Finest Servant

Chapter 487 The Allure of Uniform

Xiao Qingxuan was taken aback, urging, "Sister, this is out of the question. The men outside are mostly scholars with no real strength, numbering in the thousands. They're just misled individuals who joined the siege. How can we possibly kill them all? Wouldn't that make My Dear unjust and subject to public scorn?"

Qin Xian'er's eyebrows slightly raised as she retorted, "Scholars with no real strength? Such nonsense is only believable to you. They brazenly attacked the Lin residence and insulted my husband. Where is the demeanor of a scholar in that? Even the bandits in the mountains are better than them. If we don't make an example out of a couple of them, people will think our Lin family is weak and easily bullied. Husband, wait here. I'll go with Gao Qiu to capture some of them. I intend to personally cut down a couple to set an example."

Qin Xian'er had always been a fearless woman within the White Lotus Sect, treating killing as if she were merely chopping vegetables. After being with Lin Wanrong, however, her temperament had softened considerably, and she had committed far fewer violent acts. But her fiery and straightforward personality was not so easily changed. Now that people were oppressing her husband, how could she bear it? After speaking, she turned to leave in search of Gao Qiu.

"Sister, this matter can't be rushed. Let's discuss it properly—" Xiao Qingxuan hurriedly grabbed her sleeve and shot a desperate glance at Lin Wanrong.

Xian'er might be rash, but her words were not without reason. ‘These people dare to cause trouble, so why shouldn't I dare to kill? This sort of situation calls for making an example to deter others. Capture two, deal with them, and the rest will naturally behave,’ Lin Wanrong mused, largely agreeing with Xian'er's view. However, given Qingxuan's temperament and background, he knew she'd prefer to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

"My Dear, say something quickly!" Seeing that Lin Wanrong was appearing rather nonchalant and not acting urgently, and realizing she might not be able to restrain Xian'er much longer, Miss Xiao became irritated.

Qingxuan, visibly pregnant and increasingly anxious, caught Lin Wanrong's attention. Hurriedly, he spoke up, "Well, actually, there's some truth to what Xian'er is saying."

"Husband, you're wonderful!" Delighted that Lin Wanrong agreed with her in front of Xiao Qingxuan, Miss Qin broke into a joyful smile. She cast a glance at Xiao Qingxuan's abdomen and lightly huffed, "Let go of me. I don't fight with pregnant women."

Qiaoqiao couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. Embarrassed, Qin Xian'er lowered her head.

"You still find this funny?" Seeing her husband snickering off to the side, Xiao Qingxuan rolled her eyes at him, reproaching, "The scholars outside have been manipulated by malicious rumors to attack our home. They're not inherently bad people—"

"Not inherently bad? Ha!" Lin Wanrong wrapped his arms around Miss Xiao's waist and shook his head, sighing, "Qingxuan, you're too kind-hearted, almost to the point of indulgence. There's no smoke without fire, as they say. Even the Buddha in the temple speaks of cause and effect. I won't deny that they've been misled, but they're all adults capable of judgment. Everyone must take responsibility for their actions; one can't just excuse them as being manipulated. They came and destroyed my home, and they must face the consequences. There's no arguing about that."

Miss Xiao fell silent at his words, pondering their meaning and finding they weren't without reason. It's the simplest of truths: every individual is their own person and must take responsibility for their actions.

"Husband, you are correct," said Qin Xian'er, gazing at him with eyes full of admiration. "When I was young, my master taught me that human nature is fundamentally evil. So-called 'good people' are simply those who commit fewer bad deeds. Once provoked by external factors, they reveal their true selves. Look at those scholars outside. Seemingly refined, but one nudge and their evil side are exposed. Killing them would be an act of justice. Husband, you truly are exceptional. No wonder my master likes you—"

"Ah, Xian'er. Don't speak nonsense. My relationship with Sister An is completely platonic," Lord Lin interrupted hurriedly, casting a surreptitious glance at Miss Xiao. Seeing her expression remain unchanged, he relaxed slightly. He hadn't expected Sister An to have taught Xian'er such profound theories. Shaking his head in admiration, he was deeply impressed.

Looking at her husband's impassioned countenance, Miss Xiao felt a sense of nostalgia for when they first met in Jinling. She softly smiled, "You always have a way with words, and I can't argue against that. But if you plan to kill, wouldn't you be falling into the enemy's trap? We need to think this through."

"Of course we must consider carefully," said Lord Lin. "Do you think I would be foolish enough to kill openly? Wait, let me go outside and have a look first—"

"No!" Qin Xian'er and Xiao Qingxuan exclaimed in unison.

"—My Dear, the villains outside are waiting for you to come out. How can you risk yourself? Don't worry; my father has already sent help. If they don't repent, why not kill a few as my sister suggests?" Seeing her husband intending to go out, Miss Xiao also grew anxious, her face turning stern, aligning her with the equally fierce Qin Xian'er. The two of them did indeed appear like true sisters.

Lord Lin grinned, "Wife, don't you trust me? Just stay here and wait; I will handle it. Si De, fetch my battle robe—"

"Battle robe?!" Si De paused, then realized what he meant and dashed off. In a short while, he returned with a set of garments, including the heaven-silk armor gifted by the Emperor and a neatly folded green shirt and cap.

Lord Lin nodded in satisfaction, "You do know how to get things done, young man. I haven't worn this battle robe for quite some time. Ah, it's so clean—"

After Si De helped him put on the green shirt and cap, he placed a bronze mirror before him. Lord Lin scrutinized his reflection carefully, a young man in a green cloth robe and tilted cap. Quite a dashing figure indeed.

After a long moment, he sighed, pointing at his reflection, "As the saying goes, 'Clothes make the man, and the saddle makes the horse.' If you want to look good, look at Lin San here—What can I say, young man? Why are you so handsome? Is there no justice left in the world?!"

The young ladies chuckled softly, their inner turmoil dissipating noticeably. Miss Xiao looked at him with tender eyes filled with a myriad of emotions.

Qiaoqiao smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes, sizing him up and down before giving a playful nod and laugh. "Big Brother, for some reason, you look the best in these clothes—"

"Exactly, exactly. Brother San, it seems this outfit was made just for you," Si De interjected with flattery, a fawning smile on his face.

Without hesitation, Brother San lifted his relatively unscathed leg and gave Si De a kick on his rear. "Nonsense! Do you think I'm meant to serve people all my life?"

Miss Xiao grinned, chiding him, "You're about to become a father; watch your language. Actually, I agree with Qiaoqiao. You look better in these clothes than any others. Otherwise, why would both of the beautiful young ladies of the Xiao family be so smitten with you?"

While Miss Xiao's words were playful, they weren't without reason. Given his temperament, even wearing imperial robes wouldn't make him look like an Emperor. This outfit of simple clothes and hat suited him best. As the old saying goes, character determines destiny.

Hearing his wives praise his style, Master Lin glanced around mysteriously and whispered, "Since everyone likes this outfit, I'll wear it. Actually, do you know why I look good in these clothes? There's a very serious science to it—a very serious one!"

"What science?" Seeing his smug expression, Miss Qin asked in amusement.

Master Lin puffed out his chest and chuckled lecherously, "If I tell you, it will shock you. It's called—the allure of a uniform! Eldest Miss and Second Miss will surely be over the moon!"

"What allure of a uniform?!" The ladies spat out in unison, their faces turning red. They understood their husband's lascivious nature all too well.

"Lin San, come out—Save Miss Xiao—"

"Down with the tyrant Lin San—"

"When a country is about to fall, Lin San will surely arise—"

People were standing at the front door. The shouting and cursing from outside came wave after wave, each cry hitting their ears. At this moment, it seemed to reach a climax, as shouts came from all directions, threatening to burst their eardrums. Qin Xian'er frowned slightly; if not for being firmly held by Miss Xiao, she would have probably rushed out to kill.

Master Lin, engrossed in his own world, paid no mind to the shouts outside, which paradoxically seemed to cheer him on. After getting dressed in his 'uniform,' he proudly moved around the garden. He then called for Xian'er to also change into men's clothing and, accompanied by Si De, they sneaked towards the back door of the Lin residence.

Upon reaching the back door, Xian'er pushed his wheelchair up to it, ready to unlock it. Just then, a voice of surprise came from the garden next to them. "Lin San, is that you?"

"It's me, it's me!" Lin Wanrong quickly turned his head to look towards the garden. Eldest Miss stood there in a light pink dress, holding several vibrant roses. Her lovely face was as red as the petals. Xiao Yuruo was looking at him, her face a mixture of surprise and delight, an expression of indescribable joy.

"What on Earth are you wearing?!" The Eldest Miss walked up to him, her voice tinged with a gentle curiosity. Yet her eyes betrayed a delight she couldn't quite hide.

Lin Wanrong chuckled. "Just felt like dressing this way. Do you like it, Eldest Miss?"

Xiao Yuruo stealthily glanced at Qin Xian'er standing nearby. A delicate blush seemed to touch her cheeks. She softly nodded, her voice trembling with coyness. "It's been a while since I've seen you dressed like this. You looked just like this the first time I met you."

He looked like this the first time she met him? Elated, Lin Wanrong thought to himself: ‘Ah, the allure of a uniform! She must love it.’ His spirits rising, and forgetting the jealous Qin Xian'er beside him, he took Xiao Yuruo's hand, gently caressing it. "Since you find this uniform so memorable," he smirked mysteriously, "I'll make sure to wear it often, especially when there's serious business to attend to—Ah, what brings you here?" Catching Qin Xian'er's fiery glare, he hastily swallowed the rest of his words, giving Xiao Yuruo's palm a soft squeeze.

Naughty fellow! Xiao Yuruo felt her body warm with a mix of embarrassment and joy. Fearing that Qin Xian'er might notice, she lowered her head and spoke softly. "Fubo brought some flowering branches from Jinling. Mother wants me to plant them here, to make this place resemble our home in Jinling. I thought you might like it too."

"Ouch—ah, I mean, yes, I like it, I like it!" Lin Wanrong grimaced as Qin Xian'er pinched his waist. "Eldest Miss, there's been some disturbance outside today. You, Yushuand, and Madam should stay inside and rest. Do not go out. I'll be wearing this battle robe and attending to some official matters."

Rolling her eyes playfully, Xiao Yuruo retorted, "I'm not a fool, you know. You don't need to tell me that when you wear that uniform, you're hardly up to any good."

‘Ah, she knows me well!’ Delighted, Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. Xiao Yuruo lightly scratched the palm of his hand, sending a warm, tingling sensation through him. They exchanged knowing smiles, a moment when silence spoke louder than words.

"Brother San, what should we do? Should I open the door now?" Si De stood behind the door, gripping the latch, his legs trembling as the noise outside grew increasingly chaotic.

"No!" Lin Wanrong gestured dismissively, winked at Qin Xian'er, and nodded at Si De. Qin Xian'er picked up a small stone and threw it over the wall. Si De yelled, "Look, Lin San has come out—"

"Attack, Lin San is out, kill Lin San!" Before the shout could even subside, a cacophony of yells erupted from outside. Countless bricks, stones, and old shoes hurtled through the air like shooting stars, slamming against the wall and gate. The impact was so great that the walls seemed to hum with the vibration. The commotion outside was so intense it felt as though the ceiling would collapse.

Good heavens! Lin Wanrong wiped the sweat from his forehead. These aren't scholars, they're practically bandits. Qin Xian'er was about to reach for her command arrow, the sound of which would summon city defenses and palace guards, and result in many lost lives.

"Hold on, now's not the time," Lin Wanrong grasped her hand, his smile dark and chilling. "We'll sneak out, no need for shooting yet. Whoever tries to surprise me will get an even bigger surprise in return."

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