Chapter 139 Advocacy
"Oh, so it's about that," Lin Wanrong said, finding it peculiar. The news had spread surprisingly fast, even reaching the Eldest Miss Xiao.
The Eldest Miss huffed and said, "So, you do such terrible deeds and expect others not to know?"
Lin Wanrong sighed, "Miss, perhaps in your eyes, what I did was wrong. But from my perspective, it was absolutely necessary. There are things we must do and others we must not. If I had remained indifferent in that situation, I would question my very existence in this world."
Seeing the serious look on his face, the Eldest Miss glared at him and retorted, "How could you disgrace soone who hadn't offended you?"
Lin Wanrong recounted the incident, detailing how Hou Yuebai had insulted the old man as a 'muddy-legged, lowly commoner.' The Eldest Miss heaved a deep sigh upon hearing this.
Lin Wanrong continued, "Damaging soone's painting and compensating them for it is fair enough. But Young Master Hou not only struck people but also belittled and insulted them. If I hadn't stood up to him, I would've felt I'd let myself down."
The Eldest Miss remained silent for a long ti. She was aware that in the eyes of these wealthy Young Masters, everyone else was seen as beneath them.
Even though she was a formidable businesswoman, she found it hard to blend in with the high society crowd. With a resigned sigh, she said, "Farrs and traders are the ones looked down upon the most. Isn't that also the case for our Xiao family?"
Farrs and traders were the lifeblood of the country, yet they held the lowest social status. Instead, those who could recite a few broken verses considered themselves the pillars of the state. This contrast made Lin Wanrong uncomfortable, but he was helpless to change it.
After a mont of reflection, the Eldest Miss looked at him and asked, "Did you hurt yourself in the fight?"
Lin Wanrong laughed, "Thank you for your concern, Eldest Miss. I've never been at a disadvantage in a fight."
She huffed, "Don't get too cocky. You're so high-handed out there. Is this how our Xiao family has spoiled you? Beating up the son of Jinling Prefecture's Prefect is no small matter."
Seeing the deep concern on her face, Lin Wanrong thought to himself that the Prefect of Jinling was rely a city mayor while old Luo was a provincial governor. With the governor backing him up, what was there to fear?
He smiled slightly, "Don't worry, Eldest Miss. I always act with discretion. This incident won't implicate the Xiao family. Have you forgotten? I have connections with Governor Luo's children."
The Eldest Miss glared at him, annoyed. "Do you think I'm afraid you'll get the Xiao family into trouble? Since you work for us, any ss you make, I will shoulder it. I don't need you to remind ."
Hearing the Eldest Miss's support, Lin Wanrong was deeply moved. This girl, despite her usual sternness towards him, stood up for him when it mattered. His efforts for the Xiao family had not been in vain.
Xiao Yuruo spoke, her frustration mounting, "You are a thorn wherever you go. This ss started because of you. If I don't punish you, I fear no one in this mansion will be convinced."
"Then deduct a month's salary from ," Lin Wanrong voluntarily suggested. For him to admit defeat was rare, but he felt he owed it to the Eldest Miss, given her noble stance this ti.
"Wishful thinking!" Seeing the man casually downplaying his wrongs, the Eldest Miss was both amused and annoyed, "Three months' pay deduction and fifty beatings!"
Damn, she wanted to beat him again. Was she still holding a grudge because he had spanked her and was intentionally targeting him?
As far as being beaten was concerned, Lin Wanrong was absolutely against it. He spoke up, "Alright, I will step back further. Deduct half a year's salary, and let's call the beatings settled."
Half a year's salary amounted to more than a hundred taels of silver, which could afford him two more bouts with Young Master Hou. The thought made Lin Wanrong ache.
The Eldest Miss knew it was impossible to beat this troublemaker. She huffed, "Fine, we'll deduct half a year's salary. But you must agree to a condition."
"Go ahead." For once, the Eldest Miss was reasonable, which made Lin Wanrong slightly guilty. His tone softened, "Speak."
"From now on, you must restrain yourself and stop being so reckless. Be careful not to cause trouble for yourself," she implored with heartfelt concern.
"Alright," Lin Wanrong nodded, "As long as others don't provoke , I won't bother them."
The Eldest Miss nodded, finding it quite a feat to get this mischief-maker to quietly listen to her.
Seeing the worry on her face, Lin Wanrong knew she was still concerned about him. Her nobility moved him, and he smiled, "Eldest Miss, rest assured, even the Governor himself would help sort this out"
The Eldest Miss glared at him irritably, "Don't you think I know that? It was Miss Luo who sent soone to inform about your fight today. Although she asked not to worry, this ss you've made is quite significant. How could she, a young lady, possibly handle everything?"
Lin Wanrong had an epiphany. So, it was Luo Ning who had sent soone to inform the Eldest Miss. She was considerate, knowing the Eldest Miss would be furious if she heard the news from anyone else. Luo Ning's words would certainly soften the blow. What the Eldest Miss worried about was that even though Luo Ning was the Governor's daughter, she might not be able to resolve an issue involving the Prefect's son. Little did she know, Lin Wanrong had already won the Governor's favor and was safe and sound.
After a long silence, Xiao Yuruo finally spoke, "Lin San, I'm going to Hangzhou tomorrow. You should co with ."
"Go to Hangzhou? What for?" Lin Wanrong asked, puzzled.
"The Hangzhou Chamber of Comrce has invited to their annual eting. This could be an excellent opportunity to broaden your horizons. You should go and learn sothing," the Eldest Miss said seriously. Taking Lin Wanrong to such an important eting showed her determination to train him as a core mber of their cause.
Yet Lin Wanrong understood another layer in her words. The current situation in Jinling City was tense; going to Hangzhou with her would be a way to avoid the turmoil.
Ordinarily, Lin Wanrong wasn't worried at all. If that old fox Luo Min couldn't even handle this small matter, his position as the Governor of Jiangsu would have been in vain. Moreover, he had so so-called influential figures backing him.
But seeing the Eldest Miss's thorough arrangents, he couldn't bear to go against her. After all, it was a business trip cum vacation paid for by public funds. Going to Hangzhou wouldn't be a bad idea, so he nodded, "Then, thank you, Eldest Miss."
Xiao Yuruo graciously replied, "In that case, you should rest early. We will set off early tomorrow."
As she was about to leave, she heard Lin Wanrong say, "Eldest Miss, there's one more thing."
"What is it?" Xiao Yuruo asked.
"Second Miss is alone in Rosy Cloud Temple, eating vegetarian food and praying. It's inconvenient and unsafe. I think we should bring her back. Our mansion's yard is large enough to build her a small Buddha hall. If we put up statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva, it will fulfill her wishes," Lin Wanrong suggested.
The Eldest Miss rolled her eyes at him, "Do I need you to tell that? I brought her back this afternoon."
"Really?" Lin Wanrong was overjoyed. Things were turning out just as he had hoped.
"Lin San, I'm warning you seriously, don't you dare bother Yushuang," Xiao Yuruo sternly said. Even she couldn't rember how many tis she had had this conversation with him, but it seed to have less and less effect.
Lin Wanrong laughed, his ears almost calloused from hearing the sa admonishnt repeatedly. Suddenly, he asked, "Eldest Miss, what did you and Qiaoqiao talk about last night?"
Her face reddened slightly as she replied, "We talked about private won's matters, none of your business!"
"I, of course, won't interfere in your won's private matters. But if soone badmouths , I will certainly have to intervene," Lin Wanrong laughed.
Undeterred, the Eldest Miss retorted, "You deceived Qiaoqiao so much, I have to show her your true colors. You mustn't think all won are easy to bully."
"Do you know my true colors?" Lin Wanrong smirked.
"You are a villain who only knows how to tease won. I have seen through you long ago," the Eldest Miss huffed and turned to leave, ignoring him, "We will set off early tomorrow."
Knowing that the Second Miss had returned to the mansion, Lin Wanrong's heart itched. The day they had t secretly, they had been caught by the Eldest Miss at a critical mont. Now that she had returned to the mansion, he had to go see little Yushuang, or else he would be letting down her deep affection for him.
With this in mind, he stopped a passing maid, "Sister, the Second Miss returned today. Do you know where she is staying?"
"Brother Lin San, the Second Miss is staying in the courtyard of the Madam," said the maid.
Lin Wanrong was familiar with the embroidery towers of the Eldest and Second Misses, but he seldom ventured into the courtyard where Mada Xiao resided. Not being very familiar with the layout, it took him quite a bit of ti and several wrong turns before he found the place.
It was a secluded courtyard, reserved solely for the Madam. The premises were primarily staffed by maids, even the one guarding the entrance was a young girl. Both guards and dogs were strictly forbidden within its confines.
As for surreptitiously sneaking in, Lin Wanrong was an experienced hand. He drew a piece of broken silver from his pocket and with a flick, gently tossed it a few ters ahead of the maid guarding the entrance.
The maid heard a soft sound, and looking down, her eyes lit up at the sight of a shiny piece of silver lying not far from her. Seeing no one around, she quickly darted a few steps to pick up the silver piece and pocketed it. Taking advantage of the distraction, Lin Wanrong stealthily slipped through the mansion's gate.
Inside the courtyard, he noticed that lights were glowing in both the east and west wing rooms, with maids constantly bustling about. Lin Wanrong hid behind a tree, his heart thumping wildly. This felt like trespassing into a matriarchal society. If he were discovered, he feared he might be set upon by vicious dogs.
With lights glowing on both sides, should he go east or west? After a mont of hesitation, Lin Wanrong reasoned that traditionally, precedence was given to the east, so he decided to head that way first.
After cautiously taking a few steps, he crouched down near a clump of bushes. He noticed several maids carrying steaming buckets of water into a small house.
Following their path, Lin Wanrong peeked through the slightly ajar door of the room. What he saw had him frozen in place, as if under a spell, standing there in a daze.
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