The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 845: The Fate of the Ma Family (2)

Chapter 845: Chapter 845: The Fate of the Ma Family (2)

"They deserve death," Chu Suifeng’s expression finally softened considerably as he saw her.

Many of the commoners around had never truly seen Lin Ziyin in person, and now that they had the chance, many were stealthily appraising her.

"You all come forth to challenge me, implying that I am impure. Speak then, what grounds do you have for such accusations? Is it simply because I visited the North Country?" Lin Ziyin looked down at the people before her and asked coldly.

At this moment, though she lacked Chu Suifeng’s ferocious demeanor, she possessed an authority no less imposing than his.

It was a different kind of confidence and self-respect.

"My lady," an aged man prostrated on the ground finally raised his upper body after hearing her challenge. "Since the princess is willing to grant this commoner an opportunity to speak, let me be frank. It is not my intention to offend the Prince and the Princess, but the Prince is the War God of our Northern Land, the hero in the hearts of our people. The Princess was taken by the Tatars, and though against her will, it will invite criticism. Forthwith, whenever this matter is discussed, the Prince will inevitably be subject to censure."

"Censure?" Lin Ziyin let out a light laugh, "Such as by you? It seems you are merely looking for trouble because you’ve had too much to eat. Instead of trying to protect the Prince’s reputation, it’s more like you want to mold the Prince into your own version of an idiot."

Upon this remark, the crowd let out surprised sounds, but Mei Hanqing and Situ Gong couldn’t help laughing.

Chu Suifeng gave them both a cold glare, and they quickly bowed their heads, suppressing their laughter.

"Princess, this commoner respects you..."

"Such ’respect,’ I do not want," Lin Ziyin curtly interrupted him, "Fortunately, the Monarch of the North Country doesn’t share your disgusting sentiments."

Many Civil Officials and literati, upon hearing her, looked at her with dissatisfaction.

"The Princess has only been in the North Country for a few days and yet speaks on their behalf?" someone impulsively questioned.

Chu Suifeng looked over sharply.

"Are you insinuating that I’ve been turned by the people of the North Country?" Lin Ziyin retorted with disdain.

The other party was momentarily speechless, for though they hadn’t voiced it, that was indeed what they thought.

"I’d like to know how someone with such a brain ever managed to study," Lin Ziyin looked at them with contempt.

"This commoner respects you..."

"Forget about it, I truly do not desire such ’respect’," Lin Ziyin interrupted him again.

The man’s face turned pale with anger, and the Civil Officials and literati on the ground looked at her as though they had been insulted, eyes collectively fixed on her.

Lin Ziyin scanned them indifferently, "I wonder, why does the North Country harass our Northern Land yearly?"

"It’s because they’re ambitious wolves," a literatus responded through clenched teeth.

"That’s not a sufficient answer," Lin Ziyin glanced at him dismissively.

Chu Suifeng, standing aside, seemed somewhat impatient. These many people ganging up on his wife, did they think he was dead?

But Lin Ziyin wouldn’t let him intervene, so he had no choice but to stand aside and wait, feeling aggrieved.

"Because the North Country lacks food, especially during the harsh winters," a young man standing in the crowd of onlookers pondered for a moment before responding aloud.

"The Tatars lack not only food but other resources as well. Even if they can barely solve the problem of hunger by breeding cattle and sheep, those items can’t be sold as goods. Without a certain standard of goods, how can a nation have the silver it needs to sustain its army and keep the vast mechanisms of state running? Even the Prince, after all these years, dare not waste a single grain of food, because the Northern Land is our root, and the Prince hopes to endure hardships together with everyone," Situ Gong said loudly, continuing the young man’s speech, intentionally or unintentionally singing praises of Chu Suifeng.