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Finest Servant Chapter 648
🕑 Added 2023-11-13 12:33:10 +0000 UTCChapter 648 Public Enemy
As dawn just began to break, Lin Wanrong was roused from his sleep by the chirpy laughter and chatter surrounding him. Half-asleep, he opened his eyes to find that the other mi duo and mi cai were already up and about.
The young men gathered together, their jade belts tightly cinched around their waists, clothes neatly arranged, each holding a hatchet, looking spirited and lively. The girls, even more so, had risen in the middle of the night to bathe and change by the spring water, then retreated into the woods to dress up carefully. They hadn't come out yet, and the occasional giggles from the woods echoed their joyous mood.
This scene was not unique to Yingyue Hamlet; the other Miao group to the west of the city was in the same festive spirit. The young men were frolicking, and the girls were dressing up, with laughter and joy everywhere.
The Flower Mountain Festival was one of the most significant festivals in Miao villages, a grand gathering for the villagers to pray for favorable weather, longevity, and abundance. It was also an opportunity for young Miao men and women to meet and get to know each other. Early in the morning, Miao families from miles around dressed in their most splendid festival attire, carrying wine and bamboo flutes, young and old alike, converging at the foot of Wulian Peak to celebrate this grand festival.
Old Gao, somehow, had gotten hold of a set of Miao attire. Wearing it, he looked robust and slightly mischievous, his eyes darting around as he marveled, "What a great place Xuzhou is! Rich in resources and talented people, and these Miao girls, each as radiant as a flower!"
"That's right, every place has its own kind," Lin Wanrong agreed with a smile. "The beautiful mountains and waters of Xuzhou, and the warm and hospitable Miao people with their simple customs, free from the chaos of fame and fortune, naturally look handsome and beautiful. As the saying goes, 'a relaxed heart leads to a healthy body.'"
Gao Qiu nodded in agreement, then suddenly his gaze fixed on the opposite woods. His eyes widened in excitement as he tugged at Lin Wanrong's sleeve, "Brother Lin, look, look—"
From the woods emerged a beautiful Miao girl, pushed out amidst the playful laughter of her companions. Her wet hair was coiled on top of her head, adorned with various styles of headscarves - red, yellow, white, pink, some pointed, some round, creating a kaleidoscope of colors. Below the headscarf, her dense black hair was decorated with sparkling silver rings, closely connected to the headscarf with silver tassels hanging down lightly, resting near her forehead and ears.
She was dressed in a dark red and blue embroidered Miao garment, with a silver necklace around her neck, from which hung bead tassels of varying lengths. The Miao garment was knee-length, her white wrists and ankles exposed, complementing the luster of the silver ornaments and making her skin seem as smooth as jade, pure as a spring.
The girl was like a gentle breeze passing through the mountains, lively, cheeky, youthful, and beautiful. Not only Lin Wanrong, but the surrounding young men also held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
The girl shyly lowered her head, her face as clear as jade flushing with a beautiful blush. She stole a glance at him, her voice timidly calling out, "Ah Lin Ge—"
"Oh, oh!" Lin Wanrong snapped out of his daze, clapping his hands in admiration, "Yilian, you're so beautiful, just like a fairy from heaven!"
The Miao boys also came to their senses, immediately bursting into cheers and swarming towards the girl.
Several of the Miao girls who were familiar with Lin Wanrong in Yingyue Hamlet, giggled and walked up to him. Swinging their beautiful figures in front of him, they teased, "Ah Lin Ge, is only your little sister Yilian beautiful? Aren't we pretty too?"
These Miao girls, born in the scenic and beautiful Xuzhou, were naturally blessed with fair and pure skin, youthful charm, and with their careful dressing today, they were truly enchanting, even more so than the Hua girls. Lin Wanrong nodded without hesitation: "Pretty, all of you are pretty!"
One of the Miao girls blinked playfully and cunningly asked, "So, are we prettier, or is little sister Yilian prettier?"
Ah Lin Ge was not stumped by this question and chuckled, "You all are as beautiful as Yilian!"
Yilian, hearing this, felt a bashful joy in her heart and smiled gently at him. The Miao girls, however, were not about to let him off easily. A group of them swarmed around him, giggling, "Ah Lin Ge, today you won't be served by Yilian. Come, let us dress you!"
Dress him? Before he could comprehend, he felt several hands reaching toward him. The girls were pulling at his collar and tugging at his belt; this was not dressing but undressing!
Ah Lin Ge, who had traveled far and wide, had never encountered such a situation. So many beauties undressing him, wasn't that a threat to his life?
"Hey, what are you doing, what are you doing?!" He yelled in fright, clutching his chest tightly, "Brother Gao, Si De, come save me, come save me!"
OId Gao and Si De looked at each other: with beauties undressing him, should they save him or the beauties?
The Miao girls, bold and playful, giggled as they touched and tugged, and soon his Miao outfit was in disarray, revealing his sturdy chest. The girls' eyes flickered rapidly, their cheeks blushing as they giggled.
One Miao girl whispered something to Yilian, pointing at Ah Lin Ge. Yilian's face turned crimson, and she took out a bamboo tube from her bosom and handed it to her.
The Miao girl approached Lin Wanrong, giggling, "Ah Lin Ge, little sister Yilian asks you to drink water!"
Drink water?! As Lin Wanrong was about to take the bamboo tube, the girl quickly removed the stopper and, with a swift flick of her wrist, poured the entire tube of water over his head, drenching him from chest to feet.
The move was so quick and unexpected, he had no chance to dodge. He shivered, while the girls of the Miao village laughed and jumped, shouting, "Quick, get him dressed!"
This time, he was genuinely dressing up. The Miao girls flocked around him in a flurry, deftly and nimbly buttoning his shirt and tying his belt. The cold water had drenched him from head to toe, soaking even his underwear. What was it like to wear clothes over that? Only then did he realize that these bold Miao girls were deliberately playing a prank on him! To think that he had been telling them stories every night, and they had affectionately called him Ah Lin Ge, only to play such a trick on him!
He grunted in annoyance, feeling indignant. Yet, being surrounded by so many girls, all busily helping him dress, their tender hands touching him, each gentle and soft, it was impossible to distinguish who was who. A few bolder girls sneakily rubbed against his chest and waist, their cheeks flushed, giggling ceaselessly.
Listening to the melodious bird chirping and smelling the faint fragrance emanating from their youthful, charming bodies, he couldn't help but internally praise the Miao girls for their boldness. He was so thoroughly caressed that he barely noticed his damp inner garment anymore! ‘A loss may be a blessing in disguise,’ he consoled himself with a smile.
After the girls had their fun teasing him into submission, they stood next to Yilian, giggling and looking at him triumphantly. Whispering something into Yilian’s ear, her cheeks instantly flushed red, and she began chasing after her companions with clenched fists, causing laughter to erupt among the Miao girls.
Lin Wanrong was puzzled about what these Miao girls were really up to. He wanted to ask Yilian, but she kept her distance, mingling with a group of girls and ignoring his attempts to engage. Trying to grab Kunshan in the crowd for answers, he was met with a disgruntled hum and an indifferent turn of the head, leaving him feeling quite dejected.
As dawn broke, people from all directions gathered, bustling towards Wulian Peak amid excited laughter. The mi duo and mi cai of Yingyue Hamlet also set off, with Lin Wanrong blending in among them. He looked around in awe at the variety of ornate costumes worn by the Miao villagers, a sight he had never seen before.
Old Gao squeezed next to him and nudged him discreetly. Following his gaze, Lin Wanrong saw Cheng Zili and his twenty or so brothers scanning the crowd with vigilant eyes. Lin Wanrong nodded and smiled in acknowledgment.
Upon reaching the foot of Wulian Peak, the Black Miao guards seen the night before had already withdrawn. The Miao people were winding up the mountain path, resembling a great serpent from a distance, a spectacular sight.
At the foot of Wulian Peak, due to the upcoming Flower Mountain Festival, the mi duo and mi cai of Yingyue Hamlet naturally split into two groups. Yilian, leading the girls, kept looking back to ensure no one was left behind, showing a great sense of responsibility.
"Yilian, are we going up the mountain now?" Kunshan asked as dawn broke and the crowd began to ascend along the mountain path.
Yilian nodded, "Of course, the sooner we go, the sooner we see the Holy Maiden!"
Mention of the Holy Maiden instantly energized the young men of the Miao village, who rushed towards the mountain path. Yilian glanced at Lin Wanrong with an unspoken message.
‘This girl hasn't forgotten!’ Lin Wanrong chuckled to himself, shamelessly pushing his way to the front, "Let me lead the way, I've been here before!"
"Why are you here at Wulian Peak, Ah Lin Ge?" asked a mi cai, who had been the most boisterous earlier, with wide eyes.
Ah Lin Ge, turning to stride up the mountain, waved his hand with a laugh, "I'm here to see the Holy Maiden!"
The people of Yingyue Hamlet burst into laughter, thinking he was joking. Yilian watched his retreating figure, lost in thought, then energetically waved her hand, prompting the men and women of Yingyue Hamlet to follow him.
The path to Wulian Peak was winding and treacherous, and halfway up, they were already walking amidst the clouds.
Gazing into the drifting clouds and mist around him, he took a deep, comfortable breath, only to feel waves of chill brushing against his cheeks, the dampness of his inner garment causing discomfort.
Unbeknownst to him, Yilian had followed and, seeing his state, quickly asked, "Ah Lin Ge, what's wrong with you?"
"It's nothing, just feeling a bit cold," Lin Wanrong replied with a smile.
The girl’s cheeks flushed with understanding, she shyly grasped his arm, looking down.
"Yilian, I really don’t understand," Ah Lin Ge frowned, a puzzled look on his face, "I didn’t provoke any of your mi cai, so why did they tease me?"
Yilian chuckled, "Because they like you! Today is the Flower Mountain Festival. They tease those they like; the more you’re teased, the more popular you are with the mi cai, that's how it is!"
"They like me?" Lin Wanrong pondered deeply, then nodded seriously, "Maybe you're right! I can't think of any other reason!"
Yilian laughed heartily, "Ah Lin Ge, you're the most vain person!"
Vanity is also a form of beauty! Lin Wanrong laughed loudly, about to speak, when Yilian suddenly widened her eyes, gripping his arm tightly in excitement, "Look, we have arrived at Biluo Hamlet!"
Biluo Hamlet? Lin Wanrong quickly looked up. They were now at the peak, where the five mountain peaks miraculously converged, creating a peak upon a peak, with undulating elevations.
Numerous stilt houses were built on the waist of the central peak. From a distance, amidst the clouds and mist, they appeared like pavilions hanging in the sky.
This was the White Miao village, a little elegance amidst the clouds. No wonder it had nurtured a remarkable person like Sister An.
The mountaintop was vast, filled with red flowers, green trees, springs, and lakes. In the very center, a large depression covered in lush, soft grass appeared, like a piece of jade inlaid at the top of the mountain. Biluo Hamlet, it seemed, was aptly named!
Indeed, it was a place of exquisite beauty, even surpassing Yingyue Hamlet. If Sister An lived here, she would either become a fairy or a fox spirit! He chuckled, actually laughing out loud.
Seeing him seemingly lost in his thoughts, Yilian hurriedly grabbed his hand, "Ah Lin Ge, what's wrong with you?"
"Oh, nothing, just suddenly thought of a fox spirit!" Lin Wanrong hummed and casually walked forward.
The peak was abuzz with laughter and joy, as the Miao people, dressed in their most beautiful festival attire, gathered from all directions. The girls were particularly lively and passionate, wearing generations of silver jewelry on this life-changing festival, each looking stunningly beautiful, their ornaments tinkling melodiously.
Approaching the center of the grassland, they found the area surrounded by a flurry of flowers and bustling with voices. At the heart stood a several-dozen-feet-tall flower pole, wrapped in pink flowers, exceedingly beautiful, but its top was empty. Many young Miao men surrounded the pole, energetically playing lusheng and kouxian musical instruments, while girls danced and sang joyfully around them.
"This flower pole is really beautiful!" Lin Wanrong strolled up to touch it, but Yilian, startled, quickly grabbed him, "Ah Lin Ge, you can't touch this!"
"Why—" he was startled to see the Miao people around him all staring with widened eyes, as if looking at a monster.
Yilian quickly pulled him away from the crowd, laughing, "You really are bold, not knowing any rules and daring to barge in everywhere! You even dared to touch the flower pole?"
Lin Wanrong, having limited knowledge of Miao customs, realized his mistake upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "What are the rules? Teach me quickly!"
Yilian giggled, "The Flower Mountain Festival, also known as the Miao fair, has its grandest event in selecting the most outstanding mi duo to hang the colorful flag symbolizing harvest joy on the flower pole. It's the highest honor for our Miao people, and everyone in the Miao villages aspires to be that person! But before the leader presents the flag, no one is allowed to touch the pole. Otherwise, it's seen as proclaiming oneself as the best, and all mi duo in the villages will challenge you!"
Lin Wanrong stuck out his tongue in relief, ‘I almost became the public enemy by touching it, nearly getting drowned in the spit of the entire Miao village, huh?’
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked cautiously, "Then, what kind of person is considered the most outstanding mi duo?"
Yilian didn't even have to think, smilingly she said, "Do you even need to ask?! The Holy Maiden is our most outstanding mi cai, and only the person who matches her is the most outstanding mi duo. This is universally acknowledged in our Miao villages!"
‘So, it's still me?!’ Lin Wanrong’s face turned pale, realizing that he had been set up as the public enemy already. Cursing Sister An, the vixen, for not telling him the previous night.
"Now you understand," Yilian held his hand quietly, "You, liking the Holy Maiden, can keep it in your heart. After all, every mi duo in the Miao village likes her; it's not surprising! But for you to be the most outstanding mi duo, that's definitely not possible—"
"Why?" Lin Wanrong was taken aback.
Yilian softly laughed, "Because you can't climb trees, hehe!"
Monkeys can climb trees, but can they be the most outstanding mi duo? Lin Wanrong rolled his eyes helplessly. No wonder Yilian never believed his relationship with Sister An; there was this reason behind it. To turn the Holy Maiden into a sister-in-law, he had to convince the entire Miao villages within a hundred-mile radius, certainly not an easy task!
As he pondered with furrowed brows, the crowd suddenly erupted like boiling water, with distant and loud exclamations of joy: "The Holy Maiden, the Holy Maiden—"
