Finest Servant

Chapter 165 Misty Rain Over West Lake

Having resolved the matter of the foreigner through a combination of cajoling and trickery, Lin Wanrong managed to please both sides and even ended up with considerable benefits for himself. Needless to say, he was greatly pleased.

As he left the Sunshine and Rain Restaurant, a soft drizzle began to fall from the sky. The early winter raindrops brought with them a biting chill, which sent shivers down their spines as they landed on their faces. In the faint mist, West Lake resembled a shy maiden veiled by a blurry silk scarf, rendering it even more mysteriously enticing.

The Eldest Miss delicately raised her oiled paper umbrella, lifted her long skirt, and slowly walked forward with small steps. Seeing her cautious demeanor, seemingly fearful of the splashing mud on her long dress, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but chuckle, "Eldest Miss, do not walk hastily. Mud on your clothes does not matter, just be careful not to let the dust settle on your heart."

The Eldest Miss glanced back at him, her eyes flashing with annoyance, "Stop speaking in riddles; I don't understand them. You have plenty of confidantes to charm with your words." As she spoke, a glimpse of a red thread was visible from within her sleeve. Upon noticing it, Lin Wanrong chuckled again, "Eldest Miss, the appearance of the red thread signifies the arrival of marriage ties. It seems that good fortune is coming your way."

Startled, the Eldest Miss looked down and indeed found a red thread from her embroidery last night lodged in her sleeve, alongside two embroidery needles. She was shocked that Lin San had spotted it. Her face turned a bright red as she muttered resentfully, "Idle chatter."

Lin Wanrong, accustomed to such light-hearted teasing, didn't mind her reaction. Xu Wei, on the other hand, found it quite interesting. "Little brother Lin," he began, "when I was your age, I wasn't nearly as carefree as you. Even though I'm old now, I can't help but admire your relaxed and easy-going lifestyle."

Laughing, Lin Wanrong replied, "Mr. Xu, I am but a simple commoner, and this carefree spirit is nothing more than an illusion of poverty. It's hardly worth your admiration. We are simply puppets manipulated by others, yet we must act grateful. As someone who prides himself on his wit, this is particularly galling."

Xu Wei replied, "Little brother Lin, I had no choice but to resort to the Xiao family today to deal with Tao Dongcheng. I hope you can understand." As a clever man himself, Xu Wei understood Lin Wanrong's subtle criticism and decided to admit it frankly.

Shaking his head and laughing, Lin Wanrong said, "Mr. Xu, I hardly understand these matters. The West Lake is simply beautiful in the rain today. How delightful it would be if I could gather a few sisters and find some entertainment."

The Eldest Miss, walking ahead, could hear every word. She turned back angrily, "Lin San, why won't you mend your ways?"

‘Mend my ways? Me? I always think I am someone who changes easily. When did I become so stubborn?’ "Miss, where have I refused to change?"

Her face flushed with anger, she replied, "In Jinling, you interacted with the courtesans of Miaoyu Pavilion, and at least my cousin was with you to discuss scholarly matters. That was tolerable. But now we're in Hangzhou, and you're entertaining such vile thoughts again. Have you forgotten Miss Qingxuan and Sister Qiaoqiao?"

Sweat poured down his face. His wives didn't control him, but it seemed this Eldest Miss wanted to. Seeing her indignant expression, it seemed like a man's visit to a brothel was the gravest sin.

In front of the Eldest Miss, Lin Wanrong turned to Xu Wei and asked, "Mr. Xu, do you think visiting a brothel is a wrongdoing?"

Xu Wei, even though he was the nation's foremost scholar, couldn't help but break into a sweat. This Lin Wanrong fellow really had no fear in speaking his mind, even about such crude topics as brothels. A more refined term would be 'pleasure quarters.' During his younger days, Xu Wei had been quite the romantic himself. However, as he grew older, he became more reserved. With the Eldest Miss present, he was unsure how to respond. He finally replied, "Well, Little brother Lin, I'm not particularly knowledgeable about the matters of pleasure quarters."

‘Pretending to be so pure, eh?’ Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Mr. Xu, you've misunderstood. I am referring to the existence of pleasure quarters, not the individuals involved. These establishments exist for a reason. Some women need money, some men have certain needs. Both the buyers' market and sellers' market exist; it's only natural that this trade would flourish. As long as no coercion is involved, it meets the needs of both parties, and taxes are paid, it's a win-win situation. Prosperity and pleasure can coexist harmoniously."

Sweat dripped down Xu Wei's forehead. Every sentence Lin Wanrong uttered was shockingly audacious. But they also had a ring of truth to them and Xu Wei couldn't find a good counterargument.

Hearing Lin Wanrong's outlandish words, the Eldest Miss was infuriated. Pointing at him, she exclaimed, "You...you're shameless and outrageous! Beyond redemption!" She spun around and ran off, not even bothering about the mud splashed on her long skirt.

Xu Wei sighed, "Little brother Lin, even though I pride myself on my sharp wit, I find it hard to keep up with your ideas."

Lin Wanrong replied, "Hardly, my thought process isn't broad enough, my ideas aren't liberated enough, I need further refinement."

Laughing, Xu Wei said, "Little brother Lin, you're certainly the most intriguing person I've ever met. I wish I had met you thirty years ago. If we were of the same age, we could have become sworn brothers. Our meetings so far are fate. Today, allow me to host you. Let's take a small boat and explore the beauty of West Lake in this rain. What do you think?"

Lin Wanrong was always a bit mischievous. Today's events had been very satisfying; he had shown off his skills, gained silver, and had a thousand reasons to celebrate. Boating on West Lake amidst the rain was a favorite pastime of the witty and romantic types like him. Both Xu Wei and Lin Wanrong, one known as the top and the other as the second best, they had every right to enjoy such an outing.

With a wave of his hand, Xu Wei signaled an attendant who approached them. Judging by his movements, he seemed to be skilled in martial arts. Probably one of Xu Wei's secret guards. Lin Wanrong wasn't surprised. After giving the attendant a few instructions, Xu Wei dismissed him.

As the two men continued, they noticed the Eldest Miss standing under a tree, looking towards them from a distance. Xu Wei chuckled, "In the end, Miss Xiao can't help but worry about you, Little brother Lin."

Lin Wanrong shook his head and said, "I fear she's not worried about me, but rather which girl from the pleasure quarters I might mistreat." Xu Wei burst into laughter. Listening to this young man, Lin Wanrong, was a joy in itself.

Seeing the two approaching, the Eldest Miss blushed. She curtseyed towards Xu Wei, "Master Xu, this is just how Lin San behaves, he loves to spout nonsense. Please, do not take offense."

Sweat dripped down his brow. The Eldest Miss was actually defending him, which stirred a slight feeling of gratitude within Lin Wanrong.

Xu Wei laughed, "Miss Xiao, there's no need for such formalities. Although there's a gap of over thirty years between Lin San and me, our temperaments are quite alike. Talking with him is one of the great pleasures in life, there's no cause for taking offense."

‘So, I'm not the only one who likes to listen to him talk?’ The Eldest Miss thought but didn't utter a word.

Xu Wei spoke, "I just invited Little brother Lin for a rainy tour of West Lake. If Miss Xiao wouldn't mind, why don't you join us? It would be nice for the three of us to chat." To his surprise, Xiao Yuruo agreed with a soft hum.

Lin Wanrong gave a bitter smile. Wasn't the Eldest Miss usually very busy? Why was she free to join them on their trip to West Lake today? Damn, this was supposed to be a trip for drinking and soliciting courtesans. How could they bring her along?

After a while, the attendant led the three onto a luxuriously appointed houseboat. Xu Wei nodded with satisfaction and invited the others, "Miss Xiao, Little Brother Lin, please come in."

As they entered the cabin, they saw a woman sitting in the center of the room with a zither in front of her. She was in her forties or fifties, her temples touched with gray and her forehead etched with fine lines, but her face still bore the traces of past beauty.

Who was she? Lin Wanrong wondered, only to hear Xu Wei exclaim joyfully, "Qinglian, is that really you?"

Seeing Xu Wei's joyous reaction, could this be an old flame of his? Lin Wanrong pondered.

Qinglian rose and said, "I am a commoner, Su Qinglian, pleased to see you, Mr. Xu." The way she referred to herself and addressed Xu Wei was a bit odd, but Xu Wei didn't seem to mind.

"Su Qinglian?" the Eldest Miss exclaimed. "Are you the famous courtesan of West Lake, Madam Su Qinglian?"

"The Su Qinglian of the past no longer exists, Miss. Please don't bring it up," Su Qinglian looked at Xu Wei, her voice cold, but her eyes filled with resentment and sadness.

"Eldest Miss, who is this Su Qinglian?" Lin Wanrong quietly asked Xiao Yuruo.

"You don't know even this?" the Eldest Miss looked surprised, both annoyed and amused. She knew his interest in brothels, yet he didn't know such a well-known story. She wondered what he spent his time thinking about if not these vulgar matters.

"Su Qinglian was a famous opera singer in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and the top courtesan at the Elegant Breeze Pavilion of West Lake. She fell in love with Xu Wei, which was a sensation back in the day."

Sweat poured down his face. So, Su Qinglian was a courtesan who sang folk songs. When Xu Wei sought a courtesan, he had chosen his old love. Lin Wanrong couldn't help but laugh at this.

"After Master Wenchang went north to study, he never returned for many years," the Eldest Miss narrated. "Miss Su Qinglian, after Mr. Wenchang left, sealed her zither, closed her doors to guests, and made a vow. She said she wouldn’t touch the zither or style her hair again until Wenchang returned, she was willing to let her beauty fade away."

The Eldest Miss sighed as she got to this part of the story. How terrifying it was for a woman to let her beloved beauty fade away. And how deep was the love behind such a decision? Su Qinglian's present state was a testament to the truth of her vows. She wouldn't have allowed her beauty to fade away otherwise.

"Mr. Wenchang left for thirty years, during which he established a family in the capital. His wife was very kind and asked Master Xu to invite Miss Su to reunite in the north. But Miss Su sent a reply with just a few words: 'My heart is loyal to you, I hope yours is the same to me,'" The Eldest Miss said, glancing meaningfully at Lin Wanrong.

At this point, Lin Wanrong understood. So, this Xu Wenchang was unfaithful, and it was fortunate that his wife was kind enough to let him accept Su Qinglian as a concubine. However, Su Qinglian had a strong character, she was like a lioness, advocating for monogamy, and hoped that Xu Wenchang only had her in his heart. The outcome was predictable.

"Thus, Miss Su waited in vain for thirty years, allowing her beauty to fade without fulfilling her wish. What a tragic life," the Eldest Miss sighed, her eyes red-rimmed as she glanced at Lin Wanrong.

Damn, did the Eldest Miss also advocate monogamy? Seeing her look, Lin Wanrong was taken aback. But then he thought that her belief in monogamy was none of his business. After hearing Su Qinglian's story, Lin Wanrong, a staunch patriarchist, felt moved. Such firmness, such deep love, was not easy. This woman was indeed worthy of respect.

"Qinglian, thirty years have passed since we last met, but you're still as beautiful and captivating as before," the first words that Xu Wenchang said made Lin Wanrong taken aback. This old man's way of coaxing girls was quite impressive, there must have been many romantic tales from his past.

"Mr. Xu, I've come to fulfill our promise from all those years ago. I vowed not to style my hair again until you returned. It's been thirty years, and finally, I can play my zither and style my hair again," Su Qinglian said, her face wet with tears. Her greying temples, under the slanting rain at West Lake, appeared especially desolate. Xu Wenchang also teared up, holding onto the table as if he could hardly stand.

Witnessing the reunion of the old lovers felt quite awkward, and Lin Wanrong, pulling the Eldest Miss, wanted to leave. But he saw her stubbornly standing still, crying harder than Su Qinglian, just like the Qiantang River bursting its banks.

‘Goodness,’ Lin Wanrong secretly stuck his tongue out. ‘So, this girl likes watching romance dramas.’ He hurriedly whispered in her ear, "They are here to reminisce about old times. Why are you standing here obstructing them?"

The Eldest Miss softly acknowledged, about to step out, when a humming sound resonated in the air. It was the vibration of a zither string. Before they knew it, the silver-haired Su Qinglian was sitting beside the zither, which had not been unsealed for thirty years. She plucked the strings and sang:

"Green willows and fragrant grass along the long pavilion road,

Easy for the young to abandon others and go.

Dreams fading at the fifth morning bell atop the tower,

Sorrow of parting beneath flowers in the March rain.

Loveless is not as bitter as loving too much,

An inch of love stretches into endless threads.

The ends of the earth and the sky have their limits,

Only love, love alone, knows no end."

Her voice was no longer the heavenly melody of her youth. It carried a slight hoarseness, yet the sentiment in the song was pure and sincere, like a portrait of her life. The lack of any technique only made it more heartfelt, softly sung. The wait and longing of thirty years, the day of reunion only to find her beauty had faded, and the time had passed. How much melancholy and bitterness this period had encapsulated was all intertwined within the song, filled with sentiment and scenery, making it hard not to be moved.

The Eldest Miss cried loudly, while Lin Wanrong couldn't bear the sorrowful atmosphere. He sighed lightly and said, "Since ancient times, beauties and heroes have not been allowed to grow old in the eyes of the world—"

"Lin San—" The Eldest Miss, her eyes swimming in tears, looked at him and sobbed, "Would you... would you become like Master Xu?"

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