Chapter 125 Witty Poems and Clever Retorts

"Of course." Lin Wanrong smiled, handing her a freshly cut bar of soap. "Next time you wash my clothes, don't forget to use this soap."

Xiao Yuruo blushed, remembering how he had persuaded her to wash his clothes during her three visits to his humble abode. The memory left a peculiar taste in her heart.

[TL: Her three visits to his place was an allusion to Liu Bei’s three visits to Zhuge Liang in the novel Three Kingdom]

"How does one use this soap?" Xiao Yuruo asked, her fingers tracing over the smooth soap, finding it hard to let go.

"This is for bathing—ah, showering," Lin Wanrong corrected himself, choosing a more refined word. He studied Eldest Miss up and down before commenting, "Eldest Miss, you haven't bathed yet today, have you? Here, take this home and give it a try. I made this soap myself, and no other man has touched it, so you don't have to worry."

The Eldest Miss gave him a flushed look. ‘If no other man has touched it, then what does it mean that you have?’ She responded with a soft hum, breaking off a small piece. After giving Lin Wanrong a look, she quietly said, "You must be tired today too. You should rest soon. We need to go to the Jinling Poetry Society tomorrow."

Lin Wanrong feigned surprise, "Thank you for your concern, Eldest Miss. But if this soap works well, why don't you bring it along tomorrow? You could promote it along with the perfume."

The Eldest Miss nodded, "I will indeed. If this soap is good, like the perfume, I will cover the workshop and operating costs. However, how we split the profits still needs further discussion."

Lin Wanrong burst into laughter, "Eldest Miss, you are a smart woman, and I'm an honest man. If you handle the marketing of this soap, I won't treat you unfairly. You will get thirty percent of the profits."

The Eldest Miss gave a noncommittal grunt, not responding directly. She then walked away, her voice softening, "Rest early. I'll decide about the soap once I've used it."

Lin Wanrong was brimming with confidence. The soap-making process was straightforward and ideally suited for workshop-style production. The coarse salt was naturally formed, so there was no need to worry about raw material supply. It truly seemed like a profitable venture.

In fact, Lin Wanrong had given deeper thought to the soap-making venture. No ambitious manufacturer would only offer a single product. No matter how good the perfume, its supply was heavily influenced by the availability of flowers. In case of a natural disaster or similar unexpected event, there would be no other product to fill the gap, making sole reliance on perfume risky.

Now, with the addition of this soap, the two products complemented each other. Even if one faltered, they wouldn't be completely out of options. In the spring, when the flowers were withering, soap was indeed a rising star, shining alongside perfume.

After having a thorough discussion about soap-making with Fubo, Lin Wanrong felt reassured. Although Fubo had witnessed the birth of the soap, his knowledge of the recipe and process was limited, mitigating any concerns about confidentiality. The production of soap was much simpler than perfume, and a few words from Lin Wanrong was all Fubo needed to understand the process.

Early the next morning, Fubo went off to carry out Lin Wanrong's instructions. Recalling the Eldest Miss' plans to promote the perfume and soap at the Jinling Poetry Society today, Lin Wanrong arrived at the mansion's front door bright and early. It was the dead of winter, and the weather was bitterly cold. He had dressed heavily to avoid freezing in the chilling wind.

Before long, the Eldest Miss emerged from the inner rooms. Today, Xiao Yuruo was dressed in a long, purple skirt, a continuous smile dancing on her face, her eyes as beautiful as blooming flowers.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Eldest Miss, did something good happen today? You seem exceptionally cheerful."

Xiao Yuruo approached him, snorting, "Cut the chatter. Let's depart." As she neared, a faint fragrance wafted from her body, a blend of a woman's natural scent and a hint of the soap.

A surge of delight rose in Lin Wanrong's heart. "Eldest Miss, did you use the soap yesterday? How was it?"

Xiao Yuruo's face flushed, she spoke softly, "Not bad. I've brought some today to promote it along with the perfume."

As they left the mansion, Xiao Yuruo climbed into the carriage. Lin Wanrong, unashamedly prepared to follow suit, but the Eldest Miss huffed, "Lin San, I've prepared a fine horse for you. You can ride it and follow the carriage."

Ride a horse? Lin Wanrong glanced sideways to see a towering black horse, panting and snorting next to them. The black horse complemented Lin Wanrong's robust complexion, fostering a harmonious union of man and beast.

Lin Wanrong had ridden a horse before, but that was in a park with a handler nearby. Now, he was expected to manage the horse alone, and this massive black beast didn't seem easy to handle.

"Haven't you ridden a horse before?" Seeing his furrowed brow, the Eldest Miss couldn't suppress her amusement at his rare display of uncertainty.

Lin Wanrong nodded, "I'm afraid I might fall and end up being ridden by this black horse."

The Eldest Miss laughed, thinking to herself how unusually honest he was being. She knew that Lin San, with his scoundrel nature, would inevitably try to share her carriage on their journey to the academy. Even though he had already done so multiple times and she had become numb to it, it would be utterly damaging to her reputation if he were to join her in the carriage in full public view. So, she had devised this plan, leaving him with no excuse. She had personally selected this black horse, a creature befitting Lin Wanrong's stature.

The Eldest Miss summoned a horse-handling boy from the mansion to provide guidance for Lin Wanrong. Recognizing Lin Wanrong, the boy, Little Sheng, bowed respectfully, "Brother San, riding a horse is straightforward. Once you mount the horse, you need to clamp your legs tightly around its back and hold the reins firmly for direction. That's all there is to it."

He led Lin Wanrong around for a few laps, imparting the essentials of horsemanship. Now a man of martial prowess, Lin Wanrong found it far easier to grasp horse riding than most. He wasn't entirely resistant to the idea. After getting used to the motions, his courage swelled, and he even trotted the horse a few steps.

The Eldest Miss watched, her brow furrowing. 'Such boldness for a beginner,' she thought. Unsettled, she ordered the horse handler to mount another horse and keep an eye on Lin Wanrong.

Seated atop the black horse, Lin Wanrong patted its mane, smiling, "Mate, how did you manage to be even darker than me? Got any secrets? It took me a lot of running around and sunbathing to develop this healthy complexion."

Hearing him from the carriage, the Eldest Miss chuckled at his absurd banter, sparing not even the horse. Sneaking a peek behind the curtain, she saw his handsome face and robust figure. Both the man and the horse looked striking, creating quite an impact. Her heart throbbed. 'He and this black horse do complement each other. In this posture, he is rather pleasing to the eye,' she thought.

Lin Wanrong was quite pleased with his current 'Black Horse Prince' image. Seeing the Eldest Miss peering at him from behind the curtain, he grinned, "Thank you, Eldest Miss. From now on, I'll ride the horse while you ride in the carriage."

The Eldest Miss nodded, cautioning, "Take it slow. It's your first time riding. Don't show off and fall." She then lowered the curtain. Puzzled, Lin Wanrong wondered when the Eldest Miss had started to show concern for him. He burst into laughter. Overjoyed, he swayed on the horse's back, almost falling off.

The horse handler quickly steadied him. Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "This black horse is quite spirited, matching my temperament. Little Sheng, let's go for a ride." No sooner had he spoken than he pulled the reins, patted the horse's hindquarters, and trotted off.

Little Sheng was startled and hurriedly followed. Lin San was a cherished figure in the Xiao family. If he fell, Little Sheng would bear the blame.

At first, Lin Wanrong was a bit nervous, nearly losing control and falling a few times. However, his martial prowess had significantly enhanced his agility. After riding for a while, his skills improved remarkably. Luckily, the road out of the city was not crowded, allowing a smooth trotting journey.

Seeing Lin Wanrong become increasingly adept, Little Sheng raced to catch up, giving Lin Wanrong a thumbs-up, "Brother San, you're amazing."

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. 'From today on, I can claim another skill,' he thought. In this era of scarce transportation, learning to ride was extremely beneficial, potentially proving to be of great utility in the future.

Upon hearing the sound of hooves, Xiao Yuruo quickly pulled back the curtain only to see Lin San riding far away on the black horse. She felt both irritated and worried. He was showing off before he even knew how to ride properly. If he fell, he had only himself to blame. Anxious, she hurriedly ordered the coachman to speed up.

Lin Wanrong had heard the Eldest Miss mention the Jinling Poetry Society, but he didn't know where it was located. Judging by its name, it should be a permanent institution with a fixed venue.

The carriage headed north and as it approached the city gate, a grand entrance came into view, framed by green bricks and red pillars. Above it, three bold vermilion characters announced - Jinling Poetry Society.

The Eldest Miss dismounted the carriage and proceeded forward without uttering a word. Lin Wanrong hastily handed the reins to Little Sheng and followed her. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed her upset expression. 'This lady can change her mood so quickly,' he thought. 'She was so cheerful when we left, and now she looks like ice.'

He wanted to ask if the Jinling Poetry Society was part of the Jinling Book Society, but seeing her demeanor, he kept his questions to himself.

After a few steps, he saw more and more scholars. Some held small books, reading aloud as they walked. Others gazed thoughtfully at the lakeside, rapidly scribing on sheets of paper. Still, others were clustered in small groups discussing among themselves. To his surprise, many were women.

This exceeded Lin Wanrong's expectations. Wasn't it said that a woman's virtue lay in her lack of talent? Then why were so many young ladies studying poetry?

Seeing his constant gawking, the Eldest Miss felt both annoyed and amused. However, as his eyes lingered on the women, she became irritated. "Stop ogling other people's daughters," she huffed. "If someone sees you, they'll think I instructed you to do so."

Lin Wanrong protested his innocence. He was merely interested in the women's passion for literature and had no personal interest in them. Seeing his aggrieved expression, the Eldest Miss snorted again, "What? Are you saying I'm accusing you unjustly?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head with a wry smile, "Eldest Miss, I'm just surprised to see so many women interested in poetry. I wasn't ogling anyone. If I were to look at anyone, it'd be you, Eldest Miss. You're a hundred times more beautiful than them."

"Flatterer!" Xiao Yuruo blushed, her voice barely audible, "Don't speak like that again."

Seeing her lower her gaze, her blush accentuating her snow-white neck, Lin Wanrong was taken aback. Good heavens, the Eldest Miss looked stunning when she was gentle and demure.

Seeing him staring at her, Xiao Yuruo felt a mix of embarrassment and anger, yet also a strange sensation. She gritted her teeth, lifted her head, and huffed, "What are you staring at?"

Seeing her icy demeanor return, Lin Wanrong could find no trace of her previously enchanting allure. He shook his head uncontrollably. It must have been an illusion, he reasoned. The Eldest Miss was always an iceberg, she never changed.

Neither of them spoke until a woman's voice filled with joy came from the front, "Isn't that Sister Yuruo?"

Lin Wanrong quickly looked up to see two men and a woman approaching. Leading was a young woman around seventeen or eighteen. A trace of a smile lingered on her beautiful face, hinting at a touch of untamed wildness. Anyone could tell she was not to be trifled with. The two men following her were opposites: one was tall and handsome, while the other was slightly chubby, with a face full of affluence.

The young woman ran over, taking Xiao Yuruo's hand and exclaimed, "Sister Yuruo, it really is you! I thought I was mistaken."

Xiao Yuruo forced a smile, "Miss Wanying, you're here too? Why aren't you on duty at the Yamen today?"

Miss Wanying seemed thrilled to see the Eldest Miss. "There's not much to do at the Yamen," she explained, "so I came to this place." As she spoke, she glanced at the handsome man standing in front, a faint blush creeping onto her face.

After one glance, Lin Wanrong understood. This girl seemed to fancy the dashing gentleman and had probably skipped work to be here. But what did the Eldest Miss mean about her being on duty at the Yamen?

"Sister Yuruo, let me introduce you," Miss Wanying pointed to the slightly chubby man and said, "This is Yu Wenpo, the top scholar in Yangzhou."

Yu Wenpo bowed in respect, "So, it's Miss Xiao. I'm Yu Wenpo from Yangzhou. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

The Eldest Miss returned the bow, and then Miss Wanying pointed to the man in front, "This is Mr. Hou Yuebai."

"Jinling's Hou Yuebai, at your service, Miss Xiao," the handsome man greeted with a smile.

So this was Jinling's top scholar, Hou Yuebai? The one who was pursuing Luo Ning? Not bad-looking, Lin Wanrong evaluated, but a bit too pale, almost effeminate.

"So, it's Jinling's top scholar, Mr. Hou. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner," the Eldest Miss replied.

Miss Wanying took hold of the Eldest Miss's hand and said, "Sister Yuruo, when I heard that you were kidnapped by the White Lotus Sect, I was terribly worried. My brother wouldn't let me leave the city for fear of danger. He worried for nothing; I wouldn't be scared of those thieves. I searched for days without a single lead. I was relieved when Commander Cheng sent soldiers and you returned safely. Rest assured, I'll find the White Lotus Sect and avenge you." Miss Wanying declared solemnly.

Hearing this, Lin Wanrong was dumbfounded. This Miss Wanying, she was a city constable? Who could have guessed? He wasn't sure whether she was a poet moonlighting as a constable or a constable moonlighting as a poet.

The Eldest Miss laughed, "Miss Wanying, it's been a while. Your hatred for evil remains unchanged, I see."

A blush appeared on Miss Wanying's face as she sneaked a glance at Hou Yuebai. "Sister Yuruo," she asked, "What brings you here today?"

Xiao Yuruo simply stated her purpose for being there, to which Miss Wanying chuckled, "I've heard of that perfume. I was planning to ask you for some. However, the rules of our poetry society are to recite first, gift later. You must know that."

Xiao Yuruo smiled lightly, "Of course, I know. Please, Miss Wanying, propose the topic."

Miss Wanying glanced at Hou Yuebai, saying, "Mr. Hou, why don't you start?"

Hou Yuebai nodded, paused for a moment in thought, and then recited, "The general stands east of the city—"

Yangzhou's top scholar, Yu Wenpo, thought for a moment and continued, "The warrior prepares to draw his bow—"

Miss Wanying added, "The flag unfurls in the wind—"

"Big cannons boom boom boom—"

Before the Eldest Miss could respond, a murmur came from the side. She turned to see it was their servant, Lin San.

It turned out that Lin Wanrong was standing nearby, listening to their sequential poetry. He found it amusing, wondering if this was considered poetry. He could join in and probably shock them, he mused. Lost in thought, he unexpectedly mumbled it out loud.

Although his voice was soft, those nearby heard him clearly. Miss Wanying giggled, "Sister Yuruo, is this your servant? He's quite interesting."

Jinling's top scholar, Hou Yuebai, shot Lin Wanrong a contemptuous glance. Seeing Lin Wanrong thickly dressed as a servant, he opened his mouth to say, "The crab wears full armor."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanrong was livid. ‘This guy is insulting me,’ he thought. A swift thought came to his mind, and he chuckled, replying, "The spider is full of wisdom."

When these words were spoken, everyone in front was taken aback. Hou Yuebai had insulted this servant, but he had retorted back smartly.

The Eldest Miss covered her mouth, looking at Lin San with a soft laugh. ‘This man,’ she thought, ‘Is indeed somewhat talented in an unconventional way.’