The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 843: Dealing With Rumors (7)

Chapter 843: Chapter 843: Dealing With Rumors (7)

"Prince has thought things through," Situ Gong said with a faint smile in his congratulations.

"Having just returned with the princess, today we will not entertain everyone," Chu Suifeng issued an eviction order.

The crowd immediately caught the hint and excused themselves in small groups.

"This prince does not keep useless people around. Those who have left the Residence and whose families have not come to claim them shall partake in the pioneering labor," Chu Suifeng said in a cold voice after most people had dispersed.

Situ Gong and Mei Hanqing, who had stayed behind, immediately brightened up upon hearing this. With this arrangement, if the people from Capital City abandoned the women in the backyard, those women would really suffer. Yet over the years, these women had harbored ill intentions themselves, so such an outcome was their own doing.

However, even if their families came to retrieve them, their fate upon returning might not necessarily be good. Having been married into the Lingwang Residence and then sent back, with such a title, how would the people of Capital City regard them? Could the Emperor truly be at ease about them? They could never expect to live comfortably again.

"This move by the prince is effectively a purge," Mei Hanqing said with a smile.

"I received news yesterday that the State Preceptor of the North Country has been gravely wounded by Si San and his men, and Blackie has been rescued and headed towards Liao City," Situ Gong’s expression grew much more solemn when he mentioned Liao City.

"Prince, confronting them head-on right now does not seem prudent," Mei Hanqing sighed.

"Liao City is a critical passageway from Capital City to Northern Land, strategically vital. At any cost, I must seize this city," Chu Suifeng stated determinedly.

Seeing his resolute attitude, Situ Gong and Mei Hanqing felt both relieved and worried.

"Don’t worry. Since we are preparing for war, I am already prepared," Chu Suifeng reassured her, "but now we need to use the princess’s name to wage this attack. Do you mind?"

"It doesn’t bother me," Lin Ziyin shook her head, "but you still need to consider the North Country. If they seize the opportunity to ally with Daqin, Northern Land could become sandwiched."

"It won’t be a problem," Situ Gong intervened. "They schemed against the princess, how can the prince let them off? They will soon be too busy to worry about us."

Lin Ziyin, sensing he implied having more plans, looked at Chu Suifeng in surprise.

"The Monarch of North Country is very cunning; he’s vigorous and healthy, naturally not wanting to appoint a Crown Prince too soon. With his rule, North Country is very united, and they are also brave and skilled in battle. If we attack them directly, the only outcome would be mutual destruction and if the Imperial Court strikes from behind, our Northern Land would be in danger," Chu Suifeng explained.

"The elder prince of North Country, Brukan, is reckless and overambitious, and ruthless at heart. With just a little push, he will definitely be unable to restrain himself and will make a move against the Monarch," Situ Gong added.

"Internal strife?" Lin Ziyin looked astonished.

Situ Gong and Mei Hanqing gave her a knowing smile in affirmation.

What exactly was happening in North Country mattered little to Lin Ziyin.

For the troublesome events she had worried about had finally occurred; overnight, the lively discussions about her on the streets and alleys had reached a deafening level.

Even the next day, a group of scholars and some former officials formed cliques outside the Residence gates, kneeling to request the dismissal of the princess.

The reason was that Lin Ziyin had been abducted by North Country, and her reputation had been damaged.

They almost outright said that Lin Ziyin had put a bright green hat on Lingwang’s head.

Lin Ziyin, who was in the Residence, was also aware of the news but did not come forward to explain.

Innocent stays clear, others’ disbelief in her wouldn’t change with her explanations, and it would only make things worse. Moreover, she believed that Chu Suifeng would handle the situation well.

The two had previously discussed this matter, so Lin Ziyin was mentally prepared and was neither anxious nor upset.

However, Lin Zige and Guo Huiniang were quite worried and specifically came to keep her company.

"What should we do? These people want to pin this scandal onto your head," Zige asked with a pale face.

"Don’t worry, the prince will handle it," Lin Ziyin reassured her with a pat on the hand.

"How can you not be anxious..." Lin Zige was almost frantic, and seeing Lin Ziyin’s calm demeanor, she nearly wanted to knock on her head to wake her up.

In fact, Chu Suifeng did not disappoint her.

On the very first day the former officials and scholars ’requested an audience’ at the Residence, Chu Suifeng did not step forward, nor did he allow anyone to come out to explain anything.

As these people didn’t get what they wanted, they returned the next day, and it seemed that there were even more of them.

At noon on the second day, a squad of black-armored soldiers appeared, escorting a dozen people, and both the onlookers and petitioners showed curiosity on their faces.

"Speak, who sent you to tarnish the princess’s reputation?" Chu Suifeng pointed at one man and demanded angrily.

"This lowly one does not understand what the prince is talking about," the man stubbornly replied.

Chu Suifeng glared coldly at him, and seeing this, one of the black-armored soldiers took out a dagger. Before everyone’s eyes, the stubborn man’s five fingers were severed.

The screams of agony pained everyone’s ears.

"I ask you again, who sent you to spread rumors?" Chu Suifeng asked again, like Asura.

"Prince, is it right to extract confessions under torture? Forced confessions can lead to miscarriages of justice," cried a former official loudly.

The crowd’s gaze again turned towards Chu Suifeng, who snorted coldly and drew the black-armored soldier’s sword beside him, striking down at the man on the ground.