Ch. 431..435: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 431-435

Chapter 431: Chapter 431: Provoking the Best Quality (1)_1

Lin Ziyin felt somewhat uncomfortable and unable to cope with the intimate gestures Chu Suifeng made towards her. She thought she had made it clear to him the last time they spoke. He shouldn’t be making such intimate gestures towards her, whether in public or private.

If such ambiguity were to get out, she would have a hard time explaining herself, even if she had a mouth all over her body.

Congyi and the others automatically kept their distance, not daring to look around. Those around Lin Ziyin frowned at Chu Suifeng’s actions, finding them too bold. But given Chu Suifeng’s status and that he was bandaging her wounds, it seemed justifiable. Everyone was frozen in the moment, unsure of what to do. The key point was, Lin Ziyin hadn’t spoken up. Wasn’t it up to everyone else to stop Chu Suifeng’s actions?

"Your hands are full of wounds, put a stop to what you’re doing for now. When your hands heal, I will have gloves made for you." Chu Suifeng released her small hands after carefully applying the ointment to both.

Free from his hold, Lin Ziyin felt slightly relieved. It’s always hard to refuse someone who approaches you under the guise of caring for you and is genuinely concerned about you.

For Lin Ziyin, who always craved warmth, she felt at least, she could refrain from saying things that might hurt Chu Suifeng.

"The process of making a crossbow must be meticulous, or it won’t have the desired range. The arrow might also veer off course in mid-air, affecting its speed," Lin Ziyin explained softly.

Upon hearing this, Chu Suifeng frowned, "Even so, I won’t allow you to hurt yourself."

"They’re just small wounds. As long as I use Master Hui Zhen’s ointment on time, there won’t be any problems." To assure Chu Suifeng, she added, "It won’t even leave a scar, so you can relax."

"Apply the medicine on time every day," Chu Suifeng reminded her.

Lin Ziyin gave a low agreement. Then, the room fell into an awkward silence as the two seemed to have nothing more to say.

"Has the Prince been not resting well recently?" After a while, seeing him engrossed in observing the crossbow, and wanting to continue working on it, but Chu Suifeng had forbid her from doing so, she finally found a topic to discuss.

"Are you worried about me?" Chu Suifeng finally set down the crossbow and looked intently at Lin Ziyin, his eyes filled with amusement, indicating he was in a good mood.

Lin Ziyin was startled, "The Prince is the guardian deity of the Northern Land, and also my friend. I should be concerned about you, both personally and professionally."

Is that the only reason? Chu Suifeng’s expression turned from sunny to cloudy, he stared at her coldly, "If that’s the case, I refuse to answer."

What? What does he mean? Lin Ziyin stared at him in confusion while he lowered his head and continued to inspect the crossbow in his hand.

"Will the Prince have lunch here?" When he didn’t cooperate, Lin Ziyin, trying to avoid an uncomfortable silence between them, came up with another excuse.

"Don’t you want me to have lunch here?" Chu Suifeng responded by looking at her and asking in return.

"Of course not." Lin Ziyin laughed awkwardly, even if she felt that way, she didn’t show it on her face, let alone speak it out loud. Dealing with Chu Suifeng now made her feel out of her depth, she had no idea how to handle him.

"Since you want me to stay, then I agree to stay." Chu Suifeng responded indifferently.

Chapter 432: Chapter 432: In Trouble with the Top-Notch (2)_1

"Who wants to keep him here?" Lin Ziyin bit her lip discreetly, but she couldn’t actually drive him away, so she was forced to stand up and say, "Please take a seat, Prince. I’ll go into the kitchen to arrange something."

Being in the presence of Chu Suifeng always left her feeling stifled and awkward, so Lin Ziyin found an excuse to leave his side.

"Hmm," Chu Suifeng surprisingly didn’t give her any difficulties.

Lin Ziyin immediately excused herself and, accompanied by Hong Ying, they swiftly strolled out of the courtyard.

"Prince, with these crossbows, General Luo is like a tiger with wings added." The third member of the group, Congsan, looked at the crossbows in Chu Suifeng’s hand with delight.

Chu Suifeng frowned slightly, not showing any signs of joy on his face.

Congyi and the others wished dearly they could boot Congsan out for being so tactless. Couldn’t he see how the Prince was saddened by Madam Lin’s demeanor?

Once Lin Ziyin made it to the kitchen, she discovered that there was plenty of chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Consequently, she directed the cook to prepare extra dishes to accommodate guests for lunch.

"Sister, you finally came out." Zige hadn’t seen Ziyin for almost ten days, and despite knowing she was at home, she was still worried. Seeing Lin Ziyin’s figure, her heart settled. "You should come out and eat even when you’re busy otherwise you will get skinny."

"Sister, has the baby been behaving?" Lin Ziyin asked softly as she caressed her stomach.

"Very active," Zige, rubbing her own belly, replied with motherly love. "Keeps me awake at night."

"The little one is probably excited to meet his parents soon," Lin Ziyin replied with a smile.

While chatting and joking, the two sisters strolled toward Guo Huiniang’s courtyard.

"Ziyin." Inside the room, the also pregnant Guo Huiniang was busy sewing toys while several maids were not idling either, helping her with the work. The place resembled a mini workshop. Upon seeing the sisters, Guo Huiniang happily put her needlework aside and rose to greet them.

"Sister-in-law, stop sewing. You could damage your eyes," Lin Ziyin said reprimanded lightly.

"There’s still over a month to go before the birth." Guo Huiniang answered gently while looking at her. "I’m not continuously sewing, and besides, the work isn’t heavy."

She was earnest. Back when the Lin Family was poor, she kept busy even when she was heavily pregnant. Nowadays, her life was almost heavenly in comparison, so what could she possibly be unsatisfied with?

"She’s just unnecessarily worried." Zige sat down and joined the conversation with a chuckle, "It’s just a piece of extra flesh in our bellies. It’s not as severe as you think."

As she spoke, she busied herself with her own needlework with a smile.

"It’s not about stopping you from working or the weight of your labor. Overworking your eyes during pregnancy can damage them. You surely don’t want to see things blurred in the future, do you?" Lin Ziyin sat down helplessly without intending to help. She was adept at mechanics, but clueless about embroidery. "More importantly, a mother’s eye damage can harm the fetus."

"Really?" Zige was startled.

"Yes." Lin Ziyin answered irritably, "There’s plenty of time after you’ve given birth. You both don’t need to seize every moment now."

"Fine, I’ll listen to you." Upon hearing that there might be adverse effects on the baby, Zige quickly put down her work. She now had unshakeable faith in Ziyin’s wisdom.

Guo Huiniang, also a mother-to-be, was naturally concerned about her unborn child, so she obediently stopped her work too.

"Indeed, the young lady is wise," the maids agreed. "We have tried many times to convey this to the misses and the madam, but they never listened. But the young lady convinced them with just a few words."

Chapter 433: Chapter 433: In Trouble with the Top-Notch (3)_1

Because the Lin family was kind and never harsh on their servants, the purchased servants also treated their masters genuinely. As a result, the way they talked in daily life was as casual as amongst their own people.

"What are Brother Wu and the oldest brother busy with?" Lin Ziyin asked again.

"Harvesting wheat is over, and the beans in the field are at their tenderest. Those nasty green worms are creating havoc, so they are busy catching these pests in the bean field these days." Zige answered, huffily.

"Pests in the bean field?" Lin Ziyin asked further.

"Yes, they are fat from feeding on the beans, just seeing them makes one angry." Zige answered.

"Hong Ying, hurry, go to the field and let them know, any pests they catch, send them over. Don’t waste a single one," Lin Ziyin said.

"Bean pests are disgusting, they are usually used to feed the ducks. What do you want these pests for?" Guo Huiniang asked with a chuckle. She knew her younger sister-in-law always had unconventional ideas, but she couldn’t figure out anything good with bean pests.

"Lun Luo, go get Master Hui Zhen from Ding’an Temple. Tell him there’s something good." Lin Ziyin was being mysterious, and did not explain what she was going to do with the bean pests. Instead, she sent people around her to do things.

"You aren’t thinking of eating bean pests, are you?" Zige looked at Lin Ziyin in disbelief.

"Exactly, today at lunch we are having bean pests." Lin Ziyin answered with a laugh.

"Ziyin." Zige looked at her in horror. "Are you trying to make us sick?"

"Don’t worry, the bean pests I prepare will be very clean, and I assure you’d want to eat them again once you’ve tasted them," Lin Ziyin stood up. "I will go and take a look."

"We’re really eating bean pests?" Just the thought of the long, wriggling bean pests made Zige’s hair stand on end.

Guo Huiniang, who used to spend her days in the fields, wasn’t so averse to bean pests, but she also had never eaten them before. "Ziyin always has many ideas, if she says it’s tasty, the flavor surely won’t be bad."

Lin Ziyin was serious about this. Seeing the many bean pests brought over from the fields, her eyes lit up. This was wonderful, she could finally satisfy her craving.

Bean pests, called "doudan" in some modern places, due to their high protein content, were always priced high, sometimes even unavailable despite wanting them. She once had it in Northern Suzhou; a small pot along with vegetables cost over a thousand.

However, the taste was really delicious; Lin Ziyin could never forget that flavor till now.

The kitchen staff, looking at the wriggling bean pests in the pot, was unable to hide their discomfort. They had never attempted to prepare these things before.

"Today, invite the children from the school to come for lunch too." Lin Ziyin instructed while efficiently immersing the cleaned bean pests in boiling water to scald them.

"Crush them with a rolling pin." She directed the process.

Many hands make light work, and soon, the meat of doudan was squeezed out, basin by basin.

Lin Ziyin kept a basin for her own household, planning to use the rest in the cafeteria.

Since others didn’t know how to prepare it, she decided to demonstrate herself. In fact, the method of cooking bean pests was simple; the key was in the chili and other ingredients. However, too much of these could mask the flavor of the bean pests, so she definitely could not use MSG or heavy spices. After frying scallions and ginger, Lin Ziyin added water directly. When the water boiled, she added the meat of the bean pests and simmered it with a small fire, finally adding leafy greens to blanch, salt, and pepper.

"Make sure to add a lot of oil." Lin Ziyin reminded them at the end.

Everyone in the kitchen agreed, but they were uncertain, fearing the workers would refuse to eat these pests when they came over.

Chapter 434: Chapter 434: In Trouble with the Top-Notch (4)_1

Lin Ziyin didn’t care about these things, letting someone carry a large pot of bean-filled meat back to her kitchen, where she started stir-frying it with a clamor.

When it was time to eat, the two little ones came back. As soon as they saw Lin Ziyin was there, they immediately clung to her.

"They’re both scholars, yet they lack so much discipline." Lin Changshu gave Changting a sidelong glance as he said this.

Changting acted as if he hadn’t heard, continuing to stick close to Lin Ziyin.

"This is the good stuff?" Master Hui Zhen, with a few martial monks in tow, arrived just in time for the meal. He eyed the bean-filled meat dish in the pot with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Wait until we eat it to say whether it’s good or not," Lin Ziyin said, grinning from ear to ear.

The Lin family knew what was on the table. Zige and Guo Huiniang definitely wouldn’t take the initiative to pick up their chopsticks. Lin Ziyin dutifully served some to her grandfather.

The grandpa knew exactly what it was, but he quietly ate it. After the first bite, his eyes lit up, and then he casually reached for the second chopstick-full.

No matter what was served, Lin Changshu and Wu Dayou were sure to save face for Lin Ziyin, so they bravely ate some, soon followed by a second helping.

Master Hui Zhen took the chopsticks, grabbed a mouthful, and put it into his mouth, "Delicious..."

Was it really that delicious? Zige and Guo Huiniang looked doubtfully at everyone, holding their ground.

"This is bean bug meat." Lin Ziyin said slowly, as Chu Suifeng’s chopsticks reached into the pot. She was being deliberately unkind, hoping to gross Chu Suifeng out. Hmph, let’s see if he dares to tease me so casually in the future.

Bean bug? Chu Suifeng looked at her indifferently, and calmly fished out the bean bug meat and put it in his mouth.

"Although the bean bug isn’t nice to look at, it eats bean leaves and drinks dew. It’s quite content. As for its appearance, it’s just camouflaged." Lin Ziyin saw that Chu Suifeng didn’t react and felt a bit disappointed, yet also pleased with herself. She gave a half-true, half-made-up explanation. "Come, have some more, it’s good for children’s health."

She unabashedly served Changting and Yanzhi half a bowl each.

Bean bug? They really were bean bugs. The two children looked terrified at the dish in their bowls. They didn’t want to eat it at all.

"You both are young men. Surely you’re not afraid of a little bug?" Lin Ziyin looked at the two children, deliberately provoking them.

"Who’s scared?" Changting refused to let Ziyin look down on him. Upon hearing these words, he immediately picked up his chopsticks and started eating with his eyes closed. Where Changting led, Yanzhi followed.

"You really are different from others, young girl. If it weren’t for you, this poor monk would never have known that such a tiny bean bug could be so tasty. A pity about all these years of bean bugs." Master Hui Zhen lamented, but his hand didn’t stop moving.

"It’s really delicious." Wu Dayou served some to Zige. Lin Changshu did the same for Guo Huiniang.

Zige and Guo Huiniang didn’t want to eat at first, but seeing everyone enjoying it, even the children eating with relish, they braced themselves and began to eat.

"Actually, summer is not the best time for bean bugs." Lin Ziyin explained, "The best time is after the bugs burrow into the ground. That’s when they are the most delicious.". Lin Ziyin said smilingly, "With careful cultivation and study, it could become a signature dish of our Northern Land in the future."

"Good idea." Master Hui Zhen agreed. "It’s a bit of a pity about the Vegetarian Feast."

"After things settle down, I’ll open a couple of taverns in Feng City and the marketplace, so I can sell meat dishes again." Lin Ziyin joked casually.

"Once things are settled, this king will give you two taverns," Chu Suifeng suddenly said. His tone was indifferent, as if he was merely chatting to Lin Ziyin about the weather.

Chapter 435: Chapter 435: In Trouble with the Top-Notch (5)_1

"Then I will give the Prince a twenty percent share." Lin Ziyin gave him a glance and replied. Hmph, she had made so many crossbows for Chu Suifeng, a bit of profit was only fair.

As they ate, the two of them came to an agreement.

In the cafeteria, when everyone initially heard that the meat in the dish was actually beans, many were dumbfounded. However, upon hearing that the dish was personally made by Lin Ziyin, the more adventurous ones ordered a portion. Naturally, the Lin Family’s servants, out of respect for Lin Ziyin, each took a portion.

Lou Zheng’s family was also among the bold ones. After everyone had their first bite, their eyes lit up instantly.

Many immediately went to order a second helping.

Leading by example holds power. Quickly, all the large pots of meat dishes were sold out. Those who had not eaten yet heard the rave reviews and almost regret their decision. The children happily enjoyed their food, dipping their bread in the soup. Each of their small bellies were stuffed.

"Lou Zheng." After eating and drinking his fill, Lou Zheng was about to go home and lie in bed for a rest. There was still a while before he had to go to work at noon. He needed to seize the opportunity to rejuvenate. However, unbeknownst to him, as soon as he left, he was stopped by Ma Dali.

Ma Dali deliberately waited for Lou Zheng at the cafeteria entrance.

He had wanted to bypass Lou Zheng and establish a direct relationship with the Lin Family, but the Lin Family never gave him an opportunity. Let alone Lin Ziyin, whom had not shown her face for over ten days, he couldn’t even get close to Lin Changshu, Wu Dayou, and others. They didn’t give him the time of day.

Finally, having no other recourse, Ma Dali thought of approaching Lou Zheng.

In truth, Lou Zheng looked down on Ma Dali, thinking that the Ma family was too calculating.

"Dad, hurry up. We can rest a bit once we get home, it’s been a busy morning." Wu Dali came over, intentionally making the comment for Ma Dali to hear. For all the actions the Ma family had taken in the village, Wu Dali naturally felt an instinctual distaste for them.

Ma Dali pretended not to notice Wu Dali’s words and continued to look at Lou Zheng eagerly for help. "Lou Zheng, you must help me."

He asked for Lou Zheng’s assistance as soon as he opened his mouth, making Lou Zheng frowned slightly. "What is it, tell me."

"Let’s find a quiet place to talk about it. There are people coming and going here..." Upon finishing his sentence, Ma Dali practically dragged Lou Zheng home.

"Dad, I’ll go with you." Wu Dali was not going to just stand by and watch his father be teased or deceived; he immediately chimed in and followed.

Ma Dali asked Lou Zheng for help, and really didn’t want Wu Dali to come along. However, Wu Dali didn’t care about Ma Dali’s reactions; he trailed along like a tail. Wu Dali, being Lou Zheng’s eldest son, made Ma Dali unable to make a fuss. However he thought that Wu Dali would know about this matter sooner or later, and thought that he might as well let him tag along. Hence, Ma Dali enthusiastically welcomed Lou Zheng and his son into his house.

Ma Zhicai was sitting in the inn, seeming to hear the threats of the Tatars still ringing in his ears. It’s true that the ones who nearly took his life yesterday were spies from the North Country. They pretended to be merchants from other regions to gather information in the city.

His second uncle, Ma Erlang, after making a mess in the Lin Family, fled north and ran into the Tatars’ spies. Ma Erlang, like him, was almost killed, but at the key moment, Ma Erlang surrendered, and was trained to become one of the Tatar spies.

However, as Ma Erlang was a wanted criminal in the Northern Lands, it wasn’t too convenient for him to appear in certain matters. Now that they had him, Ma Zhicai, the Tatars were extremely pleased.

After all, as a native of the Northern Lands, it was easier for him to uncover some information.

"If you don’t behave, you can forget about getting the antidote in the second half of the year." The devilish threat haunted his ears. Ma Zhicai, not a particularly strong-willed man, was in a desperate state, and he quickly came to terms with his reality.