Finest Servant

Chapter 411 Peach Blossom Rain

"You, you are Lin San?" Liu Shiyuan's face turned pale, and he retreated a few steps, looking closely at Lin Wanrong, fixing his eyes on him, and urgently cried, "Defeating the King of Couplet of the Seven Northern Provinces, the champion of the Jinling Poetry Contest, the bandit-suppressing hero of Shandong, the one who suppressed the Turkic national tutor Lu Dongzan in the capital, and the Lin San who made the fish leap over the dragon gate on Weishan Lake—is that you?" He was clearly familiar with Lin Wanrong's deeds, obviously having heard of his name.

"It is indeed I," Lin Wanrong said, squinting with a smile, "Merely a notorious figure, Brother Bullshit, you flatter me."

Liu Shiyuan glanced at Xiao Qingxuan and suddenly nodded, "Excellent, just excellent. Brother Lin, your name is well-known, and I have admired you for a long time. Today, seeing you in person, your reputation is indeed well-deserved. Even Junior Sister Xiao treats you with great respect. Taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I wish to learn a thing or two from you."

"Learn?" Lin Wanrong laughed, "Brother Bullshit, what do you wish to learn from me? If it's about poetry and prose, forget it; I haven't been involved in that for many years. If you're interested, go buy a collection of Lin San's works on the street. They are beautifully printed and don't cost much. Couplet, poetry, jokes, none are missing, and it's worth every penny. Buy ten, and you can get one free."

Liu Shiyuan proudly replied, "There are many fame-seekers in this world, and those poems can be fabricated by others as well. Brother Lin, with your great talent, why not teach me something? Could it be that Sister Xiao's chosen husband is a coward? That would be a laughingstock."

Xiao Qingxuan's face changed, her sleeves fluttering slightly as she coldly said, "Senior Brother Liu, my husband's reputation is bestowed by the world, reflecting his courage and wisdom. His experiences are well-known, and not something your baseless slanders can obtain. I'm grateful for your affection towards me, but if you insult My Dear, I won't let you off."

Within the sacred place, Xiao Qingxuan's beauty was breathtaking, her demeanor elegant, a fairy-like figure. Seeing the fairy angry, Liu Shiyuan felt as though he was pierced by ten thousand needles. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Zhiqing snorted, "Young Master Liu, it wasn't my place to interrupt your conversation with Miss Xiao. But your contempt for Lin San is your own disgrace. Lin San's reputation is widespread, acknowledged by all, and well-documented. It's the result of his own hard work, not something your words can deny. If you think you can fabricate it, try it if you can! Not to mention others, my father and I both respect him wholeheartedly. To be frank, with his reputation and honor, challenging him is beyond your qualifications."

Xu Zhiqing's face was icy, her heart's grief having no outlet, and when she saw this Liu fellow daring to challenge Lin San, her anger erupted uncontrollably. Her words were eloquent and left Liu Shiyuan's face both red and white, unable to make a sound. As Miss Xu had said, with Lin San's reputation, Liu Shiyuan was far from being his match.

"Sister, I'm infinitely grateful for your support of My Dear," Xiao Qingxuan took Miss Xu's hand, smiled faintly, and said gratefully.

Xu Zhiqing's face turned red, and she hurriedly lowered her head, speaking softly, "I only spoke out because I couldn't stand others being so overbearing, not specifically to defend Lin San. Miss Xiao, please don't misunderstand."

Xiao Qingxuan glanced at her, shaking her head with a light smile, and took Lin Wanrong's hand, playfully saying, "You fool, being friends with Sister Xu must be the result of many lifetimes of good fortune."

"I've always been straightforward with Miss Xu," Lin Wanrong nodded and laughed, looking very honest. Xu Zhiqing sighed inwardly; he was only playing the fool in front of Miss Xiao, while in front of others, he was like a ferocious wolf.

On the other side, Liu Shiyuan, seeing the two women and one man talking, all appearing quite intimate, felt increasingly bitter as he was left out. He shouted, "Junior Sister, even if you're married, I must finish what I have to say today. Since I first met you more than ten years ago, I have been deeply in love, constantly thinking about you. I've studied hard, even becoming the best in literary writing, all to earn a word of praise from you. I've lingered outside this garden every day just to catch a glimpse of you, and even the servants know of my feelings. Yet, Junior Sister, you were entirely devoted to your studies and treated everyone with indifference. I've kept these feelings hidden, afraid to upset you. I planned to express my years of longing before the big day tomorrow, but I didn't know you'd already secretly chosen a husband—"

Tears rolled down Liu Shiyuan's cheeks, his expression impassioned as he loudly continued, "I have no reason to live. Even if I become a wandering soul, I'll still surround you, Junior Sister, I'm going now—"

With that, his eyes filled with determination, he threw himself like a fierce tiger at a nearby tree, intending to end his life.

Lin Wanrong had grown impatient listening and, seeing Liu's intent, kicked him in the rear. Liu Shiyuan's body twisted, missing the tree trunk, and he fell to the ground.

Xiao Qingxuan had not expected Liu Shiyuan to be so impulsive. She frowned, smiled bitterly, and said, "My Dear, you saved his life this way, but he may not appreciate your kindness."

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I don't have time to save his life; I actually intended to assist him just now. Who would have thought my kick would be off, and instead of helping him, I saved him? It's incredibly annoying; it seems I need to practice my martial arts more."

"You better not learn martial arts," Xu Zhiqing interjected with a huff. "You're already bullying others enough as it is; if you learn martial arts, won't you become a tyrant?"

Xiao Qingxuan laughed, "Sister, don't worry. As long as I'm here, he won't dare to do anything to you."

Xu Zhiqing's heart jumped, and she hurriedly said, "Miss Xiao, what should we do with this Senior Brother of yours? Such a man, although handsome, is narrow-minded and extreme, truly difficult to reform."

Xiao Qingxuan glanced at Lin Wanrong, who smiled and said, "Forget it, forget it. Let me be the villain." He took the sword beside Xiao Qingxuan and slowly walked towards Liu Shiyuan.

Xu Zhiqing was startled, asking, "What is he going to do?"

Xiao Qingxuan gave a relaxed smile, softly saying, "Whatever he wants to do, let him do it. If he's constantly restrained, he wouldn't be My Dear."

With just one sentence, Xu Zhiqing was filled with shame and embarrassment. The one who knew Lin San best and understood him most was none other than Miss Xiao, who was like a fairy.

Lin Wanrong walked slowly and gracefully to the side of Liu Shiyuan, crouched down, and grinned, "Talented brother, what's happened to you?"

Liu Shiyuan roared angrily, "Mind your own business, let me die!"

"Die? That's quite easy," Lin Wanrong laughed. "Talented brother, look, what's this?"

Liu Shiyuan looked up to see Lin San's ferocious face, holding a long sword. With a swish, the sharp blade was drawn, the cold sword tip flashing like lightning towards his forehead.

"Ah—" Liu Shiyuan let out a miserable scream, instinctively dodging, rolling several times on the ground, covered in mud and grass. He glared at him and shouted angrily, "You, you—"

"Me? What about me?" Lin Wanrong raised an eyebrow, his long sword swishing as it stabbed into the tree trunk. He shouted loudly, "Don't you like to die? Then come on, bash your head against a tree, let the blood spatter, how heroic and inspiring! Many noble and virtuous people in ancient times chose this way to die, Talented brother, you're no exception, right?"

Seeing Lin San's sneering face, Liu Shiyuan unconsciously stepped back, biting his teeth, about to charge into the tree again. But he saw Lin San draw the precious sword with a swish, laughing twice, and then reinsert it into the tree trunk. The bright blade was so dazzling that it was difficult to keep one's eyes open. His heart pounded, a sense of cowardice spontaneously arising.

"Charge," Lin Wanrong said, smiling as he approached Liu Shiyuan. His face was kind and gentle. When he came closer, he suddenly lifted Liu Shiyuan's body, his voice rising sharply, "Charge, damn you, just do it!"

Liu Shiyuan was frightened, retreating several steps with a pale face, "You, you—"

Lin Wanrong did not deign to look at him and laughed out loud, "Brother Liu, Miss Xu was right. You and I are not of the same level. How did I marry Qingxuan, such a beautiful and gentle fairy? Was it because of those rumors you heard? Think with your brain. I stand here not because of my abundant knowledge or broad-mindedness, but my perseverance. In this world, I am like a stone squeezed out of a crack. I have nothing, and I fear nothing. Mount Tai could fall and not crush me, I could not be hacked on Mount Dangtu, not be blown apart by thousands of cannons. What I have been through, you can't imagine in ten lifetimes. I can be defeated, utterly crushed, but I won't die. I am like a lump of clay; anyone can knead or step on me. I will become the earth when I lie down, and a standing spear when I stand up, standing tall and never giving up—I am a cockroach, who am I afraid of? If you want to compare with me, go back and learn for another two hundred years."

Xu Zhiqing was stunned. During her time with Lin San, she had only seen him jesting and laughing, even when dealing with significant matters like investigating the loss of official silver in Shandong. He never seemed serious, but today's words were passionate and stirring, almost like a summary of his twenty-odd years of life. Somehow, Miss Xu's heart was filled with sadness, and she murmured, "Is everything he said true?"

Xiao Qingxuan wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and sighed softly, "My Dear has sorrows in his heart; he just never speaks of them."

Xu Zhiqing snorted, annoyed, and said, "Miss Xiao, even if everything else is true, saying that he popped out from the cracks of a rock, isn't that infuriating?"

Xiao Qingxuan smiled faintly, responding, "I know his nature; he speaks falsely on trivial matters, but is honest on important ones. He is my husband; if he says it, I believe it!"

Xu Zhiqing was stunned. It had seemed that Miss Xiao had kept Lin San in check, but now, it sounded like Lin San was the one dominating Miss Xiao.

Seeing her confusion, Xiao Qingxuan took her hand, speaking with slight apology, "Sister, My Dear and I have been apart for some time, with no one beside him. Thank you for taking care of him. I know my husband well; he might not do great evils, but he never ceases with his petty mischief. Sister, you must have suffered a lot from him. Don't worry, if we both survive this time, I'll be sure to restrain him and not let him trouble you again."

‘You do indeed know your husband,’ Xu Zhiqing thought bitterly, smiling, but not knowing how to reply, and fell silent.

Observing Lin San's ferocious expression, yet with eyes that seemed both sad and joyful, Miss Xiao stared blankly at Lin San. Her eyes were filled with deep love. Liu Shiyuan's heart turned to ashes, and he suddenly fell to the ground, crying out in grief.

"All done, let's wrap it up," Lin Wanrong placed the long sword on the table, smiling at Qingxuan and Miss Xu. "Now, Talented Brother won't seek death anymore. Ah, to save a life is better than building a seven-tiered pagoda. Save two more, and I can become a Bodhisattva."

"Is this saving him? It seems more merciful to kill him," Miss Xu chuckled. "There's no greater sorrow than a dead heart. You've beaten him down so; even if Young Master Liu survives by chance, he will be but a walking corpse. Miss Xiao, your husband's invisible killing is truly terrifying."

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head, smiling bitterly without replying. Xu Zhiqing glanced at Lin San, her eyes misting over, and sighed softly, "The most pitiable in the world are those full of passion, and this Brother Liu is indeed pitiable."

"Sister, don't sigh," Xiao Qingxuan said calmly. "I've always been this way since childhood; even an outstanding man wouldn't catch my eye. Perhaps Brother Liu has strong feelings for me, but that doesn't mean I have to respond in kind. It's not that I'm heartless; I simply feel no obligation to do so. To allow him to continue misunderstanding would be ungracious."

"Exactly, exactly, that's the way. Cut the Gordian knot, and then we can rest easy," Lin Wanrong embraced Qingxuan's waist, strongly agreeing.

"Don't be too pleased," Xiao Qingxuan gave him a glance, "If we talk about cutting the Gordian knot, you're the very example of a dull knife. Ambiguously entangled, who knows how many women you've attracted? How can there be such a blunt knife as you in the world?"

Knowing he couldn't hide these matters from Qingxuan, Lin Wanrong helplessly spread his hands and grinned, "I'm too charming; there's nothing I can do about it. Actually, I've been quite honest, never actively pursuing other young ladies. Miss Xu can testify to that."

Xiao Qingxuan laughed, "Don't make Miss Xu perjure herself; it will put her in a difficult position. If I can leave the mountain, I'll cut these entangled ropes for you, to ease your mind."

‘Since the First Wife has returned, Jang Geum Dongsaeng, our game is over. Miss Xu, you should give up your foolish dreams.’ Lin Wanrong's heart was bleeding, but the smile he managed to squeeze out on his face was radiant as he said, "Of course, of course.”

Liu Shiyuan had been crying for half a day. When he came to his senses, he was dazed and confused, his eyes lifeless, looking like a ghost who had lost its soul. He glanced blankly at the three of them, then turned and left. Lin Wanrong exclaimed, "Such a high mountain. I don't know if this talented brother might stumble and fall. Let me clarify, I have nothing to do with this. Miss Xu, you must testify for me."

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head and smiled, her expression slightly somber, "Stop fooling around. Once Brother Liu leaves, I'm afraid the entire Fairy Hall will know about us. My Dear, you grabbed my hand, oh, I told you to hold my hand, not to hug me—"

Chided tenderly by his wife, Lin Wanrong felt his bones go soft. He released her slender waist, his face bashful, and smiled, "I just didn't hear clearly, and misunderstood for a moment."

Such an excuse could only be thought of by Master Lin. Qingxuan frolicked with him, her heart warm. She held his hand tightly and said softly, "I broke my promise and married you. I must face others whether in life or death, I no longer care, only wishing to be forever by your side. Since we have done it, we must be brave enough to bear it. This peach garden, beautiful as it is, is not where we can stay long. Although Qingxuan is wrong, she is not weak. Let us walk out openly and proudly!"

Lin Wanrong took her hand, naturally placing her behind him, and laughed, "Naturally. I'm taking my wife home. Why would we need to sneak around?"

As Xiao Qingxuan walked, her belly slightly bulged. Xu Zhiqing, who knew medicine, exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Xiao, you are pregnant—"

Xiao Qingxuan nodded with a smile, caressing her belly, a gentle and sacred maternal glow on her face, "This is my child, he is with us."

No wonder Lin San was so pleased; it was indeed a double celebration. Xu Zhiqing's lips trembled a few times, and she silently said, "Miss Xiao, congratulations."

Lin Wanrong laughed, "Congratulations to us all, Miss Xu, remember to come for the sweet soup and red eggs."

Xiao Qingxuan's face flushed as she playfully hit him and then held his hand tighter, coquettishly smiling, "My Dear, do you find me beautiful?"

Xiao Qingxuan's eyebrows were like spring water, her face as if powdered, her beauty unmatched in the world. Her pale yellow palace dress made her appear even more graceful and distinguished. Lin Wanrong stared, dumbfounded and foolish, murmuring, "So beautiful it's bubbling."

Qingxuan blushed and smiled shyly, swinging her long sword with force. The peach blossoms in the garden were suddenly stirred into a dance, like a shower of peach blossoms, spreading and sprinkling, flying towards them.

"Wow, it's raining, peach blossom rain!" Lin Wanrong grabbed her hand and laughed out loud.

Xiao Qingxuan held his hand, swinging her long sword rapidly. The colorful flower petals fluttering in the air slowly descended, forming a pathway leading straight to the door. As the dance progressed, Xiao Qingxuan let out a gentle rebuke, and her long sword flew from her hand, shooting straight into the treetops. The hilt of the sword buried itself, causing the branches to tremble slightly.

Xu Zhiqing was dumbfounded. This Miss Xiao was indeed like a celestial being.

"The sword was bestowed by Fairy Hall and must not be taken away, nor used against my brothers and sisters," Xiao Qingxuan said with a gentle smile, turning to Xu Zhiqing, "Sister Xu, come here."

Xu Zhiqing came to her side, and Xiao Qingxuan took hold of her small hand, the other hand tightly grasping Lin Wanrong. A sweet smile spread across her face as she resolutely said, "My Dear, you lead us away!"

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