The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 846: The Fate of the Ma Family (3)

Chapter 846: Chapter 846: The Fate of the Ma Family (3)

"As an official coming from the Capital City, after arriving in the Northern Land, my greatest impression was witnessing firsthand the transformation here over the past two years. All of you must have felt a great change in Feng City, but have you ever thought that without Princess Consort Ling, could your lives have been so prosperous?" Mei Hanqing also asked loudly.

There was a clamor around, and many people seemed to disagree with Mei Hanqing.

"Do you think I am exaggerating?" Mei Hanqing wasn’t in a hurry, "Most of the shops on the streets operate as though they have nothing to do with the Princess Consort. But have you ever considered, without the Princess Consort, could Feng City have attracted so many traders from all directions? After they came to Feng City, lodging, dining, sightseeing, taking carriage rides... as you earn money, have you ever thought of the Princess Consort’s kindness?"

The commoners, including the kneeling scholars on the ground, had almost never thought about this question.

"The free schooling was proposed by the Princess Consort, but where did the silver for the schools come from? It certainly didn’t fall from the sky. Thus, the Princess Consort devised the method of collecting taxes from the people and using it for the people. While you and your children benefit, have you ever felt gratitude towards the Princess Consort?" Mei Hanqing’s questioning words lingered in the air for a long time.

"The method of substituting beans for seeds was provided by the Princess Consort this year, and all the machinery running in the fields was designed by her. You are well-fed, and you earn silver from various professions. Have you ever felt gratitude towards the Princess Consort?" Si Jinyu stepped forward.

"Yes, each of you received the opportunity for free admission to school thanks to the Princess Consort’s benevolence, and yet you use the sour disposition of scholars to bully her. Have all your hearts been eaten by dogs? Without the Princess Consort, you are nothing." A group of young girls stood up. They had just come over to support Lin Ziyin, determined to seek justice for her.

"That’s right, without the Princess Consort, what are you worth?"

...

These young girls were all people who had received Lin Ziyin’s kindness the year before, and thanks to her, in the freely established textile, embroidery, and service industries, they could finally support themselves.

"The second question," Lin Ziyin looked at the elder on the ground, "Why did the Tatars abduct me?"

"This?" the elder found the question somewhat difficult and was not sure how to answer.

If he said that Lin Ziyin was abducted because of her identity, then people would surely sympathize with Lin Ziyin and stand by her side. The aforementioned speech had already made many young scholars’ faces turn red with shame, and a poor response might end today’s matters. However, he absolutely would not allow anyone to tarnish the Crown Prince’s honor.

But if he said it was because of her beauty, that would be complete nonsense. Because Lin Ziyin, standing among the crowd, was not particularly outstanding; what was outstanding was her serene temperament.

"He’s having trouble answering, I’ll answer," Mei Junlin said loudly, "Because the Princess Consort is a capable and virtuous person, the Tatars did not come for her beauty. They learned through spies about the earth-shattering changes in the Northern Land, most of which were due to the Princess Consort. They wanted to use her to change the dire situation in their North Country’s treasury and granaries. Capturing one person is much more cost-effective than starting a war, isn’t it?"

Many people echoed in agreement, and this was another group of forward-thinking scholars, who had also come carrying banners to support her.

"A bunch of fools." Suddenly Luo Yan and Si Jinhan appeared, looking weary.

"Do you know what happened to the Princess Consort after she arrived in the North Country?" Luo Yan said with a smile, "The Monarch of the North Country treated her as an honored guest. Even though he sent a large number of soldiers to watch over her every day, he did not torture her but rather allowed her to move freely through the streets and alleys of the Imperial Palace in the North Country. His aim was nothing more than to get the Princess Consort to lend a hand. The old man even shamelessly had all his sons pursue the Princess Consort, promising that whoever married her as their chief wife would be the Crown Prince."