Chapter 116

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The road down the mountain was extremely rugged. The Eldest Miss, seemingly in a huff, tiptoed in a wobbly fashion and nearly fell several times, yet she stubbornly kept silent. Upon seeing her refusing to glance at him, Lin Wanrong thought to himself, "This young lady is playing the haughty game again. She's indeed quite obstinate."

Upon descending from the mountain, they saw that the troops had all scattered; the scene was so silent, not even a bird's shadow could be spotted.

Lin Wanrong, completely unfamiliar with the terrain, could only distinguish north from south. Seeing him standing in the middle of the road, gazing around like a dazed goose, the Eldest Miss Xiao chuckled. She swiftly covered her mouth, thinking, ‘That's for annoying me.’

Observing her calm demeanor, Lin Wanrong knew she must recognize this place. He forced a wry smile and said, "My dear Eldest Miss, please speak."

Eldest Miss Xiao hummed lightly, a triumphant smile on her face, and sweetly said, "This is Dangtu County."

Dangtu County was located in Anhui Province, hundreds of miles away from Jinling. The bandits had gone to great lengths indeed. The Eldest Miss Xiao had visited Dangtu County a few times for business, so she recognized the way.

The pair rested in the town for a while, ate breakfast, changed clothes, and took a bath. Then they hired a horse carriage, heading straight for Jinling. Luckily, Lin Wanrong had some small silver coins with him to afford the carriage. Miss Xiao Yuruo, a rich young lady, did not usually carry money. She carried a good amount of makeup, though. ‘Women,’ Lin Wanrong sighed inwardly.

The horse carriage clopped along, heading northward. Eldest Miss Xiao remained silent in the carriage. Lin Wanrong yawned; he hadn't slept all night, having spent it whispering sweet nothings with Xiao Qingxuan. Exhausted, he leaned against the carriage, about to doze off, when Eldest Miss Xiao asked, "Lin San, where is Miss Xiao from?"

Lin Wanrong replied, "I believe she's from the capital." Xiao Qingxuan hadn't mentioned her background, and respecting her, Lin Wanrong hadn't asked.

Xiao Yuruo huffed, glancing at him sideways, "She's extremely beautiful. I wonder how a celestial being like her could fall for you. You must have deceived her with some despicable means."

Feeling a pang of guilt, Lin Wanrong thought to himself that without the help of the aphrodisiac, his relationship with Xiao Qingxuan might have been uncertain. He felt Eldest Miss Xiao was underestimating him. Indignant, he retorted, "Our feelings are mutual. It's not as filthy as you make it out to be!"

Xiao Yuruo huffed again but didn't respond. Lin Wanrong dug out a parcel he had brought with him, held the musket in his hands, and started toying with it.

In this era, a firearm like this was a rare artifact, especially a double-barreled one, which demanded superior craftsmanship. It was said that Mr. York had specifically brought this from the West as a gift for Xiao Qingxuan. In the whole of the Great Hua, there was only one such piece. Judging from the quality and feel of the gun, it must be a highly valued object in the West, let alone in Great Hua. Lin Wanrong was perhaps the only person in the Great Hua dynasty who possessed a firearm. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NovᴇlFɪre .ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Thinking of Xiao Qingxuan, Lin Wanrong felt warmth in his heart. His feelings for this girl were unique, akin to a bosom friend. She understood him well; the aphrodisiac and firearm were indeed treasures suited to him. Thinking of this, he felt some gratitude towards Tao Dongcheng. If it weren't for Tao Dongcheng's schemes, given Xiao Qingxuan's personality, the two might have never had such an opportunity in their lifetimes.

He had learned forty to fifty percent of Xiao Qingxuan's martial arts skills, and even received a firearm from her, yet he didn't feel the slightest bit like a gigolo.

‘A gigolo? Damn, to conquer a girl like Xiao Qingxuan, if not for my masculine charm, how could it be possible? From psychological to physical conquest, my strength was what counted. Those who accused me of being a gigolo, could you conquer a woman yourself? Damn, it was pure jealousy.’

"Lin San, how did Tao Dongcheng bring the troops to rescue us?" The Eldest Miss Xiao suddenly said thoughtfully.

Rescue us? Heh, that's a nice way to put it.’ He retorted, "Eldest Miss, do you really think he came to rescue us? Although his father is the silk weaver of Suzhou, could that position really mobilize the military forces of Jiangsu Commander-in-Chief to rescue us?"

Xiao Yuruo nodded, "There is something strange about it. When Tao Dongcheng charged up the mountain last night, I didn't see many of the White Lotus bandits. If they had fled, why would they leave me behind?"

Lin Wanrong sighed inwardly. If it weren't for the fact that Xiao Yuruo hadn't fallen for Tao Dongcheng's scheme, she wouldn't have this clear mind to analyze the situation so calmly. If he hadn't appeared in time last night, and she had been taken by that Tao Dongcheng, she would certainly not be analyzing the situation this calmly.

"Eldest Miss, think about it. Why were those White Lotus bandits so courteous to you? Was it just because they were hoping Madam would ransom you with gold?"

This was precisely what Xiao Yuruo was puzzled about. Lin Wanrong further elaborated, "You fainted mysteriously yesterday. When you woke up, the bandits were gone, and young Master Tao arrived just in time—"

When it came to crucial matters, Xiao Yuruo was rather astute. She gasped, "Are you suggesting... that Tao Dongcheng was in league with them?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I didn't say anything. You did."

Xiao Yuruo glared at him, highly dissatisfied with his evasion of responsibility. She pondered for a while, then sighed, "If this is true, why would Tao Dongcheng want to associate with the White Lotus Sect? He has status, a good position, and plenty of money."

Lin Wanrong roughly knew the reasons but didn't want to disclose them to her. He shrugged, "As for the specific reasons, I really don't know."

The Eldest Miss Xiao fell silent, and Lin Wanrong remembered something. "Eldest Miss," he began, "Does our Xiao family have any establishments in the capital? How's the business there?"

Xiao Yuruo replied seriously, "Of course. The capital is under the Emperor's feet, full of countless dignitaries. How could I possibly neglect it? Aside from Jiangsu, the capital is where our Xiao family conducts the most business. After settling the matters here this year, I plan to go there to expand our business next spring."

Hearing this, Lin Wanrong was overjoyed. He had been wanting to go to the capital for Xiao Qingxuan, and now, hearing that the Eldest Miss Xiao would be heading there in the spring, he was all for it, hands, feet, and all. Dominating Jinling and the capital, indeed the job of the Xiao family's servant was quite interesting. He was starting to enjoy this feeling, playing the fool to trick the tiger felt exhilarating.

"Why are you so happy?" Xiao Yuruo suddenly asked coldly, "Is it because Miss Xiao is in the capital, and you want to see her?"

There was no point in hiding this. Lin Wanrong chuckled and replied, "The two matters aren't mutually exclusive."

Xiao Yuruo gave him a look, opened her mouth as if to say something, but fell silent. A tense quietude filled the carriage.

Just as Lin Wanrong was thinking about leaning back in the carriage for a nap, he noticed that the Eldest Miss Xiao's face was flushed, her demeanor coy. She kept glancing out of the carriage window, as if she had some urgent matter to attend to.

Following her gaze, he saw that the carriage was next to a dense forest. Considering her coy demeanor, he wondered, was she in need of a bathroom break? She had been immobilized since last night, and after seven or eight hours, such a need was indeed normal. But this Eldest Miss Xiao was so reserved, how could she possibly voice such a need?

"Driver, stop the carriage," Lin Wanrong yelled, "I need to pee."

"Vulgar!" The Eldest Miss Xiao muttered with a red face. Yet she heard him say to her, "Eldest Miss, the forest over there has a nice view, with dense leaves and a good cover. Why don't you go and take a look? We can take a short break before we continue."

He even winked at her, causing her face to flush crimson. 'So, he has noticed,' she thought. She felt somewhat grateful, but she was too shy to admit it. Without a word, she stepped down from the carriage. She saw Lin San standing beside the carriage, seemingly about to unfasten his belt to relieve himself right there. She cried out hastily, "Lin San, what are you doing?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Didn't I just say what I was going to do? What do you think I am going to do?"

The Eldest Miss Xiao gasped, cried out, "Shameless!" and turned to run towards the forest in embarrassment.

Lin Wanrong shook his head with a smile. 'This girl, can't she take a joke?' he thought.

The carriage driver asked in confusion, "Aren't you going to pee?"

Lin Wanrong laughed out loud, "This is saline-alkali land, even if I pee, it won't make it fertile. It won't grow crops, it's a waste. I'll save it for watering the garden back home." The driver also burst out laughing.

The Eldest Miss Xiao approached the edge of the forest, her heart filled with a hint of fear. The forest was so dense; who knew what creatures - snakes, insects, mice, or ants - might lurk within. Hearing laughter from behind, she turned to see that Lin San hadn't done any vulgar act at all. Instead, he was leaning against the carriage, resting with his eyes closed. 'So, he deceived me on purpose. He thought of such a trick just to scare me. How despicable,' she thought.

She dared not venture into the forest alone, so she called out softly, "Lin San, Lin San, come here—"

Lin Wanrong wondered what she wanted him for. 'Could it be that she wants us to go together?' He smirked inwardly as he approached, asking, "Eldest Miss, what is it?"

Xiao Yuruo replied weakly, "The forest is too dense, and I'm a little afraid. Stay here and guard the spot while I go in to enjoy the scenery—" As she uttered those last few words, her face turned as red as the evening glow.

"Understood," Lin Wanrong said, pretending not to catch her meaning. "Just call me if you need anything."

Xiao Yuruo gave a soft hum in response and walked into the forest, until she was out of Lin San's sight. Only then did her heart rate slow. 'This man,' she thought, 'aside from being a bit wicked, he's good in every other aspect.'

After waiting for a while, Lin Wanrong saw the Eldest Miss Xiao emerge with a red face. Knowing she was shy, he pretended not to notice and remarked, "The scenery here is truly splendid. If we get another chance, we should visit again."

The Eldest Miss Xiao whispered, "Lin San, let's go."

They both got back into the carriage. The Eldest Miss Xiao was quiet and didn't speak. Lin Wanrong didn't bother her either, thinking it was finally time for that nap.

Seeing Lin Wanrong leaning against the carriage, looking exhausted, Xiao Yuruo thought, 'I owe him for his help this time. Who knows what could have happened otherwise?' A sense of gratitude rose within her, and the way she looked at him softened. Lin Wanrong yawned and said, "Eldest Miss, don't look at me like that, I'll become shy."

"You, go to hell—" The Eldest Miss Xiao snapped, instantly furious. She threw a pillow at him, her fleeting fondness for him instantly extinguished.

When it came to teasing girls, Lin Wanrong needed no preparation. Even though his teasing was casual, its effect was extraordinary. Like this time, throughout the journey to Jinling, a distance of hundreds of miles, the Eldest Miss Xiao did not speak another word to Lin Wanrong. She bore a resentful expression as if she held a grudge against him. Anyway, Lin Wanrong was already accustomed to this. If he saw the Eldest Miss Xiao smiling at him, he might suspect that she had ulterior motives.

As the carriage entered Jinling, Xiao Yuruo's eyes grew moist. Never before had she felt such a strong sensation upon leaving home. Thinking about how she nearly hadn't made it back, she could no longer hold back her tears, which started to fall in large drops.

Seeing her crying silently, Lin Wanrong thought, 'This girl has indeed suffered quite a bit.'

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Xiao residence, the Eldest Miss Xiao was even more emotional. She held her face in her hands, her slender shoulders trembling as she wept. She was so overcome with emotion that she couldn't even get off the carriage. Lin Wanrong hopped off from the carriage, stood at the gate, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "The Eldest Miss has returned—"

The mansion was thrown into chaos. Without wasting a moment, a large crowd emerged, led by Madam Xiao.

"Yuruo, where is Yuruo—?" Madam Xiao cried out in panic, tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Mother—" Xiao Yuruo stepped out of the carriage and immediately threw herself into her mother's arms. Mother and daughter clung to each other, weeping bitterly.

'It's so bloody touching,' Lin Wanrong thought, wiping the corner of his eye.

"Lin San, you're back." The mansion veteran steward, Fubo, greeted Lin Wanrong with a bear hug.

"Fubo, I've missed you so much. Let's hug—"

"Ah, Changbo, I've missed you too. Let's hug—"

"Eh, Chief Steward Wang, I've missed you too. Let's hug—"

"Madam, I've missed you too. Let's hug— Take care!" Lin Wanrong was about to give Madam Xiao a hug when her sharp glare made him reconsider.

With an awkward smile, he noticed Young Master Guo waving at him and walked over, asking, "Young Master, what's up?"

"Lin San, Miss Qin has left," Guo Wuchang said dejectedly.

'She's gone? That's great,' Lin Wanrong thought to himself, feeling secretly relieved. If the young lady were still here, with her temperament, who knew what might have happened. Though Qin Xian'er held deep affection for him, her tendency to resort to violence concerned Lin Wanrong. Perhaps her departure was a good thing after all.

Lin Wanrong knew why Qin Xian'er had left. Seeing Guo Wuchang's downcast appearance, he initially thought the young master was genuinely infatuated with Qin Xian'er. But then, Guo Wuchang added, "Now that she's gone, I need to find another excuse to see my Dongmei."

'Damn!' Lin Wanrong exclaimed inwardly, raising his middle finger in his mind. 'I despise you.'

Seeing Xiao Yuruo safely returned, the Xiao mansion was buzzing with excitement. However, as Lin Wanrong scanned the crowd, he felt like a figure was missing. 'Where's Yushuang, my dear Yushuang?'

In haste, he pulled Young Master Guo aside, asking, "Young Master, where's the Second Miss?"

Young Master Guo sighed, "Yushuang, my cousin, is at Rosy Cloud Temple!"

"Rosy Cloud Temple—? She's becoming a nun?" Lin Wanrong jumped in surprise.

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