Ch. 611..615: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 611-615

Chapter 611: Chapter 611: Never Give Up (6)_1

The conversation seemed to reach its natural conclusion at this point.

However, the old lady didn’t even glance at her this time. Li Yanran was tormented with inner anxiety, but she dared not behave impudently.

The indifference of the old lady choked her grievances in her chest. Alone she sat by the table, watching the old lady feigning sleep to recuperate. The handkerchief in her hand was nearly shredded in her grasp.

"Miss, would you like some tea?" Nanny Qilan ventured to break the stiff silence pervading the room. She looked at Li Yanran smile, a picture of affability, not a hint of impatience showing.

Li Yanran, however, felt the impulse to slap her.

A mere servant, relying on the old lady’s authority, had the audacity to dismiss her, the legitimate miss of the household.

Despite her growing resentment towards Nanny Qilan, Li Yanran didn’t dare show a shred of her emotions. Instead, she obediently stood up, following Nanny Qilan’s lead to bid farewell, "Grandmother should rest now, Yanran will take her leave."

She understood that Nanny Qilan’s words mirrored the old lady’s thoughts. She needed the old lady’s support and help, hence she couldn’t afford to show any abnormal reaction.

Still, the old lady didn’t speak.

Nanny Qilan smiled as she walked over to see her off, "Take care, Miss. Let me accompany you."

"It’s cold outside, Nanny should indeed wait indoors." Li Yanran politely declined. She glanced at the old lady one more time, noticing her still seemingly closed eyes, which filled her heart with unspoken regret and unease.

"Send an invitation to the prince tomorrow to ask Lin Ziyin to come over. They have been gone for too long, the old lady misses them." As she stepped out the door, the old lady spoke at a leisurely pace, as if murmuring to herself, yet seemingly directing the words to Li Yanran.

"Thank you, great ancestress. Cousin has been gone for too long, we do miss him. I’m sure he has been thinking about his grandmother." Li Yanran beamed with joy, longing to turn back and watch the old lady extend the invitation.

"Whether it’s successful or not, you shall not pester anymore." The old lady said sharply, but without heat.

Li Yanran paused, then burst into laughter, "Yes, Grandmother."

How could it not succeed? She thought to herself. Chu Suifeng might not show any warmth to others in the residence, but his affection for the old lady was earnest. Over the years, he had presented many gifts that the old lady cherished. Some items he had even shipped from the Capital City and Jiangnan. He had never refused any of the old lady’s requests.

Over the years, the old lady had made few appeals. But this time, Li Yanran knew for sure, Chu Suifeng wouldn’t decline her request.

After dining in Shili Village, Chu Suifeng returned to the city despite the falling darkness. After being away for two months, he needed to see how things were.

He was eager to find out how much wedding-related goods Situ Gong, who had returned before him, and Bai Xian, who had remained in the residence, had prepared for him.

Although he could independently decide on his own marriage, he still needed to report Lin Ziyin’s name to the Imperial Court, so she could be added to the Jade Butterfly.

He didn’t care about the Jade Butterfly, but he didn’t want to slight Lin Ziyin, and he wanted to share his joy and happiness with the world.

Lin Ziyin was exhausted. Despite the thick quilts and tiger skins laid within the carriage, the continuous bumps along the way made her feel as if her bones were going to break apart. Zige and Changshu wanted to chat with her a bit more, but seeing the fatigue etched on her face, they swallowed their words and urged her to go rest instead.

The next morning, when the village folks arrived at the workshop, one by one, they brought some homemade items as they started their day’s work. Some brought pickled fish or smoked meat, and others brought baked pastries. Everyone expressed their joy and welcome to Lin Ziyin’s return in their unique way.

Chapter 612: Chapter 612: Never Give Up (7)_1

Lin Ziyin slept in until late morning, with no one in the house urging her to wake up.

"How come no one woke me up?" Lin Ziyin lazily got up to wash and dress herself.

"The master and the mistress forbade us to wake you, Miss." Qiaoqiao answered with a smile, pulling up the bed curtains with a golden hook. "Would you like to have your meal in the dining hall, or should we bring it in?"

"If everyone else in the house has already eaten, just bring mine here." Lin Ziyin replied.

"Everyone else has already eaten." Qiaoqiao responded with a smile, then headed out. In no time, she returned with a bowl of rice porridge, two side dishes, and a steamer of buns.

After finishing her meal, Lin Ziyin felt her energy instantly restored.

"Miss, Jue Xin and Manager Yu are waiting outside. Should we let them in?" Qiaoqiao asked, clearing away the bowl.

"Let them in." Lin Ziyin was just thinking about asking them about the household’s income situation.

Qiaoqiao left, and Yu Shaohui and Jue Xin came in, both holding thick accounting books.

"Miss, these are the accounts for the past two months from the workshops." Yu Shaohui said respectfully.

"How’s business?" Lin Ziyin ignored the accounts for the time being and asked directly about the situation.

"Liao City is conducting strict inspections and ice has formed on the river. However, we have shipped out some goods using sledges and skateboards, and our business partners on that end are receiving the goods. Overall, the income is decent. And with additional customers from outside, there isn’t much inventory left in the workshop." Jue Xin answered.

"The new candies are very popular, whether it’s soft sugar, brown sugar or sugar cubes, they were almost all sold out. Seems like it’s necessary to increase the cultivation area next year." Yu Shaohui added, "As for vegetable oil and condiments, according to Miss, the beginning of the month was the last batch for Daqin’s merchants, and we will no longer supply them in the future."

Lin Ziyin nodded, "No matter how much silver they offer, do not sell."

"Yes."

Chu Suifeng received an invitation from the old lady the next day.

Being in a joyful mood about his upcoming marital event, he didn’t think much of it. After all, it was only natural for the old lady to miss him after he had been away from Feng City for two months. Besides, every time he returned from a campaign, the old lady would always send an invitation.

However, the old lady mentioned in the invitation that she wanted to see Lin Ziyin, who was not currently at the Wang Residence. Haha, just as he was thinking about Lin Ziyin, the old lady had given him a suitable excuse.

"Immediately send for the queen to come into the city." Chu Suifeng ordered Congyi loudly.

"Yes, Prince." Congyi did not dare to delay and immediately set off with a contingent of black-armored soldiers.

"Little fatty, this is your auntie, take a good look. If you stick with her, you’ll get candy." Zige was teasing the baby while sitting with Lin Ziyin.

Guo Huiniang couldn’t help but laugh, "Candy is delicious, but bad for teeth. We can’t let them eat too much."

"I was just joking." Zige also started laughing. Both of them had ample milk, and the baby was well-fed and chubby, looking absolutely adorable. At the very least, Lin Ziyin couldn’t get enough of the sight.

"War is so dangerous, thankfully you’ve returned safely. Next time, you can’t scare people like that by vanishing without a word." Zige chided her in a nagging tone.

"I understand." Lin Ziyin replied with a smile.

"You only ever agree in words." Zige gave her a disgruntled glare.

"Miss, someone from the Wang Residence is here, asking for you to visit." Qiaoqiao came in to report.

"She just came back, and now they can’t let her go again." Zige was even more annoyed.

"Did you find out what happened?" Lin Ziyin was patting the chubby baby girl in her arms, and asked Qiaoqiao with a smile.

"They said the old lady from the Marquis Residence is missing the prince and you, Miss." Qiaoqiao was keen and had already figured out why.

"Go then, you wouldn’t want the old lady to miss you." Guo Huiniang, being a dutiful granddaughter-in-law, immediately urged Lin Ziyin to hurry and change her clothes to go into the city. Zige didn’t say anything as it was an elderly person longing for a younger one, echoing Guo Huiniang’s words to Lin Ziyin, urging her to change and head into the city as fast as possible.

Lin Ziyin went into the city in the afternoon, and by the time she got to the Wang Residence, it was too late to go to the Marquis Residence.

That night, she ended up staying in the courtyard where she used to live.

The next day, Chu Suifeng and Lin Ziyin, with the gifts prepared by the butler, took a carriage towards the Marquis Residence.

In fact, Lin Ziyin felt a bit awkward. She had only met the old lady once, and she acted rather aloof, so, truth be told, she probably wasn’t that close to the old lady.

"The prince and miss have arrived." The carriage stopped, and Lin Ziyin hurriedly put down her hand warmer. It wouldn’t look good to meet an elderly person holding a hand warmer.

"Take it." Chu Suifeng stuffed the hand warmer into her hand with displeasure.

"There’s no need, I have gloves." Lin Ziyin held up her gloves with a smile. These gloves were part of the set with her exquisite white fox fur coat.

Chu Suifeng looked over and his face finally broke into a smile. His were black. One black and one white pair, perfectly matched.

"Remember to bring the gifts." Lin Ziyin reminded Hong Ying.

"Don’t worry, miss, I’ve got all of them." Hong Ying beamed, carrying the boxes.

Chapter 613: Chapter 613: This King Doesn’t Agree (1)_1

The Prince visited the Marquis Residence the second day he returned from his military campaign, which was unquestionably a great honor for Marquis Li. However, he had no inkling that Chu Suifeng would be visiting today, so there were no preparations made at the residence.

In this respect, Li Yanran could definitely be considered selfish. After returning from the Old Madam’s room, all she could think about was what outfit to wear.

She busied herself with grooming and dressing up early in the morning, completely forgetting to notify her parents about Chu Suifeng’s impending visit.

"Prince, Miss, please," Marquis Li heard the gatekeeper deliver the message and ran out to greet them hurriedly before he could even straighten his clothes.

When he came out and saw Lin Ziyin standing next to Chu Suifeng, he felt a pang in his chest. However, being a sly old fox, he managed to hide his displeasure. His face broke into a warm smile as he cordially greeted Chu Suifeng and Lin Ziyin.

Only when he saw Marquis Li stepping aside did Chu Suifeng, satisfied, hold Lin Ziyin’s hand and start walking inside.

Congyi snickered quietly behind them. At least Marquis Li had the wits to understand his place. Congyi was sure that if Marquis Li dared to act superior in front of the Prince, the Prince would find a reason to make the Marquis Residence uncomfortable upon his return.

"The Old Madam has been worried about you every day of the two months you were out on a campaign," Marquis Li knew that Chu Suifeng did not like him. Yet, unwilling to be ignored, he racked his brains to strike up a conversation and catch Chu Suifeng’s attention on their way in.

Choosing the Old Madam as the topic of conversation was the most suitable choice within the Marquis Residence.

As for Lin Ziyin, she assumed the role of a devoted wife and mother. She didn’t know Marquis Li well, and since she was a woman, as long as the conversation didn’t steer towards her, she didn’t need to engage in his banter.

Moreover, Lin Ziyin found Marquis Li, a man who changed loyalties with the wind, distasteful. So, no matter what he said, she only needed to maintain a smile.

"How is the Old Madam’s health?" Chu Suifeng’s mood had been particularly good lately, making it rare for him to speak amiably with Marquis Li.

It had been a long time since Marquis Li had seen the Prince speak to him pleasantly. Initially startled, he felt a surge of joy. As it turned out, talking about the Old Madam was indeed the right choice.

"I am touched by the Prince’s concern." Marquis Li’s eyes brimmed with happiness, feeling that the day had started on a good note. "The Old Madam spends most of her time praying and recuperating in the backyard. The Wang Residence had a heating wall set up for the winter, making the room particularly warm. Her cough has lessened considerably this winter. However..."

He began to hesitate midway through his speech.

As a former military academy professor, Lin Ziyin was proficient in psychology and skilled at reading people. Despite Marquis Li’s hesitations, with his troubled demeanor, she was sure that he was overjoyed at this moment.

Clearly, Marquis Li, a cunning old fox, was playing hard to get, hoping to attract Chu Suifeng’s attention.

As it involved the Old Madam, Chu Suifeng was indeed interested, "How so?"

Noticing the displeasure on his face, Marquis Li quickly finished his sentence, "The Old Madam seems to have reduced her food intake recently, and has lost quite a bit of weight."

So that’s what it was. They had thought Marquis Li would reveal some big secret.

Even Lin Ziyin, an outsider, knew that while the Old Madam appeared to be healthy, her internal health was deteriorating. Chu Suifeng had said that she wouldn’t survive this winter, and as it was already early December, it meant the Old Madam did not have much time left.

Chapter 614: Chapter 614: This King Doesn’t Agree (2)_1

Thinking of that astute and kind-hearted old man, Lin Ziyin let out a soft sigh in her heart.

Chu Suifeng seemed to feel the sigh from the bottom of her heart, and while they were walking, he casually held her hand.

Lin Ziyin was slightly startled, then her face blushed. In ancient times, even if they were betrothed, Chu Suifeng’s intimate move could be considered reckless.

"You didn’t even listen to me when I told you to hold the soup urn. Look at you, your lips have turned purple from the cold," Chu Suifeng pulled her hand tighter, not letting her break free.

Lin Ziyin glared at him fiercely. "Prince, I am not cold," she said. Then, raising her hand to show it was gloved, she tried to pull away.

But Chu Suifeng didn’t give her the chance, firmly holding both her hands in his.

Lin Ziyin glared at him again, vexed. This guy, not yet married, had dared to tease her.

The Marquis Li, who fell half a step behind, caught sight of their playful interaction, freezing for a moment. Were they actually flirting right under his eyes? Then, the corners of his mouth curled up in a smirk.

If one looked closely, it would be clear that this smirk was not genuine but was derision towards Lin Ziyin.

Yes, derision. In the Marquis’ eyes, Lin Ziyin was low-born with the demeanor of a commoner, a woman who dared to flirt with a man in front of elders was not a proper woman.

However, Lin Ziyin’s "inappropriateness" was just what the Marquis needed. If she failed to fulfill the role of the prince’s consort, his daughter would have her say in the Wang Residence. Then, the Marquis Residence was not far from returning to its former glory.

Chu Suifeng’s unexpected visit put the Marquis Residence in a frenzy. Lin Ziyin and others on the road could see servants bustling everywhere. Spotting the prince and Lin Ziyin, they respectfully lowered their heads and receded, not daring to breathe loudly.

The distance from the front door of the Marquis Residence to the old lady’s courtyard was neither short nor long.

Such a distance was nothing for Lin Ziyin, who regularly exercised and maintained her physical strength. Marquis Li was surprised to see her not panting or flushing. However, he regarded this surprise as an indication of Lin Ziyin’s crude nature. Being unaffected by such a distance must be because she had done plenty of farming work.

No matter how you dress up a wild chicken, it would still be a chicken, never turning into a golden phoenix.

"Old servant pays respect to the prince, young miss." Nanny Qilan and her maids were already waiting at the courtyard gate. They were servitiors fully trusted by the old lady, and as soon as they saw Chu Suifeng and Lin Ziyin, they immediately knelt to greet them.

"Nanny, please get up, the ground is cold." Lin Ziyin personally helped Nanny Qilan up.

Nanny Qilan was stunned, then she immediately thanked Lin Ziyin again, bending over to bow, "Thank you, young miss, for your consideration."

"Nanny is an important person by the old lady’s side. She can’t do without nanny. Therefore, nanny must take good care of her health." Lin Ziyin kindly replied with a smile.

"Young miss is worrying too much. It’s my fortune in this life to be able to serve the old lady." Nanny Qilan respectfully replied.

"Cousin." While they were talking, the curtain was lifted, and Li Yanran, dressed up to the nines, walked out shyly.

As for Li Yanran’s bow, Chu Suifeng did not help her up, nor did his face show any particular joy. On the contrary, on seeing Li Yanran, he slightly furrowed his brows.

Chapter 615: Chapter 615: This King Doesn’t Agree (3)_1

This surge of emotion was only a fleeting moment. Lin Ziyin, who had been with him for the past two months, was quick to catch it. Additionally, she could subtly guess why Chu Suifeng was upset.

"Come in, it’s cold outside." Chu Suifeng avoided her, allowing Li Yanran to kneel there. Indeed, he was upset. From the moment Li Yanran greeted him only, ignoring Lin Ziyin standing by his side, Chu Suifeng had been in a foul mood.

"Okay." Lin Ziyin cheerfully agreed, without casting a glance at Li Yanran. How people treated her, she would treat them in return. It was a principle that Lin Ziyin relied on in social interactions.

Being ignored and overlooked, Li Yanran stood aside feeling aggrieved. She had come out to welcome Chu Suifeng with great joy just moments ago. She had even got up early to dress up in hopes of pleasing Chu Suifeng. Yet the moment they met, her cousin not only did not show her any affection, but he gave her the cold shoulder instead.

Li Yanran was convinced that Chu Suifeng was treating her poorly because Lin Ziyin was speaking ill of her behind her back.

Marquis Li, standing behind Chu Suifeng, saw everything clearly. He was extremely annoyed. His daughter was naive, couldn’t she see that the Prince was cherishing Lin Ziyin like his eyeball? Li Yanran actually dared to behave petulantly and demonstrated resentment towards Lin Ziyin - it would be strange if Chu Suifeng treated her well.

As Chu Suifeng and Lin Ziyin entered the house, Marquis Li glared at Li Yanran fiercely and signaled her to quickly go in and ingratiate herself with Lin Ziyin.

Unfortunately, Li Yanran was deep in frustration and totally misunderstood his intentions.

Chu Suifeng was already in the house, and the father-daughter pair at the door didn’t dare to exchange whispers behind his back. They glanced at each other and hurried into the house.

Inside the house, the old lady was half-lying on the heated brick bed, leaning against a pillow. Seeing Chu Suifeng and Lin Ziyin come in, she excitedly tried to get up to greet them.

"No need to get up." Chu Suifeng led Lin Ziyin to sit down on a stool by her bed.

"You’ve lost weight again." The old lady kindly looked at Chu Suifeng, and then warmly held Lin Ziyin’s hand, "I heard that both you and the Prince went to Border City."

"Yes," Lin Ziyin replied softly, somewhat unsure how to respond to the old lady’s affection. She was not good at interacting with strangers, especially in front of elders; she always felt at a loss of what to do.

Seeing the old lady’s glowing face, Lin Ziyin felt a pang of sorrow. The old lady looked well, perhaps it was a show of strength at her last gasp? Looking at the elderly woman in front of her, Lin Ziyin found it hard to believe that she didn’t have much time left.

"You poor girl," The Old Lady saw her calm demeanor and her fondness for Lin Ziyin grew. "Battles are deadly, it’s rare for a woman like you to be willing to accompany the Prince in such hardship. The Prince did not choose wrongly."

Speaking this, the old lady’s eyes even became slightly moist.

Chu Suifeng saw her constantly praising Lin Ziyin, his face softened as he listened quietly, his eyes full of pride.

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

""Grandmother, Miss Lin." Li Yanran listened on the side, feeling a surge of jealousy, "I heard the Tatars attacked Border City this time, and the battle was extremely intense. I wonder if Miss Lin was scared? The Prince is busy with military affairs, I guess he can’t take care of you, can he?"

In the face of Li Yanran’s provocation, Lin Ziyin was still smiling, "I wasn’t scared, the Prince was always with the soldiers, mostly living in the camp. I reckon my presence there must have been a trouble to him."