Finest Servant

Chapter 73 The Eldest Miss (Part 2)

“Eldest Miss, I’m merely a servant in charge, and I dare not dream of achieving anything significant.” Lin Wanrong said with a bitter expression.

Xiao Yuruo did not speak, but that Young Master Tao sneered a few times, saying, “At least you have some self-awareness.”

As for this Young Master Tao, Lin Wanrong was not at all worried. Seeing him mocking and sneering at himself, he did not hold back either, and said, “Young Master Tao, it seems a little too early for you to interfere in the matters of the Xiao family, doesn’t it?”

His words were quite venomous. He had noticed that Young Master Tao was pursuing Xiao Yuruo, and the two of them had already returned together, indicating some level of interaction. Therefore, he deliberately said this.

As expected, Young Master Tao’s face changed, “What nonsense are you, a servant, talking about?”

“Young Master Tao, I am a servant of the Xiao family, not your servant. In front of my Eldest Miss, it’s not your place to command.” Lin Wanrong retorted sarcastically. He noticed that Xiao Yuruo’s relationship with this Young Master Tao didn’t seem to have reached that point, so he was utterly ruthless.

Young Master Tao was also a popular figure in Jinling City, and he had never been treated so rudely, especially by a mere servant. Even with his good temperament, he was so angry that his face turned pale. But his deep composure kept him from reacting on the spot, which made Lin Wanrong even more wary of him. A barking dog doesn’t bite, a biting dog doesn’t bark—this was a lesson from his past life that Lin Wanrong kept in mind.

Seeing the servant talking nonsense, Xiao Yuruo felt even more contempt for him. She ignored him and turned to Guo Wuchang, “Cousin Guo, it’s late. Where are you heading?”

When Guo Wuchang realized he couldn’t avoid the question, he had to answer, “Cousin Yuruo, I heard you were coming back, so I specifically brought Lin San here to wait for you.”

Hearing this, Lin Wanrong couldn’t help laughing inwardly. ‘The young master was waiting for you in the brothel with me.’

The rouge and lipstick on Young Master Guo’s face hadn’t been fully wiped off. Xiao Yuruo frowned upon seeing this and rebuked, “Cousin, how many times have I told you to focus on your studies and stay away from such places of pleasure? Only then can you live up to Uncle and Mother’s hopes. Why don’t you listen?”

Young Master Guo mumbled in agreement, not daring to speak up. This cousin, although younger than him, was born to do great things. She managed the large Xiao family with precision, and everyone in the Xiao family had a certain reverence for her, especially him.

Seeing her cousin in such a sorry state, Xiao Yuruo sighed. But when she turned around, she saw that roguish servant covering his mouth and snickering. Remembering his impudence and presuming he must have accompanied her cousin to those unseemly places, she was even more furious. She shouted, “You wicked servant! You dared to take your young master to such wicked places! Come, drag this servant away and give him a hundred severe lashes!”

‘Damn it!’ Lin Wanrong jumped up immediately. ‘This girl has gone crazy! If I take a hundred lashes, will I survive?’ A few tall and sturdy servants following Xiao Yuruo came over upon hearing her order, ready to drag Lin Wanrong away.

“Wait!” Lin Wanrong shouted.

Xiao Yuruo looked at him coldly, “What? Do you have something to say? Have you been wronged?”

Seeing the Eldest Miss’s displeasure, Lin Wanrong decided not to care about her feelings and shouted, “Not just wronged, I’ve been greatly wronged. May I ask, Miss, which eye of yours saw me leading the Young Master?”

Xiao Yuruo paused before saying, “You appeared with Cousin Guo, so naturally, both of you went together. I know my cousin well; without someone instigating him, he would absolutely not dare to go to such a place.”

Her deduction was indeed accurate. The whole thing today was indeed Lin Wanrong’s idea. However, saying Young Master Guo was an innocent man was far from the truth. His actions in the brothel were quite proficient, implying he had been there many times, only hiding it from the Eldest Miss.

For the sake of his own backside, Lin Wanrong would never admit it. “Miss, so all this is based on your conjecture? Can conjecture be taken as fact?” He looked at the Eldest Miss and snorted.

However, Lin Wanrong underestimated her. Xiao Yuruo, who managed such a large family, was not easy to deal with. She ignored Lin Wanrong and turned to Guo Wuchang, “Cousin Guo, did this Lin San lead you to that place? Don’t be afraid. I will handle this wicked servant who bullies his master.”

Xiao Yuruo saw things clearly. Guo Wuchang revered the Eldest Miss and would naturally not dare to lie. The most effective way was to break through him. Once Guo Wuchang identified Lin San, his crime would be confirmed, and the beating would be inevitable.

Seeing Young Master Guo’s legs trembling, Lin Wanrong felt things were going south. This Young Master was not a tough nut. ‘Damn it,’ he might die in this girl’s hands today. ‘Damn,’ he would never have imagined that one day he would be spanked by a girl.

At this critical moment, Lin Wanrong’s steady mentality played a crucial role. He looked at Xiao Yuruo and sneered, “Miss, it seems like you are determined to pin this on me.”

Xiao Yuruo retorted, “If not you, could it be that Cousin Guo wanted to go himself?”

This was a tough move, Lin Wanrong thought to himself. Even if Guo Wuchang were beaten to death, he would never admit it was his idea. Xiao Yuruo was indeed smart and capable, cornering both Lin Wanrong and the Young Master in just a few words.

“How could such a sincere and diligent person like the Young Master even think of going to such a place? It surely wasn’t the Young Master who requested to go.” Lin Wanrong secretly praised the Young Master.

Young Master Guo quickly nodded, “Yes, yes, Cousin, it wasn’t my idea.”

Xiao Yuruo scoffed, “So it wasn’t Cousin’s idea, and it wasn’t you who led him there. Was he invited by someone else then?”

“Exactly, exactly, Miss is indeed incredibly clever. It was indeed someone who invited us.” Lin Wanrong silently prayed in his heart, hoping this punishment could be avoided.

“Do you think I would believe that? My cousin’s friends have been warned by my mother a long time ago. I doubt they would dare to take him to such a place.” The Eldest Miss scoffed. Given Young Master Guo’s scholarship and ability, he couldn’t have made any profound friends. They were all unsavory characters from families without real power. Madam Xiao had sent them packing with just a few words, all to let her nephew focus on his studies.

Seeing the Eldest Miss’s aggressive attitude, Lin Wanrong was very annoyed. ‘Damn it, it was just a trip to a brothel, wasn’t it? A man not visiting a brothel is like wasting his manhood. Who does she think she is, a police officer, interrogating like this?’

“Since Miss wants to ask, I will tell the truth. Nothing is unspeakable, and in fact, this is a good thing to share. The Young Master was invited by Miss Qin Xian’er, the top courtesan of Miaoyu Pavilion, for some scholarly exchange,” Lin Wanrong said without any embarrassment. ‘Miss Qin, you have helped me this time. Next time, I won’t let you sing ‘Eighteen Touches.’ I’ll reduce one touch, letting you sing ‘Seventeen Touches.’’

“Yes, yes,” Young Master Guo’s eyes lit up. This Lin San was so talented, coming up with such an excuse, and making it sound so legitimate, “It was Miss Qin Xian’er who invited me over. She even sang a little tune called ‘Qu Yu Guan,’ and I pointed out some inadequacies in her performance. It was a purely academic exchange, cousin, you mustn’t misunderstand.”

If this Young Master Guo wasn’t naturally spineless, he could have been a good salesperson. He could lie without batting an eye, even taking credit for Lin Wanrong’s contributions without any blush.

“Oh?” Eldest Miss Xiao was surprised. She hadn’t personally met Qin Xian’er, the famous courtesan from Qinhuai River, but she had heard of her. Not only was she incomparably beautiful, but she also had exceptional guqin playing skills. Her fame had spread throughout Jinling City. Everyone of importance in the city knew her name. However, she had heard that Qin Xian’er was aloof and only associated with the upper-class young masters and talented scholars. She knew exactly how much her cousin weighed. Even if Qin Xian’er were blind, she wouldn’t exchange a single word with her cousin. But the servant and her cousin seemed sincere, not like they were lying. And if she sent someone to investigate, she would know the truth. They shouldn’t dare to deceive her. What was going on? Could it be that Qin Xian’er really took a liking to her cousin? If that were true, it would be good news. Having a talented woman like Qin Xian’er as a relative would indeed be a beautiful story.

Miss Xiao was deep in her own thoughts, but the long-silent Young Master Tao nearby seemed rather disdainful. He had already investigated thoroughly what kind of person Guo Wuchang was. As for Qin Xian’er, he had seen her with his own eyes. The idea that she would invite Guo Wuchang to discuss scholarship was impossible.

Seeing that the Eldest Miss was lost in thought, Lin Wanrong knew that today’s matter would likely be glossed over. However, this Eldest Miss was so stern and impartial that he would have to be careful in the future, so as not to give her any excuse to catch him again. Thinking about this, he felt somewhat disgruntled. Before this young girl came along, he was living a carefree, almost divine life in the Xiao family. Why did everything become awkward once this girl arrived? It was really damned strange.

“Are you telling the truth?” After some contemplation, Miss Xiao finally looked up and asked. From her tone, it seemed she had already partly believed them.

Just as Lin Wanrong was about to speak, he saw Eldest Miss Xiao glare at him and say, “You’re a man full of lies and can’t be trusted. Cousin Guo, is what he’s saying really true?”