Finest Servant

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Chapter 117 Rendezvous with Second Miss

Lin Wanrong's voice was louder this time, and everyone heard him. In a sudden panic, Xiao Yuruo quickly grabbed Madam Xiao's hand and asked, "Mother, where is my sister?"

Madam Xiao sighed and said, "Yushuang is just too naive. Ever since you all got into trouble, she blamed herself. She hides in her room all day and refuses to see anyone. I was so preoccupied with trying to rescue you that I didn't pay much attention to her. Who would have thought that the next day, she sneaked off to Rosy Cloud Temple alone? She said she wanted to purify herself and pray for you all day. She still refuses to meet anyone—this silly child..." As Madam Xiao spoke, tears trickled down her cheeks, as if recalling the gloomy days of late.

The mention of the temple made Lin Wanrong realize something. ‘Ah, I've been such a fool. Monks go to temples to become monks, Second Miss should be going to a nunnery. Bah, what nonsense am I spouting? Such a lovely girl, how could she possibly want to give up the world? She's only praying for us, not planning to become a nun.’ Even so, he was taken aback. ‘This girl, she really knows how to break my heart,’ he thought to himself.

He knew that Xiao Yushuang must have blamed herself deeply for revealing Lin Wanrong's identity with her outcry that night, placing all the blame on herself. Lin Wanrong sighed softly. ‘This little girl, she's too naive. But I like it!’

Amidst the cheers of joy from the people of the Xiao Manor, a desperate voice echoed from a distance, "Thank Heaven, virtuous sister, you are safe."

Lin Wanrong turned to look, and saw Tao Dongcheng rushing from a distance. He was slightly limping, seemingly due to the aftermath of a fall from a horse.

Madam Xiao said to her eldest daughter, "Yuruo, we owe a great deal to Master Tao for resolving this crisis. He persuaded Lord Cheng to agree to send troops to rescue you, or else—,"

"In that case, thank you, Young Master Tao," Xiao Yuruo said to Tao Dongcheng, who had just arrived at her side.

Panting, Tao Dongcheng quickly replied, "Eldest Miss, there's no need for thanks. I would do anything for you. Yesterday, when I led the soldiers up the mountain and saw you being taken away, I arrived too late. I was filled with regret. When I heard that you had returned unharmed, I rushed over. Seeing you safe and sound now, my mind is finally at ease."

Lin Wanrong listened from the side and cursed under his breath, ‘Damn it, I thought I had a thick skin, but I never imagined yours could be just as thick. Everything that comes out of your mouth is all rosy.’

He had already had a falling out with this Tao Dongcheng. Now, with his divine skills and musket for protection, he didn't fear this man named Tao. He chuckled and said, "Others may not have noticed, but I certainly did. Yesterday, Young Master Tao, on a white horse with a silver spear, you were quite the picture of gallantry."

The Eldest Miss shot him a glare but couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. She had personally witnessed Lin San knocking Tao Dongcheng off his horse yesterday. She thought to herself, ‘Tao Dongcheng may be bad, but you're countless times worse.’

Tao Dongcheng had silently cursed Lin San countless times, but he couldn't admit it publicly. He could only force out a few awkward laughs without answering.

The Eldest Miss said, "Mother, since we are safe and sound, I should go and fetch Yushuang back."

Madam Xiao replied, "It's late today, and you know Yushuang's temperament. She made a vow before the Bodhisattva, and no one can stop her. This ordeal seems to have made her grow up a lot. We should let her fulfill her vow of purification for a month. The Xiao family has gone through many trials recently; let her prayers be our way of showing gratitude. Go see her early tomorrow morning to reassure her."

Lin Wanrong breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, ‘Thank God, she's only praying. If anyone dared to make little Yushuang become a nun, I might have to tear down those monasteries and nunneries.’

Mother and daughter went inside for a long talk. Once Madam Xiao knew her daughter hadn't suffered any harm, she was relieved.

The Eldest Miss highly praised Lin San, mentioning his composed and unyielding nature, his quick-thinking and bravery. Hearing all this, even Lin Wanrong felt a bit flattered. ‘So, I have so many undiscovered qualities. The Eldest Miss indeed has an eye for talent.’

After a moment of contemplation, Madam Xiao said, "Lin San, you have protected our family with loyalty and bravery this time, and you have provided valuable suggestions for the development of the Xiao family. I will make an exception and promote you to a senior servant in the Xiao family, raising your monthly wage from two taels to twenty. In the decades-long foundation of the Xiao family, we've never had someone as young as you achieve such a position. Don't let me down."

This was a clever calculation on Madam Xiao's part. Lin San was talented and loyal; she couldn't afford to lose him. While she was hoping to win him over for the Xiao family, Lin San had no thoughts of leaving.

His mindset had greatly changed. When old Wei forced him to take this position, he was reluctant, but over time he had become quite comfortable with being a servant.

Planting flowers, tending grass, managing industry, visiting brothels, flirting with the two Misses... With the Xiao family shielding him and money at his disposal, what could be more enjoyable? What better job could there be? He was waiting to go to the capital with the Eldest Miss next year to find Qing Xuan. With the Xiao family as a cover, everything would go much smoother.

Lin Wanrong bowed with a smile, "Thank you for your generosity, Madam. I will bend over backwards and dedicate myself to the love of our great Xiao family, contributing to its development in any way I can."

Although he didn't care much about the increase from two to twenty taels, he wasn't one to reject any form of wealth, big or small. This was the rule in business. For a cunning businessman like Lin Wanrong, there could never be too much money. Since Madam had given him a raise, it was only right for him to say a few words of gratitude. After all, everyone should help to lift the sedan.

They enjoyed a grand banquet in the main hall, a gesture meant to dispel the Eldest Miss's fears. Lin Wanrong, the newly promoted senior servant, had quickly become a prominent figure in the Xiao household. Naturally, this stirred up quite a flurry of attention. Even the veteran steward, Fubo, was taken aback, musing that Lin San's current fame far outshone his own in his heyday.

Upon returning to his courtyard, slightly inebriated, Lin Wanrong habitually scanned the room for a familiar figure. However, the realization hit him—Xiao Qingxuan was already gone. He felt a slight pang of disappointment. The evening chats with Qingxuan had become a part of his routine, and her abrupt departure left him feeling out of sorts.

He removed the jade pendant that Qingxuan had left around his neck. Observing the beautiful luster and extraordinary craftsmanship, he thought to himself, ‘Even though she's my wife now, she never told me where she lives or who her father is. Next time we meet, she surely deserves a punishment.’ As he considered this, his thoughts drifted to Qin Xian'er, who was Qingxuan's adversary, when they were at the Miaoyu Pavilion. Despite Qin Xian’er's harsh methods, their interactions were generally pleasant. Lin Wanrong considered that if she could change her ways, she could be quite agreeable.

He hadn't been sleeping well these past few days, and as soon as he laid down, he was overwhelmed by a wave of fatigue. In no time at all, he was sound asleep.

Upon waking up early the next morning, Lin Wanrong first visited the perfume workshop. After all, it was the primary cause of his recent misfortunes. He couldn't neglect his most important responsibility. Fubo and Changbo were already there. The two old men had grown quite fond of the workshop and were thrilled to contribute to the Xiao family's business in their old age.

During Lin Wanrong's absence, the perfume workshop's production had somewhat stalled. Partly because Lin Wanrong was not there, and partly because winter was approaching, creating a shortage of flower braids. The problem couldn't be resolved immediately, and they had to continue with a limited production of five hundred bottles a month.

Lin Wanrong's primary concern that day, however, was the young Yushuang. He wasn't even sure where Rosy Cloud Temple was. He never showed much interest in Buddhism or Daoism and thus had little enthusiasm for monasteries. If anything, he had a slight fondness for nunneries.

After asking Fubo about the location of Rosy Cloud Temple, he found out that it was quite a distance away. He hailed a carriage to take him there. Now that he held a position in the Xiao household, he had to keep up appearances whenever he ventured out. And as for the fare, he figured it could be charged to the Xiao family's account. Public expenditure, after all, was a concept he was quite familiar with.

Rosy Cloud Temple was located to the east of Jinling, known for its ancient origins and thriving worshippers—it had a highly reputable name.

As Lin Wanrong meandered through the temple, he contemplated offering an incense stick due to his good mood. However, learning that a single stick cost one silver taels and that fortune-telling cost two silver taels, he quickly balked at the thought. He scoffed internally at the outrageous prices, ‘Do they think I'm made of money? Even a landlord doesn't have such surplus!’

He caught hold of a novice monk, asking, "Young monk, could you tell me if there's a female devotee here—"

"Om Mani Padme Hum—" the young monk hastily intoned a Buddhist chant. "This is a place of purity for Buddhists. We do not entertain such unclean matters. If you're interested, you might want to try the Qinhuai River area—"

Lin Wanrong was taken aback for a moment before he understood. This young monk had mistaken him for someone seeking the services of a prostitute. Annoyed, he thought, ‘What kind of gaze is that? Who comes to a monastery for such a thing? Going to a nunnery might make more sense.’

Without a change in his expression, he slipped a half tael of broken silver into the young monk's hand, saying, "Young monk, could you tell me if there's a female devotee here—"

The young monk's expression instantly shifted to one of joy, "There is, there is. Not just one, we even have ten. You go straight from here, there's a well-serviced inn named Junzailai. They'll ensure your satisfaction."

Covered in cold sweat, Lin Wanrong quickly clarified, "Young monk, I'm asking about the Second Miss from the Xiao family. She is here to offer prayers and keep a vegetarian diet, but I don't know which room she's in."

Immediately, the young monk's face turned serious. He chanted a Buddhist invocation and pointed to a room on the outside, "The Second Miss Xiao? She is praying in that meditation room." The speed of his transition from jovial to solemn didn't reveal any inconsistencies, which even Lin Wanrong had to admit was impressive.

Hurrying to the designated room, Lin Wanrong peeked inside through the window. There, a petite figure was in his sight. Her long, black hair hung loose, cascading over her shoulders. She wore a plain, light-gray robe over her thin frame, kneeling before the Buddhist shrine with her hands in prayer. She was softly chanting, "Oh, Buddha and Guanyin Bodhisattva, please ensure Lin San and my sister return safely. I, Xiao Yushuang, am willing to exchange my life for their safety. Please, fulfill my wish." After she finished speaking, she respectfully bowed.

After a few days apart, the young girl seemed to have become even frailer and more pitiful. Lin Wanrong sighed inwardly, his heart melting for her. Ever since she had tempered her unruly nature, she had stirred up an intense tenderness within him.

Seeing Xiao Yushuang's devout demeanor, an idea sprang to Lin's mind. He drew out a homemade pencil from his pocket, along with a piece of paper. Scribbling a few characters, he attached a small stone to the note and tossed it inside the room.

Xiao Yushuang was in the midst of her prayers when she heard a soft sound. A small note had landed next to her. She glanced at it, her expression undisturbed, as if she hadn't noticed the note at all. She turned her head away and resumed her sutra.

Lin Wanrong was both frustrated and moved. She really was devout, seemingly uncaring about anything else except her prayers. Picking up another small stone, he threw it inside again. His aim was precise, and the stone landed right next to the previous note.

Xiao Yushuang felt a tinge of annoyance. She came here to pray and fast, relying purely on her sincerity. Who was it that kept disturbing her peace, ruffling her calm? If she offended the Bodhisattva, what would become of her?

She sought forgiveness from the Bodhisattva before slowly rising, casting a puzzled look around. There was no sign of any movement. Spotting the note on the ground, the writing faintly visible, she bent down to pick it up, and softly read it out, "The colors of the trees stretch beyond the gate, the sound of the river flows into the distant sea. The imperial city will be reached tomorrow, but still, I dream of being a fisherman or woodcutter."

"Lin San..." Xiao Yushuang suddenly jumped up, a confused look on her face. Her eyes reflected disbelief, and tears of joy started to fall. She circled around the room, crying out anxiously, "Lin San, did you come back? Where are you? You naughty man, come out—"

After a few cries, there was no response. She wondered if her devout prayer had caused her to hallucinate. Tears started to fall again. She picked up the note to continue reading, only to find a few more characters, "Outside the Rosy Cloud Temple, by the Weeping Willow Pond, I have a meeting with the Second Miss. We shall not leave unless we meet!"

The unique and vigorous handwriting could only belong to Lin San. It wasn't fake!

With tears and laughter, the Second Miss said, "You naughty man, what do you mean by 'not leaving unless we meet'? Even when we meet, we can't part."

She hurriedly closed her eyes and put her hands together in front of the Buddha, gratefully saying, "Thank you, Buddha, for showing your grace. I shall leave now."

She rose with joy, a trail of tears streaming down her face. With a quick tug on her robe, she darted towards the temple's entrance as if flying.

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