Finest Servant

Chapter 235 Reluctant Farewell

Having packed his bags and taken one last look at his modest room, Lin Wanrong turned to leave. However, after only a few steps, he saw a petite figure standing ahead; it was none other than Eldest Miss Xiao. The lady stood expressionless, giving him a slight hum.

“Why, Eldest Miss, you’re up so early. I appreciate your dedication.” Lin Wanrong greeted her with a playful laugh.

Eldest Miss Xiao hummed again, glancing at his well-packed bag, “Aren’t you the one who woke up even earlier? I had no idea where you vanished to yesterday. I wanted to discuss something with you, but you were nowhere to be found.”

“Busy — that’s all,” Lin Wanrong chuckled. “Whatever you wanted to discuss, you can tell me now. I assure you, I am all ears.”

Eldest Miss Xiao sighed softly, looked at him, and asked quietly, “So, you’re leaving?”

Lin Wanrong smiled, “So, you know?”

Eldest Miss Xiao nodded, “How could I not know about such an important matter? My mother explained it to me in detail yesterday. I tried to find you, but you were nowhere to be found. Where on earth did you wander off to?”

Sweating a little, he thought to himself, ‘I wasn’t wandering aimlessly; I was in the bridal chamber, which is quite legitimate.’ Before he could reply, he heard Eldest Miss Xiao’s gentle voice, “Did you pack everything, got everything prepared? Don’t forget any important items. The weather is getting cold; bring more clothes to avoid catching a cold.”

With a surprised look, Lin Wanrong replied, “Yes, I have packed everything. Thank you for your concern, Eldest Miss.”

Eldest Miss Xiao looked at him helplessly, “Conducting business outside is not the same as at home, where you can get away with everything. You’re lazy and like to draw attention. You need to be more discreet and avoid provoking others unnecessarily. Although Mr. Xu values you, you should remain humble and avoid conflicts whenever possible. If you encounter any difficulties, don’t argue with others; just bear it. When you are away, it’s not wealth or honor that matter, but safety. Remember this well, don’t make us… worry.”

His heart warmed at these words. Uncharacteristically, Lin Wanrong nodded earnestly, “Thank you for your concern, Eldest Miss, I understand.”

“Return as soon as you finish your task. There are many things at home to handle, between the workshop and the store, I can’t manage it all by myself,” said Eldest Miss Xiao, with a melancholy tone. She knew that Xu Wei had taken Lin Wanrong to handle some business, but she didn’t know exactly what.

‘How could I say that this is a military affair?’ Lin Wanrong replied with a wry smile, “I will try to return as soon as possible. As for the workshop, you can give orders to Si De and Xiao Feng. If anyone dares to disobey you, I will deal with them when I return.”

Eldest Miss Xiao couldn’t help but laugh and feel a little frustrated. She glared at him lightly, “You’re the most disobedient one. If someone needs to be disciplined, it should be you first.”

“Discipline me? Would Eldest Miss be willing to do that?” Lin Wanrong brazenly chuckled.

Eldest Miss Xiao’s heart fluttered, and a blush tinged with a hint of anger flushed her face. “You! After a few words, you start fooling around again. Who said I couldn’t do without you? I might feel sorry for a stray cat or dog, but certainly not for you.”

“Fine, I concede that I might have a soft spot for you.” Lin Wanrong chuckled, “Eldest Miss, I’ve been around you for some time and I’ve come to realize that you’re actually not too bad. You’re beautiful, have a great figure, and are capable and sometimes quite thoughtful. Of course, there are some shortcomings, such as being a bit too prideful, a tad cold, and having a poor temper. But those, I think, can be tolerated.”

Upon hearing the first part, Xiao Yuruo’s face bloomed with shyness, but upon reaching the latter part, her face turned exceedingly grim, gritting her teeth as she said, “You, do you ever feel at peace without annoying me once a day?”

“Alright, alright, I was just kidding.” Lin Wanrong laughed and glanced at the sky, whispering, “It’s getting late. I fear that Brother Gao Qiu has already arrived. I must be going.”

Hearing his words, Eldest Miss Xiao dropped her annoyance and nodded slightly, whispering back, “I will accompany you out.”

They entered the main hall together where Gao Qiu had indeed already arrived, with even Eldest Miss Xiao’s younger sister waiting there. Lin Wanrong greeted Gao Qiu with a fist-in-palm salute and turned to Xiao Yushuang, speaking softly, “Didn’t we agree yesterday that you wouldn’t see me off today?”

The Second Miss Xiao’s eyes turned red, “I just wanted to see you.”

Lin Wanrong gave her a soft smile. Given the presence of Eldest Miss Xiao and Gao Qiu, he couldn’t comfort her openly and instead chuckled, “I understand. I promise to return as soon as possible.”

Eldest Miss Xiao addressed Gao Qiu formally, “Mr. Gao, we entrust Lin San’s journey to you. He is honest and straightforward but not very eloquent. We ask that you look after him. The Xiao family is deeply grateful.”

Gao Qiu broke out in cold sweat. Honest, straightforward, not very eloquent? Did that describe Lin San at all? Regardless, he had to play along with Miss Xiao’s claim. He nodded, “Rest assured, Miss Xiao, Brother Lin and I share similar interests. We will take care of each other.”

Grateful, Eldest Miss Xiao smiled. The sisters joined hands and saw the two men out.

As Lin San swung himself onto his horse, the Second Miss Xiao’s heart ached. She ran to him and threatened, “If you dare to forget about me, beware that I might ignore you forever.”

Startled by her forceful warning, Lin Wanrong winked at her, “Don’t worry, I will remember you two.”

Upon hearing his “you two”, The Eldest Miss’ face turned a bit bashful. She glanced at him but said nothing.

Lin Wanrong and Gao Qiu mounted their horses and addressed the sisters, “Eldest Miss, Second Miss, it’s cold outside. Please go back and rest. I will return soon.”

After riding some distance and turning back to look, the two lovely figures were still standing outside the mansion, gazing at them.

Gao Qiu laughed, “Brother Lin, the Xiao sisters indeed care deeply about you. I envy you so much.”

Lin Wanrong sighed, “I’ve tried my best to restrain my charm. It seems I’ve utterly failed.”

Gao Qiu burst into laughter. Indeed, Lin San’s words could shock the heavens and make ghosts weep.

The two spurred their horses out of the city. Before long, they reached the foot of Zijin Mountain, where Gao Qiu suddenly halted his horse and suggested, “Brother, let’s take a short break here.”

A break? Lin Wanrong was startled. They had just left the city, why would they need a rest? As he wondered, he heard the faint twang of a stringed instrument and a delightful song drawing near, slowly reaching his ears. 

The ancestral feast ends in a parting song, and the long pavilion bids farewell to the banquet. The scent of dust, already separated, still turns one’s face.

The neigh of a horse echoes in the dwelling, and the oar of the departing traveler follows the waves’ turn.

This was a woman’s voice, and Lin Wanrong quickly cast his gaze into the distance. Upon the long pavilion at the foot of Zijin Mountain, there stood a delicate and slender figure. Even though the woman’s face was indistinct, Lin Wanrong already knew who she was. This girl, she was truly thoughtful. She had made the effort to climb up Zijin Mountain amidst the deep night’s cold and heavy dew, just to perform a farewell song for him. In ancient times, there were Boya and Ziqi, now there were Lin San and Luo Ning. If this were to be known, it would certainly make a good story.

[TL: The story of Boya and Ziqi is a famous tale from ancient China, often used to symbolize deep friendship and mutual understanding. It’s also the origin of the Chinese idiom “” (zhīyīn), which literally translates to “knowing the tone” and is used to describe a confidant or a bosom friend.

Boya was a skilled musician who played the guqin, an ancient Chinese string instrument. One day, while he was playing a piece that was meant to evoke the grandeur of mountains, a woodcutter named Ziqi happened to pass by. Ziqi, upon hearing the music, commented that the music made him envision a towering mountain. Later, when Boya played a piece intended to evoke flowing water, Ziqi remarked that he could envision a vast, flowing river.

Boya was amazed that Ziqi was able to understand his music so deeply, as no one else had ever been able to perceive the emotions and images he tried to convey through his music. They became close friends due to this mutual understanding.

However, when Ziqi later passed away, Boya was so grief-stricken that he smashed his guqin, declaring that without Ziqi, there was no one left who could truly appreciate his music. This story is often used in Chinese culture to represent the ideal of spiritual communication, understanding, and friendship.]

He shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly. Thinking about his past interactions with her, he felt that human relationships were indeed strange. Two people who seemed impossible to be together were somehow entangled. Was this what they called fate?

The soul of the painting tower is gone, eyes break off from the departure tower. The slanting sun only sends the flat waves away.

Infinite is the sorrow of departure, searching thoughts at the ends of the earth.

Luo Ning’s gentle singing, filled with a hint of melancholy, twirled around his heart like a heavenly tune, lingering for a long time. Lin Wanrong sighed and said, “Brother Gao, did you tell Miss Luo that we would be passing through here?”

Gao Qiu laughed, “Miss Luo heard that you were going on a journey, claiming to have a deep understanding with you, and insisted on seeing you off. I couldn’t resist her and agreed. The night is cold, and Zijin Mountain is deserted. I don’t know how she managed to climb up.”

Such a deep understanding, such a Luo Ning. Lin Wanrong let out a long sigh. This girl, did she want me to feel guilty for a lifetime?

“Brother Gao, what do you think we live for in this life?” Lin Wanrong asked, looking at Luo Ning’s exquisite figure.

His face was pale and profound. Gao Qiu had only seen him joking and not being serious. He blinked a few times, wondering if this was really the same Brother Lin.

“I can’t say for sure. Having food to eat, clothes to wear, and loved ones to accompany, and making them always happy. That should be good enough,” Gao Qiu said hesitantly after a moment.

“Brother Gao, well said!” Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. “Making the people who like you and those you like always happy, that’s what we men should do. Then tell me, how many wives should a man have?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Gao Qiu perked up at this topic. “As long as you can afford it and you both love each other, you can marry as many as you want. Even if you bring them home and don’t look or touch, it’s better than her being with someone else.”

Gao Qiu’s words were crude but true, speaking the heart of men. Lin Wanrong chuckled and stared at Luo Ning’s figure in the distance. Regardless of whether she could hear him or not, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Miss Luo, take care of yourself. I will return as soon as I can.”

Luo Ning’s song paused for a moment before it slowly resumed, the melody filled with a poignant sorrow, as if there were a multitude of feelings she yearned to express.

Lin Wanrong knew that if he hesitated at this point, he might really not be able to leave today. With a determined heart, he refrained from looking at Luo Ning’s figure and raised his hand to Gao Qiu, saying, “Brother Gao, let’s go!”

Gao Qiu agreed with a nod, and at the same time spurred on his horse. The two of them, on their respective horses, moved as swiftly as lightning, traversing through the breaking dawn’s morning fog. Within moments, their traces had vanished.