Finest Servant

Chapter 342

Chapter 342 The Sound of Slaughtering a Pig

"A letter? Who sent this letter?" Lin Wanrong asked in puzzlement, gently tearing open the envelope. A faint, delicate fragrance filled his nostrils, and inside the envelope lay a pair of red handkerchiefs and a flawless white sheet of paper.

He unfolded the paper, and several lines of graceful, small characters came into view: "A thread and a line grow white hair; half-shy, half-resentful washes the years away. Last winter I asked the south-flying geese, when shall I pick apricot blossoms with you?"

This poem, written with a lady's longing, was gentle and affectionate, filled with a wistful melancholy and yearning. Unfolding the handkerchief, he saw embroidered with golden thread a pair of mandarin ducks, their appearance so vivid and lifelike.

Lin Wanrong stared blankly for a moment, finally smiling and shaking his head. Qiaoqiao softly asked, "Big brother, do you know who sent you this letter?"

Lin Wanrong said with a smile, "Qiaoqiao, when did you go to see Luo Ning?"

Qiaoqiao, startled, her face full of smiles, replied, "Big brother, how did you know I went to see Luo Ning?"

Lin Wanrong pinched her little nose, "Silly girl, from this poem alone I knew it was written by Luo Ning; no one else could capture this flavor. Is Miss Luo doing well in Jining? How are Lord Luo and Luo Yuan? Last time when I was in a hurry on my way to the capital, I even bypassed Jining; it was truly regrettable."

"Luo Ning is doing very well," Qiaoqiao said wistfully. "She's just a bit lonely there. When Madam and I were traveling to the capital, we stopped in Jining for two days. You wouldn't believe how happy Luo Ning was, chatting with me all day, afraid I'd fly away. She wanted to come to the capital as well, but Lord Luo said the situation was complex and asked her to wait a while longer. She had no choice but to write this letter for me to give you, along with these mandarin ducks, which she embroidered herself. Big brother, Luo Ning has deep affection for you, you must not let her down!"

"Miss Luo's affection for me is profound, but my Qiaoqiao's love pierces my heart even more deeply. My darling, I won't let you down either!" Lin Wanrong whispered in her ear. Qiaoqiao blushed, nodding softly, and tightly held her brother's hand.

In this residence in the capital, only Lin San and the Eldest Miss usually stayed, two frenemies who, amidst their affectionate teasing, also enjoyed quarreling. But they had been staying home less in recent days, making the place feel less lively. The arrival of Madam Xiao and Qiaoqiao was like a burning fire, igniting the atmosphere in the house.

After Madam and Qiaoqiao had eaten, considering their travel fatigue, the Eldest Miss urged them to rest. When Qiaoqiao and her big brother left the room, Madam closed the door and gazed silently at Xiao Yuruo, as if pondering something.

"Mother, why are you looking at your daughter like that?" the Eldest Miss's face reddened, and she lowered her head to say quietly.

Madam Xiao took her daughter's hand and had her sit beside her, gently saying, "Yuruo, your mother has a question to ask you."

‘What does Mother want to ask?’ The Eldest Miss's heart jumped twice, and she shyly replied, "Mother, why be so formal with your daughter? Just speak what's on your mind!"

Madam stared at her, silent for a long while. The Eldest Miss looked up at her mother and then quickly lowered her head again.

Madam Xiao sighed and said, "Yuruo, you and Lin San – have you two become intimate? Have you developed a secret affection for him?"

Xiao Yuruo's heart thumped wildly, her face flushed as she stammered, "Mother, I, I..." She spoke a few words but didn't know how to continue. Panic took hold, and she threw herself into Madam Xiao's arms, sobbing.

Looking at her daughter's expression, Madam Xiao knew all too well what had transpired. Her heart filled with both sighs and anger. Was Lin San sent to ruin the women of the Xiao family? It was one thing for her naive second daughter to be deceived by him, but why had her usually rational eldest daughter been taken in as well?

Madam Xiao stroked her eldest daughter's beautiful hair, lamenting, "Sister Song wrote to me, mentioning something unusual between you and Lin San. That's why I came to the capital this time. My child, how could you be so foolish? Lin San is known for having countless female confidantes; his expertise lies in taking advantage of women. It was one thing for Yushuang to follow him, but how did you fall into his trap as well?"

The Eldest Miss Xiao, still embracing her mother's waist, cried softly, "Mother, it's too late for you to say anything now—"

"What?" Madam Xiao exclaimed, pulling her daughter away to stare at her, "Yuruo, you, you haven't committed any indiscretions with him, have you?"

Miss Xiao's face turned red. If her mother hadn't arrived that night, she feared she might have given in to him.

"Mother, where are you going with this?" Miss Xiao's face was flushed with embarrassment. "How could I do something so lacking in propriety and shame?"

"What do you mean it's 'too late'?" Madam Xiao's mood calmed slightly. She looked her daughter up and down, and with her discerning eye, could naturally tell that Eldest Miss Xiao remained chaste. Thankfully, Lin San seemed to have retained some conscience.

"Mother, I don't know how it happened, but since I met him, I feel an itch of hatred when I see him. Yet when he's not around, I can't help but think of him. It's indeed too late for you to speak to me now; I should never have acknowledged him in the first place." Miss Xiao shook her head softly, her face filled with a mixture of sorrow and longing.

Madam Xiao, wise to the ways of the world, understood her daughter's feelings all too well. After a long silence, she sighed faintly, "Yuruo, your mother is not unreasonable. Lin San's abilities and talents are indeed extraordinary, and I've always thought highly of him. Although we of the Xiao family may be widows and orphans, we are still a respected family in Jinling, and you and Yushuang are our pride. Yushuang marrying him is not demeaning, and I can accept that. But if both of you sisters become involved with him, what would that make of us? All these years as a widow, I've feared nothing but others pointing at our back!"

Emotion overcame Madam Xiao, and tears welled in her eyes. Lin San might be an extraordinary man, but marrying one of her daughters should have been enough. How could that boy be so insatiable, pursuing even her eldest daughter?

Seeing her mother in tears, Miss Xiao was alarmed and quickly knelt on the ground, "Mother, I have been unfilial and caused you grief. But my relationship with that scoundrel is a mutual affection, and we have not wronged anyone. With his abilities, he could stand before the Emperor in the golden hall without fear and drive back the barbarians on the battlefield. I am willing to be with him, unafraid of others pointing at my back."

"Speaking of your relationship with him, why has it turned to ascending the golden hall and descending to the battlefield?" the Madam helped her daughter to her feet, caressing her beautiful hair with a wry smile. Madam Xiao had been busy traveling these days and was unaware of Lin Wanrong's deeds in the capital. Her daughter recounted everything she had seen and heard during this time, from besting the emissaries of Goryeo and the Turks, to appearing in the golden hall before the Emperor. The Emperor had even granted him the title of Vice Minister of Personnel and personally inscribed "The First Talent Under Heaven." The Madam couldn't contain her astonishment and grabbed her daughter's hand, saying, "Yuruo, is what you've told me really true?"

The Eldest Miss nodded, "How dare I deceive my mother? Many have witnessed it. The First Talent Under Heaven who has thrice defeated the barbarians, his fame must have already resounded throughout the entire capital!" She glanced out the window, sighing faintly, "He is now the Vice Minister of Personnel and bestowed by the Emperor the title of 'The First Talent Under Heaven.' He might move out of our Xiao family's house tomorrow. Whether he admits to all this or not, we still don't know."

The Madam was stunned for a while before sighing, "I had anticipated that Lin San would accomplish something, but I never thought the Emperor would personally dub him 'The First Talent Under Heaven.' In that case, if you follow him, it won't be a humiliation."

A joy sprang in the Eldest Miss's heart, but she dared not reveal it, and gently probed, "Mother, have you... agreed?"

The Madam snorted, "Is it really that simple? Just because he's become 'The First Talent Under Heaven,' he thinks he can take both of my precious daughters away? Even if he became the Emperor, without my consent, he wouldn't dare do anything to you!" The Madam thought for a moment and then smiled, "Yuruo, don't worry. I don't care about any Vice Minister of Personnel or The First Talent Under Heaven, but the contract with our Xiao Mansion is real. Within this year, when I call him Lin San, he must answer, right?"

The Eldest Miss nodded, and the Madam smiled, "Your affair with him can be set aside for now, but you mustn't indulge him too much. Men are inherently lowly; the more you show you care, the less they will. Stay distant, and he'll think of you."

The Eldest Miss's face flushed, and she whispered, "What Mother says is the same as what Sister Xu said. Could it be that you managed Father this way back in the day?"

A blush spread across the Madam's face, and she playfully slapped her daughter's delicate bottom, "You naughty girl, making jokes about your mother!" She fell silent for a while and softly said, "In the old days, the situation in the capital was unclear. To avoid becoming embroiled in court disputes, your grandfather hastily married me off. Your father and I were married without ever having met, nothing like the freedom you have now. By the way, the Sister Xu you mentioned, who is she?"

"It's Mr. Xu's daughter, Xu Zhiqing. You held her when she was a baby," the Eldest Miss said softly.

"It's that Zhiqing girl!" the Madam exclaimed joyfully, "When I left the capital, she was still a little girl with braids. In the blink of an eye, twenty years have passed, and I wonder what she looks like now."

"Sister Xu, she... she hasn't been doing too well either!" The Eldest Miss recounted Xu Zhiqing's experiences, causing Madam Xiao's fine eyebrows to furrow in distress. Helplessly, she said, "No wonder Mr. Xu was reluctant to speak more about it. A beauty's life is often filled with hardships, and Zhiqing has indeed suffered a great deal."

She glanced at her daughter and after a long moment, waved her hand and said, "You and Lin San, just be sure not to emulate these follies."

"Mother!" The Eldest Miss exclaimed joyfully, throwing herself into her mother's embrace, reluctant to stand up for a long time.

...

"Brother San, the hot water is ready. It's in the room next to yours, so please take Miss Dong to bathe and change her clothes!" Lin Wanrong had just stepped out of his room with Qiaoqiao when Huan'er approached them, smiling.

Qiaoqiao hurriedly said, "Thank you, Sister, but I can manage on my own. I wouldn't want to trouble you."

Lin Wanrong laughed, pulling her in, "You've been traveling in the carriage for so long, you must be tired. How could I let you do this yourself? Huan'er, on behalf of my wife, I thank you!"

Qiaoqiao was filled with endless joy, bashfully snuggling up to her big brother. Huan'er stared blankly for a moment before murmuring, "Brother San, you have a wife now, but what about the Eldest Miss?"

Lin Wanrong's room was directly across from the Eldest Miss's, and Madame Xiao had settled into her daughter's room. Mother and daughter, having been apart for a long time, naturally had much to talk about. Lin Wanrong's room was left for the two of them to reside in.

After Qiaoqiao entered the room, Huan'er was about to follow to serve them, but Lin Wanrong gently stopped her, smiling, "It's getting late; you should go rest. I can handle things here."

The smile on Brother San's face was inexplicably mischievous. The couple's long-awaited reunion meant certain activities would occur, clear without need of explanation. Huan'er let out a soft cry and hurriedly ran off.

Seeing big brother also entering the room, Qiaoqiao's face flushed all the way down to her neck, whispering, "Big brother, why did you come in too?"

Lin Wanrong smiled slightly, "Silly girl, big brother is here to help you bathe and dress."

Qiaoqiao bowed her head, her face burning like fire, not daring to speak. Lin Wanrong came to her side, gently massaging her shoulders, tenderly saying, "My little treasure, you must be tired from all the traveling these days, aren't you?"

"Not tired!" Qiaoqiao softly replied, "As long as big brother is here, I'm not afraid of anything!"

Lin Wanrong squeezed her shoulders firmly, lightly saying, "You silly girl!" But then, he was at a loss for words, and the atmosphere became profoundly warm.

"Big brother, I never thought that the Xiao family's residence in the capital would be so grand!" Qiaoqiao glanced around, her face showing a hint of envy.

"Don't worry; our home will be even bigger!" Lin Wanrong laughed.

"Our home?" Qiaoqiao was startled, "Big brother, are you going back to Jinling? Our house in Jinling has been empty all this time!"

"We won't be returning to Jinling for now, but big brother has a house in the capital now. It was bestowed by the Emperor. I'll take you to see it tomorrow!"

"Bestowed by the Emperor?" Qiaoqiao opened her mouth in amazement, and Lin Wanrong kissed her there, briefly recounting the day's events. Qiaoqiao's eyes filled with tears of excitement, "Big brother, thank you!"

"Thank me? Thank me for what?" Lin Wanrong asked, puzzled.

"Thank you for allowing me to meet you. Since I've met you, Qiaoqiao has become the happiest woman in the world!" Qiaoqiao said hurriedly, wiping away her tears, her face showing inexpressible joy and happiness.

This contented little girl made Lin Wanrong's heart fill with tenderness. He gently pressed his large, warm hands onto her back.

Qiaoqiao felt warmth in her heart, and suddenly realized something. She quickly turned her head and said, "No! Big brother, you are my husband; how can I allow you to serve me—"

"What's not allowed!" Lin Wanrong cut her off: "You are my wife; Big brother will serve you today. Is that alright?"

Seeing Big brother's determined expression, Qiaoqiao responded with a joyful and shy hum, her face breaking into a sweet smile, yet her eyes were brimming with tears.

"I'm sorry, my dear; Big brother has done too little for you before—" Lin Wanrong's voice was filled with remorse. But just as he was about to continue, a warm little hand covered his lips: "Big brother, you are a man of great deeds. What Qiaoqiao likes about you is your disregard for everything else. I'm willing to do anything for you."

Seeing the little girl's face flushed, her long eyelashes trembling, her pitch-black pupils bright as the stars at night, and her cherry-like mouth opening and closing, Lin Wanrong gently kissed her lips. His hands moved to her waist and slowly began to unbutton her heavy winter coat.

As big brother was about to attend to her, Qiaoqiao's heart filled with shyness. After days without seeing him, her pent-up longing was clear, like the transparent flow of water in Xuanwu Lake. As he pulled open her outer clothing, her heart pounded rapidly; her head almost bowed to her chest, but infinite joy resided in her heart.

After removing the coat, a thin layer of winter clothing was revealed. Qiaoqiao's figure had become even more outstanding after just a few days apart. Though separated by winter garments, he could see the high contour of her peaks, her slender jade legs tightly together, and her full chest and slender waist, all hinting at the mature charm of a young woman.

Seeing big brother staring at her, Qiaoqiao's face turned as red as hibiscus, and she softly called, "Big brother—"

Upon unbuttoning the winter clothing, Lin Wanrong's eyes brightened. A light red undergarment clung tightly to Qiaoqiao's body. She bashfully lowered her head, covering her shoulders, her snow-white skin peeking through her fingers. Over a month had passed, and her chest had grown even fuller, dazzling Lin Wanrong as it appeared before him.

Lin Wanrong clicked his tongue in admiration and slowly embraced Qiaoqiao. The little girl let out a soft cry and then felt warmth as she looked down to find herself in a wooden tub filled with petals. The hot water reached her waist, and a faint soapy fragrance entered her nostrils, bringing an indescribable sense of coziness and warmth.

Lin Wanrong smiled as he scooped the warm water over her head, soaking her beautiful hair. A sensation as warm as spring sun instantly filled her entire body. Qiaoqiao stretched out her delicate little hands, gently rubbing her cheeks, her eyes radiating soft and blissful light.

Lin Wanrong extended his large hand into the water, gently unfastening that last layer of intimate clothing. Silently, the last barrier on the young girl's body was removed. As Lin Wanrong was about to gently rub her body, a glance led to a surprising discovery. On the young girl's full and soft chest, there was a thin bra cup, made of silk gauze, half-hidden and half-revealed, making her chest appear even fuller and more enchanting.

Lin Wanrong was stunned, even dropping the water scoop into the bucket without noticing. Qiaoqiao's face turned blood-red, and she dared not lift her head, only using the corner of her eyes to gauge her big brother's expression.

"Little darling!" Lin Wanrong hurriedly swallowed and said, "This, where did you get this?"

Qiaoqiao, blushing, covered her cheeks and whispered like a mosquito, "Big brother, how could you forget? This is what you prepared for me when you were making women's clothes for the Xiao family. I brought it with me to the capital, thinking you would like it, and only put it on today as we were nearing the city."

This girl truly knew his heart. Qiaoqiao softly hummed, her breath becoming more rapid, her face as if painted with the finest rouge, her eyes tightly closed, her cheeks peach-red, her chest heaving enticingly, and her silk dress tightly outlining her voluptuous figure, indescribably tempting.

Lin Wanrong reached out, slowly touching her back, feeling her skin smooth and moist like beautiful jade. His heart stirred, his eyes gleamed, and he caressed her forward, with a snap, unfastening that thin piece of lingerie.

Qiaoqiao exclaimed, her clothing falling into the water, two bright buds breaking the surface, standing tall, the fresh scent of a young girl's body wafting over the water, endlessly tempting his senses.

‘Damn, it's killing me,’ Lin Wanrong swallowed hard, restraining himself with great willpower, slowly washing Qiaoqiao's body. The two had already become husband and wife in Jinling, and had been intimate many times. Today, after a long separation, they should have been excited. But with the Eldest Miss and Madame Xiao in the next room, they had to be cautious. Otherwise, Lin San could be shameless, but could Qiaoqiao still face the world?

After finally washing her, Lin Wanrong held Qiaoqiao in the tub, not letting her get up, her breathing becoming even more rapid. He listened carefully for a while before saying, "It's alright, they're asleep."

This poorly concealed sentence made Qiaoqiao go weak from head to toe. She turned her head away, not daring to speak, hearing her big brother's hot breath, her heart pounding wildly.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, suddenly lifting Qiaoqiao out of the water, a flawless beautiful body appearing before his eyes.

Qiaoqiao softly cried out, but Lin Wanrong had already covered her with a clean bathrobe, wiping her body dry, then carrying her slowly towards the bed.

"Big brother—" Qiaoqiao's face was flushed, tightly holding his body, and from somewhere found the courage to lift her head and look at him, "Qiaoqiao loves you so much!"

No language could express his feelings. Lin Wanrong opened his mouth wide, taking her full and bright red cherry lips into his mouth, his tongue gently gliding between her tender lips, savoring the sweet taste of lilac.

With a soft "uh" sound, Qiaoqiao's arms involuntarily wrapped around her big brother. She felt him kiss her tongue, then her cheek, and then, with increasing intensity, nibble at her delicate and exquisite earlobe. His right hand, through the bathrobe, caressed her full and upright chest.

A moan, both painful and joyful, escaped from between Qiaoqiao's teeth. Lin Wanrong undid her bathrobe, and her jade-like breasts surged forth, the two red points on her chest quivering ceaselessly.

"Baby darling, you've grown again," Lin Wanrong chuckled, gently grasping the soft peaks, and the candlelight was extinguished in an instant...

"Ah, big brother—" A woman's moan, both painful and pleasurable, reached the room across. The Eldest Miss who was speaking with her mother couldn't help but frown: "Mother, what is that sound?"

Madam Xiao's face turned red, and she huffed: "The sound of slaughtering a pig! That detestable Lin San!"

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