Finest Servant

Chapter 461 The True and False Lin San

‘Known or unknown, the name will not be disclosed?’ What did that mean? The servants and maids at the entrance of the Xu family estate were utterly baffled. They couldn't figure out who had sent this mysterious gift, or who had thought of such a strange congratulatory message.

"What should we do, Sister Yuzhu? Should we accept this gift or not?" whispered a young maid standing beside Yuzhu. Yuzhu was Xu Zhiqing's personal maid, and her status within the Xu household was naturally significant. After pondering for a moment, she said, "You all wait here; I will go inform Miss Xu and let her decide."

Yuzhu quickly walked into the mansion, leaving those who had brought the gift waiting outside. After waiting long enough for a cup of tea to be brewed, she still had not returned. Gao Qiu, growing anxious, asked, "Brother Lin, it's been quite some time. Do you think we've been discovered?"

Lin Wanrong had already staked his reputation on this. If he couldn't gain entry to the Xu mansion today, it would be a significant loss of face. He chuckled, "I'm not afraid of being discovered; I'm afraid of not being discovered! Miss Xu should be clever enough to see through this, right?"

Brother Lin's words were indeed mysterious, and Gao Qiu was puzzled. Just when even Lin Wanrong was beginning to grow impatient, the grand doors of the Xu mansion suddenly creaked open. Yuzhu emerged from the crowd and smiled, "My mistress thanks the nameless benefactor for the gift. Please, follow me."

The sound of drums and music filled the air as eight bearers lifted a large palanquin and followed Yuzhu. Everyone filed in, creating a lively atmosphere. Gao Qiu joyfully exclaimed, "Brother Lin, we're in! We're in!"

Lin Wanrong shook his head and smiled, "Getting in is just the first step; the key is what comes next."

The eight bearers carried the palanquin into the Xu mansion and followed Yuzhu gracefully. Soon, they arrived at the back garden. There stood a mature, stunningly beautiful woman, clad in a pink robe. She gave the bearers and musicians a slight nod and smiled faintly, "Thank you all. Yuzhu, give them their reward."

The young maid took out some small silver pieces and distributed them to everyone, who then thanked her and left. Once the area was quiet, Yuzhu curiously asked, "Miss, who sent this gift? He didn't even include a name!"

Xu Zhiqing snorted, "Known or unknown, the name will not be disclosed, he clearly has something to hide, so naturally, he wouldn't reveal his name. Does he think he can trick me with some gimmicks? I won't fall for it."

Yuzhu nodded, "Deceiving our Miss is not so easy. So, should we open the gift or not?"

"Don't open it!" Xu Zhiqing hesitated for a moment, then huffed, "Does he think I am so easily deceived? There's no sincerity here!"

Yuzhu looked at the large palanquin, wondering what could be inside that had the Miss both irritated and intrigued. She saw Xu Zhiqing's lithe figure heading toward the embroidered tower and quickly followed her.

Once upstairs, Yuzhu found Xu Zhiqing leaning against the railing, silently gazing at the palanquin in the garden. Her expression changed from red to white, from joy to irritation; her eyes held an array of complex emotions that were difficult to read.

"M-Miss," Yuzhu, growing impatient after a long silence, softly asked, "Shall we open the gift and take a look?"

"If you want to see it, go ahead. I won't fall for his tricks," Xu Zhiqing said, her tone gentle and lacking any firmness.

Yuzhu found it odd and asked, "Miss, do you know who sent this gift?"

"I don't know," Xu Zhiqing gritted her teeth, her cheeks gradually flushing. "It must be from some damn scoundrel."

Upon hearing this, Yuzhu chuckled. The person who could make her mistress so irritated didn't need to be named; it was clear who it was. Yuzhu nodded nonchalantly. "It's rare for such a scoundrel to remember Miss's birthday. But since the gift is not to your liking, shall I have it returned to spare you the displeasure?"

"Do as you please. I don't care," Xu Zhiqing turned away and said lightly.

Yuzhu acknowledged and hurried downstairs. Hearing her footsteps grow faint, Xu Zhiqing felt a pang in her heart and quickly shouted, "Yuzhu, Yuzhu!"

Yuzhu turned back, puzzled, "Miss, what is it? I was about to have the gift returned."

Xu Zhiqing's cheeks were pink. She shook her head and huffed, "After all the awful things he's done, why should I return his gift? Consider it found property. Open it and take a glance, then throw it away. Don't report back to me."

Yuzhu responded with a sweet smile, "Understood, Miss. But if you don't want to see it, there's no point in my looking either. We might as well throw it away directly."

Just as she began to speak, she saw Xu Zhiqing rushing downstairs, her face a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. "What are you thinking, girl? Even my jokes you dare to take seriously?"

Yuzhu giggled and whispered into Xu Zhiqing's ear, "Miss, what harm is there in just taking a look? If you don't like it, you can throw it away."

Xu Zhiqing pondered for a moment, her face flushed. She spoke softly, "This is something you want to see, not me. Don't tell anyone."

"Yes, it's me who wants to see," Yuzhu giggled, impressed in her heart. To make her usually astute and decisive mistress act this way, the young man who sent the gift must be quite something.

Watching Yuzhu walk toward the palanquin, Xu Zhiqing's heartbeat quickened. She suddenly called out again, "Yuzhu!"

Turning her head, puzzled, Xu Zhiqing lowered hers, "There are too many people in the garden. Don't make a spectacle; better to bring it to my loft before opening it."

"Understood." Yuzhu made a face at her mistress and winked mysteriously. Xu Zhiqing couldn't contain her embarrassment and turned her head away, cursing the man who had upset her so much.

Yuzhu instructed several servants to carry the palanquin to Xu Zhiqing's loft. Once it was set down and everyone else had dispersed, only the two of them remained. Yuzhu finally said with a smile, "Miss, I'm going to look at the gift now."

Xu Zhiqing responded with a soft 'hmm,' her cheeks flushed, "If you want to look, go ahead. Why do you need to inform me?"

Yu Zhu chuckled as she lifted the curtain of the sedan. After just a glance, she couldn't help but exclaim, "What is this?!"

Upon hearing her words, Xu Zhiqing looked up and saw that the contents of the sedan were quite peculiar. Approximately as tall as a person—taller than the two of them by more than half a head—whatever it was had been completely covered by a cloth, making it difficult to identify. Yu Zhu touched it through the cloth a few times; it was soft and seemed to weigh very little. In her astonishment, she wrapped her arms around it and, with a slight effort, lifted it.

The surprise on Miss Xu’s face was needless to say. What kind of gift was this, to be so large? She quickly stepped forward to assist Yu Zhu in holding it. The object was light to the touch; the two women could easily lift it.

Once they had placed the gift properly, Yu Zhu giggled, "Judging by the size of this gift, it's not something small. Maybe it's a dashing and handsome young man."

"You silly girl, what are you talking about?" Miss Xu's face turned red, and she let out a soft "tsk."

Yu Zhu laughed lightly and took scissors to cut open the cloth that covered the gift. What could this gift be? Xu Zhiqing felt her skin heating up and her heartbeat accelerating—both scared and excited.

"Ah—" When the cloth fell to the ground and they saw the gift for what it was, both women opened their mouths wide, unable to close them again.

The gift was an exact replica of Lin San, matching him in height, appearance, and even attire. Even his wheat-colored skin, half-closed eyes, and mischievous smile were all vividly depicted, almost lifelike.

"Young-Young Master Lin, why are you here?!" Yu Zhu's voice trembled with unbelievable surprise.

Xu Zhiqing chuckled lightly, "Silly girl, this isn't him! It’s just a cloth puppet! I don't know what that scoundrel was thinking, coming up with such an idea; it's maddening!"

"A puppet?!" Yu Zhu still couldn't believe it. She gently touched the "Lin San" figure and immediately exclaimed, "It really is a cloth doll! I’ve never seen one so large, and it's modeled after Young Master Lin. Miss, you should feel it too—it's so soft and comfortable!" Given that the puppet was so realistic and the lighting in the attic was dim, it was understandable that Yu Zhu had mistaken it at first.

"Why would I touch it, when you're so shameless?" Xu Zhiqing's pretty face flushed as she whispered.

"Miss, there’s nothing to fear; it's just a cloth doll. What harm is there in touching it? Just imagine, if you could sleep holding a doll like this every day, wouldn't that be incredibly comfortable?" Yu Zhu touched "Lin San," clearly enchanted, and said, "Miss, do you want this gift? If you don't, you should just give it to me."

Her words grew increasingly brazen. Xu Zhiqing felt her heart flutter, her face reddening as if painted by the evening glow. "I don't want it. My room is just missing a few sandbags for practicing my martial arts. So, just take this puppet to my room. I can kick it a few times every day to feel better—"

"Oh—" Yu Zhu suddenly understood and smiled mysteriously, "So Miss is using Young Master Lin as a punching bag. I see, I see!"

"You impertinent girl—" Xu Zhiqing chuckled and attempted to swat her maid, the two embroiled in playful banter, when the sudden sound of drums and music echoed from outside. A young maidservant rushed in, exclaiming, "Miss, Miss, something's amiss! Someone has sent another congratulatory gift!"

"Let them send, what's so strange about that? Oh, who is it from?" Yuzhu ceased her frolics and grinned.

The young servant hesitantly replied, "The man said, 'Known or unknown, the name will not be disclosed!'"

"It's him again!" Eldest Miss Xu's face flushed a rosy pink, her expression tinged with unspoken bashfulness.

Yuzhu acted quickly this time. Without waiting for her mistress's instructions, she waved her hand and said, "Quick, quick, bring the palanquin to Miss's chamber." Once the young maidservant went to convey the orders, Yuzhu leaned into Xu Zhiqing's ear and giggled, "Miss, congratulations are in order. Judging by Mr. Lin's behavior, it seems he won't rest until he accomplishes something wonderful today." Xu Zhiqing softly spat, unable to utter a word.

When the palanquin was brought in, Xu Zhiqing felt much more at ease thanks to the experience of the first time; her heart also felt sweeter.

Yuzhu lifted the palanquin curtain and peered inside. She instantly laughed, "Miss, Mr. Lin has sent another cloth doll. Ah, why is there no veil this time? And the legs are even flexible!"

"Young girl, I warn you, don't touch my butt!" Lin San's languid voice resonated from within the palanquin. Miss Xu let out a sound of surprise and stood there, stunned!

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