Finest Servant

Chapter 463 The First Man

A strong-willed wife? Lin Wanrong was caught between laughter and tears. Miss Xu seemed like no easy person to deal with either. Qingxuan, such a beautiful and magnanimous woman, was considered "strong-willed" in her eyes? Comparing the two, it wasn't clear who was more domineering.

"Why, can't you speak now?" Seeing Lin Wanrong's hesitance, Miss Xu felt a pang of bitterness. She bit her lip and turned her head away. "Are you really that afraid of her? You can't even express what's in your heart?"

The young woman's thoughts were getting increasingly muddled. Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "Miss Xu, you've probably heard of how Qingxuan and I met. Princess Chuyun is both beautiful and kind, renowned far and wide. She's not the arrogant person you make her out to be. On the contrary, Qingxuan understands me and always puts me first. She's never once complained. She also gets along well with Ning'er and Qiaoqiao, like they are sisters. Where else would I find such a good wife? As for what's on my mind, I've already spoken it. What do you mean, 'dare not say'?"

Xu Zhiqing lowered her head, remaining silent for a while before finally speaking, "So, what you're saying is that earlier, those words were instructed by Miss Xiao?"

‘That's not the case. Qingxuan has already made it clear: any woman I take an interest in must first be approved by them before they can join the family. Considering your strong-willed nature, it remains to be seen whether you would pass their scrutiny.’

"Do I even need Qingxuan's instructions?" Lin Wanrong didn't even blink as he chuckled mysteriously, glancing at Xu Zhiqing. "I came of my own accord."

Among all the things he said, this sentence appealed to her the most. Xu Zhiqing's face turned red; she lowered her head and whispered, "So, you came here yourself? Aren't you afraid she will—"

"Will what? Catch me cheating?" Lin Wanrong asked, puzzled.

"Catch your big head!" Miss Xu was both angry and annoyed. Her face flushed, she clenched her fist and landed a punch on the chest of the nearby Lin San doll, creating a dull thud. The doll wobbled a bit. Lin Wanrong couldn't help but marvel—had this young woman been practicing boxing recently? That punch was not light. ‘Poor doll,’ he thought.

"Miss Xu, is your boudoir upstairs?" Lin Wanrong asked with a teasing smile.

Feeling his gaze deeply fixed on her face, Xu Zhiqing's heart began to race. Struggling under his scrutiny, she lowered her head, her voice trembling, "What are you trying to do? Don't act recklessly. I—I will call for help!"

"What could I possibly do?" Lin Wanrong laughed boisterously, picking up the cloth doll and moving step by step toward the stairs. "I'll carry this doll upstairs for you. If you're ever angry, just take it out on him. You can even cuddle him in bed at night—no one will see."

"Scoundrel!" Miss Xu muttered, not even having the chance to stop him. The indecent man had already quickly ascended the stairs with the cloth doll. Xu Zhiqing became anxious, hurriedly saying, "Wait, wait a minute, there's something upstairs—"

"What is it? Could it be a hidden portrait of me?" Lin Wanrong was pleased with himself as he effortlessly entered Miss Xu's boudoir. He chuckled softly and stepped in, only to feel a warm sensation at his leg, as if something was nearing him. Unconcerned, he chortled, "Move away. Move away, don't hinder me from moving things! Hey, what are you licking me with—"

"Woof—Woof—" Two fierce barks suddenly erupted within the room, akin to the abrupt roll of spring thunder, jolting Lin Wanrong to his core. He stood motionless, sweat trickling down his forehead. He finally looked down to see a menacing large dog beside him, its green eyes glaring and its red tongue slowly licking his pant leg.

He let out an involuntary "Ah!" before hurriedly covering his mouth, standing frozen as sweat drenched him. ‘I've been careless, very careless. I didn't expect Miss Xu to keep this vicious dog 'Lin San' in her boudoir. She cares for this beast more than me!’

Xu Zhiqing quickly ascended the stairs and couldn't help but giggle at the sight of him standing in a cold sweat, trembling in fear. Lin San was renowned for his intelligence and bravery, but nobody would ever guess that the celebrated hero was actually afraid of dogs. If word of this got out, it would be utterly laughable.

"Miss Xu, could you ask this creature to leave? It and I don't quite get along," Lin Wanrong cautiously said, wiping his forehead.

"You brought this upon yourself!" Miss Xu rolled her eyes at him, her cheeks flushed. She softly said, "Stay still, I’ll come to your rescue!" Her voice was tinged with an indefinable tenderness, and her face was radiant with a maternal glow. Seeing Lin San, usually so clever and cunning, look so helpless for once was akin to seeing a child.

"Come with me." Xu Zhiqing gently gripped Lin Wanrong's rough hand with her own trembling one. Her whisper seemed to possess a magical allure, causing him to feel somewhat entranced. He turned his head and saw her blushingly radiant ears and slightly quivering long eyelashes, undeniably enchanting.

Strangely enough, as soon as Xu Zhiqing held Lin Wanrong's hand, the menacing dog ceased its barking and sat down. Its eyes glowed green as it watched the pair, giving Lin Wanrong a chill down his spine. They walked into the inner chamber, and he caught a subtle fragrance in the air. "Rose perfume? Miss Xu, so you like this scent!"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Xu Zhiqing frowned, slightly irritated. "This was a gift from Aunt Guo. I didn't know initially that you were the one who made this perfume. By the time I found out, it was too late to refuse. I've grown fond of the scent."

Lin Wanrong let out a long "Oh," grinning from ear to ear. "So, Miss Xu and the Madam share the same taste, both fond of this rich rose scent. Understood, understood!"

Confused by his implication, Xu Zhiqing, a diligent learner, couldn't help but knit her brows. "What's wrong with liking a rich rose scent? Is there some sort of classification for this perfume?"

This was Miss Xu's boudoir, a room furnished with only a single square stool, placed before a vanity. The mirror reflected the faces of two individuals: one as fragrant and pink as a peach blossom in March, the other grinning mischievously like a monkey in the mountains.

‘At a time like this, you still can't manage to look serious. How annoying.’ Xu Zhiqing cast a furtive glance at their reflections, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of shame and delight. She led him to sit on the square stool, then quietly lowered her head, unwilling to speak.

A light white gauze curtain obscured the room's pink ivory bed, faintly revealing the rosy quilt and jade pillows. A subtle fragrance filled the air, creating an atmosphere of warmth. Lin Wanrong's heart pounded as he imagined the enchanting scene of Miss Xu, her chest partially covered, her icy skin glowing against the jade and ivory bedding. It seemed as though Xu Zhiqing had seen right through him, her blushing cheeks now even more radiant than the embroidered quilt, as if she were a freshly bloomed peach blossom.

Lin Wanrong has entered quite a few boudoirs—Qiaoqiao's, Qin Xian'er's, Luo Ning's, the Eldest Miss's, Yu Shuang's, and even Madam’s. Each room was unique in its arrangement, each woman with her own style, creating unforgettable impressions. But this room of Miss Xu's contrasted sharply with her usually aloof demeanor; here, subdued pinks prevailed, revealing a unique taste. Swallowing, Lin Wanrong grinned and said, "There's some truth to it. It's been studied that girls who like rose perfume are generally outgoing, and those who prefer a stronger scent are even more passionate—"

Xu Zhiqing scoffed, "More nonsense. I bet the only one who enjoys studying such ridiculous theories is you. Do I look like such a person to you?"

"That remains to be seen," Lin Wanrong replied with a lecherous smile. "You haven't explored certain aspects yet. How can you be sure you're not that kind of person?"

At first, she didn't catch his implication, but Xu Zhiqing was Xu Zhiqing—the renowned intelligent woman. A brief moment of thought made her understand his devious intentions. Her face flushed deep red, and she glared at him, speechless.

Lin Wanrong chuckled awkwardly. In Shandong, he had held, touched, and kissed Miss Xu to the point of crossing almost every boundary. At this juncture, any pretense of being refined but not vulgar would not only make him lose respect for himself but would likely not sit well with Miss Xu either.

"Eh, what's this?" Noticing Xu Zhiqing's silence, Lin Wanrong's gaze wandered and landed on a cradle near the door. Laid with straw and holding a knitted sweater, it puzzled him. "What is this for?"

Xu Zhiqing gave a secretive smile and clapped her hands lightly. From outside the door, the fierce dog "Lin San" leapt in with a swish. Lin Wanrong, however, was even quicker to react. He jumped up and hid behind Xu Zhiqing, stammering, "Miss Xu, why did it come in?"

"Don't worry," Xu Zhiqing said, patting his hand reassuringly. "Without my permission, it won't bite you. Lin San, go to sleep."

Sleep? Lin Wanrong was stunned for a moment. Could it be? Miss Xu was telling him to sleep? In her private chamber, on this sole ivory bed, and in broad daylight? Could she share the same hobbies as he did?

"What are you waiting for? Sleep, quickly!" Xu Zhiqing raised her voice again, her tone tinged with impatience.

‘This girl isn't afraid, so what am I afraid of?’ Lin Wanrong let out a grunt and lay straight down on the bed, grinning as he said, "Alright, I’ll heed your words and sleep well. Miss Xu, you should join me."

Startled by the voice behind her, Xu Zhiqing turned around abruptly. Seeing Lin Wanrong stretched out on her embroidered bed, her cheeks flushed red. She hurriedly pulled him up and stammered, "What are you doing? If my parents see this, how would I ever explain? You scoundrel, you're trying to get me killed!"

"Don't cry, don't cry," Lin Wanrong quickly said, bewildered by her tears. "Didn't you tell me to sleep? Ah, I get it now. You want me to sleep on the floor, to strengthen my core, right? Ah, such a unique hobby; it's my first time hearing about it."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Xu Zhiqing was a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. She realized the problem in her prior words and actions, her tears falling faster even as she wanted to laugh. She pointed at the dog, "I was telling it to sleep, not you!"

The dog had already leaped into the cradle, poking its head mysteriously through the sweater and closing its eyes. From a distance, it appeared to be napping.

He had really been wronged here. Lin Wanrong couldn't express his grievance. This misunderstanding was not the first of its kind, and he blamed it on Miss Xu. Why did she have to name the dog "Lin San"? Was that a name she could just casually give?

"Are you alright?" Seeing the changing expressions on Lin Wanrong's face, Xu Zhiqing wanted to laugh but dared not to. She secretly clasped his hand, feeling an indescribable warmth in her heart, and softly asked.

"I’m fine," Lin Wanrong said, his voice full of disdain. "I didn’t expect this Brother Lin San to enjoy such high standards—sleeping in a sweater. It really makes me jealous. Miss Xu, may I ask, did you knit this sweater yourself?"

Xu Zhiqing turned her head away, a shy and slightly annoyed expression on her face. "I won’t tell you."

"This beast, even wears a branded sweater." Miss Xu's attitude said it all, and Lin Wanrong gritted his teeth. Observing the dog's peaceful slumber and with Miss Xu beside him, he figured the dog wouldn’t dare to do anything. He chuckled twice and discreetly stretched out his hand, tugging at the sweater on the dog.

"What are you doing?" Xu Zhiqing, partly annoyed and partly amused, found herself puzzled. She wasn't young and was usually considered mature and steady by everyone. Yet, why did she feel as if she lost herself when she was around this rascal? Laughing and crying, fighting and playing along with him, and yet never growing tired of it—what an odd predicament!

Lin Wanrong chuckled without answering, eyeing the "napping" Lin San cautiously, his movements slow and subtle. Xu Zhiqing's cheeks flushed; she wanted to stop him but couldn't find a reason to.

The vicious dog, known as Lin San, seemed unaware of his movements. Lying there quietly, Lin Wanrong's courage swelled. With a flick of his wrist, he snatched the woolen sweater from the dog's head. The beast let out a howl and rolled its eyes but, noticing that Miss Xu was too shy to pay any attention to him, it closed its eyes and went back to sleep.

"That was close," Lin Wanrong patted his chest, a smug expression on his face. However, when he looked at the woolen sweater, he paused. The craftsmanship was exquisite, large and roomy with complete sleeves. It didn't look like it was meant for a dog; instead, it seemed tailored for him.

"What a waste to put something this fine on a brute!" Lin Wanrong held the sweater up against himself, and the more he looked, the more it seemed to fit. He couldn't help but shake his head in wonder.

Miss Xu's eyes moistened, tears swirling, on the brink of falling. Abruptly, she yanked the sweater from his hands and sobbed, "It's none of your business! I made it for the dog, not you. Give it back to me! Ugh, you're so annoying."

No matter how brilliant or wise a woman is, in the end, she is still a woman, sharing many of the same petty tempers. Sighing, Lin Wanrong embraced Xu Zhiqing and whispered in her ear, "It's not that I'm ungrateful; you never told me, so how could I know?"

"You never thought of me in the first place! I started knitting this in Shandong, and you never had any clue. I hate you, I hate you!" Xu Zhiqing seemed to erupt like a volcano, tears flowing freely. She threw a few small punches at the Lin San toy, then, finding it not satisfying enough, her fists came like a torrential rain against the real Lin San's chest.

"You started in Shandong?" Lin Wanrong felt a pang of guilt. Back then, he had been busy searching for the silver and deeply engrossed in his studies with Ning'er, not having the time to consider Xu Zhiqing's feelings.

Stubbornly, Xu Zhiqing nodded, tears streaming down her face. "That night you barged into Ning'er's room and mistook me for her, treating me like that... I hate you to death," she said through gritted teeth, her eyes tinged red, but also showing a hint of nostalgic tenderness.

"From the next day on, I started secretly knitting and crocheting, with only one thought in mind: to fill this sweater with steel needles and kill you, you wretched man!" Miss Xu both laughed and cried, her expression bitter. "Back then, I had to deceive everyone, including you and that clever, tricky Ning'er. When she was walking, I talked to her; when she was asleep, I worked in secret. From Shandong back to the capital, I couldn't get a single good night's sleep."

It must have been hard. Deceiving others might be easy, but deceiving Ning'er was another matter entirely. She was a vixen far craftier than a fox spirit. How could she not notice any rustling?

Lost in thought, Lin Wanrong was jolted back to reality by the escalating intensity in Xu Zhiqing's voice. "So I, Xu Zhiqing, am just unlucky, huh? Just as this gift was nearly finished, you happened to reunite with Miss Xiao again. I planned to give you this and invite you over, yet you, you scoundrel, treated me like this. I might as well turn this gift into a doghouse—you wretch, I hate you! Now, get out!"

Fiery by nature, tears rolled down Xu Zhiqing's cheeks as she forcefully pushed him towards the door. Lin Wanrong had known Xu Zhiqing for more than a day or two and understood her temperament well. No wonder she harbored such resentment; there was more to this situation than met the eye.

Just as he was about to be pushed out the door, he softly sighed into her ear, "Zhiqing, am I not the first man to enter your chamber? Would you really send me away like this?"

"You're not the first!" Xu Zhiqing's heart softened, her body relaxing considerably.

Not the first? There had been men before me? Lin Wanrong froze in place.

"You fool!" Seeing his sullen face, a sense of unspeakable sweetness filled Xu Zhiqing's heart, and she pushed him down the stairs without hesitation. "The first one was my father!"

Ah, how could he be so foolish! Slapping his own face, Lin Wanrong leapt up as if waking from a dream, only to smack his forehead against a decorative rock by the side. The loud thud resounded clearly, even to Xu Zhiqing who was secretly watching him from the upstairs embroidery room.

"Idiot!" She bashfully covered her cheeks, her heart filled with sweet happiness.

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