Finest Servant

Chapter 450 Please Remove This Man From The Tent

Second Miss was innocent and lively, acting on a whim. She took her mother's jade-like hand and placed it in Lin San's palm, startling the Madam.

"What nonsense are you talking about, you little imp?" Madam Xiao shook her head with a light laugh, her face flushing. She subtly pulled back her hand. "When Yuruo returns, we'll make up for the formalities. Why would we need a substitute? Don't you agree, Lin San?"

"Ah, yes, yes," Lin Wanrong hurriedly nodded, saying earnestly, "Holding the wrong hand is a serious matter, one I have no intention of making at the moment. Besides, with Madam Xiao's exceptional beauty, standing alongside Eldest Miss and Second Miss, you are like a trio of blooming flowers in this garden. How could anyone simply substitute for another?"

In one sentence, he complimented all three of them. Second Miss's eyes sparkled like a painting as she held her mother's hand and giggled, "Naturally. My mother has been famous for her beauty since childhood. Countless young men have been smitten by her. Even now, her charm and unparalleled beauty have earned her admirers in both Jinling and the capital city. You do have good taste!"

"You naughty girl," Madam Xiao's face turned slightly red as she chuckled and patted her daughter's beautiful face, "I was hoping you'd discipline Lin San a bit. Who knew you’d pick up on his slick talking before even getting married? What are we to do with you in the future?"

Second Miss laughed delightfully, holding her mother with one hand and Lin San with the other. The joy and shyness in her eyes seemed to blush half the horizon.

"What about my poor Yuruo? Where could she be?" Madam Xiao looked at her second daughter's beautiful face and felt a pang of sorrow, tears forming in her eyes.

"Don't worry, Mother. Yuruo will return within a few days," Second Miss whispered in her mother's ear. Madam Xiao wiped her tears and nodded slightly, "If the princess intercedes, that would naturally be for the best. But she is the First Princess of Great Hua; you two will have to keep that in mind. Lin San, my two daughters have been so kind to you. You must treat them impartially."

Madam Xiao's words made Lin Wanrong laugh heartily, "Ever since I joined the Xiao family, I have been grateful for Madam Xiao and both misses’ kindness. I haven't even had the chance to show my gratitude, so how could I mistreat them? If there's any favoritism, it's that I’m more inclined towards them. After all, I've spent 300 days of this year with them."

His words rang true. Lin San had only recently been away from the Xiao family more often. Before that, he had been an exemplary employee, protecting the young ladies and helping to restore the family's glory. He was the most meritorious. Madam Xiao nodded and smiled, "If that's the case, I feel reassured. You certainly have a way with words; it makes people believe anything you say."

Upon hearing her mother's praise for Lin San, Second Miss was overjoyed and chirped, "Mother, Lin San is honest and reliable; he's not prone to lying. If I say that he saw nothing last night, you must believe me now."

Lin Wanrong was filled with gratitude. 'So Second Miss does trust me. In the future, I must spend more time in her room. Ah, and invite Eldest Miss as well. As the old saying goes, 'When three people walk together, one will inevitably get wet.'"

Madam Xiao was taken aback. Seeing Lin San's sly, rat-like grin, she had no words to express her irritation. Her red lips were tightly closed, her beautiful eyebrows raised slightly, and a blush colored her cheeks as she shot him an angry glare.

Lin Wanrong had spent the entire morning at the Xiao residence, diligently tackling a backlog of official duties. Encouraged by Madam Xiao, he was working with utmost care and attention. The Second Miss, now formally promised to him by Madam Xiao herself, found her long-held wishes fulfilled. She stayed contentedly by his side, her face alight with a constant smile. Madam Xiao was considerate and attentive, personally bringing in ginseng soup and bird's nest into the study from time to time and watching the couple finish their meal. Seeing their joyful and loving interactions filled her with a sense of indescribable happiness and emotion. Her only reservation was that Lin Wanrong was perhaps a bit too flirtatious for her liking. With this thought, she couldn't help but shoot him a stern glare, causing Lin Wanrong to feel slightly uneasy.

After lunch, remembering his military commitments, Lin Wanrong wasted no time. He mounted a fast horse and headed straight to the army camp located outside the city gates. The weather was fine and warm, and as he rode, he heard the distant rumble of cannons and the clash of weapons, accompanied by the battle cries and neighing of war horses.

Shielding his eyes to get a better view, he saw that the field ahead was filled with rolling dust, broken walls, and intense fires. Thick smoke rose into the sky, and the dust kicked up by galloping horses obscured half of the heavens. Countless soldiers were rapidly charging and fighting on horseback, their faces covered in soot and filled with killing intent. The scene was almost indistinguishable from real combat.

Lin Wanrong realized at a glance that the dust, cannons, fires, and smoke were all simulating a real battlefield environment. Most of General Li Tai's troops had little actual combat experience, so this realistic training exercise was rather innovative and useful for alleviating the soldiers' fears.

Urging his horse to go faster, Lin Wanrong had not yet reached the battlefield when he heard approaching hoofbeats. A team of soldiers on patrol duty quickly rode towards him. A young voice shouted, "Who goes there? Are you a spy from the Turkic tribes? Men, seize this spy at once!"

The voice sounded familiar. Lin Wanrong looked up and saw a young officer commanding the team, poised and full of energy.

"Little Li, are you trying to capture me?" Lin Wanrong pulled on the reins and burst into hearty laughter.

Li Wuling looked intently for a moment and saw a white horse with a rider of medium complexion, waving at him and grinning. Overjoyed, Li Wuling snapped his whip, and his horse neighed as it galloped towards him.

"Lin San—General Lin, why did you take so long to come? I've missed you terribly," said Li Wuling, who had matured considerably since they last met, from a frail boy into a young man. He galloped up to Lin Wanrong, steadied his horse, and clutched Lin San's arm in excitement.

Lin Wanrong laughed loudly, "Miss me for what? I'm not a courtesan from a brothel."

Though young, Li Wuling had grown up in the army and was brash in nature. Hearing Lin Wanrong's coarse language delighted him. He chuckled, "You may not be a courtesan, but you are more fun than one. When you went to Shandong some days ago, I had begged Aunt Xu to take me along. But my grandfather wouldn't allow it. Otherwise, how could I have let you monopolize such a universally-known good opportunity like 'the fish jumping over the dragon gate'? I regret it so much—"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, taken aback by the boy's forthrightness. "You were looking for me? Well, that should have been simple enough. My house is right next to yours. I've come and gone hundreds of times, but I've never seen you."

Li Wuling wrapped an arm around his shoulder, sheepishly admitting, "I did intend to seek you out. But I was stopped by Aunt Xu. She says you're heartless and ungrateful, a man beyond redemption. She even warned me not to take after you. Oh, she's also adopted two ferocious dogs, one named Lin San and the other Lin Si. Aunt Xu claims they share your surname Lin, asserting that no Lin is any good—Ah, this is what she said, not me. Brother Lin, do you have any grudges with Aunt Xu?"

A shiver ran down Lin Wanrong's spine. Xu Zhiqing was indeed relentless. If she happened to call out for Lin San while walking her dogs on the street, he'd probably have to jump out like an obedient canine.

"No grudges per se," Lin Wanrong sighed. "But you know how women are—difficult to please. Especially when they see a striking man like me, I become the object of their desires. And that puts me in a difficult position." His expression turned wistful.

Li Wuling gave him a thumbs-up. "You've got guts, Brother Lin. No one else in the entire realm would dare speak about my Aunt Xu like that."

"Hm, Li Wuling, while everyone else is busy with military drills, why are you the only one idling around?" Lin Wanrong glanced at the bustling training grounds in the distance before returning his gaze to Li Wuling.

"I, I—" Li Wuling's face flushed a deep red. He gripped Lin Wanrong's arm, pleading, "Brother Lin, you have to help me this time. The army is about to set out, and my grandpa and Aunt Xu won't allow me to join the battlefield. Even this patrol duty outside the training grounds took me days of begging to get."

Lin Wanrong nodded, understanding the situation. Li Wuling was the only surviving heir of the Li family, and both of Li Tai's sons had died in battle. Naturally, Xu Zhiqing and Li Tai were just concerned for him.

Seeing Lin Wanrong's expression, Li Wuling grew anxious. "Brother Lin, don't tell me you also look down on me? Since when has my family produced cowards? Am I afraid of death?"

"Who said you're afraid of dying?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "Your situation is just unique. The Li family has served at the borders for generations, honored throughout history. Both your father and uncle died in battle, leaving you as the family's sole heir. Moreover, you're still young. If something were to happen to you, it would be a devastating blow to the General and the empire."

Li Wuling snorted defiantly. "What could happen? At worst, I'd die. My father and uncle could die, so why can't I? Sure, I may be the only heir to the Li family, but among the millions of soldiers, how many are the sole heirs? Why can they die but not me? Brother Lin, you're also an only heir, and even the Prince Consort of Princess Chuyun—"

Lin Wanrong paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "You sure have a way with words. How old are you this year?"

"Fifteen!" Li Wuling answered loudly.

Lin Wanrong's expression darkened. "I asked for the truth!"

His demeanor stern, Li Wuling felt somewhat intimidated and quickly lowered his head, muttering softly, "Thirteen, but I look like I'm fifteen."

"Thirteen, still a child soldier, huh?" Lin Wanrong sighed as he caught sight of Li Wuling's defiant gaze. The young man's bravery was living up to his family's reputation.

"Brother Lin, I've already spoken with Brothers Hu Bugui and Du Xiuyuan. As soon as you arrive, I'll be under your command. Just let me go to the front lines. I promise not to cause you any trouble and I’ll do whatever I’m told," Li Wuling cautiously said, noticing Lin Wanrong's contemplative silence.

"You lack ambition," Lin Wanrong scolded. "Just doing whatever you're told? Then what is your brain for? One must have his own thoughts in life and even more so in battle. It's all about using your head."

Li Wuling let out an 'Oh' and then seemed to have an epiphany, beaming with joy, "Brother Lin, does that mean you agree?"

"Agree my ass," Lin Wanrong laughed. "I haven't even settled my own affairs, let alone yours. First, take me to see the General, then we'll discuss the rest."

Li Wuling, quick on the uptake, sensed the hidden intentions in Lin Wanrong's words and was overjoyed. Leading him across the training grounds, they headed directly for General Li Tai's camp.

All along the way, the sounds of martial training were ceaseless. Lin Wanrong observed closely and recognized many familiar faces—those young men who had once been green troops under his command had now become seasoned warriors. It filled him with pride.

"General Lin—" An old soldier from Shandong saw him and was overjoyed, getting hit on the shoulder by a wooden sword from his opponent as a result. Sweat poured down his face from the pain.

Lin Wanrong clenched his teeth and snorted, "A soldier can't afford to be distracted. If he is my brother, cut him down!"

"At once!" The old soldier was so excited that he forgot the pain, swinging his sword at his opponent, who was forced to retreat, panting heavily, the helmet tumbling to the ground and the hair blowing in the wind.

"Aunt Xu—" Li Wuling shrieked. Lin Wanrong looked up to see Xu Zhiqing in military garb and armor, her face slightly pale. Her captivating lips were tightly pressed together as she glared at him, breathing heavily.

"General, shall we continue the attack?" asked the soldier quietly, noticing Lin Wanrong's pause.

"What a great question," Lin Wanrong smirked coldly, his expression fierce. "Strike! Why wouldn't you? Remember, she's the enemy, not a woman—Look, the enemy is fleeing!"

Xu Zhiqing picked up her helmet and leapt away, never looking back. Li Wuling chuckled, "This is great. I can guarantee that when we go home tonight, Aunt Xu's 'Lin San' is going to get whipped again."

"What the hell are you talking about? Make it clear. This Lin San is not that Lin San," Lin Wanrong said, drenched in sweat, pulling Li Wuling out of the training area. "Little Li, what is Miss Xu doing here, fighting? We nearly hurt her!"

"Don't worry, she won't get hurt. She orchestrated this whole training ground," Li Wuling said nonchalantly. "Think about it. Aunt Xu has been through real battles with live blades and cannons countless times; she won't be rattled by a small scene like this. I think seeing you distracted her, causing her defeat."

It turned out that this practical military drill was Xu Zhiqing's idea. Recalling her innovative sling tactic from yesterday, Lin Wanrong silently admired the young woman's intelligence and ingenuity.

As they walked along, Lin Wanrong caught sight of Hu Bugui, Du Xiuyuan, and others. These men had risen from humble beginnings under Lin Wanrong’s mentorship and were now high-ranking generals in Li Tai's army, commanding tens of thousands of soldiers. Lin Wanrong nodded approvingly; this was indeed the right way to make use of talent.

When they arrived at the front of General Li Tai's camp, Li Wuling whispered nervously, "Brother Lin, you go in. But remember, don't forget about me. You mustn't forget!"

"Who dares to make a commotion outside my tent?" a powerful voice thundered from within the tent. Li Wuling quickly slipped away, not daring to linger another second.

"Lin San of Jinling, here to pay my respects to the General," Lin Wanrong announced cheerfully, his voice carrying into the tent.

The sound of clinking armor emanated from inside the tent, followed by a group of people rushing out. Leading them was an elderly, venerable general—none other than Li Tai himself. Behind him were several military officers, each radiating a powerful aura.

Upon seeing Lin Wanrong, Li Tai's eyes lit up with joy, "Ah, good, good. You've finally come. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me. Gentlemen, this is the renowned Lin San. You've all heard of him. The National Tutor of the Turkic Khaganate, Lu Dongzan, suffered a defeat at his hands, and the White Lotus cult was practically eradicated by him alone."

"It's an honor," the officers hastily greeted Lin Wanrong, their attitudes a mixture of respect and indifference.

Lin Wanrong responded graciously, "I apologize for the delay, family matters kept me. I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."

Whispers filled the air; no one dared to comment aloud. To place family over state affairs and to admit it so brazenly—Lin San was indeed unparalleled in this regard.

Li Tai beckoned him into the large tent, "Whether early or late, it's the contribution that counts. Ah, Zhiqing, Lin San is here. Don't you want to greet him?"

Inside the tent, a detailed map hung on a wall, marking various locations and landscapes. A slender figure stood in front of it, engrossed in her study. So focused was she that she didn't even hear Li Tai's call.

"General, Miss Xu is currently devising a strategy; it would be unwise to disturb her," a young officer, approximately in his thirties, stepped forward and discreetly informed Li Tai. He glanced at Lin Wanrong as he spoke.

Li Tai nodded, "You and Zhiqing are no strangers; you can always greet each other later."

Lin Wanrong chuckled awkwardly but before he could speak, the silent Xu Zhiqing suddenly broke her concentration and calmly said, "General, please escort this man out of the tent."

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