Ch. 391..395: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 391-395

Chapter 391: Chapter 391 Tokens (3)_1

"Punish them?" Lin Ziyin looked at Chu Suifeng in surprise. "What did they do wrong?"

"They were responsible for taking care of you, but they didn’t do a good job. They should be punished." Chu Suifeng explained, holding a food tray in one hand and leading her with the other.

Upon hearing this, Qiaoqiao was on the verge of tears. Ziyin had fainted, and she had been severely reprimanded by her parents and brother. She already felt guilty enough. Now, seeing Chu Suifeng punish Hong Ying and Lu Luo, her guilt towards Lin Ziyin deepened.

"I will also take my punishment." With a thud, Qiaoqiao knelt before Lin Ziyin.

"You are mine, I don’t have so many rules," Lin Ziyin spoke languidly. "Besides, it was not your fault today."

She didn’t blame the three maids, but she didn’t plead for Hong Ying and Lu Luo either.

It was clear who was more important to her. Hong Ying and Lu Luo lowered their heads in shame even more.

Now they understood. They had always looked down upon Lin Ziyin, but they had done their jobs conscientiously because they were following the prince’s orders. Ziyin, as their mistress, didn’t complain about them, but what was lacking was the genuine affection she showed Qiaoqiao.

Hearing this, Chu Suifeng’s face got colder. "After you go back, don’t come here again. Have Bai Ling and Huang Dai come instead."

"Please spare us, my lady," Hong Ying and Lu Luo kept bowing their heads, "we know we were wrong. From now on, we will take care of you conscientiously. Please give us another chance."

Hong Ying was very smart. She knew it was better to plead with Lin Ziyin than with Chu Suifeng. After all, Lin Ziyin, the mistress, was much more approachable than the prince.

"Please give us another chance," Lu Luo also didn’t argue, just kept bowing her head forcefully, demonstrating her remorse with her actions.

"Having Qiaoqiao by my side is enough." Lin Ziyin looked indifferently at the two of them, as if she was nobody’s fool. Just as Hong Ying and Lu Luo had guessed, Lin Ziyin had long known that these two maids were proud and didn’t take her seriously as their mistress. However, they were diligent, and everything she ordered was done well without any flaws.

But who would like it if those close to them harbored ill will against them? They could only be kept at a distance. Today, Chu Suifeng’s chastisement of Hong Ying and Lu Luo agreed with Lin Ziyin’s sentiments.

Hong Ying and Lu Luo were filled with regret. Serving the queen — the prince’s most beloved, was a great honor. This pie from heaven had fallen onto their laps, but they had ruined it themselves. The sounds of their bowing echoed continuously. The two were truly repentant and did it with great force. In a short while, both Hong Ying and Lu Luo’s foreheads turned blue and swollen.

"Get out," Chu Suifeng remained unmoved, his tone devoid of any emotion.

"My lady." Hong Ying and Lu Luo didn’t dare to let their tears fall, continuing to bow their heads.

"You can stay. But remember, your only master is me. If you commit this again..." Lin Ziyin looked coldly at the two of them.

Only her?

Hong Ying and Lu Luo trembled inside, then both looked up at Lin Ziyin and firmly replied, "Starting from today, in our hearts, there is only you as our mistress."

Their eyes and tone were both determined.

Lin Ziyin nodded in satisfaction, "Go now."

This time, the two maids didn’t spare Chu Suifeng a glance, nor did they hesitate, and walked away.

"If you don’t eat soon, it will get cold." Lin Changshu finally dared to speak. Seeing Chu Suifeng punish the two maids for no discernible reason, Lin Changshu, Wu Dayou and others felt great pressure. Especially since Ziyin seemed very dissatisfied with the two maids. The family felt uncomfortable and even a bit inferior.

Chapter 392: Chapter 392 Tokens (4)_1

Ziyin and the Prince stood together, and surprisingly, Ziyin was not overshadowed. However, everyone else was finding it difficult to understand their actions and words. Were they too helpless?

"Sister, why did you faint all of a sudden?" Changting rushed out and caught her.

Before Lin Ziyin could react, another leg was held by Yanzhi, "Aunt, are you feeling very sick?"

"I was standing in the sun for too long and got heatstroke, but I’m fine now, don’t worry," Lin Ziyin responded, patting one of the children. "Did you pay attention in class today?"

"We studied diligently." Before Changting could answer, Yanzhi loudly took credit, "The teacher praised me."

"Well done," Lin Ziyin praised with a smile, "I didn’t eat lunch and I’m hungry now. Go wash your hands quickly, and we’ll have dinner together."

"Okay." Yanzhi obediently agreed, and walked away with Changting.

Being older, Changting had more knowledge and understanding than Yanzhi. He worried that Lin Ziyin was just comforting him, so he regularly turned back to look at her as he left.

Lin Ziyin was indeed hungry. She always had a good appetite, and every night would eat two bowls of porridge before putting down her bowl and chopsticks. Seeing her healthy appetite, Changting felt genuinely reassured and the Lin Family also felt relieved.

Chu Suifeng, seeing her eat, felt satisfied. "Someone will deliver ice later, don’t feel you need to save it," he reminded her again before leaving in the evening.

"Thank you, Prince, but we have plenty of ice in our ice cellar," Lin Ziyin responded with a dry laugh. She didn’t know how to face Chu Suifeng, who had suddenly changed.

The elders heard the sound outside the room and frowned deeply, seemingly annoyed. The Lin Family members were also a bit flustered, alternately looking outside and at the elders in silence.

"It’s hot outside. Go to sleep early," Chu Suifeng advised her, leaving it ambiguous whether or not he would send ice.

"Miss, the medicine is ready," Ms. Qian brought in a bowl of medicinal soup.

"Please put it on the table." Lin Ziyin looked at the pitch-black soup with a helpless expression on her face. She wasn’t sick, so why should she take medicine?

However, her family was convinced she was ill. Seeing that she had put the medicine on the table, Guo Huiniang was the first to urge her, "The medicine can’t get cold, it’s not good for your body if it’s cold when you drink it."

"Hurry and drink. I know you’re afraid of bitterness, so I’ve prepared some snacks," Zige added, staring at her.

"Aunt, have some candy." Yanzhi and Changting, holding a tray with candies and hawthorn cakes, waited on her.

"I’m not sick," insisted Lin Ziyin, who did not want to drink the bitter medicinal soup. She started to feel nauseous just looking at the dark soup.

"Good medicine is bitter," the elder commented, shooting her a glance.

"If you gulp it down in one go, you won’t taste the bitterness," Lin Changshu suggested persuasively.

Faced with her family’s concern, Lin Ziyin had no choice but to close her eyes, pick up the medicine, and drink it all at once. It was so bitter!

"Sister." Lin Changting promptly shoved a piece of sugar into her mouth.

"Aunt, is it still bitter?" Yanzhi asked, raising his head to look at her with concern.

"It’s not bitter anymore," Lin Ziyin replied with a smile.

The elder Lin saw her playing with the two children and swallowed the words he had been about to speak. Zige held back his words as well. Wu Dayou pulled at his sleeve and shook his head at him.

Chapter 393: Chapter 393 Tokens (5)_1

"Take an early rest, you’ve had a long day." The old man’s thousand words of concern translated into a single caring reminder.

"Alright." Lin Ziyin responded, fully aware of her family’s concern and puzzlement about her relationship with Chu Suifeng. Truthfully, Chu Suifeng’s erratic behavior also presented her with quite a shock. Moreover, was his concern for her based on their mutual business interests, or had he seen something he could exploit?

She was unsure herself, and thus lacked the energy to explain the situation to her family. Luckily, her grandfather didn’t press her any further. Ziyin quickly seized the opportunity to retire, taking her maid with her as her grandfather suggested.

"Grandfather?" After Ziyin had left, Zige looked at their grandfather with a plaintive gaze.

"She’s smarter than all of you, and knows what she should and shouldn’t do." The old man stood up, his hands clasped behind his back, and left, leaving them all grappling with his enigmatic statement.

"Grandfather’s right, don’t worry about it unnecessarily. Ziyin is smarter than anyone else, if she has not shared much, likely there’s not much to say yet. Take care of yourself." Wu Dayou comforted Zige, reading her unsettled expression.

"What do you mean by unnecessarily worrying? She’s my little sister." Zige’s temper, erratic as expected her during pregnancy, flared at Wu Dayou’s words.

"Dayou’s right, don’t lose your temper. Watch your baby." Although Lin Changshu was also worried, he remained composed. As Wu Dayou was too supportive of Zige, unable to even mildly criticize her or make stern comments, Changshu, being her elder brother, felt the need to be the more responsible one.

"Alright, I understand." Even when upset, Zige still listened to Lin Changshu’s advice.

Guo Huiniang secretly sighed before trying to reassure her, "Big sister, grandfather is right, your sister has a mind of her own, and our worry can’t help her. If she truly has a problem, she would definitely tell us. Without knowing the full story yet, our interference may just upset her more." Women are often better at resolving such issues.

After hearing Guo Huiniang’s words, Zige finally calmed down, "I will keep my mouth shut, I’m just worried. After all, common folks like us aren’t meant for places like the Prince’s residence."

"Let’s go back, it’s getting late." As evening fell, Lin Changshu, afraid that Zige would not be able to see the road clearly due to her large belly, urged them on.

Left with no other choice, Wu Dayou and Zige returned home with their attendants.

The following day, at breakfast, the Lins were startled by Prince Ling’s actions.

"So many supplements?" Lin Ziyin was startled as she watched the servants carry in one batch of supplements after another. Ginseng, bird’s nest, white fungus... all sorts of consumable items came in. The quantities were so large that it was close to filling up all the ice storage in the Lin’s residence.

"Have these made every day. Your body needs nourishment." Even after confessing his feelings, Chu Suifeng still didn’t seem to know how to talk to her gently.

"Thank you, your highness," Lin Ziyin begrudgingly acknowledged as she looked at the piles of supplements, giving a wry smile. Since the gifts had already been delivered, it didn’t seem right to return them. So, she decided to accept them.

"Your Highness, have you reached an agreement with the merchants from yesterday?" Not wanting to dwell on their personal issues, Lin Ziyin quickly steered the conversation towards business, which concerned her more.

Chu Suifeng wasn’t too pleased. He didn’t want their relationship to revolve solely around business. However, with the merchants coming over soon, they indeed needed to discuss their course of action. "The North is in dire need of grain and fodder. If those merchants were to dominate the majority of the Northern economy, we could end up in a very passive situation should they decide to withdraw from the North. Hence, I hope more merchants partake in our business."

Chapter 394: Chapter 394 Tokens (6)_1

Chu Suifeng, as someone capable of managing a vast fiefdom like the Northern Land, was certainly no mediocre man. Through observations over recent days, and his understanding of Lin Ziyin, he had already anticipated drastic economic changes in the Northern Land owing to Lin Ziyin.

Since he acknowledged Lin Ziyin as the mistress of the Northern Land and that the economy would change due to her, Chu Suifeng wasn’t worried. However, outside forces meddling with the economy of the Northern Land was unimaginable, and Chu Suifeng would absolutely not allow anyone to influence the economy and development of his territory.

"The merchants who have arrived are all very powerful, they also have strong backing. Regardless of their choices, the final result will end up as partitioned territories." Lin Ziyin said with a smile, "As to how much each of them can get, it depends on their capabilities."

Chu Suifeng admired her confident demeanor and his heart welled with joy. He knew he hadn’t misjudged her; he was lucky to have chosen a gem!

"If there are no natural disasters this year, the rice will certainly yield a good harvest. What about promoting the method of planting rice and spring wheat next year in the Northern Land?" Chu Suifeng asked softly.

Huh? Lin Ziyin was taken aback. She didn’t expect him to discuss the development of the Northern Land with her.

"I hope you will not keep any secrets and list all the methods that can contribute to the development of the Northern Land." Chu Suifeng continued.

"Does Prince want to employ me as his staff?" Lin Ziyin jokingly asked, "Are you not worried about me being a woman?"

"Women can be incredibly strong; men may not necessarily be able to surpass them," Chu Suifeng replied blandly with a smile.

"Will there be silver involved?" Lin Ziyin asked with a grin.

"Indeed, as much as you desire. This jade bracelet serves as a token," Chu Suifeng took out a jade bracelet from his bosom and passed it over.

Lin Ziyin was taken aback. It really existed? Was the jade bracelet an official seal? She couldn’t shake off the feeling that Chu Suifeng had been waiting for her. Was it common for men to carry around jade bracelets?

"Keep it well," Chu Suifeng put the jade bracelet on her wrist. "You mustn’t take it off on your own."

Congyi, Hong Ying, and the others on the side showed astonished expressions upon seeing the bracelet. They could see Lin Ziyin looking slightly confused but not surprised. They sighed in their hearts, remarking at her cool-headedness. It’s even better if she knew the significance of the jade bracelet and was still this calm.

Lin Ziyin eyed the jade bracelet on her wrist, which emitted a green luster, feeling somewhat nervous. While she didn’t trade in jade in the modern world, she had bought jade and gem accessories from jewelry stores. Judging by the color of the jade bracelet on her hand, it was clearly very expensive. This shade of lustrous green is likely to be akin to the legendary Imperial Green.

Chu Suifeng gifting such an expensive present out of the blue meant that the Prince probably would have more requests in the future. Whether she could fulfill those requests was another matter.

That’s why this gift was hard to accept.

Making a quick decision, she came up with an idea. "Prince, I’m a rough woman who has to work every day. What if I accidentally break this fine jade bracelet while working? I can’t afford to compensate for it."

While joking in a light-hearted tone, she prepared to take off the jade bracelet, all the while smiling.

Chu Suifeng grabbed her wrist. "Once it’s worn on your wrist, the item belongs to you. Even if it breaks, it doesn’t matter. If so, it would be because it’s destined."

Looking at the large hand on her wrist, Lin Ziyin felt a little bewildered. Didn’t the ancient times emphasize strictly the courtesy of no physical contact between men and women? What did it mean for the Prince to grab her wrist like this in public?

She then recalled the time when she woke up the day before. Chu Suifeng was actually sitting on her bed. The situation then seemed even more ambiguous than now.

Chapter 395: Chapter 395 Tokens (7)_1

"Prince." Under her embarrassment, Lin Ziyin tried to pull back her wrist, Chu Suifeng felt her intention and tightened his grip.

"Call me Honglin from now on." Chu Suifeng had never been so intimate with a woman. The delicate wrist he held in his hand was so smooth, the warmth transferred from her palm made his heart warm up. The sensation was peculiar, delicate, and Chu Suifeng himself found it fascinating, woman’s wrist was so delicate. "I don’t like hearing ’Prince’."

Honglin? Is that his given name? Lin Ziyin gazed at him curiously. Chu Suifeng’s given name was pleasant to the ear, but she couldn’t call him by it, it seemed too intimate.

"From now on, you must call me Honglin." Chu Suifeng emphasized again.

Congyi and the others outside heard the pleading tone in his voice, they all felt a pang in the heart. The prince was sent to the Northern Land as a child. At first, he had the protection of the old lady, but besides using the prince, Marquis Li and the others had no kinship with him. The prince was sent to Ding’an Temple to learn literacy and martial arts when he was five years old. Although he was protected by the masters of Ding’an Temple, he lacked familial affections.

Would Lin Ziyin’s presence fill the lack of family affection in the Prince’s heart? Everyone placed their hopes on Lin Ziyin.

If Chu Suifeng continued to behave as coldly as before, Lin Ziyin might have rebuffed him with an equally indifferent face. But today, she saw the loneliness and desire for family in Chu Suifeng’s eyes. It was a kind of cruel experience, something she, Lin Ziyin had also gone through when she was younger.

In the modern world, after her mother fell ill and died, she was so grief-stricken that she almost leaped from a building, feeling abandoned by the world. No one could understand the loneliness in her heart. If it hadn’t been for her uncle and best friend who stayed by her side day after day, Lin Ziyin might not have survived those lonely days.

Her uncle and friend, thinking about the people who had shown her love in her most difficult times, Lin Ziyin’s eyes moistened. Looking at the stubborn Chu Suifeng in front of her, her heart suddenly softened. Compared with her, Chu Suifeng should be more pitiful, right? Although he had Si Jinhan and other subordinates around him, in such a hierarchical ancient era, subordinates and family affection were two different things.

"I’m sorry, it’s my fault, I accidentally hurt you." Chu Suifeng kept staring at Lin Ziyin. When he saw the moisture in her eyes, he was so startled that he didn’t know what to do. In surprise, he let go of her wrist, only then did he realize that he had left a deep red mark on Lin Ziyin’s fair wrist.

He thought his roughness had caused Lin Ziyin so much pain she wanted to cry, and he immediately felt annoyed with himself.

"It doesn’t hurt." Lin Ziyin murmured a reply, her voice a bit nasal, "Thank you, Honglin, the gift is beautiful, I’ll accept it."

No matter why Chu Suifeng was kind to her, at this point, Lin Ziyin truly regarded Chu Suifeng as a friend. "Rice and spring wheat, soybeans, and sugar beets will be our main crops in the Northern Land, ducks and geese can be encouraged as a sideline business, cattle and sheep can also be raised, but I suggest the number should not be too many, sheep eat grass which can damage the ground, it will have a big impact on the entire region’s environment and climate."

"Alright." Chu Suifeng nodded his agreement, "After the wheat and rice are harvested, the government offices will issue a notice."

"The Tatars are close to our Northern Land, they tend to keep a lot of their sheep’s wool, if the prince secretly nurtures some merchants to buy sheep’s wool, it could also be a good business." Lin Ziyin suggested with a smile.

"I will issue the order right away." The tone of Chu Suifeng’s voice was pleased, Lin Ziyin’s willingness to call him by his given name made him very happy. The unforgettable call earlier not only touched his ears but also sank into his heart, he never knew his name could sound so nice, like the cool stream passing through his heart in the scorching summer, like a furnace rising in the cold winter, it was a wonderful feeling.

Those waiting outside heard their conversation and exchanged smiles. Looks like the Wang Residence would soon welcome its lady of the house!

"Miss, Prince, the merchants are waiting outside." Qiaoqiao’s cheerful voice drifted in from outside.

"Lead them to the living room." Lin Ziyin stood up.

Chu Suifeng was a bit put out. There had just been a subtle improvement in his relationship with Lin Ziyin, and these tactless merchants were interrupting it.

"Honglin, let’s go take a look together." After the word was spoken once, it became easy to say thereafter. Lin Ziyin, after all, came from the modern era and didn’t regard social status as heavily as the people of ancient times. Chu Suifeng’s friendly gesture made her regard him as a friend, which was evident in her address to him, narrowing the gap between them.

"Let’s go together." Chu Suifeng liked the word ’together’, it made him feel that finally someone was willing to fight alongside him.

The two had a relaxed relationship as they entered the living room in a comfortable atmosphere.

In the living room, all the merchants were less irritated than yesterday. Sitting on the sofas, they all found familiar people and were discussing the issue of agency rights in low voices.

The sight Lin Ziyin and Chu Suifeng greeted upon entering was a harmonious scene!