Finest Servant - Chapter 216

Chapter 216 Encirclement

“Oh, a gust of wind blew through just now and extinguished the lamp. I was just about to light it again,” Lin Wanrong said with a chuckle. Luo Ning, however, buried herself in the quilt, too embarrassed to speak.

Qiaoqiao placed the freshly-made lotus seed porridge on the table and laughed, “What an ill-timed wind, the lamp was extinguished as soon as I returned. Big brother, what were you and Sister Ning talking about?”

With a click, Lin Wanrong struck the flint, immediately illuminating the oil lamp. Luo Ning had already regained her composure, her hands gripping the edge of the quilt tightly, her face flushed like a radiant maple. She dared not look at Qiaoqiao, let alone Lin Wanrong. Naturally beautiful, her embarrassment combined with the pitiful fragility of illness made her endearing. Lin Wanrong felt his heart jump a few times. This girl, she was certainly enticing, clearly trying to seduce him.

“Sister Ning and I were just talking about some interesting things. Qiaoqiao, this porridge smells wonderful, Sister Ning should eat more,” Lin Wanrong said, glancing at Luo Ning.

Qiaoqiao handed a bowl of lotus seed porridge to Luo Ning, helping her sit up. Seeing her face flushed with her eyes gently gleaming, she seemed to have recovered a great deal from her illness, prompting her to exclaim, “Sister Ning, are you feeling better?”

Luo Ning’s face turned even redder, and she quietly responded, “After talking with Brother Lin for a while, I feel much better.”

Luo Ning’s illness was essentially psychosomatic. Once her worries were alleviated, her recovery was swift. Having regained some strength, she consumed a bowl of lotus seed porridge in one sitting. Seeing Lin Wanrong smiling at her, she couldn’t help but blush again, shyly suggesting, “Brother Lin, the lotus seed porridge that Qiaoqiao made tastes incredibly good, you should try it as well.”

Qiaoqiao chuckled, “If you look at her a bit longer, Big brother, I’m sure Sister Ning can eat two more bowls.”

“You mischievous girl, what nonsense are you talking about?” Luo Ning, feeling somewhat guilty, couldn’t help but lightly pat Qiaoqiao’s arm at her words. Glancing at a rolled-up painting on the table, she asked in surprise, “Oh, where did this painting come from? Why haven’t I seen it before?”

Suddenly realizing, Qiaoqiao recalled that the painting Lin Wanrong had been working on when she left was still on the table. What would happen if Luo Ning saw it? She quickly ran over, her face turning crimson, hiding the painting behind her and saying, “This is just a random sketch I made. It has nothing to do with Big brother.”

Seeing this, Lin Wanrong couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. He couldn’t pretend to be foolish with these two girls around. At this moment, the room was exceptionally peaceful, with two beautiful women, one his betrothed, and the other who had secretly developed feelings for him. Indeed, he was the master of this boudoir. Remembering his flirtation with Qiaoqiao in the outer chamber, he couldn’t help but grin. If he had known this would happen, he would have been more upfront, instead of sneaking around.

How could Luo Ning not know what the painting was? She snuck a glance at Lin Wanrong and immediately bowed her head in extreme embarrassment.

Seeing Qiaoqiao, then Luo Ning, Lin Wanrong felt like bursting into laughter. Zhang San draws Li Si in his room, Li Si draws Wang Wu in his room, this was truly delightful. [TL: Zhan San, Li Si, Wang Wu are placeholder names like John Doe or Jane Smith.]

Both girls were keeping secrets, too afraid to speak. Seeing their expressions, Lin Wanrong found it amusing, but he was also moved. Women of this era were so innocent and adorable.

After a long pause, Qiaoqiao finally lifted her head, her blush gradually fading. She was genuinely happy to see Luo Ning recovering so quickly, and she turned to Lin Wanrong, saying, “Big brother, you should visit Sister Ning more often. This way, she can recover faster.”

“No, don’t—” Luo Ning suddenly cried out in alarm. Seeing both of them looking at her, a wave of sweetness and worry welled up inside her. She softly said, “Brother Lin is very busy, he can’t spend all his time on a weak woman like me. Seeing him today is more than enough for me, I don’t dare trouble him further.”

Women’s thoughts are hard to guess. One moment this girl was bold, and the next, she was shy. Lin Wanrong was quite confused about what she was thinking.

Luo Ning’s condition had improved considerably. As the two girls chatted quietly, Lin Wanrong was left to the side. He didn’t know whether he should stay or leave.

Luo Ning tightly grasped Qiaoqiao’s hand and said, “Dear sister, I’m a bit scared being in this room alone. You should stay tonight, and we can have a heart-to-heart talk.”

Qiaoqiao softly agreed, smiling, “Then I’ll stay and accompany you, sister.”

Lin Wanrong chuckled to himself. If Qiaoqiao was staying to keep Luo Ning company, should he stay to accompany Qiaoqiao? Seeing the two women with their delicate faces smiling, radiant as flowers, Lin Wanrong felt a stir in his heart. This Luo Ning, was he also supposed to ‘consume’ her? Damn, was he supposed to be a stallion? That would be a bit too exhausting.

Seeing it was getting late, Lin Wanrong had to bid farewell and head downstairs. Luo Ning watched him, unsure what to say. When Qiaoqiao escorted him downstairs, she suddenly giggled and said, “Big brother, I think Sister Ning is quite fond of you. You should remember to visit her often.”

Seeing that there was no one around, Lin Wanrong pulled the young girl into his embrace and kissed her. He laughed, “Don’t you want me to visit you often?”

“Yes!” Qiaoqiao murmured in his embrace, “Big brother, I think about you every day. If you go to the capital, I don’t know how I’ll go on.”

Lin Wanrong sighed deeply. The ancients said that the grave of a hero lies in a woman’s boudoir, and it wasn’t wrong. Lin Wanrong, without great ambition and not much of a hero, found himself wanting nothing more than to hold Qiaoqiao, with no desire to go anywhere else. He patted Qiaoqiao’s shoulder and said, “Darling, once I find your sister Qingxuan in the capital, we’ll come back, and then I’ll marry you.”

Qiaoqiao softly agreed, burying her head even deeper into his chest. As he left Luo Ning’s chamber, Lin Wanrong was still contemplating these matters. Suddenly, a figure rushed towards him, nearly colliding with him. Looking closely, he realized it was Luo Yuan.

“Big Brother, what are you doing here?” Upon seeing Lin Wanrong, Luo Yuan was also startled, asking hurriedly.

Lin Wanrong slapped him on the shoulder a couple of times, saying nothing. ‘Little Brother, I have nothing to say. Your sister has charmed me, and I have failed your expectations. But you can’t blame me for this. I’m quite innocent in all this.’

Lin Wanrong flashed a peculiar smile, revealing his teeth. “I heard that Miss Luo is ill, so I came to visit her. Looking at your flustered manner, what’s the matter that has you so worried?”

Luo Yuan anxiously replied, “Big Brother, do you know where my father is? Oh, I’m so anxious!”

Seeing the usually calm Luo Yuan in such a state, the matter couldn’t be simple. Lin Wanrong asked, “What’s the matter, Little Luo? Why are you looking for your father?”

Luo Yuan responded, “Big Brother, you don’t know. Cheng De, covered in armor, suddenly came to visit, saying he has urgent military matters to report to my father. He also brought the soldiers from his infantry and cavalry regiments and has surrounded our residence.”

“What?” Lin Wanrong was greatly surprised. Bringing troops to surround the governor’s residence? Was Cheng De really planning a rebellion? Dammit, he’d only mentioned it in passing. Old Cheng, don’t you rebel so prematurely.

He forced himself to calm down. Jiangsu, situated between Zhejiang, Shandong, and Anhui provinces, was not an easy place for a rebellion. Moreover, Cheng De’s forces were not numerous; any rebellion would be a death wish. Could it be that Cheng De caught wind of something and knew Luo Min wasn’t home, so he deliberately came to probe?

His mood settled, he patted Luo Yuan on the shoulder. “Little Luo, don’t panic. Cheng De doesn’t have many soldiers, he won’t dare to act recklessly. Your father isn’t at home today, and you are the man of the house. Go out boldly and meet him. Say what needs to be said. If you can’t knock him down, at least scare him a bit.”

Luo Yuan nodded. “What Big Brother says is true. I will go out and meet him. Big Brother, please hold the fort in the side hall for me.”

The two men went outside. Upon reaching the front hall, they saw hundreds of soldiers standing at the entrance, torches ablaze, their armor gleaming, flags waving. Standing in front was Cheng De, a man they had met before. Clad in armor atop a horse, Cheng De’s face was stern, his eyes flashing with a hint of menace.

Luo Yuan stepped forward and gave a bow. “Nephew Luo Yuan greets Uncle Cheng. I didn’t know you would be visiting my humble abode, so I apologize for my lack of reception.”

Cheng De replied, “There’s no need for such formalities, Nephew Luo Yuan. I have urgent official business to report to Governor Luo. Is he at home?”

Luo Yuan answered, “Uncle Cheng, your timing is unfortunate. My father went out to visit a friend tonight, and I don’t know when he will return. If you have military affairs to discuss, I suggest you report them at the yamen tomorrow.”

Cheng De stated, “The military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed. Since Governor Luo is not here, I’ll wait for him here.” As soon as he finished speaking, he dismounted his horse, and his soldiers gathered behind him.

Lin Wanrong had a hunch. Although Cheng De brought his soldiers with great bravado, he seemed more bark than bite. He must have sensed something and intentionally came to test Luo Min.

Luo Yuan stepped forward. “If that’s the case, Uncle Cheng, I invite you into the residence for some tea.”

Cheng De waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need. I’m a soldier by profession, and I can certainly wait here for a while.” As he spoke, soldiers had already brought forward a large chair. Cheng De settled himself in the chair and didn’t move.

Dammit, this Cheng De was quite audacious. He certainly wouldn’t dare to act this way without a master backing him. Cheng De’s brazen probing indicated that both he and his master behind the scenes had sensed something. If old Luo didn’t return today, it would likely make them even more suspicious.

Lin Wanrong pulled out his firearm from his robe, aimed at Cheng De, and was tempted to shoot him dead on the spot. But ultimately, he refrained. If he really killed Cheng De, Old Luo’s mansion might turn into a river of blood tonight. Old Luo, when you were beating the dog, did you not think you might get bitten? As Lin Wanrong was contemplating this, suddenly a loud shout came from a distance: “Bold! Who dares to cause a commotion in front of the Governor’s Mansion?”

From afar, a group of people approached. The one leading the group, dressed in a yellow robe and holding a shimmering steel blade, had an impressive air of authority. It was Gao Shou, the blade-wielding bodyguard. In the middle of the group, a man with a protruding belly walked. If it wasn’t Luo Min, who else could it be?