Finest Servant

Chapter 67 A Startling Remark

The Governor's son, Luo Yuan, was rather anxious. Cheng Ruinian had beaten him to the punch, saying all the flattering words, leaving him unsure of how to compliment her, somewhat passive.

Qin Xian'er was alluring as she glanced around, her beauty captivating everyone present. Suddenly, a scoff was heard, the sound of disdain coming from someone's nostrils.

The sound was light, but the hall was so quiet that everyone heard it. Turning towards the sound, they saw it came from a lowly servant accompanying young Master Guo.

Qin Xian'er had seen all sorts of characters. She noticed that though this servant was a lower class, he carried himself with dignity, showing no fear typical of his kind. A smirk hung on his face, as if he held some disdain for her.

Internally irritated, Qin Xian'er kept a smile on her face and asked, "May I ask how to address this young master?"

Lin Wanrong, dressed in the common outfit of a servant - a green robe and small hat, had an obvious status. Qin Xian'er deliberately addressed him as a young master, clearly trying to make him look foolish as revenge for his contempt towards her.

Lin Wanrong was aware of her petty tricks. He replied with a slight smile, "I dare not accept the title of young master. I am Lin San, a mere servant in the Xiao family of Jinling. I have just greeted Miss Qin on behalf of Young Master Guo."

Qin Xian'er looked at him with interest, "Is it that my humble skills are not worthy of your esteemed eyes?"

Lin Wanrong replied, "The zither and the music were both good. It's just—" He paused intentionally, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "My young master said, there are at least three mistakes in Miss Qin's music."

At Lin Wanrong's startling words, everyone in the hall was surprised. A servant from the Xiao family was being extremely bold, making such audacious claims.

"How dare you, you insolent servant." Before Qin Xian'er could respond, Cheng Ruinian was already shouting, "How could you casually slander Miss Qin, who's as enchanting as a celestial being?"

Cheng Ruinian was enjoying his conversation with Qin Xian'er until Lin Wanrong spoiled it, naturally, he was upset. But Luo Yuan, seeing someone ruin Cheng Ruinan's moment, showed a hint of delight on his face.

Though Lin Wanrong was tough, he knew he would undoubtedly lose in a direct confrontation with Cheng Ruinian at his current strength. He pretended not to hear and focused his gaze on Qin Xian'er, waiting for her response.

Qin Xian'er gave Guo Wuchang a strange look, then smiled, "Could Young Master Guo please point out the flaws in my music?"

Guo Wuchang was drooling over Qin Xian'er, his pig-like face showed no sign of being able to critique anything.

‘Damn, this young master is utterly useless,’ Lin Wanrong cursed inwardly but said aloud, "My young master is contemplating the problem; he asked me to reply on his behalf." Seeing no objection from Qin Xian'er, he continued, "Miss Qin, if there's a flaw, it must be noticeable. Pay a little more attention, and it won't be hard to notice."

Qin Xian'er retorted challengingly, "Lin San, please enlighten me."

Ignoring the dismissive tone in Qin Xian'er's words, Lin Wanrong said: "I dare not take credit for teaching you. Miss Qin, your skills are indeed exquisite, but it's always challenging to make progress when you're already at a high level. If I point out your flaws today, consider it as me doing you a favor. We in the Xiao family are in the business world, and we value reciprocity. Without some reward, my young master is not inclined to engage in fruitless endeavors."

Qin Xian'er paused for a moment, then burst into a charming giggle: "No profit, no incentive. You're right, Lin San. But I wonder, what kind of reward do you have in mind?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled: "It's simple, as long as Miss Qin agrees to do me one favor."

"No way!" Cheng Ruinian shouted: "What a scheme from a servant like you! Miss Qin is like a celestial being, she is not someone you can defile."

Lin Wanrong gave Cheng Ruinian a smile and said, "Young Master Cheng, are you worried about me or Miss Qin?"

Cheng Ruinian was taken aback by his remark. Indeed, if he hindered this servant, wouldn't that imply that Miss Qin's music had flaws? That would be a disrespect to the lady.

As for Luo Yuan, seeing someone spoiling his rival's good time brought joy to his heart, and he became even more interested, watching Lin San with great amusement.

Seeing Qin Xian'er still in deep thought, Lin Wanrong teased, "Miss Qin, don't overthink it. I assure you it's not as indecent as they imagine."

Qin Xian'er gave a charming smile, swaying herself to Lin San's side, and whispered in his ear, "As long as it can convince me completely, I will fulfill your wish." She smiled at Lin San, but a glint of caution flashed in her eyes, clearly wary of him making an inappropriate request.

Everyone in the hall was startled, not expecting Qin Xian'er to agree to this lowly servant's request. In their eyes, having a servant point out flaws in Qin Xian'er was like a lunatic's dream.

"Miss, does Qin Xian'er's music really have flaws? That guy talks so confidently, I wonder what his game is?" Xiu He asked softly.

The handsome nobleman coldly replied, "That scoundrel may be a libertine, but he does have some skills. He doesn't seem to be bluffing."

Seeing Qin Xian'er standing next to Lin San with a smile, the handsome nobleman looked at her with disdain and couldn't help but mutter, "This shameless vixen!"

Lin San turned a blind eye to Qin Xian'er's bewitching gaze and laughed out loud, "In that case, I won't hold back."

Qin Xian'er giggled, "I'm all ears for your guidance, Lin San."

Lin San said: "Miss Qin, your skills are exceptional, which I do not deny. However, it's precisely because of this that you might easily fall into misconceptions. Take the piece you just played, for example, there are three issues."

Qin Xian'er's eyes never left him, seemingly absorbing his words.

"First, the music is too monotonous and dull. It's well known that a harmonious combination of sounds is like a dragon and phoenix showing auspiciousness. A single guqin, even if it's made from millennium-old wood, can't produce two different sounds. If you could integrate other instruments, like the sheng or the xiao, for mutual cooperation, the rhythm could be richer, and the harmony could be enhanced."

Qin Xian'er was taken aback, she quickly asked, "Different instruments have different rhythms. When mixed together, wouldn't it create noise?"

Lin San replied, "Miss Qin, how would you know the effect if you've never tried it? If you don't attempt, you'll never discover anything new. I suggest you try it, there may be a pleasant surprise." This was Lin San's advice based on his experience with electronic music arrangement, and it was quite reasonable.

Qin Xian'er thought for a long time, then nodded and said, "Your advice is well received, Lin San. I have learned a lot."

The handsome nobleman, who was also well-versed in music, pondered for a while and then understood. She glanced at Lin San and quietly said, "This rogue does have some insights."

"Secondly, you focus too much on technique. Miss Qin's guqin skill is indeed extraordinary, but you fail to infuse your own feelings into it. Remember, the player's emotions are what truly control the instrument. If the musician doesn't play with genuine emotions, the beautiful sounds will be hollow and fail to touch people's hearts deeply."

Imagine a courtesan playing the guqin and singing every day, how could she possibly infuse genuine emotions? Lin San was making an educated guess, but it made sense.

Qin Xian'er pondered for a while and didn't refute, seemingly accepting the point.

"Thirdly, your performance is overly dramatic and affected. To put it nicely, your song seems to force a feeling of sorrow. To be blunt, it's an affected lament. Miss Qin, you are still young, and I assume you haven't yet experienced these matters of love. This kind of melancholic song does not suit your heavenly voice and you've yet to grasp its essence."

Lin San said with a smile, implying that she was still a young girl who had not experienced such things, and her song full of lament was nothing but affectation.

The handsome nobleman, upon hearing Lin San's words, couldn't help but feel some admiration. As Lin San pointed out, the latter two flaws were quite evident, yet no one seemed to realize them. Even she, who prided herself on her mastery of music, was no different from Qin Xian'er, often forcing feelings into her compositions. From this perspective, Lin San's keen observation and ability to see what others couldn't indeed made him a rare talent.

Qin Xian'er thought for a long time, her face alternating between red and white. She felt somewhat unconvinced, but she couldn't refute his points. All she could do was huff lightly, expressing her attitude.

Confident he had her cornered, Lin San, seeing her upset face, didn't mind and deliberately asked, "Miss Qin, have you conceded in your heart?"

Qin Xian’er's facial expression fluctuated mysteriously before she suddenly broke out into a charming smile, staring at Lin San, "I am willing to satisfy any request you have, Lin San."

Her gaze was fixed intensely on Lin Wanrong's eyes. As she lightly chuckled, a bewitching glow emanated from her eyes. Lin Wanrong found it increasingly hard to look away. Before him, Qin Xian’er was a sight to behold - her almond eyes, finely arched brows, rosy cheeks, and jade-like complexion were captivating. Her slightly parted, rosy lips seemed to whisper sweet nothings. Her voluptuous figure pressed close to him, and a faint, intoxicating feminine scent wafted into his nostrils.

The most enchanting feature was her eyes. It was as if a faint light was emanating from them, drawing Lin Wanrong in, making it impossible for him to break away. In his heart, a devilish voice whispered to him, "Relinquish your request to Miss Qin, relinquish your request to Miss Qin."

"Lin San, what do you request of Miss Qin?" Lin San only heard Miss Qin's dreamy voice. Her words carried an odd enchantment that left Lin San with no will to resist.

"I have no request to—" Lin San, succumbing to the mysterious voice in his heart, began to speak when he was interrupted by a loud crash. A teapot from the floor above had fallen and shattered into pieces.

Miss Qin staggered slightly, her complexion paled. She glanced upstairs but saw nothing unusual. Lin Wanrong, jolted by the noise, regained his senses. He recalled what had just happened, and it seemed as if he had been under some sort of spell, almost agreeing to her request. Could there be something strange in her eyes?

"Miss, are you alright?" Xiu He asked softly.

"That Qin Xian’er is indeed not simple. That scoundrel nearly fell for her tricks," said the handsome young man. It was she who secretly manipulated the situation, throwing the teapot from a table upstairs to wake Lin San.

"Could this Qin Xian’er be the person we're looking for?" Xiu He asked.

"Even if she isn't, she must be related in some way," the handsome young man replied, her eyes emitting a chilling glare as she stared at Miss Xiao.

Seeing Lin San regain his senses, Qin Xian’er knew her plan had failed. Being a cunning woman, she feigned shyness and lowered her head, saying, "Lin San, why are you staring at me like that?"

Those in the hall, unaware of Lin San's near fall under Qin Xian’er's spell, saw their intimate exchange and started chattering. Cheng Ruinan had already rushed forward, standing in front of Qin Xian’er and addressing Lin San, "You audacious servant, how dare you disrespect Miss Qin!"

Miss Qin hid behind Cheng Ruinan, feigning a weak demeanor while a cunning smile flashed across her eyes. Lin San, being a shrewd individual, pondered over the situation. Although he wasn't sure what kind of spell he had fallen under, it was undoubtedly this Qin Xian’er who had played a trick on him.

Lin San felt a surge of anger, a cold smile surfacing on his face, "Miss Qin, since you have conceded, it's time for me to state my conditions."

"You dare? Seize this disruptive servant!" Cheng Ruinan ordered loudly.

"Wait, wait." The Young Master called Luo Yuan stepped forward and asked, "Brother Ruinan, what rule has Lin San violated?"

"Er..." Cheng Ruinan was momentarily speechless. Everyone in the hall heard Lin San's bet with Miss Qin. If Luo Yuan weren't here, he might have been able to smooth this over by force to win over Miss Qin's favor. But now Luo Yuan, the son of the governor of Jiangsu, was present. His father and the governor Luo Min were at odds, and he himself had a feud with Luo Min's son. This situation might not be so easy to defuse.

Luo Yuan smiled at Lin San, then covertly gave him a thumbs-up, as if to say, ‘I've got your back, bro.’

Seeing that Luo Yuan was not much older than Dong Qingshan and quite good-looking, plus his sister's good relationship with Dong Qiaoqiao, Lin San felt some goodwill towards this Young Master Luo. He returned Luo Yuan's smile.

At this point, Young Master Guo, noticing that Lin San was about to make a move on Miss Qin, also came to his senses and hastily said, "Lin San, don't be rude." Having finally obtained an opportunity to get close to a beauty, he quickly flashed a flattering smile at Miss Qin, "Miss Qin, I hope Lin San didn't frighten you."

Miss Qin laughed, "No, Lin San and I were just betting. I'm willing to admit defeat. I wonder what Lin San's request is?"

Young Master Guo quickly said, "How dare I make any requests of Miss Qin?"

Miss Qin didn't give him any face and said, "I'm not asking you, Young Master Guo, to make a request. I lost to Lin San, so I'm asking him."

‘Damn, she's trying to stir up discord between master and servant,’ Lin Wanrong thought angrily. He said to Miss Qin, "My request is on behalf of my young master." He whispered to Guo Wuchang, "Young Master, don't you want Miss Qin to see you in a new light? Just keep quiet and watch what I do."

With that bait, Guo Wuchang immediately nodded, "Alright, Lin San, I'll listen to you."

Lin San gave Miss Qin a glance, a mysterious smile appearing on his face, "Since Miss Qin is a woman of her word, I won't hold back."

For some reason, Qin Xian’er felt a twinge of fear at his smile. He wouldn't really make that kind of request, would he? Her heart pounded a few times, and she clenched her small fist.