Finest Servant

Chapter 427 Sorry for the inconvenience

"A flower for you, two cuckoos in Shu?!" Seo Jang Geum muttered softly, her face flushed with clouds of red, her small hand trembling slightly. She was eager to take the flower branch but hesitated inexplicably.

How could he not have thought of this? It was both a flower and a poem; what woman could resist? Zhao Kangning was secretly distressed. Although he had always despised Lin San's actions, seeing Lin San's performance today, even he, who considered himself suave, unrivaled, and elegant, had to admit that when it came to courting women, he and Lin San were simply not on the same level.

"Sir, Sir," Seo Jang Geum's face turned a deep red, biting her cherry lips, her snow-white hands opening and closing, surging like tides of thought, "Is what you said true? This Jindallae, are you really giving it to me?"

"Oh, it was just a momentary exclamation," Lin Wanrong sighed lightly and smiled, "I could have given you this azalea, but this little poem is not for you. To avoid misunderstanding, I better take it back." As if unintentionally, he lightly brushed the fiery red azalea against Seo Jang Geum's small hand and indeed took it back.

Zhao Kangning watched with great joy; this Lin San seemed to be showing off, with no real interest in Seo Jang Geum. He hurriedly said, "Exactly, exactly, you have several wives at home, don't give flowers to other people's young ladies, it will ruin their reputation."

Seo Jang Geum lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes. She turned her head away, not allowing others to see, and spoke softly, "Thank you, sir, for telling me the story of the cuckoo in Shu. I know I am like a weak willow, incomparable to the beautiful Jindallae. But the legend of the weeping cuckoo, I will remember forever. Thank you!" She bent down deeply, expressing a reverence and devotion beyond words.

"Not at all, not at all," Lin Wanrong smiled and helped her up, "Life is like floating dust; thirty years in the east and thirty in the west. If there is an azalea in your heart, there is grace in life. Don't belittle yourself."

Zhao Kangning listened on the side, blood boiling. This Lin San was just reciting some off-tune lewd poems; how could he suddenly speak with such Zen wisdom? How could anyone be so shameless?

Seo Jang Geum wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, nodded lightly, and her eyes fell on the flower branch in his hand, falling into a moment of melancholy again.

Zhao Kangning hastily handed her a large bunch of rhododendrons: "Miss Seo, Lin San is very unscrupulous, don't mind him. The story of the Shu Emperor and Empress also touched me. Look, these azaleas, all picked for you. Do you like them? Miss Seo, Miss Seo—"

Seo Jang Geum's mind seemed elsewhere, and only when she heard him call her a few times did she come back to her senses, a hint of apology on her face: "Young Prince, what did you say?"

It was all Lin San's fault, making Miss Seo so dazed. Zhao Kangning's heart was full of unspeakable irritation, but he pretended not to care and smiled casually, "Young Prince said, these beautiful azaleas were specially picked for you, Miss. Do you like them?"

Seo Jang Geum hummed in response, her eyes furtively glancing at Lin Wanrong. Her face turned rosy yet somewhat melancholic as she softly said, "Thank you, Young Prince, for your kind intentions. The azaleas are beautiful, but just like flowers, one can only truly favor a single blossom." As her words fell, she saw that Master Lin had already walked far away, as if he hadn't even heard her heartfelt words.

Twice his offer of flowers had been rejected, and Zhao Kangning's face alternated between red and white. He was unable to vent his frustration and could only secretly snort, awkwardly withdrawing the beautiful, fire-like azaleas. Seeing that Lin San had walked far away, disappearing around a corner, Seo Jang Geum clenched her teeth, staring blankly. The vibrant spring scenery around her lost all beauty in her eyes.

Zhao Kangning suddenly waved his hand with joy, pointing to a pond ahead and said, "Miss Seo, look quickly, up ahead is the famous Spring Pond in the capital. The pond is best known for its willow trees. Every year in February and March, willows on both banks sprout tender buds, competing to herald spring, offering a spectacular sight. Shall we go appreciate the willows together?"

Seo Jang Geum had already lost her interest and lightly shook her head, speaking softly, "Young Prince, the situation in Goryeo is urgent. I can't afford to linger here any longer. What do you think about the matter I spoke to you about yesterday? Have you reported it to Prince Cheng?"

"Well, this," Zhao Kangning's face showed difficulty as he shook his head, "Miss Seo, you may not know, but Goryeo and our Great Hua are linked like flesh and blood, so it's only natural for Great Hua to send troops to assist Goryeo. My father has also spoken favorably of Goryeo before the Emperor. However, someone is deliberately obstructing us from dispatching troops to Goryeo. This person is also greatly favored by the Emperor, so I'm unable to help you at the moment!"

"Young Prince, who is this person you speak of?" Seo Jang Geum's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her big eyes blinking as she asked.

Zhao Kangning sneered coldly, "Speaking of this person, you are no stranger to him. It's none other than Master Lin San, who was just reciting lewd poetry and showing off his cleverness. He proposed some theory of 'one country, two systems,' deliberately hindering the friendship between our two nations. It's utterly despicable. Although my father and I have actively mediated, Lin San is eloquent and favored by the Emperor, so we can't think of a solution for now!"

Seo Jang Geum sighed, expressing her difficulty, "Is there no other more flexible solution? The conditions of 'one country, two systems' are too harsh; the King will find it hard to agree."

"Miss Seo, don't worry," Zhao Kangning said with a carefree smile, patting her shoulder, "You and I are such close friends. How could I refuse to help you?"

Hearing him emphasize the word "close," Seo Jang Geum bit her lip, without responding. Standing closer to this young palace maid, he became infatuated with her translucent, milk-like skin, and reached out to grab her hand, "Miss Seo, the scenery up ahead is wonderful. Let's go and explore together."

Seo Jang Geum was taken aback and hurriedly stepped back two paces, avoiding his grasp, and said with her head lowered, "Goryeo is in imminent peril; I really have no interest in sightseeing. I hope Young Prince will understand."

"Goryeo is in imminent peril?" Seeing her repeated refusals, even a clay Buddha would grow impatient. Zhao Kangning's face reddened in annoyance, and he lightly snorted, "Miss Seo, at least you still remember this matter. In the whole world, the only ones who can speak up for you are my father and I. But you are so uncooperative. How can I help you?"

"Cooperate? How should I cooperate?" Seo Jang Geum asked in surprise, "Please make it clear, Prince. What must I do for you to help our Goryeo?"

"This, actually, is not difficult," Zhao Kangning smirked, reaching out again to grab her hand. "Miss Seo, with your extraordinary beauty, if our two nations were to form an alliance as close as that of Qin and Jin, wouldn't that solve everything? My feelings for you are nothing but sincere, clearer to you than anyone else."

Seo Jang Geum's face turned red, and she quickly took two steps back, bowing her head and saying respectfully, "Your Highness, you flatter me too much. I'm merely a lowly palace maid in Goryeo, how could I possibly be worthy of someone of your royal lineage?"

"A lowly palace maid?" Zhao Kangning coldly laughed a few times. "Miss Seo, do you really need to be so modest in front of me? A mere palace maid who can stay in our Great Hua for so long, acting as a mediator between Great Hua and Goryeo? Your true identity—do you think I don't know it?"

There was a rustling noise. Something was startled in the nearby bushes. Zhao Kangning snapped, "Who's there?"

The bushes were silent for a moment before two wild ducks quacked and leaped out from the woods, heading straight for the spring pond ahead. Zhao Kangning let out a long sigh, then continued, "Miss Seo, if you say you're a palace maid, then I, the prince, am taken with such a maid. If you agree to me, Goryeo and our Great Hua will become family, and we'll work on assisting with military forces. I assure you, Goryeo will be safe for generations."

Seo Jang Geum's face turned pale, her small hand gripping tightly, her bright red lips almost biting until they bled. Zhao Kangning felt a surge of satisfaction, as though he'd regained his pride from Lin Wanrong. He chuckled twice, "Miss Seo, I believe you can understand my sincere feelings for you. I've said all I can. What you do next is up to you. But let me remind you, Goryeo might not hold out much longer. With every moment you delay, your people suffer more casualties. I'll be at the mansion, waiting for your good news."

Zhao Kangning left, laughing heartily, full of satisfaction. Seo Jang Geum's lips were dry, her heart cold, tears trickling down as she slowly walked forward. By the spring pond's edge, a gentle breeze blew, green waves rippled, countless willows sprouting fresh buds, their tender green tips delighting the eye.

Seo Jang Geum stood by the spring pond's edge, looking into the distance at the hazy mountains and spring rain like smoke. Her heart ached. She stamped her small foot and reached out as if to jump forward.

"No, no, don't do it!" A figure suddenly rushed out from the diagonal, tightly embracing her delicate body, with both large hands intentionally or unintentionally resting on her chest. "Miss Seo, we can talk this over. How could you be so rash? Ah, you are carrying two large buns on you!"

"Let go of me!" Seo Jang Geum trembled, quickly twisting her body. "Sir, let go of me, please let go of me quickly!"

"Why jump into the river, and what's with the buns if you're going to jump?" Lin Wanrong tightly hugged her, giving a gentle squeeze. Seo Jang Geum let out a whimper, her face flushed with embarrassment, and hurriedly said, "Sir, I'm not going to jump into the river. You misunderstood, misunderstood."

"A misunderstanding?" Lin Wanrong looked at her in confusion, "No way! Clearly, two steamed buns were about to cause a bloody scene, and judging by my countless experiences in saving people, you must have had the impulse to jump into the river. Otherwise, why would you cling to me like this?"

Seo Jang Geum's face was as red as fire, and she was filled with embarrassment. It was clearly Master Lin who had clung to her, so why was he blaming her now? "Sir, I just wanted to pluck a willow branch, not jump into the river!" Seo Jang Geum said, blushing and lowering her voice, "Please let me go quickly!"

"Pluck willow branches?" Lin Wanrong laughed awkwardly and rubbed the steamed buns, then reluctantly withdrew his hands, saying, "All this fuss about flowers and willows, Miss Seo, you need to be careful. This kind of illness is hard to cure."

Hearing his blatant teasing, the young palace maid could hardly bear it and whimpered, quickly turning her head. She reached out with her slender hand, plucked a freshly sprouted willow branch, and gently sniffed it before lowering her head, softly asking, "Sir, what are you doing here?"

"I came to pick flowers, of course." Lin Wanrong shook the flower branch in his hand, smiling, "I'm not satisfied yet; how can I return empty-handed?"

Seo Jang Geum looked at the flower in his hand and suddenly chuckled lightly, "Sir, you truly are a diligent flower picker. Such a beautiful azalea has been tortured into this shape by you."

"Oh," Lin Wanrong glanced at the azalea in his hand, only to see that the petals had long scattered, and the branch was covered in grass and mud, hardly recognizable as the bright red flower it had once been. "Oh, the azalea's husband called her, so she left home. It's understandable, understandable." He laughed twice, speaking nonsense.

Seo Jang Geum shook her head and laughed softly. Seeing him covered in mud and grass, she wondered where he had rolled around. Thinking of how he had been reciting poetry earlier, her heart felt both warm and touched. She gently brushed off the grass and mud from his body and said softly, "Sir, what happened to you? Your clothes are in such a state."

Lin Wanrong waved his hand, smiling nonchalantly, "Oh, it's nothing. I was just catching ducks in the bushes earlier. Eh, where's the Young Prince? Aren't you two usually together, enjoying the sights? How could he leave you behind like this? That's not right, not right!"

Seo Jang Geum looked at him, her teeth clenched, and shook her head, slowly stepping to the edge of the lake. Looking at her beautiful reflection in the water, tears welled up in her eyes, and she found herself at a loss for words. The spring breeze rustled her long hair and elegant skirt, and in the slight chill, this foreign palace maid seemed as fragile as a delicate willow, pitiable and forlorn.

"Sir, do you think I'm very pitiful?" Seo Jang Geum's eyes were like spring water, misty, as she looked at him, her voice soft and distant.

Lin Wanrong was taken aback; this question was indeed difficult to answer. In terms of appearance, Seo Jang Geum was not the most breathtakingly beautiful, but she won people over with the traditional Goryeo grace and gentleness. A young girl, alone in a foreign land, seeking help – the taste of that was truly unbearable.

"How could that be?" Lin Wanrong laughed, "You're beautiful, knowledgeable, and you can even cook medicinal meals. Where's the pity in that?"

Seo Jang Geum shook her head slightly, her eyes fixed on him: "Sir, even if what you say is false, Jang Geum is still very grateful. They all say that you are deceitful, cunning, fierce, and greedy, but I feel that you are more upright than everyone else, because you are a real villain. You bully me openly and bravely, which is ten times, a hundred times stronger than those hypocrites who talk about benevolence and morality. I hate others' hypocrisy, but I like your courage." Seo Jang Geum's eyes were beautifully dewy, and her gaze made one's heart tremble.

Lin Wanrong laughed dryly a couple of times. ‘My goodness, I'll take it as a compliment from Jang Geum Dongsaeng. To be thanked for bullying her, the world really is crazy.’ “This world is very complex," Lin Wanrong sighed, shaking his head: "In many cases, except that lies are true, everything else is false. You shouldn't trust me too much."

"Except for lies being true, everything else is false," Seo Jang Geum murmured, her face flushing slightly, tears welling in her eyes. Suddenly she respectfully wept, "Wanrong Oppa, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I can't talk to you anymore because I'm afraid if I say one more word to you, I'll never want to go back to Goryeo again."

"You're going back to Goryeo?" Lin Wanrong was surprised, his mind racing. Was Jang Geum leaving? Had Prince Cheng promised her something?

Seo Jang Geum wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and smiled faintly: "I'm not originally from Great Hua. Going back to my homeland is just a matter of time. My heart longs for the cuckoo, but I don't know where life will drift me to."

"You mean Goryeo is really going to fight to the death with Dongyin? This is a dead-end." Lin Wanrong shook his head. If that Goryeo King was really hell-bent, it would not be easy to deal with.

"If we don't fight to the death, what else can we do?" Seo Jang Geum's face showed sadness. "The Dongyin people are fierce and brutal, and Great Hua is unwilling to help. We in Goryeo can only choose to die rather than let the Dongyin succeed."

Lin Wanrong sighed lightly: "Miss Seo, I told you the reasons before. If it's between the two of us, I would naturally be responsible and save you even at the cost of my life. But between nations, there's only interest, no sentiment. If the lives of Great Hua's people can't get any return, even if I'm willing, the people of the world won't agree. Isn't that the way it is?"

The young palace maid nodded slightly, plucked the willow branch, and gently shook it, staring at it in a trance, her cheeks flushed: "Wanrong Oppa, you're right, this is not your fault. I have never blamed you. On the contrary, I respect you and admire you from my heart because you are an upright and honest person."

Lin Wanrong chuckled: "Miss Seo, I didn't want to ask originally, but since you brought it up, let me add a word. Is Goryeo now negotiating terms with Dongyin?"

Seo Jang Geum's face changed rapidly: "My lord, how... how do you know?"

‘Negotiating peace with Dongyin? Negotiating with a tiger for its skin!’ Lin Wanrong sneered coldly: "Miss Seo, don't worry about how I know. Let me ask you one more question. If you were a Dongyin person, what terms would Goryeo have to offer for you to withdraw your troops?"

"This," Seo Jang Geum hesitated for a moment, slowly shook her head, and sighed helplessly, "Unless we cede Goryeo, I will not withdraw the troops. But besides that, Wanrong Oppa, what other options do we have?"

Lin Wanrong's face was serious, and he perceived that Jang Geum's thoughts were not simple. She had avoided mentioning seeking aid from Great Hua even at this point, which indicated her hesitation.

"Yes, there's no way out," Lin Wanrong said with a faint smile. "This morning, the Emperor summoned me to the palace to discuss a matter. He plans to move the newly formed army in the Northeast directly to the area near the Altai Mountains in the North, to assist Li Tai in fighting against the Turks—"

"What?" Seo Jang Geum was taken aback, tightly grasping his hand, and urgently asked, "How could this be? The Northeastern new army was supposed to assist Goryeo in resisting the Dongyin. If they are moved to Altai, what will become of Goryeo?"

Lin Wanrong sighed, "You shouldn't be asking me this. You should be asking your King. Great Hua has suffered greatly at the hands of the northern nomads, and we left a fresh force to help Goryeo resist the invasion. However, your King has been indecisive and hesitant. Great Hua’s military is stretched thin, and having waited long for news from you without reply, we had no choice but to move this army to the North! As for Goryeo, alas, we really can't concern ourselves with it anymore!"

"Sir, this cannot be!" The young palace girl was truly anxious. "The King is not indecisive; it's just—"

"Just what?" Lin Wanrong sighed faintly, "What are you still hesitating about at this critical juncture? Who else in the world can protect the Goryeo people except Great Hua?"

Seo Jang Geum suddenly covered her face and wept, "Wanrong Oppa, you are forcing me! I cannot become Goryeo's eternal sinner!" Her shoulders shook violently, her chest heaved, and tears rolled down, a picture of utter misery.

He must not soften his heart! Lin Wanrong turned his head and reluctantly said, "Standing in this position, you must do what you have to do, and there's no escape. Who the eternal sinner is might only become clear when Goryeo is destroyed, and those stubborn elders will understand! Ah, such a heavy burden, how could it be placed on a young girl like you? You've lingered in Great Hua, endured all kinds of disdain, and it must have been hard on you!"

Seeing his sincere face, Seo Jang Geum wept like rain, shaking her head, "Sir, don't blame others. I chose to stay here voluntarily. Because, because—"

"Because of what?" Lin Wanrong shook his head and smiled, "It couldn't be because of me, could it?!"

Seo Jang Geum continued to weep, shaking her head frantically and choking out, "Sir, can you grant Jang Geum a small request! I'm sorry, please, you must agree!"

Seeing Seo Jang Geum's small face flushed like a rain-kissed peach blossom, full of expectation as she looked at him, Lin Wanrong cautiously said, "What request? Don't ask for anything improper; I'm always very chaste!"

Seo Jang Geum wiped the tears from her face, her ears turning red as she lowered her head, her voice almost inaudible, "Sir, can you... can you hug Jang Geum?"

Lin Wanrong was greatly shocked, stepping back, "Miss Seo, I am a chaste and loyal man, I would never do anything against my nature—Hey, hey, what are you doing, don't hug so tightly, assault is a criminal offense, don't touch my chest—"

Seo Jang Geum held him tightly, tears pouring down like rain, soaking the front of his clothes, "Sir, I'm sorry, Jang Geum can't stop herself from liking you, I've caused you trouble!"

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