The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 510: Really Ruthless(3)_1

Chapter 510: Chapter 510: Really Ruthless(3)_1

"Are you offended by our playful girlish bantering, Miss Lin?" She gritted her teeth as she stared at Lin Ziyin.

"Not offended per se," Lin Zhinyin’s smile turned into a faint one, "I just don’t want you guys to feel slighted. After all, it will be hard for you to speak so candidly in the future. If you worry about the Prince punishing you for speaking up, I can assure you that he won’t, no matter what you say."

Upon hearing this, the Consort’s eyes tightened.

The courtesans around began to whisper among themselves, and sure enough, as Lin Ziyin had predicted, Chu Suifeng remained silent.

"Alright, Miss Lin, you’re straightforward; let me be blunt too," Concubine Gao stepped forward. "The things I will say are not about me. They’re solely about the Prince and the welfare of the Northern Land."

"Sure, go ahead," Lin Ziyin nodded.

Hong Ying and Lun Luo were furious. These women were taking her for granted, being arrogant and outspoken. Clearly, they had no respect for her.

"The Northern Land has the Tartars on its border, and it’s suffering from famine. How much help can you provide to the Prince, Miss Lin?" Madame Gao pointedly glanced at Lin Ziyin with a tranquil expression, implying no malicious intent. "The Northern Land is vast but sparsely populated. The Prince is tied up with numerous responsibilities. If you, Miss Lin, cannot lend a helping hand, what’s the point of being the Princess?"

"That’s absolutely right. We sisters are all thinking about the Prince. You, Miss Lin, are neither capable of managing household affairs nor assisting the Prince. If you insist on occupying the position of the Princess, we won’t approve."

A few started to speak, and soon more voices joined in agreement.

"You?" After letting them speak, Lin Ziyin leaned forward, her face adorned with a sly smile. "So, you can all help the Prince?"

"Of course, our Zhang family is distinguished and deep-rooted; naturally, we can be of assistance to the Prince. We won’t be useless like you, who has no resources to help the Prince in a crisis," one of the courtesans retorted haughtily.

"Indeed, even the least influential among our kin are Fifth Rank officers in the court. If the Prince is in trouble, we can extend a helping hand."

...

"Looks like the Prince lives off women." Lin Ziyin gave a nonchalant comment after listening to them.

All the women suddenly blanched, anxiously looking towards Chu Suifeng.

Chu Suifeng wore the same dispassionate expression, and after a silent sweep of the room, the ladies turned even paler.

"You dare slander us. When did we ever say that the Prince lives off women?" Madame Qin huffed indignantly, accusing Lin Ziyin unambiguously.

"None of you said that, the Prince heard you too. I was the one who asked, and he certainly heard clearly," Lin Ziyin retorted, her face wreathed in a smile. "But wasn’t that the implication of your words?"

"Nonsense," Madame Hua glared at Lin Ziyin, "We simply wanted to say that we can assist the Prince. You’re trying to drive a wedge between us and it won’t work here."

After righteous criticism, Madame Hua sobbed a little as she looked at Chu Suifeng, "Prince, please do me justice."

"Do you wish the Prince to live off your family, Ziyin?" Chu Suifeng disregarded her and turned to Lin Ziyin with a smile instead. "If you wish so, I am willing to live on Lin family’s expense."

The courtesans gasped in surprise.

Chu Suifeng was acting very strange today. Usually cold-hearted and ruthless, he typically carried an air of menace, even in his own residence, with a deadpan face. But today, he was flirting with Lin Ziyin in public.