Ch. 386..390: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 386-390

Chapter 386: Chapter 386: Warming Feelings (5)_1

"Miss Lin, under what conditions would you allow us the right to procure goods?" Someone eagerly asked as soon as Lin Ziyin walked in.

"Thank you all for your support. If you wish to gain the rights to represent, Prince and I offer two ways for you to choose from," Lin Ziyin replied with a smile. "One is that you all come from different counties and states, and you can choose several of them to take all the procurement rights for our Lin Family’s business. The other is that you use your own capability to obtain the rights to a particular product, and then you find others to join your franchise."

As soon as she finished, the merchants immediately erupted into discussion.

Both ways had their pros and cons. If they only chose a single product, which one should they choose? Would they concede and watch others make money off the rest? If they divided the business based on regional lines, how much territory should they take?

"Regardless of what you choose, you must pay a franchise fee." Lin Ziyin added conditions before everyone could calm down.

"What is a franchise fee?" Someone asked.

"The so-called franchise fee means that if you use Lin Family products, you must pay a certain fee. Of course, the price of the products you get will be the lowest, and we do not control how much silver you want to sell for in your own territory." Lin Ziyin explained.

"Miss Lin, how much do you need for the franchise fee?" Master Mo inquired.

"For products involving beans, the initial franchise fee is ten thousand silver for each, providing both parties do not breach the contract, this is a franchise fee for ten years time. For products involving cotton, you need to deliver corresponding fabrics and cotton to the Northern Land at the lowest prices granted to our Lin family, and we will stock, based on the fabrics you provide. For down and furniture supplies, you will need to compensate with food staples or local specialties." Lin Ziyin calmly replied.

A wave of discussion suddenly erupted, as this would inevitably reduce everyone’s profits.

"Of course by compensation, I don’t mean to not give you any silver. " Lin Ziyin smiled as she noticed the misunderstanding, "Here, compensating means the franchise fee, you deliver a certain amount of food, and give us the lowest price for our Lin Family, you can make a transport fee at most. The franchise fee for down and furniture can offset the transportation costs."

That sounds more reasonable! Everyone sighed in relief.

"Miss Lin, how much grain, fabric, or cotton do you need?" A merchant from Mizhou asked.

"We can sit down and discuss the quantity after a while. As you all know, the Northern Land barely produces any wheat, yet Lin family’s pastries require a lot of it, even I can assure you, if there is enough wheat, the variety of pastries will increase, and other kinds of snacks will be born. " Lin Ziyin presented a strong-willed attitude.

"Miss Lin, our country has a wealth of spices and other nuts, can they offset the franchise fee?" A "foreign merchant" stood up and asked.

"Surely, if there are enough spices, after offsetting the part of the franchise fee, we will give you the corresponding market price for the rest, thus we can have a win-win situation." Lin Ziyin was very pleased, with enough spices, she could open a seasoning workshop in the future.

"As long as it’s related to food, you must provide a certain amount of wheat." Lin Ziyin persisted.

Everyone thought it was understandable. After all, the Northern Land was resource-poor, especially after the financial squeeze from the Imperial Court, the Northern Land was almost hollowed out. However, it seemed not to be the case, as everyone thought of the golden wheat fields not far away, their faces revealed a thoughtful look.

 

Chapter 387: Chapter 387 Warming Feelings (6)_1

"If none of you have any major concerns, let’s use the remaining time to discuss the issue of sales rights. The meeting room is next door. We can sit down and have a thorough discussion there. As I always say, there’s money to be made by everyone." Lin Ziyin summed up with a smile.

She’s not an old-fashioned person, with no concepts of isolationism in her mind. In Lin Ziyin’s view, the Northern Land is vast and sparsely populated. For it to develop, it must open up to the outside world.

The merchants look at each other, contemplating how to seize the rights to sell the products. Regardless, the commodities from the Lin family could indeed bring in a substantial amount of silver for everyone.

One by one, everyone followed Yu Shao’en into the meeting room next door.

"Prince, I will leave these people to you. I’ll go check on the fields." Lin Ziyin gave Chu Suifeng a playful wink.

Chu Suifeng had been standing on the sideline, playing the silent attendant role, none of the merchants dared to be unruly in front of him.

"Don’t stand foolishly under the sun." Chu Suifeng was unhappy to see Lin Ziyin’s face red from the sun, "If there’s anything that needs to be done, you should just let the servants handle it."

"I’m only going to take a look, I won’t do any work." Despite Chu Suifeng’s cold tone, Lin Ziyin could hear concern and affection in it. The frosty man’s change of attitude made Lin Ziyin feel somewhat disoriented.

With a few nervous laughs, she hurriedly left with her maidservant.

Chu Suifeng watched her departing figure, a smile edging his lips.

Recently, he had been busy dealing with the political changes among the major families in Feng City. He had not been able to come to Shili Village for quite some time. During this period, he was physically and emotionally exhausted. The usually stoic prince was surprised to find that at the end of each day, his thoughts were not filled with state affairs, but with the image of the cunning girl, Lin Ziyin.

Even if you have never eaten pork, you still have seen a pig run. Chu Suifeng realized, during his longing, that Lin Ziyin had somehow snuck her way into his heart and taken root.

The feeling of cherishing someone was strange to him. Chu Suifeng found that he did not reject it, and even felt a sense of joy. But today, he noticed that Lin Ziyin appeared indifferent towards him. It turned out that while he was missing her, worrying about her, she was simply living her carefree days. Did business really matter that much to her? This was the first time Chu Suifeng felt annoyed at Lin Ziyin’s talent for making money.

But when he thought of Lin Ziyin’s age, he cheered up again. The person he was fond of was young, which was a good thing. At least she would be easy to please.

Perhaps his brothers would choose their consorts from noble families, but Chu Suifeng didn’t think like that. The Lin family was simple and everyone there was kind and decent. For a prince who was sent to the Northern Land, this was perfect! He would not have to worry about the pressure from the queen’s family in the future!

And what attracted Chu Suifeng to Lin Ziyin was not her looks or her family background, but Lin Ziyin’s individual capabilities.

Chu Suifeng has no doubt that if he wanted to develop the Northern Land, Lin Ziyin would undoubtedly be his most significant asset in the future!

Seeing the gentleness on Chu Suifeng’s face, everyone lowered their heads in fear. They all thought that from now on, they must show utmost respect to Lin Ziyin, for she might become the mistress of the Wang Residence someday.

The midday sun in August was like a fire dragon. Lin Ziyin, standing in the fields even for a moment, felt dizzy.

"Miss, someone has placed an order for the next batch of fruits. Should we accept the order?" Cui Da asked.

The holy fruit, also known as tomato, can’t be transported long distances. However, many merchants are interested in it. This gave Lin Ziyin an idea to make money. That is, letting the merchants bring large pots filled with soil and the Lin family would be responsible for nurturing the mother plants. When the tomatoes are about to turn red, let the merchants take them back. In this way, by the time the merchants returned to their shops, the fruits would be ripe.

Chapter 388: Chapter 388: Warming Feelings (7)_1

Lin Ziyin calculated the fee at the rate of five taels of silver per jug, charging a friendly price for her managerial service. In this way, not only did she earn silver, but also gained valuable favors.

The long-term workers managing the greenhouse were also happy. The more jugs delivered, the more silver they could get by the end of the year.

"Take it, we only manage the greenhouse. What leaves there is no longer our responsibility," Lin Ziyin replied with a smile. The next batch of tomatoes would set fruit as the weather cooled down.

"Miss, it’s too sunny outside. Let’s go back," Qiaoqiao came over and considerately held up a paper umbrella for her.

"Okay." Lin Ziyin, not used to such attention, had stood in the sun for a while. Sweat dripped from her face and body like a small stream, and her vision went somewhat dark. She feared getting heatstroke if she stood much longer. "Don’t leave them out to bake in the sun."

Although tomatoes loved sunlight, those in the jugs couldn’t withstand intense sunshine.

Cui Da agreed, turned around, and urged the long-term workers to start moving the big jugs.

Lin Ziyin, accompanied by her maid, started walking towards the meeting hall. But after only a few steps, her sight went black, and she collapsed backward. What an awful body! This was Lin Ziyin’s last thought.

Hong Ying caught Lin Ziyin in time and quickly carried her to the pharmacy.

"Miss, Miss, what’s happening to you?" Qiaoqiao was so frightened that she cried out.

There were always people from the Xu family and Jue Yuan at the pharmacy every day to offer consultations. This was done to provide convenient medical services for village residents. Those who worked for the Lin family were charged minimal fees for medical services – just enough to cover the cost of the herbs. This was another act of kindness from the Lin family to the villagers.

"Quickly get Jue Yuan." Hong Ying saw that Xu Lianfa was the doctor on duty and immediately sent Lun Luo to find Jue Yuan. As a woman from the Northern Land, she had little trust in the doctor who was banished to the Capital City and preferred the medicinal monks from Ding’an Temple.

"What happened?" Xu Lianfa didn’t take offence at her attitude and immediately came forward to check Lin Ziyin’s pulse.

Hearing that Lin Ziyin had suddenly fainted, all the medics working with Jue Yuan in the workshop immediately abandoned what they were doing and rushed to the pharmacy.

Miss Lin had fainted? The merchants who were in the meeting hall exchanged looks when they heard the news. Everyone knew that Lin Ziyin was essential to the operations of the Lin family’s businesses. She had suddenly collapsed, and they all hoped nothing serious was the matter.

Chu Suifeng disappeared from the meeting hall like a gust of wind. The anxious look on his face made everyone reflect deeply.

"Water." When Lin Ziyin vaguely came to, her eyes were not entirely clear.

A man held her half in his arms, propping her body against his chest, and brought a cup of warm water to her lips.

She was so thirsty! She drained the cup!

"Another?" Chu Suifeng asked softly, still holding her in his arms.

The Prince? Lin Ziyin was so startled by the realization that she was half-lying in Chu Suifeng’s arm that she impulsively turned her head. The positions were quite ambiguous. Chu Suifeng’s lowered head was on top of her face, gazing at her tenderly, as if she were a delicate doll.

"When it gets too hot, no going out," Chu Suifeng instructed her somewhat domineeringly, "same if it’s too cold. Just instruct the servants to do whatever you need."

Lin Ziyin was a bit fuzzy-headed. Could someone tell her why the prince was in her room, holding her so affectionately? Weren’t ancient times strict about reputation?

"Prince." Startled, she sat up abruptly and shuffled her body further inside the bed. "Why are you here?"

Chu Suifeng saw her aloof disposition, and his eyes tightened a bit. "You fainted. The doctor says you overworked yourself in the past and should take better care."

He didn’t answer her question, but felt like he had in a way. Lin Ziyin looked at the suddenly gentle Prince with some anxiety. How was she to deal with this softened version of the Prince?

Chapter 389: Chapter 389 Tokens (1)_1

"Are you hungry?" Chu Suifeng suddenly became chatty.

"Not really." Lin Ziyin answered somewhat awkwardly.

"Servant, bring rice porridge and side dishes." Chu Suifeng ordered.

"Yes, Prince." With his words, Hong Ying’s voice rang from outside the door.

"I’ll go out to eat." Lin Ziyin said, feeling much more comfortable after a good sleep. Upon waking up, she immediately perceived the chilly aura within the room, and she thought: the temperature in the room is much lower than the outside temperature. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Over two hours." Chu Suifeng replied.

"That long?" Lin Ziyin asked, astonished.

"Heatstroke." Chu Suifeng looked at her, "You are not allowed to stay outside too long in the future."

"It was just an accident." Lin Ziyin replied, somewhat embarrassed. Her body was so weak that she fainted just from standing under the sun for a while, despite her daily workouts.

"Damn, what about the merchants?" Lin Ziyin then worriedly thought of the businessmen in the conference hall.

"They have returned to the market, they will be back tomorrow." Chu Suifeng answered nonchalantly.

Lin Ziyin rose from bed, "I’m going to eat." After such a long sleep, and only Chu Suifeng was around; her family must be worried sick about her.

Seeing that Lin Ziyin still had energy, and considering that laying in bed for too long would indeed be uncomfortable, Chu Suifeng didn’t prevent her from leaving.

Upon waking, her hair was a mess, but Lin Ziyin didn’t mind. However, she definitely needed to wash her face. "Qiaoqiao, bring water."

Although Hong Ying and Lun Luo also served her, Lin Ziyin tended to favor Qiaoqiao. She felt somewhat averse to Hong Ying and Lun Luo, perhaps because they were sent by Chu Suifeng.

It was not Qiaoqiao who brought the water, but Lun Luo; followed by Hong Ying, who carried a tray with a bowl of rice porridge steaming gently.

"Miss, your water." Both Lun Luo and Hong Ying were nervous. They had seen Chu Suifeng’s glaring worry when he rushed towards the fainted Lin Ziyin earlier, and they realized Chu Suifeng’s feelings for her.

Reminded of their usual perfunctory treatment of Lin Ziyin, both girls regretted their behavior. If they had known the Prince cared so much about her, they would never have dared to neglect Lin Ziyin.

Unaware of the girls’ internal turmoil, Lin Ziyin rushed to finish washing her face, Chu Suifeng being present. She took the towel from Lun Luo, hastily pat-drying her face. "Prince, I can go outside now."

Having a man in her boudoir was embarrassing, not just in these ancient times but even in modern times.

"Hmm." Chu Suifeng did not make things difficult for her.

Both walked toward the living room, Hong Ying and Lun Luo respectfully trailed behind them, holding the food tray and hardly daring to breathe.

"Ziyin, Ziyin." Zige, with her seven months pregnant belly, rushed over tearfully when she saw Lin Ziyin. "You naughty girl, you scared me to death." As she spoke, she gently slapped Lin Ziyin’s back.

Chu Suifeng’s face hardened, he swiftly pulled Lin Ziyin behind him. "Touch her again and face the consequences."

The chill in his voice and his strict demeanor clearly showed he wasn’t joking.

Lin Zige’s hand was in mid-air, tears filled her eyes. Her mouth was open, but she couldn’t find the words to say, she just stood there, staring at Chu Suifeng.

Not only the Lin family cared about Lin Ziyin in Shili Village, but many villagers gathered in the living room also did. When they saw Lin Ziyin come out, several people stood up to approach her, intending to express their concern.

 

Chapter 390: Chapter 390 Tokens (2)_1

Words and glances from Chu Suifeng left everyone stunned as if bewitched.

Lin Ziyin forced a bitter smile, seeing the bewildered looks on everyone’s faces, and sighed inwardly. Regardless of Chu Suifeng’s motives, today her reputation was irrevocably tarnished. However, luckily for her, she did not care much about it.

"Sister, mind your prenatal education." She gently pulled down sister Zige’s arm and chuckled as she nudged her into the house.

"Grandfather, were you frightened by Ziyin?" As she approached the old masters’ faces, Lin Ziyin’s gaze held a trace of guilt.

The old master too was startled by Chu Suifeng’s unexpected tenderness. Hearing Lin Ziyin’s words, he finally came to his senses and looked at Ziyin with anxiety. "My child, knowing well that your health isn’t good, why did you stand under the sun for so long?"

"My Sister." Lin Changshu and Guo Huiniang thought about what the doctor and Jue Yuan had said and felt somewhat timid and weak. Ziyin’s fainting was due to her body’s excessive depletion, and much of that was their own failure as brother and sister-in-law.

Especially Lin Changshu, who had seen his siblings and the old master as his responsibility since their parents’ death.

"I fainted because I stood too long under the sun. I’ll be more careful in future. I apologize for causing everyone worry today." Witnesses like Bai Chunsheng and Lou Zheng wanted to speak but were afraid of Chu Suifeng’s expression. Lin Ziyin decided to express her self-reproach first. "Y’all have been waiting till now without even having lunch, didn’t you?"

"It’s still early in the day, and we have had our lunch, we’re not hungry. As for you, from morning until now, you haven’t eaten anything, surely you must be starving?" Zhang was concerned.

"Exactly, I nearly died of hunger." Lin Ziyin replied playfully. "In summer, no matter how much I eat, I don’t gain weight, I’m not planning on losing anymore."

"You are already so thin, what do you need to lose?" Zige glared at her.

"Serve dinner." Chu Suifeng ordered coldly.

"Yes, Prince." Hong Ying put the small dishes she held onto the table.

Everyone...

Was this not a clear sign for all to leave?

"Since she has woken up and all is well, we should leave." Lou Zheng was the first to take the hint, "Let’s disperse, everyone. We should go home and prepare meals."

"Yes, we should all go." Bai Chunsheng also stood to leave.

"Take care, everyone." Lin Changshu took responsibility for bidding adieu. The room that was full of people dispersed in an instant. Many people who had waited for Lin Ziyin did not even get a chance to speak with her.

"Prince, you haven’t had a bite to eat since noon. There’s hot food prepared for you in the kitchen, please join us for a meal in the flower hall." Lin Changshu walked up to Chu Suifeng’s face and bravely suggested.

This man hasn’t eaten yet? Lin Ziyin looked towards the stern face of Chu Suifeng, a warm feeling emerging in her heart. Knowing that someone was consistently concerned about her, and that their concern exceeded their self-care, was deeply moving.

At this moment, Lin Ziyin could not deny that she was moved.

"Prince, shall we eat together?" Lin Ziyin asked him.

"Hmm." Chu Suifeng, a man of few words, expressed his intention through action alone.

"Prince, allow me." Hong Ying cautiously advised Chu Suifeng who was staring at his dinner plate.

"Report to the Punishment Hall for self-punishment." Chu Suifeng sternly ordered, looking at Hong Ying and Lun Luo.

"Yes, Prince." Hong Ying and Lun Luo had been anxious since Lin Ziyin fainted. When Chu Suifeng ordered them to self-punish, they both secretly breathed out in relief.

Both servants understood that they escaped severe punishment because of Lin Ziyin. They were thankful that they escaped with their limbs intact and kept their heads on their shoulders. Therefore, their gratitude for Lin Ziyin was real and heartfelt.