Chapter 129 The Eldest Miss Cried

Hell, was it an elopement? He'd never done such a thing, and didn't know if it was dangerous or not. But Old Luo was her father, and Little Luo her brother, was there any need to elope?

"Miss Luo, have you considered this? This matter of elopement... it's not so simple," Lin Wanrong carefully suggested, thinking about what was best for her.

Luo Ning's face turned red in an instant. Annoyed, she replied, "Brother Lin, what are you talking nonsense about? What elopement?"

Lin Wanrong raised a confused voice, "Then what were you talking to me about just now?"

Luo Ning laughed shyly, "I was asking if you could take me to places like the Tianshan mountains or Hainan Island? After hearing you talk about them, I'm quite longing for it. You've been there before, so can't we travel together?"

‘Oh, so that's what it was!’ He thought women of this era had become quite bold, making such assumptions. He realized it was he who had misunderstood.

Seeing that he didn't respond for a while, Luo Ning anxiously added, "Brother Lin, I really want to go."

Lin Wanrong responded seriously, "Miss Luo, I can understand your feelings. But I'm different from you. I have many things to do, to make a living, to raise a family... Leisurely traveling might have to wait for decades."

Luo Ning's expression darkened, "Brother Lin, I know you're a man of ambition. You can wait decades until you've made your name, then retire and travel the world. But I'm a woman, even if I pride myself on my talents, I can't escape the fate of a woman. In decades, I'm afraid I'll be married off, and where would I find the time for leisure then?"

Although Luo Ning was a cheerful woman, facing an uncertain future, she also felt a bit scared.

She made a valid point. Even if her father was open-minded, Miss Luo was bound to get married someday, and she would no longer have the freedom she enjoyed now. Lin Wanrong smiled helplessly. He didn't have the time to travel leisurely now; he had a pile of things waiting to be done.

"Sister Luo—" Luo Ning was feeling melancholic when a girl named Wanying came over, took Luo Ning's hand, curiously glanced at Lin Wanrong and asked, "Lin San, what are you drawing?"

She was referring to the sketch Lin Wanrong had just drawn on a piece of white paper. Lin Wanrong didn't have a good impression of this Miss Wanying, so he simply shook his head without saying a word.

Luo Ning laughed, "Wanying, why don't you go check on the Young Master Hou? He's probably not in a good mood right now."

Wanying's face reddened a bit, and she angrily glanced at Lin Wanrong, "You, why do you speak so insensitively? Young Master Hou has been studying hard for many years, your discouragement might harm him!"

What the hell! Who was this uncouth girl? According to her, it was alright for Young Master Hou to discourage him, but if he discouraged Young Master Hou, it was harmful? What kind of absurd logic was that? Lin Wanrong couldn't be bothered to argue with this girl, and he closed his eyes to rest.

Wanying, fuming, suddenly slapped the table, "Lin San, what do you mean by this?"

Lin Wanrong opened his eyes, glanced at her indifferently, "Miss Wanying, I heard you work in the yamen."

Wanying glared back, "Yeah, so what?"

Lin Wanrong retorted coldly, "You're on the government payroll, you should be working honestly at the yamen. Instead, you've abandoned your duties to mess around here. Do you think that's appropriate?"

Miss Wanying was taken aback, "What business is it of yours?"

Lin Wanrong glanced at her disdainfully, "Given your attitude, you're indeed wasting public resources. The court's tax revenue includes my contribution, and the salary you draw is partly from me. Any taxpayer has the right to question this. Frankly speaking, we taxpayers, are essentially your bread and butter. You public servants should be serving us. I don't know where you get the audacity to openly skip work and treat your benefactors so poorly. Have my taxes been paid in vain?"

"You, you—" Miss Wanying was too flustered to respond.

Luo Ning quickly interjected, "Brother Lin, Wanying is usually very diligent. She only came here today at the invitation of Young Master Hou."

Lin Wanrong shook his head, "That's not my concern. I'm just worried about whether my taxes are being put to good use."

Luo Ning understood his point, but being friends with Wanying, she found herself in an awkward position.

Huffing, Wanying threatened, "Remember this, Lin San. I'll make sure you pay for your words today." With that, she turned and walked away.

Lin Wanrong shook his head, chuckling, "This girl, she's just like Young Master Hou."

Luo Ning laughed, "Her family and the Hou family have been friends for generations. Young Master Hou is scholarly and admired by her. If you belittle him, she's naturally going to give you a hard time."

Lin Wanrong grinned, "I'm not bad in terms of scholarly attainment. How come she doesn't admire me?"

Luo Ning shot him a glance, thinking, ‘You've only just met her, even if she wanted to admire you, she wouldn't have had the chance.’ Interrupted by Wanying, Luo Ning almost forgot about the topic at hand. Her gaze fell on the map and she sighed softly, realizing her dreams might forever remain dreams. She asked, "Brother Lin, could you give me this map?"

"No problem," Lin Wanrong generously laughed, ‘It was just a sketch after all, I can draw as many as you want.’

Luo Ning tucked the sketch into her clothing, carefully stowed it away, then smiled at Lin Wanrong's pencil, "So this is the pencil Qiaoqiao mentioned? It really is very different from our writing brushes, even the way you hold it is peculiar."

Lin Wanrong answered honestly, "I don't even know how to use a writing brush."

Luo Ning covered her mouth, laughing, "If you don't mind my bad handwriting, I could teach you."

Luo Ning wore a pale pink robe that day, enhancing her skin's snow-like whiteness and the rosy hue of her cheeks. Her tall stature was close to Lin Wanrong, who was assailed by the faint fragrance that she emitted, causing his heart to flutter. This girl, naturally fragrant without the aid of perfume, was truly remarkable. Though he wasn't particularly interested in Luo Ning, her beauty could rival that of Xiao Qingxuan and Qin Xian’er. One light laugh from her was like a blooming garden, inspiring a whirlwind of thoughts, making it hard to remain indifferent.

Lin Wanrong chuckled. ‘This girl probably wants to take advantage of me under the pretense of teaching me how to write. Darn, I would be in danger if she has ill intentions.’

The atmosphere between them was somewhat awkward, but Eldest Miss Xiao showed up in time. Her gains for the day were considerable. Perfume and soap had caused quite a stir among the ladies. In a blink of an eye, she received numerous orders, and even Lin San became the topic of conversation amongst the ladies, making this venture for the Xiao family both profitable and famous.

Eldest Miss Xiao, accompanied by Lin Wanrong, remained at the Society until the afternoon. Her conversations with Luo Ning conveyed an intimate understanding. Both of them had wide social circles, and their casual chat brought them closer.

Lin Wanrong felt uncomfortable. He was relentlessly questioned by the ladies and had to face the angry gaze of Hou Yuebai. He was in such distress that he excused himself to the restroom four times. Any more, and they would start suspecting kidney issues.

By evening, Eldest Miss Xiao held Luo Ning's hand, "Miss Luo, we've troubled you for an entire day. It's time for us to take our leave."

Luo Ning laughed generously, "Where's the need for such formalities, Sister Xiao? I'm doing this for the benefit of our friends. Besides, the price of this bottle of perfume is not insignificant. I truly feel undeserving."

Lin Wanrong had heard from Luo Yuan that Miss Luo never casually accepted gifts from others. It was extraordinary that she accepted the perfume this time. Perhaps the allure of perfume was indeed extraordinary.

"Brother Lin, in a few days, it will be my grandmother's birthday. I hope you and Sister Xiao will be able to attend," Luo Ning repeatedly reminded them as she was about to leave.

‘Darn, I'd totally forgotten about that!’ Luo Yuan had mentioned it once. If Luo Ning hadn't reminded him, Lin Wanrong would have completely forgotten. He had been planning to visit the cunning Luo Min, and readily replied, "Don't worry, I'll definitely be there."

Seeing Luo Ning walk quite a distance before stopping, Eldest Miss Xiao urged the carriage to move along. Suddenly, she lifted the curtain from inside and asked Lin Wanrong who was riding a black horse, "Lin San, are you close with Miss Luo?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head, "Not particularly close with her, but I'm good friends with her brother."

"I doubt it," Eldest Miss Xiao said with hidden implications, "We've gone such a distance, and she's still watching us like that. It doesn't seem so simple."

Lin Wanrong looked back, and sure enough, there was a figure standing atop the stone steps in the distance. It indeed seemed like Luo Ning. He was self-aware; he knew that Luo Ning had lofty aspirations and wouldn't develop feelings for him over a few simple words. ‘Darn, it was strange, though, who was this lady performing this "waiting for husband" scene for?’

"Miss, she's probably watching you. I noticed that you two seemed to be having a great time today. I presume Miss Luo is somewhat attached to her good friend, you," Lin Wanrong bluffed. Speaking of "waiting for husband," it reminded him of Qiaoqiao. Since he visited her the day before yesterday, he'd been busy experimenting with soap making and hadn't visited the restaurant. He wondered if she'd been taking her medicine on time, and whether her condition had improved?

Xiao Yuruo snorted, noticing that Lin San's mind seemed to be elsewhere, his mood seemingly dampened. She gritted her teeth and said, "Lin San, just get in the carriage."

Lin Wanrong was taken aback, "Well, that's not quite right. I'm a respectable man, you know."

Eldest Miss Xiao was both embarrassed and angry. 'So you're a decent man, and I'm not?' She glared at Lin Wanrong, "I noticed you seemed a bit weary. Considering your substantial contributions to my family today, I thought you could ride the carriage, and I would ride the horse. It's not as improper as you think!"

"I ride in the carriage, and you ride the horse?" Lin Wanrong echoed. That was unusual; men usually gave way to women, why was it the other way around today? Could it be because of his earlier flattery?

"Are you sure?" Lin Wanrong asked, looking at Miss Xiao.

Xiao Yuruo huffed, "If you're coming, just come. Why so many questions?"

Lin Wanrong wasn't one for pleasantries. He dismounted smoothly and saw Eldest Miss Xiao lift her long skirt, hop down from the carriage, and do exactly as she said she would.

Once inside the carriage, he smelled a faint fragrance. Lin Wanrong had a keen nose, and he recognized it as rose perfume. It seemed that Eldest Miss Xiao indeed favored this scent.

Inside, a small table was set with a freshly brewed cup of fragrant tea, steaming hot. He was moved; the miss was so caring for her subordinates, personally making tea and offering her carriage seat. It was quite the leadership style.

Lin Wanrong took a sip of tea. Its delightful aroma filled his mouth. It seemed like a fine Longjing tea or perhaps a Da Hong Pao tea, but he wasn't an expert in tea, so he made do.

Lifting the curtain, he saw Eldest Miss Xiao deftly mount the horse. She spurred it forward in one swift, fluid motion. Far from the image of a dainty heiress, she was a skilled horsewoman, her movements more agile than Lin Wanrong's.

"Eldest Miss, I never expected you to be so skilled. I'm genuinely impressed," Lin Wanrong praised.

A smile surfaced on Xiao Yuruo's face. She responded, "Didn't you say women could hold up half the sky? If I didn't even have this much ability, wouldn't that be a disgrace to us women?"

As expected, it wasn't like this lady to be so kind. It seemed the effect of his flattery indeed played a role.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Eldest Miss, I suspect that your bones must have ached from sitting in this carriage, so you found an excuse to ride a horse and stretch a little. And here I was, moved by your kindness. I didn't realize I had fallen for your ruse."

Xiao Yuruo's face darkened, and with a tug of the reins, the black horse let out a wild neigh and charged towards the carriage. Xiao Yuruo waved her whip, aimed straight at Lin Wanrong's head.

Startled, Lin Wanrong thought, 'What is she up to? We were just fine a moment ago, but she resorted to violence at the drop of a hat. Can't we even joke around?' However, when Xiao Yuruo spurred her horse and swung her whip, her movements were stunning, and coupled with her graceful figure, it was visually striking. It showed that Eldest Miss Xiao was not as delicate as she seemed. At the very least, her skills on horseback were far superior to his.

Lin Wanrong dodged her whip and protested, "What are you doing?"

Xiao Yuruo dismounted the black horse wordlessly, looked at him, and commanded in a stoic tone, "Get out of the carriage."

Lin Wanrong retorted, "Eldest Miss, I haven't even warmed the seat yet."

However, Xiao Yuruo lifted her long skirt, hopped into the carriage, and glared at him fiercely, "Get down right now."

'Damn, why do I have to roll down? Can't I just jump down?'

Feeling aggrieved, Lin Wanrong hopped off the carriage. It wasn't fear of Eldest Miss Xiao that moved him; it was her demeanor he couldn't stand.

Because Eldest Miss Xiao was crying.