Finest Servant - Chapter 196

Chapter 196 Who Looks Better?

“Why would they want the perfume formula? Young Prince Ning is of dragon lineage (Late Emperor’s grandson), basking in eternal wealth and prosperity. Why would he collude with the demonic people of the White Lotus cult?” The Eldest Miss was puzzled, and after a moment of contemplation, a hint of horror flickered in her eyes. “Could it be that they…”

The Eldest Miss’s face turned pale. She bit her lower lip, unable to continue. No wonder they wanted the perfume formula and to seize the wealth of the Xiao family. When you boiled it down, it was all to amass wealth in preparation for their grand plan.

Lin Wanrong nodded, saying, “Eldest Miss, you are not mistaken. There is no other reason for their actions.”

Upon hearing his words, Xiao Yuruo’s brows furrowed even more, her face revealing deep worry. Seeing her concern, Lin Wanrong consoled her with a chuckle, “Eldest Miss, you should consider it this way: we’re rather fortunate to have encountered such a once-in-a-lifetime event. Others would be envious.”

The Eldest Miss gave him a reproachful look. “You! I’m on the brink of despair, and yet, you’re making light of the situation. How can our Xiao family handle such a calamity?” With that, she sighed involuntarily.

Lin Wanrong replied with a laugh, “Eldest Miss, I’m not being insincere. The ancients have taught us that it’s pointless to worry about something that’s either a blessing or a disaster. Overthinking can disturb one’s peace.”

She glanced at him and quietly said, “Lin San, in that case, when you were captured by the White Lotus cult, it was my family’s fault. If you hadn’t been involved in the affairs of the Xiao family, you wouldn’t have attracted their attention, much less been taken by them.”

Lin Wanrong responded with a hearty laugh, “Eldest Miss, this has nothing to do with you. It’s mainly because I am too outstanding. No matter where I hide, I can be easily identified. Like a vigorous tree standing tall amongst shrubs, I am always the focus. As a naturally outstanding person, being noticed and admired is inevitable, and I just have to get used to it.”

With a “pfft”, the Eldest Miss couldn’t help but laugh, “You sure have a thick skin.” Every conversation with him was both amusing and frustrating. Was this man naturally oblivious to worries?

“Eldest Miss, there’s no need to panic. While the Xiao family is indeed embroiled in this situation, it’s not as dire as you think. In my opinion, the Young Prince is not only after the Xiao family. The southern regions have always been wealthy with robust commerce in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Powerful merchants in Jinling and Hangzhou are unlikely to be uninvolved. What he wants is the money and grain of the South. When the scope expands infinitely, there’s nothing to fear. We’re all in the same boat. As the saying goes, ‘when a nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken’. That’s the principle.” Lin Wanrong explained slowly.

The Eldest Miss pondered for a moment and nodded lightly, “Lin San, you’re right. When disaster strikes, no one can resist, and worrying is useless.” A hint of determination flashed in her eyes, “As my mother used to say, even though we, the Xiao family, are women, we will not be bullied. If the Xiao family is pushed into a corner, I’d rather shatter like a precious gem than remain intact like a common tile.”

Xiao Yuruo spoke with a fierce determination that was so reminiscent of her mother that one could see they were undoubtedly two strong women cut from the same cloth. Lin Wanrong secretly admired her spirit. “Miss,” he said after some thought, “When we were in Hangzhou, I heard Mr. Xu say that the Madam had many old friends in the capital. If something were to happen, they would surely not sit idly by.”

Eldest Miss Xiao shook her head. “I asked my mother about this when we returned from Hangzhou. She said that she had only casual acquaintances in the capital and couldn’t call them close friends. Besides, she’s been away from the capital for many years and we have no idea where these old friends are now. We can’t pin our hopes on others in times of calamity. Our Xiao family, though composed of women, has always conducted business with integrity. We do not fear retribution for we’ve done no wrong. Even in death, we would die with dignity, refusing to engage in any servile or flattering behavior.”

Impressed by her steadfastness, Lin Wanrong chuckled. “Miss, I’m a bit of a coward, so don’t scare me with talk of ghosts and death. You make it sound as grave as a parting of life and death.”

A smile lit up Xiao Yuruo’s face. “If I don’t sound serious, how can I keep you in line? We, the Xiao family, do not engage in things against our conscience. As for you, I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve done many bad things.”

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. “You know me well, Miss. My intention in revealing today’s behind-the-scenes manipulator is to warn you to be vigilant against falling into the traps of the wicked.”

Miss Xiao laughed lightly. “I’m not afraid of anyone, only of falling into the trap of a scoundrel like you.”

Lin Wanrong returned her smile. “Since Miss is so enlightened, I don’t need to worry. On another note, offending this ‘Prince’ today might not be a bad thing. This incident is well-known in Jinling, and the Prince and his son are reputed to be virtuous and upright, unwilling to let others have any bad opinion about them. In my opinion, the Xiao family is safer now than before, when we were under their scrutinizing gaze.” Lin Wanrong continued calmly, “If they really intend to rebel, that’s beyond our control. What will come, will come. Worrying is useless. We should just carry on with our business and make money.”

Eldest Miss Xiao nodded, her heart steadying and mood gradually improving after their conversation. She looked at him with a smile. “So, you had this devilish plan all along. No wonder you were so brazen.”

“Brazen? Me?” Lin Wanrong protested, “Miss, as you can see, I’ve always been conservative, I don’t usually strike unless provoked.”

Eldest Miss Xiao fell silent, gazing at the gently rippling lake, she sighed lightly, “How wonderful it would be if there were no troubles in this world.”

“People are born to endure hardships,” Lin Wanrong responded with a philosophical smile. “The more you think, the more pain you feel. It’s better to not think at all. Life is short, if everyone was like Miss, always furrowing their brows and preoccupied with work, life would be meaningless.”

Suddenly, Eldest Miss Xiao’s face brightened with a smile. “Lin San, do you think Miss Luo is beautiful?”

Exasperated, Lin Wanrong wondered how they had circled back to this topic. Seeing Eldest Miss Xiao’s hopeful eyes, he didn’t want to hide the truth from her and nodded, “Yes, she is beautiful. Extremely so.”

Eldest Miss Xiao’s eyelids lowered, two spots of pink rising on her cheeks as she softly asked, “Then, who is prettier, Miss Luo or me?”

This was a troublesome and unfruitful question, and Lin Wanrong found it difficult to answer. He laughed it off, “Both are beautiful, both indeed.”

Objectively speaking, Eldest Miss Xiao and Luo Ning were two completely different types of women. Both were extremely beautiful in their own rights. Luo Ning was charming and amiable with her outgoing nature, whereas Xiao Yuruo exhibited the air of a strong woman, proud, resilient, and hard to conquer.

Miss Xiao frowned slightly at his evasive response, discontented, “I spoke so kindly with you just now, and this is how you answer me? Are you trying to avoid offending me or her?”

‘Why would I need to mollify you when I am not your husband?’ Lin Wanrong thought.

“Um, Miss,” he hesitated, “Do you really want me to tell the truth?”

“Of course,” Xiao Yuruo replied shyly, “Who has time for your nonsense?”

“Well, to be honest, when Miss Luo smiles—” Xiao Yuruo’s heart skipped a beat before hearing him continue, “—she looks just as beautiful as Miss Xiao.”

A soft hum escaped Xiao Yuruo. A blush spread across her face, she bit her lower lip, and whispered, “You really know how to sweet talk.” She hadn’t realized he had merely rephrased the same compliment, and the effect was completely different. The mind of a woman was indeed unpredictable.

“However,” Lin Wanrong added with a smile, “you look more beautiful when you cry.”

Startled, Xiao Yuruo retorted, “Why are you saying this? I don’t want to hear it—when did you see her cry?”

“Exactly,” Lin Wanrong laughed, “I’ve never seen Miss Luo cry, that’s why I think you look prettier when you do.”

Only then did Eldest Miss Xiao realize she had been fooled again. Hadn’t she just cried in front of him for a long time? Had he taken her lightly because of that? Embarrassed and angry, she admonished, “You’re not being serious after only a few words. As for today, we won’t mention it again.”

Eldest Miss Xiao’s mood had become quite unpredictable, blushing after just a few words. She got into her sedan chair and returned to the Xiao household without speaking another word to Lin Wanrong. Recalling her tear-streaked face by the lake, and comparing it to her current stern expression, Lin Wanrong felt a strange sensation. Was she being played by two different people? Her mood swings were too quick.

However, Lin Wanrong didn’t have time to ponder it further. He was exhausted from the day’s events at Old Luo’s house, full of matching couplet games and other activities. Just as he was about to rest, he heard the maid, Xiao Cui, calling from outside the door, “Brother San, Brother San—”

As Lin Wanrong opened the door, Xiao Cui handed him a package, “Brother San, Eldest Miss sent me to deliver some clothes to you.”

Taking the package, he found the dirty clothes that Eldest Miss Xiao had taken from him after their return from Hangzhou, now returned clean and fresh. The clothes carried a faint scent of soap.

Lin Wanrong accepted the clothes, expressed his thanks, and laughed, “Xiao Cui, which sister washed these for me? A good amount of laundry soap has been used, costing quite a few silver taels, I presume.”

Xiao Cui shook her head, “I don’t know, they were kept in Eldest Miss Xiao’s room all this time.”

Kept in Eldest Miss Xiao’s room? Good heavens, could Miss Xiao have washed these herself? Had the girl changed her ways? Lin Wanrong found himself growing suspicious.