Finest Servant

Chapter 484 The Poetry in Colors

"You, you—" Miss Xu thought about how every word and action of hers had fallen under his gaze, and yet, this man feigned ignorance. Embarrassed and angered, she was at a loss for words. Tears filled her eyes as she stood up to leave.

Understanding Miss Xu Zhiqing's prideful temperament all too well, Lin Wanrong quickly reached out to grab her sleeve. "Miss Xu, I truly am innocent!"

"Innocent?" The thought of having lowered her guard just to see him, while he played dumb, intensified Xu Zhiqing's feelings of injustice. She sneered bitterly, "Even if you lied in bed to deceive my tears, letting others mock me, you are innocent? I utterly despise you!"

Lin Wanrong was indignant beyond words. By her logic, had he broken his own leg to lie in bed and trick her into visiting him? Wasn't it just that he had not woken up in time to hear her speak? And given what she had said, dare he even wake up? Now he felt like Zhu Bajie [The Pig-demon character in Journey to the West] looking in a mirror, neither human inside nor out!

Seeing him silent, Xu Zhiqing's heart sank further. She scoffed, "Mr. Lin, you're quite the actor! Was your life-risking rescue of Madam Xiao just as pretentious? Unwilling to abandon her even at the point of death—"

"What did you say?" Hearing her words, Lin Wanrong's anger surged. His impulsive rescue of Madam Xiao had been a pure act, misunderstood repeatedly, causing an inner frustration. Yet Miss Xu chose to bring it up, fueling his fury.

His face darkened, and he exuded a murderous aura that made it hard for anyone to meet his eyes. His presence was truly imposing. Xu Zhiqing had never seen him this way and felt a pang of fear. But seeing his anger peak for Madam Xiao, she bit her silver teeth and retorted, "So, was I wrong? You risked your life to protect her, witnessed by all. Ning'er and the others love you, so they dare not speak up—"

"Enough!" Lin Wanrong's expression suddenly softened, and he took a deep breath. His eyes became so calm that they were frightening. "Miss Xu, thank you for visiting me. I will repay this favor as long as I live. Please go now."

"You're telling me to leave?" Seeing his intent to drive her away, Xu Zhiqing's face changed rapidly. A piercing pain surged in her heart, and tears uncontrollably streamed down.

Lin Wanrong spoke softly, "Miss Xu, as a woman, you should know that a woman's reputation is even more precious than her life. I, as a man, can afford not to care, but it's different for a lady. Her reputation is her life. By doubting her, you're essentially taking her life. I admit, Madam Xiao is quite beautiful, but what does that prove? I saved her simply because she is a woman, and I am a man. A man saving a woman is natural, and not as sordid as you imagine."

"You're calling me sordid?" Her tears fell like raindrops, pouring out of her.

"Perhaps it's a bit too heavy," Lin Wanrong sighed faintly. "Miss Xu, I wronged you back in Shandong. I admit it. I was despicable. Ask of me whatever you will, even if you want me to admit my guilt before the world. But remember one thing: I, Lin San, may not admit to good deeds, but I'll never deny the wrongs I've done! This applies to you, and even more so for Madam."

His words cut through Xu Zhiqing like a sharp knife, bringing back memories of Shandong like a reel of film. She mumbled to herself through tears, "What do I want? What do I want? What a good question—what can I want?"

Had she been too harsh? Had she ever considered how his wife felt? Seeing Xu Zhiqing's tears fall like rain, Lin Wanrong felt an indescribable emotion. He lightly tugged at her sleeve, "Miss Xu—"

"Don't touch me—" Xu Zhiqing violently shook off his grip, momentarily forgetting that Lin Wanrong was wounded. He lost his balance, and a sharp pain shot through him as he clenched his teeth.

"Big Brother—" Luo Ning rushed in from outside the door, holding a porcelain cup. She witnessed the scene and felt her heart shatter. She hurriedly embraced Lin Wanrong, tears falling uncontrollably, "Big Brother, how are you? What happened? Sister Zhiqing, what are you doing?"

"I'm fine," Lin Wanrong gasped for air, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Ning'er, it's not Miss Xu's fault."

Looking at Lin Wanrong's pain-stricken face, Xu Zhiqing was stunned. Was this still the same Lin San? How had he become so frail? "You, you—" she couldn't contain her pain as tears fell like broken pearls. Trembling, she reached out to touch his forehead.

Luo Ning clutched her brother tightly, not allowing Xu Zhiqing to touch him. She sobbed, "Sister Zhiqing, what are you doing? If you're angry, take it out on me. Big Brother is badly injured, he can't handle this kind of stress. In our family, he is the most precious treasure to all my sisters. How can I explain this to them?"

‘Me, their treasure?’ Lin Wanrong couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated, though he had no inclination to argue.

Unbeknownst to her, today's visit would end like this. Xu Zhiqing muttered to herself, then stormed out of the room, flinging her sleeves dramatically. "Lin San, I hate you, I hate you!"

"Sister Zhiqing, Sister Zhiqing—" Luo Ning realized she had been too harsh. However, her concern for her husband left no room for other considerations. She deeply cherished her sisterly bond with Xu Zhiqing. Seeing her leave in such haste, Luo Ning called out several times, but to no avail.

"Big Brother, what should we do?" Ning'er was anxious and confused. She murmured, "Sister Zhiqing must be angry with me now."

"If I knew what to do, I wouldn't have ended up like this," Lin Wanrong said with a bitter smile. Yet he didn't feel he was in the wrong. Miss Xu could be capricious in other matters, and he would not mind, but today she took issue with Madam Xiao, leaving him with a lingering sense of unease.

"Big brother, does it still hurt?" A warm, soft hand gently massaged his shoulder, moving to his arm with practiced finesse.

Lin Wanrong sighed in relief; the pain in his body instantly diminished. "Not at all, do you think I'm that fragile? Ning'er, who taught you this technique? Ah, it feels so good—"

Ning'er hummed softly and sighed, "Sister Zhiqing taught me. She heard you were injured and rushed here from outside the city before dawn. She hesitated for a long time at the back door, too shy to enter. It wasn’t until one of the Xu family’s servants informed me that I knew and discreetly invited her in."

Comparing Xu Zhiqing with Xiao Qingxuan, given Zhiqing’s nature, she wouldn't easily enter the house of a romantic rival. Ning'er continued massaging him, "You have no idea, big brother. When Zhiqing came, it was like she brought an entire pharmacy with her. All kinds of medicinal herbs and dozens of ointments. She taught me which to apply in the morning, which at night, and even what to use when you're in a palanquin. Despite her shyness, she insisted it was a gift from General Li Tai, and took advantage of your absence to teach me these massage techniques. She said it would benefit your recovery since you and I are close. She even taught me many other ways to tend to bone injuries—I suspect she would willingly do the massages herself."

"Is that so?" Lin Wanrong sighed softly, "Miss Xu is a renowned healer; treating me with a parent's heart, she wouldn’t consider it improper."

"Are you pretending to be confused or are you really clueless?" Ning'er exclaimed, tapping him lightly on the arm, eliciting a yelp from Lin Wanrong.

Miss Luo chimed in, "You really don't understand Xu Zhiqing’s feelings for you? Even back in Shandong, you treated her as you did, and she never complained. Learning you were injured, she rushed here in the middle of the night. Think about it: for a young woman to take such steps, to be so busy on your behalf, she’s all but given you her heart. What more do you want?"

"Is that so?" After hearing Ning'er's words, Lin Wanrong was genuinely moved. Considering his history with Miss Xu, it seemed he had only ever taken advantage of her; she had never wronged him—today’s incident with Madam Xiao notwithstanding.

Xu Zhiqing was stubborn, the type to act rather than speak. It was touching, but it was also this obstinate nature that created an invisible divide between them, making it difficult to get closer.

"Big brother, what exactly do you feel for Sister Zhiqing? When I see her looking so sad, it breaks my heart." Seeing Lin Wanrong lost in thought, Ning'er pouted her rosy lips and huffed softly.

"The blame isn't mine, as the old saying goes: choose a concubine for beauty, but choose a wife for virtue. Miss Xu is proud and haughty, and she doesn't get along with Qingxuan. If she doesn't change her ways, wouldn't bringing her into the family just create chaos?" Lin Wanrong sighed, "Let's discuss this matter after the war, provided we both survive."

That seemed to be the only option. Luo Ning nodded and then suddenly asked, "Big Brother, why did you have a falling out with Sister Zhiqing today? When she came to see you, she was so happy. How did she end up so upset after just a few words?"

Lin Wanrong dared not mention that it was due to the mention of Madam Xiao, so he laughed and said, "Maybe I was too blunt, saying things I shouldn't have said in front of her."

Blunt? Big Brother? She'd never believe that. Luo Ning gave him a playful glance, "Big Brother, what's gotten into you? Sister Zhiqing came all the way to see you; all you had to do was say something pleasing to win her over. Isn't this your strong suit? Hasn't every sister in our family come under your spell this way? Why would you not use your secret weapon and waste a good opportunity?"

"You make it sound like I'm deceiving you all. That's all heartfelt, more genuine than gold or silver. If you don't believe me, feel my chest; this heart beats for you," Lin Wanrong said earnestly.

Listening to this, Luo Ning was both embarrassed and delighted. She giggled, her eyes glazed with enchantment, "Big Brother, if you say these things to Sister Zhiqing, I guarantee you won't have any problems. When women like us meet you, we meet our nemesis—stop that, don't touch me inappropriately; I'm giving you a massage!"

After the commotion with Xu Zhiqing and the teasingly sensual massage from the playful Luo Ning, Lin Wanrong had lost all desire for sleep. He caressed Luo Ning's soft, smooth chest, the silky texture making it hard for him to let go. He lazily sighed, "Ning'er, do you know what is the most vast thing in the world?"

"The ocean!" Luo Ning answered without thinking.

"And what's vaster than the ocean?" Lin Wanrong nodded, a sly smile creeping onto his face.

Luo Ning thought for a moment before slowly saying, "The sky!"

"And what's vaster than the sky?"

Luo Ning frowned, deep in thought but unable to find an answer. She laughed, "Big Brother, you're just making it hard for me on purpose. What is it, then?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled lasciviously as his hand lightly pressed against the prominent curve on Luo Ning's chest, "Vaster than the sky, of course, is the breadth of my Ning'er's heart—goodness, Ning'er, how did you grow such a soft and abundant chest? I can barely get my hands around it!"

"You're incorrigible!" Luo Ning blushed crimson, realizing that her Big Brother's winding conversation was meant to tease her. But he even turned his lecherousness into poetry. Luo Ning felt a warm, tingling sensation, completely smitten by him.

The husband and wife laughed and played for a while, the atmosphere truly intimate and warm. Luo Ning then took out some ointment to reapply on Lin Wanrong's wounds. The variety was stunning, with a dozen different colors. She didn't know how Miss Xu had managed to concoct it; it must have been hard for her.

Luo Ning carefully undressed her husband Lin Wanrong to change his medicine. After being married for quite some time, she had seen his body countless times. Although she still felt shy, she could endure it. Lin Wanrong, however, was not content. "Ning'er, this isn't fair! Why am I the only one who has to undress? No, we must have equity. You should undress while applying medicine to me. That way, I can check if your body has developed symmetrically. We wouldn’t want any imbalances now, would we?"

Miss Luo chuckled and playfully punched him, lightening the atmosphere and making it rather romantic.

After changing the medicine, Lin Wanrong's eyes fell on the porcelain cup that Luo Ning had brought in earlier. The cup was deep, set on a stove in the room to heat. A gentle steam arose, accompanied by an inviting aroma. Lin Wanrong's stomach growled audibly, making his mouth water. "Ning'er, what's this that smells so good?"

"It's Ginseng and Blood Swallow soup; it's been simmering for a whole day and night," Luo Ning said as she uncovered the dish. The soup looked like a rich, translucent gruel, faintly tinged with red. The aroma filled the entire room.

Wonderful! Lin Wanrong swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Seeing his hungry look, Luo Ning lovingly brought the small dish to his lips. "Big Brother, have a taste!"

Lin Wanrong took a sip; the soup was creamy and smooth, steaming hot yet immediately comforting. The moment it touched his lips, a sweet aroma filled his senses. He gulped down several mouthfuls, almost wishing he could swallow the entire dish. Luo Ning looked on, her eyes full of love and tenderness. "Big Brother, slow down. No one is competing with you."

Lin Wanrong took another sip and exclaimed, "Ning'er, did you make this? It's amazing! Your cooking is as good as your figure."

‘Ugh, Big Brother always has to bring that up,’ Luo Ning thought as she playfully rolled her eyes. "You're mistaken, Big Brother. How could I make this? I told you about it yesterday; you're just pretending to forget, aren't you?"

"Yesterday?" Realizing what she meant, Lin Wanrong was stunned. "Wait, did Madam make this?"

"Who else could it be?" Luo Ning nodded. "She said that making Ginseng and Blood Swallow soup is a delicate art. From the pot used to the firewood and the heat level, nothing can be overlooked. This soup simmered for two full days and nights. It's invaluable and extremely precious."

"Is that so? She must have worked really hard," Lin Wanrong said, touched by the gesture.

Luo Ning hummed in agreement. "Earlier, when you were speaking with Sister Zhiqing, the Madam came by. She personally brought this soup—"

"What? She was here?" Lin Wanrong was visibly shocked.

Luo Ning nodded softly. "I was helping in the kitchen at the time. When I returned, I saw the Madam hurrying down the stairs, carrying the soup. She asked me to give it to you. Didn't you see her?"

Oh no, Lin Wanrong thought. Did the Madam hear something she shouldn't have? He worried what she would think, given her strong-willed nature. What if she misconstrued something?

"Big Brother, Big Brother—" Luo Ning called out, jolting him back to reality.

"It's okay, it's okay. Did the Madam say anything?"

Luo Ning paused to think and then shook her head. "Aside from looking a bit pale, she seemed fine. It's probably just fatigue from the last few days."

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