Finest Servant - Chapter 201

Chapter 201 Despicable? Magnanimous?

“Miss Tao, I have made it perfectly clear. After you fainted, the Eldest Miss, fearing your embarrassment upon waking, ordered to have you placed in a certain grove, and then we departed. As for the rest, I’m utterly unaware. Frankly, I haven’t seen many people like our Eldest Miss, who is so grievance-bearing yet virtuous. Meeting her, you’re very fortunate,” Lin Wanrong said.

Upon seeing Tao Wanying’s continually changing expression, Lin Wanrong chuckled inwardly. There was a saying, a scoundrel often grinds another scoundrel. Perhaps this young girl was finally understanding the bitterness of being bullied.

When they initially left the valley, they had heard Tao Wanying’s sharp scream as she awoke. This was a matter Lin Wanrong had personally arranged, and he was well aware of the complications. Of course, he wouldn’t voluntarily disclose this. He feigned surprise and said, “Miss Tao, you repeatedly claim that you were violated. Could something have happened afterward?”

Tao Wanying trembled, tears streaming down her face like rain. If it was as Lin San said and they had abandoned her after placing her down, then who was responsible for the bruises on her body and the blood under her when she woke up? Was it the work of a passing bandit? Her face turned pale, not daring to think any further. If that were the case, she would prefer that it was Lin San who had violated her.

Lin Wanrong had no idea about these strange thoughts running through the young girl’s mind. He chuckled, “By the way, Miss Tao, the day we left your brother on the roadside, do you know what happened afterward?”

At this point, Tao Wanying was somewhat inclined to believe his words. Holding back her grief, she said, “After I woke up in the woods, I was terrified and had no idea what had happened. I returned the same way I came and found my brother unconscious by the roadside. Soon after, our family’s guards who came to rescue us arrived. They said my brother had been drugged and it would take a day or two for him to regain consciousness. They took him back home, and he’s been recuperating since then.”

“Hmm,” Lin Wanrong grunted. He had given Tao Dongcheng half a bag of knockout drug that day. It was no surprise the boy fell unconscious. With Gao Qiu’s unique methods, Tao Dongcheng was ruined for life, which could be considered retribution for his evil deeds.

“Lin San,” Tao Wanying started, her voice shaking. “That day, when I woke up in the woods, my clothes were torn, and my body was bruised… I fear I was—” Unable to hold back any longer, she cried out, “— I fear I was violated.”

Tao Wanying was originally obstinate, always favoring those close to her. But the unbearable torment had worn down her fiery temper. This incident could not be known to others and she had been suppressing it. Today, upon encountering Lin, who was aware of the situation, she seemed to forget her past grudges against him and burst into tears.

‘Tattered clothes? Bruises all over the body? The thing that scared you most must have been those few drops of blood under you,’ he thought. ‘Sigh, spreading knowledge about physical hygiene is really important.’

“Oh, oh, this,” Lin Wanrong stifled a laugh and said, “How could that be possible? When we left, there was no one in sight nearby.”

He paused for a moment, muttering to himself, “Could it have been a woodcutter gathering firewood nearby? A wild man in the woods? Or perhaps, a passing small snake?”

Tao Wanying could no longer hold back, slowly squatting down and bursting into tearful sobs.

‘Am I too despicable?’ Seeing the young girl crying in despair, Lin Wanrong questioned himself, then immediately argued, ‘This girl has tried to kill me numerous times, and I’ve merely pretended to violate her once. Does that make me despicable? Ah, in this world, none could be more magnanimous and kind-hearted than me.’

“Miss Tao, please stop crying for now. I have a few questions to ask you.” Lin Wanrong said gently.

Having been through a rollercoaster of emotions, Tao Wanying surprisingly found herself growing fond of this usually irksome servant. Sobbing, she said, “Go ahead.”

Lin Wanrong nodded and smiled. “Miss Tao, how did you determine that you were violated? Was it simply because your clothes were torn and you were bruised? Ah, that day, in order to avoid suspicion, our Eldest Miss sent a few maidservants to take care of you. They left you in the woods. As you’re aware, your behavior that day was indeed quite atrocious. Our Eldest Miss might not hold it against you, but these maidservants are very loyal. They certainly wouldn’t think the same way. Although they couldn’t kill you, they couldn’t let you off easily either. It wouldn’t be surprising if they pinched you a few times or hit you, causing your clothes to tear and your body to bruise. Doesn’t that make sense?”

As Tao Wanying thought about it, she recalled that on that day, she had treated them terribly, so it would be understandable if the maidservants had taken the chance to retaliate. Choking, she said, “It wasn’t just that. When I woke up, I found that…”

“What did you find…” Lin Wanrong was inwardly gleeful. This normally wild and headstrong girl was finally showing some docility. He couldn’t let this opportunity to tease her pass by, given all the grievances that the Eldest Miss had suffered.

Blushing and bitter, Tao Wanying found no one else to confide in but Lin San. Gritting her teeth, she sobbed, “I found blood…on myself…”

This girl was really naive, Lin Wanrong could no longer contain his laughter. “So, it’s as simple as that. What can the blood prove? Could it not be the blood of a random animal? Miss Tao, judging by my extensive experience with countless women on the battlefield, you seem perfectly fine. Your body is natural, without any signs of violation. Are you overthinking this?”

“Lin San, are you telling the truth?” Tao Wanying lifted her head, asking incredulously, “What do you mean ‘countless women’? Are you speaking the truth? How could you tell when even I couldn’t…”

Her face flushed deeply, and she could not continue. However, the look in her eyes when she gazed at Lin Wanrong was filled with hope. His words had managed to reignite the hope she had thought was forever lost.

‘I strongly advocate for the establishment of a girls’ school, where I can personally teach gynecological knowledge,’ Lin Wanrong mused to himself. He shook his head and chuckled, “Miss Tao, don’t concern yourself with how I can tell. This matter is in fact quite simple. When you get back, find a few older women and have them quietly examine you. Everything will become clear. Why scare yourself here for no reason?”

After Tao Wanying woke up, she had assumed that she had been violated and dared not let any women inspect her. However, after hearing his reasoning, she felt that it made a great deal of sense. She looked at him, her spirits somewhat lifted, and asked earnestly, “Lin San, are you really certain that I haven’t been violated?”

‘Nonsense, wouldn’t I know about something that I did myself?’ Lin Wanrong grinned, “Stop asking. Once you go back and check, you’ll know. I assure you, you still have your chastity intact.”

Biting her lower lip, Tao Wanying’s tears flowed freely, “Lin San, thank you. I really wronged you this time. It’s rare for you to be so magnanimous, I… I… am eternally grateful—” With these words, she turned and briskly walked away, quickly disappearing into the night.

Lin Wanrong looked at the half of the longsword left on the ground and sighed, “This poor girl really is pitiable. I hope this incident has finally changed her temperament.”

Tao Wanying’s interruption had caused him to arrive late at the Luo residence, and to his surprise, Luo Min wasn’t home. Lin Wanrong surmised that it must have been Xu Wei who dragged the old fox away to discuss some matters.

Just as he was about to return disappointed, a woman walked through the door and exclaimed with surprise, “Brother Lin, why are you here?”

Lin Wanrong noticed the pendant hanging on her white collar. The small diamond sparkled under the lamplight. Smiling, he said, “Miss Luo, you truly have a unique aesthetic. The diamond setting on this pendant is exquisite.”

Luo Ning shyly responded, “I can’t take credit for that, Sister Liu Yue’e from the antique shop in town gave me the idea. Her craftsmanship is truly remarkable.”

Lin Wanrong vaguely remembered Liu Yue’e helping the Xiao family in Hangzhou. If she had such excellent skills, could he provide her with diamonds to set on necklaces and earrings to bring to the capital after the New Year? Wouldn’t that create a sensation?

Seeing him deep in thought, Luo Ning asked softly, “Brother Lin, what are you thinking about?”

Lin Wanrong replied, “Oh, it’s nothing. I initially wanted to discuss some matters with Mr. Luo, but he wasn’t at home. It’s rather late, why hasn’t Miss Luo retired for the night?”

Luo Ning excitedly replied, “Brother Lin, I’ve been preparing for the poetry contest these past few days. I just received news from the Chief Senior Scholar that this year’s contest is not only seeing eager participation from talents across Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but also a significant number of talents from the north. It’s going to be a lively event.”

Lin Wanrong had no interest in these academic events, his only concern was his own announcement. Upon hearing this, he merely responded with an uninterested “oh” and said nothing more. Knowing his temperament, Luo Ning covered her mouth and giggled, “Don’t worry, Brother Lin. I’ve prepared all the promotional materials you arranged. I assure you, your thousand taels of silver won’t be spent in vain.”

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, “That’s the spirit. Miss Luo truly understands me.”

Luo Ning chuckled, then suddenly asked, “Brother Lin, Qiaoqiao mentioned that you’ll be going to the capital after the New Year, is that true?”

Lin Wanrong nodded, “Exactly, I’m going to look for someone.”

Luo Ning lowered her head and asked, “Brother Lin, is the person you’re looking for a woman? Is she beautiful?”

Lin Wanrong thought of Xiao Qingxuan’s face, their first meeting by the Xuanwu Lake, the late-night conversations in the quiet courtyard, their rescue from the bandits’ den, and the intimate moments in the hidden cave. Although they had been apart for a while, the memories remained vivid. He sighed softly, saying, “She’s as beautiful as a heavenly fairy, unparalleled in this world.”

Luo Ning bit her lip lightly and asked, “Then, Brother Lin, will you come back?”

Lin Wanrong laughed, “Miss Luo, isn’t Qiaoqiao asking you to probe me? Qiaoqiao is my wife-to-be, she is still here, how could I not return?”

Luo Ning let out a soft sigh, “Brother Lin, although the capital is bustling and lively, with a myriad of sights, there are many people here who care for you. You must come back.”