Finest Servant

Chapter 343 "The Mansion"

The next morning, Lin Wanrong rose early and took Qiaoqiao out with him. As soon as they reached the door, they bumped into the Eldest Miss, Xiao Yuruo. Her pretty cheeks looked slightly pale, and her eyes were tinged with red, as if she hadn't slept well the night before.

"Good morning, Miss!" Lin Wanrong said, holding Qiaoqiao's little hand and smiling cheerfully. He had shown off his prowess the previous night, and this morning he was still feeling invincible. Qiaoqiao, the little girl, was both clever and charming. The two of them were as harmonious as fish in water, indescribably carefree and happy.

"What's good about this morning? The sun is already three poles high!" the Eldest Miss glared at him and snorted.

"Oh my, the sun is ‘three poles high?’ How rude of me! Miss, don't worry, from now on I'll get up when the sun is only ‘two poles high!’" Lin Wanrong said, a mischievous smile playing on his face, speaking in a lewd manner.

"You should get up when the sun is only one pole high, you bad man! I've never seen anyone as tormenting as you!" The Eldest Miss didn't understand Lin Wanrong's hidden meaning, but seeing his strange smile and winking, she blushed and hurriedly lowered her head.

"Miss Xiao, it's my fault for getting up late, don't blame him," Qiaoqiao said, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Qiaoqiao, don't protect him too much, or he'll only take advantage of you. How did you sleep last night?" the Eldest Miss asked, seemingly both intentionally and unintentionally.

"Good, good!" Qiaoqiao answered, lowering her head, her face already tinged with layers of rouge.

‘Why am I asking about this?’ The Eldest Miss thought, her face turning red. She stole a glance at Lin San, who was smiling at her, and remembering the chaotic sounds of the previous night, she quickly turned her head and asked, "Qiaoqiao, where are you two going?"

"Big brother is taking me to see the mansion. Miss, come with us!" Qiaoqiao looked up, her beautiful little face filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Going to see the mansion?" The Eldest Miss felt a faint sense of loss and said softly, "You go ahead. I have things to do. The thousand bottles of perfume my mother brought from Jinling are going on sale today, and I can't get away."

Seeing her look of deep resentment, Lin Wanrong grabbed her hand and said, "The perfume sale is fine with Sister Song watching over it. You don't need to do it yourself." He looked around sneakily and whispered in her ear, "You go choose a room with a big bed, so we won't be afraid of falling off."

Xiao Yuruo's face turned peach-red, and she spat softly, saying in an almost inaudible voice, "Who wants to sleep with you? I hate you, you bad man."

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily three times, and the Eldest Miss's face turned red with embarrassment. She glared at him, her heart in turmoil, and hurriedly fled.

"What is the Eldest Miss doing going to the kitchen?" Qiaoqiao asked, watching Xiao Yuruo's hurried steps.

"Oh, perhaps she's changed her ways recently and wants to be a good wife and mother," Lin Wanrong said, chuckling to himself and making up a story.

Qiaoqiao smiled and looked at him, saying softly, "Big brother, if you marry Second Miss Xiao and Miss Xiao, and our two families merge, opening a restaurant and selling perfume, then no one in Jinling will be able to compare to us."

"That's a constructive proposal; I'll consider it. But, my little darling, I have a secret affair with Yushuang and the Eldest Miss; aren't you jealous?" Lin Wanrong said, laughing.

"What secret affair? That sounds awful!" Qiaoqiao scolded. "The two Miss Xiaos are like phoenixes among people. As long as they are good to you, what's wrong with marrying them both? As for me—" A shadow of sadness flashed in her eyes, "I'm just a girl from a poor family, and I can't compare to the two young ladies. Big brother, Qiaoqiao doesn't want anything else; I just want to be by your side for the rest of my life, and I'll be content."

"You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? In terms of intelligence and capability, you're second to none. You are my good wife, and even if Yushuang and the others come in, they'll have to call you senior sister, understand?" Lin Wanrong said seriously.

Tears welled in Qiaoqiao's eyes, and she nodded softly, tightly gripping her big brother's arm, her heart filled with boundless joy. They hadn't walked far from the door when they happened to run into Madam Xiao. Qiaoqiao and Madam Xiao had traveled to the capital together, caring for each other deeply, and their feelings were profound. She quickly went up and took Madam Xiao's hand, saying, "Madam, big brother and I are going to see the mansion; you should come with us!"

Madam Xiao, dressed in a new lotus-colored long skirt, lightly made up, with elegant brows and a mature and charming face, looked graceful and dignified. Hearing Qiaoqiao's words, she smiled slightly and said to Lin Wanrong, "Lin San, I heard from Yuruo yesterday that you are truly capable. Not only did you defeat the northern nomad and Goryeo, bringing glory to our great nation, but even the Emperor values you so much, granting you an official position and awarding you a place. It's truly a joyous occasion!"

"Madam, I'm just a small sapling, basking in your sunshine and rain, growing healthy and strong every day. It's all thanks to your diligent cultivation," Lin Wanrong said, flattering her effortlessly.

Madam Xiao covered her mouth and laughed lightly, "You speak so sweetly; aren't you afraid of rotting your teeth? What sunshine and rain? You make me sound like the compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva."

"Isn't that the case? Madam's benevolent light shines everywhere, spreading rain and dew, even more gentle and beautiful than Guanyin Bodhisattva," Lin Wanrong said, laughing.

Lin San's words could charm all the women in the world, and that was no exaggeration. Madam Xiao's face turned slightly red, and she laughed lightly, her full bosom trembling like a brilliant flowering tree. She glanced at Qiaoqiao and smiled, "Since Qiaoqiao has kindly invited me, I'll bask in Lin San's glory and go see the majestic mansion bestowed by the Emperor! But—" she changed the subject, "Lin San, even though you've become an official, our Xiao family still has a contract with you! You mustn't break your promise!"

Lin Wanrong waved his hand and laughed heartily, "Madam, what are you talking about? What kind of person am I, Lin San? My word is my bond. In this world, one must uphold righteousness; better to lose one's life than one's trust—and besides, what's our relationship? We're family. Being a small servant in the Xiao family, accompanying the madam and young ladies every day, is a hundred times better than being an official. It's like living a fairy's life!"

What was this about "better to lose one's life than one's trust"? How could this man say anything that came to his mind? As the Madam listened to his nonsense, she had already ordered Si De to fetch a carriage.

Qiaoqiao helped the Madam into the carriage, and Lin Wanrong followed them, one hand lifting the curtain, just about to enter when he suddenly realized something. He couldn't barge into the Madam's chamber. However, he often frequented her daughter's boudoir.

"Lin San, why aren't you coming in?" Madam Xiao lifted the curtain and smiled.

"Well, it might not be appropriate! I'm a very polite person," Lin Wanrong said, his face wearing a hypocritical smile, feigning sincerity. One hand was already on the curtain, ready to slip inside.

With a rustling sound, the curtain fell, hitting Lin Wanrong's nose. The Madam laughed from inside, "Lin San, even after becoming the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, you still show such filial piety. That's truly rare. In that case, I won't make things difficult for you. Si De, drive on."

"Yes, madam!" Si De cracked the whip, and the carriage began to move forward. Lin Wanrong touched his nose resentfully. If she didn't want him to come in, she could have just said so. Instead, she deliberately mocked him. This move was ruthless. The Eldest Miss's mother was indeed more difficult to deal with than the Eldest Miss herself!

Lin Wanrong sat next to Si De, and the two of them drove the carriage quickly forward. The mansion bestowed by the Emperor was a place Lin Wanrong had never been to, located near the East Straight Gate [TL: part of the Inner City wall of Beijing during the Ming and Qing Dynasties,] and not small in scale. Although he had been in the capital for some time, he hadn't really explored the city. Today, taking advantage of his leisure time, he wasn't in a hurry to get there, driving the carriage slowly, as if strolling through the city.

Upon reaching the East Straight Gate, Lin Wanrong was unfamiliar with the route and looked around. Si De pulled over an old man and asked, "Sir, do you know where Lord Lin's mansion is?"

"Lord Lin?" The old man said, "Which Lord Lin?"

"The newly appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Lord Lin San!" Si De said, his face full of reverence.

"Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?" The old man sneered, "Around the East Straight Gate, those who live here are either royal relatives or high-ranking officials. Even scholars from the Hall of Literary Brilliance must tread lightly. A Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a small official like a sesame seed or green bean, who knows where he lives? You should look in Huairou District or Tongzhou District; you might find him there!" [Both districts are far from the inner city wall where important people reside.]

Si De, who was already directionally challenged, was even more confused in the capital. He turned and asked, "Brother San, how do we get to Huairou or Tongzhou? The old man said your mansion is there!"

Lin Wanrong slapped him hard on the head. ‘This kid was quite clever in Jinling; how had he become so foolish in the capital? Couldn't he hear that the old man was mocking me? Damn, even a random old man asking for directions was so arrogant. A Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is a small official? It's at least a deputy department level, right?’

Lin Wanrong leaned over, not willing to concede, and said, "Old brother, I don't understand what you're saying. A Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is a small official? I heard that Vice Minister Tong has retired, and besides Lord Ye, the Minister, there's only the Vice Minister left in the Ministry of Personnel."

"It's only the Vice Ministers left—seventeen of them," the old man laughed. "And that's just in the Ministry of Personnel. Among the six ministries, which one doesn't have Vice Ministers as numerous as cow hairs? There must be over a hundred in total. Then there are the ministers and elders of the three chambers, the scholars of the six halls, and the grand scholars, numbering several hundred. A mere Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, what does that amount to? The Lord Lin you're looking for, I reckon you won't find him in Tongzhou; perhaps you'll have to go to Cangzhou." [TL: This time, it’s entirely outside of the capital.]

‘You bastard, the more you talk, the more absurd it becomes. Am I so insignificant that you'd demote me from the capital to Hebei? If I keep asking, I'll probably end up being sent directly to Mohe. Wasn't I just asking for directions? Did I deserve such a blow?’

As he was stewing in his frustration, he heard a soft "giggle" from the carriage, followed by a sudden silence. Through the curtain, Lin Wanrong seemed to see Madam Xiao's cherry lips suppressing a laugh, her cheeks flushed red. His own face felt a sudden heat, and he coughed awkwardly, "Well, let's keep looking. If we can't find it, we'll spend the night in Tongzhou and continue to Cangzhou tomorrow."

This time, not only Madam Xiao but also Qiaoqiao laughed lightly. Being with big brother was always so joyful and carefree.

Unable to find the mansion, Madam Xiao and Qiaoqiao also alighted from the carriage, joining Si De and Lin San in asking for directions. Madam Xiao had been away from the capital for many years, and much had changed. Her feelings were indescribable. Exploring with Lin San allowed her to appreciate the local customs and recall memories of her youth. This was an experience she had never had before, and she found it delightful and interesting.

The old man's words were not false. The area around the East Straight Gate was indeed filled with grand mansions, royal relatives, and high-ranking officials. Each residence was guarded by stone lions and throngs of servants, and the courtyards were extraordinary.

As they were about to reach the end of the East Straight Gate Street, all that remained were a few old, dilapidated mansions. They had not yet seen the grand residence of Vice Minister Lin San, and not only Si De and Madam Xiao but even Lin Wanrong himself was disheartened.

‘The Emperor, my father-in-law, better not be playing tricks on me,’ he thought. ‘He said he had bestowed a mansion near the East Straight Gate, spacious enough for many people to live in. But we're almost at the end of the road, and I haven't seen my mansion yet!’

"Brother San, Brother San!" Just as he was feeling disappointed, Si De excitedly shouted, "Brother San, look, The First Under Heaven, The First Under Heaven!"

Lin Wanrong glanced over and angrily smacked him on the head, "What's this 'The First Under Heaven'? You're so old, and you still can't count? Clearly, it's five characters, 'The First Talent Under Heaven'—wait, 'The First Talent Under Heaven'? Wow—"

Lin Wanrong exclaimed, "Is this... could this be my 'mansion'? It's truly damn grand!"

Madam Xiao and Qiaoqiao quickly looked up, and at nearly the end of the street, they saw a dark red door, slightly wider and taller than the gates of ordinary houses. The outer wall's paint had peeled off, revealing patches of red and green. Most of the red tiles on the roof beams were broken, and the house looked utterly defeated. On the grand East Straight Gate Street, filled with luxurious mansions, this small, dilapidated house stood out like a caterpillar among phoenixes. If not for the plaque hanging on the door, with the five gleaming golden characters "The First Talent Under Heaven" shining in the sunlight, no one would have guessed that this was the "grand mansion" the Emperor had bestowed upon Lord Lin!

Lin Wanrong looked up at the newly hung plaque with those five golden characters and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. After all, it was a gift from the Emperor; it should have been magnified a thousand times for the world to admire! Why make such a small plaque? Even the four characters "Former Residence of Prosperity" personally inscribed by Minister Ye, which they had just passed, were several times larger. What was this? What was this? This was not the first talent under heaven; it was clearly the last.

"Brother San, shall we go in?" Si De saw that his brother's expression was listless, a far cry from his initial enthusiasm, and cautiously asked, fearing he might provoke his irritation.

"Enter! Of course, we must enter!" Lin Wanrong declared without hesitation. "A son does not despise his mother's ugliness, a dog does not despise its home's poverty. Though the shelter is broken, it can protect us from wind and rain. My ladies, let's reclaim our home together!"

Qiaoqiao smiled sweetly and nodded, while Madam Xiao couldn't help but shake her head. ‘This child,’ she thought, ‘he's been so struck that he's become confused and started talking nonsense.’

"Brother San, when they say a dog doesn't despise its home's poverty, they're talking about a dog. But you're not a dog!" Si De said, bewildered.

Lin San was furious: "I'm not a dog, you're a dog! Is that good enough for you? Are you coming in or not?"

Madam Xiao covered her lips, suppressing a laugh. Every moment with Lin San brought more joy and warmth. Even if Yushuang and Yuruo followed him, they wouldn't feel wronged.

Lord Lin, puffing with anger, led the way, pushing open the courtyard door. As he stepped in, accumulated dust flew into his face, choking his mouth and nose, covering him with dirt.

"Cough, cough—" Lin Wanrong quickly stepped back, dust in his eyes, unable to open them, and hurriedly rolled up his sleeves to wipe them.

"Don't move!" Madam Xiao, standing beside him, quickly called out and took a silk handkerchief from her bosom to gently wipe his eyes.

"Madam, let me do it!" Qiaoqiao rushed forward, taking the handkerchief from Madam Xiao and gently wiping her big brother's face.

Lin Wanrong spat out the dust from his mouth, managing to open his eyes, and grumbled, "What a ghostly mess! How does the Emperor rule? I won't say anything about bestowing a broken mansion, but couldn't he have had someone clean it up? Next time we meet, I must have a serious talk with him."

Madam Xiao shook her head secretly, thinking, ‘This child, he's really been driven to distraction. The Emperor's grace is boundless; how could he discuss it with you?’

Qiaoqiao took his hand and smiled sweetly, "Big brother, this is our home, and it will be more meaningful if we clean it ourselves. Madam, don't you agree?"

Madam Xiao laughed and said, "That's true. Qiaoqiao is clever and skillful; she will surely tidy up this mansion properly. When the time comes, I'll bring Yuruo and Yushuang to stay here as well!"

"Welcome, welcome!" Lin Wanrong clapped his hands and grinned, "You're all welcome to stay as long as you like!"

Seeing his dirt-covered face and strange appearance, Madam Xiao could no longer contain herself and covered her mouth, laughing delicately. Qiaoqiao buried her head in her big brother's face, happily nestling in his arms.

Upon entering the small gate, they found a two-story gatehouse, with a large door tightly closed below. The ground floor consisted of several empty rooms filled with all sorts of clutter: furniture, calligraphy, inkstones, and even a baby's cradle. Everything was in disarray, covered in dust, as if no one had lived there for many years.

"Why do these rooms look like storage rooms?" Qiaoqiao, gentle and observant, glanced around and asked.

"Who cares if they're storage rooms? As long as we can live here!" Lin Wanrong laughed, "And there are stairs, with three rooms on each floor. In my time, this might be called a garden villa. Oh, there's no garden here, so there's a slight difference!"

"Your time?" Madam Xiao frowned, "Lin San, what do you mean?"

"Oh, just this time, Madam. You don't need to understand! Wow, these two floors are so tall, even taller than me!" He chuckled, changing the subject.

Madam Xiao smiled and shook her head. Lin San was either mad or mysterious, always full of inexplicable ideas, but he was indeed interesting.

"Garden villa?" Si De, who was rummaging around, saw the thick dust on the large door and, undeterred, pulled hard. The door didn't budge.

"Heave!" Si De gathered his strength, grunting with effort. With a creak, the heavy iron doors slowly swung open. A ray of sunlight pierced through from the other side, filling the air with dust. The light dazzled Lin Wanrong's eyes, and he couldn't see anything clearly.

"Wow, what a big garden!" Si De's cry of astonishment awakened the others. Lin Wanrong was the first to recover, rushing forward to look outside the iron gate.

Facing him was a vast garden, nearly half the size of a football field, surrounded by high walls made of red bricks and green tiles, extending as far as the eye could see. The garden was filled with flowerbeds, pavilions, bridges, and streams, but due to years of neglect, the flowers had withered, and weeds had overgrown. Only the sound of the spring, tinkling like a bell, stirred their hearts.

"Big, it's damn big!" Opening a door revealed a whole new world, leaving everyone agape. Lin Wanrong stared at the wonder before him, murmuring to himself.

Madam Xiao, with her extensive knowledge and understanding of architectural layouts, took a few more glances before saying, "Lin San, this seems to be a back garden."

"A back garden? What do you mean?" Lin Wanrong asked, puzzled.

Madam Xiao cast a charming glance at him and laughed softly, "Lin San, you're usually quite clever, but how come you're so slow to catch on at this crucial moment! Look, what is that?"

Her delicate finger pointed forward, and Lin Wanrong followed the direction of her gesture. He saw, directly facing the garden, a three-story hall-style building with a round archway leading from the back to the front. Looking further, he could faintly make out more buildings, appearing and disappearing in the sunlight.

"What do you see?" Madam Xiao asked gently.

"Fingers, ah, no, buildings!" Lin Wanrong's gaze shifted from Madam Xiao's tender, greenish finger, and he couldn't help but wonder. Madam Xiao was in her mid-thirties, yet her skin was still so fine, rivaling even Seo Jang Geum's!

"You, where is your mind wandering off to?" Madam Xiao glanced at him and laughed, "If I'm not mistaken, we've entered through the wrong door."

"Entered through the wrong door?" Lin Wanrong chuckled lasciviously, "Impossible! I always find my way in! There's no such thing as entering the wrong door!"

Madam Xiao didn't understand his innuendo and shook her head firmly, "We've entered the back garden."

"The back garden?" Lin Wanrong understood this time and exclaimed with joy, "Madam, do you mean that what we've entered is—"

"Exactly," Madam Xiao smiled, "We are facing the back garden. There must be the main house, front hall, side rooms, and front garden ahead. This is undoubtedly a mansion. Who would have thought that you, Lin San, so clever all your life, would be confused for a moment and enter your home for the first time through the back door? Hee hee—"

Madam Xiao couldn't help but laugh delicately, and Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "The back door is good! Entering through the back door has a unique flavor! Damn it, who made such a small plaque and hung it on the back door? Tomorrow I'll report to the Emperor and have this little one beheaded!"

"It was I who had it hung!" A clear and authoritative voice rang out from outside the door.

"Who?" Lin Wanrong quickly looked outside, his face instantly changing, "You, you—Your Majesty?"

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