The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 542: War Begins (7)_1

Chapter 542: Chapter 542: War Begins (7)_1

"Someone from our Wu Family has also come over."

...

Due to the servants from various residences coming in large numbers, some young ladies and gentlemen also followed. First, they wanted to show their face before Chu Suifeng, hoping to curry favor. Second, this was a command from Chu Suifeng, and they dared not disobey. Third, these ambitious young individuals wanted to learn something. Food is vital, especially in the Northern Land, and every residence has its farmland. If the harvest is fruitful, spending the silver would also be easier for them.

Despite their being forced to labor, Chu Suifeng was stingy and completely ignored their meals. The masters of the various residences also turned a blind eye, merely bringing meals onsite. Given the ample space available, they set up crude earth stoves using their pots. A pot of cooked rice and some fried meat sufficed to get by.

The servants who came to work didn’t dare to complain. They were helpless. The Prince had issued an edict that every residence should send people to labor free of charge during the harvest season, and no residence was allowed to shirk the duty. They were effectively offering involuntary labor.

"Sister-in-law, there’s no need to worry. All the grain has been stored in the warehouse." Lin Ziyin came home and heard that Guo Huiniang couldn’t sit still and kept worrying about the things in the field, so she had to take the maid over. At the beginning of the autumn harvest, Guo Huiniang had added another male member to the Lin Family. The little fellow was quite fat, weighing a full seven jin, more than a jin heavier than Zige’s daughter.

Wu Dayou was rather unhappy when he found out. He went home and insisted that Zige eat more, believing that she had lost out during her pregnancy. He made Zige both laugh and cry with his fussing.

"There’s no need to take such a long confinement. When I birthed Yanzhi, I was back in the fields in three days. Where is all this pampering coming from? It’s been half a month."

"The matters in the field are being taken care of by Yu Shaohui and the others; you don’t need to worry about it. You should just focus on recuperating and taking care of the baby." Lin Ziyin looked at the baby in the cradle, her face full of smiles. "Take this opportunity to regain your strength."

Seeing her serious expression, Guo Huiniang could only nod her head.

The yield of the fields in Shili Village was quickly passed on to the Tatars by Ma Zhicai. As soon as the Tatars got the accurate news, they immediately rushed back.

When Ma Zhicai returned to the village from Feng City, he looked at Chu Suifeng and Lin Ziyin standing not far away and couldn’t help but sneer.

"Your Highness, the situation at the border is urgent." Three days later, a guard riding a fast horse appeared before Chu Suifeng. "A secret letter from the general."

Chu Suifeng quickly scanned the letter, his face immediately darkening. "Great, this time I’ll make sure they don’t return."

"Send out the order to summon General Wu to mobilize the troops to Border City. Get the monk soldiers at Ding’an Temple ready." Chu Suifeng gave out his order. "Summon Luo Yan and the rest to see me immediately."

Soon, the butler, Luo Yan, and a man wearing a mask appeared before the Prince.

"You two stay and guard Feng City. This time I am going to Border City myself." Chu Suifeng gave his orders. "The matters of the Wang Residence are to be managed by you."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I will handle all the miscellaneous affairs in Feng City." Mei Hanqing, Wa Jie, and the others all wore serious expressions on their faces.

The armies in and around Feng City were immediately mobilized. News of this soon reached Lin Ziyin back at the estate.

"What? You’re also going with the Prince to Border City?" Lin Changshu and Guo Huiniang both looked at Lin Ziyin in surprise.

"The Prince is going to carry out official business; don’t go there to disturb him." In the eyes of Lin Changshu, although his sister is skilled, she is a woman after all. A war zone is a cruel place. How could that be a place for her?

"Let her go." The old master interjected. "I and your brother and sister-in-law are here at home. Nothing will happen. After the autumn harvest, the villagers can go back to work normally."

"Grandfather, don’t worry. The Prince and I will be sure to return safely." Lin Ziyin comforted the old man. To this wise old man, she felt guilty in her heart. The path she chose always caused worry for him. In essence, she was unfilial as a granddaughter.

"Grandfather..." Lin Changshu began to feel anxious.

"Older brother, I know what I’m doing. In the future, you’ll be the brother of the Princess and should strive to have a broader perspective." Lin Ziyin smiled at him.

The old master sighed slightly. If it had been the original Lin Family, Changshu, as the eldest son, would not have had such a short-sighted view and would not have had such a shallow understanding of problems. However, since the death of his son, all the burdens of the family fell on Changshu, the eldest grandson. Where was the time for teaching? Country folk are always busy with meals, the child did his best under the circumstances.

The old master felt heavy-hearted.

Lin Changshu opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, and eventually could only grit his teeth and agree. "Don’t worry, your brother and I will handle everything at home. I may not be good at anything else, but I can keep house."

"Older brother and sister-in-law are both excellent. Thank you." Lin Ziyin thanked them, grasping their hands.

"Go ahead, don’t keep the Prince waiting." The old master hastened her.

Lin Ziyin nodded and immediately arranged for someone to get ready. She had already chosen the individuals who would accompany her this time: Hong Ying, Lun Luo, Jue Hui, and Jue Xin would be more than enough.