lou Zheng allow him to try?" Ma Dalang laughed and asked Lou Zheng, "The child from Brother Zhou’s family is also quite good."

Lou Zheng, hearing the praise of his grandson, didn’t gloat but just responded with a faint smile and casually said, "Mr. Qian is highly educated, and now Mr. Xu is also a scholar. The children have just started learning and have only grasped some fundamental knowledge. I’ll listen to the teacher. If the teacher thinks he can try, I won’t stop him. If the teacher thinks he can’t, then he’d have to work hard and try again next year."

"Lou Zheng is right, that’s exactly what I think too." Zhou Shitou responded with a smile, "My child is several years older than Changting, but his academic achievements are far inferior. My child said that he will only try when he catches up with Changting’s progress."

Chapter 330: Chapter 330 Good Things (5)_1

"Yes, Changting is indeed remarkable. Both Mr. Qian and Mr. Xu speak so highly of him." Someone chimed in.

Upon hearing these words, Ma Dalang and Ma Zhicai couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. These folks were all about ingratiating themselves with the Lin family. As for Lin Changting, how old was he? He was only seven, what could such a young kid possibly know. As for this Mr. Qian and the one named Xu, they were both servants bought by the Lin family, so naturally, they would speak favorably of the Lin Family.

Nevertheless, no matter how the villagers praised Lin Changting to the skies, the father and son Ma Zhicai remained unconvinced that Lin Changting truly possessed a talent for learning. Ma Zhicai himself had only managed to become a Tongsheng at the age of sixteen, the sole person to achieve such a feat in Shili Village for many years now. It was ludicrous for Lin Changting to imagine that he could eclipse Ma Zhicai.

However, Ma Zhicai wasn’t just sitting here today for the food. His true purpose was to establish a connection with Prince Chu Suifeng. Unfortunately, the prince had been led to the West Yard, eliminating any chance for Ma Zhicai to meet him.

Ma Zhicai was confident in himself. He was certain that as long as he could meet Prince Chu Suifeng face to face, the prince would indeed appreciate his scholarship. But how could he manage to meet the prince?

"The banquet is about to begin, where are you going?" Ma Dalang asked loudly as he saw his son getting up.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, I suddenly seem to be experiencing a stomach upset and need to use the restroom. I will return shortly, please excuse me." Ma Zhicai smilingly apologized to everyone present and offered an explanation.

His tone was mild, and his words, literary. The villagers thus held no grudge against his departure.

Ma Zhicai left the main gate of the East Yard, but then turned into the West Yard.

There was a constant flow of people at the Lin family’s celebration, including many outsiders, so Ma Zhicai’s arrival didn’t attract too much attention.

Ma Zhicai first walked into a large hall and found several individuals seated there, who were unlike the villagers—in splendid silks and satins. Hardly anyone gave him a second glance. In joining the silent listeners, Ma Zhicai learned they were discussing business.

Ma Zhicai gave these wealthy individuals a disdainful look—merely, he thought, money-grubbing businessmen. He continued down the hallway and was once again outdoors.

The Lin family’s rooms were quite warm, so stepping outside from the heated rooms, Ma Zhicai could feel a chill spreading throughout his body.

While Ma Zhicai had just left to dessert himself, Lin Ziyin came looking for people elsewhere.

"Uncle Lou Zheng, you and Uncle Bai must go to the West Yard to keep Prince Chu and the Third Young Prince company," Lin Ziyin said hurriedly once he found them. "My grandfather and my uncle are having difficulty coping."

"Ziyin, find someone else. I’m afraid I might not be able to handle it either," Lou Zheng replied, his legs turning to jelly at the thought of sitting at the same table as the prince.

If Lou Zheng was reacting this way, it went without saying how Bai Chunsheng must be feeling.

"We have guests arriving, and you know the royal princes. Not to mention, my grandfather, uncle and Master Hui Zhen are also there. With my brother in charge on this side, who else if not you could help out over there?" Lin Ziyin pleaded.

"Furthermore, the more personas of stature you meet, the more accustomed you’ll become on future occasions, when conducting business with such personages, won’t you agree?" Lin Ziyin gave them a firm look as she brought out her ace argument.

Considering what Lin Ziyin had pointed out, Lou Zheng saw the reasoning. Thanks to the flourishing business of the Lin family, the villagers had benefited significantly. As the village head, Lou Zheng had indeed dealt extensively with merchants.

"Alright then, let’s go," Lou Zheng agreed reluctantly, as though heading toward the executioner’s block.

Seeing that Lou Zheng had agreed, and considering Lin Ziyin’s esteem for him, Bai Chunsheng gritted his teeth and stood up to follow them toward the West Yard.

Ma Dalang was inwardly enraged at Lin Ziyin, for his lack of discernment. He was the only villager who had held the position of second shopkeeper outside the village and far more knowledgeable than these bumpkins. Yet, just now, Lin Ziyin treated him as if he were invisible. His concern for his son, Ma Zhicai, also rose.