Finest Servant

Chapter 375

Chapter 375 I Have Sinned

Eldest Miss stood agog, staring blankly at him for a long time, before finally recovering her wits. She glanced around, ensuring that no one had overheard, and then lowered her voice, trembling as she said, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? How dare you speak such seditious words?"

"Hehe, I was only joking," Master Lin laughed heartily, "If I were to become the Emperor, I would certainly make you the Grand Imperial Concubine, so that you would be honored in your hometown, and everyone would envy you."

Eldest Miss hastily pulled him closer, on guard lest the rebellious words be overheard by others. Her eyebrows raised, she said, "Have you lost your mind? It's not yet completely dark, and you're already dreaming. If I become the Imperial Concubine, who will be the Empress above me?"

"Ah, that... I was just speaking casually. It's getting late; you should rest. I will come to see you again tomorrow morning," Master Lin quickly finished, trying to leave. Eldest Miss snorted and angrily asked, "Just how many seductive vixens do you keep? You'd better confess quickly."

"Really, am I that kind of person?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Just look at me, and you'll know how innocent I am."

Eldest Miss looked at his cheek, reaching out to gently touch it, suddenly sobbing, "Did she do this to you? How could she bear to hit you? She's bullying you even before the wedding! Is the Princess so great? I'll go confront her right now!"

Sweat, what a mix-up! The woman who could bully Lin San hasn't been born yet. He laughed it off and quickly grabbed the angry Eldest Miss, "You misunderstand. The Princess is like a cat in front of me."

"Then what happened to you?" Eldest Miss asked softly, gently caressing his face.

"It's a work-related injury, an accident," he said unabashedly, "Enough, let's not talk about this. Tomorrow early, I have to go to Shandong. You and Qiaoqiao take care of things at home."

"Shandong? What are you doing in Shandong?" Lin San had been busy as a mule these days, and Eldest Miss hadn't even seen his shadow. Though she scolded him, her heart was filled with concern. Hearing he was leaving again, she was naturally shocked.

Lin Wanrong thought for a moment, holding her hand, "Yuruo, this matter is significant. Normally, I shouldn't tell you, but you're no outsider, and I'm honest and upright, so I don't want to lie to you. Promise me that after hearing this, you'll keep it a strict secret and not let anyone else know."

Master Lin was adept at this; he concealed small matters but not big ones. With these words, Xiao Yuruo was sweetly caught by his sugar-coated words, but she didn't realize it. Seeing his serious face, Eldest Miss felt a sweetness in her heart, obediently nodding her agreement.

"There's trouble in Shandong, the Luo family is in trouble," Lin Wanrong sighed deeply, explaining the whole story. As a businesswoman, Eldest Miss had a deeper understanding of money than anyone else. Hearing about the loss of three hundred and fifty thousand taels of military salary in Jining, she was instantly pale with shock. Being a woman, naturally jealous of Miss Luo and Lin San's relationship, she knew this was not the time for jealousy. Looking at Lin San worriedly, she asked, "So what do you plan to do?"

"How are we going to manage?" Lin Wanrong said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. "Back in Jinling, Luo Min helped me; Luo Yuan is my brother; and Ning'er and I have some connection. If I were to abandon them, what kind of person would I be? Early this morning, I sent Old Xu into the palace to plead for mercy, hoping the Emperor will grant a delay. I'll try to help them recover the silver."

"The thieves who dared to steal the silver must have already made arrangements. You're going in blindly; what if you can't find it?" Eldest Miss looked at him anxiously, not daring to continue her thought.

"If we can't find it, I'll sell off our family assets to save them," Lin Wanrong stated resolutely, his face showing not a hint of hesitation.

Eldest Miss's eyes misted over as she said mournfully, "If you dissipate our family wealth, what will you do in the future? For Luo Ning, are you really willing to give up everything?"

"If it were for you, I would do the same," Lin Wanrong grinned. "To me, money is an external thing; if it's gone, I can earn it back. But if I lose someone I love, life would lose its flavor."

Eldest Miss remained silent for a long time before suddenly embracing him and sobbing, her little fists pounding his chest like raindrops. "You unfaithful dead man, I hate you, I hate you."

Lin Wanrong corrected her with a stern face, "Not unfaithful, but passionate; there's a fundamental difference."

"It's unfaithful, just unfaithful." Eldest Miss wiped her tears, giving him a relentless glance before whispering, "Wait a moment, I'll be right back." Without waiting for Lin Wanrong to speak, she turned and left, closing the door behind her with a clang.

Lin Wanrong's brow furrowed, wondering what the girl was up to, being so secretive. After waiting quite a while, Eldest Miss returned and handed him a small bundle, softly saying, "Take this."

"What is this?" Lin Wanrong asked in surprise, finding the bundle very light, seemingly containing only a few thin sheets of paper.

"These are the deeds to my Xiao family's properties in Jinling, Hangzhou, the capital, and other places. All together, there are over ten of them; they should be worth some silver. Also included are our shares in various businesses, which would also be valuable if pawned," Eldest Miss said calmly, her eyes full of determination.

"How can this be acceptable?" Lin Wanrong was shocked, quickly pushing the bundle back into her hands. "If you give these to me, the Xiao family will have nothing left. How will you explain this to your relatives, to Madam?"

Eldest Miss snorted, "I'm in charge of the Xiao family now; my mother won't object. But what about what you just said? Have you forgotten already? 'Money is an external thing; if it's gone, it can be earned back, but if we lose someone we love, life would lose its flavor.' You taught me this, and I remember it well."

Eldest Miss was always like this, seemingly cold and stern, but when she was tender, it always moved Lin Wanrong to tears. His eyes were moist, and his heart was surging. Just as he was about to embrace her tightly, he suddenly noticed a shining pair of scissors in Eldest Miss's hand, aimed at his chest. The scissors glinted sharply, gleaming with a cold light under the faint moonlight that shone through the window.

Lin Wanrong's tenderness was suddenly replaced by horror. "Eldest Miss, what are you doing? Please, don't do anything rash!"

Xiao Yuruo snorted and said coldly, "Everything of the Xiao family is now yours; aside from you, I have nothing left. From now on, this pair of scissors will be with me. If you ever betray me, I will use them to stab you first, then myself." Eldest Miss's expression was icy as she gestured menacingly toward him and then towards herself. Her determination made her look like a completely different person.

Cold sweat streamed down Master Lin's back as if he had witnessed himself being stabbed eighteen times, like a traitor. Eldest Miss's personality was unique and fiery; he loved it so much. He carefully took the scissors and threw them on the ground, tightly embracing Eldest Miss, his gratitude overflowing. "Eldest Miss, Yuruo, my love, you are too good to me. If I ever betray you, I would be less than human."

Eldest Miss nestled in his arms, a victorious smile on her face, and said softly, "As long as you treat me well for the rest of your life, I will be content."

Such simple words! The best women in the world had all been encountered by him. Master Lin felt waves of shame, hugging Eldest Miss tightly, tears and snot streaming down his face. "Eldest Miss, I must confess, I have sinned. My intentions towards you were impure, always wanting to take advantage of you."

"Nonsense! Could you have taken advantage without my consent?" Eldest Miss's face was flushed with heat, feigning indifference as she embraced him and patted his shoulder. "It's good that you know, but you must correct this behavior in the future."

"Not just that, I have an even greater sin. Eldest Miss, my thoughts have been filthy. Every time I see you and the Second Miss together, I think, I think—"

"You think what?" Eldest Miss clenched her little fist, her heart pounding twice.

"I have sinned; I think of stripping you both naked and deceiving you together—ah—" A sharp, piercing scream resounded, reaching the ears of Madam Xiao and Qiaoqiao. Qiaoqiao frowned, saying, "Madam, did you hear that? It sounded like big brother's voice!"

"Really? I didn't recognize it. Maybe you're just thinking of him too much," Madam Xiao laughed. "He's talking with Yuruo. You know her personality, don't you? She treasures Lin San as a treasure in your family. What could possibly go wrong?"

That made sense; it would have been strange if big brother hadn't done something to Eldest Miss. If it was said that Eldest Miss had restrained big brother, that would have been the most preposterous thing in the world.

As she was thinking about this, a figure suddenly appeared at the doorway, causing Qiaoqiao to let out a shrill scream, "Big brother, what happened to you?"

Master Lin, looking quite the mess with torn clothes and hair like a bird's nest, tightly covered his cheek and gave an awkward smile, "Nothing much, I was just careless and ran into a tree again. It has nothing to do with Eldest Miss, really nothing at all."

Eldest Miss emerged from behind him with a smile, placing a small bundle into his arms. She tenderly and sweetly fixed his disheveled hair, straightened his clothes, and a sweet smile spread across her face. "Did you remember everything I just told you? Be careful on the road, mind your eating habits, be aware of fire and theft. Don't be fickle, changing your mind all the time, otherwise, I'll be very angry, and you know the consequences!"

"I know, I know, the consequences are severe," Master Lin replied, covering his cheek and smiling obsequiously. Qiaoqiao and Madam Xiao watched his demeanor, and they exchanged a glance. A word rose in both their minds: bizarre, inexplicably bizarre!

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