Chapter 680 Miss Tao

In the past, the Eldest Miss used to bully him every day, yet in the end, didn't she fall into his hands? Lin Wanrong chuckled and nodded, "I understand, I understand! For lifetimes to come, I will be bullied by you, but who else could be my Eldest Miss but you?"

Xiao Yuruo felt a mix of shyness and joy, silently gripping his hand, her gentleness reminiscent of the soft rains of March.

The Madam smiled, her gaze casually sweeping over him, "It's been half a year since we last met. You've lost quite a bit of weight. The harsh winds and sands of the border must have been grueling. I heard from Yuruo that you were seriously injured at the front lines. Are you feeling better now?"

Lin Wanrong quickly patted his chest, proclaiming, "I've long since recovered! Look at me, I could even take on a tiger right now!"

Madam Xiao slowly shook her head, "Don't be careless. Your injuries aren't something that can heal in a month or two. You need proper rest and recuperation. Don't let it turn into a chronic issue."

Lin Wanrong was moved to tears, "Madam, even from afar in Jinling, you're concerned about my well-being. Yes, yes, I'll remember that! Oh, by the way, do you still remember the contract I signed with the Xiao family?"

"How could I forget?" Madam Xiao looked at him silently, a smile playing on her lips. "You, our contract employee, are nearing the end of your one-year term. I've already prepared the new contract, just waiting for you to return and sign it."

"About that," he said sheepishly, "Madam, I have a small request. Could we possibly change that contract—"

"No way!" Before he could finish, the Eldest Miss cut him off, her annoyance evident as she glared at him, "Thinking of leaving our Xiao family? Hmph, not a chance!"

Her cheeks flushed a rosy hue, a faint sorrow in her eyes, her vexation only adding to her beauty.

Lin Wanrong laughed, holding her hand, "You misunderstand, Eldest Miss. Why would I leave the Xiao family? I merely wish to change the way we sign that contract."

With a mischievous wink, the Eldest Miss pondered for a moment before understanding his intent. Her cheeks burned as if on fire, and she gently pinched his hand, scolding with shy annoyance, "Always up to tricks, you. Do you even know what contract mother wants you to sign?"

Madam Xiao smiled, pulling out a thin, fiery-red booklet from within her robes and handing it to him.

The booklet, still warm and fragrant, revealed the bold title "Marriage Letter" upon opening. Listed were his name alongside those of Miss Yushuang and Miss Yuruo, complete with their birth details. At the bottom was the delicate signature of Madam Xiao, Guo Junyi.

Seeing his astonished expression, Madam Xiao laughed, "Is this the contract you wanted?"

"Yes, yes, Madam, truly insightful!" Lin Wanrong praised, quickly tucking the marriage contract into his bosom, grinning at the Eldest Miss. Xiao Yuruo twisted his hand fiercely, both angry and delighted.

"I seem to have invited the wolf into the house," Madam Xiao sighed, looking at their sweet affection, a helpless expression on her face. "With your support, our Xiao family has prospered and thrived. But with your cunning plan, you've stolen away my daughters. All the hustle and bustle, all the prosperity and wealth of the Xiao family, has been nothing but a bridal gift for you. How laughable, how lamentable!"

Hearing her mother's words tinged with a trace of melancholy, Xiao Yuruo's nose tingled with emotion. She glared fiercely at Lin San beside her, then silently embraced the Madam's shoulders. "Mother, don't be upset. This scoundrel just loves to play the fool after getting his way! Even if I am married, Yushuang and I will not leave you. We will always be together as a family! Isn't that right?"

"Yes, yes, we will always be together as a family," Lin Wanrong quickly agreed.

"Let's wait until you are married to talk about this," the Madam smiled, shaking her head. She glanced at him again, "If you dare mistreat Yushuang and Yuruo, be careful, I won't let you off!"

Lin Wanrong nodded, his thoughts drifting to the journey of his acquaintance and knowledge of the Eldest Miss. A surge of tenderness rose in his heart as he tightly held Yuruo's hand. The Eldest Miss gazed at him, her eyes brimming with affection, and she chuckled lightly.

As the day was drawing to a close, the three of them strolled leisurely towards the temple exit. The sky was ablaze with the colors of the setting sun, and the Eldest Miss clung tightly to his arm with utmost tenderness.

Upon exiting the temple gate, they still did not see the Xiao family's carriage. Puzzled, Lin Wanrong looked around. Xiao Yuruo, noticing his confusion, explained softly, "Mother has been praying in the temple. I had planned to stay with her in the outer chamber of the temple tonight, but then you returned. The carriage is still at home; it's probably on its way here now."

Madam Xiao walked ahead alone, gazing at the fiery maples on the mountainside shimmering in the golden light of the setting sun, and sighed softly, "The setting sun is so beautiful today. Let's walk a bit further."

It was deep autumn, and the maple leaves were a brilliant red, like burning flames covering the mountains – a sight of incredible beauty. The Madam was in good spirits, strolling leisurely, lingering in the beauty of the sunset.

Lin Wanrong accompanied them, recounting amusing tales from the Miao villages and marvels of the grasslands, speaking in soft, harmonious tones.

As they reached the foot of the mountain, night began to fall, casting the land in a hue of twilight.

Lin Wanrong glanced around and noticed a dilapidated thatched hut at the base of the mountain. The wind rustled through the straw, and a dim light flickered inside, shimmering like a dim star.

The Eldest Miss suddenly stopped, glancing silently at him, and sighed softly, "Go take a look."

"Look at what?" he asked, utterly confused.

Xiao Yuruo pinched his arm hard, scolding, "Just go if I tell you to. Why ask so many questions?"

This was strange. The Eldest Miss was being mysteriously secretive. Shaking his head with a smile, he walked towards the hut, gradually approaching it, barely making out a slender figure flickering in and out of sight.

The hut was in a state of disrepair, with wind whistling through its walls. As he quietly approached, he saw the interior was extremely narrow, furnished only with a makeshift bed, table, and chair, all trembling as if ready to collapse at any moment.

On the table burned an old, green lamp, its dim light swaying with the wind. Sitting in front of the table was a woman in a grey robe and green shirt, her hair tied up high, covered with a small Buddhist hat – a female lay practitioner.

Her ample figure was concealed in the large robe, hiding her naturally beautiful form.

Lin Wanrong studied the woman's face intently, surprised, "Miss Tao?!"

The female lay practitioner trembled, dropping the scripture she was holding to the ground.

She silently lifted her head, her eyes blinking for a long time upon seeing his face. Suddenly, with no sound, she covered her lips with her hands as tears streamed down in succession.

Struggling to her feet, her complexion tinged with a faint redness, she looked down and softly said, "Lin San—Benefactor Lin. You, you're back?!"

Almost a year had passed since their last meeting, and the woman before him had grown much thinner. Yet, this only accentuated her graceful and voluptuous figure, making her appear even more enchanting.

Unexpectedly revisiting this place, Lin Wanrong was surprised to encounter her again. Recalling the girl's former impetuousness, he was filled with a myriad of emotions as he slowly stepped inside. Gently, he said, "Miss Tao, why are you still here? This kind of place... How can it be suitable for a girl like you?"

"You're mistaken, Benefactor," Tao Wanying quietly lowered her head, striving for calmness, "There are no women here, only a practitioner who has taken vows."

Lin Wanrong shook his head and sighed, "Miss Tao, if I'm not mistaken, the last time I was here, you had already taken your vows. Have you still not come to a clear decision in all this time?"

"Decide what?" Tao Wanying lifted her head, gazing at him softly.

"A lifespan of seventy is a rarity as anciently told. At your age, you're like a blooming flower. Why think of spending your life in monastic seclusion? If it's about atoning for your father and brother's sins, there are many other ways. Why must you shave your head and become a nun? Besides, your family's faults have nothing to do with you. They should atone for their own sins. Why should you bear their burdens?"

He spoke much in one breath. Tao Wanying silently looked at him, and after a long time, she softly said, "They wanted to atone, but they no longer had the chance."

Lin Wanrong was startled, "What do you mean?"

Miss Tao's eyes were moist as she murmured, "My brother has become insane, recognizing no one. My father lost his position and fell ill this spring. He didn't survive past three months and passed away. I am alone here, atoning for them. I sought ordination from the abbot, but even he would not accept me—"

Tears flowed like rain, and she choked, unable to continue.

Lin Wanrong sighed silently, unsure what to say. The tragedy of Tao Wanying's family was by his hand. Given the actions of Tao Wanying's father and brother, his treatment of them wasn't excessive. Yet, Tao Wanying was innocent. Although capricious and headstrong, she was not a bad person. Leaving her to wither away in this place seemed unbearably cruel.

He sighed deeply, helplessly saying, "I don't know why, but I suddenly miss that brash and bold Miss Tao Wanying, who rode horses and brandished swords, even though she almost split me in two with her blade. I still find myself longing for her."

Hearing him reminisce about the past, Tao Wanying's cheeks flushed. She asked softly, "Why?"

Lin Wanrong sighed lightly, "That Miss Tao, though she was willful, loved to throw tantrums, and often unreasonable, she lived a full, genuine life. She radiated the vibrancy of life. But looking at today's lay practitioner Tao, I realize all the more how adorable that Miss Tao was."

Miss Tao's eyes misted over, and she quietly said, "Times have changed. Back then, she had the love and pampering of her father and brother, living carefree and joyfully. But what's left for her now? Who's there to love and cherish her?"

"Happiness and joy don't fall from the sky; one must seek them out. Since you were once cherished by your father and brother, who's to say there won't be someone even better to care for you in the future? Don't immerse yourself in the past; look forward. With confidence, life can only get better!"

Lin Wanrong had only interacted with Tao Wanying a few times, mostly in conflicts, so they were far from being well-acquainted, even holding some grudges against each other. Yet, seeing a spirited young woman like her wanting to renounce the world and enter monastic life unsettled him.

A flicker of excitement shone in Tao Wanying's eyes as she stared intently at him, murmuring, "Will there really be someone to cherish me in the future? Lin San, are you deceiving me?"

"My honesty is well-known; how could I deceive you?" Seeing a glimmer of resolve in Miss Tao, he quickly joked, "Actually, I know a bit about why the master at Qixia Temple refused to take you in."

"What's the reason?" Tao Wanying asked eagerly.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Because the masters could see that Miss Tao has a delicate and pretty face, a full forehead, and her worldly fate is not yet concluded. Of course, they wouldn't ordain you."

Tao Wanying burst into laughter through her tears, "What delicate face and full forehead? You used this line on me last time. I won't fall for the words of a fake master like you!"

"Is that so?" Lin Wanrong scratched his head, "I honestly forgot. As a master, I've seen so many people that I often get them mixed up. Sorry for disappointing you."

Tao Wanying giggled lightly, feeling unusually cheerful after a few words with him, gradually regaining her lively personality.

"Lin San, I heard you're already married in the capital, is that right?" Tao Wanying suddenly gazed at him, her voice deep.

"Yes, I get married quite often!" Lin Wanrong laughed, "If you have a chance, come to the capital. It's very lively there; you'll definitely like it."

"I definitely will!" Miss Tao declared firmly.

Lin Wanrong blinked, grinning, "Then, are you still planning to become a nun? If you become an abbess, it won't be easy to travel!"

Tao Wanying's cheeks reddened, and she asked softly, "Do you dislike abbesses?"

"Well, well—" He was sweating profusely, unsure how to respond.

Miss Tao shyly lowered her head, "Then I'll think about it some more!"

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily and turned to leave. Tao Wanying, stunned, hurriedly said, "Are you leaving already?"

Living alone in the thatched hut, her loneliness was evident. Naturally, she was reluctant to see someone who could bring her joy leave so soon.

"Yes, I need to go to Goryeo in the next few days," Lin Wanrong turned back, noticing Tao Wanying's eyes dimming. He quickly added, "But don't worry, we've made a promise to meet in the capital. Whether or not you become an abbess, you'll always be warmly welcomed."

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