Finest Servant

Chapter 189 Luo Ning’s State of Mind

“Why so?” Lin Wanrong exclaimed in surprise.

“You’re meddling in a poetry match designed to choose a suitor. What’s your role in it?” The Eldest Miss glared at him, a blush creeping onto her face as she gently warned, “If you dare to speak out, I will ensure Yushuang ignores you forever. Let’s see how you’ll handle that.”

‘Good heavens! What a threat,’ Lin Wanrong thought to himself, amused. ‘The Eldest Miss’s threat is weak at best. Does she really think that by uttering a single sentence, Yushuang would ignore me forever? I understand my little darling better than that. If anything, I would be surprised if I believed her. But if she indeed bad-mouthed me in front of Yushuang or instigated some other nonsense, it could become a problem. On one hand, I am bound by Little Luo’s request to do whatever it takes for my brethren. But on the other hand, I’m dealing with Yushuang’s sister. For the sake of a beautiful lady, am I supposed to stab my brethren in the back?’

Noticing his prolonged silence, the Eldest Miss snapped irritably, “Did you hear what I said? Are you, perhaps, smitten by Miss Luo’s beauty? You…you—” She clenched her teeth, grumbling, “Where do you place my—our Xiao family?”

‘Dear me, how does the Xiao family fit into this?’ Lin Wanrong thought. ‘You’ve had your say, both good and bad, how am I supposed to respond?’ He managed a wry smile and softly explained, “Eldest Miss, there’s something you don’t understand. Miss Luo is a lady of high standards. None of the talented gentlemen of Jinling have caught her eye. Her grandmother’s actions today stem from concern for her, but Miss Luo is not interested. She is simply looking for ways to reject these gentlemen. My relationship with Miss Luo is nothing more than cordial. However, she is a good friend of Qiaoqiao and has helped me in the past. One should never forget a favor, right? My presence here is purely out of obligation, a friendly cameo. You heard what Little Luo said earlier. Miss Luo and I are from two different worlds, utterly mismatched.”

The Eldest Miss pondered for a long while before snorting, “Then you better not answer casually later. If someone wants to answer, you block them. If no one answers, you must keep your mouth shut.”

‘Good Lord! Does she think I’m a prodigy, capable of providing answers instantly?’ Lin Wanrong forced a smile, “Eldest Miss, I might stumble upon an answer or two occasionally, but I can’t promise to have all the answers.”

She conceded the point. Although he had some scholarly ability, she had perhaps been overestimating him. With a small smile, the Eldest Miss fell silent.

As the two conversed, Luo Ning grew anxious. When she saw Luo Yuan turn back towards her and then glance at Lin Wanrong, who was smiling, she felt a bit more at ease.

Upon hearing that Miss Luo was seemingly choosing a suitor, the young men seated outside the hall hurriedly flocked in. Luo Min chuckled at the sight. Seeing his mother in high spirits, he didn’t wish to dampen her enthusiasm, so he gestured grandly, inviting the young scholars and gentlemen to take a seat inside the hall.

“Ning’er, all the talented young masters from Jiangsu are here today. Go ahead and pose your question,” the old lady said with a chuckle. Suddenly, the hall fell silent as everyone eagerly awaited Miss Luo’s first question.

Luo Ning was both embarrassed and surprised, with no avenue of retreat. She bit her lip, looking towards the courtyard pond, and softly recited, “The green water is naturally calm; a wind ripples its surface.” The metaphor mirrored her current state of mind — having no intention to choose a suitor, but her grandmother’s eager affection had disturbed the tranquillity of her life, like wind stirring a peaceful pond.

After hearing Luo Ning’s words, the Eldest Miss let out a sigh of relief. Miss Luo truly didn’t seem interested, and Lin Wanrong hadn’t been dishonest. However, the other scholars and gentlemen had different thoughts. Upon seeing Miss Luo pose her question, they couldn’t help but start thinking rapidly, especially Hou Yuebai, who saw this as a golden opportunity.

Yet, Lin Wanrong paid no attention to Luo Ning’s posed question. Smiling, he said to Xiao Yuruo, “Eldest Miss, Miss Luo’s main worry is likely that Young Master Hou. All we need to do is block him.”

The Eldest Miss could understand Luo Ning’s feelings, and she too couldn’t help worrying for her. Seeing Hou Yuebai eager to answer, she pushed Lin Wanrong urgently, “Lin San, quickly answer—”. But as soon as the words were out, she regretted it, ‘What am I doing?’

Seeing the Eldest Miss so anxious, Lin Wanrong thought something must have happened. He quickly stood up and said, “Miss Luo, I will answer.” He glanced at Hou Yuebai in the distance, who was deep in thought, not ready to respond at all. ‘What is the Eldest Miss up to? Isn’t this just causing trouble for me?’ He looked at Xiao Yuruo, who turned her head away, seemingly unwilling to pay him any attention.

‘Damn it! You were the one who asked me to answer, and now you’re the one who’s angry. I’m really caught in the middle here,’ he thought.

Seeing Lin Wanrong stand up, Luo Ning felt a thrill of surprise and quickly said, “Please, Young Master Lin, proceed.” Luo Yuan secretly gave Lin Wanrong a thumbs-up. His big brother was truly reliable.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Lin Wanrong scratched his head, “Miss Luo, there were too many people talking just now, and I didn’t hear clearly. Could you repeat your question?”

At his words, both the Eldest Miss and Luo Ning almost fainted. Luo Yuan and everyone else in the hall were similarly dumbfounded. ‘What kind of person is this? He didn’t even hear the question clearly, yet he claimed he had an answer. He’s clearly here to cause chaos. The Xiao family is so wicked to send a mere servant to ruin Miss Luo’s event. This is just too much.’

The Eldest Miss was shocked but also couldn’t help feeling a little delighted. She shot him a quick glance, her voice soft and chiding, “You… don’t you see how beautiful Miss Luo is? You didn’t even pay attention to her question. What’s the point in standing up to answer? Isn’t this damaging the reputation of our Xiao family?”

Upon hearing the Eldest Miss’s words, Lin Wanrong broke out in goosebumps. ‘It’s true what they say, good men don’t fight with women. Women are just too unpredictable. She’s the one making all the rules.’

Frustrated, Luo Ning’s cheeks flushed a bright red. Such a public affront was utterly embarrassing. Even the day when he harshly criticized her painting hadn’t been this bad.

Looking at Lin Wanrong with a frosty expression, she gritted her teeth, and said word by word, “In that case, please listen carefully, Young Master Lin. The question I posed is— ‘The green water is naturally calm; a wind ripples its surface.’”

“Oh, it’s this couplet—” Lin Wanrong quickly contemplated. His eyes drifted past the door curtain to the lush green mountains in the distance. He smirked and said, “Miss Luo, here’s my response to your couplet— ‘Green mountains are not aged by time; snow renders them white-haired.’”

Brilliant! It was unclear who first praised him, but soon the hall erupted with applause. This couplet, whether in terms of rhyme or imagery, was perfectly matched. Especially the latter half, which not only bore a beautiful meaning but also subtly implied a marriage proposal. It was indeed an exceptional masterpiece. It was astonishing that a mere servant of the Xiao family could exhibit such extraordinary talent. When someone brought up that this was the same Lin San who had contended against the Tao family at Sunshine and Rain Restaurant in Hangzhou and made friends with Xu Wei, the entire hall gasped in awe. Even the learned scholar Mr. Wenchang looked at him with new respect—this servant was profoundly unpredictable.

As Lin Wanrong recited the words, he realized his blunder. “Snow renders them white-haired.” These words would clearly lead Luo Ning to misunderstand. ‘Damn it! I didn’t mean that. It was a slip of the tongue—being too knowledgeable can indeed be a curse.’

Before his response, the Eldest Miss had been worried for him, but once he answered, his couplet seemed to be openly flirting with Miss Luo. Xiao Yuruo turned pale and turned her head away, refusing to look at him directly.

His couplet was full of ambiguity. Even Luo Ning, usually outgoing and bold, couldn’t help but blush, casting a glance at Lin Wanrong, unsure of what to say.

“Good, good, very good.” The first to speak was the birthday celebrant, the old lady. She held Luo Ning’s hand, gave Lin Wanrong a smiling look and said, “Young man, your response was splendid. Ning, you should pose two more questions today. Let’s see if these young gentlemen’s talents can satisfy you.”

Luo Ning dared not go against her grandmother’s good intentions. She stole a glance at Lin Wanrong, her cheeks blushing, and softly replied, “Yes.”

Lin Wanrong was in a tight spot, neither able to stand nor sit comfortably. Young Master Guo, who was straightforward, said to him, “Lin San, you should answer two more. Take Miss Luo home as a maid. Having a talented lady as a servant, you as the master, you can do whatever you want. It must feel great. Heh heh.” Lin Wanrong wiped the sweat from his forehead. Young Master Guo’s thinking was too modern and lecherous. ‘I like it,’ he thought.

The Eldest Miss glared at Guo Wuchang, who immediately blanched and fell silent. Just as Lin Wanrong was about to speak to Xiao Yuruo, he heard the Eldest Miss snort and turn her head away.

Luo Ning cast a glance at Lin Wanrong, her heart filled with an indescribable emotion. This man seemed to be talented yet not, crude yet not; it was difficult to read him. She sighed and gazed at the pond as she softly recited, “Autumn water reflects the silver hall, mandarin ducks share the same wing—”

The first couplet showed some rejection towards a partner, but the tone had already changed in the second. Even Luo Ning herself probably didn’t understand her feelings at this point. Lin Wanrong couldn’t dare to respond casually this time; once could be considered an accident, but twice would be nothing less than flagrant flirting. After all, he had already helped once; this time, he wouldn’t stick his neck out unless necessary.

Luo Ning noticed that everyone in the hall was deep in thought, while only Lin Wanrong was nonchalantly looking around, seemingly indifferent. She sighed silently, lowering her eyes and falling quiet.

In the midst of his contemplation, Hou Yuebai suddenly clapped his hands and shouted excitedly, “I have the answer! Miss Luo, I have the answer!”

Luo Ning softly sighed, “Has Young Master Hou figured it out? Then, please share. Luo Ning is all ears.”

The Eldest Miss did not speak. Noticing Luo Ning’s look of defeat and unwillingness, she felt a pang of sympathy. When she raised her head to see Lin San’s indifferent attitude, she couldn’t help but snap at him, “You bad man, didn’t I ask you to keep an eye on that Hou fellow? How did you let him answer?”

Other than surprise, Lin Wanrong had no words to say. With women, there was never any logic to be had.