Finest Servant

Chapter 374 “Work-related Injury”

Though Lin Wanrong had quite a thick skin, he was marked with a vivid trace left by the fairy. He felt quite embarrassed to return home like this, so he lingered for a long time within Du Xiuyuan's army. Having nothing better to do, he pulled up Sasaki for a thorough interrogation, beating him with fists and kicks. As Lin Wanrong expected, this man from Dongyin would rather die than speak, having cultivated the spirit of Bushido to the extreme.

Considering the time, even if Sasaki had wings, he couldn't have robbed the silver in Shandong and then flown to the capital to attempt an assassination. From this, it seemed the robbery in Shandong must have been carried out by another group of Dongyin people in collaboration with Prince Cheng. The exact hiding place of the silver might be unknown to Sasaki, but it was certainly around Jining. Today's capture of these Dongyin assassins was conducted quietly, but Prince Cheng was no fool. If he didn't see Sasaki, he would undoubtedly become suspicious. The silver in Shandong might be on the move. Time was of the essence, and the trip to Shandong could not be delayed. Lin Wanrong was uncertain about the results of Xu Wei's negotiations with the old Emperor. Unable to sit still, he couldn't be bothered to chit-chat with Sasaki anymore, ordering Xu Zhen to “take care” of him before leaving with a slap of his behind.

By the time he returned to the mansion, the lanterns were just being lit. He had been called away by Xu Wei early yesterday morning and was only just returning now. He shook his head helplessly, sighing, ‘Who did I wrong? It seems I'm destined to labor. A man really shouldn't be too capable.’

With the “blush” on his face not yet disappeared, he couldn’t let others see it. He was tiptoeing, about to sneak in, when he heard a soft cry: “Big brother, Big brother is back!” Several people rushed out of the mansion, with Qiaoqiao in the lead, followed by Eldest Miss Xiao. Her face was pale, and she looked blankly at Lin Wanrong, calling out, “Lin San—” but could say no more. Madam Xiao behind her gently patted her frail shoulder and smiled at Lin Wanrong with a nod.

“Ah ha, everyone's here! Have you eaten? If you've eaten, go to bed early!” Lin Wanrong laughed, covering his cheek with his hand.

“Big brother, what happened to your face?” Qiaoqiao was the closest and immediately noticed the bright red on his face, exclaiming in shock.

Unaware until they looked, everyone was startled and quickly cast their eyes on his face. Lin Wanrong tightly covered his cheek, stammering: “Oh, nothing, I accidentally ran into a tree, hitting both sides of my face. But don't worry, my handsome face hasn't been damaged at all.”

Qiaoqiao pulled his large hand away, touching his face tenderly, tears welling: “Who did this to you, beating you like this? Big brother, does it hurt?”

‘This little girl, she didn't even know how to cover for her husband. Was this a beating? It was a mishap from being affectionate with Fairy Sister. It's a work-related injury, you know?’

He was usually the one bullying others; nobody had ever seen him beaten. What was going on? Eldest Miss anxiously glanced at him, wanting to step forward but stopped upon seeing Qiaoqiao's tender look.

Since the truth could not be concealed, he decided not to hide it at all. He grabbed Qiaoqiao's little hand and gently pinched her rosy cheek, laughing playfully as he saluted Eldest Miss and Madam Xiao: "It's nothing, just an accidental injury. I'll heal in a few days."

"Big brother, are you all right?" Qiaoqiao examined him up and down, her voice filled with a crying tone, "You were called away by the Emperor yesterday, and we heard nothing from you all day and night. We were all worried to death. Eldest Miss didn't sleep at all last night, and she went to look for Mr. Xu this morning but didn't find him."

Lin Wanrong looked at Eldest Miss, and saw her face tinged with pink, her cherry lips slightly bitten, as she gazed at him longingly.

"It's fine, it's fine, how could anything happen to me?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I was discussing matters with the Emperor yesterday, and it got late, so the old Emperor asked me to make do with a night in the palace. I didn't realize it would worry you all. It's all my fault, the trouble caused by the moon!"

Xiao Yuruo snorted softly and said, "Keeping you in the palace? The Emperor treats you quite well, doesn't he? Has the matter of becoming the prince consort been settled? When will you marry the princess?"

"Qiaoqiao, how did you bring such a big jar of vinegar outside?" Lin Wanrong laughed.

"What? I didn't bring any vinegar—" Qiaoqiao was stunned for a moment, and halfway through her words, she glanced at Eldest Miss's expression and burst into laughter, "Big brother, you're so naughty."

Eldest Miss's eyes reddened, and she said nothing, picking up her long skirt and quickly running back into the shop. Lin Wanrong was taken aback, and Qiaoqiao urgently pushed him, saying anxiously, "Big brother, look what you've done with your nonsense, hurry up and chase after her."

This commotion, just having sent away Qian’Er, and now welcoming Eldest Miss, these two jars of vinegar, he didn't know which one was deeper. He looked helplessly at Madam Xiao, who shook her head and smiled, "You young people's affairs, I don't quite understand. You handle it yourselves. I trust you and Yuruo. But honestly, Lin San, these past couple of days without you, our home has seemed lifeless, as if it's lost its backbone. Yuruo has been listless and unfocused, as if she's become a different person. Before you came, she was full of energy and fearless, but now it's the opposite. What do you think is going on?"

Madam's words contained deeper meaning. But truly, Lin Wanrong had always considered himself part of the Xiao family, actively promoting the spirit of the master, never treating himself as an outsider. Lin Wanrong laughed and said modestly, "Is that so? Madam, you're flattering me. Alas, if I've so disrupted Eldest Miss's mind, I'm truly ashamed. Being outstanding is indeed a mistake; I'll remember that next time."

This was called not knowing one's own face; Lin San's thick skin was indeed unparalleled. Madam Xiao smiled bitterly and sighed, "My Xiao family has struggled for so many years, relying solely on two weak women. Since you came, our burden has been much lighter. Calling you the backbone of the Xiao family is not wrong at all. You go, go see Yuruo, comfort her. This child—" Madam wiped away two tears, unable to continue speaking.

The gentle offensive of Madam Xiao was truly formidable, trapping him tightly, leaving no escape. Lin Wanrong was thoroughly impressed by her tactics. He bowed and made his way into the house, heading straight for the backyard. The sky was completely dark, and there was no light in Eldest Miss's room; it was pitch black, and he had no idea if she was inside.

He gently tapped on the door twice and cleared his throat, calling softly, "Eldest Miss, it's Lin San. Please open the door; I have something to say to you."

Inside the room, all was silent and still. He waited for what seemed like an eternity, but the door remained closed. Lin Wanrong shook his head, sighing, "This is forcing me to use my trump card. I don't mind, but I fear you, young lady, might not be able to handle it. 'Yuruo, my sweet, my darling, my treasure, my heart...'"

In the front hall, Madam Xiao shivered all over, hearing Lin San's words. How could Lin San say such things? Truly a breach of propriety. How young people these days behave! Qiaoqiao blushed, accustomed to her big brother's nauseatingly sweet tactics. If she didn't hear them one day, she might even miss them.

Before he had finished his call, the door creaked open, and Eldest Miss stood before him, her face stained with tears, both shy and angry, "What are you shouting about so recklessly? Aren't you afraid mother will hear?"

Lin Wanrong slipped inside like a monkey, giggling, "What's there to fear? I shout what I want; she listens to what she wants. She's pleased with what she hears; I feel energized by what I shout. It's win-win. My heart, shall I say it again? Do you like to hear it?"

"Who wants to hear it? You can save your sweet words for your princess," Eldest Miss snorted, though her expression had already softened.

"How can that be? I swear to the heavens, Yuruo is my heart, unique and unparalleled," Lin Wanrong declared, raising his right hand high, his face serious, his eyes unwavering. He was not lying; Eldest Miss was his heart, Xian'er his sweet, and they got along amicably, without encroaching on each other.

Eldest Miss's expression softened even more, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, as she gently asked, "Then do you dare to say that the Emperor keeping you overnight in the palace wasn't about recruiting you as his son-in-law?"

‘The Emperor would never want me as his son-in-law, but the princess is set on being my match.’ Lin San sighed and shook his head, "This is a long story, full of twists and turns, and would take days and nights to tell. Oh, my heart, you look so beautiful in this purple gown today, like a fairy. How have I never seen it before?"

Eldest Miss, however, was not so easily deceived. Seeing his evasive words, she knew that he was hiding something, and tears immediately fell from her eyes. "Do you really think you can fool me with words? Do you think I'm that easily bullied? You didn't come back all night yesterday, and you scared my soul out of me. I was in front of Mr. Xu's residence, waiting for news of you just after the first watch of the night. Is this how you treat me? Get out, get out, go find your 'little heart'!"

Eldest Miss pushed him, trying to make him leave, but Lin Wanrong twisted his waist, scooping her delicate body into his arms, giggling, "Isn't this exactly what I'm doing, looking for my little heart? Look, I've been 'injured at work.' Ah, speaking of which, the twists and perils I've been through these last two days are something you could never imagine. The few words I spoke to you were all true, no deceit to young or old, and if there's any falsehood, may thunder strike me down, may I never..."

"Why are you making such a vow out of nowhere?" Eldest Miss was so frightened that she quickly covered his mouth, urgently saying, "What if it comes true? What would I do without you?"

Lord Lin helplessly rolled his eyes, thinking, ‘Does she really believe I'm so insincere?’ He took Eldest Miss's small hand and lightly kissed it, speaking solemnly, "Eldest Miss, I have to ask you something, and you must answer me honestly—what would you do if one day I became the Emperor?"

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