Finest Servant

Chapter 288

Chapter 288 Exchange of Conditions

"What's the matter? Afraid I might eat you? Go ahead and shout, let's see who comes to your rescue," the woman quipped. A short sword grasped in her hand, she swayed it lightly, advancing with a mocking smile, her eyes resembling a pool of clear water.

As Lin Wanrong stared at the gleaming sword, his heart was filled with annoyance. Why had this witch come, and at night no less? She had dared to break into his room. What should he do if she attacked him? Should he scream for help or stay quiet? What a dilemma.

"Sigh, I see you've already made up your mind to force me. In consideration of you being Xian'er's Master, I will not resist. You may proceed, just please don't use the prone position," he sighed.

A flush of red crept onto An Biru's face, and she laughed, "Little brother, you seem to have thickened your skin during our days apart. Did the hangover soup not cure you last time? Perhaps I should prepare some other good things for you. I'm sure you would enjoy them."

Mentioning the hangover soup made Lin Wanrong feel a pang of sadness. "You vixen, one day I'll teach you what it means to be half-drunk, half-awake, yearning for life yet wanting to die," he said, laughing to mask his feelings. "Nowhere close, without Sister An's training, I would have become shyer. Sister, it's been a long time since we've met, I really missed you. Come, give me a hug!"

He made a gesture to hug her. An Biru chuckled, waving her short sword, "Fine by me. I don't mind!"

"Wait, what are you doing with that sword? Its swaying is making me dizzy. The New Year is not over yet; using swords and knives is bad luck. Put it down quickly, let's sit down and talk," Lin Wanrong said, chuckling.

An Biru sat down in front of him, glancing around the room. "The Xiao family really doesn't treat you well. Look how shabby your room is, you don't even have a maid to warm your bed. Little brother, why not follow me in the future? I promise you'll have all the luxurious food and drink you want. As for the madam and young ladies of the Xiao family, you can play with them and then cast them aside. Don't let them get too attached."

Speechless, Lin Wanrong thought, 'This sister really is the world's number one woman with such strength!' He wasn't some grand master in the Xiao family. Having an independent room and the chance to flirt with the young lady every day, where could he find such an exceptional job?

Rising with a laugh, Lin Wanrong sat in front of her and said, "Sister, how did you find me... ah, the bright sword is scary. Better to put it away."

An Biru flashed a charming smile, "Finding you isn't hard. You're not the Emperor in the palace. I have a thousand ways to locate you... It's safer to keep this sword in hand. After all, we're alone in this room. If you bully a weak woman like me, where could I go to cry out for injustice?"

Lin Wanrong wiped the cold sweat from his brow. Him, bullying her? If she weren't forcing herself onto him, he'd already be thanking his lucky stars. If there was a woman in this world he couldn't handle, Sister An was definitely one of them.

"Sister, pointing that blade at me is making me very uncomfortable. Could you kindly withdraw it a bit? I'm afraid it might scare me," Lin Wanrong said sincerely, staring at her with a solemn expression.

"This sword serves as my protection. If you are wary, feel free to draw your own weapon. At the city gates of Jining, you were quite imposing, yet now, you seem so timid. Are you still a man? Ah, my..."

Lin Wanrong pointed the musket in his hand at her ample chest, the softness there made him push a little harder. He took a quick look at her, swallowing hard before saying, "Let's negotiate, Sister. Although you possess an extraordinary sword, I carry with me two firearms. One of them is particularly effective against women, incomparably formidable. Now, you are not the Holy Mother of the White Lotus Sect, and I am not a general of the government army. One of us is Xian'er's master, and the other is Xian'er's husband, both her closest kin. Let's be amicable and avoid violence, like our days on Weishan Lake, discussing matters heart to heart, enjoying life. Isn't that beautiful?"

An Biru burst into a giggle, covering her mouth, and cast a coquettish glance at him, "I knew you would say that. What do you think of my precious sword?"

With a delicate flick of her hand, a crisp sound echoed, and the shining small sword broke into two, revealing a hollow core. It turned out to be a convincingly fake sword.

‘Damn it, she tricked me with a fake item. If I hadn't drawn my gun, this vixen would have scared me to death.’

"I was only joking with you. After a month apart, I kind of missed you, hehe," An Biru puffed up her chest, a hint of bizarre flush surfaced on her face, and she smiled at him, "Isn't it about time you put your gun away? What are you pointing at me for?"

"Let my gun rest a bit longer; it's a rare opportunity!" Lin Wanrong chuckled. Seeing this vixen seemingly unfazed, and recalling Xian'er's words that her master always maintained her chastity, he became quite suspicious.

"In this world, the only one who can make me, An Biru, afraid, is you, little brother," the vixen smiled.

"The feeling is mutual," Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. The two engaged in a witty, flirtatious battle of intellects, a truly evenly matched game. He was cheerful by nature, and a playful exchange with Sister An elicited a feeling of mutual admiration. It was not easy to find someone who could hold their own against Lin San.

"Master Sister, how did you know I was here? I was about to look for you," Lin Wanrong said in earnest, putting the banter with An Biru aside.

"What do you want with me? I suspect you're really looking for Xian'er, despite your flattering words," An Biru said. "I happened to see Miss Xiao's sedan chair when I was out on errands today, and you just so happened to be there too. So, I came over to check. You don't appreciate my kindness but use your gun against me, where did your conscience go?"

‘Came specifically to see me? Since when were we so familiar?’ Lin Wanrong laughed, "Thank you, sister, for your kindness. I'm really grateful. When I got to the capital a few days ago, I wanted to contact Xian'er, but she left in a hurry and didn't leave an address. Oh, by the way, why didn't Xian'er come with you?"

An Biru smiled gently and said, "As for Xian'er, I sent her on a critical task. Why, do you miss her that much? Am I not here on her behalf to see you?"

Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. She was his wife, what did it mean for An Biru to represent her? Did this mean An Biru could represent Xian'er in other matters too? Xian'er's entire focus was on him. If she had known he was in the capital, she would have flown to him at once. Why hadn't she appeared after such a long time? Something was off. That enchantress An Biru must have been keeping something from Xian'er. What exactly had she dispatched Xian'er to do? God damn it, she was so arrogant to treat his wife as if she were nothing.

Seeing his uneasy expression, An Biru seemed to have guessed his thoughts. She laughed lightly and said, "Don't worry. I have raised Xian'er since she was a child, and you have seen how close our relationship is. I would never harm her. As for you, if you truly care for Xian'er so deeply, why have you not consummated your marriage with her? She's been brooding over this for a while. If you genuinely care for her, fulfill her wishes sooner rather than later."

This was a lingering concern for Lin Wanrong. Initially, he planned to find Qingxuan in the capital to seek a solution. However, given the circumstances, if Qingxuan truly was the princess of Great Hua, he wasn't sure when he'd be able to see her. He had to figure out another way to handle Xian'er's situation.

With these thoughts, Lin Wanrong suddenly remembered what An Biru had told him in Jinling. A flicker of hope ignited in his heart. He looked at her and said, "Sister, I call you my Master now. I understand Xian'er's feelings, but I don't know how to take out the Love Bug in her. Please help me figure out a way. In my next life, I will certainly repay you with my own body."

"Next life?" An Biru chuckled, "What a good idea you've got there. To take out the Love Bug, as I've told you before, just divorce your other wives and spend a happy lifetime with my Xian'er. Had you consummated your marriage back at Weishan Lake, we wouldn't be in this mess. Xian'er is just too soft-hearted."

If that was the case, why was he even bothering to argue with this enchantress? Damn it, speaking with her was always full of jokes. Just because she was Xian'er's master, did not mean he wouldn't dare do anything to her. If she infuriated him, he would deal with her — his fingers and the gun at his disposal. He forced a grin, saying, "That proposal is really interesting. I've written a lot in my life, but I've never written a divorce letter. I wonder what it feels like."

Reading his face, An Biru seemed to know what he was thinking. She suddenly sighed and said, "Brother Lin, don't think so ill of me. This Love Bug is a testament to a Miao woman's deep affection. The process of administering the bug is also fraught with suffering, it can't be taken out so easily."

This was the first time An Biru had addressed him so formally since they had met. Seeing her usually playful face now deadly serious, Lin Wanrong felt a jolt of alarm. What kind of bug was this Love Bug? It could be implanted but not removed, wasn't that ruining people's lives?

"In the past, when Xian'er was young, she despised men who took multiple wives and concubines due to her own tumultuous life circumstances. She implored me to plant the Love Bug on her. Despite my repeated attempts to dissuade her, her stubborn nature wouldn't be swayed. At the time, I too was reeling from personal blows and in my unsettled state, I gave in and implanted the bug. I had thought that given Xian'er's beauty, only the rarest of men could be her match and dare to entertain thoughts of another woman before her. However, alas, she encountered a peculiar man like you. The foolish Xian'er became distraught. If you had loved only her, it wouldn't have been so bad. But what is detestable is that you have so many beloved women. Xian'er loves you to an extreme, discarding her vow from years ago, but the matter of the Love Bug — easy to plant, difficult to remove — still stands. Otherwise, it wouldn't be the 'Love Bug'," An Biru said melancholically, her eyes rippling slightly and her voice heavy with a tone of reminiscence, seemingly reliving the past.

Lin Wanrong understood. She said it was easy to plant, difficult to remove, but didn't say it was impossible to remove, which meant there was still hope.

"Sister, stop teasing me. If you have a solution, just say it. I'm still waiting for Xian'er to bear me a son! She's well-built, with ample bosom and hips, naturally fit to bear children. Sister, please think of a way," Lin Wanrong smirked.

An Biru giggled, casting him a sidelong glance. "How do you manage to say such things? If anyone else heard such words from you, they might have already chased you out."

‘Damn, if anyone else were sitting in front of me, I'd have knocked them over by now. Who'd have their turn to speak to me like this?’

An Biru's beautiful eyes shone like water, a faint blush on her cheeks. She sighed lightly, "The bug was planted by me, naturally, I have a way to remove it. But the method is challenging, and I have to pay a significant price. Unless, you help me with something."

Lin Wanrong replied, "I understand, this is the real reason why Sister An came to see me today, right? Got it, got it. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Let's call this an exchange of conditions."

An Biru smiled charmingly, "Brother Lin is indeed smart. It's effortless to talk to someone like you. However, don't be too disappointed. I came here today, ninety percent for this exchange, but ten percent was genuinely to see you, hehe —"

‘Bluff, keep bluffing,’ Lin Wanrong shrugged indifferently, "Let's cut to the chase, Miss An, what do you want me to do? By my own assessment, besides being handsome, knowledgeable, gentle, modest, and careful, I don't have many other qualities. What have you seen in me?"

An Biru gave him a faint look, "Little brother, this 'Miss An' makes us sound unfamiliar. I still prefer you calling me Sister An."

"If I were to believe you, that would be ridiculous," Lin Wanrong laughed, "Miss An, you're not being fair. This is an exchange of conditions, there's no owing between us, it's just like doing business, it's better to keep things separate. Let's talk about your conditions, let's see if I can fulfill them."

An Biru observed his composed demeanor, which seemed genuine, and hesitated for a while before laughing lightly. "My seeking you out naturally indicates my confidence in your ability to accomplish the task, one you are highly skilled at."

The thing he was most skilled at? The longest part of his body, he was quite aware of, but the thing he was most adept at, that he didn't understand.

"Brother Lin, let me tell you a story," An Biru sighed softly. "Once you hear it, you will understand."

"Once upon a time, there was a grand master renowned throughout the world. She had two disciples, both of whom were females, beautiful as fairies. They were exceptional at music, chess, calligraphy, painting, martial arts, and horse riding. Young heroes from all corners of the world yearned for them. The master was an unparalleled figure with immense prestige, revered by all. She taught her two disciples equally, showing no favoritism. The disciples, who were as close as sisters, got along well with each other. However, one day, rumors began to spread that the elder disciple was a distant relative of the royal family with noble blood, while the younger was a wild Miao girl with a reckless appearance. From the day these rumors began to circulate, the master changed subtly and began to favor the elder disciple, teaching her exclusively. The younger disciple, perplexed, confronted her sister, but her sister manipulated the situation such that the master heard their confrontation. The master, in her anger, berated the younger disciple and stopped teaching her. On her deathbed, she entrusted her teachings to the elder disciple, instructing her to assist the current prince in ascension to the throne."

An Biru's expression was serene, her tone melancholic, as if she was recalling her past. Lin Wanrong kept silent. From the moment the story began, he understood that An Biru was narrating her own life story.

"Had it been a fair competition and the younger sister had lost, she would've had nothing to say. But the master was biased, losing her fairness. The younger disciple, having come from a Miao background, was naturally sensitive to her status, and when she saw the master treating her this way, she felt desolate. When the master passed away, she swore in front of the master's spirit tablet that she would defeat her sister and seek justice for herself. That day, many people came to mourn the master. The two disciples, both proud and haughty, quarreled, which led to a fight. Since they had grown up together and their martial skills were evenly matched, neither could overcome the other. However, a despicable person took advantage of the younger disciple's unpreparedness and launched a surprise attack, allowing the elder disciple to gain a slight advantage. Furious, the younger sister left the mountain despite her injuries, severing ties with her sister. The senior sister sided with the second prince, so the younger sister decided to aid the third son of the emperor. Neither of them gained any advantage from their secret fights. But the third prince, Prince Cheng was stubborn and did not heed advice at a crucial moment. He was betrayed and eventually defeated in the battle for the throne. Unwilling to fall into obscurity, the younger sister borrowed some power and established the White Lotus Sect, hoping to rise again—"

At this point, An Biru glanced at Lin Wanrong. Her face held a complex, unreadable expression. She whispered, "Given my previous disposition, I would have shown no mercy to anyone who interfered with my plans. But you... you're Xian Er's husband. Could this be my destiny?"

She heaved a long sigh, at a loss for words. Lin Wanrong grasped the gist of her story. Apparently, An Biru had failed in her contest with her senior sister for status. She had hoped to defeat her rival with the help of Zhao Kangning's father. But when Prince Cheng lost, in desperation, she formed the White Lotus Sect to oppose her sister, only to be unwittingly defeated by Lin Wanrong himself. By such calculations, their enmity was far from trivial.

"Miss An," Lin Wanrong attempted to console her, "it's been so many years, let go a little. Your senior sister merely had different views from yours. It's not a deep-seated hatred."

An Biru managed a bitter smile, her eyes welling with tears. "No hatred? All these years, I've been displaced, my home the four corners of the world. I've been shunned, humiliated. Who do you think is to blame? She, born of an esteemed line, can look down on the world, while I, a lowly Miao girl, can only be trodden underfoot. Are Miao girls inherently inferior?"

Lin Wanrong was at a loss for words. If An Biru's resentment had been simple envy, it might have faded over the years. But instead, her hatred had deepened. This was more than mere jealousy could explain. Perhaps the stark class disparity had triggered her. They were merely representatives of two different classes. With this in mind, he found nothing surprising.

"Don't cry anymore. I understand you. It's not your fault." Lin Wanrong reached into his robe to give her a handkerchief. But seeing it, he hastily tried to retrieve it. It was the Yunjin silk handkerchief left by Qingxuan.

An Biru snorted, snatching the handkerchief from him. She dabbed at her tears and chuckled. "What a miser you are, grudging even a silk handkerchief. Do you think these tears are manufactured?"

‘Damn it, that's my token of love with Qingxuan. I usually can't bear to touch it. You're so ungrateful.’

Seeing his displeased face, An Biru sighed. "I've battled her for twenty years, lost time and time again, but I've always stood up again. Despite repeated failures, I've never been afraid. I must defeat her in this lifetime, I must!"

Her gaze fell on him, a faint smile at the corner of her mouth. Lin Wanrong was taken aback and hurriedly exclaimed, "Sister An, why are you looking at me like that? You're not expecting me to defeat her, are you? God, spare me! I haven't even had children with Xian'er yet!"

An Biru giggled. "What are you afraid of when I'm here?"

‘Damn it, it's precisely because you're here that I'm afraid. Without you, the world would be at peace.’

"Do you think I'm asking you to fight her? Although you have those strange hidden weapons, even if you could catch her off guard, you wouldn't be able to harm her!" Sister An tittered, poking him on the nose with her slender finger. "You're so silly! Do you think I'd be that dumb? You might be a little foolish, but I haven't stooped to that level yet!"

She had just cried, her long eyelashes still wet with tear droplets, her cheeks slightly red. As her full bosom and curvaceous hips shivered slightly, her flirtatious poke seemed like a lover's coquettish tease, charm oozing from her very bones.

‘Damn it, she's trying to tempt me again. Even if she were naked, I wouldn't fall for it. I'm only good at martial arts in bed; let's leave the rest out of it.’ Lin Wanrong let his eyes wander unabashedly over her figure, snickering a few times but remaining silent.

"There are many ways to defeat a person. Defeating her through martial arts is just one of them. While it's simple and straightforward, it lacks much fun." An Biru smiled subtly. "You have many other methods at your disposal, like wisdom, scholarship, and others... Hehe, think about it yourself."

"You're not suggesting that I seduce her, are you?" Lin Wanrong declared steadfastly. "I warn you not to entertain that idea. I am an upright person. It's an insult to say such things in front of me—Is she as beautiful as you? Oh, I'm just asking casually. Don't get me wrong! I'm an upright person!"

"She's so beautiful that she could topple cities and kingdoms, even more so than Bao Si," An Biru replied.

[TL: Bao Si was the concubine of the ancient Chinese sovereign King You of Zhou. She was considered one of the most beautiful Chinese women ever.]

"Damn it, if she's that beautiful, then let her topple cities and kingdoms. I still prefer those mature, thorny types. Hehe, don't get me wrong, Sister An, I'm not talking about you. You're so mature you're almost withering—"

Sister An shot him a flirtatious glance and said, "You'd better not regret it. Some say my senior sister is the Chang'e from the Moon Palace, an otherworldly fairy. There's no man under the heavens whom she has graced with a direct look. Would you say she's beautiful?"

"Chang'e? A fairy?" Lin Wanrong paused, suddenly recalling the ethereal lady he'd encountered outside the Jade Buddha Temple. ‘Good heavens, it couldn't be her, could it?’

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