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Finest Servant Chapter 378
🕑 Added 2023-08-15 11:07:25 +0000 UTCChapter 378 A Peculiar Supplement
Lin Wanrong hurriedly took two steps and steadied the trembling, delicate figure. The cold armor on Luo Ning's body was pressed against his chest, and he couldn't feel a trace of warmth.
"Ning'er, Ning'er, what's wrong with you?" Looking at Luo Ning's emaciated shoulders and her pale, bloodless face, Lin Wanrong felt a wave of distress in his heart, tightly embracing her frail body and calling out anxiously.
Luo Ning's long eyelashes quivered, and her beautiful eyes slowly opened, staring blankly at him. Suddenly, with a "wa" sound, she threw herself into his arms and sobbed uncontrollably: "Big brother, you finally came, you finally came."
"It's my fault; I came too late." Looking at Luo Ning's thin cheeks, her long eyelashes adorned with crystal-clear tears, pitiful as a pear blossom in the rain, Lin Wanrong felt a pang in his heart as well. He tightly embraced her, allowing her to sob freely in his arms, venting all her emotions.
Longing was the most tormenting. Luo Ning had been separated from him for several months, her heart fraught with concern. Meeting with continuous shocks at home, she had been barely holding on. Now that she had seen him, all her strength seemed to dissipate, and tears flowed like a floodgate had been opened, unceasing and overwhelming.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he noticed that Luo Ning's crying had gradually subsided. Looking down, he saw that she had fallen asleep in his arms. Her smooth and delicate skin was as beautiful as fine warm jade. Her cheeks were stained with traces of tears, pure and crystalline, her cherry lips slightly dry and pale, making her look even more pitiable.
Looking at her tear-streaked, smiling face as she slept, Lin Wanrong sighed deeply, feeling a faint sense of satisfaction. Making everyone around him happy—life was that simple.
As he lifted Luo Ning, intending to move, the delicate body in his arms stirred, and her beautiful eyes slowly opened, exclaiming, "Big brother, where are you going?"
This girl had become like a frightened bird. Lin Wanrong smiled gently, stroking her hair and said, "Silly girl, it's cold this spring night; if you sleep like this, you'll surely catch a chill. I'll take you back home, and you can rest for a while."
Luo Ning slowly shook her head, unsteadily rising from his embrace. Lin Wanrong hurriedly steadied her, distressedly saying, "Ning'er, what are you doing?"
Miss Luo's face was full of determination, her pretty lips curving into a stubborn line as she softly said, "Big brother, something has happened to father, and I cannot rest now. If I don't find the treasury silver, I cannot lie down."
"Who says you can't rest?" Lin Wanrong forcibly lifted her, snorting, "Finding the silver is not a matter of one or two days. If you go on like this, you'll collapse before you find it. How can that be acceptable? I haven't even consummated the marriage with you yet—"
"Big brother—" Luo Ning lowered her head in shy embarrassment, a faint blush spreading from behind her ears to her neck, enhancing her jade-like skin's beauty. Her curvaceous figure, hidden beneath the heavy armor, added a touch of heroism to her tender grace, making her even more endearing.
"Silly girl, since I am here, I won't let you suffer anymore. Leave the matter of finding the silver to me. You don't know what I am capable of, do you?" Lin Wanrong winked at her, confidently declaring.
Luo Ning's beautiful eyes sparkled as she gazed at him, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, a faint mist rising from her eyes. She hummed softly, feeling both sour and sweet inside, tightly embracing his broad shoulders, and sobbing softly, "Big brother, is Ning'er very useless? Am I always causing trouble for you?"
"Useless? How could you be useless?" Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "My Ning'er can sing and dance, compose poetry and paint, she's innocent and kind, caring about the people's livelihood, filled with love and compassion, truly a top-notch good girl. I like you just the way you are."
Luo Ning pouted, gently shaking her head, "I know you're just comforting me, big brother. A woman like me, who can only do useless things like writing poems and painting that neither make money nor save people, must be the kind you dislike the most. I feel like a vase sometimes, shiny on the outside but utterly useless. Do you despise me?"
The girl was indeed good at self-criticism, and although she was rather good at spending silver, her husband didn't mind. Lin Wanrong didn't answer her question, instead, he smiled, "Ning'er, what do you think is the most important thing in a person's life?"
Snuggled in his arms, Luo Ning whispered, "Big brother, you're the master of sophistry, no matter what I guess, you'll say it's wrong. You tell me, I'll listen."
‘Ah, this girl truly knows me,’ Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Actually, in one's lifetime, wealth and status aren't important. What's most important is being happy. If Ning'er you like it, what's wrong with writing poems and painting every day? What's wrong with spending money recklessly? Or even being a vase? I have plenty of money, and I love to see you write poems and paint every day, I love you spending my money. I'm happy, I'm willing. You're kind-hearted and help others; so what if others call you a vase? Have you hurt anyone? Are you unhappy?"
Luo Ning shook her head, whispering, "No, I'm very happy."
Lin Wanrong laughed, "That's it then! The world has no trouble, but the mediocre make it so. People in life, too many mental shackles, it's rare to be as straightforward as you. In the future, with your husband by your side, enjoy eating, drinking, and having fun. Spend my money to your heart's content. Isn't earning silver for the sake of spending it joyfully? Oh, by the way, you like traveling, right? I happened to bump into a Goryeo tour group in the capital this time, and there's a guide named Miss Seo Jang Geum, who is knowledgeable, broad-minded, and somewhat similar to you. If you like, once we get to the capital, I'll have her take you on a tour of Goryeo."
All this talk of husbands and vases made Luo Ning both joyful and shy. When he mentioned the Goryeo guide, Seo Jang Geum, Miss Luo could no longer suppress her excitement, grabbing his hand, "Really, Big brother? Can I really go to Goryeo?"
"Of course you can," Master Lin patted his chest confidently, "Your husband, me, has a top-notch reputation in Goryeo. Even their prince, named Yi Seung-Jae, wouldn't dare speak loudly in front of me. When you're in Goryeo, whatever you want or need, just ask for it. Don't be polite; politeness is a crime!"
He hummed to himself, ‘Damn, the Goryeos have made a profit this time. Fortunately, there's the Lady's route; if my wife hadn't thought of going to Goryeo, I wouldn't even bother with you.’ He resolved that he must instruct Ning'er to accept lots of gifts, good gifts, all the way from Jeju Island to Mount Kumgang, otherwise, it would not be worthy of all their painstaking effort.
Luo Ning burst into a chuckle, her voice rich with charm, "Big brother, you always talk nonsense, speaking as if Goryeo is owned by our family."
Master Lin's brows raised, and he smiled, taking her small hand, "Exactly, exactly, Goryeo is practically ours; you just go, I assure you, you will go with joy and return with satisfaction."
Luo Ning softly hummed in agreement, her eyes brimming with affection as she looked at him, softly saying, "Big brother, you are so good to me."
"Good? Then give me a kiss!" Lin Wanrong laughed and pecked her tender little face. Luo Ning jumped in surprise, quickly looking around to see that the lights were dim and no one was watching. Her face flushed, her palms sweaty, she suddenly lifted her head and pecked Master Lin's lips like a dragonfly touching the water, then covered her cheeks with her hands, shyly lowering her head.
"Ah, Ning'er is really polite; you've learned the principle of reciprocity so quickly," Master Lin delightedly said, slowly caressing her small hand.
To the women of this world, Master Lin's mouth was his most powerful weapon. Hearing him brag, and having him take some liberties, Luo Ning was a mix of embarrassment and joy, her melancholy swept away. Her little face was flushed with excitement, whispering sweet nothings in his ear, her voice soft, her words filled with tenderness and sweetness.
With such a charming girl in his arms, her face flushed, Lin Wanrong's mind started to wander, pondering if he should do something meaningful on this beautiful night, to properly "comfort" Miss Luo's tired, wounded heart. Thankfully, the constant sound of pickaxes hitting the ground behind him reminded him that the old Emperor had only given them seven days, one day had already passed, and only six days remained. The lustful thoughts instantly evaporated as he broke into a cold sweat.
All talk and no action would not do. If the silver was not found, tonight's words would be nothing but hot air.
He grabbed Luo Ning's hand and headed back. Before reaching the South Gate, they heard a woman's voice ahead, "Is that you, Sister Ning'er?"
Luo Ning exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Zhiqing? Is that you, Sister Zhiqing?"
Seeing the woman on the opposite side running over in excitement, Luo Ning's face also lit up. She was about to break free from her brother's hand to meet Sister Zhiqing, but Master Lin held her tightly, stepping in front of her with a playful smile, "Miss Xu, Ning'er is frail today, she can't withstand your embrace, let me receive it on her behalf!"
"Shameless!" Xu Zhiqing couldn't dodge in time and almost bumped into his arms. She quickly stopped, her cheeks flushed, her full chest heaving, creating alluring waves.
"Big brother, you're so naughty!" Luo Ning's cheeks turned red, and she playfully scolded him. She moved in front of him, embracing Xu Zhiqing tightly, excitedly saying, "Sister Zhiqing, how come you're here too?"
"I'm worried that you might be taken advantage of if you're not careful." Xu Zhiqing grabbed Luo Ning's small hand, her face filled with joy, and she glanced at Lin Wanrong, giving a light snort.
'Having embraced Ning'er, and Ning'er having embraced Miss Xu, it's as if I indirectly embraced Miss Xu; we're all square, and I won't dwell on it,' Lin Wanrong comforted himself. Seeing a burly man with a twisted beard standing behind Xu Zhiqing, he suddenly exclaimed, "Brother Hu, you're here too?"
Hu Bugui stepped forward with a smile and saluted, "I greet General Lin. I arrived earlier this evening, a couple of hours ahead of the general and Miss Xu. When I reached Lord Luo's residence and saw Miss Xu, hearing that the general was looking for Miss Luo, I decided to accompany her here."
Well-versed in cavalry and horse breeding, Hu Bugui's assistance eased Lin Wanrong's mind. He grabbed him and asked, "Brother Hu, since you came early, did you visit the scene?"
Hu Bugui nodded, "I rushed here without delay. The first thing I did was inspect the scene. Look, over there are the tents of those five thousand cavalrymen."
Lin Wanrong looked up and saw hundreds of white tents not far from where they were standing, surrounded by hundreds of soldiers—clearly those sent to seal off the scene after the incident.
Seeing Luo Ning and Xu Zhiqing chatting happily, Lin Wanrong said to Hu Bugui, "Brother Hu, I haven't had a chance to see the scene yet. Take me there, will you?"
"I'm going too!" Xu Zhiqing suddenly interjected.
This girl had been eavesdropping! Lin Wanrong laughed, "Miss Xu, you and Ning'er haven't seen each other for a while. You should catch up. Leave this rough work to us men."
Xu Zhiqing ignored him and looked at Hu Bugui, "General Hu, take me with you."
Hu Bugui looked at Lin Wanrong, torn. On one hand, there was the precious daughter of Xu Wei, the respected female military advisor; on the other, his revered superior. Whose command should he follow?
Luo Ning, seeing that her Big brother and Sister Zhiqing seemed at odds and not knowing how they had fared on the journey, smiled and said, "Since we're all going, let the general lead us. We'll all go together."
Lin Wanrong looked at her, concerned, "Ning'er, you're weak. You should go back and rest. We can handle this."
Luo Ning's cheeks flushed, and she held his hand tightly, shaking her head firmly, "Wherever my Big brother is, I am too. I'll never leave you."
"Then I'll carry you," Lin Wanrong chuckled, "It pains me to see you take even one extra step." Luo Ning's cheeks were suffused with the blush of happiness. She looked at him tenderly, a glance that seemed to drip with sweetness.
Miss Xu felt a chill run down her spine and snorted, "Sweet words and pretty speeches, Ning'er, you mustn't believe him too easily, ah--" She exclaimed in shock, stepping back and looking behind Luo Ning, her face flushed with anger, "Lin San, you, you--"
"What's the matter?" Lin Wanrong sniffed deeply, grinning as he tucked the small box into his bosom, "I'm just replenishing myself after this tiring journey. Miss Xu, would you like to see this extraordinary supplement?"
