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Finest Servant Chapter 416
🕑 Added 2023-08-28 14:34:24 +0000 UTCChapter 416 Dealing with Him
Silence lingered for a moment, and when Lin Wanrong looked up again, he saw Qingxuan still by his side, but Xu Miss was nowhere to be seen. In astonishment, Lin Wanrong stammered, "Where is Miss Xu?"
Du Xiuyuan, who had just approached him, hurriedly whispered in his ear, "General, Miss Xu has gone down the mountain."
‘Gone down the mountain? No way. Eating stealthily and then running away—where in the world can you find such an easy deal?’ Lord Lin slapped the dust off his hands and snorted, "Unacceptable, utterly unacceptable! She was whispering so much that she even spat on me. Tomorrow, I must find her and have a serious talk with her."
Du Xiuyuan seemed to have more to say, but Miss Xiao glanced at Lin Wanrong, her expression a mix of smiling and not smiling. "Were you really whispering? My Dear, what is your relationship with Sister Xu?"
"I swear, nothing has happened between us yet!" Lin Wanrong quickly raised his hand to pledge his loyalty. Du Xiuyuan urgently tugged at his sleeve, whispering, "General, General, this humble officer has something to report—"
Lin Wanrong glared at him, "If you have something to say, say it directly. She is my wife; there's no need to talk behind her back. Listen, Qingxuan, what happened just now was a misunderstanding. Miss Xu and I have a purely working relationship, don't get any wrong ideas."
Xiao Qingxuan's expression was indifferent, and she didn't speak, leaving her thoughts inscrutable. Du Xiuyuan hesitated for a while before saying, "General, someone has asked me to tell you that they would like you to visit their residence tomorrow morning."
"Visit their residence?" Lin Wanrong wondered aloud. "Who invited me, and which residence? Ah, Brother Du, why are you stumbling over your words? You're not usually like this."
Xiao Qingxuan grabbed Lin Wanrong and looked at him calmly, "Is it to visit the Xu residence?"
"This, this—" Du Xiuyuan stammered, not daring to speak. Lin Wanrong was shocked, thinking, ‘Damn you, old Du, are you trying to sabotage me? Are you even a man, reporting this in front of my wife? How could you do this to me?’
Du Xiuyuan looked embarrassed as well, thinking, ‘This was what you asked me to report in front of your wife, General; it's not my fault.’
The mischievous young girl, Li Xiangjun, also huffed, "Sister, who was that woman earlier? Big Brother Lin is your husband, what does she mean by kissing? And visiting the residence—could it be a marriage proposal?"
Lin Wanrong gritted his teeth and glared, ‘You little girl, no one would mistake you for mute if you stayed quiet.’ "Ah, haha, little sister, it's not what it seems. Miss Xu and I are just work partners, and she likes to play pranks sometimes. She was just biting my ear; everyone misunderstood. Du Xiuyuan, hurry and find a palanquin, my wife can't walk." Lin Wanrong's face was thick enough to hastily defend himself. With one order from him, Du Xiuyuan disappeared in a flash, leaving Lin Wanrong grinding his teeth, muttering, ‘Damn you, old Du, don't let me catch you keeping a mistress.’
Seeing Xiao Qingxuan neither angry nor smiling, Lin Wanrong couldn't discern what she was thinking. He let out a couple of awkward laughs, probing, "Qingxuan, let's settle the matter of running the school then. You mentioned raising money, but where will we get it from? I have tens of thousands of taels at hand; why don't you take it for now?"
Xiao Qingxuan said expressionlessly, "You don't have to please me. If I say I can raise the silver, it means I have a way. When you go to the mansion tomorrow, explain it clearly to Sister Xu, and tell her that after we have set up this forum and school, we will invite her to be an instructor. On account of your face, I think she won't refuse."
Upon hearing the words "go to the mansion," Lin Wanrong's head became as big as a cow's, thinking that this girl Xu Zhiqing must be crazy. Clearly seeing his wife beside him, she played this act, wasn't this intentionally asking for his life?
"What mansion are you talking about? I don't know. Qingxuan, we've been through hardships to be together, and I won't go anywhere tomorrow; I'll stay at home with you and our son," Lin Wanrong said, blushing.
Xiao Qingxuan's eyes softened for a moment, but she quickly suppressed her tenderness and said indifferently, "I've told you my piece, your legs are on your own body, whether you go or not, can I drag you?"
Miss Xiao spoke neither warmly nor coldly, and Lin Wanrong could not discern her attitude. Secretly complaining, he thought of how adept he was in dealing with various women, but his talents seemed of no use facing Qingxuan. The current situation was the most difficult kind; though they had been apart for many days and had just reunited at a time when they should be affectionate, this Xu girl had created such a big fuss. It was unbearable even for him, let alone for Qingxuan, who had suffered so much for him. Lord Lin, though eloquent, felt somewhat helpless and for a moment hated Miss Xu. If it weren't for her fine figure, he would have already tormented her in his heart.
"Big Brother Lin, will you go to the mansion tomorrow?" Li Xiangjun asked mischievously, grinning.
"No, I won't go, absolutely not," Lord Lin firmly said, fully aware that he could not give in at this moment.
Li Xiangjun playfully stuck her tongue out at her senior sister, and Miss Xiao covered her lips and chuckled lightly. Seeing that Lord Lin was eyeing her slyly, she quickly composed herself and returned to her indifferent demeanor.
After burying the body of Recluse Jing'an on the green hills and reflecting on past events and present grievances, Miss Xiao's emotions overwhelmed her, and tears fell uncontrollably. She had lived for over twenty years, and all her tears seemed to flow that day. Lin Wanrong, worried about her health, stayed close by her side, attending to her every need.
It was only at nightfall that everything on the mountain was settled, and the people in the Hall gradually calmed down. However, it was inevitable that no one would sleep that night due to the sudden upheaval. There was no way to avoid the acute pain; only time could heal it.
"General, the sedan is here!" Du Xiuyuan came up from the foot of the mountain with a small sedan, reporting nervously.
"Is it?" General Lin's gaze pierced him like two sharp swords, and Du Xiuyuan laughed awkwardly before quickly withdrawing his head.
"My Dear, is our house big?" Xiao Qingxuan suddenly asked, thinking of something.
"Big, very big," Lin Wanrong laughed, "We can even keep sheep in the house." Fortunately, during his recent trip to Shandong, the house had been renovated; otherwise, with Qingxuan found, would they still live in the Xiao residence? Even though Eldest Miss was willing, what about Qingxuan? Even if Qingxuan didn't mind, where would his own dignity lie? In the end, the matter with the Xiao family hadn't been settled. If the two families had become one, everywhere would be his home, and there would be no such worries.
"My Dear, My Dear—" Xiao Qingxuan's calls interrupted Lin Wanrong's deep thoughts, and he hurriedly asked, "Ah, what's the matter?"
Miss Xiao glanced at him and said softly, "What are you thinking about? I just said that we should let Junior Sister live with us at our home. What do you think? I've had her with me since she was little, and I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her alone on the mountain."
"Good, good," Lin Wanrong eagerly clapped his hands and laughed, "Welcome to our home, Junior Sister."
Li Xiangjun looked him up and down, disdainfully saying, "Your eyes are insincere, and your smile is frivolous. Your welcome lacks sincerity; it's quite hypocritical."
This little sister has a sharp eye, Lin Wanrong laughed, "How could that be? You are Qingxuan's Junior Sister, so you're my Junior Sister too. Without your guidance today, there would have been no reunion for my wife and me. I sincerely welcome you."
"Save it," Li Xiangjun said with a cold laugh, "Better save your sincerity for my sister. She has suffered so much for you."
Lin Wanrong looked at Xiao Qingxuan and saw a faint smile on Miss Xiao's face, her eyes radiating tenderness that warmed his heart like fire. Ah, universal love is indeed a noble goal, but it seems somewhat unfair to Qingxuan. Lord Lin rarely took a moment to reflect on his actions.
"If you dare to flirt with other women behind my Senior Sister's back, I will—" Li Xiangjun brandished her sword, making a throat-slitting gesture. Lin Wanrong promptly silenced himself.
"The palanquin is here, Qingxuan. Get in quickly," Lin Wanrong held the curtain and took Xiao Qingxuan's hand.
Miss Xiao looked back at the green mountains and rivers that had been her companions for over twenty years. They were about to become distant now. Her eyes moistened, and after a long silence, she bent down to enter the small palanquin.
Lin Wanrong let down the curtain, ready to order the departure, but Miss Xiao's head popped out from inside, her voice sweetly calling, "Come in quickly too!"
"Me?" Lord Lin was overjoyed, pointing to his nose, hardly believing his ears. Was Qingxuan not angry with him anymore? Was his wife worried about him?
Just as he was about to step in, smiling, someone pulled him from behind. The little girl's voice laughed from behind, "Big Brother Lin, move aside. My Senior Sister is calling me in."
As the small palanquin started downhill, filled with the cheerful laughter of the two women, Lord Lin sighed, his head hanging, looking around for Du Xiuyuan, only to see him walking at the head of the procession, majestic and triumphant.
Seeing his downcast, utterly dejected appearance, Miss Xiao pursed her lips in a smile, lowered the curtain, and murmured, "This man of mine is always attentive to others. If I don't rein him in, he'll turn our home upside down."
"Hmph, men of this world, all are ungrateful wretches. Not a single one is good," the little girl suddenly spoke up, saying bitterly.
Miss Xiao was startled; how could a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl speak such words? It couldn't be that her Husband Lin's actions had upset her.
"Senior Sister, are you worried about your Husband Lin?" Li Xiangjun laughed teasingly, "Your husband is quite explosive when angry, wherever he points, cannons fire in that direction, but in front of you, he's quite well-behaved."
Miss Xiao's eyes softened, and she said gently, "He bears all this because he has me in his heart. Otherwise, with his character that never suffers a loss, he wouldn't be so easygoing. But he provokes young ladies everywhere, and I don't know how many sins he's incurred. If I don't cure him of this habit, I'm afraid our home won't even have a place to stand."
"Cure?" The little girl scoffed, "Senior Sister, who in this world has ever cured a man's wandering eye? Your Husband Lin is the worst of the lot when it comes to philandering, and I think it's a bit hopeless!"
"However hopeless, he must be cured!" Miss Xiao said with a smile, "Starting with this Xu Zhiqing!"
