Finest Servant

Chapter 376 Accompanied by Beauty

That night, Master Lin slept in a half-drunken, half-awake state. At one moment, he dreamed of having a son with Qingxuan; at another, he dreamed of Eldest Miss stabbing him with several holes. When he awoke, he was drenched in cold sweat. ‘Damn it, why would I dream such a thing? Am I really meant to play the part of Chen Shimei?’ he thought.

[TL: Chen Shimei is a Chinese opera character and a byword in China for a heartless and unfaithful man. There was a quite famous song for this character: Tom Ching Cheng Hanji, but 4K 60fps.]

He wiped away the sweat and saw the charming girl beside him still fast asleep, her red face bearing a sweet smile as if she had dreamt something pleasant. Her tender arms, like lotus roots, extended outside the blanket, vaguely revealing her fragrant shoulders and soft chest, a sight that was infinitely beautiful. A gentle affection rose in Lin Wanrong's heart, and he kissed the girl's delicate nose and playfully patted her plump buttocks before getting up with a lecherous laugh.

The time was only the second watch of the night, but he could no longer fall asleep. He thought about Shandong and wondered how the Luo family was doing now, feeling anxious. What was even more annoying was that since entering the palace, old Xu had not sent any news. He seemed to have evaporated from the earth, without even a peep. Master Lin didn't know what the Emperor's decision was. However, the trip to Shandong was undoubtedly necessary. Wanting to avoid seeing the tears of the Eldest Miss and Qiaoqiao, he thought to leave while they were still asleep.

He took out the small package Eldest Miss had given him from Qiaoqiao's prepared luggage. Although it was only a few thin sheets of paper, it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Eldest Miss was indeed a character that brought him joy and sorrow. Thinking of her secretive laughter the night before, his heart felt waves of warmth.

To travel from the capital to Shandong, riding hard, it would take a day and a night to arrive. Fortunately, he had the blood-sweat treasure horse given by the Turks. ‘I'll try its taste today,’ Master Lin thought, happily sizing up the tall Turkic horse and patting its backside firmly.

At the second watch, the sky was dim and without light. The sporadic lights on the long street were like bright lamps in the dark night, giving him warmth and guiding his direction. He looked back longingly at the familiar house, where Eldest Miss, Qiaoqiao, and Madam Xiao were still in their dreams, hoping they would have pleasant ones.

He stretched and was about to mount his horse when he suddenly heard the sound of wheels in front. In the silence of the early morning, it was quite piercing.

"Halt—" After a soft command, a carriage stopped before Lin Wanrong, and Xu Wei hurriedly jumped down: "Little brother Lin, little brother Lin, oh, thank heavens. This old man has not come too late."

‘Isn't this too late? Are you playing with me, old fellow?’ Master Lin replied with a forced smile, "Ah, isn't this old brother Xu? What, did Sister Su not take good care of you? Out wandering so early in the morning."

Xu Wei waved his hand with a bitter smile, "Don't blame me, little brother, this old man has been in the palace since yesterday and just came out now. It has been quite tough."

Listening to old Xu's words, it seemed that things hadn't gone smoothly. Lin Wanrong's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but become serious, hurriedly asking, "Brother Xu, what did the Emperor say? Did he agree?"

Xu Wei sighed and said, "Little brother, you know that the Emperor just encountered an incident yesterday, and his mood was already extremely bad. Then this old man brought him this news; how could the Emperor be pleased? He nearly had me executed!"

‘Execute you? What a joke. The old man isn't so foolish. You and Li Tai are the pillars of the Great Hua; he wouldn't execute either of you. This is clearly an opportunity to claim merit.’ Lin Wanrong chuckled and said, “Brother Xu, I know your hard work, and you won't be treated unfairly after this is over. Feel free to make any requests."

Xu Wei's face lit up with joy. "This is what you said. I have only one small request, and you can agree to it later. Yesterday, after I reported the news to the Emperor, his Majesty was furious and immediately wanted to issue an edict to execute the entire Luo Min family. This old man pleaded strenuously, and the Emperor punished me by making me kneel outside the Imperial Study for three hours. It wasn't until last night that I was allowed in to speak."

‘Emperors are known for their ruthlessness, and even with Xu Wei's unwavering loyalty, the old Emperor would still do such a thing,’ Lin Wanrong nodded and asked, "What happened then?"

"After presenting myself before the Emperor, I pleaded earnestly, and told him that you, little brother, were willing to personally retrieve the salary silver. The Emperor's face finally eased a bit," Xu Wei looked at him and cautiously said, "However, the Emperor has shortened the deadline to seven days. Little brother, are you alright?!"

‘Seven days? Damn it, is this not a death sentence? The old man's move is really merciless.’ Lin Wanrong gritted his teeth and said, "I'm fine, Brother Xu, continue."

"The Emperor said that you may command the military officials within Shandong's territory. If you can help Luo Min recover the silver within seven days, he will not only pardon Luo Min but also reappoint him. If you fail to retrieve the silver, then all officials in Shandong, and the entire Luo Min family, will be executed!" Xu Wei took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to him, saying, "This is the Emperor's handwritten order and the military token, keep it well. The Emperor has learned that you are going to Shandong, so he let Li Tai choose Hu Bugui, who is most familiar with Jining's terrain, to assist you. He set off last night and rushed back to Jining."

"Brother Hu is going too?" Lin Wanrong said joyfully. ‘Finally, the Emperor shows some kindness, thinking of his son-in-law.’

Xu Wei nodded and said, "Little brother Lin, I can see that the Emperor's favor towards you is extraordinary; you must do your utmost for him."

‘Nonsense, we are all family; can I not do my best?’ Lin Wanrong nodded and said, "Brother Xu, there's one more thing I need to trouble you with. Later, when you return to the palace, report to the Emperor that I have captured all the assassins from yesterday, killed twelve, and caught three alive. They are all imprisoned in Du Xiuyuan's army."

"Is this true?" Xu Wei exclaimed in joy. "No wonder the Emperor values you so much. Little brother Lin, this old man is completely convinced by you."

Lin Wanrong recounted the events of the previous day. Xu Wei listened with furrowed brows, then said thoughtfully, "Now that our Great Hua is on the verge of war with the Turkic Khaganate, if Prince Cheng really colludes with Dongyin, that will be troublesome. The Dongyin people have been attacking our southeastern coast, killing fishermen, and becoming increasingly bold. Fujian's naval reports keep coming one after another, and the northern nomad people are threatening. If we add internal strife to this, the situation is greatly unfavorable."

"The wise and unwise, the old man knows best." Lin Wanrong said with a faint smile, "Do not think that he is confined to the palace, there is not a single matter outside that he does not know about. Who sent the assassins, he knows without having to investigate, and he understands it all too well. You simply have to tell him the truth. Oh, by the way, are the envoys from the Turks, Goryeo, and Dongyin still in the capital?"

Xu Wei clapped his hands, "Now that you mention it, I recall something. A few days ago, the Dongyin envoy Tsugumi Takeshita returned to his country. Now, it seems, he deliberately made us lower our guard to strike secretly. As for the envoys from Goryeo and the Turks, they have not returned home yet, and I don't know what they intend to do."

‘Tsugumi Takeshita ran away? Damn, the day I beat him up, I didn't go far enough. If I had known, I would have cut off his little pecker, making him return as a capon. As for Goryeo, they stayed to find someone to deal with the Dongyin invaders. These matters I didn't care to handle; when I have free time, fondling Jang Geum's little hand is the real deal.’

"Brother Xu, these few days I won't be in the capital, so you help General Li and the others keep an eye on those big-nosed Ashile and his companions." Lin Wanrong laughed, "I've given them a big cannon that won't fire, don't let them dismantle it and run away with the parts."

Xu Wei laughed heartily, "I've heard about that from General Li Tai, Li Sheng and the others are keeping a close watch."

After finishing the instructions, Lin Wanrong was about to mount his horse and leave, but Xu Wei called out, "Hold on, hold on. Little brother Lin, have you forgotten the request you promised me earlier?"

Lin Wanrong looked puzzled, "What request? If you have something to ask, just wait until I return, I don't have time to do things for you now."

"This matter must be mentioned now," Xu Wei said with a smile, gesturing to the carriage, "Zhiqing, you tell Master Lin yourself."

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a vigorous young lady jumped out. Her face was as lovely as a lotus, eyebrows like willow leaves, with a slender and full figure, standing gracefully. It was Xu Wei's beloved daughter, Xu Zhiqing.

"Old Xu, what are you up to?" Master Lin grabbed his shoulder in alarm, "Don't you try to take advantage of the situation and play matchmaker! I'll have you know, I can't be corrupted by wealth and beauty, and I'll defend my innocence to the death."

"What are you babbling about?" Xu Zhiqing, her face flushed with anger, snapped, "I want to go with you to Shandong."

"You're going to Shandong?" Master Lin was taken aback, shaking his head like a rattle, "Miss, I'm going to war, not on vacation. Save your energy."

"War?!" Xu Zhiqing scoffed, "When I was on the battlefield fighting the nomads, you were still buying candied haws."

This was a naked provocation, and Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Sister, I know you're older, but you don't have to mention it all the time. You're pretty and have a hot figure, as long as you don't say it, no one would know you're thirty-five."

Seeing Xu Zhiqing about to explode, Xu Wei quickly jumped in to mediate, "Alright, alright, Little brother Lin, enough with the nonsense. Miss Luo was under Zhiqing's care when she was studying in the capital years ago, and they are close friends. It's only natural for her to go and assist. Moreover, Zhiqing has been to the front lines several times to fight the nomads, and even General Li Tai praises her for her wisdom and strategy. As long as you cooperate well, recovering the three hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver will be a foregone conclusion."

"A lone man and a single woman, I'm afraid this journey won't be very convenient!" Master Lin winked and gestured, saying, "Besides, I have to travel day and night on this journey; I don't have time to wait for her."

Xu Zhiqing snorted and said, "On the northern front, I lived and fought against the nomads alongside tens of thousands of soldiers. Has anyone ever mentioned the issue of being alone with men? You're the only one who makes such a fuss."

"Alright, it's settled then," Xu Wei clapped his hands, laughing, "We are people of the Jianghu; why bother with all this idle chatter? As for the timing, it won't delay you. Didn't the nomads gift you two fine steeds? One for each of you, riding side by side; that will solve the issue, won't it?!"

Good heavens! It seemed that this father-daughter duo had planned everything in advance, even knowing his assets down to the last detail. Recalling the words he had said when he first met Miss Xu Zhiqing, and gazing at her perfectly contoured and attractive figure, Master Lin's smile gradually turned lascivious...

"Lin San, Lin San—" Eldest Miss woke up from her dream, quickly lifting her head to look out the window. A faint fish-belly white hue appeared; it wasn't even the third watch of the night. Thinking of Lin San's departure, she was about to get up and pack when she saw a small package by her bedside with a thin piece of paper on top.

Upon unwrapping the package, the deed and the silver notes were left intact, none missing. A few simple lines of writing caught her eye: "Eat well, drink well, sleep well, don't think wild thoughts. I took the scissors for self-defense, and only at one moment will I think of you—when I breathe."

The unique simplified characters; only Lin San in this world could write them, impossible to be forged by anyone else. Eldest Miss, both crying and laughing, covered her small mouth with tears streaming down: "Lin San, I hate you so much!"

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