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Finest Servant Chapter 678
🕑 Added 2023-11-23 09:09:08 +0000 UTCChapter 678 Fulfillment of a Long-Held Wish
"I understand now," Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "It turns out the military advisor is jealous of Yueya'er!"
Xu Zhiqing's face flushed with embarrassment, and she retorted softly, "Nonsense, I am not jealous of her. If that were the case, I would have been soured to death at the border of the two countries long ago."
The military advisor, Xu Zhiqing, denied her feelings, but Lin Wanrong did not expose her. With a chuckle, he said, "Whether you are jealous or not, I am deeply fond of you! However, there is one thing I must remind you of: do not neglect your health for the sake of work. Toiling day and night like this, I fear you will collapse before the ironclad ship is even completed. I can't allow such a thing to happen."
His tone was firm and domineering. Miss Xu, feeling sweet inside, could not argue with him and gently hummed in agreement, saying softly, "You asked me to lead people in studying the construction of this ironclad ship, so I cannot disappoint your good intentions. I have almost finished observing the ship's body. This is the design of the ironclad ship, and I have selected skilled craftsmen to draw over a hundred detailed diagrams of each crucial part. But I always feel that these diagrams are incomplete, as if something is missing. Could you take a look for me?"
Her voice was soft as she handed the pristine sheets of paper to Lin Wanrong for his careful examination.
Xu Zhiqing, with her extraordinary knowledge and understanding of physics, had drawn these sketches to scale. The markings on each part were clear and visible, and the vital components were depicted separately in great detail.
After examining them for a while, Lin Wanrong nodded with a smile, "Excellent, very well done. To have drawn such detailed structural diagrams in just two months, Miss Xu, you are truly remarkable!"
Seeing him praise her, Xu Zhiqing felt joy in her heart. She playfully scolded, "Who asked for your compliments? I want you to point out the problems. I have reviewed these diagrams countless times. Thinking over and over, I always feel they are incomplete. To be frank, if we were to forge the parts as depicted here, our Great Hua would definitely not be able to build an ironclad ship."
Lin Wanrong smiled slightly, "You're right, our diagrams are indeed missing something."
"You think so too?" Miss Xu, both surprised and delighted, clutched his arm eagerly and asked, "Quickly, what are we missing?"
Lin Wanrong nodded, pulling out a diagram and looking at it intently, "This diagram depicts an important part of the ship. But, Miss Xu, look, can our skilled craftsmen really make this based on your drawings?"
Xu Zhiqing pondered for a long while, then slowly shook her head, sighing, "No, they can't! That's what I've been wondering. How can we fully reflect the structure of these parts on paper so that they are immediately understandable? I've thought about it for days and still can't find an answer."
"This, you should ask me," Lin Wanrong said with a grin, "I have an idea for you, called three-dimensional projection."
"What three dimensions?" Even though Miss Xu was clever and quick-witted, she felt dizzy at his new terminology. Every time he introduced a new concept, it was always a mix of astonishment, delight, and concern.
"This 'three dimensions' is not about a woman's measurements," he said, his gaze wandering over Miss Xu's voluptuous figure, causing the military advisor to blush and step back. She shyly asked, "What are you looking at?! Tell me, what is this 'three dimensions'?"
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "The so-called three-dimensional projection method, in fact, tells us that to draw these regular parts, we can look at them from three different planes. Let me teach you."
He took advantage of the moment to pull Miss Xu tightly into his embrace, picked up the drawing, and pointed, "Look, take this nut for example. It's somewhat complex, but it's a regular shape. Let's imagine, if sunlight were cast directly on it, what would its shadow on the ground look like?"
Miss Xu, held closely in his arms, felt a mix of surprise and elation, her heart racing. It took her a moment to calm her thoughts. Following his instructions, she carefully pondered, took up a pen, and drew a few strokes on the paper, nodding, "It should be like this."
Lin Wanrong looked over her work; the military advisor, as expected of a professional, had sketched these few simple strokes quite clearly.
He nodded, took out a pencil, and added a few dashed lines to the frontal diagram. Miss Xu paused, then clapped her hands in delight, "Is this the corner?"
"Exactly," Lin Wanrong smiled slightly, "The frontal projection of this component, those cutting edges, we represent with dashed lines. These angular positions are all identifiable. There shouldn't be any doubts about this, right?"
The military advisor thought for a moment, then nodded earnestly.
"After the front, let's look at the side," he said, taking a component and changing its orientation, "This time, we look at the side projection, and draw its shadow using the same method."
Xu Zhiqing, already having had one round of experience, did not wait for his instruction and deftly completed the side projection drawing, the angles and dashed lines clearly marked.
Lin Wanrong looked on with great satisfaction at Miss Xu's cleverness, laughing, "Next, we project from above the component and draw it in the same way."
The military advisor followed his instructions, drawing a few strokes, then suddenly gasped in surprise and joy, "I understand now! How did you think of this?"
Looking at Miss Xu's admiring eyes mixed with ecstatic joy, Lin Wanrong felt modest and laughed heartily, "Just a wild guess. This is called a three-dimensional projection diagram. With this method, even the most complex objects can be segmented and drawn."
"No wonder I always felt something was missing," Xu Zhiqing sighed softly, "This three-dimensional diagram is indeed magical."
"Alright, let's not talk about this issue for now," Lin Wanrong grinned, "I've been traveling all day and haven't eaten yet. Wait here, I'll call for some dinner to be brought to the room, and we can eat slowly."
As he started to leave, Miss Xu, blushing with urgency, grabbed his sleeve, "Wait, this is Ning'er's boudoir—"
"What's the problem with it being Ning'er's boudoir? Miss Luo likes this!" he chuckled, caressing her delicate wrist, mysteriously adding, "It's alright, we're just eating, not doing anything else!"
The military advisor's face flushed, and she hummed softly, "Then we can only eat."
Lin Wanrong stepped out of the room and had not yet descended the stairs when he saw Luo Ning approaching with a smile, followed by two maids, carrying trays of steaming dishes and wine, "Big Brother, look, everything is ready!"
"No way," Lin Wanrong took the tray, his face a mix of surprise and bemusement, "Ning'er, why do I feel like we're running a clandestine operation here?!"
Luo Ning blinked and giggled, "Such an operation, I fear Sister Xu might be very fond of. Big Brother, do you like it?"
This mischievous girl, always teasing him, Lin Wanrong helplessly shook his head and kissed her cheek, about to turn back into the room. But Luo Ning pulled at his sleeve, silently burrowing into his embrace.
"Ning'er—"
"Big Brother," Miss Luo covered his lips, whispering softly, "You must remember Ning'er. Don't let the new bride enter the room and forget the matchmaker over the wall."
So, this girl can be jealous too! Lin Wanrong was touched, "Ning'er, I know how good you are to me! How about I and Miss Xu don't have our wedding chamber tonight, and wait until I return from Goryeo—"
"We can't wait," Luo Ning hummed softly, "Big Brother, you've seen how hard Sister Xu has been waiting for you. She's older than you. She already has many burdens in her heart. If you delay further, wouldn't it make her feel worse? This matter must be settled before you go to Goryeo. It's better to choose a day by chance than to wait for the right one, let it be tonight. After all, you're familiar with this room; that night, you even took advantage of Sister Xu—hee hee!"
Miss Luo was determined to see her plan through. Lin Wanrong, moved, held her tightly, "Ning'er, I will always love and take care of you, for all my life!"
"Mm!" Luo Ning smiled sweetly, pushing him into the room, "Go on, then!"
Lin Wanrong sighed, his heart fluttering. He entered the room with the dishes and wine. Xu Zhiqing, hearing the noise, looked up in surprise, "How did you return so quickly?"
He was too embarrassed to say that Luo Ning had prepared everything in advance, and just chuckled, "When the female military advisor orders a meal, how can it not be quick?"
They sat down at the table, facing an exceptionally lavish spread of food and wine, something that could not have been prepared in just a moment. Although the military advisor found it strange, with him by her side, all doubts were no longer important.
Lin Wanrong filled a small wine cup for her, smiling, "Have a drink, as a consolation for your hard work these past days!"
Miss Xu, sitting alone with him, though they were betrothed, couldn't help but feel her heart race, blushing and lowering her head with a gentle smile, "As you say."
Hearing this, Lin Wanrong's heart melted, chuckling, "Really, as I say?"
Xu Zhiqing, her face flushed and heart pounding, gave him a reproachful glance, lightly scolding, "You're never serious!"
"Miss Xu, I am serious today," Lin Wanrong took her hand, speaking solemnly, "I just want to ask you one question."
Looking into his earnest and passionate eyes, Miss Xu's heart throbbed wildly, speechless, she lowered her head, the bright crimson spreading to her neck as smooth as jade, "What question?"
Lin Wanrong blinked, asking gently, "Would you be willing to be my wife?"
Miss Xu's cheeks flushed, she looked at him reproachfully and whispered, "Didn't you already ask this at the border that day? Why bring it up again today?"
"Today is different," Lin Wanrong said earnestly, "I am sincerely asking you to marry me! If you agree, please drink this cup of wine."
It seemed he was almost demanding a marriage. Xu Zhiqing nodded slightly, her bashfulness undeniable, she hummed softly, slowly lifting the cup, about to drink it all in one go, when she heard Lin Wanrong say, "Slowly, take it slowly."
He picked up his own wine cup, smilingly intertwined his arm with hers, and winked, "Now, it's time."
This was a toast of cross-cupped wine! Xu Zhiqing's delicate body trembled slightly, her heart racing, she glanced at him with soft eyes, and gently chided, "You naughty rascal!"
Both of them drank down the wine in one go. Miss Xu's cheeks blossomed with beautiful, radiant clouds, her beauty beyond description.
Lin Wanrong, captivated by her allure, gently kissed her ear, "Military Advisor, now you are my wife!"
Xu Zhiqing's heart raced, she hummed softly, lowering her head and tremblingly said, "Do you even need to ask? Ever since that last time in this room, when you, this scoundrel, took liberties with me, my reputation for this entire life has been spoiled by you. If you do not want me, I have no choice but to die!"
Lin Wanrong quickly took her hand, comforting her, "It's not that serious, last time was unintentional—"
Miss Xu hummed lightly, her face flushed with dissatisfaction, "That's not true, you did it on purpose!"
Lin Wanrong paused, then burst into laughter, "Alright, alright, let's say I did it on purpose! Who knows, maybe I'll do it 'on purpose' again. Wouldn’t you welcome it, Miss Xu?!"
"Pah!" Xu Zhiqing chided him, too embarrassed to say another word.
Their dinner was filled with sweet and affectionate conversation, lasting for a good hour before concluding. A maid entered, reporting, "Miss Xu, the fragrant bath is ready for you. Would you like to use it now?"
The mention of the fragrant bath brought back memories of Yueya'er. Xu Zhiqing gave him a glance and softly hummed, "Bring it in."
"Yes!" The maids hurried to comply.
Seeing Lin Wanrong lingering in the room, seemingly with no intention of leaving, the military advisor, her cheeks flushed, scolded, "What are you still doing here? I am going to bathe."
"I need to bathe too!" he said, shamelessly grinning.
Xu Zhiqing's heart skipped wildly, her cheeks burning hot. In a voice as faint as a mosquito, she asked, "What does your bathing have to do with me?"
"Oh!" Lin Wanrong sighed in disappointment and turned to walk out of the room.
Hearing the door slam shut, Miss Xu quickly turned around, only to find the doorway empty; he had indeed left.
"This fool!" Miss Xu stomped her foot, both embarrassed and annoyed.
Lin Wanrong found another chamber and took a hot bath, feeling immensely relieved. Returning to the room, he saw the light in Miss Xu's room dim, with the sound of water splashing faintly. The thin paper of the window showed the silhouette of a woman, incredibly graceful.
Just as he was about to enter, two maids stopped him, "Young Master, please stop here."
These maids were old servants of the Luo family. Lin Wanrong paused, blinked, and chuckled, "Why should I stop?"
The maids blushed, "Miss Xu is inside, bathing and changing."
"Oh," he nodded, smiling mysteriously, "If I remember correctly, this is Ning'er's room, right?"
"Yes!"
"And who am I?"
"You are the young mistress's husband, our young master of the Luo family," a maid answered, puzzled.
"That's right," he lowered his voice, spreading his hands with a smile, "This is Ning'er's room, and I am Ning'er's husband. Tell me, should I be allowed to go in?"
The maids stood agape, their eyes wide with disbelief. In terms of sheer audacity, no one could surpass Young Master Lin. Their lady's intimate friend was bathing in the inner chamber, and yet he dared to intrude. How could this be proper?
"Don't worry, I'm only doing what's proper," he reassured with an air of righteousness, nodding, "If you don't believe me, you can go ask Ning'er."
Taking advantage of the maids' momentary shock, he already pushed the door open and entered with a chuckle.
Inside the room, steam hung thick in the air, carrying the sweet fragrance of flowers that wafted throughout the space. The pink bath curtain was draped high, revealing a beautiful and enchanting figure seated in a wooden tub, gently bathing herself. Despite the misty vapors, her delicate form and the outline of her bosom, half-submerged in water, were visible. With every gentle breath she took, mesmerizing ripples danced across the water.
"Ning'er, is that you?" Not hearing a maid announce his arrival, Xu Zhiqing thought it was Miss Luo returning and casually asked without much concern.
The large wooden tub partially concealed her captivating body. Her pale wrists rested on the edge of the tub, her skin as smooth and white as frosted snow, resembling creamy milk.
Lin Wanrong's heartbeat quickened, and he swallowed hard, silently moving closer to the tub.
Without hearing a response, Xu Zhiqing felt a pang of curiosity. Just as she was about to ask again, she suddenly felt a hot breath puffing near her ear.
With a startled cry, her face flushed crimson, she hurriedly covered her chest and turned around, exclaiming, "You, how did you get here?"
"Why can't I be here?" Lin Wanrong grinned mischievously, his gaze fixated on her partially exposed bosom, unable to look away.
Miss Xu's figure was famously exquisite. Caught off guard by his sudden intrusion, she couldn't fully cover herself. The majority of her snow-white bosom was exposed, rising and falling gently with her breaths like the tide of the sea.
In the humid, warm steam, her translucent skin seemed to glow with a dazzling hue, emitting an enchanting fragrance. Her rosy cheeks, under the faint light, shimmered with an alluring luster.
"Don't look!" Xu Zhiqing whimpered, and with a splash, she leaped from the water. Her radiant body glided past his eyes like a streak of beautiful jade, disappearing in an instant.
She grabbed a nearby robe and hurriedly covered herself.
"Alright, alright, I won't look," he chuckled silently, though his eyes reluctantly stayed fixed on her, almost causing his nose to bleed.
It was in this very room where he had once personally measured Miss Xu's figure. Seeing her again today, he was still struck by her stunning beauty.
Her body, still damp from the bath, was draped in a thin robe. The soft fabric clung tightly to her alluring form, accentuating her curves. Her slender legs, exposed beneath the robe, were flawless and smooth as if washed in milk. Her full bosom, unrestrained, stood proudly. Her slender waist was barely a handful, and her beautifully curved hips rose high, reminiscent of a newly crafted grinding stone. Her figure was exquisitely curved, a sight that made the blood surge in one's veins.
"You, you—" Seeing him unrepentantly ogling, Miss Xu was both embarrassed and flustered, yet she couldn't help feeling a strong sense of pride and surprise at his evident infatuation with her body.
"Zhiqing, will you be my wife?" he softly called, causing Miss Xu's body to go limp, weakly nestling into his embrace. Her eyelashes trembled, and her lips parted, but she could utter no words.
With a soft whimper, she shyly closed her eyes, her face blushing as if layered with ten coats of rouge. A seductive pink hue rose on her pale neck, even as she proudly lifted her full chest.
Seeing her shy and infinite charm, and recalling the passionate moments that had once unfolded in this room, Lin Wanrong felt a surge of tenderness in his heart. Silently taking her hand, he shook his head and smiled: Was this the same woman who had scolded him mercilessly, the female military advisor? Life was indeed wondrous!
Xu Zhiqing, seemingly sensing his mood, couldn't help but blush deeper, her cheeks glowing. Wanting to move yet daring not to, her hands tightly embraced his waist, silently pressing her cheek against his chest, her body trembling slightly.
Lin Wanrong leaned down and pecked her cherry-red lips, asking tenderly, "Miss Xu, will you be my wife?"
Xu Zhiqing's eyes were half-closed, her face flushed, and she softly whimpered in response.
Lin Wanrong shook his head, speaking earnestly, "Zhiqing, look at me and answer!"
"You scoundrel—" Miss Xu, her face full of shyness and perhaps gathering some unknown courage, suddenly bravely opened her eyes, gazing at him dreamily.
Her eyes, shy yet expectant, welled up with misty tears. Her chest rose and fell gently, and her beautiful face was alight with happiness. Suddenly, with all her strength, she called out loudly, "My Dear, I will be your wife!"
Lin Wanrong took her hand, vowing solemnly, "I swear on my life to always love and cherish Zhiqing, to make her life even happier than mine!"
His sweet words always came at the most crucial moment, never repeating themselves. Even the smart and astute female military advisor could not help but be lost in them.
Miss Xu's eyes were misty, her lips slightly parted, emitting a faint fragrance. Feeling the fiery heat of his body, his hand roamed hotly over her, and in her intoxication, she still managed a last bit of lucidity, urgently saying, "No, not here. Ning'er, Ning'er might come back!"
Lin Wanrong whispered in her ear with a chuckle, "Ning'er has something to do, she won't be back tonight!"
Xu Zhiqing's heart trembled upon hearing this, collapsing weakly into his arms, her face as red as a fiery rhododendron, "I knew that girl would get back at me!"
"Get back? What get back?" Lin Wanrong was puzzled.
"Last time you came to Jining, your first night with Ning'er—" Miss Xu, unable to suppress her embarrassment and feeling a fiery heat, confessed, "It was in that bathhouse, not far from here. You were so loud, it was unbearable—"
Lin Wanrong paused for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter, feeling an indescribable exhilaration. No wonder the two had become close friends; these sisters shared unique preferences, which was unexpectedly delightful.
"Don't you dare laugh!" Xu Zhiqing, in her embarrassment, quickly covered his mouth, "It's all your fault. I couldn't sleep that night and heard it—"
The more she tried to explain, the more muddled it became. Lin Wanrong kissed her tender fingers lightly, teasing, "It's okay to hear, we're all family. We might as well invite Ning'er to listen in return, don't you think? Will she, do you guess?!"
Xu Zhiqing's face flushed as red as blood, and in a voice as fine as a mosquito's, she said, "That mischievous girl, she surely will! She's just as bad as you! Oh— you're going to be the death of me—"
After her soft moan, there were gentle murmurs, sighs, and tender calls that continued until dawn...
Miss Xu's figure was splendid, rivaling the likes of Fairy Sister and Sister An in their mature allure. She was like a perfectly ripe peach, so sweet and intoxicating, utterly enchanting to the heart and soul.
Lin Wanrong, lost in the land of tenderness, forgot even to breathe, overwhelmed with bliss. The events of the night were a private delight, not to be shared with outsiders.
The next day, as he was still groggy and hadn't yet opened his eyes, he heard a gentle calling from outside the door: "Young master, young master. The young mistress has returned."
"Ah!" Xu Zhiqing, still deep in sleep, heard the voice and suddenly clutched his body, panicking, "What... what do we do? Ning'er is back! This is her boudoir— I'm mortified, all because of your mischief!"
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. That girl Ning'er was cunning indeed, scaring people early in the morning. Seeing Miss Xu's startled and shy appearance, her chest half-exposed and enchanting, he felt a warmth in his heart and playfully fumbled over her chest, "Don't be afraid, Ning'er's husband is also your husband. Her room is naturally your room now. If you really feel it's unfair, we can simply sleep in your bed from now on, very fair, right? Ha ha!"
He chuckled. Xu Zhiqing, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, bit him hard on the arm.
As they were playfully arguing, they heard a few light taps on the door. Luo Ning giggled outside, "Sister Zhiqing, congratulations, congratulations, I've come for some wedding candy!"
They hurriedly got out of bed and opened the door. Luo Ning rushed in, smiling, and sniffed around Xu Zhiqing, nodding, "Not bad, not bad!"
"Ning'er," Xu Zhiqing, too shy to lift her head, asked, "What are you smelling?"
"Smelling Big Brother's scent!"
Miss Xu, already immensely shy, blushed even deeper, her cheeks almost burning.
"Sister, why be afraid?" Luo Ning took her hand, smiling radiantly, "Since you've married Big Brother, whose body doesn't carry his scent? Congratulations, sister, on having your wish fulfilled. From now on, we'll never be apart."
Luo Ning hugged Xu Zhiqing, winking sneakily at Lin Wanrong. His heart skipped a beat. Did Ning'er actually sneak in last night to eavesdrop? He lamented not noticing where she was hiding!
Miss Xu hummed softly, her cheeks blazing, and whispered almost inaudibly, "Ning'er, thank you!"
"Why are you thanking me, Sister Zhiqing?" Luo Ning asked curiously.
"Thank you for your matchmaking," Miss Xu managed to calm her shyness a bit, finally lifting her head, gratefully adding, "I know it was you who deliberately let this scoundrel in last night."
"You're wrong, sister. If that man hadn't agreed, even if I whipped him, he wouldn't have budged!" Luo Ning chuckled playfully, casting a coquettish glance at Lin Wanrong.
Lin Wanrong's heart warmed, and he burst into laughter.
Now that everything was out in the open, and knowing that women also eventually face such moments, just as he once laughed at Ning'er, Miss Xu, though still bashfully overwhelmed, gradually calmed down and took Lin Wanrong's hand, "When are you planning to leave for Goryeo?"
"Getting back before the New Year would be ideal," he said. "The sooner, the better."
Xu Zhiqing nodded in agreement. "The ironclad ships were originally docked at Donggang and Rizhao. After those thirty or so young people boarded, to get them accustomed quickly, I had them sail to Lianyungang, Jiangsu, for a trial. They should be returning in a few days. You can wait here for them."
Lin Wanrong acknowledged with an 'Oh', remembering that Lianyungang was in Jiangsu province and that Jining was only a few days' journey from Jinling. It had been nearly a year since he left Jinling during the New Year, and he felt a growing sense of longing.
"In that case, there's no need to go to Rizhao. We'll board directly at Lianyungang," he said slowly. "It's a good opportunity for me to visit Jinling. The Eldest Miss is there visiting relatives, and I haven't seen Qingshan and his father for a long time."
With such intentions, neither Luo Ning nor Xu Zhiqing would object. Xu Zhiqing, newly married, found it hard to part with him, but with their lifetime commitment now secured, she felt more at ease in her heart. She decided to quietly wait for his return from Goryeo to continue their honeymoon of love and affection.
Luo Ning, pregnant, obviously couldn't go to Goryeo. She stayed in Jining, waiting for Xu Zhiqing to finish her busy days drawing the blueprints. Afterward, they planned to return together to their home in the capital to await the birth.
During the following days in Jining, Lin Wanrong spent every day sweet-talking Ning'er and lovingly spending time with Xu Zhiqing, enjoying indescribable joy.
When the time came to leave, looking into their tearful eyes, Lin Wanrong felt a sourness in his heart, unable to bear the parting. With no other choice, he comforted himself: Once this task was done, everything would be perfect. He imagined how delightful it would be to spend every day in the blissful company of his wives.
The journey from Jining to Jinling, hurried by fast horses, took just over two days. On the morning of the third day, standing under the heavy walls of the city, hearing the roaring waters of the Yangtze River, he sighed deeply: "Jinling, I have finally returned!"
