Ch. 551..555: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 551-555

Chapter 551: Chapter 551: Surprise Attack (2)_1

"Compared to Brukan, I value Alhatu more," Chu Suifeng said.

"That guy may seem harmlessly gentle on the surface and speaks kindly, but in essence, he’s actually the worst," Si Jinhan also evaluated, and even Luo Heng nodded.

"Crown Prince Brukan is impetuous and violent by nature. If he ascends to the throne of the North Country, I fear we in Border City will face annual massacres. As for Alhatu, although he is ambitious, he knows when to advance and retreat, and he has some compassion for the people of the North Country." Luo Heng assessed.

Si Jinhan sneered, "Don’t be fooled by his superficial skills. He has spies in Border City and various states of Northern Land. In terms of threat, he is our real opponent."

Lin Ziyin looked at Si Jinhan in surprise. Si Jinhan was responsible for gathering intelligence and essentially did work of a dark nature, so his evaluation of those of similar nature was objective. That Alhatu dared to do such actions under Chu Suifeng’s watchful eyes, his ambition seemed large indeed.

"The majority of the North Country’s army hasn’t arrived yet. What we need to do is to hold our forces back, make preparations and wait for their arrival. The rest should keep an eye out and prevent them from any clandestine operations," commanded Chu Suifeng.

"Yes, Your Highness," Si Jinhan and Luo Heng respectfully replied.

"I will inform the housekeeper to prepare a welcome meal for the Prince and Miss Lin," said Si Jinhan smiling, casting a sidelong glance at Lin Ziyin.

Lin Ziyin said nothing.

Chu Suifeng, however, shook his head, "We are on the brink of a great conflict, so welcoming meals are unnecessary. You all take care of your own tasks. There are already people handling things in the kitchen, so you don’t need to interfere."

"The Prince brought a chef. Could we get in on the meal?" Si Jinhan’s eyes lit up. These days in the camp, despite not being short of provisions as in past years, they had nonetheless grown tired of eating out of the same large pot.

Chu Suifeng gave him a cold glance, and Si Jinhan lost his spirit immediately, "I might as well go eat at the camp to avoid the brothers gossiping about me enjoying a single meal."

Luo Heng was even more discerning than him, standing up first to bow and excuse himself.

Si Jinhan flashed a toothy smile at Lin Ziyin, "Miss Lin, the city is in chaos, it’s best to avoid wandering around."

Lin Ziyin knew he was trying to vex her and replied with a smile, "Young Master Si, relax. I will naturally not cause any trouble for the Prince."

Having hit a snag, Si Jinhan reluctantly bowed and excused himself.

Present Lin Ziyin was to be his future mistress, and he could no longer bully her. He longed for the old days, shaking his head while exiting the courtyard.

Luo Heng was quite reliable. He arranged for Lin Ziyin to stay in the residence he had occupied, while he himself had already moved to live in the camp.

"Prince, the chief administrator, Xiao Yang, requests an audience," Congyi reported with his head bowed, not daring to look at Chu Suifeng’s face, unsure whether he was interrupting the Prince and Miss Lin’s time together.

"Let him come in," Chu Suifeng’s face didn’t look pleased.

He had just finished discussing official matters and wanted to spend some quality time with Lin Ziyin, even planning to introduce her to the situation in Border City, and perhaps foster some affection. Even though they had been traveling together, they hadn’t had almost any alone time due to their rush.

With the tense situation in Border City, they could only spend meal times together, and he estimated he would soon be overwhelmed by official duties, leaving him no more time to be with Lin Ziyin.

"Yes, Prince," On hearing his command, Congyi breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, the Prince wasn’t angry!

"I’ll excuse myself for a while," said Lin Ziyin.

Chapter 552: Chapter 552: Surprise Attack (3)_1

Chu Suifeng nodded, "You have been on the road for several days, always hurrying along. You should go to the back yard and rest."

"Alright. You don’t need to worry about me, Prince." Lin Ziyin replied with a smile.

Chu Suifeng watched her walk into the backyard with a faint smile.

Border City was a very important place. Chu Suifeng would never trust its management to an average person. Xiao Yang was not an average person, he was Chu Suifeng’s man. Having cut off the root of the Feng City Aristocratic Family, the Prince would naturally not allow the descendants of this family to continue to monopolize official positions in the Northern Land. Xiao Yang was his personal appointee. Although he was not a Military General, he was proficient in both civil and martial arts.

However, Xiao Yang was very lean, appearing weak and easily bullied. Many people were deceived by his appearance.

Even the people of the North Country didn’t understand him well. After all, Xiao Yang had only been in Border City for half a year as a prefect. His constant busyness without producing tangible results led the spies of the North Country to overlook him.

But in truth, Xiao Yang was like a lurking Wild Wolf.

"Timur is brave and good at fighting, but he is also obstinate and self-willed. He has arranged many spies in the city. Many of them are rooted in the city as ordinary civilians or merchants. In order to impress Billy, tonight or tomorrow night, he will inevitably attack the granary," Xiao Yang started to report his analysis to the Prince immediately after paying his respects, without waiting for Chu Suifeng to speak.

"Does Mr. Situ know about this?"

"Mr. Situ has known for a long time. Since the arrival of Timur in Border City, Mr. Situ has been monitoring the granary. Many grains have also been transferred to a safe place. Prince, there’s no need to worry," Xiao Yang replied.

"Where is Situ Gong?"

"Mr. Situ has made arrangements on the cliffs on both sides," Xiao Yang answered respectfully. "The third son and Mr. Situ intend to intercept Lord Bandit’s food supplies. They let the last shipment slip through to catch a big fish."

"Leave none of them, including their families," Chu Suifeng coldly issued the order. "As for the bandits, spare their leader, but not the rest."

"Yes, Prince." Xiao Yang bowed and accepted the order. "Ms. Lin is here. Do you want me to send someone to defend her?"

"No need," Chu Suifeng waved his hand.

Xiao Yang noticed his weary appearance. Knowing how much hardship Chu Suifeng must have endured on the road, he gracefully excused himself after delivering the news.

With Lin Ziyin in the residence, Chu Suifeng naturally had to be cautious.

Although he did not trust others and couldn’t stay with Lin Ziyin all the time, after Xiao Yang left, he closed his eyes and pondered.

After a while, he opened his eyes. "Dispatch a thousand Black Armored Soldiers here and invite Master Hui Zhen to stay."

Upon hearing the orders, Congyi immediately set off to carry them out.

After reaching the backyard, Lin Ziyin searched carefully and saw that it was well-kept, but there was no one around.

Luo Heng was a general who loved and cared for his troops, and he was honest and incorruptible. His wife was in Feng City. In the residence of Border City, he did not keep any other women. So, a few elderly and weak soldiers were assigned to clean the courtyard.

Chu Suifeng’s arrival was not a problem as he certainly wouldn’t normally stay in his residence. However, this time Lin Ziyin happened to come along. Now that there was a woman in the backyard, the people who normally cleaned the courtyard could not enter the backyard.

Moreover, the situation in Border City was tense right now, so he dare not casually hire maidservants off the streets to look after her. Fortunately, he had shared his concerns with Mr. Situ in advance.

Chapter 553: Chapter 553: Surprise Attack (4)_1

Situ Gong told him not to worry about it, saying that the Prince and Miss Lin would have people to attend to them.

Looking at the empty courtyard, Hong Ying and Lun Luo began to busy themselves immediately. Despite the harsh conditions, they wouldn’t allow Lin Ziyin to lift a finger.

Making the bed, tidying up the packages they’d brought — the two of them were working non-stop.

Jue Hui and Jue Ming, being men, wouldn’t reside in the courtyard. However, they didn’t dare stray too far and settled in the adjacent premises. They were only separated by a low courtyard wall.

The pair occupied the left side rooms, while Conger arranged Chu Suifeng’s quarters to the right of Lin Ziyin. The courtyard in front was occupied by Master Hui Zhen and a few medicinal monks.

The Residence was somewhat crowded, but everyone’s personal attendants were orderly arranged.

"Miss, the Prince has already arranged for a cook." Lin Ziyin, fearing that the kitchen may be empty, specifically instructed Hong Ying to go check.

Fortunately, Chu Suifeng had arranged everything properly, and there were indeed people there.

"Miss, if there’s anything you require, I can take care of it. I’m rather familiar with the state of Border City," said Hong Ying as she returned, followed by an old man with a limp.

The elder had a weather-beaten face but wise and determined eyes.

"Are you one of Luo Heng’s people?" Lin Ziyin asked.

"I am a servant from the General’s Residence, responsible for serving the General."

"Do you also bear the surname Luo?"

"As an act of grace, the General allowed me to bear the surname Luo. I am known as Luo Peng."

"Just carry on as you normally do, no need to concern yourself with us. If anything is required, I will have my people notify you," Lin Ziyin instructed in a gentle tone. A servant aware of their own status must be trustworthy in the eyes of Luo Heng.

In fact, her party had just reached Border City and wasn’t particularly familiar with the place. If needs arose, securing assistance from a local would certainly yield better results.

"As you wish, Miss." After bowing to her, Luo Peng immediately relinquished his head and exited.

"This afternoon, this Prince plans to visit the military camp. You’ve just arrived in the Residence, so feel free to rest here," Chu Suifeng entered after a short while.

He observed the tidied room and showed signs of satisfaction.

Seeing that he wished to speak with Lin Ziyin, Hong Ying and Lun Luo promptly excused themselves.

"I wasn’t strained, as I was just sitting in the carriage," said Lin Ziyin, "I’d like to visit the city walls as well."

Regarding the impending war, Lin Ziyin also harbored uncertainties and worries. After all, being in the dark on Border City’s state of affairs and the enemy’s actual strength, she wished to familiarize herself with the situation. Maybe when the fighting truly commenced, she could contribute.

"Let Congyi lead you there." Surprisingly, Chu Suifeng did not protest.

Regarding his kind intention, Lin Ziyin didn’t oppose either. As the war had not broken out yet, it was relatively safe within the city.

"Ziyin." Chu Suifeng gently gazed at the woman before him. With no other individuals in the room, he didn’t need to hide his emotions. For Lin Ziyin, Chu Suifeng had always felt a sense of guilt.

He aimed to gift Lin Ziyin the best of everything, yet he’d unknowingly risked her life alongside his own dangers time and again.

"Yes?" Lin Ziyin replied in a low voice, her eyes carrying the same soft gaze.

A woman’s gentleness can be a man’s best emotional remedy. Gazing at her, Chu Suifeng felt warmth flooding his heart. He reached out to caress Lin Ziyin’s hair, uttered in a low voice, "After we return, I shall wed you in a grand ten-mile wedding procession."

Chapter 554: Chapter 554: Surprise Attack (5)_1

"A bridal procession ten miles long, isn’t that too much?" Lin Ziyin asked teasingly, "Has the Prince ended up giving all the silver he made off me back to me?"

"Isn’t my silver the same as yours?" Chu Suifeng laughed.

Perhaps others were unaware of the benefits he derived from Lin Ziyin, but he knew very well. His current confidence and everything he had, were all thanks to the young girl in front of him.

"So, in order to marry me, has the Prince ended up penniless?"

"I shall have to depend on the Princess for my livelihood in the future." Chu Suifeng was in high spirits, joking with her.

"Let me calculate this account, see if I’m at a loss." Lin Ziyin cunningly said, "The Prince used the silver made off me to buy me as his wife, and now I have also to support him. It seems like I’m at a disadvantage."

"I am handsome and talented. Even if you buy me, you don’t suffer." Chu Suifeng wasn’t angry at all, jovially bantering with her. Their relationship had significantly improved ever since they got engaged, and he enjoyed chitchatting with Lin Ziyin.

"Prince doesn’t fear being accused of relying on a woman’s support." Lin Ziyin asked seriously.

"Dependence also needs capital, they envy me, but don’t have such good luck as me." Chu Suifeng seriously retorted.

As their banter continued, they broke into laughter.

Chu Suifeng lightly embraced her, "I regret not meeting you sooner. Ziyin, only with you do I feel the warmth of home."

"Therefore, you’re not allowed to show off in front of grandfather and brother." Lin Ziyin shouted.

"They are your relatives, and you are my Princess. So naturally, they are my family too. When have I ever behaved arrogantly in front of them?" Chu Suifeng rubbed her head with his chin.

The silkiness of her hair made him intoxicated.

"No matter what, you should never make them afraid of you in future." Lin Ziyin became domineering.

"Hmm. Once we are married and become a proper family, Grandfather and they will naturally not be afraid of me anymore." Chu Suifeng comforted her with a smile.

"Prince, Miss, the meal is ready, Master Hui Zhen is waiting." Hong Ying’s voice came from outside.

"We are coming." Upon hearing this, Lin Ziyin jumped out of Chu Suifeng’s embrace immediately.

Seeing her react this way made Chu Suifeng laugh heartily.

Noticing him laughing at herself, Lin Ziyin gave him a chiding look. This guy, ever since they got engaged, seizes every opportunity to embrace her and take advantage of her. While she herself, started to get accustomed to his warmth, from initially getting angry to now being needful of it.

This man really couldn’t be too indulged.

"Let’s go." Chu Suifeng, in high spirits, held her hand and pulled her outside, seemingly not minding her "soft resistance" at all.

Everyone waiting outside could hear Chu Suifeng’s hearty laughter. The guards exchanged glances, seeing the laughter in each other’s eyes.

The Prince is indeed becoming more human, and it’s all thanks to the future Princess.

Lin Ziyin and Chu Suifeng arrived at the front hall, and sure enough, Master Hui Zhen was there, looking impatient.

"Even eating a meal takes so long, I would be more comfortable staying in the army barracks." Seeing the young couple lovingly entering the room, Master Hui Zhen was actually very happy. He watched Chu Suifeng grow up, Chu Suifeng entered the temple when he was only four. The monks of Ding’an Temple treated Chu Suifeng as a junior.

Chu Suifeng’s loneliness, grievances, and strength over these years, they have witnessed and felt helpless. Now everything’s fine, all problems have been solved. Lin Ziyin is a treasure, ever since she appeared, the monks’ meals have improved, the people’s food issues have been solved, and the Prince has someone who cares about him. Ha ha, the choice of Princess is so excellent! However, Hui Zhen enjoyed his verbal duels with Lin Ziyin and loved bantering with her when he saw her.

 

Chapter 555: Chapter 555: Surprise Attack (6)_1

"It’s not us who are slow, Master, you’re just too greedy." Lin Ziyin ribbed back with laughter. Of course, she wasn’t serious about picking a quarrel with Master Hui Zhen. She just enjoyed their playful banter.

Master Hui Zhen had a cheerful and bold personality. Despite being a monk, he did not conform to the typical regulatory discipline of one. Instead, he more so resembled a chivalrous gentleman of the jianghu. In these recent days, he often visited the Lin family to dine freely, so he and Lin Ziyin had grown quite close, transcending their age difference to become close friends. Their conversations flowed freely without pretense.

Chu Suifeng was even more pleased to see his queen consort building a good relationship with the monk of Ding’an Temple. For him, the temple was like a second home. All the monks were like family. If his queen consort got along well with the monks, his life would be much easier in the future.

"You are simply too sharp for me, lass. Let’s stop the chatter and eat." Having satiated his passion for banter, Master Hui Zhen laughed and urged Lin Ziyin to dig in.

"Serve the dishes." Chu Suifeng commanded.

Hong Ying and Lun Luo immediately started serving the dishes. As there were no maids in the residence, they temporarily took up the role of serving girls.

Although conditions were tough, the meals served in the residence were decent—six dishes and one soup among the three of them. The meal had a balanced assortment of meat and vegetables, sufficient for their consumption. They had never been short of food on their journey, but they hadn’t exactly enjoyed delectable cuisine either. Now, being able to indulge in such a delightful meal, they ate with great relish.

After finishing their peaceful meal, Lin Ziyin immediately invited Master Hui Zhen to accompany them to the city walls.

Master Hui Zhen did not refuse, nodding his agreement.

The courtyard where Luo Heng lived was not far from the city gate, probably chosen for convenience.

This time, Lin Ziyin rode in a carriage, while Master Hui Zhen and Chu Suifeng were on horseback.

The streets were sparsely populated, and the constructed roads were remarkably wide, allowing the carriage to speed through unhindered.

It didn’t take them long to reach the city gate.

The northern gate of Border City was unique, with dual gates standing guard on both the interior and exterior. One was made from Mystical Iron, while the second was a heavy wooden gate bolted with iron.

The place truly lived up to its reputation as the gateway to the Northern Land!

At that moment, the city gate and the city walls were bristling with well-armed soldiers. The city gate had been closed early, no one was allowed to leave, and incoming merchants were blocked out as well.

The pervasive atmosphere of impending war was palpable.

Standing on the city walls with Chu Suifeng and Master Hui Zhen, she looked out at the empty land beyond and felt an overwhelming mix of emotions. Once one leaves the northern gate of Border City and heads north, there are hardly any signs of human habitation. This vacant strip of land would soon serve as a brutal battlefield.

As Luo Heng said, Border City was different from other cities. Only the southern and northern city gates required heavy protection. The gates on the left and right sides were located on the inside of the precipitous cliffs. If enemies wished to attack from the east or west side, they would have to pay a heavy price.

"Greetings, Prince." The soldiers standing guard on the city walls were thrilled to see Chu Suifeng; their admiration for him was evident.

"At ease." Chu Suifeng raised his hand, "Stay vigilant and monitor the enemy’s movements."

"Yes, Prince."

"Prince, Miss Lin, Master Hui Zhen." Luo Heng, too, noticed their arrival and hurriedly came over to show respects.

"Has there been any movement from Timur?" Chu Suifeng asked.

"No," Luo Heng replied, "It seems they harbor nefarious intentions."

Chu Suifeng nodded.

"Prince, allow me to take a few men to challenge them? This coward hasn’t dared to show his face since his arrival." A general asked for permission to provoke the enemy.