Finest Servant

Chapter 410 Once United by Heaven and Earth, We Will Never be Parted!

"Lin San, Lin San—" From outside the courtyard, a woman's anxious call suddenly rang out. Xiao Qingxuan's expression changed slightly, and she pulled Lin Wanrong behind her to shield him.

Seeing Qingxuan protecting him this way, Lin Wanrong's heart was touched, and he hurriedly took her small hand, softly saying, "Don't worry, she's my friend."

"Your friend?" Qingxuan sighed. "Your journey up the mountain has already been arduous enough. Why should you let someone else trouble themselves for our sake, especially a woman?"

‘Telling her not to come would have been a hundred times harder than having her come.’ Lin Wanrong patted Qingxuan's little hand, smiling, "It's okay, Miss Xu is no outsider. Let me introduce you. Miss Xu, I'm over here—"

Xu Zhiqing's face was filled with anxiety as she hurried over, and the first thing she saw was the woman standing beside Lin Wanrong. With skin as white as snow, cherry-red lips, an extremely beautiful face, and a quiet and elegant demeanor, her cloud-like hair scattered in the wind, she seemed like a celestial being who had fallen to earth, making others feel ashamed of their appearance.

Xu Zhiqing stared in amazement. Was this extraordinarily beautiful woman Lin San's wife? Although she prided herself on her looks and intellect, in front of this noble woman who resembled a banished fairy, she could not help but feel a little inferior.

"Is this Miss Xu?" Xiao Qingxuan took Lin Wanrong's hand and smiled slightly, her demeanor gracious and graceful, outshining all flowers. "I have only just reunited with My Dear today, and in my excitement, I have forgotten my manners. If I have been remiss in my treatment of you, Sister, I hope you will forgive me."

A single call of "My Dear" made Lin Wanrong's heart blossom with joy. He felt a tingle inside and hurriedly said with a beaming smile, "Qingxuan, there's no need for such formality. We are all family here. Miss Xu is the daughter of the world's number one scholar, Mr. Xu Wei, and her learning and insight are no less than Mr. Xu's."

Xiao Qingxuan's beautiful eyes moved, and she glanced at him, then smiled at Xu Zhiqing, saying, "So, Sister, you are the daughter of the great literary master, the first extraordinary woman of our great country. I have long admired your name. Had fate not delayed us, Qingxuan would have met you long ago."

‘No wonder Lin San is so concerned about Xiao Qingxuan. This Miss Xiao's beauty and grace are unparalleled in the world, far beyond me.’ Xu Zhiqing sighed inwardly and gently stepped forward, softly saying, "Miss Xiao is too kind. I am just a woman, with nothing extraordinary about me. But you, Miss, with your celestial bearing and graceful demeanor, like a white lotus that has washed away the dust of the world, make me feel utterly inferior. Lin San, if you ever wrong this angelic woman, you will surely incur the wrath of heaven and earth."

‘Nonsense! She's my wife, my child's mother; how could I not love her?’ Even Xu Zhiqing has to bow to Qingxuan's charm, which appeals to both men and women. Lin Wanrong took Qingxuan's hand and laughed, "You can rest assured on that account. My greatest virtue is loving my wife."

Xiao Qingxuan's face turned slightly red, and she softly said, "Don't talk nonsense, lest Miss Xu laugh at us. Sister, My Dear has always been like this; please don't think him frivolous."

‘This is considered frivolous? More "frivolous" deeds, your husband has done many.’ Xu Zhiqing sighed softly without speaking. Lin Wanrong said, "Miss Xu, you were calling me earlier. Is there something wrong?"

Xu Zhiqing let out a cry of "Oh!" Her expression turned anxious, and she hurriedly said, "I was just outside and saw someone coming this way. I don't know if it's urgent or not."

Qingxuan's face tightened, and she glanced at Lin Wanrong. Lin Wanrong shook his head firmly, and Xiao Qingxuan sighed. Turning to Xu Zhiqing with a slight smile, she calmly said, "Thank you for your kindness, sister. It might have been urgent just now, but it's no longer important. My Dear and I share life and death, fortune and misfortune together. Nothing else can come between us." A lotus-like smile surfaced on her face, dignified and pure. Lin Wanrong, filled with joy, held her hand, and the two were full of affection and unspeakable sweetness.

Xu Zhiqing felt a pang of emotion and quickly turned her head away. "Miss Xiao, hearing you say that reassures me. I wish you both a hundred years of blissful marriage and a lifetime together."

No sooner had her voice fallen than a clear male voice rang from outside the garden, "Junior Sister Xiao, are you in there?"

The only junior sister surnamed Xiao in the garden was naturally Xiao Qingxuan. Lin Wanrong glanced outside, spotting the edge of a white garment fluttering near the gate. The man had not yet entered the garden, presumably waiting for Xiao Qingxuan to speak.

"It's Senior Brother Liu!" Xiao Qingxuan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she gave a bitter smile, shaking her head. She grabbed Lin Wanrong's hand and asked softly, "Husband, should we let him in?"

‘This Senior Brother Liu seemed quite obedient, but he dared to call my wife 'junior sister,' as if I wouldn't beat him for that.’ Lin Wanrong laughed, feigning indifference, "Let him in, it's windy and rainy outside, cold enough. Don't want him to freeze. Ah, generous men like me are a rare breed nowadays."

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head, smiling, and pinched his hand, calling out to the garden, "Senior Brother Liu, what do you want with me?"

Senior Brother Liu's voice carried urgency, "Junior Sister Xiao, I heard two people come up the mountain, a man and a woman. I'm afraid they might harm you, so I came to check on you."

‘How ridiculous, wanting to see my wife with such a lame excuse!’ Lin Wanrong was irritated, chuckling without saying a word.

Xiao Qingxuan seemed to know Lin Wanrong's feelings and smiled at him, calmly saying, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I am fine. Please go back."

A silence hung outside the garden, lasting for quite some time before Senior Brother Liu's voice came again, "Junior Sister Xiao, I have something urgent to discuss with you. Please let me in to talk."

‘This Senior Brother's face is indeed thick,’ thought Lin Wanrong, clenching his fist and humming, "Qingxuan, has this Senior Brother Liu ever practiced martial arts?"

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head, "Senior Brother Liu is a scholar and doesn't practice martial arts. Why do you ask?"

"That's good to know." Lin Wanrong smiled, "Such a scholar, I could beat seven or eight of them with my fists and feet. If he keeps chattering outside and interrupts me and my wife's conversation, I won't be polite."

Qingxuan laughed, holding him back, "Don't talk nonsense. Your martial arts are mediocre. What if you hurt yourself in a fight?"

"Junior Sister Xiao—" Senior Brother Liu, waiting outside for a long time with no response, became somewhat agitated, "Please forgive my rashness. But I have something to say today, and if I miss today, I will regret it forever. This Peach and Plum Garden is a sacred place to me. You've never allowed me in, but today's matter is urgent. Even if you scold me a thousand times, I'll accept it."

Lin Wanrong blinked in disbelief. ‘Grandmother's, pursuing my wife openly in front of me? Do you think I'm just thin air?’ He was about to rush forward, but Xiao Qingxuan slightly smiled and took hold of his hand, saying, "You can't even bear this slight indignity? From my childhood till now, I have met countless men and never shown a pleasant face to any of them. But then I met you—"

A gentle blush spread across her face as she looked at Lin Wanrong and gave a coquettish smile. Her voice soft, she called to the outside, "Senior Brother Liu, please come in!"

Outside, a young gentleman approached, of average build, dressed in white, his hair bound with a light blue silk scarf. His eyebrows were like drawn swords, his nose like a gallnut, walking with calm and composed temperament, graceful and elegant, resembling the looks of Pan An, and the style of Song Yu. [TL: Both are extraordinarily handsome men in ancient China.]

Upon seeing the vigorous and spirited appearance of Senior Brother Liu, Lin Wanrong felt a surge of annoyance. ‘What's so special about nice clothes? It was probably your parents who paid for them; what's there to be arrogant about? If you've got guts, take them off and compare!’

Xu Zhiqing glanced at Lin San and then at Senior Brother Liu, suddenly covering her lips with a chuckle. Lin Wanrong looked at her curiously, "What are you laughing at?"

Miss Xu's face turned slightly red as she haughtily replied, "This Senior Brother Liu surpasses you in looks and grace. Miss Qingxuan taking a liking to you is truly a blessing you've cultivated over several lifetimes."

Lin Wanrong paid no heed, laughing, "Looks and grace? Miss Xu, if you had seen me losing my temper, you wouldn't say that. Ask Qingxuan what I looked like when she first met me?"

Recalling their first encounter by Xuanwu Lake and how he had bullied her, Xiao Qingxuan's face turned a shade redder. Yet her heart was filled with warmth, and she gently smiled at him, holding his hand, expressing all her affection wordlessly.

Seeing the understanding between them, Miss Xu sighed softly. Lin San's unruly nature could only be tamed by a lady like Miss Xiao, who was detached from worldly conventions. Luckily, someone was there to keep him in line; otherwise, with his wild and bullying ways, few women in this world could escape his clutches. Miss Xu's face flushed, and her heart was filled with a mixture of emotions.

"Junior Sister Xiao—" A sudden call broke the sweetness between the two. Lin Wanrong snorted in annoyance and looked up to see Senior Brother Liu staring intently at him, his face flashing with surprise, anger, and jealousy. At least, this Senior Brother Liu's manners were still decent, tightly clenching his teeth without exploding.

‘See, kid, you've never seen someone so handsome, have you?’ Lin Wanrong grinned, carelessly saluting in mock respect, "Wow, I haven't seen such a handsome talent in a long time, almost catching up with me!"

Senior Brother Liu was taken aback, unfamiliar with Lin Wanrong's playful and unserious demeanor. He thought that Junior Sister wouldn't like someone with such a bizarre style. Feeling a bit lucky, he forced a smile and quickly returned the salute, "I dare not, I dare not!"

"Yes, yes!" Lin Wanrong giggled and said, "I've roamed the world of martial artists for over ten years, always looking for someone handsome but never finding anyone. Who would've thought that today, on this visit, I'd unexpectedly come across a brilliant fellow like you, just dripping with handsomeness? It's truly fate. Brilliant fellow, may I ask for your esteemed name and your age this year?"

"My name is Liu Shiyuan, aged twenty-two, and I am the eighth-ranked disciple of the Fairy Hall's Literary School," Senior Brother Liu hastily said. "But may I know who this distinguished brother is—"

"So, it's Brother Bullshit [TL: Homonym with ‘Senior Brother Liu’]." Lin Wanrong laughed and said, "I am Fairy Ning's nominal disciple from the Fairy Hall's Martial School, diligently studying the thirty-six scattered hands of Dong Xuanzi. I specialize in victory with a single strike, wandering the Jianghu for many years. My brothers on the road have given me a nickname, 'Fast Sensation Cannon God.'"

[TL: It has a modern slang, meaning ‘Exciting Master of Seduction.’]

"Fast Sensation Cannon God?" This nickname was quite unique indeed. Liu Shiyuan quickly responded with a fist salute, "I have heard much of you, much indeed. So, you're a Junior Brother from Martial School. Oh, has Fairy Ning returned? I have never heard of the Fairy Ning accepting male disciples."

"Indeed, Fairy Ning does not accept male disciples." Lin Wanrong said with a mysterious smile, "But I have some connections with the Martial School, and because of her love for the School, she took me as a nominal disciple. Just a nominal one, nothing more. It's all about sending gifts on holidays and receiving New Year's money, that's all."

Xiao Qingxuan listened to his nonsense and felt amused. She quickly pulled him and chided lovingly, "Don't talk nonsense. If Master hears you, you'll have to bear the consequences."

Hearing Qingxuan and this Senior Brother Liu's conversation, and understanding that Fairy Ning had not yet returned, Lin Wanrong's heart sank a little, but he did not show it and smiled without speaking.

Seeing the "Fast Sensation Cannon God" acting intimately with Junior Sister Xiao, Liu Shiyuan's heart tightened. His eyes fell on Xiao Qingxuan, and he softly said, "Junior Sister, these two are—"

Xiao Qingxuan smiled slightly and took Xu Zhiqing's hand, "This young lady is the world's number one scholar, Mr. Wen Chang's daughter, and also our Great Hua's number one exceptional woman, Miss Xu Zhiqing."

"You are Miss Xu from Jinghua Academy?" Senior Brother Liu was astonished, and quickly bowed deeply, "Miss, I have long admired your great name. Meeting you today is truly a fortunate occasion in this life."

Xu Zhiqing calmly returned the salute, "Young Master Liu, you flatter me. Zhiqing is but a common woman, undeserving of such praise."

Seeing Liu Shiyuan's gaze fall on Lin Wanrong again, Xiao Qingxuan lightly smiled, holding Lin Wanrong's hand tightly, their fingers interlocking. She looked at Lin Wanrong tenderly and said firmly, "As for this man, he is my lifelong and inseparable husband—"

"Junior Sister, what did you say? He is your husband?" Liu Shiyuan's face turned pale, as if struck by a hammer, and he staggered back a few steps, staring blankly at their intertwined hands, like a man stunned.

Xiao Qingxuan said calmly, "Senior Brother Liu, everyone in the Fairy Hall knows that Qingxuan has practiced diligently since childhood, indifferent to the men of the world. However, fate played a trick on me. I encountered my husband in Jinling, and since then, I have been hopelessly entangled. Breaking my past promise, I know I'm at fault, but even if there are countless trials, My Dear and I will face them together. Living in the same bed, dying in the same tomb, once united by heaven and earth, we will never be parted!"

Lin Wanrong listened, a mix of joy and sorrow overwhelming him. He hastily grabbed her small hand, wanting to say something. His lips moved a few times, but he could not utter a single word.

Xiao Qingxuan tightly held Lin Wanrong's large hand, smiling gently, "My Dear, you are my husband, so please tell Senior Brother Liu your full name."

Xu Zhiqing, standing to the side, listened with a heavy heart and astonishment. This one sentence was no different from pushing Lin San to declare war against the Fairy Hall. But this fool, Lin San, probably would dare to poke a hole in the sky for Miss Xiao. Xu Zhiqing shook her head and sighed lightly. Unknowingly, tears began to flow freely.

This was the day he had been waiting for. Lin Wanrong's blood boiled with excitement, and he laughed loudly, "My name is Lin San, and I am the number one servant of the Xiao family in Jinling Prefecture!"

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