Chapter 403 Going to Court

A night of tender whispers needed no words. Under the guise of celebrating their new home, Luo Ning, the foxy temptress, opened her arms, pulling the shy Qiaoqiao into the fray. Under Luo Ning's exemplary lead, Qiaoqiao reluctantly joined the lustful man and woman, fulfilling Lin Wanrong's grand dream of having two at once. The ecstasy of the experience was beyond words for outsiders.

The fine rain drizzled non-stop, and Lin Wanrong was sound asleep when he suddenly felt a small hand gently nudging him. "Big brother, wake up, wake up!"

Lin Wanrong groggily grabbed her little hand and kissed it. "Qiaoqiao, my little darling, it's still dark outside. Sleep some more."

Qiaoqiao giggled, covering her red lips. "Big brother, you're talking nonsense. It's already past the fourth watch of the night."

"Who cares what time it is? Sleep is what matters." Lin Wanrong yawned, groping a plump hip beside him, only to hear a kitten-like moan as Miss Luo mumbled, "Big brother, don't tease me. Ning’er can't take it."

Miss Luo's face was flushed in her sleep, perhaps dreaming of spring. Her smooth arms tightly embraced Lin Wanrong's arm, her full and firm breasts pressed against his waist, forming a deep cleavage.

Master Lin's lust was ignited. With closed eyes, he caressed Ning's smooth leg. Miss Luo was very sensitive, moaning in half-sleep, her hot body moving closer to him.

Qiaoqiao's cheeks turned red as she covered her face. "Big brother is so naughty, and so is Sister Ning."

"You naughty girl, where was I naughty?" Luo Ning opened her eyes, her face flushed with seductive charm, her eyes seemingly dripping with passion.

"You, you—" Qiaoqiao was both shy and embarrassed, peeking at her and whispering, "You and big brother, teasing me like that, I could die of shame."

Luo Ning laughed, burying her head in big brother's chest, pointing at Qiaoqiao's pretty nose. "You hypocritical little girl, since you say I'm naughty, I'll ask you a question. Answer me honestly."

"Answer what?" Qiaoqiao asked, her shyness fading.

Luo Ning smiled seductively, drawing circles on Lin Wanrong's bare chest. "Little girl, tell me honestly, how did it feel last night? Were you happy or not?"

Qiaoqiao's face turned purple with embarrassment. "I, I won't say!"

Luo Ning laughed sweetly. "You don't have to say, I know. Who was the one clinging to big brother last night, first saying no, then not letting go? We both have eyes, you know. You seem so innocent, but who knew you could be so wild?"

Qiaoqiao was mortified, burying herself in Lin Wanrong's arms. "Big brother, Sister Ning is bullying me. Punish her like you did last night. Sister Xu hasn't left yet, and she's already throwing herself at you. I bet Sister Xu heard everything, hee hee!"

Luo Ning's face turned red, her big eyes blinking, her hot little tongue licking her red lips, shyly and seductively saying, "Big brother, Sister Xu heard everything. What should we do?"

‘Damn it, with these two bewitching vixens, both big and small, I can't find any peace to rest. If this continues, I'll soon have to use that thing Seo Jang Geum sent me.’ Lin Wanrong felt unbearably itchy, suddenly opened his eyes, and with a swoosh, pulled the two women into his embrace: "Did you hear? Done, it's all done!"

Qiaoqiao let out a startled cry, and Luo Ning moaned softly twice, causing the temperature in the room to rise again.

"Sister Ning—sister, all the good things are done by you." Seeing big brother's hands misbehaving on Sister Ning, Qiaoqiao's little face turned red as she panted: "Big brother, it's time, don't forget, you have to attend the morning court."

Attend court? Lin Wanrong paused for a moment but didn't stop his hands: "Ning'er, what time is the court?"

Eldest Miss Luo, her face glowing, nestled in his arms and trembled: "Big brother, court is at the fifth watch. It's a rule; you must get up quickly."

Lin Wanrong sighed in disappointment. Going to court at the peak of a man's vitality, what a bloody inhumane rule. He buried his head in the blanket in a fit of pique, causing Miss Luo and Qiaoqiao to giggle.

Ning'er, through the embroidered quilt, gently stroked his chest and sighed softly: "Attending court is something others can't even beg for, yet my husband is unique. Just a little servant, yet even the Emperor's accounts mean nothing to him. Such a mindset, how many in the world possess it? No wonder even Eldest Miss Xiao, who's so high and mighty, is smitten with you."

Qiaoqiao giggled: "Not just Eldest Miss Xiao, but also the famous Talented Lady Luo. Didn't she also fall into big brother's arms? Big brother, being this servant, gaining property, and deceiving beautiful women, is truly a wonder in the world."

The two women chatted like birds, their beautiful faces blooming, singing softly around him. The spring sentiment in the room dispelled some of the chill from the spring rain outside. Lord Lin stretched lazily and thought, ‘No wonder they say "A man's grave is his love nest"; being entangled by these two girls, even if I were offered the Emperorship, I wouldn't take it.’

The three got out of bed, enduring his fondling. Miss Luo and Qiaoqiao gently helped him dress.

‘Calling me, a mere servant, to attend court and discuss matters, the old Emperor must have quite the imagination. My position as a vice minister is just a small, nominal role; I've never handled any real business. At court, won't I have to behave according to others' whims? It's not as enjoyable as being a servant in the Xiao household, where Eldest Miss serves tea, Second Miss massages my back, and the Madam sings. Everyone looks to my face; that's real freedom and joy.’

Hearing big brother sigh, Luo Ning's face turned red. Suddenly, from behind, she tightly hugged his waist and said: "Big brother, there's something Ning'er wants to ask you."

"What is it?" Lin Wanrong casually groped her round, jade-like hips and laughed.

Luo Ning's face turned redder, and she stammered for a moment, her voice as fine as a mosquito's: "Big brother, is Ning'er so wanton?" At these words, even Qiaoqiao's face turned red.

"Wanton?" Lin Wanrong laughed loudly: "Ning'er, my little darling, don't you know who your big brother is? In terms of being wanton, who in the world can compare to me?" He whispered in Luo Ning's ear: "Keep on being wanton; big brother likes it very much."

"How annoying!" Miss Luo clenched her little fist and punched him in the chest, her expression becoming more and more charming. She grabbed Qiaoqiao's hand, then her big brother's, and said softly, "To be married to my big brother and Qiaoqiao is the blessing of Ning'er's lifetime. Ning'er is very happy. Since we are husband and wife, we are one body. Qiaoqiao, don't blame your sister for being so wanton; in front of my husband, even if it's a hundred times more, what does it matter? The affection between husband and wife is a very important thing. As long as the three of us are happy, the form and content are irrelevant. Sister, don't you agree?"

Qiaoqiao blushed, lightly nodded and looked down. Miss Luo was truly learned and talented. Even Lin Wanrong couldn't think of this theory and laughed heartily. Just as he was about to embrace her, Ning'er gave a slight smile, stopping him. "Big brother, there's one more thing Ning'er wants to discuss with you. Yesterday, I agreed with Seo Jang Geum that when she returns to Goryeo, I will accompany her. As I've told big brother before, I've wanted to travel around since I was young. Now there is such a good opportunity, Ning'er doesn't want to miss it. Big brother, will you support Ning'er?"

Lin Wanrong fell silent for a moment. It wasn't a good time to go to Goryeo right now. Thousands of Dongyin ships were ready, and a great war was about to erupt on the Goryeo Kingdom. But he had long known Luo Ning's wish. Born with this nature, loving to help others and travel, if she didn't do these things, she wouldn't be Luo Ning. Now that Seo Jang Geum was going with her, if it wasn't for a war, it was indeed a good opportunity.

He pondered for a moment before saying, "Ning'er, whatever you want to do, of course, big brother will support you. But isn't Goryeo quite unsettled lately? Hasn't Seo Jang Geum told you?"

Luo Ning grabbed his hand, smiling, "I know that. But as Miss Jang Geum has said, life is not only about enjoying happiness but also learning to face hardship. I want to see how the people of Goryeo resist the invasion."

‘This Seo Jang Geum girl is indeed harmful.’ Lin Wanrong gave a wry smile and said, "Let me think about it first. Sigh, I haven't encountered such a difficult question in a long time."

Luo Ning suddenly giggled, rubbing against him and looking at him with alluring eyes. "Silly big brother, all these were told by Seo Jang Geum. If you want Ning'er to stay, Ning'er will never leave you."

Lin Wanrong slapped her on the buttocks, and Luo Ning let out a delicate moan, giggling as she ran away. Qiaoqiao brought his rain gear, carefully tidied his clothes, and escorted him downstairs with Luo Ning.

Outside the door, there was a carriage, and the little maid they had seen last night popped her head out, waving excitedly, "Master Lin, Master Lin, we're here."

"Oh, little sister, up so early?" Lin Wanrong, holding an umbrella, smiled as he walked over.

"It's not that I'm up early, but that you're up late," the little maid said playfully, making Lin Wanrong's face turn red.

The little maid turned back to the carriage and said, "Miss, Master Lin is here; can we go now?"

The carriage was silent for a moment before Xu Zhiqing's voice came out, "He's walking outside alone, and if he's too slow, it could delay national affairs. Considering the urgency, let him come up and join us."

‘It's just an invitation to ride in a carriage, and there's so much fuss,’ Lin Wanrong thought, not being modest and stepping into the carriage. He heard Miss Xu say, "You, going out alone like this? Don't you know to bring some people with you?"

"Have you ever seen a house servant going out with attendants?" Lin Wanrong patted the raindrops on his body and laughed, "If word of this were to spread, it would surely make people laugh their teeth off."

Xu Zhiqing snorted slightly, "You have even taken possession of other people's mistresses, two at that. How do you even resemble a house servant? Calling you a wicked servant would be more like it."

"Thank you for the compliment," Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, and looked up to see Xu Zhiqing dressed in a green lotus-root silk dress, her hair adorned with a pure gold phoenix hairpin, her face lightly made up with rouge, glowing with a faint red hue, radiantly beautiful.

"Oh, Miss Xu, what's this all about? Going on a date?" Lin Wanrong was stunned and asked.

Miss Xu's face changed drastically, "Yuzhu, fetch my golden whip and cast this shameless scoundrel down from the carriage."

In a daze, the maid Yuzhu had already taken out a golden whip from somewhere and weakly said to Lin Wanrong, "Master Lin, please forgive this servant. You'd better get down quickly. Our mistress's golden whip was bestowed by the Emperor himself, used to strike treacherous officials and behead villains—"

‘A golden whip? Seriously, that works? I have a man's whip, but I don't know if it will withstand it!’ Seeing Miss Xu's face as cold as ice, without a hint of kindness, and not knowing where he had offended her, Lin Wanrong sheepishly laughed twice and dejectedly stepped down from the carriage.

"Little girl, where is your mistress going?" Little maid Yuzhu peeked out to pull the curtain, and Lin Wanrong quickly asked.

"The Emperor has summoned my mistress to attend court and discuss matters," the little maid laughed, and her body disappeared behind the curtain. The carriage splashed away, moving further into the distance.

Xu Zhiqing is also attending court? No wonder she waited at the door for me to accompany her. It seems the old Emperor is serious this time; this battle against the Turks must be won, or the Great Hua will surely perish.

Though the Golden Bridge was just opposite the mansion, as the old saying goes, 'the mountain seems closer than it is,' and Lin Wanrong took the time of two cups of tea to reach the outer city. The continuous cold rain and chilly spring dew had chilled him to the bone, and his anger toward the old Emperor, his father-in-law was burning. No wonder Xu Zhiqing was riding in a carriage; that girl was too clever.

Upon entering the inner city, moving straight ahead, through the Hall of Extended Years and the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he finally saw the shadow of the Hall of Literary Brilliance. Mr. Lin rubbed his frozen palms, and a figure came over, calling in a shrill voice, "Oh, my Mr. Lin, you've finally arrived."

"Ah, isn't this Eunuch Gao? Long time no see," Lin Wanrong laughed, clasping his hands in greeting.

Gao Ping hurriedly returned the gesture, anxiously saying, "Sir, today is your first time attending court, why are you so late? This old servant has been waiting for you for a long time."

‘I was busy being affectionate with my wife; I don't have time to accompany you to court,’ Lin Wanrong chuckled, taking out a hundred taels of silver note and stuffing it into Gao Ping's hand, "Little brother got lost and took a few wrong turns, that's why I'm late. I've made a fool of myself in front of you."

Gao Ping quickly drew his hand back and ingratiatingly smiled, "I dare not. The Emperor has ordered me to welcome you here. He said it's your first time attending court, and there are some rules to explain. Please follow me."

Gao Ping led him to the Hall of Literary Brilliance, explaining the rules of attending court all the way. Lin Wanrong yawned non-stop, with seven parts of it going in his left ear and eight parts coming out of his right.

"——Sir, have you understood everything?" Gao Ping finished explaining, then looked at him uneasily. This Master Lin was prone to mischief, and it would be disastrous if anything went wrong.

"What's there not to understand?" Lin Wanrong chuckled. "Eunuch Gao, rest assured. I'll stand there without uttering a word, ensuring no mistakes will occur. Once you announce the end of the assembly, I'll head home for dinner."

Master Lin was refreshingly blunt. Gao Ping led him to the front of the great hall and pointed to a spot. "Master Lin, remember, this is your position. You must not overstep it."

Lin Wanrong looked up and saw that the position Gao Ping was pointing to was at the far right, in the last seat of the second row. It was right near the doorway, so if he stood there, the people in front would shield him, and he could even take a nap without anyone noticing. ‘Damn, what a great spot reserved for me,’ he thought, thrilled. This was like snagging the back row in college lectures, definitely something to celebrate.

Master Lin held the idle title of Vice Minister in the Ministry of Personnel. Although the name sounded impressive, the reality was far from it. Among the three chambers, six ministries, and nine bureaus, there were hordes of scholars and officials, easily numbering forty to fifty. The Ministry of Personnel alone had over a dozen Vice Ministers, epitomizing bureaucratic bloat. Master Lin was famous, but he had never actually worked in the ministry. Everyone knew his main job was as the steward of the Xiao family. There was really no place for him in the court. Having a corner spot to stand in was a huge grace from the Emperor.

Gao Ping was initially worried that Master Lin might feel slighted, but seeing Master Lin's excitement, as if he'd found a gold ingot, he admired the man's ability to be flexible and thought he had a promising future. Then, he hurried away.

Officials arriving for court always came early, rushing as if chased by dogs. Master Lin's leisurely stroll, singing along the way, was rare, like a lone star in the morning sky. By then, the great hall was filled with seventy to eighty officials, each clutching documents, standing in groups, and chattering away.

In the crowded hall, Master Lin couldn't spot Xu Wei or Li Tai, but given their status, they were undoubtedly in the front. He did notice the long-absent Top Scholar Su Mubai, chatting lively with a few ministers. He seemed to be doing well lately, thriving in the political arena.

He had heard from the young maidservant that Xu Zhiqing was also attending court, but despite looking around, he couldn't spot her. Given her imperial-gifted golden whip, she held a significant position. The old Emperor had convened an expanded meeting, so if Master Lin had a seat, Miss Xu surely wouldn't be left out.

After surveying the area and finding no acquaintances—those standing nearby were all like him, small officials who stood stiffly without chit-chatting—Lin Wanrong grew bored and yawned, leaning against the door to doze.

"The Emperor arrives!" Gao Ping's shout rang out, and the great hall immediately fell silent. The civil and military officials took their places and knelt. Lin Wanrong lazily sat on the floor, looking towards the Dragon Throne.

After not seeing him for a few days, the old Emperor's complexion had turned much paler, though his spirit seemed quite well. Next to him, a temporary screen had been erected, and a thin, sparse curtain hung in front of it. Behind the curtain, a woman sat quietly.

Her silhouette was blurry, her features indiscernible, yet somehow, Lin Wanrong's heart suddenly began to thump rapidly.

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