The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 291: Implementing Another Plan(1)_1

Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Implementing Another Plan(1)_1

Waiting anxiously until morning, but still there was no news of the assassin’s death. Li Yanran had already made a vague guess in her heart. The people who had been sent out might never return. But did they end up dead? Would she be implicated? Li Yanran had no idea. This was her first time dealing with such serious matters like murder and arson. In such a short period of time, she lived in fear and trepidation.

The next day, Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan arrived at the training ground, they had already come to know about the incident at the Lin family’s house last night.

After understanding what had happened, Chu Suifeng’s somber gaze never left Lin Ziyin. His constant stare perplexed Lin Ziyin, who couldn’t help but wonder. The prince’s mood was too unpredictable. Just because she had indirectly insulted him yesterday, he remained upset for half of the day, and even after a night’s rest, he was still angry. His pettiness was outrageous!

"The little girl has such good luck, she encountered an assassin and wasn’t even injured." Si Jinhan guessed the identity of the assassin after hearing the details from Jue Hui.

Employing an assassin? Not every family can afford one.

Who on earth has Lin Ziyin offended in secret? The incident began to become increasingly puzzling.

"Well, Prince and Third Young Master, since you both hold official positions, we will leave the body of the assassin to you." Lin Ziyin said slowly, looking at Si Jinhan.

"Both the prince and myself do not typically involve ourselves in investigation matters." Si Jinhan said with a smile.

"We law-abiding citizens pay our taxes on time. When ordinary people’s lives are in danger, you officials should be doing everything in your power to protect us. You, the officials, represent justice. If the Third Young Master continues to shirk responsibility, it will affect our trust in officialdom." Lin Ziyin responded seriously, opening her eyes wide.

Upon hearing this, Lin Changshu was nearly frightened out of his wits.

Losing trust in the government? This implied serious discontent. Would the prince misinterpret this? Would he think that the Lin family was dissatisfied with the imperial court and the prince? This girl was growing bolder, daring to say whatever she wanted. No, he had to talk to Ziyin in private upon returning home. If she kept shooting off her mouth like this, it would invite trouble.

"Are you dissatisfied with me?" Chu Suifeng’s words made Lin Changshu’s heart skip a beat, he almost fell over in fright.

"How could your highness interpret it that way?" Lin Ziyin retorted with a glance. "Isn’t the duty of the royal household and government officials to protect us humble commoners, allowing us to live in peace and security? In exchange, we commoners dutifully pay our taxes. Both parties equally benefit from this arrangement. Last night, I was attacked for no apparent reason, therefore I asked his highness and the Third Young Master, as government authorities, to investigate this matter. Can his highness please advise me where I have gone wrong?"

"Your mistake lies in misplacing responsibility." Si Jinhan replied coldly, schooling her, "Investigating cases is the duty of government offices. Any grievances will be naturally taken care of by the county magistrate and his officials. If all citizens were like you, pestering the prince over every trivial matter, how would that look?"

"I see," Lin Ziyin quickly agreed, but in her heart, she was indignant. This was considered trivial? Almost losing her life was merely a ’trivial matter’ in the eyes of these aristocrats. "It seems that I have misunderstood. I ask for the prince and Third Young Master’s forgiveness."

"The prince and myself of course, will not hold grudges over such trivial matters." Si Jinhan waved his hand, presenting the image of being magnanimous.

"Jue Ming, you take the body of the assassin to the government office." Lin Ziyin ordered.

"Yes, Miss." Jue Ming responded and left with Jue Hui.

The villagers who came to train that day were more determined in their practice. The incident involving the Lin family had made everyone perceive the imminent crisis.

This year, because of the Lin family’s assistance, everyone was having a far easier time. In the past, after the autumn harvest, women, children and the elderly, all had to stay at home for winter, while the men braved the cold to go to the marketplace or the city in hopes of getting work like carrying goods for passing merchants. They would trade grueling labor for a bit of silver to take home.