The Princess of Northern Land

Chapter 248: Chapter 248 Post(7)_1 Chapter 248: Chapter 248 Post(7)_1 “Miss Li is joking.” Before the Lady could get angry and speak, Lin Ziyin replied volubly, “Ziyin is but a country girl. I can’t handle any of your learned ladies’ skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. To put it bluntly, I’m just a layman.”

As soon as her words fell, a few taunting laughs rang around.

“But Miss Li is correct about one thing. What I know may not be learned well by all of you ladies.” Lin Ziyin took a sudden turn in her tone.

“Really?” Upon hearing this, Li Yanran sneered. She was eager for Lin Ziyin to talk big, not scared that her tongue might slip.

Every lady present was from a prestigious family and had been practicing various skills since childhood. Surely they were not afraid of this simple country girl.

“May I ask what skills you possess?” Sure enough, Lin Ziyin’s words enraged some of the young ladies.

The young ladies, none of them very old, all had an unyielding streak. To their ears, Lin Ziyin’s words were a provocation.

“I might not know less than all of you.” Seeing many falling into her trap, Lin Ziyin silently rejoiced. Attention is good, the worst would be no attention, and she had worried she might have to put on a one-woman show.

“Since Miss Lin speaks so, why not show us and have a competition?” Li Yanran added fuel to the fire. This proposal surprisingly received responses from many ladies.

Si Jinyu was secretly anxious.

Lady Luo, however, quieted down and sat aside smiling and watching. She had figured out that Lin Ziyin was not someone to be trifled with. Nevertheless, she was also curious about how Lin Ziyin would handle the competition.

“How can you bully the benefactor of our Si family?” In the midst of the commotion, Si Tingwei appeared with a stern face, followed by a group of children.

“Lin Ziyin, I hear you are having a competition?” Immediately after, Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan appeared in front of everyone accompanied by a group of young nobles.

Everyone present was quite the crowd. Lin Ziyin understood that the so-called flower viewing gathering was indeed a means for the rich families to compete in socializing.

“Who said there will be a competition?” Lin Ziyin answered with a light laugh, “You ladies learn the arts, while I am just a peasant. I only know vulgar things, how could I compete?”

“But just now you clearly said that what you know, we may not know. How come now, in front of the Prince, you’re changing your words? Miss Lin, what you said earlier, we all heard quite clearly.” Li Yanran seized this opportunity to berate her.

She hoped dearly that Lin Ziyin would embarrass herself in front of Chu Suifeng; it would be ideal if Chu Suifeng could see her true colors.

“Yes, I don’t know the four arts. But that doesn’t mean I don’t know other things.” Lin Ziyin replied with a grin.

“For example?” Si Jinhan knew her well and anticipated what she might say, so he offered her an out. After all, he was frustrated with Li Yanran and wanted to use Lin Ziyin to put Li Yanran in her place.

“For instance, I know how to make snacks.” Lin Ziyin followed his lead as expected.

Upon hearing this, Si Jinhan immediately understood her intentions. This girl, guided by profit, had brought her business into the Si family mansion.

“Who wouldn’t know how to make snacks?” All of the young ladies unwilling to appear inferior in front of the prince and the young nobles.

Lin Ziyin was dumbstruck. These people were somewhat over the top, but they shouldn’t look at her like they wanted to murder her.

She truthfully didn’t intend to show off in front of the prince, her only purpose was to do business.

“The snacks I make are diverse and not just traditional ones,” Lin Ziyin answered with a wry smile.

“Without evidence, your words are nothing. Can you bring out some snacks for us to taste?” Surprisingly, it was Chu Suifeng who stood up for her in her time of need.

All the young ladies nodded and glared at Lin Ziyin incessantly.

“Alright then, I did bring some snacks. I was planning to give them to the young master as a treat.” Lin Ziyin took the chance to agree, “May I trouble some of you to follow my maid and get the snacks?”

“Go.” Upon hearing this, Lady Luo, already in the know, immediately instructed a few of her maids to follow Qiaoqiao.

“Sister, did you bring me a present?” Si Tingwei happily ran over to ask.

“Yes, just some small snacks. However, they might have to be shared later.” Lin Ziyin softly soothed him.

“No problem, let them see how great my sister is.” Si Tingwei felt closer to Lin Ziyin and naturally sided with her.

Lin Ziyin found this to be most precious. In a child’s world, they naturally reciprocate kindness, it’s quite simple.

Unlike the adult world, which is complex and intricate, always filled with calculations.

“It’s here.” A maid beside Lady Luo came forward with baskets.

All the ladies glanced, eyes flashing.

When called a gift, it seemed a bit too much. Four or five maids each carrying a big basket, and every basket was filled with colorful bags.

The bright red bags looked really festive, but they didn’t know if the snacks inside were as good as Lin Ziyin claimed.

“Divide it.” Chu Suifeng was always concise with his words.

When the maid received the order, she immediately set to work, ripping open bags and putting snacks into small dishes.

Chu Suifeng was the first to pick up a peanut from the dish and crack it open. Everyone watched.

“Not bad.” These casual words made many of the young ladies green with envy. The prince was always indifferent and there were few ladies who could catch his attention. But today Lin Ziyin gained his praise with just some snacks.

Out of anger, many ladies and maids started tasting the snacks from the dishes.

“It’s sweet and has the taste of milk.” Si Tingwei was holding tightly onto a bag of milk-flavored sunflower seeds.