Finest Servant

Chapter 118

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Chapter 118 The Capture on the Date

Upon exiting the temple gate, she saw a shallow pond in the distance, glittering with a silver radiance under the winter sun. It was winter, and the willows around the pond had already withered, a few solitary leaves floating on the water, an epitome of desolation.

Xiao Yushuang glanced around, but she saw no sign of Lin San. Confusion surged within her. He had clearly been captured by villains, so how could he suddenly appear before her? With this thought in mind, she examined the note in her hand again. Lin San's unique handwriting was unmistakable, any attempt at imitation would fail. This was undoubtedly his writing. But where was he? That scoundrel!

As she waited anxiously, a figure emerged from behind the withered willows, a yellow wild chrysanthemum in his hand. He gazed at her with a smile. If he wasn't the scoundrel, who else could he be?

Second Miss looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes. Softly, she uttered, "You scoundrel—" but was unable to continue.

Upon seeing her dressed in plain robes, Lin Wanrong found her still stunningly beautiful despite her haggard appearance. Her tear-filled eyes reminded him of pear blossoms after a rain shower. He was taken aback, thinking how she seemed to have matured over the few days he hadn't seen her, which charmed him immensely.

With a few hearty laughs, he walked up to her, presenting the wild chrysanthemum. "For you, beautiful lady," he said. "May you forever remain as radiant as this flower."

"I don't want it," Second Miss blushed, though she quickly seized the flower, her smile even brighter than the bloom. ‘A girl truly smitten with springtime love,’ he thought. ‘I'd best be careful not to charm all the beauties in Jinling City, lest I run out of silver to support them all.’

Gently placing the chrysanthemum behind her ear, Xiao Yushuang asked bashfully, "Lin San, does it look good?"

With her shy and coquettish face, she radiated an indescribable charm. Lin Wanrong was left stunned. "It's not just good, it's spectacular," he answered.

"You're always such a sweet talker," she replied, blushing yet again. Now, there was nothing left of the child she used to be. She was a young maiden in the throes of spring.

Lin Wanrong took a seat next to her. "Second Miss, what brought you to the Rosy Cloud Temple? This is a Buddhist monastery. It's dangerous for a delicate lady like you."

Xiao Yushuang began to sob softly. "Lin San, are you still mad at me?"

"Mad at you? Mad for what?" Lin Wanrong asked, puzzled.

"It was because of me that you got captured that day—" Second Miss choked on her words.

Taken aback, Lin Wanrong felt a mix of amusement and warmth. How did this girl always manage to find a way to blame herself? Yet, her words made him unexpectedly emotional. Where could he ever find such a sweet girl?

"Foolish girl," Lin Wanrong said softly, "it has nothing to do with you. They came for me intentionally. If it weren't for you that day, I would've died under their swords."

These words comforted the young maid's heart. Had it not been for Xiao Yushuang that day, Qin Xian'er wouldn't have intervened in the murderous intent of Lu Zhongping. However, Second Miss was unaware of this, she spoke softly, "I don't know what happened. Seeing those villains wanting to kill you, I felt unbearable pain in my heart. If you died, my life would be devoid of joy. Later, when I saw you standing in front of me, ready to sacrifice your life, I realized that even if I died, it would be worth it."

"Ah, my god, I'm so moved," Lin Wanrong, in an emotional state, grabbed Second Miss Xiao's hand and said, "You mustn't do this again in the future. We both must stay alive and live happily. Isn't that better?"

The young girl nodded, her words shy but determined, "If you don't die, then I won't either." What she implied was clear: if he died, she wouldn't want to live in this world either.

Conversing with this young girl, Lin Wanrong felt his heart was being hollowed out. This was not a simple romantic exchange, it was rather something the young girl said unintentionally, yet it moved Lin Wanrong profoundly. This young girl, she indeed was extraordinary.

Seeing his distracted look, Second Miss hurriedly asked, "Lin San, what's the matter?"

"Me? Oh, it's nothing, just seeing you makes me very happy," Lin Wanrong replied.

"I feel the same way, Lin San. Do you know? I dream about you every night. These past days, I've been terrified. What would I do without you? I am scared..." The young girl cried.

Lin Wanrong felt he couldn't continue the conversation. This girl's tender sentiments were too intense. Even a battle-hardened man like Lin San was not immune to such sweet words, especially when they came from such an innocent beauty, it was truly life-threatening.

"By the way, Second Miss, the Eldest Miss is back too. She might come to see you later," Lin Wanrong wiped his sweat and changed the subject.

"Really?" Xiao Yushuang, who still had some childish temperament, immediately jumped up upon hearing this and asked, "Did elder sister come back with you? Were those villains harming her?"

Lin Wanrong replied, "How could those villains harm her? Look at who she was with!"

Xiao Yushuang nodded, holding his hand and said, "Lin San, I knew it, you are the most capable person in the world."

Being admired felt extremely good. Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, then picked out some things that had happened in the last few days and told her.

Of course, he couldn't tell her about the conspiracies of Tao Dongcheng and the people behind him, nor could he mention Qin Xian'er's matter. Xiao Qingxuan was just described as a friend.

Despite this, the story was very thrilling. Lin Wanrong was an expert in storytelling and emotive engagement, his words kept Miss Xiao on tenterhooks, feeling more exciting than the most thrilling adventure tales.

After listening for a while, Second Miss sighed suddenly, "Lin San, do you think I'm useless?"

Lin Wanrong was taken aback, "Second Miss, why would you think that?"

Xiao Yushuang spoke in a melancholic tone, "Every member of our family contributes to its prosperity. Mother is the pillar of our household, having raised the entire Xiao family. Elder sister manages the family, handling all the business affairs with competence. As for you, Lin San, there's no need to even mention your contributions. Just by looking at sister's demeanor, one can tell she highly admires you."

Admiration? Lin Wanrong grimaced. If she had a knife, her desired action would most likely be to kill him.

Second Miss Xiao continued, "Among us, I am the most useless. In the past, when I had nothing to do, I would use the names of the mighty general to scare the servants. Now that I've grown up, I can't do anything. I can't help my mother or elder sister. Don't you think I'm useless?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head and laughed, "Where is this coming from? Everyone has their own strengths. Let's take the Eldest Miss Xiao, for example, her strength is in management. However, you have your own strength as well, such as your ability to discern people. Think about it, I am an exceptional talent, and it was your discerning eye that identified me, right? That's a significant contribution to the Xiao family."

Upon hearing his self-praise, the young maid couldn't help but chuckle, "You really have a thick face." She sighed, "Actually, the first time I saw you profiting from selling elder sister's portrait, I thought you were a terrible person with too many tricks up your sleeve. Later, when I saw your name in the registration list, I was so delighted. But that day you arrived late, and I had to tell Deputy Steward Pang not to make things difficult for you. Who would have thought that you couldn't..." She covered her mouth, recalling that day's event, "Even write more than a few sentences of the Three-Character Classic!"

Lin Wanrong's face turned red. It wasn't a glorious moment indeed, but he defended himself, "There are plenty of people in this world who can write the Three-Character Classic, but who has skills like me?"

Xiao Yushuang playfully scolded, "Stop boasting. Back then, I wanted to bring you into the Xiao family so I could deal with you properly using the mighty general. Who knew you would be so fierce, I almost hated you."

Having said that, Xiao Yushuang sighed softly, "Looking back now, I'm glad you came. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened to our family. I've been thinking these days, I can't burden my mother and elder sister, I have to become useful. Lin San, I want to seek knowledge, what do you think?"

"Seek knowledge?" Lin Wanrong was surprised, "Where would you, a young lady, go to seek knowledge?"

Second Miss Xiao softly said, "I haven't figured that out yet, but I feel miserable not knowing anything and being stuck at home."

Lin Wanrong could understand this point. Women pursuing liberation is a universal phenomenon across all ages. It was commendable that Xiao Yushuang had such an ambitious mindset.

Nodding, Lin Wanrong said, "Second Miss, I will support you."

"Really?" Xiao Yushuang eagerly grabbed his shoulder. Seeing his nod, she smiled sweetly and said, "Lin San, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?" Lin Wanrong replied in a daze, "Who are we to each other?"

Second Miss Xiao's face reddened slightly. She hummed softly and gently leaned toward him.

Noticing her blush and coquettish demeanor, Lin Wanrong's heart was already itching with anticipation. He lightly wrapped his arm around her slender waist and held her lithe and boneless body close.

Xiao Yushuang was still a young girl. Her body was just beginning to mature, and when embraced, she gave off a tender and sweet feeling. Lin Wanrong gently stroked her slender waist, whispering in her ear, "Second Miss..."

His voice seemed to have an odd enchanting power, making Xiao Yushuang's heart both bashful and ticklish. A soft hum escaped from her nose, and her face felt like it was burning.

Looking at Xiao Yushuang's vivid, alluring lips, Lin Wanrong could no longer bear it. He pulled her closer and leaned in to kiss her. Xiao Yushuang made a soft whimpering sound, burying her head into his chest, her mouth slightly agape, awaiting her shy and sweet first kiss.

"What are you two doing--" The furious roar came just as their lips were about to meet, shattering their dreamy state.

Lin Wanrong turned around to see what was happening, a sudden chill rushing to the bottom of his heart. ‘Damn it,’ he thought, ‘Buddha, Bodhisattva, are you messing with me?’

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Finest Servant

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