Finest Servant

Chapter 466 A Spark of Fire

This was bad! Lin Wanrong quickly withdrew his hand and looked up, only to see a furious Madam Xiao standing in front of him. Her pretty face was flushed red and her bosom quivered with anger. To her left stood the sisters Yushuang and Xiao Yuruo, and to her right, she was holding Qin Xian'er's hand. All three women were glaring at him—Second Miss looked tense and anxious, Xian'er wore a smirk that was neither here nor there, and Xiao Yuruo clenched her fists, staring daggers at him. It was clear that if he couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation, he was in for a world of trouble.

Lin Wanrong felt a chill run down his spine. ‘Damn it,’ he thought, making a mistake was one thing, but being caught red-handed was another. The woman in front of him was his wife, and the other two were soon to be. This was a huge mess.

"Ah, everyone's here," he stammered, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere. His eyes darted around, his mind racing for a solution.

"Actually, I was just joking with everyone," he nervously grinned at Madam Xiao, "Ah, Madam, you really are youthful and radiant. Standing next to Xian'er, you two could easily pass for sisters. When I first saw you, I honestly couldn't tell who was the elder and who was the younger. Please don't take offense at my little joke. If anything, it's your fault for being so young and beautiful!"

Second Miss gently patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief, giggling, "You scared me to death! No more jokes like this, okay? If outsiders heard, it would be a huge embarrassment. But Mother, you really are young and beautiful, so he's not entirely wrong. Right, Mother?"

She cooed and cuddled Madam Xiao's arm. Madam Xiao was caught between laughter and tears, touching her daughter's forehead with a delicate finger, "You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Are you really joking?" Xiao Yuruo was shrewd and competent, far less gullible than her sister. She cast a skeptical glance at Lin Wanrong, her face filled with disbelief.

"Of course, it was just a joke," Lin Wanrong hastily raised his right hand, "I swear, I often joke like this with Madam Xiao. If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself."

"Mother—" Eldest Miss hesitated. This was a matter that concerned her mother's reputation; it was hard for her, as a daughter, to intervene. After a long pause, Xiao Yuruo softly said, "Is he... is he trustworthy?"

‘When have you ever heard of Lin San being trustworthy?’ Madam Xiao couldn't voice her grievances. Seeing Lin Wanrong's anxious gaze fixed upon her, she felt a surge of resentment. "Trustworthy? I wouldn't say—"

"What?!" At her mother's words, Xiao Yuruo's eyebrows shot up, and her face turned crimson. She pointed at Lin Wanrong, "How could you—"

Lin Wanrong frantically waved his hands, "It's a misunderstanding! I haven't done anything unforgivable. Eldest Miss, you have to believe in my character! Madam, think carefully before you speak, this could be life-or-death!"

Xiao Yuruo clenched her fists tightly, tears on the verge of falling. She thought to herself, 'The more I know about your character, the less I trust you. With Mother vouching for you, how can you deny it?'

Madam Xiao sighed, gripping Xiao Yuruo's trembling hand. Her mood slightly lifted seeing Lin Wanrong's guilty posture. "Even if he is unruly, you two mustn't spoil him. Otherwise, you'll be under his thumb for the rest of your lives." Both sisters nodded vigorously, taking their mother's advice to heart.

"What are you smiling about?" Qin Xian'er had been quietly observing and now questioned Lin Wanrong's downcast expression with a slight smile.

"I'm not smiling. I'm touched by Madam Xiao's kindness," Lin Wanrong lifted his head, his face now showing a grateful expression.

Knowing her husband's ability to change faces, Xian'er chuckled softly, "Husband, did you do something to Madam Xiao that you shouldn't have?"

"Impossible," Lin Wanrong whispered as he grabbed her hand, "Xian'er, don't you trust my character? How could I do such a thing? Even if I wanted to, Madam Xiao wouldn't allow it. Never mention this in front of Eldest Miss or Yushuang, the consequences would be severe."

"Really?" Xian'er gave him an inscrutable look, scrutinizing him from top to bottom.

'What does this mean? Doesn't she trust me? Honesty is the foundation of my character,' thought Lin Wanrong, increasingly uncomfortable under her gaze. His face flushed red. Annoyed, he said sternly, "Xian'er, you should go freshen up. Later, we need to lift the curse together."

"Ah!" Qin Xian'er gasped, her face flushing crimson in an instant, as if her life's secret had been exposed. She hurriedly covered her beautiful face, hummed softly, and lowered her head, no longer daring to speak.

Eldest Miss exchanged a few words quietly with her mother, noticing Lin San engaging in some banter with Qin Xian'er that left the young lady blushing a vivid red, radiant like peach blossoms in full bloom in March.

She snorted softly and slowly walked over, her gaze fixed on Lin Wanrong. Her face reddened before she could even speak. After a long silence, she finally whispered, "Are you still mad at me? I apologize; I wronged you earlier and caused you distress."

Xiao Yuruo's face was flushed and her expression beautiful; she almost seemed to bow her head to her chest as she apologized. Lin Wanrong was so entranced he quickly swallowed and waved his hands, saying, "It's fine, it's fine. I don't feel wronged at all."

That was his true feeling, but how could Eldest Miss know? Assuming he was magnanimous, she gently nodded and suddenly slid a sharp weapon from her sleeve, softly asking, "Do you know what this is?"

The sharp dagger shimmered in the dim courtyard light, and Lin Wanrong was instantly reminded of the time in Jinling when Eldest Miss and Yushuang each carried a dagger for self-defense. What did she intend now? Keeping his expression neutral, he reached for the dagger in Xiao Yuruo's hand and said, "Eldest Miss, it’s more fitting for a girl to use a sewing needle. Weapons are not suitable for you. Let me keep it safe for you for the time being."

Eldest Miss avoided his grasp by rotating her hand and snorted lightly, "This is for my own protection. Our honor as women is more important than even our lives. If anyone dares to take advantage of my mother or act dishonestly before her, I will—"

"What will you do?" Lin Wanrong was startled and involuntarily took a step back.

With a grit of her teeth and a flush on her face, Eldest Miss abruptly waved the dagger down, saying with resolve, "I will cut!"

Lin Wanrong was both startled and horrified, stammering, "Cut where?"

Xiao Yuruo’s cheeks turned icy, and she smirked coldly, "Wherever the evil is done, there shall I cut."

"Really?" Lin Wanrong instinctively covered his vital parts, whispering, "Eldest Miss, do you really need to be so harsh?"

Xiao Yuruo suddenly gave a charming smile, her soft cheeks tinged with a tender blush. She teasingly said, "If you're not the one doing evil, what are you afraid of?"

With that smile, she seemed to bloom like a hundred flowers, captivating and gorgeous, making it difficult for Lin Wanrong to turn his gaze away. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and chuckled, "Exactly, exactly. I rarely do bad things."

Seeing his lustful gaze, Xiao Yuruo felt both shy and pleased. She knew this rascal liked what he saw. No wonder Qin Xian'er had such a hold on him. Though she had become friends with Qin Xian'er, outstanding women like them would naturally compete with each other in secret.

"What happened to you? Where did you get hurt?" Lin Wanrong looked up, his eyes squinting as they fell on Xiao Yuruo. Only then did Eldest Miss get a clear view of his forehead, and she was shocked.

Yushuang also let out a gasp, hurriedly crowding beside him. Even Madam Xiao glanced his way, a trace of concern hidden in her eyes.

The courtyard was dimly lit. Xian'er had been standing beside him talking and hadn't examined him closely. Hearing Eldest Miss's words, she quickly turned to look at him. Seeing his condition, she felt a pang of pain in her heart and angrily said, "Husband, who injured you? I will kill her."

Xian'er was the sort who meant what she said. If she killed Xu Zhiqing, everything would be ruined. Lin Wanrong couldn't possibly tell the truth. Quickly covering his forehead, he mumbled, "Ah, it's nothing. I accidentally bumped into a rockery while walking."

Xian'er and the others felt distressed. All six of their hands began massaging his forehead. The sweet, soft touch made Lin Wanrong itch inside, regretting only that the injury was not on his behind instead.

Madam Xiao, standing apart, had the clearest view of it all. Seeing his evasive gaze and ambiguous words, she scoffed, "Where exactly did you get 'hit by a rockery'? In some young lady’s courtyard, perhaps? Or were you beaten and thrown out?"

Her words immediately reminded the three young ladies. Given Lin Wanrong's disposition, no man capable of beating him like this had yet been born. This injury was most likely caused by a woman.

"No wonder," Eldest Miss snorted, slowly retracting her jade hand. Xian'er also turned her head away, saying nothing. Only Yushuang was truly considerate, unaffected by the atmosphere, and continued massaging him, albeit with much greater force.

Lin Wanrong, knowing he had been caught, laughed it off, pretending not to have heard Madam Xiao’s words. He grabbed Yushuang’s hand and said, "Second Miss, what a coincidence. What are you, Madam, and Eldest Miss doing here?"

Yushuang, always straightforward with him, nodded seriously and said, "Our family has been having some misfortunes lately. My sister was trapped and only returned yesterday. My mother went to the temple today to seek a solution. The high priest advised us to hang eighteen large lanterns around the house to ward off evil spirits. You arrived while we were hanging the lanterns. Mother is deeply devout and was so focused that you surprised her."

"Is that so?" Only then did Lin Wanrong notice that where Madam Xiao stood, a wooden frame had been set up and colorful banners hung. Eighteen bright lanterns were already up, swaying gently in the wind, unlit but quite beautiful.

He glanced at Qin Xian'er. The capital had been tense these past few days, and he had advised everyone to stay indoors. How could Madam Xiao go out to seek a divination today? If something happened to her on the way, what would they do?

"Husband," Xian'er understood his concern and unconsciously lowered her head, saying apologetically, "I tried to dissuade her, telling her to wait a few more days. But her love for her daughters was too strong, and she couldn’t wait to find a solution for the Xiao family. I couldn't persuade her, and you were nowhere to be found. I had no choice but to accompany them."

Lin Wanrong had firsthand experience of Madam Xiao’s stubborn temperament, even more so than Eldest Miss. He couldn't blame Xian'er for this. Grabbing her hand, he smiled and said, "Silly girl, when have I ever blamed you? You are my wife; whatever happens, I’ll bear it with you."

Xian'er gave a sweet smile and held his arm tightly. Eldest Miss saw their intimacy and couldn't help but hum in contentment. Setting aside her previous disagreements with Lin San, she softly said, "This lantern has yet to be lit. According to tradition, it should be lit by a grown man of the Xiao family. However, our family lacks a male figure—"

"I know, I know," Lin Wanrong eagerly interrupted with a smile, "I'm half a son-in-law, so it counts if I light it."

Eldest Miss's pretty face flushed and she retorted, "Wishful thinking! My mother is an elder. Although you may be considered half a man of the Xiao family, you're not a full member. Therefore, you and my mother should light this lantern together."

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, finding some truth in her words. Madam Xiao glanced at him and gave a subtle nod.

The Second Miss had already instructed Huan’er to bring the candles. Eighteen lanterns were strung together by a fuse, making lighting them quite simple. Xian'er and the two sisters from the Xiao family stepped back. Lin Wanrong and Madam Xiao each held a torch. Perhaps standing too close, Madam Xiao's face took on a hint of blush; even Lin Wanrong could feel the warm air emanating from her radiant complexion.

The two of them lit the fuse, and in a short while, the eighteen lanterns were illuminated one after another. The soft glow of the lamps created a warm atmosphere.

Madam Xiao stood bathed in the dim yellow lantern light. Her white dress tightly wrapped around her beautifully sculpted figure, and her exquisite face shimmered with a faint glow. Her neckline flushed with a beautiful red hue, her chest rising and falling softly, revealing glimpses of her ivory-like skin. Her demeanor was noble, almost divine, and seemed beyond reproach.

Each woman stood amidst the red lanterns on the ground, exuding their unique charm. Lin Wanrong was dazzled, unsure of where to look.

Madam Xiao bent down to put the torch away, her mature figure drawing an enchanting curve. Lin Wanrong, standing beside her, felt momentarily dazed. Sensing his gaze, Madam Xiao's neck flushed even redder and she quickly straightened up.

"These lanterns are so beautiful," the Second Miss pointed at the lanterns and giggled. "The monk from Grand Prime Minister Temple really didn't deceive us."

"Where, what are you talking about?" Lin Wanrong felt a sudden pang of anxiety. He had grown wary of Grand Prime Minister Temple.

Yushuang smiled sweetly, "Where else could it be but Grand Prime Minister Temple? You bad man, you wouldn't know. The monk there is miraculous; he not only guessed our names but also knew our mother’s background. The lanterns he bestowed upon us are not ordinary either. They're heavy and worth double the usual ones. It took two carts to bring them back. The monk assured us that once lit, they would shine as bright as autumn leaves."

Overjoyed, the Second Miss chirped happily, leaving Lin Wanrong shocked. Unable to consider anything else, he quickly embraced Madam Xiao who was standing beside him.

"Lin San, what are you doing?!" The women of the Xiao family screamed in unison. Madam Xiao was a mixture of shame and anger, delivering a sharp kick to Lin Wanrong's shin.

Wincing in pain, Lin Wanrong’s eyes reddened as he shouted, "Xian'er, take the young ladies and run—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a series of thunderous explosions resounded like firecrackers, shaking the earth and sky. In that moment, a burst of red light illuminated the heavens...

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