The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 332 Good Things (7)_1

Chapter 332: Chapter 332 Good Things (7)_1

"Are you Ma Tongsheng?" Si Jinhan looked at him with sidelong disdain. "Even in your own village, you manage to get lost. Do you need one of my men to show you the way?"

After hearing this, Lou Zheng broke out in a cold sweat. He had heard from Brother Dayou that Si Jinhan’s temperament was extremely unpredictable. When he originally doubted Ziyin, he nearly strangled Ziyin to death.

Ma Zhicai didn’t quite catch the implied sarcasm in Si Jinhan’s words, and his face flushed red with shame.

"No need." Lin Ziyin, of course, understood Si Jinhan’s words. Seeing Ma Zhicai’s behavior, she naturally felt angry, but her attitude was the same as the old man’s. Today was her sister’s happy day, she didn’t want anything unexpected to happen at home. "It’s quite considerate of you, Third Son, but today is my sister’s big day. It’s only right for everyone to drink a couple of extra cups of cheer in the village. In a bit, I’m preparing a few seafood dishes for the Master, Prince, and Third Son, it’s your lucky day."

"So, does that mean I owe the Master this favor?" Si Jinhan was displeased to be relegated to a supporting role.

"Unhappy to be indebted to this humble monk?" Hui Zhen asked with a stern countenance.

"How could that be? I’m indeed pleased." Si Jinhan didn’t dare to offend Master Hui Zhen any further. This Great Monk wasn’t like the others, he was prone to madness. What if he poisoned him? Better to stroke his vanity and keep him placated.

Seeing Lin Ziyin laughing and chatting with Si Jinhan and Master Hui Zhen, Ma Zhicai felt even more wronged.

A woman, gaining favor from important figures by the mere flutter of her eyelashes, while he, with all his knowledge and wisdom, went unnoticed. The world was very unjust.

"Lou Zheng, grandfather, uncle, please keep Prince and the Master company. I will prepare some seafood for you." Lin Ziyin said with a smile. "Oh, also, when my brother and Brother Dayou come over to give their toasts, Third Son, you’re not allowed to make them drunk."

"Bring forth your entire culinary skill," Chu Suifeng ordered indifferently. "Let the servants handle the other tables."

"They wouldn’t be able to." Lin Ziyin said with a smile, "Thankfully, we don’t have that many guests, just one table. I’ll prepare a little extra." Lin Ziyin responded cheerfully.

Chu Suifeng’s face sank.

Lin Ziyin acted as if she didn’t notice, and turned to leave with a smile. As she turned, she noticed Ma Zhicai still sulking to the side.

She sneered in her heart. Was he still holding out hope or unable to accept his defeat, this so-called scholar?

"Still not leaving? Will I truly have to send someone to see you off?" Si Jinhan’s words carried a layer of frost, and Chu Suifeng’s gaze was even colder. The whole room seemed a few degrees chillier.

"I’ll be leaving immediately." Seeing the Prince’s anger, Ma Zhicai finally reacted. Bowing as he backed away, he quickly made his exit from the hall.

"This type of person is actually a scholar? We should really take a good look at how his tutor educates his students." Si Jinhan muttered discontentedly.

Lou Zheng sighed quietly to himself at the side, foreseeing that after having offended the Prince and Third Son, even if Ma Zhicai passed the Scholar’s Examination, becoming an official would likely be an uphill battle.

But, honestly speaking, his inability to become an official might actually be a good thing, considering the character of the Ma Family.

Having understood this, Lou Zheng decided not to worry about the Ma Family any longer.

Ma Zhicai staggered out of the western court and didn’t even go to the eastern court. He went straight home.

When Lin Ziyin entered the kitchen and saw the wide variety of seafood that Chu Suifeng had brought, she was instantly elated. Upon seeing so much seafood, she was thrilled. Not for anyone else, but to satisfy her own palate, she brought out her entire repertoire of cooking skills.

The visiting merchants had not expected that they would have such a delicious meal in the Lin Family. They had tasted various types of seafood in their travels, but none were as delicious as what they had at the Lin Family’s home.

"Delicious, truly delicious." Hui Zhen merrily ate and commented, sipping his wine with his chopsticks never pausing. "I never thought that things from the sea could taste this good."

Chu Suifeng’s lips twitched slightly. This little girl always managed to surprise him.

Without waiting for the banquet to end, he immediately called Lin Ziyin over.

Lin Ziyin, herself craving seafood, sat down without hesitation and started eating calamari.

"The seafood spoils quickly. Even if it’s delicious, it can’t be transported." Chu Suifeng set down his chopsticks and watched her eat.

"It can be dried. But, Prince, if you intend to develop aquaculture along the coast, it would be best to devise a plan." Lin Ziyin said.

"What kind of plan?" Chu Suifeng asked, staring at her.

"State purchase with a fair price. Contract fishing grounds, diversify culturing." Lin Ziyin responded.

"Drying depends on the sun?" Chu Suifeng frowned.

"A portion can be sun-dried, but most of the products would need to be dried mechanically. Again, it’s crucial to find the black powder I mentioned." Lin Ziyin added, "Otherwise, most of this is just talk."

After listening, Chu Suifeng stayed silent, allowing her to enjoy her meal.

Once the celebrations were over, some of the merchants came over to inquire about the seasoning.

As the seafood business had not yet officially started, Chu Suifeng ordered his soldiers to keep everything about the seafood preparation confidential.

With the order issued, none of the merchants dared to inquire any further. Everyone felt a sense of loss as it seemed it’d be difficult to taste such delicious seafood again in the future.