Finest Servant

Chapter 328 A Second Visit to the Palace

Upon returning from the artillery demonstration, both Ashile and Yi Seung-Jae were notably more silent, especially Ashile. His swagger had significantly diminished. Lin Wanrong couldn't help but chuckle to himself. In this world, there was no such thing as diplomatic etiquette. Power was the ultimate truth. Today's demonstration had indeed been quite a scare. In addition to the pearls and agate, the blood-sweat treasure horse, and a pile of thousand-year-old Goryeo ginseng, entertaining the envoys was indeed a lucrative task. ‘No wonder Su Mubai was upset when I took over his role; he acted as though he had just lost his wife.’

After all, accepting bribes was not something to be proud of. Lin San was never short of silver, so these gains would go to Luo Ning, the young lady, to aid the orphans. He didn't do it for any other reason but to ease his conscience.

After sending the two envoys back to the designated envoy houses to rest, he saw that Palace Lady Seo looked serious. Master Lin laughed and said, "Palace Lady Seo, let's continue with the acupuncture later. After your treatment, I feel quite comfortable."

Seo Jang Geum replied seriously, "Master Lin, I used to admire you a lot. I thought you were different from others. But after seeing your actions today, I feel you are no different from the common man, even more greedy. Once a person succumbs to greed, it is hard to retain their true nature. This is especially true for officials. If they lose their resolve to love their country and people, life becomes meaningless. I hope you reconsider! And also, prepare yourself, I will report your deeds to His Majesty."

Left speechless, Lin San realized that this Lady Jang Geum was extraordinarily stubborn. It was rare to find such a unique woman in Goryeo.

Lin Wanrong laughed, "Palace Lady Seo, what we see on the surface isn't always the truth. The truth never floats on the water. Why are the waters of Jeju Island so blue, and why are the rocks of Mount Geumgang so hard? Because they have withstood the test and remain unpolluted. Just like my great heart."

Palace Lady Seo was surprised, "How do you know about Jeju Island and Mount Geumgang? Have you been there?"

"I visited during a vacation. The scenery is beautiful, though the girls there aren't as beautiful as you." Master Lin was never serious for long.

Palace Lady Seo blushed and smiled, "You flatter me, Master Lin. We Goryeo women have distinct features, which tend to leave a lasting impression. I didn't expect you to be such a seasoned traveler, having even visited Goryeo."

Indeed, her distinct features made her a suitable target. Lin Wanrong laughed, "Goryeo isn't far. The furthest place I've been is Africa, where the people's skin, hair, and eyes are all black. There, you'll find mysterious witch doctors, undulating rainforests, venomous pythons, and kind cannibals—"

Seo Jang Geum, being knowledgeable, had some idea of the vastness of the world. Upon hearing that Master Lin had traveled to such a distant place, she was instantly filled with longing, and exclaimed, "Master Lin, are there really such places in the world? Are there really witch doctors, rainforests, and pythons there? Is it far from us?"

This legendary Goryeo woman had asked so many questions in one breath, it seemed she had already forgotten about reporting him. Lin Wanrong nodded, "It is far, exceedingly far. The journey from Great Hua to Goryeo already crosses mountains and rivers. But to go from Asia to Africa, one must cross several oceans and continents, a journey of tens of thousands of miles. It is not a place that just anyone can reach."

A glimmer of longing flashed in Seo Jang Geum's eyes, she sighed, "Everywhere the sun shines, unique wonders must exist. Rainforests and pythons are the essence of the world. I imagine such a place would also teem with rare medicinal herbs. If I could go there, I'd be content even if it took my whole life."

Seo Jang Geum's words were all about her profession. Lin Wanrong found it amusing, but he couldn't help thinking of Luo Ning, who was far away in Jining. Wasn't she, like Seo Jang Geum, fond of traveling everywhere? If she were here, she and Seo would certainly become intimate sisters. It had been some time since he arrived in Beijing, and he wondered how she was. He had received no news from Old Luo or Luo Yuan either, all of them were like family to him.

"Master Lin, Master Lin," Seeing Lin Wanrong lost in thought, Seo Jang Geum hurriedly called him a few times in a soft voice. Lin Wanrong woke up from his musings and smiled, "Lady Seo, what is it?"

"Master Lin, what are you thinking about? Are you thinking about your lover?" Seo Jang Geum asked softly.

"No, I'm thinking about my fiancée," Lin Wanrong chuckled, "She's as knowledgeable and talented as you are, and loves to travel as well. If you meet her, I'm sure you two would become good friends. But alas, that girl is an expert at spending money and mediocre at earning it. It seems I, her husband, will have to support her for a lifetime."

Seo Jang Geum exclaimed, "You really are extraordinary, Master Lin. In my homeland, Korea, once married, men would never allow their wives to work. This has constrained countless women, and many brilliant women are unable to fully utilize their intellect and talent. For you to encourage your wife to work is truly unique."

"Women are not goods. They have their own thoughts and things they love to do. Why should they be confined? If they can earn money and share their husband's worries, it's the best. Men and women should be equal," Lin Wanrong said, laughing and bragging quite naturally.

Seo Jang Geum sighed, "Master Lin, you're open-minded and unconventional, a true visionary. Your wife must love you even more after hearing these words. You must love your wife a lot too."

Seo Jang Geum consistently used respectful terms, and Lin Wanrong found it amusing. Korean men were really lucky, being addressed respectfully hundreds of times a day felt heavenly.

"Moderately, moderately. I'm rather philanthropic," Lin Wanrong replied with a chuckle, "It's getting late. You should go back and rest."

"Alright, thank you. I really enjoyed our conversation today." Seo Jang Geum bowed deeply, "You should also go back and spend time with your wife. And please be prepared. I will expose you in front of Emperor Great Hua tomorrow."

Startled, Lin Wanrong felt a moment of dizziness. After all this, she hadn't forgotten about it and even reminded him in advance. Korean women were indeed interesting, with a unique charm.

Stepping out of the diplomatic house, the cold wind swept over him and Lin Wanrong's mind suddenly cleared. He was taken aback as he realized that an entire day had slipped past in a daze. From being dragged to see the Emperor by Xu Wei in the morning, to angrily hitting Tsugumi Takeshita in the palace, forcing Goryeo to sign a cultural borrowing agreement, and then performing a show at the martial arts field for the two envoys, all his actions were inextricably linked to Great Hua. With all his heart, he thought of Great Hua, cared for Great Hua. ‘When did I become so noble,’ he wondered, a strange blend of amusement and despair stirring within him. Overwhelmed with various emotions, he felt an eerie sense of disconnection from the world.

Under the bright moon, he stood still for a long while. Just as he was about to head home, he spotted a lone rider approaching in the distance - it was Xu Wei. Xu Wei hastily dismounted, urgently saying, "Little brother Lin, Little brother Lin, come with me quickly, the Emperor wishes to see you again."

Again? What did he mean? Hadn't they just met this morning? Lin Wanrong was puzzled, but Xu Wei hurriedly handed him a horse. His arrival was more urgent than in the morning, with only two horses and not a single attendant.

Mounting the horse, Lin Wanrong asked, "Mr. Xu, what does the Emperor want with me? Did something go wrong with the envoys today?"

Xu Wei shook his head, "Little brother Lin, don't overthink it. Everything you did today was reported to the Emperor at noon. The Emperor laughed heartily, his mood uplifted. He praised you for your wisdom, your ability to anticipate the enemy, and your unconventional behavior. He said you have the aura of a great general."

"Mr. Xu, don't just say the pleasing things," Lin Wanrong said with a wry smile. "The Emperor and I barely know each other. We just met for the second time this morning. How could he value me so highly?"

Xu Wei pondered for a moment before answering, "Little brother Lin, there's something you don't know. From what I could see, initially the Emperor had no intention of summoning you again. But after I reported your deeds, he was so pleased that he spent the whole afternoon in his study, thinking alone. He did not handle any memorials, and only then did he summon me to call you to the palace."

The more Lin Wanrong heard, the more confused he became. Even if he had successfully fooled the envoys, there was no need to summon him again, and so late at that. Couldn't the Emperor have waited until tomorrow? The thoughts of an Emperor were indeed inscrutable.

Seeing his confusion, Xu Wei said, "Little brother Lin, it is true that being with the Emperor is like living with a tiger. But it is exceedingly rare for someone like you to be summoned twice on the first day at court. This is a great honor. Even Su Mubai, the top scholar who was personally chosen by the Emperor and mentored by renowned teachers, despite his achievements and the Emperor's direct hand in his education, was never summoned twice in one day. This is a great favor towards you—"

Lin Wanrong interrupted him hurriedly, "Brother Xu, you better stop. The more you talk, the more my heart pounds. If the Emperor happens to execute me, it would be a great loss."

At this, Xu Wei burst into laughter. The two of them urged their horses forward, swiftly passing through the Meridian Gate, crossing the Golden Bridge, and arrived at the palace in no time.

Eunuch Gao had been waiting there for a while. Upon seeing Lin Wanrong's arrival, he hurried forward to greet him, fawningly saying, "Master Lin, you're finally here. The Emperor has been anxiously awaiting you."

"I dare not slack in the tasks assigned by the Emperor. I apologize for my late arrival," Lin Wanrong replied. This being his second time in the palace, he was more familiar with the procedures and was about to hand a silver note to Eunuch Gao.

However, Eunuch Gao quickly refused, saying in a panicked tone, "No, no, I wouldn't dare accept this!"

Xu Wei, being the keen observer that he was, noticed Eunuch Gao's starkly different behavior compared to the morning and was surprised. He asked, "Eunuch Gao, where does the Emperor wish to see my Little brother Lin?"

Eunuch Gao glanced at Lin Wanrong and cautiously answered, "—The Palace of Heavenly Purity!"

"What?!!" Xu Wei exclaimed in shock and disbelief.

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