Finest Servant

Chapter 645 Guess Who

After singing throughout the night, Yilian's lips were somewhat dry. He was startled upon noticing this and quickly handed her a water flask. "Quick, drink some water!" he urged.

Yilian hummed in acknowledgment, took a few sips of the clear water, and then sweetly smiled at him.

Lin Wanrong spoke earnestly, "Yilian, it's fine to sing, but you can't go on without a break. You must rest when you're tired!"

"But Ah Lin Ge, I'm not tired!" the girl protested softly, her head bowed. "There were so many people tonight. If I didn't sing, I was afraid you wouldn't be able to find us!"

"Finding you wouldn't have been impossible, but it would have been difficult," Ah Lin Ge sighed, then firmly said, "Alright, today was an exception. Don't do this again!"

"Okay!" Yilian nodded vigorously, smiling as she pointed out, "Ah Lin Ge, look, our village is over there!"

Following the direction she was pointing, the young men and women of Yingyue Hamlet waved at them, beckoning them to hurry over.

They had only taken a few steps when they were surrounded by the enthusiastic mi duo, chattering loudly. Some even burst into love songs, unwilling to let her go. Lin Wanrong grinned and teased, "Yilian, these are all your admirers! So many handsome young men. Do you fancy any? Ah Lin Ge will help you decide!"

‘People say Miao girls are passionate, but this girl is rather shy,’ Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, pulling her through the crowd as they made a hasty escape.

Following him, Yilian blinked and asked, "Ah Lin Ge, you're back late. Did you go to Wulian Peak?"

Lin Wanrong's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?!"

"Anyone could guess that!" Yilian huffed, then chuckled, "So, did you meet the Holy Maiden you've been dreaming about?"

She didn't know the details and took his true words as jests. Her tone was teasing, but Lin Wanrong felt a pang of emotion and shook his head silently.

Yilian giggled, "It's not surprising. Look at all these mi duo. Ninety-nine percent of them dream of meeting the Holy Maiden. If they all succeeded, what would become of us?"

‘I'm different from them,’ Lin Wanrong opened his mouth to explain but didn't know where to begin.

Seeing his troubled expression, Yilian didn't press further. She lowered her head and asked softly, "Ah Lin Ge, how many of the mountain songs I taught you have you learned?"

Bashfully, Lin Wanrong stretched out five fingers. Yilian's eyes widened in surprise and delight, "Fifty songs?! Ah Lin Ge, that's incredible!"

Sweating profusely, Lin Wanrong scratched his head in agitation and finally mumbled, "Five... just five songs."

"Five songs?" Yilian secretly stuck out her tongue. Ah Lin Ge was smart in many ways, but he was slow in learning songs. She giggled, "Five is also good. It's all your effort! At the Flower Mountain Festival, you must sing them. Otherwise, I, as your teacher, would lose face!"

Lin Wanrong, fearless and thick-skinned, dared to do and say anything except for singing love songs. He was surprisingly shy about this, having barely made a sound despite days of practice with Yilian. She had accurately gauged his disposition, which led to her playful remark.

"Give it my best, I'll give it my best!" he joked half-heartedly, his heart filled with unease. ‘Would Master Sister really sing a love song with me?’ He thought in dismay, ‘This is practically a death sentence!’

Back among the mi duo and mi cai of Yingyue Hamlet, everyone was jubilant. They gathered around the campfire to listen to his tales, this time about battles against the Turks. Even Si Di, who was used to his tall tales, was utterly captivated. At the climax of the story, the Miao village youths held their breath in suspense, with Yilian even pinching his arm until it reddened.

As the night deepened and silence fell, everyone laid down to sleep, the world around them hushed, except for the crackling campfire, its gentle sounds like a warm drumbeat.

A crescent moon hung in the sky, its cold light bathing the ground and their faces in a chill. It was the first day of September, and the day of Yueya’er’s poison outbreak was drawing near. Lin Wanrong was filled with anxiety, not knowing the nature of the poison or if there was an antidote, feeling as though thousands of ants crawled over him, unable to sleep.

"What's wrong, Ah Lin Ge?" Yilian approached him, her eyes wide with concern.

Yilian, the leader of these young people, truly had a leader's demeanor, checking on everyone every night, covering them with blankets, and driving away mosquitoes. Her dedication had earned her great respect.

Seeing her diligent demeanor, Lin Wanrong nodded and smiled, "Yilian, if the Holy Maiden ever steps down as leader, I'd recommend you! Under your guidance, the Miao village will surely thrive."

"Ah Lin Ge, you're teasing me!" Yilian sat beside him, shyly saying, "How can I compare to the Holy Maiden? She is the spiritual pillar of our Miao people!"

"Spiritual pillar?" Lin Wanrong was puzzled. "Yilian, the Holy Maiden only returned to the Miao village this spring. You haven't had much interaction with her before. How come you admire her so much?"

The girl gently shook her head, "Ah Lin Ge, you're not from the Miao community, so you might not understand. Although the Holy Maiden has been wandering outside and rarely returns to the village, many of our stilted houses, schools, bridges, and water conservancy projects were financed by her. To prevent corruption, she had the elders bring the money in one note at a time from outside the mountains. She also brought in farmers to teach us how to cultivate and develop our lands. Every spring, she provided us with seeds and hired people to teach us to read and write. Ah Lin Ge, the Holy Maiden is truly remarkable. How could we not be grateful to her?"

It was then that Lin Wanrong realized the tender side of Sister An. He had been unaware of these details until Yilian mentioned them. Recalling Sister An's unrestrained demeanor, he was deeply moved, realizing they were kindred spirits.

"Ah Lin Ge, in this life, I want to be like the Holy Maiden!" Yilian said shyly.

"Then do you know that, to help the Miao people, the Holy Maiden has suffered a lot during these years, wandering alone?"

"I'm not afraid of hardship!" Yilian lifted her head with determination. "I will be like the Holy Maiden, fearless for the sake of our Miao people. Do you believe in me?"

Gazing into her hopeful eyes, he saw a reflection of the future generations of beautiful, pure, competent, and strong Miao women. Wondering what her future would hold, Lin Wanrong sighed deeply and nodded firmly.

Yilian smiled sweetly, curling up silently in his arms. "Ah Lin Ge, you're so kind! How wonderful it would be if you could stay forever in our Miao village!"

‘Am I really that good? Compared to Sister An, I seem rather ordinary. However, if I could turn Sister An from a Holy Maiden into a Holy Wife and become a son-in-law of the Miao village, that would be akin to staying here. Yilian's wish could come true!’

At this thought, he burst into laughter. When he turned to speak to Yilian, he found that the Miao girl had already fallen into a sweet sleep.

His thoughts were numerous that night, oscillating between Sister An and Yueya’er. He slept fitfully and woke up to find the day already bright. A thick blanket lay on him, carrying a faint fragrance of perfume. Yilian had risen early and was busy with a few mi cai, kindling a fire in the earthen stove as wisps of smoke gently rose.

Si De came close, whispering a few words into his ear. Lin Wanrong's expression turned cold, and he nodded, quickly getting up to leave.

"Ah Lin Ge—" Yilian, holding two freshly baked steamed buns, ran towards him, blowing on them to cool them down, "For you!"

Dewdrops, formed from the autumn frost in her hair, glistened in the rising sun's light, shining with a sacred, multicolored luster. Her cheeks were rosy like the bright morning sky. Lin Wanrong took the steamed buns, his mouth trembling from the heat as he blew on them.

Yilian giggled, and Ah Lin Ge looked at her helplessly, "Tonight, I'll be able to find our village, so you don't need to sing! Of course, if there's a young man you like to sing with, that's another story, haha!"

"I wouldn't dare!" Yilian blushed, speaking softly, "Come back early. I—everyone is waiting for your stories!"

‘I've become the Story King,’ he thought, smiling and nodding, bidding farewell to everyone as he headed straight towards the city.

The Flower Mountain Festival was starting tomorrow, the grandest festival in the hundred miles of Miao land. People from far and near flooded into the city, crowding the streets. The entire Yunlian had turned into a massive Miao gathering.

Navigating through the crowd, he suddenly spotted a large head peeking around a corner, waving at him stealthily—it was Gao Qiu. He quickly walked over and saw the county magistrate of Xingwen, Wu Yuan, dressed in plain clothes, with a plump belly, kneeling down hurriedly, "Subordinate Wu Yuan greets the...”

"Alright, alright," Lin Wanrong waved his hand dismissively, "Let's skip these formalities!"

"Yes, yes! Have you had breakfast, sir? I've prepared some pastries nearby—"

"No need. I like this!" He hummed, holding up the half-eaten steamed bun in his hand.

Wu Yuan was astonished and knelt down, knocking his head on the ground fervently, "Sir, deeply involved in rural life, loving the people like his own children, sharing their joys and hardships, you truly are a role model for us all! I will surely emulate your glorious spirit and—"

‘This fellow's flattery is unbeatable,’ Lin Wanrong thought, grinning and quickly interrupting, "Enough with the pleasantries! Mr. Wu, did you find out what Officer Gao asked you to investigate?"

"Yes, yes!" Wu Yuan lowered his voice, bowing respectfully, "To answer your question, I've found out everything. This afternoon, the leader of the Miao, Zhaguo, is planning to host the Governor at Xiangyunlou nearby!"

Xiangyunlou was the finest tavern in Yunlian, which Lin Wanrong had also noticed upon entering the city the previous day. It indeed possessed a certain grandeur. He hummed in response, speaking calmly, "Zhaguo is hosting a grand feast. Mr. Wu, you must be among the invited guests, aren't you?"

At this, Wu Yuan recoiled in fear, hardly daring to breathe.

"It's really nothing! Since someone's hosting, it would be a waste not to go!" Lin Wanrong patted his shoulder, his smile more forced than genuine, "Go and listen to what the Miao leader and the Governor have to say. These two are, after all, exemplary figures of the Hua and Miao community!"

Hearing Lin Wanrong mention 'exemplary figures,' Wu Yuan trembled in fear, wiping his sweat and nodding repeatedly, "Yes, yes, I understand. I'll see to it right away."

After dismissing Wu Yuan, Gao Qiu spat disdainfully, "What a character! Fat as a meatball; I bet all that fat comes from sucking the blood of the common folk."

"We'll settle his account slowly," Lin Wanrong said with a smile, looking around. Then he suggested, "Gao Qiu, Xiangyunlou is just ahead. Let's go take a look."

Gao Qiu, familiar with the area after several rounds, led him through the crowd. After a short while, they saw the beautifully decorated Xiangyunlou, situated right in the bustling center, surrounded by a lively crowd.

Lin Wanrong observed it carefully. At noon, Xiangyunlou had no patrons coming or going. It was surrounded by hundreds of vigilant Black Miao warriors, making it clear that Zhaguo had reserved the entire place. Ordinary people couldn't get anywhere near it.

As noon approached, they saw a large sedan chair carried by eight bearers approaching from a distance. Two rows of soldiers, wielding swords and spears, cleared the way with loud shouts, causing the surrounding people to scatter in fear. The market descended into chaos with people running about and children crying.

Having witnessed Nie Yuanqing's arrogance the day before, Lin Wanrong's anger surged even more today. This Nie Yuanqing was indeed the de facto emperor of Xuzhou Prefecture! A murderous intent flickered in Lin Wanrong's eyes.

The area around Xiangyunlou was cleared within a hundred steps. Zhaguo, the Miao leader, rushed over with a chopper in hand and respectfully greeted the arriving dignitary, "Miao's Zhaguo greets the Governor! Wishing you everlasting prosperity and wealth!"

"The leader is too courteous," a clear and pleasant laugh came from the sedan. The curtain was lifted, and Zhaguo hurriedly assisted the man out. A middle-aged man with a clean-shaven face and dressed in a bright red official robe emerged. He had a benevolent appearance, his face round like the full moon, and his clean face bore a friendly smile. He politely greeted everyone around him.

‘So, this is Nie Yuanqing?’ Lin Wanrong thought, observing from a distance. He couldn't help but reflect on the saying 'appearances can be deceiving.' If one didn't know of his deeds, they might even mistake him for a Buddha!

Zhaguo led the way, bowing as he ushered the Governor and his entourage into Xiangyunlou. Hundreds of soldiers and Zhaguo's Black Miao bodyguards stood guard outside, and apart from occasional laughter heard from within, nothing else was visible.

"What do we do now, Brother Lin?" Gao Qiu asked cautiously.

What else could be done? After circling outside the building, finding no way to infiltrate, Lin Wanrong gritted his teeth, "We wait!"

The wait was not an easy one. From midday to sunset, the two men made countless rounds around the vicinity. From a distance, they could hear the clinking of cups and the thunderous laughter inside Xiangyunlou, while they could only sit outside, enduring the tedium.

As the lanterns began to light up, the doors of Xiangyunlou finally reopened. The dignitary with a face like a white-faced Buddha emerged slowly, smiling, followed by Zhaguo, who was beaming with a radiant face, constantly bowing and gesturing in gratitude, his eyes sparkling with joy.

"It looks like they've reached some agreement," Gao Qiu whispered.

‘I know they've agreed on something. But what exactly?’ Lin Wanrong thought, smiling bitterly in helplessness.

Watching as Nie Yuanqing's sedan chair and the Zhaguo brothers departed, the streets growing emptier, the two men returned to the secluded house. Shortly after, Wu Yuan, panting heavily, rushed in: "Sir, Sir..."

Lin Wanrong suppressed his anxiety, smiling gently, "Mr. Wu, you're back? How was the luncheon?"

"I deserve to die!" Wu Yuan collapsed to his knees, knocking his head on the ground, crying bitterly, "I have failed your trust, Sir! Zhaguo and Nie Yuanqing had a private conversation, and their attendants guarded it tightly. I risked getting closer but could only catch a few words! I deserve to die, I deserve to die!"

Lin Wanrong chuckled and personally helped him up, "Mr. Wu, you're too harsh on yourself. I already knew what Zhaguo and Mr. Nie discussed. Your task was just to provide additional confirmation."

Does Sir Lin have spies around Nie Yuanqing too? Wu Yuan shuddered inwardly, marveling at Lin Wanrong's unfathomable depths.

"Mr. Wu, tell me what few words you did hear," Sir Lin said, patting him on the shoulder, smiling, "Don't worry, just say anything. Even a guess is fine; it's just for confirmation, after all."

Wu Yuan bowed his head repeatedly, "I wouldn't dare deceive you, Sir! I only caught a few words, something about 'Holy Maiden,' 'take action,' 'kill without mercy'... That's all I could hear!"

'Take action'? 'Kill without mercy'? A chill flashed in Lin Wanrong's eyes. Was this smiling Buddha, Nie Yuanqing, planning to commit murder during the Flower Mountain Festival? Could he be so ruthless?!

He stood silently for a long time, deep in thought, while Gao Qiu, knowing his mind was occupied, quietly took Wu Yuan away without disturbing him.

He didn't know how long he stood there; a gentle breeze began to blow, chilling his heart. Looking up, he saw that night had fallen, unsure of the time.

In the distance, Wulian Peak loomed into the clouds, like a silently blossoming petal against the night sky. He gazed at it for a long time, then shook his head and bitterly said, "This Sister An, being bullied to this extent, yet still hiding in the mountains, indifferent to the world. Does she intend to become a fox spirit?!"

Before he could finish his thought, he felt a sudden chill on his backside, followed by a sharp pain. He leaped up as if his tail had been stepped on and roared in anger, "Who, who hit me?"

"Guess who?" A voice, both cold and seductive, suddenly rang in his ear!

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