Finest Servant

Chapter 292 The Visit

After a bout of playful frolic, the two shared an unprecedented sense of liberation and joy. With the Eldest Miss's wish fulfilled, she let him lead her by the hand back toward their home. Given the darkness and gusty wind, nobody could discern their figures. Observing her sweet smile, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but sigh with resignation. He needed more experience in the field of love; if he were to lose Yuruo, it would be a lifelong regret.

Upon their return to the mansion, Sister Song and others were anxiously awaiting. The Eldest Miss's face held a light blush, signifying some embarrassment. Fortunately, no one knew what had transpired, and moreover, it was inconceivable for servants to blame their master. Thus, the incident was easily glossed over.

Seeing that the Eldest Miss was slightly damp, Sister Song said compassionately, "Eldest Miss, you should quickly go bathe and change clothes. It's chilly outside; you shouldn't catch a cold."

The Eldest Miss hummed her acknowledgment, glanced at Lin San, and softly said, "You should clean up too."

"Bathe together--" When the others were not looking, Lin Wanrong mouthed, causing the Eldest Miss to chide him with a slightly annoyed glance and a blush before quickly departing.

The idea of bathing together was obviously a jest. There were maids in the Eldest Miss's room; he couldn't possibly intrude. Having just brightened her mood, he decided to restrain himself for a few days to avoid giving her another chance to rebuke him.

For the following two days, Lin Wanrong did indeed keep his wolfish tendencies at bay, busying himself with preparations for the flower-viewing party with the Eldest Miss. He provided ideas, cracked jokes, and took every chance to hug and kiss her, making for a delightful time. An Biru had not made an appearance since that eventful night. Lin Wanrong worried for Xian'er, but knowing the close relationship between master and disciple, he stopped worrying.

Despite the pleasant days, he found himself increasingly missing Qiaoqiao and the talented lady Luo from Jining. The matter of Qingxuan naturally became his heartache, like a stone weighing on his heart. If Qingxuan truly was the princess of Great Hua, he would only be able to see her by going to the palace. But how could he gain entrance?

Remembering the joke he had made when parting with Qingxuan, about plastering her portrait all over the capital if he couldn't find her, he thought it wasn't entirely without merit. In his leisure, he remembered her features and put pen to paper, vividly drawing the woman he missed day and night.

One morning, when everything was nearly prepared, the Eldest Miss instructed Sister Song to bring out the recent account books for copying and verification, followed by a personal check of the income by the Eldest Miss herself.

These days, Xiao Yuruo had grown incredibly affectionate towards him. Seeing him yawning continuously, she remembered his tireless efforts in the past few days, knowing he disliked paperwork, she gently suggested, "Weren't you planning to visit Master Xu? Once we are done with today's tasks, let's pay a visit to Xu Mansion tomorrow. Thinking about it, we haven't visited Master Xu since our arrival in the capital, it's terribly impolite."

Lin Wanrong nodded. Seeing Yuruo considering his needs, he didn't want to wander aimlessly anymore. So, he moved next to the Eldest Miss to watch her record the accounts. He saw her elegant wrist move lightly, her small script flowing like the wind as she meticulously recorded each entry before calculating. He hadn't realized the extent of her work until he saw it for himself, which made him furrow his brows.

It turned out that the shop's accounts were kept using "tally sticks", making not only the counting troublesome, but the calculations even more complicated. Seeing Xiao Yuruo's tender hands constantly copying and calculating, Lin Wanrong could not help but shake his head. At this rate, when would she be done? And what's more, the Eldest Miss's hands would surely be unable to withstand such torment!

He sighed and said, "Eldest Miss, is this how you always calculate?"

Xiao Yuruo charmingly grumbled, "Yes, ever since our ancestors' time, this has been our method of calculation. What's wrong with that? You always have a knack for overreacting."

Lin Wanrong wrote a twisted "0" on the paper, and asked, "Miss, do you recognize this number?"

Yuruo shook her head, "What is this? Why is it so peculiar?"

Lin Wanrong sighed, throwing down the brush. Apparently, Arabic numerals had not yet been introduced. With his rich mathematical knowledge from his previous life, he knew that Arabic numerals were introduced to China around the 14th century. However, due to the existence of "tally sticks", Arabic numerals were not promptly popularized and used until five hundred years later, a full six hundred years later than Europe.

Damn, six hundred years! It was in these six hundred years that China's technology had fallen far behind Europe. Could this be related to the method of counting and calculating? It was fundamental!

He paced back and forth a few times, and the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Undoubtedly, Arabic numerals and the various calculation rules built upon them were more concise and effective. The impact this had on the progress of society's technology was self-evident.

He slapped his hands together, damn, he would bring in these Arabic numerals, both simple and effective. These basic sciences were far more useful than those technologies that involved making gunpowder or cannons out of thin air. He believed that with the intelligence of the people of Great Hua, having this simple and effective method of calculation was not a dream to catch up with Europe.

He grew more excited the more he thought about it. Snatching the brush from Xiao Yuruo's hand, he smiled, "Miss, don't be busy for a moment. Let me teach you a simple and effective counting method, which is guaranteed to be more cost-effective than yours."

He wrote down ten Arabic numerals and four operation symbols, explaining each meaning to the Eldest Miss. Xiao Yuruo was in business, and she had a natural sensitivity to numbers. After a while, she became interested and laughed, "Where did you learn these? It sounds much simpler."

Lin Wanrong laughed and said, "The secrets of heaven must not be revealed, but if you promise to let me kiss you, it doesn't matter if I reveal them."

Xiao Yuruo glanced at him and shyly said, "You can't be serious for a moment. If you want a kiss, go find that sly woman named An."

Sweating, this girl was addicted to holding grudges. His face was far thicker than usual, and he was about to force a kiss, when Huan'er, with her blushing face, rushed in and said, "Miss, Brother San, Minister Xu Wei of the Ministry of Revenue, along with his wife and daughter, have come to visit."

Good heavens, just as he was thinking of paying a visit to old Xu, the old man himself showed up, bringing along his wife and daughter. His wife was Su Qinglian, and his daughter, wouldn't that be Xu Zhiqing? The lass wasn't here to visit him, was she? He was in a period of abstinence, it'd be difficult to make good on past promises.

Just as he was fretting, the Eldest Miss had already gleefully said, "Please, hurry in!"

In the middle of her sentence, a hearty laughter could be heard from outside, "Miss Xiao, Little brother Lin, I took the liberty to drop by without an invitation, I hope you two won't mind." Three figures then strolled in from outside. The one leading had a lean and distinguished face, it was the world-renowned number-one scholar Xu Wei. Following beside him was the renowned beauty of Hangzhou with her silver hair, Su Qinglian, and lastly, the well-learned young lady, Xu Zhiqing.

Miss Xiao had already stood up to greet them, giving a respectful salute, "This humble servant, Xiao Yuruo, pays her respects to Master Xu, Lady Xu, and Miss Xu."

Xu Wei laughed heartily, helping her up, "Why such formality, Miss Xiao? Back in Jinling, it was I who was looked after by Miss Guo."

Su Qinglian, who had been betrothed to Xu Wei by the two, was naturally grateful. She also said with a smile, "What my husband says is true. Our marriage is thanks to Young Master Lin and Miss Xiao, I will never forget this kindness."

Xu Zhiqing took Xiao Yuruo's hand, "So you're Miss Xiao? Indeed you're as beautiful and graceful as the rumors say. I've been wanting to speak with you for a while now, but only found the time today. I hope you won't hold it against me."

Miss Xiao hurriedly replied, "Where are these words coming from, sister? As a newcomer to the capital, it's only proper for me to pay my respects to Master Xu and yourself. It's just that I've been caught up in various matters recently and have yet to find the time. I was just planning to visit tomorrow, but it seems that Master Xu beat me to it. I, as the younger one, am really quite embarrassed."

Listening to them casually throw around their learned knowledge, Lin Wanrong, not used to it, made a fist and said with a chuckle, "Mr. Xu, it's been a while, how have you been? Sister Su, how about you? Miss Xu, you as well!"

As if she hadn't heard him, Xu Zhiqing continued her conversation with Xiao Yuruo. Since she had entered, she hadn't spared Lin Wanrong a glance, making him feel quite uneasy. Damn it, it seemed that the gunshot the other day was a waste, wasting ammunition. [TL: Remember the modern slang for shooting a gun.]

These two women, Xu Zhiqing was five or six years older, both were beautiful and intelligent. After a few words, they were already affectionately calling each other sisters. Lin Wanrong shook his head at the sound, the friendship between women was indeed cheap.

He turned his head to look at Su Qinglian, and with a smile said, "Sister Su, it's only been a few days but you seem to be getting younger and more beautiful, I suppose that must be the work of Master Xu. I'd like to congratulate the two of you. When are you inviting me to the wedding banquet? Haha!"

As the matchmaker for Xu Wei and Su Qinglian, and having such a close relationship, a joke here and there wouldn't hurt. But it caused the two ladies chatting to blush and silently curse him for being shameless.

Su Qinglian, having experienced the ups and downs of life, couldn't help but blush at his crude and provocative words. Shyly, she said, "Young Master Lin, stop teasing me. The fortune I have today is all thanks to you, today is specifically to thank the matchmaker."

Xu Wei, stroking his beard with a smile, echoed, "Indeed. Little brother Lin, you are our benefactor!"

The old Xu looked significantly healthier than when they were in Jinling, it seemed that Sister Su had the knack for rejuvenating others. He sniggered, grabbed Xu Wei's arm, and whispered, "Mr. Xu, we can hold the wedding banquet some other time, but there's something I need your help with."

Xu Wei looked surprised, "For Little brother Lin to ask a favor, that's quite rare. Go ahead, if it's within my power, I will certainly comply."

Lin Wanrong gave a sly grin, clenched his teeth, and said, "I need to get into the palace!"

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