Ch. 411..415: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 411-415

Chapter 411: Chapter 411 Men and Women are Different(2)_1

The remaining day laborers were envious when they saw Zhou Dasheng’s family being retained and also professed a desire to work.

Cui Da retained some handy and capable individuals, instructing them to go to the clearing the next day to sort out the ditches.

Most people had tasks to do, and the few remaining were found by other villagers. Everyone was delighted.

"Ziyin, is it possible to grow white radishes and bok choy on all these fields at once?" Lin Changshu asked, finding it surreal to look at the well-leveled wheat field. Over a dozen mu* of wheat usually took less than two hours to harvest, and now the fields were already plowed and seeded. The more he thought about it, the more incredible it seemed.

"We should plant white radishes while the weather is still hot; by the time it cools down, we’ll be ready to harvest and pickle them," Lin Ziyin explained.

After the white radishes, the most widely planted crops would still be bok choy and soup greens.

"Will it be on time?" Despite Lin Ziyin’s confidence, Lin Changshu was a little worried. He himself was an experienced farmer too, but he had never heard of planting two crops in the Northern Land.

"The pickled vegetables don’t need to be too aged, so the vegetables harvested when the weather cools down will be just right," Lin Ziyin explained. "Brother, it’s a waste to leave the wheat fields idle. I just want to try. Anyway, if the harvest is good, it’s a good thing. If it doesn’t grow well, at most we’ve lost some vegetable seeds."

This reasoning was sound, and Lin Changshu stopped protesting. He laughed, looking at Lin Ziyin, "You have so many ideas, I can’t keep up with you."

"I’m just trying, I can’t guarantee success," Lin Ziyin laughed in response.

"It’s good to try, even if it doesn’t succeed, there’s no harm." This time it was Lin Changshu’s turn to comfort her. "The sun outside is too strong, you should go back and stay in the house."

"Okay, let’s go back together," Lin Ziyin agreed. After suffering from a heatstroke once, her family started to treat her like she was made of porcelain. Once they saw her standing under the sun for more than a few moments, they would immediately urge her to go inside and rest.

Prince Chu Suifeng went even further; even if he was too busy to show up at the Lin Family’s courtyard, he never stopped sending things. He even instructed Lin Zige and Guo Huiniang to watch her closely so she consumed blood swallow nests daily or other types of supplements.

If she went a day without consuming them, the two pregnant women, Lin Zige and Guo Huiniang, would quickly burst into tears, scaring Lin Ziyin away from staying at home. Those supplements made her feel like her nose was about to bleed.

Thinking of Chu Suifeng, Lin Ziyin mentally cursed him.

"Miss, the prince is at the manor, waiting for you to return," said Congyi, appearing out of nowhere as soon as she had finished mentally cursing Chu Suifeng in her heart. "The items you requested have all been delivered."

"Let’s go," Lin Ziyin immediately left, seeing that the items for making the crossbow had all been delivered.

Lin Changshu was surprised and secretly guessed what the prince could have sent this time that made Lin Ziyin so impatient to return. He also hurried back with a sense of curiosity.

Upon returning home, Lin Changshu’s eyes widened in surprise. This time, Chu Suifeng didn’t send jewelry, cloth, supplements, or any rare items. Instead, in a secluded courtyard, there were piles of wood.

The wood seemed a bit different from ordinary pieces, though he couldn’t really pinpoint what was different.

"Why are you standing under the sun again?" Chu Suifeng frowned as he saw Lin Ziyin’s flushed face, her forehead and nose beaded with sweat. He walked up to her and extended his hand.

While others may not have understood what this gesture meant, damn it, Qiaoqiao understood only too well.

Chapter 412: Chapter 412 Men and Women are Different (3)_1

She cheerfully handed Chu Suifeng a cloth that had been cooled with well water.

Chu Suifeng took the cloth and gently began wiping the sweat beads off Lin Ziyin’s face, with a serious expression as if Lin Ziyin was a rare treasure.

Lin Ziyin was slightly startled, not again. She was at a loss for words. This eccentric behavior of Chu Suifeng had been happening repeatedly since she had a heat stroke last time. Didn’t the Prince realize how this would come across to the many people coming and going in their house? And if word got out about their "affectionate" behavior, would her reputation withstand it?

Truth be told, coming from the modern era, Lin Ziyin had never considered sharing a husband with others. Hence, Chu Suifeng’s eccentric behavior only brought her trouble, not the pleasant surprise that others might expect.

"My lord, I can do this myself." Lin Ziyin carefully stepped back, reaching out to grab the cloth from Chu Suifeng.

"Stay still," Chu Suifeng reprimanded in a soft voice. His tone was authoritative, but not harsh, like chiding a mischievous child. "Why can’t someone as grown-up as you take better care of yourself?"

Stuck out of her moving because of his grip, Lin Ziyin anxiously pleaded with her eyes for help from Lin Changshu.

Having worked with Chu Suifeng for some time, she knew how obstinate he could be, or perhaps because the Prince had grown up in the Northern Land where no one was superior to him, she had long noticed his stubborn and willful side.

Lin Changshu always felt apprehensive around Chu Suifeng. This time was no different. When he first saw Chu Suifeng, his instinct was to avoid him. But before he could leave, he saw Chu Suifeng’s "indecent" actions towards Lin Ziyin and his uncommon tender expression. Instead of being pleased, he got goosebumps.

Could it be that the Prince had really taken a liking to his sister? Lin Changshu was utterly perplexed and upset at this realization.

His parents had always taught him to live honestly and ethically, not to rise over others unjustly or lose his principles for personal gain. A person’s character was the most important thing of all.

Lin Changshu always remembered his parents’ instructions and lived accordingly - showing respect to his grandfather, taking good care of his siblings, having high regard for his wife, loving his son dearly. Seeing his family’s improved living conditions made him happy and hopeful about life. All he wanted was for his younger brothers and sisters to grow up healthy, marry someone from a good family, and for his grandfather to live a long, healthful life.

But now, everything was going amiss. What kind of thing was the War God, the ruler of the Northern Land, doing by personally wiping Lin Ziyin’s sweat? If word got out, who would marry Ziyin?

Wouldn’t this ruin Ziyin’s reputation?

As a caring older brother, Lin Changshu’s desire to flee was suddenly halted.

"My lord, Ziyin will only come of age in a month’s time," for some reason, Lin Changshu brought up the issue of Lin Ziyin’s coming of age.

While they were talking, Chu Suifeng had already wiped the sweat off Lin Ziyin’s face and released her arm.

"Coming of age?" Chu Suifeng repeated the term, "On your coming of age day, I will give you a big gift."

Lin Ziyin wasn’t interested in any big gifts. She was filled with anger. Although she didn’t want to lose her temper at Chu Suifeng because of his status, Chu Suifeng’s repeated inappropriate actions towards her were unforgivable and intolerable.

"My lord, please maintain your dignity," Lin Ziyin, filled with ire, had frost written all over her face. Despite the blazing sun outside that could roast people, the room seemed to have dropped a few degrees because of Lin Ziyin’s fury. "Even though I am just a commoner girl, I know the difference between genders. If the Prince continues to take advantage of his status and act inappropriately, we should end our business dealings right here."

Chapter 413: Chapter 413 Men and Women are Different (4)_1

In Lin Ziyin’s view, the only reason Chu Suifeng was treating her as such was for business.

The Northern Land was short of silver, and she had the ability to earn money. Chu Suifeng was rather domineering and naturally didn’t want his money tree to be plundered by others.

In order to keep her, it was best to keep her close to him. There were many methods to keep someone close, such as being a secretary or partner, or assigning her a lady official’s position. Yet none of these methods could compare to the security of marrying her, Lin Ziyin, into his residence.

Chu Suifeng quietly looked at her, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. From childhood to adulthood, he had never had any experience dealing with women, let alone coaxing any of them. Even towards his respected maternal grandmother, he had never been servile. But for this young woman in front of him, he shattered many firsts.

First time speaking to her softly, first time taking the initiative to draw close to a woman, first time striving to collect the world’s finest things to please her, first time lowering himself to wipe sweat for a woman...

After doing so much, to his disbelief, she didn’t appreciate any of it, or rather, the young woman in front of him didn’t value him much. This realization caused Chu Suifeng’s eyes to squint momentarily.

"I have never been so devoted to any other woman, you shouldn’t be too presumptuous." As the Lord of the Northern Land, Chu Suifeng also had his own pride. Lin Ziyin was openly defying him, with her maid, his guards, and even "outsider" Lin Changshu behind them; Chu Suifeng was somewhat angered and felt his pride was at stake.

"I thank the Prince for his favor." Lin Ziyin said indifferently, utterly unafraid of Chu Suifeng’s icy gaze and tone, she made her decision — no matter what, she would speak her mind today, "The prince can rest assured, even for our friendship, for the sake of the whole Northern Land, for my family, I will take good care of everything entrusted to me by the prince."

Chu Suifeng immediately understood what she meant, Lin Ziyin was indeed rejecting him.

"What can this prince be assured of?" Thinking that his tenderness towards Lin Ziyin was mistaken for a transaction of interests, Chu Suifeng felt a piercing pain and seething rage. "Do you think this prince is treating you this way because of the silver and the machinery you control?"

Congyi and Conger, who were listening by the door, were terrified.

In their view, Lin Ziyin was surprisingly bold, daring to speak to the prince in such a way. The guards also felt sorry for Chu Suifeng. It was the first time in many years that he had grown close to a woman, only to end up being rejected and pushed away. Thinking about it, the guards all felt sorrowful for him.

Isn’t that the case? Lin Ziyin looked at him indifferently.

"Good, good, indeed good. So, in your eyes, this prince is merely such a petty man." Chu Suifeng was outraged. Looking at Lin Ziyin’s casual gaze, he felt his heart bleeding.

Initially, it was Lin Ziyin who approached him first; regardless of her intentions, that was an undeniable fact. If someone was being used, it should be said that Lin Ziyin used his status to start a business first.

Afterward, the two of them started to interact more due to business matters, and then...

What happened next that made him suddenly grow fond of this young woman? Chu Suifeng was momentarily lost: was it because of her confidence in doing business, because of the food she cooked, because of the many strange and exotic machines she designed, or her cunningness when dealing with others? In the end, even Chu Suifeng couldn’t understand himself.

"Prince, I’m sorry." Lin Ziyin felt a shiver run down her spine at his furious expression. She realized she might have misjudged the situation — perhaps Chu Suifeng was genuinely interested in her. But even so, this was not the outcome Lin Ziyin wanted.

Chapter 414: Chapter 414 Men and Women are Different (5)_1

"The Prince is of high nobility, and I am but a mere peasant girl. Perhaps I might be presumptuous, but considering the Prince’s stature, there really is no need for you to be like this with me. All I want..." Lin Ziyin’s tone was less angry and indignant than before, carrying a hint of bitter resignation as she tried to be honest with Chu Suifeng.

"What do you want?" Chu Suifeng coldly asked her, his harsh gaze unwavering.

"All I wish for is someone to cherish me, who would share life’s hardships and endure the storms of life with me. Someone who would be with me forever, without any distance created by family background, wealth or other issues," Lin Ziyin lifted her head to look at him, "I am a clean freak, I won’t share a husband with anyone else."

The last sentence was said softly.

Hong Ying, Qiaoqiao and the others almost collapsed to the ground upon hearing these words. They always knew Lin Ziyin was bold and adventurous in her thinking, but they never knew that her ideas could be so "shocking and unconventional".

"There are indeed other women in my residence, but I have never touched them. However, I can’t send them away right now, it takes some more time," Chu Suifeng inexplicably felt relieved.

Chu Suifeng lost his own mother at a young age and if it weren’t for the kindness his mother had shown to Ding’an Temple prior to her death, it’s uncertain whether he would have survived. The Emperor, his father, never cared about his life or death, and to be honest, would have rather seen him dead. Chu Suifeng knew that if it weren’t for the monks of Ding’an Temple, his fate would have been disastrous.

Now, his influence was gradually growing and even if the Emperor saw him as a thorn in his side, he couldn’t shake his place. Those women in his residence would be dismissed before long. He had never planned to marry many women, he didn’t want his children to go through what he had to.

In Chu Suifeng’s opinion, if it weren’t for the vast number of consort in the Emperor’s harem, his tender-hearted mother wouldn’t have been inexplicably framed and died with her eyes wide open.

Men and women see things differently, Chu Suifeng’s explanation was angering Lin Ziyin. In Lin Ziyin’s view, even if Chu Suifeng felt something for her, she couldn’t accept such affection.

Although she isn’t a soft-hearted person, her modern mother unknowingly became the other woman and as a result, lived a life of melancholy. This resulted in her losing the protection and love of her parents a bit too early. What others deemed as parental love became a luxury for her.

Once she became cognizant, Lin Ziyin swore that never in her life would she be the other woman to a man. She would never cause harm to another woman for her own feelings. "Doesn’t the Prince think this is unfair to those women?" she asked coldly.

Lin Ziyin wasn’t naive enough to believe that the women in her residence were merely commoners. Once a woman enters the Wang Residence, she must have a considerable status. Since Chu Suifeng had allowed those women into his residence for his own benefits, he should bear the responsibilities that come with it.

Yet, Chu Suifeng was trying to get rid of those women after using them. Such behavior is precisely what Lin Ziyin despised about scumbags.

Chu Suifeng nonchalantly explained why the women came into his residence and why he hadn’t touch them, without going into specifics. In his view, those women were all spies from others, and they were bound to be expelled from the residence eventually. Explaining it to Lin Ziyin would only cause unnecessary distress for her.

The way men and women thought was always peculiar; they could often have completely different perspectives on the same matter.

"It seems like the Prince hasn’t understood what I was trying to express." Lin Ziyin said with a downcast gaze, "Even without those women, I would never attempt to latch onto someone as high as the Prince."

Chapter 415: Chapter 415 Men and Women are Different (6)_1

Upon hearing this, Congyi and the others were once again shocked. No one in the room dared to look at Chu Suifeng’s face.

Having been rejected by a woman twice in a row, they were all afraid that Chu Suifeng would hurt Lin Ziyin in his rage.

Was Chu Suifeng angry? Of course, he was. Being a prince, a god of the Northern Land, rejected again and again by a young woman, just the thought made him feel infuriated.

"Are you not afraid of my anger?" He gritted his teeth, staring at Lin Ziyin, his right hand slowly reaching out, as if he wanted to grab Lin Ziyin.

Lin Changshu was scared, and he stepped forward to pull Lin Ziyin behind him. "My sister is young and does not know any better. She has offended the prince. Please forgive her, Your Highness. If you must vent your anger, do it on me."

"Brother?" Lin Ziyin stood behind him, furrowing her brows, wanting to step forward.

However, Lin Changshu didn’t give her the chance, keeping her firmly protected behind him.

"Do you think I wouldn’t dare to touch you?" Chu Suifeng, feeling very jealous, seeing the close relationship between the siblings, reached out and grabbed Lin Changshu by the neck.

Lin Changshu immediately felt breathless, his complexion changed too.

Lin Ziyin was shocked and swiftly reached out to strike Chu Suifeng’s arm with all her might.

If this blow were to land on Chu Suifeng’s arm, he would definitely be injured.

Congyi and Conger were alarmed and rushed over to intercept Lin Ziyin, preventing her from injuring Chu Suifeng.

Hong Ying and Lun Luo were left feeling bewildered. Caught between their old and new masters, they were torn. Despite knowing that angering Prince Chu Suifeng could lead to her death, Qiaoqiao didn’t hesitate and rushed over to wrap her arms around Congyi.

Seeing this, Hong Ying and Lun Luo immediately made up their minds. They had already chosen once, they couldn’t make the wrong choice again.

"Have you gone mad?" Watching Hong Ying and Lun Luo attacking Chu Suifeng without hesitation, Conger angrily yelled at them.

But Hong Ying and Lun Luo appeared to be deaf, biting their lips as they threw themselves into the fray, unfazed with their attacks.

"Chu Suifeng, I swear that if you dare to hurt my brother, I will do everything in my power to kill you. I won’t rest until I do." Upon seeing Lin Changshu’s changing complexion, Lin Ziyin glared at Chu Suifeng coldly.

Chu Suifeng had many guards around him who were skilled in martial arts. Even though she had the help of three maidens, they were no match for Chu Suifeng. Jue Ming and the others were all assigned duties and were not present. In desperation, she could only threaten Chu Suifeng with words.

Little did she know, the angrier Lin Ziyin got, the more Chu Suifeng allowed his rage to fester. He wouldn’t really kill Lin Changshu. He was merely envious of Lin Ziyin’s protection for Lin Changshu and her trust in him. He simply wanted to make Lin Changshu suffer a bit.

Unexpectedly, his actions had genuinely enraged Lin Ziyin.

"I’ll have the items sent to you, and someone will come to collect them in a few days. And don’t you dare slack off." With a throw, he released Lin Changshu, Chu Suifeng stormed off into the courtyard with a face full of fury.

"We’re sorry, Miss Lin." Congyi, Conger and the others felt wronged. Seeing the unfriendly eyes of Lin Ziyin, they felt unjustly treated but they were also somewhat guilty.

All in all, the Lin Family had been good to them. Today’s clash between Prince and Lin Ziyin made them uncomfortable. Though they were well aware that Chu Suifeng was merely venting, and had no real intention of hurting anyone, as the prince’s personal guards, they were compelled to protect him during the chaotic situation earlier.

Making a choice inevitably meant offending others.