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Finest Servant Chapter 616
🕑 Added 2023-11-02 09:28:19 +0000 UTCChapter 616 Dare You Kiss Me?
By the time they returned to the city, the sky was filled with twinkling stars. As Lin Wanrong escorted Miss Xu to the entrance of the camp, he noticed Hu Bugui and a few others standing at a distance, making odd facial expressions and stifling laughter. Their expressions were indescribably strange.
Flustered, Xu Zhiqing lowered her head and shot Lin Wanrong a reproachful look. Her radiant cheeks swiftly flushed with two streaks of rosy color. "This is all your fault, making a fool out of me for them to see!"
Lin Wanrong chuckled, grasping her tender wrist and leaning close to her immaculate ear. He blew a gentle breath as he whispered, "Let them laugh. There'll be plenty of opportunities like this in the future. You'll get used to it; I know I did."
"I don't want to talk to you anymore; I'm going back!" Miss Xu's face turned beet red, and she tried to pull away.
"Hold on, hold on," Lin Wanrong said, grabbing her hand and grinning. "There's something important, something very important, that I haven't had the chance to do yet."
As he spoke, he winked mysteriously and leaned in closer to her.
"What important thing haven't you done?" Her eyes widened in astonishment, staring at his face, which was now inches away from hers. Her heart pounded erratically, and her palms grew sweaty.
Lin Wanrong lightly kissed her exquisitely flushed cheek and said with a smile, "See, it's something quite important!"
"Ha ha, do it again, do it again!" Gao Qiu and the others whistled and jeered, their laughter echoing from all directions.
Xu Zhiqing's body trembled slightly; her cheeks flushed as red as blood. Turning, she fled like the wind, "You despicable man, I utterly detest you!"
"Sweet dreams tonight, Miss Xu!" Lin Wanrong called after her, laughing heartily.
"In your dreams!" Frustrated and embarrassed, Xu Zhiqing abruptly stopped, bent down to grab a handful of sand, and hurled it at him. Lin Wanrong dodged with a yelp, patting off the dust from his hands in a fluster. Miss Xu giggled softly, cast him a lingering glance, and quickly entered the camp.
Hu Bugui and the others approached, cackling and jeering. Gao Qiu said admiringly, "See, this is called skill! I've always said, whether it's a female human or even a female fly, none can escape Brother Lin's grasp! This is exactly how Advisor Xu was won over. Now you've seen it, right?"
Respectful and utterly convinced, Hu Bugui and the others bowed and saluted. Lin Wanrong snorted, "Enough with the flattery! Don't you dare spy on me and Miss Xu having a private conversation in the future. This is all the aces up my sleeve I have left!"
Everyone burst into hearty laughter, pleased to have witnessed the happy reunion between General Lin and Advisor Xu. It was indeed a joyful occasion.
After a bit more banter, night had fallen completely. Lin Wanrong, preoccupied with his thoughts, bid everyone farewell and left the camp. The night sky was clear, filled with stars, and the late-night atmosphere of Xingqing was extraordinarily peaceful. The occasional bark of a dog and the distant cry of a child only intensified the feeling of being truly alive.
Upon arriving at the modest courtyard, he was greeted by a waft of fragrance. The dim candlelight cast a serene reflection on the window screen, creating an incomparable sense of warmth.
"Sister!" The wooden door was unlocked; he gently pushed it open and eagerly stepped in. However, the room was empty except for a faint medicinal aroma that lingered in the air.
Pulling aside the curtains, he entered the inner chamber, where a small tea stove rested on the table, the medicinal soup bubbling fiercely. A woman leaned over the stove, her rosy lips gently blowing across the frothy surface of the decoction, with a faint mist swirling before her cheeks.
With utmost care, she cradled the bowl in her hands and slowly lifted her head, smiling at him, "Thief, it's time for your medicine!"
"Sister—" Lin Wanrong felt a twinge in his nose, his eyes reddening, as he stepped forward to embrace her.
"Eat your medicine first!" The Fairy's eyes danced with laughter, pushing the soup bowl towards him, thereby halting his approach. Lin Wanrong grunted affirmatively, took the bowl of bitter, steaming potion, and without a care for its scorching heat, gulped it down.
Seeing him drain the last drop, Ning Yuxi nodded slightly, extracting a silk handkerchief from her bosom to delicately wipe the residue from the corners of his mouth, chuckling, "That's more like it. Yet, I'm somewhat puzzled; how have you become so obedient today?"
"I've always been like this," he said, grinning as he sat on the edge of the bed, gazing tenderly at her beautiful face, "Sister, may I hug you? Trust me, in the purest way!"
Her cheeks flushed. It was odd—had the thief truly changed his ways? He was never this genteel before, and she recalled times far less innocent that he had instigated.
"Why ask me," Ning Yuxi whispered, looking down, "When have I ever refused you?"
The thief chuckled and burrowed his head into her embrace, rubbing vigorously. The fairy felt her body warm, her heartbeat quicken. Just as she was about to speak, she felt the person in her arms suddenly still, holding her tightly as if wishing to meld her into his bones.
What was happening—was he truly being sincere? Ning Yuxi was taken aback. Lowering her gaze, she saw the thief's eyes wide open, gleaming bright as he stared dumbly at her, his eyes so tender they could melt even the hardest steel.
Her heart quivered, and for reasons she couldn't fathom, joy and sorrow flooded her simultaneously, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"What's the matter? Why look at me so, smiling yet crying?" As she spoke, her delicate fingers gently brushed away the tears caught in his hair.
Lin Wanrong sat up, grasping her hand tightly, staring blankly at her, "Sister, this morning, when I saw Hu Bugui and the others, I was so happy. But when I turned around, you were nowhere to be seen!"
The Fairy shook her head with a smile, "When you're rejoicing with old friends, my presence is inconvenient. I should rightly disappear! Why, do you fear I would really run away?"
Lin Wanrong sighed deeply, softly saying, "I won't lie to you, sister. I worry that you might leave me. Without you, who would coax me to take my medicine, or hold me as I sleep? Who would secretly needle my acupoints at night? Without my fan, my pillow, my Fairy Sister, what joy would remain in life?"
Wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, Ning Yuxi tenderly smiled, "Nonsense, haven't I been right here waiting for you? Perhaps there was hesitation before, but the moment you shielded me with your body, I knew. I've fallen under the spell of you, this thief, for all eternity. The only way I would leave you is if you took my life!"
"Rest assured, no one can hurt you!" Lin San grinned as he took hold of her hand, saying firmly, "I know. You've never really been happy because you're Qingxuan's master, and that's why you want to return to Thousand-Forsake Peak. But don't worry, I'll sort this out for you! Think about who I am. I'm the famous Lin San! Known far and wide, both north and south of the great river, and within the Great Wall. Haha!"
The Fairy wiped away her tears and shook her head, chuckling, "Quite the braggart, aren't you? If you're so capable, solve the matter with the Turkic Great Khan first, then I'll believe you."
That was certainly hitting a nerve. Lin Wanrong's grand ambitions dissipated instantly. He frowned and sighed deeply, "You're not unaware of the matter between me and Yueya'er. It's a complex situation, involving both familial and national duties, life and death, grudges and affections. Practically every emotional entanglement you can think of. How can such a situation be easily resolved? If I go and negotiate with her, all these conflicting feelings will make it impossible to reach any constructive agreement."
Lin San had a point; the situation was complicated, and making a move might make it even more so.
The Fairy nodded slightly, "It is chaotic, but any attempt to improve the situation is better than the current deadlock between the two nations. One misstep, and we could end up in a lose-lose situation, leading to untold misery. Then the resentment would be irreversible, setting both sides against each other until one is destroyed. No one would benefit from such a scenario."
Lin Wanrong fell silent for a long while, then whispered, "So, you're saying I should go?"
"Some things, if you keep running away from them, will keep you restless. Better to face them head-on, whether for life or death, and get clarity." Ning Yuxi gently stroked his hair, speaking softly, "I can't influence your will; the decision has to be yours."
To go or not to go? Lin Wanrong took a long breath, feeling the bitter complexities of life like never before.
...
The endless winds howled, sweeping across the desert and grasslands, spiraling up into the sky before scattering in all directions, creating a magnificent spectacle of flying sand.
Several steeds galloped up and halted outside the long tent. Xu Zhiqing dismounted, dusted off her clothes, and shook her head, "What's going on today? Such an intense sandstorm; I haven't seen one like this outside the Great Wall for years."
"Compared to the whirlwinds in the Sea of Death, what's a little flowing sand?" A soft sigh sounded in her ears, neither too far nor too close, neither too fast nor too slow, like a gentle sound drifting from the heavens.
Miss Xu turned her head and saw that the beautiful Golden Blade Khan had, at some unknown point, pulled up her horse elegantly beside her. She stared at the swirling sand in the sky, her eyes alternately bright and dim, shy and sad, like a profound painting. The profile of her face was graceful and charming, subtly glowing, and her temples were graced with two streaks of pure white, shining like noble and radiant plum blossoms in the swirling sandstorm.
Xu Zhiqing slightly bowed, speaking in a delicate voice, "Great Khan, you're early today."
"Isn't that the case for Miss Xu as well?" Yujia's gaze was indifferent as she glanced behind Xu Zhiqing and shook her head slightly. "General Li hasn't come, and Miss Xu has brought only a few attendants. Great Hua has shown such negligence. It seems today's negotiations may not be very necessary."
"You speak too soon, Great Khan," retorted Miss Xu, "The number of people has nothing to do with the negotiations. Marshal Li did not attend in person because he has entrusted everything to me. As long as the Great Khan is sincere, I can represent Great Hua; we can discuss anything."
Yujia looked up at the swirling sand in the sky and remained silent for a long while before letting out a soft sigh. "Alright then, consider this the last opportunity that Heaven has granted both of us. I hope Miss Xu will treat it well. Whether our countries can live in peace or will meet in battle may now hinge on a single thought from Miss Xu."
Xu Zhiqing smirked coldly, "That's a line I should be saying to you, Great Khan."
Yujia's eyes narrowed, and she uttered, "Lu Dongzan!"
The Turkic National Tutor touched his chest and said respectfully, "What are your orders, Great Khan?"
Yueya’er spoke in a subdued tone, "As the National Tutor of the Turks, negotiating with Advisor Xu should not be considered disrespectful to our honored guests from Great Hua. Master Lu, you are aware of the terms I have set, yes? They are the absolute limits of what the Turks can offer. Do not back down a single step."
Lu Dongzan nodded slightly, appearing confident. Xu Zhiqing knew in her heart that the Great Khan had already fixed the terms. Negotiating with Lu Dongzan was merely going through the motions. Clearly, given Yujia's inflexibility and her own determination, a compromise between Great Hua and the Turks seemed impossible.
So, are the negotiations over just like that? Would he really not come? Could he really let go of this extraordinary woman? Would Great Hua and the Turks continue to battle for eternity? Xu Zhiqing sighed quietly, uncertain whether to rejoice or grieve, her emotions complicated.
"Miss Xu, do you think there's a necessity for our two nations to continue negotiating?" Yujia's gaze was steady, focusing intently on Xu Zhiqing's eyes. It felt like a tremendous, unspoken pressure was crushing Xu Zhiqing's heart.
Faced with this generation's extraordinary woman of the plains, Xu Zhiqing suppressed her breath. Just as she was about to speak, she heard the rumbling of hooves. A soldier from Great Hua sped through the swirling sand from a distance and knelt before her: "Advisor Xu, the general says there's no need for further negotiations with the Turks. He asks you to return to camp immediately."
Which general? Xu Zhiqing hesitated for a moment, then stood up excitedly, "He... he has come?"
"Yes! The general requests Advisor Xu to return to camp promptly."
Xu Zhiqing turned joyously, looking towards the desert where a carriage stood still in the blowing sand. The carriage's curtains fluttered, nearly engulfing it entirely. It was only a few miles from the pavilion, yet it remained stationary.
Miss Xu nodded with a smile, turning to Yujia and saying proudly, "Since the Great Khan believes there's no need for further discussions between us, then let's not waste any more time. We shall meet on the battlefield in days to come. Zhiqing takes her leave."
She flipped herself onto the horse, snapped her whip with fervor, and the spirited steed let out a long whinny. Kicking up dust and sand, it bolted toward the distance.
This move surprised everyone present. The speed at which Great Hua withdrew from the negotiations was astonishingly faster than the Turks. They came swiftly and left just as promptly, with no dilly-dallying.
The Turkic National Tutor was stunned for a moment, then hesitated before asking softly, "Great Khan, what do we do now? Are we really going to go to war with Great Hua? Great Khan, Great Khan—"
He called out several times, but Yujia showed no signs of response, not even the sound of her breathing could be heard.
Lu Dongzan hastily looked up, only to see that the Golden Blade Khan, Yujia, was staring intently into the distance. Her small hand, clutching the golden blade, was slightly trembling.
"Great Khan—"
"Prepare the horses!" Yujia spoke softly, her tone resolute.
A Turkic warrior promptly presented her with a fine steed. Yujia glanced at a distant carriage standing still. Her heart pounded uncontrollably. She took deep, calming breaths, then leaped onto her horse. With a delicate shout of "Go!", she darted into the swirling sand like a bolt of golden lightning.
Lu Dongzan watched in horror and hurriedly waved his arms. "Great Khan, that's Great Hua territory! You can't go, you can't!"
Yujia, agile and swift as the wind, couldn't hear his cries. She saw that Xu Zhiqing had already reached the carriage and was leaning in to speak. Xu Zhiqing's smile was even more radiant than a flower. The carriage had already turned around and was about to head back.
"Go!" Yujia, the Turkic Great Khan, cried out in a commanding tone. Her impeccable horsemanship propelled her and her steed forward like shooting stars. The whistling winds and flying sands of the great desert passed by her like torrents of arrows.
Three hundred yards, two hundred yards— the carriage was getting closer and closer. The slightly swaying curtains were now clearly visible. Yujia clenched her teeth and snapped her whip. The steed beneath her let out an exultant neigh, surging forward like a thunderbolt.
"Stop!" The horse let out a sorrowful cry, and like a bolt of lightning that broke the sky, Yujia appeared in front of the carriage. Both parties' horses stopped, neighing angrily toward the heavens.
Caught by surprise, Xu Zhiqing angrily said, "Turkic Great Khan, what is the meaning of this intrusion into my Great Hua territory?"
Yujia shook her head silently and gently dismounted. Step by step, she slowly advanced. The closer she got, the more intense her heartbeat became, nearly suffocating her breathing.
Her body trembled slightly as she leaned weakly against the carriage shaft. She extended her delicate hand to gently caress the carriage curtain, and tears instantly blurred her vision. "To the person inside the carriage, would you dare to kiss me?"
