Ch. 616..620: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 616-620

Chapter 616: Chapter 616: This King Doesn’t Agree (4)_1

"What’s so troublesome?" Before anyone else could speak, Chu Suifeng showed his displeasure. "Since the princess has been there, the soldiers’ meals have improved a lot, completely relieving my worries. The soldiers are also grateful for the princess’s kindness."

"Oh?" The old lady looked at Lin Ziyin in surprise, "What’s going on?"

"Yes, hearing the prince speak, I’m also curious. Could it be that Miss. Lin is helping in the kitchen?" Li Yanran said with a light laugh, looking at Lin Ziyin, sarcasm evident in her eyes.

"The kitchen is a vital place; there’s no need for me to step in," Lin Ziyin explained with a faint smile.

"Haha, Miss. Lin is joking. This is the first time I’ve heard the kitchen referred to as a vital place." Li Yanran seized on this opportunity, not giving Lin Ziyin a chance at all and immediately launching a counterattack.

"Talkative." The old lady said with slight annoyance, "Where’s the etiquette you always learned? Has the princess finished speaking? Is it your turn to interrupt?"

Scolded by the old lady in front of Chu Suifeng, Li Yanran felt extremely embarrassed. Her eyes reddened, she glanced at Lin Ziyin, then lowered her head again.

"Please forgive the impudence of my daughter, Prince, Princess. We’ve spoiled her too much," Lord Li apologized hastily when he saw Chu Suifeng’s face darken.

Chu Suifeng was indeed angry, but out of respect to the old lady, he held back from losing his temper.

Only then did Li Yanran notice his harsh expression, and immediately regretted her actions. She had intended to provoke Lin Ziyin, but her cleverness had backfired, and she had instead provoked the prince’s disgust.

"It’s okay." Lin Ziyin also had a temper, but she knew her limits. She knew that Chu Suifeng refrained from losing his temper only out of respect for the old lady. Considering the old woman didn’t have long to live, she naturally didn’t want to upset her.

Life is like a play, and since Marquis Li was acting, she might as well continue the act. "Miss Li is just outspoken. As I said, after arriving in Border City, I didn’t really help the prince that much. Women are not allowed to move around the military camp at will, so I am not very clear about the management and such. But, don’t laugh, I truly consider the kitchen to be a vital place."

Li Yanran was dismissive of her words. If the kitchen was considered a central place in the camp, where did Lin Ziyin place those generals?

"Oh, why does the princess say so?" Marquis Li sniffed at Lin Ziyin’s explanation. But, since Lin Ziyin had given him a way out just now, he naturally had to go along with her.

"The people regard food as their heaven, which also applies to the soldiers. If the soldiers are not well-fed, how are they going to fight? Besides, if there’s a problem with the food, and the soldiers eat it, then what?" Lin Ziyin explained in a joking tone.

"The princess makes sense." Marquis Li said dryly, but in his heart, he disliked Lin Ziyin even more. What a ludicrous excuse, the kitchen is the lowest place in a military camp. Only a hillbilly like Lin Ziyin would always be thinking about food.

"You, girl, you’ve really suffered since following the prince." The old lady had a different perspective from Marquis Li and Li Yanran. From Lin Ziyin’s few words, she saw Lin Ziyin’s sincere heart.

A woman who respects even the lowliest soldier will undoubtedly be the most suitable and formidable mistress in the Northern Land. The prince’s judgment was as sharp as always. At this moment, the old lady hesitated over what she was about to say.

"The soldiers loved the peppers the princess sent from Shili Village," Chu Suifeng said to the old lady, ignoring Marquis Li and his daughter by his side.

 

Chapter 617: Chapter 617: This King Doesn’t Agree (5)_1

Chu Suifeng did not wish to speak further in front of father and daughter, Li Yanran. Everything that Lin Ziyin had done for him and the northern soldiers, it was enough that he and the soldiers were aware, there was no need for two unrelated individuals to comprehend it.

"You should take the medicine prepared by Master Hui Zhen, grandmother." Chu Suifeng changed the topic. "As the weather is cold, it is easier to cause coughing so you cannot stop the medication."

"Is Prince looking at me like a child?" The old lady laughed. "Even if the Master is not in the residence, Qilan is very diligent every day."

"Old lady, I was just about to complain to the Prince." Nanny Qilan took over the conversation with a smile. "Old lady avoids and refuses to take her medicine."

"You, jumping on the bandwagon only becomes brave in front of the prince." The old lady was revealed his secret, she couldn’t help but laugh.

"Grandmother, you can’t stop the medicine." Chu Suifeng advised with a bitter face, his expression becoming a lot more serious.

The old lady laughed and nodded, "I will, I will always take it on time from now on."

"If the old lady doesn’t want to take it even after the prince’s return, I would complain to the prince." Nanny Qilan joked.

The group was jovial and clearly at ease with each other.

This scenario furthermore excluded Marquis Li and Li Yanran.

Li Yanran resented being neglected and when she saw that Lin Ziyin was also quietly sitting aside without going to please the old lady, she felt balanced. What about the prince favoring Lin Ziyin and cherishing her, take a look, Lin Ziyin could not make conversation in front of the old lady too.

Just as she was thinking about it, the old lady noticed silent Lin Ziyin, "Has Prince set the wedding date yet?"

"It’s set." Chu Suifeng answered with a slight smile. "I came specially to inform grandmother about it."

Li Yanran has been waiting eagerly for a long time and hearing them finally talk about the main issue, she couldn’t help but sharpen her ears to listen.

"It is on the 18th of this month." Chu Suifeng had joy in his eyes. "Grandmother has always been worried about my marriage, she can be at ease now."

As he said this, he took Lin Ziyin’s hand in front of everyone, "The Princess is the one who is destined for me."

The old lady listened quietly, always sporting a soft smile on her face, her gaze at Lin Ziyin became much warmer.

Seeing that the old lady didn’t mention the matter of her becoming a consort, Li Yanran became as impatient as a burning flame, wishing she could immediately question the old lady about why she didn’t care about her matter.

"Being able to see Prince’s marriage within my lifetime, I am content with my life." Speaking up to this point, the old lady’s tone became a bit wistful, "If the prince did not return from the border city, I thought that I would have to live with regrets for my lifetime."

Lin Ziyin was startled upon hearing these words, had the old lady sensed something wrong with her body?

"As long as Master Hui Zhen is present, grandmother doesn’t have to worry." Chu Suifeng’s face stiffened, but then he replied with a faint smile.

"Old lady’s face is flush, you will surely live a long life." Lin Ziyin also chimed in with a faint smile.

"You don’t need to pacify me, I am aware of my own health." The old lady expressed in a bitter tone. "Being able to withstand until your return, I am already very content. In this life, what I’m most proud of is not having two sons, but giving birth to a dignified and gentle daughter. After her death, as her mother, I have always been unwilling to forget her last wish."

Even without explicit mention, Lin Ziyin understood that the old lady was referring to Consort De.

Marquis Li, sitting on the side, heard the old lady mention Consort De. He looked at Chu Suifeng awkwardly but didn’t dare to mention anything.

Being a son and seeing her own mother’s favoritism towards the other child, Marquis Li felt some humiliation. However, thinking that the person the old lady mentioned was his own sister, he felt relieved. After all, it’s natural for the old lady to dote on her daughter.

 

Chapter 618: Chapter 618: This King Doesn’t Agree (6)_1

"She was well-loved by the people, but she left us full of regret and guilt. On the night she passed away, it rained incessantly. She whispered, ’Mother, my child carries a hard fate. Born into the imperial family, he has not known a day of fatherly love. Now, I cannot even keep him with his mother. He will certainly bear a grudge against me. Mother, in the future, I entrust my son to you, for only a mother can truly love a child. He should be treated as your grandchild, for my sake.’" The elder lady was fully immersed in her sorrowful reminiscing, tears streaming down her face.

"Over the years, I have failed her last wish for various reasons, and as his grandmother, I am filled with guilt." the elder lady said, weeping and beating her chest.

Chu Suifeng rolled up his sleeves and knelt down on the ground.

Upon seeing this, Lin Ziyin also knelt down immediately.

"Mother, Mother," Lord Li cried out anxiously, his eyes alternating between the elder lady and Chu Suifeng. "What’s happening? The temperature is low, and the Prince is kneeling on the ground."

"Get up, it’s cold on the ground," the elder lady seemed to regain some clarity, her eyes falling on the two kneeling figures, "It is me who has wronged you two."

Only she knew the depth of her pain.

"Grandmother took care of me when I was plagued with illness, and she held a deep affection for me. Without her care, I, Chu Suifeng, may not have survived. She was the one who showed me what familial love felt like in this world. Now that I have a wife, I think even my mother would be able to rest in peace knowing you two are by my side," Chu Suifeng was slightly emotional as he knelt on the ground.

The elder lady burst into sobs upon hearing this.

Knowing the elder lady’s heartache, Nanny Qilan wiped away her tears, softly advising, "My lady, the Prince has now become a formidable War God, and he has a princess by his side. The queen mother can rest in peace. If you continue to grieve like this, and something happens to you, how can the prince bear it? In a few days, you still have to witness Prince’s wedding. Besides, if the queen mother knew you were this distraught, she would be uneasy too."

"Yes, I still have to witness the Prince’s wedding." The elder lady seemed to regain some clarity.

Lord Li was taken aback by the elder lady’s alternating states of confusion and lucidity, not knowing what to do with his hands and feet.

Normally, monks from Ding’an temple, renowned for their medical skills, took care of the elder lady’s health. This was kindly arranged by the Prince. On a regular basis, the elder lady seemed to be in good health, however, today was not the case. Her physical health did not match up to her outward appearance.

Even Chu Suifeng’s tone and demeanor seemed off. Could it be the elder lady was really...? With this thought, Lord Li broke into a cold sweat. He knew that the Prince’s continued presence was reliant on the elder lady. Without her, Chu Suifeng would not have any sentiment for the Marquis Residence. Without the protection of the elder lady and the Prince, the Li family, merely a shadow of its former glory, would soon be boxed out of the circle of noble families.

In a short space of time, Lord Li had a lot to consider.

"Lin Ziyin." The elder lady, fully lucid now, struggled to reach out to Lin Ziyin.

Lin Ziyin wanted to respond while still kneeling, however, she also wanted to stand up to talk to the elder lady. However, since Chu Suifeng, as a prince, was still kneeling, it didn’t seem right for her to stand up alone.

Chapter 618: Chapter 618: This King Doesn’t Agree (6)_1

"She was well-loved by the people, but she left us full of regret and guilt. On the night she passed away, it rained incessantly. She whispered, ’Mother, my child carries a hard fate. Born into the imperial family, he has not known a day of fatherly love. Now, I cannot even keep him with his mother. He will certainly bear a grudge against me. Mother, in the future, I entrust my son to you, for only a mother can truly love a child. He should be treated as your grandchild, for my sake.’" The elder lady was fully immersed in her sorrowful reminiscing, tears streaming down her face.

"Over the years, I have failed her last wish for various reasons, and as his grandmother, I am filled with guilt." the elder lady said, weeping and beating her chest.

Chu Suifeng rolled up his sleeves and knelt down on the ground.

Upon seeing this, Lin Ziyin also knelt down immediately.

"Mother, Mother," Lord Li cried out anxiously, his eyes alternating between the elder lady and Chu Suifeng. "What’s happening? The temperature is low, and the Prince is kneeling on the ground."

"Get up, it’s cold on the ground," the elder lady seemed to regain some clarity, her eyes falling on the two kneeling figures, "It is me who has wronged you two."

Only she knew the depth of her pain.

"Grandmother took care of me when I was plagued with illness, and she held a deep affection for me. Without her care, I, Chu Suifeng, may not have survived. She was the one who showed me what familial love felt like in this world. Now that I have a wife, I think even my mother would be able to rest in peace knowing you two are by my side," Chu Suifeng was slightly emotional as he knelt on the ground.

The elder lady burst into sobs upon hearing this.

Knowing the elder lady’s heartache, Nanny Qilan wiped away her tears, softly advising, "My lady, the Prince has now become a formidable War God, and he has a princess by his side. The queen mother can rest in peace. If you continue to grieve like this, and something happens to you, how can the prince bear it? In a few days, you still have to witness Prince’s wedding. Besides, if the queen mother knew you were this distraught, she would be uneasy too."

"Yes, I still have to witness the Prince’s wedding." The elder lady seemed to regain some clarity.

Lord Li was taken aback by the elder lady’s alternating states of confusion and lucidity, not knowing what to do with his hands and feet.

Normally, monks from Ding’an temple, renowned for their medical skills, took care of the elder lady’s health. This was kindly arranged by the Prince. On a regular basis, the elder lady seemed to be in good health, however, today was not the case. Her physical health did not match up to her outward appearance.

Even Chu Suifeng’s tone and demeanor seemed off. Could it be the elder lady was really...? With this thought, Lord Li broke into a cold sweat. He knew that the Prince’s continued presence was reliant on the elder lady. Without her, Chu Suifeng would not have any sentiment for the Marquis Residence. Without the protection of the elder lady and the Prince, the Li family, merely a shadow of its former glory, would soon be boxed out of the circle of noble families.

In a short space of time, Lord Li had a lot to consider.

"Lin Ziyin." The elder lady, fully lucid now, struggled to reach out to Lin Ziyin.

Lin Ziyin wanted to respond while still kneeling, however, she also wanted to stand up to talk to the elder lady. However, since Chu Suifeng, as a prince, was still kneeling, it didn’t seem right for her to stand up alone.

Chapter 619: Chapter 619: This King Doesn’t Agree (7)_1

Chu Suifeng could not bear to see her suffer, he was the first to stand up, then personally helped Lin Ziyin up, "Your grandmother wants to speak with you."

He signaled to Lin Ziyin with his eyes.

Lin Ziyin nodded slightly and, with a smile, took the initiative to let the old lady take her hand.

"From now on, I will entrust the prince to your care." After seizing Lin Ziyin’s hand, the old lady looked at her with tearful and hopeful eyes.

Lin Ziyin looked at the old lady, then at Chu Suifeng.

Chu Suifeng looked at her gently, both of them saw their reflections in each other’s eyes.

Seeing the look in both of their eyes, the old lady felt both happy and awkward. Looking at Li Yanran standing to the side, her heart sunk further.

After all, both sides are her family. Over the years, how the prince has treated the Marquis’s residence was crystal clear to the old lady. But the mistake her son made in his shortsightedness that brought harm to the prince, is something that can’t be swept away with just a few words.

The old lady was a genuine antiquated noblewoman, she didn’t possess any ideas of monogamy. She shifted her eyes from Li Yanran to her son, Marquis Li. Seeing Marquis Li’s anxious look, a corner of her heart suddenly crumbled.

She sighed deeply in her heart. Just like remembering the heavy trust of the late imperial concubine, she also always remembered that she herself was still a daughter-in-law of the Li family. No matter what, she didn’t wish for Chu Suifeng and the Marquis Residence to become strangers after her death.

After thinking it over countless times, she gathered her courage and struggled to get off the bed.

"Old lady." Of all the people present, Nanny Qilan, aside from Chu Suifeng and Lin Ziyin, knew the old lady’s health condition the best. Being by the old lady’s side for so long, Nanny Qilan understood very clearly why the old lady was making this effort, and even what she planned to say next, she knew it all too well. But regarding the outcome of what was to come, she was not hopeful.

The floor is cold, surely Nanny Qilan also does not want the old lady to kneel on the icy ground. In actuality, she even more so wanted to prevent the old lady from doing what she planned to do, she didn’t want to see the old lady face embarrassment and sorrow.

The old lady was very stubborn, reminiscent of the late imperial concubine. Anything she decided on, she wouldn’t let go until she hit a brick wall.

Ignoring Nanny Qilan’s support, the old lady knelt on the floor.

Chu Suifeng’s face stiffened, and his eyes darkened.

Lin Ziyin, on the other hand, was shocked and hurried over to help the old lady up.

The old lady waved her off and opened her mouth with a bitter tone, "What I am about to do, I owe an apology to both the Prince and Princess Consort, please listen to my words till the end."

Li Yanran’s eyes lit up at this and the corners of her mouth turned upwards slightly, indeed, the old lady still favored her.

"Grandmother, since you know that the words you’re about to say will hurt Princess Consort and me, why say it at all?" Chu Suifeng also stepped forward to help her up. Even though he suspected what the old lady would say next, just thinking about the love she had shown him over the years, he couldn’t harden his heart to speak harshly to her.

"Prince." tears flowed freely from the old lady’s eyes, "I am the prince’s grandmother, but also a daughter-in-law of the Li family."

Lin Ziyin felt her head buzzing, possibly the old lady intended for the Prince to take care of the Li family after her death? Lin Ziyin had clear understanding of Chu Suifeng’s attitude towards the Li family.

Frankly, she too despised the Li family’s behaviour. However, if the old lady was pleading for the future generations of the Li Residence, Lin Ziyin believed that due to Chu Suifeng’s loyal character, he would surely agree to the old lady’s request. Although Chu Suifeng wouldn’t heavily rely on Marquis Li and his ilk in the future, at the very least, he wouldn’t harm the Marquis Residence.

The old lady’s words made Chu Suifeng draw back and he stood upright, his face sternly watching Lin Ziyin bend down to help the old lady.

Li Yanran was looking at Chu Suifeng like a shy bride, while Marquis Li’s eyes carried a trace of excitement.

"The women in the prince’s backyard have all been sent by others, they can’t be trusted or put to use. The prince has maintained his resolve for many years, he never put any of his thoughts towards them. But now with them there, it’s nothing but trouble. The prince should clear his backyard." the old lady said with bitterness.

Lin Ziyin was puzzled again, she couldn’t understand why all of a sudden, the old lady cared about Chu Suifeng’s backyard affairs.

Next, she received an envious glance from Li Yanran on the side, and she suddenly understood.

She stepped back a little more, deciding not to help the old lady. No matter how good this old lady was to Chu Suifeng, after all, it had nothing to do with her, Lin Ziyin.

Seeing her back away, Chu Suifeng immediately stretched out his hand to grab her, and pulled her towards himself. Their bodies immediately drew close together.

"Yanran has always liked you and she is also your cousin. I’ve never asked anything of you in this life, this time I beg Prince and Princess Consort, I wish you will agree to allow Yanran to stay by prince’s side as a consort." The old lady saw Lin Ziyin distancing herself and felt supremely bitter. Lin Ziyin being an intelligent person, how could she not understand her intentions? Honestly, she herself didn’t know how she gathered the courage to say it. The old lady was so ashamed that she couldn’t bear to look at Lin Ziyin anymore.

Chapter 620: Chapter 620 A Visitor from the Imperial Court (1)_1

Having her suspicions, Lin Ziyin was not shocked upon hearing the Dowager’s earnest plea. Her face remained calm and indifferent. At that moment, Chu Suifeng’s hand tightened slightly, seemingly comforting her.

Feeling the warmth in her hand, Lin Ziyin’s irritability suddenly subsided.

The room was warm due to the fire wall, and abruptly Marquis Li felt overwhelmingly hot, his back becoming damp. He had never imagined that the Dowager would actually bring it up. Sure, he hoped his daughter, Li Yanran, could become one of Chu Suifeng’s consorts at the Wang Residence, but Marquis Li felt this wish wouldn’t be fulfilled very soon. After all, considering Chu Suifeng’s regard for Lin Ziyin, he would absolutely not agree to insult Lin Ziyin by marrying an additional consort on his wedding day.

But since the Dowager brought up the topic, it’s possible that this could work out. The more Marquis Li thought about it, the more excited and nervous he became.

Unable to hide her joy, Li Yanran shyly glanced at Chu Suifeng. But when she saw the expression on Chu Suifeng’s face, she was overcome with dread.

Chu Suifeng, at this moment, showed no hint of warm expression. His right hand was tightly holding Lin Ziyin’s left hand, "Is making me marry a consort the Dowager’s own wish?"

His tone was cold, devoid of any emotion.

Nanny Qilan was shocked. Having watched Chu Suifeng grow up, she understood from this reaction that he was at the peak of his anger.

"I’m aware of the deep affection and duty you have for your wife, but your status is not common, Your Highness." The Dowager continued with a heavy heart and less embarrassment on her face. "In the future, even if you dismiss the women in your inner court, it is still necessary to keep some people close to you. The Si family’s lady and the Luo family’s daughter are all your aids. You can’t miss them."

Perhaps knowing that her days were limited, the Dowager spent all her energy chattering and showing what she perceived to be her concern.

"Yanran may not be a good aide", seeing Chu Suifeng remain silent, the Dowager knew that he was not in a good mood, but she gritted her teeth and finished her sentence, "But she’s your cousin. My two sons have wronged you. You’ve been so tolerant all these years, and I couldn’t be more grateful."

"Mother." Marquis Li let out a terrified cry, eying Chu Suifeng nervously, fearing he would become infuriated. Indeed, it was their short-sightedness back then; they treated the young Chu Suifeng unjustly behind his back. But after all these years, the Prince never brought it up, and while their relations cooled, as long as it was not mentioned, perhaps there was still room for reconciliation. But now that the Dowager pointed it out outright, would the Prince retaliate against the Marquis Residence?

"Silence." The Dowager scolded Marquis Li, "After my departure from this world, I hope that the Prince can send them back to Daqin, their ancestral home, for my sake. Yanran genuinely likes the Prince. She would never harm you and she will take good care of you."

Return to their ancestral home? Marquis Li’s face turned pale as he panicked. Although the Li family didn’t prefer the harsh climate and environment of the Northern Land, they had struggled for so many years there, had amassed a great deal of private wealth and shops, had hundreds of servants ensuring their comfortable lifestyle. Who would want to leave? And being situated on Daqin’s territory, although far from the Capital City, who could guarantee that one day the Imperial Court wouldn’t seek to destroy them out of spite?

Staying in the Northern Land, although the ultimate outcome might be expulsion from their aristocratic status, given his understanding of Chu Suifeng, provided the Li family stayed in the Northern Land, Chu Suifeng would definitely not destroy them completely.