Finest Servant

Chapter 469 Guo Junyi

The explosion had kicked up dust and debris, enveloping the surrounding area of the Xiao family's shop. Numerous soldiers, armed with blades and arrows, stood guard nearby, keeping the crowd of onlookers at a distance. The ruins left by the explosion piled up several meters high, and fearing a second collapse, people hesitated to use any tools. They were forced to clear the debris by hand, making for slow progress.

Qin Xian'er clutched Eldest Miss's hand tightly. Her pretty face was devoid of color. Xiao Yuruo fought back her tears, quietly comforting her. Aside from the noise of soldiers shifting bricks and rubble, the scene was eerily silent.

Gao Qiu wiped away his sweat hastily and ran over, falling to his knees: "Reporting to Princess Nishang, Miss Xiao, Princess Chuyun has arrived—"

Before he could finish speaking, a small sedan chair appeared in the distance. Its curtain was lifted, and three disheveled, haggard women rushed out.

"Big brother—" Ning'er and Qiaoqiao called out softly, tears falling like pearls cut from their strings. They choked up as they ran toward the ruins, their faces illuminated by the flickering fires around them. Their expressions were so forlorn that even the Gao Qiu couldn't help but shed tears.

Xiao Yuruo was familiar with Qiaoqiao, and she had also known Miss Luo from her time in Jinling. Seeing the two women crying to the point of fainting, she thought of Lin San and felt a suffocating sense of heartbreak. She grabbed their sleeves and whispered through her tears, "Sister Qiaoqiao, Miss Luo, he... he will be alright—"

In the midst of her tears, Luo Ning suddenly looked up. Her tear-streaked face shone with anger as she choked out, "Eldest Miss, does your family have a vendetta against my big brother? Why do terrible things always happen around your family? Last time he was captured, this time he was ambushed. Is this how you treat him?!"

Anger overrode any calm Luo Ning might have had. Eldest Miss was at a loss for words, her heart feeling like it was being pierced by needles. She let out a soft cry and collapsed into Qin Xian'er's arms, muttering, "It's my fault, Sister Xian'er, I've doomed him—"

Having spent the last few days with the sisters, Qin Xian'er had gotten over her initial reservations and established deep emotional bonds with them. Especially just now, in the face of crisis, they had depended on and comforted each other. Seeing Luo Ning angrily confront Xiao Yuruo, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and scold, "Miss Luo, what happens between Sister Xiao and my husband is none of your concern, nor is it your place to comment."

"What did you say?" Luo Ning trembled with rage. She was a proud person, and with the uncertainty surrounding her big brother's condition, she could no longer contain her anger, saying, "Your husband is also my spouse, as my father promised me to him, with Lord Xu Wei as the matchmaker. How could this have nothing to do with me?"

Qin Xian'er's face turned icy. "A promise? It seems more like you're clinging to my husband shamelessly—"

"You—" Luo Ning had never been subjected to such disdain, her chest quivered with anger, and she was at a loss for words, tears streaming down her face.

"Both of you, please stop arguing," said Qiaoqiao, who was already feeling sorrowful. Listening to the two women bicker made her even more desolate. "You are the people closest to Big Brother. If he saw you arguing, wouldn't he be even more heartbroken?"

Qiaoqiao was gentle and charming. Qin Xian'er had gotten along well with her when they were in Jinling. Hearing her speak, Qin Xian'er was reminded of Lin Wanrong, whose fate was unknown, and she choked back a sob. Luo Ning's eyes also reddened, and tears fell freely. Neither of them spoke further.

The woman walking behind Qiaoqiao and Luo Ning stared at Qin Xian'er for a long time before she couldn't help but softly sob, "Xian'er, is it you?"

Qin Xian'er's expression was icy. She didn't even look at her and said, "So what if it is me? What, you want to fight me? My master isn't afraid of yours, so why should I be afraid of you?"

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head gently, tears mixing with her smile. "All of that was a misunderstanding. You are my sister; how could I fight you? If I had known the truth earlier, we would have recognized each other back in Jinling. We would have been a reunited family, offering our filial piety to our father. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Sister?" Qin Xian'er looked at her slightly protruding belly, bitterness filling her heart. She scoffed, "Don't make it sound so nice. When you were seducing my husband, did you think about the fact that I was your sister? Weren't you chosen as the successor of the Fairy Hall, committed to the heavenly path and caring for the world? How did you end up carrying my husband's child? My master was right; the so-called Fairy Hall is full of sanctimonious hypocrites. They dare not love, they dare not hate; they are a hundred times more hypocritical than ordinary people. Your master is like that, and so are you."

The harshness of her words was such that even Eldest Miss couldn't bear to listen and hurriedly tugged at Qin Xian'er's sleeve. But Qin Xian'er remained fearless. Having grown up in the White Lotus Sect under An Biru's guidance, she had developed such a devil-may-care attitude that even Lin Wanrong couldn't handle her, let alone Xiao Qingxuan.

Xiao Qingxuan's face flushed, then paled. Although Qin Xian'er spoke harshly, her words were true. When it came to being candid, daring to love and hate, neither she nor Ning Yuxi could compare to Qin Xian'er and her master.

"Well, call me a hypocrite then," Xiao Qingxuan gently wiped away a tear and said softly, "But the blood ties between us can never be severed. Whether you acknowledge me as your sister or not, you will always be my sister."

"Who cares," Qin Xian'er snorted softly, her eyes misty as she quickly turned her head away.

Xiao Qingxuan had understood Qin Xian'er's character back in Jinling and had nearly fallen for her tricks last time. She knew that rushing wouldn't get her anywhere; having a peaceful conversation with Qin Xian'er was already a significant step forward. She sighed and looked at Xiao Yuruo with a slight smile, nodding, "Eldest Miss, it's been a while. How have you been?"

Upon seeing Xiao Qingxuan, Xiao Yuruo couldn't help but think of what had happened on Mount Dangtu. Her cheeks flushed as she lowered her head and mumbled, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I've been well, and I haven't yet had the chance to thank you for saving me before." ṛàΝȏ฿ЁȘ

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head and smiled, "If we're talking about gratitude, I should be the one thanking you. You played the role of a matchmaker for My Dear and me. He's mentioned it several times, saying that we should express our gratitude to you."

Xiao Yuruo felt a shy thrill at Xiao Qingxuan's meaningful words. She lowered her head slightly and gripped Qin Xian'er's small hand tightly.

The atmosphere in the scene was exceptionally quiet. The few young women standing there had invisibly divided themselves into two factions, and neither group was to be trifled with. Gao Qiu, after listening to their conversation and observing their expressions, had a pretty good idea of what was going on. In this world, if there was a man who could subdue all these young women, it would be Lin San.

"Officer Gao, is my My Dear hiding here?" Xiao Qingxuan's elegant eyebrows flickered as she glanced at the pile of rubble, her voice trembling.

Gao Qiu respectfully replied, "Master Lin and Madam Xiao should be buried under this rubble. Please rest assured, Princess, I will do my best to rescue Master Lin as soon as possible."

Xiao Qingxuan gently nodded, tears glittering in her eyes, as she softly sighed, "You, my troublesome husband, never giving people peace of mind."

…

After conversing with Madam Xiao for a bit, Lin Wanrong shared everything he had been holding back—things said and unsaid. Feeling much lighter, he laughed and said, "Madam, I have never told anyone else these things. Not even Qingxuan knows about them. Now that you're aware of eighty percent of my secrets, you could be considered my confidante."

In this dark world where they couldn't see each other's faces, they could still feel each other's warmth—a truly comforting feeling. Madam Xiao gave a light scoff and said shyly, "Who's your confidante? Be careful or someone will hear you and toss you into a pigsty."

Lin Wanrong chuckled nonchalantly, "Madam, I’m not easily scared. Given the purity of our relationship, we are far from deserving a dip in a pigsty."

Madam Xiao sighed softly, "Lin San, why do you become a different person here compared to when you're outside? If we really escape from here, will you revert back to your former self?"

Such a profound question left Lin Wanrong at a loss for words. He gave a wry smile and countered, "Madam, do you wish for me to revert back?"

Madam Xiao was silent for a moment, pondering the complexity of the question. After a long pause, she sighed, "I never understood why both Yuruo and Yushuang were smitten with you. It's only now that I somewhat understand. Lin San, you said I know eighty percent of your secrets. What about the remaining twenty percent? Can you share it with me?"

"No," Lin Wanrong smiled, "Some secrets are mine alone and cannot be shared. Although sometimes, it makes me feel very lonely."

His tone was light, yet it masked an indefinable sadness that seemed to overshadow the surrounding heat. Perhaps influenced by him, Madam Xiao suddenly felt an oppressive sensation. In the hazy atmosphere, even his heartbeat seemed exceptionally clear.

After an indefinite period of silence, he felt wetness on his arm as warm droplets fell. Lin Wanrong exclaimed, "Madam, what's wrong? I didn't take advantage of you."

Madam Xiao shook her head, wiping away her tears, "Do you hate me?"

"Hate you? Hate you for what?" Lin Wanrong was genuinely puzzled.

"Do you truly not know, or are you just pretending to comfort me?" Madam Xiao sobbed, her eyes shining with tears. "If I hadn’t insisted on going to Grand Prime Minister Temple to pray today against Xian'er's advice, you wouldn’t have fallen into this trap or ended up stuck here. I know you have many things left undone, and an unborn child. It's all my fault! If something happens to you, I will never find peace."

Madam Xiao's voice gradually grew louder, her emotions suddenly becoming more intense. Choked with sobs, tears flowed freely, staining the fabric of his shirt on his chest and dripping onto his arm, turning from warm to cold.

Lin Wanrong reached out firmly, gently patting her tender shoulders, and sighed, "This has nothing to do with you. Someone is targeting me. If anyone is to blame, it's me for involving you. Ah, why are you biting me?"

"The air is getting thin. If I don't bite you, who should I bite?" Madam Xiao said irritably, her eyes filled with tears. "Why do you always take all the blame onto yourself, as if doing so will make me feel any better? Are you so noble that I'll be forever indebted to you? It's infuriating; I've never met someone as stupid and awful as you!"

Madam Xiao seemed genuinely angered, her chest heaving rapidly, pressed against Lin Wanrong's. She then turned her head away, refusing to speak.

‘What is going on?’ Lin Wanrong was bewildered. One moment she was crying, the next she was laughing—so different from her usual composed self. And she said he had changed; little did she know she was the one who was different.

In this ruined place, there were only the two of them. When one person stopped talking, the other naturally had nothing to say. Lin Wanrong quickly tugged at her arm, to which Madam Xiao huffed angrily, "What are you doing? Go on, be your noble self and don't touch me!"

‘Noble or shameless, both are my faults,’ Lin Wanrong thought bitterly. The previously warm atmosphere was now frozen in tension.

The ruins grew increasingly dark, the air thinner, an oppressive feeling flooding his mind. Lin Wanrong's breaths quickened, his heartbeats audible, his eyelids growing heavy.

The sound of Madam Xiao's hurried breathing rang in his ears, jolting Lin Wanrong awake. He tightly embraced her waist and patted her face energetically, "Madam, you can't fall asleep! Wake up! I haven't taken advantage of you yet. Wake up!"

That shout drained all his energy. He gasped for air, drawing in stale atmosphere into his lungs. The sensation of suffocation intensified, his eyelids feeling like they weighed a ton, and he was on the brink of falling asleep.

"Lin, Lin San," Madam Xiao panted, her trembling chest pressed tightly against his, her voice hoarse, "Are we— are we going to die?!"

"No, we won't die," Lin Wanrong's eyes moistened as he shook her vigorously, his limbs trembling, "Hold on, Madam. Let's talk. I promise I won't be noble anymore. In fact, I've always wanted to be a despicable person."

Madam Xiao's face flushed red as she coughed violently, the sensation of suffocation making her feel increasingly lightheaded. Tears trickled down her cheeks, "Lin, Lin San, is your name Lin Wanrong?"

"Yes, yes it is," Lin Wanrong nodded hastily.

"Lin Wanrong, Lin Wanrong—" Madam Xiao gasped for air, attempting to take in deep breaths but inhaling more stale air instead. Her eyes felt incredibly heavy as she mumbled, "I don't like that name; I prefer calling you Lin San. Do you know my name?"

Her body grew increasingly limp, and with every breath, he could hear the tremor in her lungs. The immense pain rendered her voice incredibly weak: "My name is Guo Junyi. You—you won't remember—" Her body suddenly tensed, her breathing becoming intensely erratic for a moment, and then gradually, it slowed until there was no sound at all.

"Guo Junyi, Guo Junyi—" Lin Wanrong embraced the body that was growing cold, tears cascading down his cheeks.

With a heart-wrenching scream, he let out a roar that seemed to reach the heavens, holding Guo Junyi's body tightly. Like a helpless child, he broke down into uncontrollable sobs.

A delicate 'ding' resounded, followed by the ecstatic voice of a woman: "My Dear, My Dear—"

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