The Princess of Northern Land

Chapter 126 - 126 126 - New Plans_1

?Chapter 126: Chapter 126 – New Plans_1 Chapter 126: Chapter 126 – New Plans_1 “Sir, how will the sale of these people take place?” The task of buying people would’ve been inappropriate for Lin Ziyin, a young girl, to handle. In the end, it was the elder who stood in front of the official.

The villagers, originally spectators to the scene, were struck dumb when they saw the old master step forth before the official, boldly declaring his intent to buy. In the Northern Land, soldiers represented authority to the civilians. Who would dare to take the initiative to deal with these seemingly fierce and evil individuals? It seemed that the Lin family was truly going to purchase people.

The thought of the Lin family, who were destitute only a few months ago, not only flourishing now but even able to afford servants, instantly filled the villagers with envy.

“You want to buy people?” The leading soldier eyed the old master skeptically. He became impatient when he noted that despite his decent attire, it was made of cotton. “Are you aware of who these people are?”

“I beg you, buy Hanhan. I beg you, sir.” A woman, upon hearing what the old master said, her initially quiet sobbing abruptly got louder. Undeterred by the weapons in the soldiers’ hands, she started to crawl toward him on her knees.

All the people were chained together; when one moved, the others would also follow.

“Please, sir help us,” others also sobbed.

“Quiet down.” The person in charge was ruthlessly violent; he berates the prisoners while giving a heartless flick of his whip. His actions immediately adding more wails to the crowd.

Even so, all eyes were locked onto the old master, filled with fervor and desire.

The old master quietly turned his head, not wishing to see the excited anticipation in the prisoners’ faces.

“Aunt, I’m scared.” Yanzhi was still a child. Seeing the blood on the prisoners and their intense expressions, he couldn’t help but move closer to Lin Ziyin.

“Don’t be scared.” Lin Ziyin gently patted his back. “Yanzhi and Uncle are both boys; don’t let a little blood scare you. In the future, I will be relying on your protection.”

“Sister, I’m not scared.” Changting was actually scared, but after hearing Lin Ziyin’s words, he immediately straightened his body and stood in front of her.

“I’m not scared anymore.” Yanzhi was Changting’s shadow, always agreeing with him. However, while the little guy verbally claimed he wasn’t scared, he didn’t dare to look at any one of the prisoners.

“We need more help at home and wish to purchase some reliable hands. I beseech you, sir, to give us a price,” the old master replied, maintaining his demeanor, neither servile nor overbearing.

“Just sell them a couple, such a fuss,” as the head guard was about to quote a price, a group of men on horseback appeared.

The lead guard was a bit angry that someone in the countryside had disrespected him. But as he turned his head to glare, the sight of their faces made him abruptly change his attitude to one of deference.

“The humble one pays his respects to the third young master.” The guard was desperately flattering Si Jinhan, whose face wore a roguish smile.

Lin Ziyin frowned slightly. What was he up to?

As for Si Jinhan who was neither entirely noble nor debased, fundamentally carried with him an air of suspicion and self-importance. Lin Ziyin did not wish to interact with him any further. But things often went against her wishes and he liked to pop up in front of her from time to time.

Lin Ziyin did not believe that at this moment, Si Jinhan would appear for no reason at all. Relying on her intuition, she believed he was here for her.

“Why are you interested in these people?” Si Jinhan ignored the obsequious guard. Instead, he walked directly to Lin Ziyin and asked his question.

“Our small workshop at home needs help. I’m not comfortable using anyone else. I can make good use of people like these. Our home was almost robbed a few days ago,” said Lin Ziyin, half-truthfully, half-falsely.

“You may rest assured while using these people. However, they might not have a particularly good reputation. If you want to hire people, you can go to the city and find a dentist. There are also indentured servants for sale there, which are much better to be seen with than these individuals.” Si Jinhan gave her a side glance as he chuckled tellingly.

No one offers favors for no reason; there are always strings attached.

Lin Ziyin was even less convinced that he would show her such kindness for no reason, “Thank you for the reminder, Third Master. The Lin family is quite humble and we don’t have many relatives, so it doesn’t matter whether we are seen as proper or not. These people are reliable and inexpensive; I think it’s quite economical for us to buy them.”

“Oblivious to kindness.” Si Jinhan was quite displeased with Lin Ziyin’s ignorance of his goodwill. He had taken the initiative to show her kindness, yet she had refused his advice.

Slightly irritated now, Si Jinhan’s face turned cold.

“How dare you, a mere girl, babble nonsense? Don’t waste the good intentions of the Third Master.” Seeing the displeasure on Si Jinhan’s face, the head guard immediately chastised Lin Ziyin, appearing to take a stand for Si Jinhan.

“Is it your place to critique my words?” Si Jinhan, desperate for Lin Ziyin’s assistance, naturally wouldn’t fall out with her. But a mere soldier was nothing in his eyes.

One could say the soldier was courting disaster. He was trying to take advantage of the situation but inadvertently became the object of Si Jinhan’s wrath.

“Yes, I overstepped my boundaries.” The head guard was stunned. He suddenly remembered the outside rumors about Si Jinhan: He never forgets a slight, is full of cunning schemes, and is ruthless in his tactics. Immediately, a cold sweat broke out on his skin. Earlier, he had been too presumptuous, forgetting his manners in front of the second most ruthless man.

“I came here to discuss a business deal with you.” Si Jinhan continued lazily, looking at Lin Ziyin.

“I’m very busy right now.” Lin Ziyin said as she looked at the prisoners.

“It’s just buying a few people. My business deal is much more important. These few people are nothing compared to it.” Seeing that she held the prisoners as a higher priority over his business, Si Jinhan couldn’t help but feel displeased.

“Business doesn’t run away, but these people might be gone before dawn.” Lin Ziyin replied indifferently. However, she was feeling uneasy, not knowing what kind of trouble Si Jinhan was about to cause her now.

She didn’t believe that the vegetable oil and tofu made in her home would be such a big attraction to lure this sly tiger in person.

“Wait until she has chosen all the people she needs before leaving tomorrow,” Si Jinhan ordered the head soldier coldly.

“Yes.” The head soldier, still eager to flatter him, of course, dared not defy the orders.

“I’ll take this family.” Lin Ziyin suddenly pointed at the severely injured man who had been protecting his family earlier.

As these words left her mouth, the head soldier looked at her in surprise. “Miss, are you sure you want this family?”

“Yes, just this family.” Lin Ziyin nodded.

“What a fuss,” Si Jinhan was in a hurry to meet with Lin Ziyin. Seeing the soldier making a fuss, his smile became more apparent.

The lead soldier shivered and quickly ordered his subordinates to unlock the chains and free the man and his family. “Today is your lucky day. You should thank your new masters.”