Finest Servant

Chapter 299

Chapter 299 The Helpless Reining In At The Cliff's Edge

‘Damn, even a fairy could run away?’ Cold sweat drenched his entire body. He wanted to burst into laughter, but he felt completely drained. Just as he was about to sit down, he leapt up abruptly as if spring-loaded, letting out an 'ouch' sound.

The Eldest Miss hurriedly steadied him, her voice filled with concern, "Don't be reckless, you're injured."

Lin Wanrong's forehead was damp with perspiration, he gritted his teeth, "This woman, a single needle's pain, she will pay a hundredfold someday."

Tears fell from the Eldest Miss's eyes as she scolded, "Look at your condition, and you still think of retaliation? I told you to wait for Huan'er to make arrangements, yet you insisted on playing the hero. Do you plan to worry me to death?"

Remembering how the Eldest Miss had risked her life to save him earlier, he was touched and didn't mind her harsh words. He smirked and said, "It's just a needle, it's not lethal." In the midst of his words, he reached down and felt the cold silver needle protruding from his buttock. Half of it was still exposed, suggesting that the fairy's strength had already been spent when she exerted her power. Although she had hit him, the needle was not too deeply embedded.

"Eldest Miss, Qingxuan, Qiaoqiao... Madam..."

He once again recited the names of the women he knew, but he still remembered them clearly. Where was the symptom of memory loss? Damn it, was there a delay in the effect of this needle, making him forget them once he got home? After some thought, he dismissed the idea. If there was such a delay, he could write their stories down as a brief introduction for himself. Losing his memory wouldn't matter then. The fairy wouldn't make such a basic mistake.

The only explanation was that memory loss required precise placement of the needle. That was why the fairy sister had to get close to him to ensure accuracy. Otherwise, with her skills, he'd have been done for without even needing to dodge a long-distance needle throw.

The more he thought, the more it made sense. The fear of amnesia dissipated significantly, and he didn't feel the pain in his buttocks anymore. Seeing the Eldest Miss crying like rain, he couldn't help but laugh, "Didn't I tell you to wait at home? How did you end up here?"

The Eldest Miss scolded, "Look who's talking. You came here alone into uncertain danger, isn't that asking for me to worry? I wanted to follow you to see what was happening. But just as I got here, I heard two loud noises and then saw that woman trying to kill you—"

Lin Wanrong sighed inwardly. It really was fate. If the Eldest Miss hadn't barged in rashly, he wouldn't have been stuck with this needle. She was worried, which made her act recklessly. How could he blame her, when she, a weak woman, had journeyed so far alone in the pitch black night just to check on his safety? On the other hand, had she not appeared, he might have ended up killing this fairy sister today. It would have been satisfying for a moment, but how would he explain it to Qingxuan later? The Eldest Miss's unexpected intervention might have played a major role.

Thinking this, he chuckled and said, "It's fine. As you can see, I'm quite alright. Apart from a needle stuck in my buttock, everything else is intact."

The Eldest Miss glanced at him, her voice soft, "Are you really okay? That needle is in... in you, does it hurt?"

Sweat trickled down his face; was it possible not to feel pain? He sighed, saying seriously, "It does hurt a bit, but I can't see the wound to remove the needle. It's an unsightly place to be injured and it's improper to trouble you, Miss. Ah, I'll just endure it a bit longer until we return to the shop. Don't worry about me, the worst-case scenario is the pain would kill me. I'll be fine."

Xiao Yuruo's face blushed a bright red, she bit her silver teeth and softly said, "I, I will help you—"

She had long been fond of Lin San, their teasing and playful days had led to a deep affection, but Eldest Miss Xiao, being a lady who strictly adhered to etiquette, refused any crossing of boundaries during their daily interactions. For her to remove a needle from Lin San’s buttocks required immense courage.

"This might not be appropriate, Miss. It's beneath you to do this sort of thing for me. I insist on going back." Lin Wanrong said, grinning from ear to ear.

Eldest Miss glanced at him, her face blushing as she snorted lightly, "Pretending to be so formal, do you think I don't know what you're thinking?"

Her face was rosy and radiant, her heart filled with shyness. Seeing Lin San's expression of "pain," she gritted her teeth, her small hand trembling slightly as it moved towards his hip.

The moment her warm, soft hand touched his buttocks, Lin Wanrong let out a comfortable groan. Eldest Miss's small hand was so soft and enchanting. If she could grab the back and then the front, my goodness, he didn't know how glorious it would be.

"Little to the left, further down, oh—" He was full of flirtatious thoughts, suddenly grabbing Eldest Miss's hand.

Eldest Miss was both embarrassed and angry. She forcefully hit the back of his hand, snorting, "What are you yelling for? The needle is clearly on the right side, why are you having me feel around on the left?"

Lin Wanrong frowned, "Eldest Miss, I can't see, I have to feel around. You're the one in charge of pulling out the needle, ah, you took advantage of me and you're still giving me a hard time—"

"How annoying—" Her face flushed like blood, she shyly glanced at him. Her small hand touched the silver needle, hesitated for a moment, but didn't dare to pull it out.

Though Lin Wanrong was teasing her, a needle stuck in his buttocks was uncomfortable after all. Unable to resist, he said, "Eldest Miss, don't hesitate—how about you touch it first, then pull it out?"

"In your dreams!" Eldest Miss was in the midst of her hesitation, seeing his slick and insincere words, she steeled her heart, her slender hand pulling the silver needle out swiftly. Sweat glistened on her face, she took a deep breath, asking concerned, "How are you feeling, does it still hurt?"

Lin Wanrong turned around, holding the silver needle in his hand. The needle was crystal clear, without a trace of blood. It felt cold to the touch, he had no idea what it was made of. The needle was almost identical to the one used by An Biru. Recalling what Sister An had said, was she suggesting that he needed to defeat this fairy? That would be interesting; he'd already won a round tonight.

Seeing him deep in thought, Xiao Yuruo knew he was alright and her heart eased. She asked, "Lin San, who is this woman? Why did you fight with her? Where is Miss Qingxuan?"

Lin Wanrong gave a bitter smile and said, "You may not believe it, but this woman is a relative of Qingxuan. She is here to stop me from being with Qingxuan. As for where Qingxuan is, I have no idea."

Xiao Yuruo looked startled and asked, "Stop you from being with Qingxuan? What can we do? If she is swayed by her opinion, we are in trouble."

Lin Wanrong gave a smirk, glanced at Xiao Yuruo, and took her hand, "Why? Aren't you jealous?"

Xiao Yuruo snorted and gave him a sidelong glance, "You've drawn the attention of countless women. If I was jealous of each one, I'd have drowned in my own tears by now." Although she spoke these words, the sour tone in her voice revealed her heartache. Lin Wanrong sighed, "I can't help it. That's the cost of being attractive."

Xiao Yuruo, having already experienced his thick-skinned nature, chose not to engage in his nonsense and asked seriously, "So, what's your plan?"

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily and said, "It's simple: eat well, drink well, enjoy life, and persist in finding Qingxuan."

"But there are people standing in your way, and they're related to her, this--"

Lin Wanrong waved his hand and interrupted, "The more they try to stop me, the more it proves that Qingxuan is thinking about me. Why else would they be so anxious? Ha, my wife, no one can snatch her away."

‘You're good at comforting yourself,’ Xiao Yuruo thought to herself. Yet, her feelings for Lin had grown deeper each day, and she felt indebted to Xiao Qingxuan. Consequently, her words did not harbor as strong a sense of caution as they did for Qin Xian'er.

Lin Wanrong thought about the poisoned fairy who escaped. If she didn't have the antidote from him, he didn't know if she could survive. But since he couldn't find her now, he simply chose not to think about her. If she was dead, so be it. For Qingxuan, he was willing to do anything.

The forest had quieted down after the battle, the scent of gunpowder had faded, and leaves were scattered across the ground. With an injury on his buttocks, Lin Wanrong wasn't in a hurry to return. He laid down slowly, letting out a long sigh of relief.

Seeing him silent, Xiao Yuruo quietly sat next to him, her hands clenched in her lap, silently looking up at the starry sky.

Gazing at her beautiful silhouette and soft, beautiful figure, Lin Wanrong gently caressed her waist with his hand, and whispered, "Yuruo..."

"Hmm?" Xiao Yuruo responded with a quiet hum from her nose, her face flushed. She turned her head to look at him, seeing his deep gaze on her. A flood of soft feelings rose in her heart, making her feel as if she were entangled in a web of spiders, unable to extricate herself. She softly asked, "What do you want to say?"

Lin Wanrong let out a sigh, "In the future, don't blindly rush into situations like this. Trust me, I can handle it."

Xiao Yuruo, used to being independent, was about to retort, but seeing his serious expression, she held back. She simply hummed in agreement and said, "Then you must also promise me that you will not take risks so lightly in the future."

"Who can predict what will happen in life?" He chuckled, "I promise you, I will not take unnecessary risks in the future. If I do, you can punish me by giving me an injection in the buttocks."

Xiao Yuruo, blushing, punched him lightly, "Nonsense."

Lin Wanrong stretched his arm out and pulled her tightly into his embrace. In the dark, isolated spot, their intimate posture made Xiao Yuruo's heart race. She trembled and asked, "Rascal, what are you going to do? You're still injured."

"The wound is on my butt, it's no big deal," he chuckled, pressing Yuruo beneath him. The softness emanating from her curvaceous body sent a wave of pleasure through him. He couldn't resist, gently kissing her beautiful lips. "The night is so beautiful," he whispered, "if we don't do something, wouldn't we be squandering Heaven's goodwill?"

Yuruo trembled at his words, breath coming out in fragrant wisps. "Don't... don't bully me," she stammered. "I'll tell my mother... ohh." A hot hand slipped under her robe, covering her ample, erect bosom. His touch elicited admiration from him. The Eldest Miss indeed possessed a figure rivaling that of Sister An's.

With a soft gasp, Yuruo blushed from her cheeks to her neck. His large hand kneaded her tender flesh gently, her body felt as if enchanted. As cool touch ventured under her blouse, grazing those two red beans, a soft whimper escaped her. "Lin San... don't!" she moaned, panting.

"Hush, don't be scared," Lin Wanrong reassured, swallowing. "I'm just giving you a physical examination." His hands continued their exploration, clasping her bosom, his fingers tracing her smooth skin. The subtle scent of her body amplified his desire. One hand encircled her slender waist, while the other ventured downward, seeking the curvaceous swell of her hips.

The Eldest Miss's figure was enchanting, her hips firm and elastic, smoother than the finest satin. He drew her closer, both hands caressing her rounded buttocks. Her lips parted as the sweet scent of her breath filled the air. She stared back at him, resignation in her eyes. She thought: whatever bond she had with him, she both loved and despised him. She'd willingly die for him. If he wanted to do something, she'd let him. Even if it led to her mother killing her, she'd have no regrets.

Feeling his hot hand slowly venture between her tense legs, her heart raced. Her chest heaved, her eyes closing. Long lashes trembled as two clear teardrops welled up, spilling out uncontrollably. Inwardly sighing, she awaited the inevitable moment with a mixture of bitterness and embarrassment. Yet, just then, Lin San chuckled, halting his movements and merely gazed at her.

Covering her eyes in embarrassment, she asked, "What are you doing, you... you scoundrel?"

Lin San sighed softly, pulling her into his embrace. "I almost forgot my principle, alas, I am not a man of casual relationships."

"You... you jerk!" She was a mix of embarrassment, anger, and a little bit of disappointment. She landed a punch on his shoulder, resentfully. "You've had your fun, and now you're speaking lightly of it. You... you..." She trailed off, emotions welling up. She leaned into his chest, whimpering softly.

Had it not been for the injection he received today, would he have reined in at the edge of the cliff so obediently? ‘Damn it, fairy sister, if I can't give you a shot, it's hard to quell the hatred in my heart.’ Seeing the Eldest Miss crying, Lin Wanrong chuckled and said righteously, "Ah, my relationship with the Eldest Miss is based on understanding. If you are unwilling to discuss these matters, then let's not mention them. I have Qingxuan, Qiaoqiao, and Xian'er, so some needs are easily met."

"You're courting death!" The Eldest Miss, hearing his nonsense, blushed and pinched his waist hard. She stole a glance at him and couldn't help but say, "Who said I was unwilling? It's just, just..."

"Just what?" Lin Wanrong asked curiously.

"If this matter isn't clearly explained to my mother, how can I be with you, be with you like that... You dead man, I hate you!" The Eldest Miss covered her cheeks with both hands, the heat on her face even making her small hands turn red. Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, feeling extremely pleased. The Eldest Miss was naturally independent and strong-willed. Although they often quarreled, it only added to the pleasure of conquest. If she were too submissive, it would lose the flavor of the past. It was better to let her maintain her nature.

Once the Madam was informed, and the Eldest Miss's temperament had been tempered enough, everything would fall into place. He would marry the Eldest Miss and the Second Miss, throw them on the bed, one on top, one below, one on the left, one on the right. Damn, he couldn't stand the thought. His eyes gleamed lasciviously as he looked at the Eldest Miss, daydreaming to the point of drooling…

—---

The fairy sister's injection, although it didn't cause significant consequences, and his little brother was still as upright as ever, the pain in his buttocks made him lie in bed for two days. Thinking about the half-pushing, half-yielding Eldest Miss, with her chest half-exposed and her jade body lying in front of him, he had actually played the gentleman. He wanted to beat his chest and cry out, "God, you're playing with me!"

During these two days, it was the Eldest Miss's maid, Huan'er, who took care of him. The wound was on his buttocks, a rather indecent location. According to the Eldest Miss's wishes, a male servant was supposed to apply medicine to him every day. Lin Wanrong was furious when he heard this. No one but a woman could touch his buttocks. The Eldest Miss was both amused and annoyed, so she had to send her own personal maid to take care of him.

Huan'er, a young girl who had just come of age, had never seen such a spectacle. She blushed and agreed, but she didn't even dare to enter the room, applying the ointment with her eyes closed. Several times, she almost applied it to his face instead of his buttocks. Lin Wanrong didn't mind. It was just applying ointment to his buttocks. What was the big deal? Tomorrow, he would help her apply it too, one patch per person.

As he had suspected, the injection had indeed been administered in the wrong place. Not only did it not cause him to lose his memory, but it also made him recite the names of several beauties a hundred times a day. Even Huan'er, hearing him call out for Madam Xiao, couldn't help but feel compassionate and said, "Brother San, did you lose your mother when you were young? Why else would you miss the Madam so much?" This made him both laugh and cry.

—---

The flower-viewing festival at the Grand Prime Minister Temple was about to begin, and the Eldest Miss had been kept on her toes for several days. Whenever she found time to visit him, she could barely sit still for a moment before someone would summon her away. This left Lin San feeling quite helpless. Since that night, the Eldest Miss would blush at his sight, as though the memory of his fingers lightly tracing her exposed bosom resurfaced. In public, she tried to maintain a perfect front, fearing that the likes of Sister Song might spot any hint of the affair. But the tenderness and charm that surfaced between her brows and eyes were undeniable, much to Lin Wanrong's amusement. He thought to himself, 'This is exactly how flirting should be - shy to speak, a show of half-hidden intentions. Now, this is fun.'

During the two days of recuperation, he pondered over the fairy sister's origins. If she really was An Biru's senior sister, the situation could become complicated. Leaving aside her martial arts skills and abilities, the immense influence she held over Qingxuan was a thorny issue. If the fairy sister had succumbed to the poison, Qingxuan might hold a grudge against him for the rest of her life. If she survived, she would undoubtedly try to drive a wedge between the two of them. The situation was difficult from both ends, leaving him in a quandary. At this moment, the only person he could negotiate with was the vixen An Biru. However, since the Eldest Miss stumbled upon their flirtation that night, An Biru vanished like a wisp of smoke, leaving no trace of her whereabouts. He sighed to himself, never had he missed that wily vixen as much as he did now.

—---

Within the Capital, the Grand Prime Minister Temple was the most prosperous, renowned far and wide for its incense-filled air. Its grand and splendid architecture was touted as "golden radiance outshining the misty clouds". The temple was a gathering place for high-ranking monks and famous scholars, and it also served as a bustling hub for trading and entertainment. Literati flocked in and out, as epitomized in a poem: "The Grand Prime Minister Temple is a world's marvel, its ladder to heaven lost in the clouds. Three thousand lamps light up in song, five hundred silken threads lost in the misty fog." Known as the finest temple in the land, the Grand Prime Minister Temple's reputation was indeed well-deserved.

This year, the first month arrived late. The tail end of winter was upon them, and with the warm spring breeze, the willows began to sprout new buds. It was a wonderful season, when all things revived. The annual flower viewing festival was to be held at the Grand Prime Minister Temple. During this time each year, scholars and maidens who had been dormant all winter began to emerge, ostensibly to admire the flowers, but in reality, to admire each other. This first grand event of early spring was affectionately given an interesting name: The Appreciation of Spring Festival.

"The Appreciation of Spring Festival? What a good name!" Lin San plucked a newly bloomed bayberry from the roadside and handed it to the budding young girl Huan’er with a smile. Lin Wanrong didn't know the history of the festival, but from Huan'er's explanation, he could see from the foot of the mountain that the area in front of the Grand Prime Minister Temple was bustling with people, and the maids were as beautiful as a painting. True to its name, the festival indeed celebrated the arrival of spring.

"Thank you, Brother San!" Huan'er blushed, a shy smile playing on her lips as she reached for the bayberry branch. However, Lin Wanrong, with a mischievous grin, plucked the single budding sprout from the branch and teased, "But, little Huan'er, your spring has not yet arrived. Don't be in a rush to welcome it."

"Brother San, you're so annoying!" Huan'er protested playfully. "The Eldest Miss instructed you to get to the temple early, and yet here you are, slacking off. If you miss the important affairs because of this flower-viewing festival, she won't let you off easily."

"It won't be delayed." Lin Wanrong reassured her, pointing ahead and saying, "Look, isn't that Sister Song and the others?"

Huan'er glanced in the direction he was pointing and saw Sister Song and her team distributing slips of paper to passing young ladies. Numerous women had already gathered nearby, examining the slips in their hands and whispering among themselves.

"Brother San, what are they holding?" Huan'er asked curiously.

"Oh, those are called flyers, a promotion strategy. Any lady who receives one can visit the temporary shop of the Xiao family in front of the Grand Prime Minister Temple and try out the perfume for free," Lin Wanrong explained with a smile. This rather cliched promotional method from his time was quite innovative in this era. The concept of perfume was still novel to many, and seeing such a unique promotion sparked their interest. In no time, the area in front of the temporary tent set up by the Xiao family was packed with people.

"Huan'er, isn't this called a flower-viewing festival? Where are the flowers?" Lin Wanrong looked around curiously, only to see a sea of people, but no flowers in sight.

Huan'er giggled, "The Grand Prime Minister Temple, the flower-viewing festival - the flowers are naturally in the temple. Brother San, this festival is quite lively. You'll understand once you go in—"

"Make way, make way—" Several loud shouts interrupted Huan'er's explanation. A troop of guards slowly ascended the hill, escorting a group of palanquins that rushed forward.

The palanquins moved in line, not more than several feet apart. As Lin Wanrong's gaze swept over the middle two, his face suddenly drained of color.

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