The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 348: A Brand New Machine (2)_1

Chapter 348: Chapter 348: A Brand New Machine (2)_1

So even though the Yan family had given out silver, the government officials just accepted the bedding and change of clothes they brought, but didn’t let them see the prisoner at all.

After returning from the government office, Yan grew more and more angry, and the more angry she became, the more she couldn’t suppress the rage in her heart. Once back in the village, she sent Ma Xincai home and went directly to the Lin Family cafeteria.

Yan knew that with the New Year approaching, villagers were rushing to work, having both lunch and dinner at the Lin Family cafeteria. Her visit would certainly block many people and gather a crowd. Would Lin Ziyin have the audacity to continue to hold on to the issue with Ma Youcai?

Her idea was good, but unfortunately, it was uncertain whether Lin Ziyin would give her face.

The cafeteria was some distance from the Lin Family home, and Lin Ziyin only hurried over after hearing about it from Yu Shao’en. When she arrived, she heard Yan complaining tearfully to the old Patriarch.

The Patriarch was so frustrated by Yan’s accusations that his face changed color, but at his age, he couldn’t possibly reason with a younger woman. Looking embarrassed, he stood there silently as Yan badgered him, a pitiful sight to behold.

"Spare the Ma Family?" Lin Ziyin glanced at the pitiful old man, anger rushing to her forehead, "My sister is married. Do you think everyone is as dirty as your family, clinging to old grievances? Tell me, how exactly has my family wronged yours?"

Yan had been waiting for Lin Ziyin, but when she actually appeared, facing her cold, icy gaze, Yan felt a twinge of fear.

"Why aren’t you speaking?" Lin Ziyin looked down at her.

"Please, spare Youcai," Under Lin Ziyin’s piercing gaze, Yan’s initially loud voice lowered, "He’s just a child who made a foolish mistake. As an adult, can’t you be forgiving and not hold a grudge against him?"

"You are ridiculous, do you know that?" Lin Ziyin bent slightly forward to meet her gaze, "Honestly speaking, Ma Youcai did his duty according to the laws of Daqin by reporting our family for slaughtering a cow. It was the right thing to do."

Yan didn’t expect Lin Ziyin to defend Ma Youcai, but she knew Lin Ziyin wouldn’t truly side with him, there would be a twist. Indeed, Lin Ziyin’s next words drove her into a corner, "But he made a report without fully understanding the situation to gain merits. How is his suffering the government’s wrath related to my family? Do you think the County Magistrate is a puppet manipulated by us? Or do you think that the Prince is acquainted with our family and we used his influence to harm Ma Youcai?"

"Of course not," While Yan was dumbfounded, Ma Zhicai quickly stepped in and answered the question, "It’s Youcai’s own fault. We are all living in the same village, but he ran to report us without any regard for our local ties. It might be good for him to reflect on it in jail."

"Zhicai," Yan looked at her second son in disbelief.

"Mother, let’s go home," Ma Zhicai gazed at Yan, his brows furrowed and his heart full of complaint against her. She was becoming more and more unreasonable as a mother, only worrying about Youcai, had she ever thought about what would be good for him? Now that the Prince and Lin Family were forging close ties, if Yan had accepted what Lin Ziyin had said just now, Ma Zhicai was sure that the repercussions for his family would’ve been disastrous.

"Are you going to abandon your younger brother?" Yan questioned angrily, couldn’t help but blame Ma Zhicai for being selfish.

"Mother, let’s return home. The Lin Family not blaming him is already out of consideration for our village kinship. At the end of the day, Youcai is just young and lost the feeling of obligation towards his fellow villagers. The County Magistrate won’t jail him for long," Ma Zhicai softly advised Yan, "I’ll go and check on him tomorrow."