Finest Servant

Chapter 284

Chapter 284 The Enigmatic Lady

"Hahaha…" He let out three hearty laughs, arranging his thoughts. From her single sentence, he had already deduced who the young woman before him was. A meeting outside a dilapidated temple, he wondered if it was a stroke of fortune or misfortune. He chuckled a few times before responding, "Miss, we are not acquainted, your words aren't quite appropriate. I find myself unable to reciprocate, perhaps you should confide in someone else. I have urgent business to attend to and can't afford to linger. Please excuse me."

Having said this, he turned and wiped away cold sweat, hastening his departure, unwilling to waste another second.

Miss Xu sighed and responded, "Whether you speak or not makes no difference. I didn't want to engage in something trivial, but I didn't expect the one speaking so frivolously with me to be from the Xiao family of Jinling. You have truly disappointed me."

He broke out in a cold sweat. His actions had indeed brought disgrace to the Xiao family, and the whole affair felt oddly unnerving. He stopped, turned around to face Miss Xu, and with a playful grin, said, "So, you really want me to say it? Alright then – My goal is to win your affection, and then reject you!"

Young Master Ye's face changed color, he shouted, "Audacious! You're awfully rude to dare insult Miss Xu. You should be punished!"

Lin Wanrong spread his hands in innocence and retorted, "Sir, you heard her too, I didn't want to say it. It was Miss Xu who asked me to repeat it. I merely complied. Where did I go wrong?"

Young Master Ye was left speechless, while Miss Xu gave a slight smile, "You're quick-witted. Not entirely hopeless after all! May I ask Young Master San, has the young lady of the Xiao family arrived in the capital as well? When I was young, I was cared for by Madame Xiao. I've heard my father mention the young lady's name, but I've never had the chance to meet her. If she's in the capital, I'd very much like to see her." By identifying him as the Young Master San, she indirectly acknowledged that she was the woman who had taken shelter at the Reclining Buddha temple the day before.

Given the circumstances, Lin Wanrong, now having nothing to lose, nodded, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Xu. Both the young ladies of the Xiao family are in the capital. I will definitely convey your sentiments. But may I ask who your esteemed father is—"

"My father is but an ordinary scholar, not worth mentioning," replied Miss Xu indifferently. "When Madame Xiao left the capital, I was but a child who knew nothing of the world. I can't believe it's already been twenty years. I wonder if she, the elder still doing well?"

Elder? The youthful and beautiful Madame Xiao, referred to as an elderly woman by Miss Xu, was absolutely ludicrous. Lin Wanrong glanced at Miss Xu.

He had previously noticed Miss Xu's appearance, but now he observed her attire. She was dressed in an elegant, pale-blue outfit, her figure graceful, her expression calm. Her hair was coiled up high and held loosely in place with a jade hairpin, simple and dignified.

Had Miss Xu already married? Lin Wanrong paused in thought. When he had asked her outside the temple yesterday if she was married, she hadn't responded. Seeing her hairstyle today, he was even more puzzled. However, this woman was poised and dignified. Judging by her words, she seemed to be over twenty years old. If she was married, it wouldn't be unusual.

The only puzzling aspect was why this Young Master Ye was willingly spending his days around a married woman, seemingly unafraid of idle gossip. From her words and actions yesterday, it was clear that Miss Xu placed great importance on her reputation. "My goal is to win your affection, and then reject you," Lin Wanrong remembered his bold words from yesterday and shook his head in regret, a bad start indeed.

"The Madam remains as beautiful as in her youth, living a rather content life. Thank you for your concern, Miss Xu." Lin Wanrong suppressed his doubts and responded.

Miss Xu nodded and took a few steps forward with Young Master Ye. Suddenly, as if recalling something, she turned back and asked, "Young Master San, being from the Xiao family, was it you who guessed the riddles during the Lantern Festival at the 'Fairyland Comes with the Clouds'?"

"Guessing riddles at the Lantern Festival? Oh, you mean him. His surname is Lin, handsome, charming, and brimming with talent. He's ten times more attractive than Young Master Ye here!" Lin Wanrong chuckled.

Miss Xu smiled, "I made those lantern riddles simple, originally for the scholars to guess, to quiet their grumbles. I didn't expect that they would be answered by a servant of the Xiao family, quite a surprise indeed."

Simple? Was this girl purposely trying to annoy him? What exactly was this Miss Xu's background? She had an improved repeating crossbow, was acquainted with Luo Ning, and even knew Madam Xiao. What did she do?

Young Master Ye laughed, "When you wrote those riddles, I was present as well. I was wondering why the riddles you made this year were so simple. I hadn't expected that it was to cater to the scholars. Miss Xu, your thoughtfulness is beyond me."

Speechless! Were these two ganging up to insult him? As Miss Xu continued forward, passing by Lin Wanrong, she said calmly, "Young Master San, it's good to be confident, but do not be overly arrogant. I hope to never hear such words and actions as yesterday's again." Her steps were light, and she breezed past him.

Lin Wanrong hesitated for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Miss Xu, may I ask, are you married?"

As if she hadn't heard him, Miss Xu had already walked inside. Young Master Ye suddenly turned and said, "If it's not your place to ask, then don't."

Lin Wanrong laughed a few times, and called out to Miss Xu's retreating figure, "Miss Xu, my words from yesterday still stand."

Miss Xu paused, shook her head in resignation, and sighed, "There would be no problems in the world if only people didn't make them themselves."

She was indifferent to the Young Master San's lunatic ravings. Just as she was about to enter the classroom, a boy of sixteen or seventeen rushed out, shouting, "Teacher Xu, Teacher Xu, something terrible has happened, a heavenly omen!"

"Cheng Dawei, what has happened? What heavenly omen?" Miss Xu asked in surprise.

"Teacher Su, look—" Cheng Dawei led Miss Xu and Young Master Ye to the courtyard, where countless ants were crammed together, forming a giant "heaven" character on the ground. Although the ants were constantly crawling, they all followed the lines of the character. Cheng Dawei's eyes spun, "Ants forming a group, a heavenly omen! Teacher Su, how should this be explained?"

Following Cheng Dawei, the students who were studying the principles of the cosmos had also rushed out, marveling at the sight of the ants clustering in front of them.

Lin Wanrong had been ready to depart, but the clamor from the courtyard drew him back. Carefully observing the ants' path, then glancing at the mischievous boy named Cheng Dawei, he couldn't help but smile. This kid, he thought, was something else!

Young Master Ye frowned at the scene, asking, "Why would these ants gather on their own accord? Could it really be an omen from heaven?"

Miss Xu shook her head and said, "There is no such thing as rootless water in the world. Everything follows a certain reason. These ants are gathering for a specific reason. Instead of assuming it to be a celestial omen, it's better to investigate it thoroughly."

Miss Xu gathered her long skirt and slowly squatted down to scrutinize the ants' movement. Her facial expression was focused and beautiful. Lin Wanrong admired her secretly, thinking, how remarkable it was for a delicate woman to possess such insight and abilities.

After a while, Miss Xu reached out a delicate finger, wrapped in a jade handkerchief, and gently stroked the ground. A few ants climbed up the cloth. Her body shuddered slightly, and her face showed a hint of anxiety. It wasn't surprising that she was naturally afraid of ants, being a woman. She bit her silver teeth, her face turned a bit red. She carefully avoided the ants and continued to wipe the ground with the handkerchief.

After a few wipes, a trace of joy suddenly appeared on her face. She put away the handkerchief and asked with a smile, "Today, which one of you brought honey?"

A student replied, "I saw Cheng Dawei bring honey, but I don't know what he intends to do with it."

Miss Xu said to Cheng Dawei with a smile, "Could you please show me the honey?"

Cheng Dawei, somewhat embarrassed, handed over a small sealed jar. Miss Xu wrapped a piece of wood with the handkerchief she'd used before, dipped it into the honey, and drew the character for "heaven" on the ground. Strangely enough, after a moment, her newly written character was also swarming with ants, the phenomenon reappeared.

Everyone was surprised. Miss Xu nodded and laughed, "Cheng Dawei, this must be your doing, right?"

Cheng Dawei bowed his head, chuckling sheepishly, "Miss Xu, you were the one who told us to observe the things around us closely and to share our new discoveries. After your lecture about how a sprouting seed can push over a big stone, I personally verified it. It really worked."

Miss Xu responded with a gentle smile, "The story of the germinating seed was also something I heard. In Hangzhou city, the White Lotus Sect had once used this trick to deceive the people. It was only exposed by an extraordinary man, saving the townsfolk from disaster. Everything in the world follows its own laws. As long as we observe closely and think deeply, we can always find the rules. Just like this time, ants being attracted by honey, if it wasn't for Cheng Dawei's careful observation, none of us would have learned this. Therefore, these laws of the universe and the principles of calculation are not useless. On the contrary, they are closely related to us, just like poetry and prose, they are all the treasures of our Great Hua and are indispensable."

The students studying mathematics were genuinely interested in the subject. Hearing Miss Xu's words, they cheered and jumped in excitement. Lin Wanrong hid behind the crowd, gazing at Miss Xu's excited and flushed face among them, feeling a faint sense of emotion stirring in his heart. He had already been amazed by Miss Xu's talents when he saw her riddles at the lantern festival event. Today, he had seen yet another extraordinary side of her. Without a doubt, the term "remarkable woman" was well-deserved by Miss Xu.

When the crowd had quieted down, Miss Xu smiled and said, "Cheng Dawei's actions today have given us new knowledge, yet it has also delayed our study time. Therefore, a small punishment is necessary. Cheng Dawei, you seem quite fond of the art of abacus, don't you?"

Cheng Dawei nodded, "Miss Xu, are you asking me to learn this?"

Miss Xu laughed, "Not only do I want you to learn, but I also want you to be able to summarize some simple, easy-to-remember rhymes, and share them with everyone. Only then will you have learned well. You have a keen observation and open mind, I believe you can do it."

A sense of gratitude flashed in the young man named Cheng Dawei's eyes. He said loudly, "Miss Xu, thank you for believing in me."

Miss Xu nodded with a smile. Suddenly, she noticed a beautiful young woman among the students and exclaimed, "Are you, by any chance, the Second Miss of the Xiao family?"

Xiao Yushuang shyly replied, "Miss Xu, I am Xiao Yushuang."

Miss Xu happily held her hand and said, "Dear sister, I'm glad you've finally arrived. Let's go inside and chat."

The students of Mathematics cheerfully entered the building, all except for Cheng Dawei who remained deep in thought. Lin Wanrong patted him on the shoulder and said, "Little brother, what are you thinking about?"

Cheng Dawei was startled. Looking up, he saw a stranger and asked in surprise, "Who are you? Do I know you?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "You don't know me, but you'll certainly remember me. I have a few puzzling phrases that I don't understand. Can you explain them to me?"

Cheng Dawei was bewildered as the stranger in front of him recited, "One subtract five becomes four, two subtract five becomes three... eight minus one becomes five subtract three, nine minus one becomes five subtract four! So, have you remembered it?"

Cheng Dawei initially looked bewildered, but soon, he seemed to understand something. His voice trembled with excitement as he said, "This... this is an abacus chant? No, no. Nine minus one plus one, how does it add up to ten?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head, "I don't know what it is. I'll repeat it again, remember it, go back and study it thoroughly. Maybe you can complete Miss Xu's task, who knows?"

Cheng Dawei was speechless, listening again as Lin Wanrong repeated the chant, not daring to miss a single word. Lin Wanrong playfully patted his shoulder and said, "Little brother, work hard, you'll be successful."

Seeing Cheng Dawei still reciting the chant, Lin Wanrong decided to leave him alone. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he left the courtyard. Remembering the abacus chant was something from his primary school days, and he had forgotten quite a few lines. However, with Cheng Dawei's cleverness, deducing a few lines would not be a difficult task.

[TL: Cheng Dawei (1533–1606) was a sixteenth-century Chinese mathematician who published a mathematical text Suanfa tongzong. The book contains 595 problems divided into 17 chapters. The book is essentially general arithmetic for the abacus.]

Having performed good deeds for the day, Lin Wanrong felt invigorated, whistling a tune as he strode towards the entrance of Jinghua Academy. In the distance, he noticed two familiar figures approaching.

The duo was taken aback when they noticed him. One of them dashed forward like a whirlwind, exclaiming, "General Lin, General Lin. We've been waiting for you."

Caught off guard, Lin Wanrong clapped the man's shoulder and said, "Xu Zhen, what brings you here? Oh, and Young Master Li Wuling, we meet again." The second person was none other than the young boy he had met by the river during the lantern festival on the fifteenth night of the first lunar month, a boy named Li Wuling.

Li Wuling asked, surprised, "Lin San, what are you doing here? Did someone bully you and you've come seeking my help? Didn't you mention my name, Li Wuling?"

Taken aback, Lin Wanrong could only laugh, while Xu Zhen declared with fervor, "General Lin, it's not just me. Li Sheng, Brother Du, and Brother Hu are all here too. Marshal Xu sent us to study here."

Study? He remembered that Jinghua Academy also offered military studies. So, Xu Wei had sent these men to study, implying that he held them in high regard. Each of these men had served under his command, and Lin Wanrong felt a surge of pride. He took in Xu Zhen, saying with a smile, "Not bad, you've grown taller and stronger. It seems we'll be counting on you in the upcoming battle against the northern nomad."

Standing tall, Xu Zhen replied, "Naturally, I, Xu Zhen, would rather die on the battlefield. General Lin, we've been hoping to see you every day. In about a month, we'll be fighting the northern nomad. With you leading us, we'll have a spine, and we'll fight with ease."

His words struck a chord in Lin Wanrong. He reminisced about his time in the army, missing it deeply. Fighting the White Lotus was internal strife, even a successful battle left little room for pride. Battling the northern nomad invaders was a soldier's duty. But was fighting the northern nomad really his job? And with Qingxuan here, he felt torn.

Unaware of Lin Wanrong's inner turmoil, Xu Zhen introduced him to Li Wuling, "Wuling, this is the General Lin I mentioned to you. He led our forces to victory against the White Lotus."

Li Wuling had caught snippets of their conversation and gleaned some information. Hearing Xu Zhen's introduction, he sized Lin San up, disbelieving, "You're Lin San, the same General Lin who accomplished a great victory?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Hard to believe, isn't it? This is my true self, always keeping a low profile."

With a clap, Li Wuling responded, "Excellent! You're a victorious general, praised by all. Today, I shall challenge you to a martial arts competition to see who's better. Let's go, hurry!"

The young boy, full of mischief, grabbed Lin Wanrong and pulled him forward. Lin Wanrong was left sweating in surprise, thinking, ‘Why does this kid always want to compete in martial arts? Last time it was his grandfather, but now it's me. If I win, they'll say I bullied a child. If I lose, they'll say I couldn't even defeat a child.’

Lin Wanrong glanced at Xu Zhen, who responded with a rueful shake of his head. It was clear he was at a loss with Li Wuling too. Lin Wanrong replied helplessly, "Young Master Li, I'm no hand at flashy fighting. I prefer the real deal, with cold steel. Even if I were to be wounded under your blade—no, wait, I misspoke. If you were to be wounded under my blade, you shouldn't harbor any grievances."

This Li Wuling, whose child was he to be so fond of combat? Lin Wanrong asked Xu Zhen, "Whose son is this?"

Xu Zhen's face turned serious, "Young Master Li Wuling is the only legitimate grandson of the current esteemed General Li Tai."

"Li Tai? Who is Li Tai?" Lin Wanrong asked softly.

At this statement, not only did Xu Zhen widen his eyes, even the persistent Li Wuling halted his mischief. Both of them looked at Lin Wanrong, faces filled with disbelief.

Swallowing, Xu Zhen managed to say, "General Lin, you can't be serious. You've never heard of the formidable General Li Tai?"

With an awkward smile, Lin Wanrong replied, "I grew up in a remote and poor village. I honestly haven't heard of him. Is this General Li Tai very famous? Just by hearing the name, it does seem impressive. Of course, Young Master Li Wuling also has a fine name. Truly, the saying 'Like father, like son' rings true."

Li Wuling clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent, excellent! Finally, someone who hasn't heard of my grandfather's reputation. This way, when he bullies me later, he can't say, 'Li Tai has served the country loyally for generations, defended our borders and his fame is widespread. Who in the world doesn't know this, yet you, a small thing, can't even handle it?'"

Xu Zhen was left speechless. How did General Lin, who didn't even know the greatest warrior of the imperial court, manage to climb the ranks and win victories? It was beyond comprehension.

Not wanting his hero to suffer such embarrassment, Xu Zhen let out a forced laugh and said, "There's something you might not know, General Lin. This General Li Tai has, from his ancestors' time, served in the military. He has guarded the border for tens of thousands of miles. Twenty years ago, he led fifty thousand elite soldiers, made a long-distance surprise attack, and directly captured the northern nomads chief's tent, killing the enemy commander. His fame was immense, and northern nomads trembled at his name. General Li is a martial genius, skilled in military strategy, and is considered the number one warrior of our empire. His prestige is unparalleled. Moreover, the Li family has been loyal and patriotic for generations, defending our nation with their blood. The eldest son of General Li—"

At this point, Xu Zhen stole a glance at Li Wuling and continued, "His eldest son, the Great Marshal of border defense, fought against the northern nomads for seven days and nights on the very day his wife was due to give birth. He fell in the line of duty, leaving behind a widow and an orphan!"

Li Wuling clenched his teeth, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He made a fist and declared, "Why talk about these things? Death is death, casualties are part of war. If he's gone, there's still me. If I die, there's my son. The Li family's men cannot be fully defeated, cannot be exterminated. Even if the northern nomads are wiped out, the Li family will not fall!"

Lin Wanrong finally understood. This was about Li Wuling himself. No wonder the lad was so fiercely competitive. He patted Li Wuling's shoulder, rendered speechless by the revelation.

Xu Zhen continued, "The general's second son, a great commander of the border guards, was also killed in an ambush by the northern nomads eight years ago, dying amidst a rain of arrows. It's tragic. He served on the border for many years, yet never even got to see the face of his betrothed—" By this point, Xu Zhen was choked up. "The Li family, defenders of our nation and our Emperor, have been loyal for generations. Their noble name is renowned across the world. They are idols to the soldiers of Great Hua."

Lin Wanrong nodded solemnly. What else could be said? They were like gods of war! It was because of families like the Li's that their Empire wasn't subjected to foreign bullying and could stand tall!

He felt a pang of embarrassment. He hadn't even recognized such a loyal and virtuous family. Seeing Li Wuling's grief and anger, his small fist clenched as if it might shatter, Lin Wanrong burst into laughter, "Li Wuling, weren't you going to challenge me to a martial arts competition? What are we waiting for?"

Li Wuling looked up at him in surprise, "Li...General Lin, are you serious?"

Lin Wanrong nodded, and roared with laughter, "Does one jest in the army? Li Wuling, for the sake of the Li family's generations of loyalty, no matter who you face, you can't lose. Understand?"

"I understand! General Lin, I will defeat you!" With a roar like a tiger, Li Wuling lunged toward Lin Wanrong, throwing a punch straight at his chest...

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