Chapter 4: So, You're Just a Little Girl (Part 1)

Original Title: The Extraordinary Butler ("极品家丁")

Original Author: Yu Yan

Translator: Junyin_Pan

Contact for Copyright or Conflict of Interest Issues: 1085740859@qq.com

The following is the main text:

Damn androgynous freak!

"From the verse you just recited, I can tell you have great aspirations," the effeminate young man said, stopping his laughter and looking pensively at the lake. "As you said, Jiangnan produces many talented scholars and beautiful women. There are many poets whose verses are known throughout the land. These are strengths, but also weaknesses."

"Oh?" Lin Wanrong was intrigued. "My friend, what do you mean by that?"

He almost let slip the words "androgynous freak." Although the young man might not understand, explaining it would be a hassle.

The young master nodded. "Since our dynasty's founding by Emperor Taizu, we've had a tradition of valuing literature over military prowess, especially in Jiangnan. Scholars and noblewomen take pride in their literary talents. This is fine in times of peace, but in times of national crisis, with the enemy invading from the north, they continue as if nothing is happening. Where does that leave our country? Without a country, there can be no home. If everyone behaved like this, indulging in the pleasures of Hangzhou while treating it as Bianzhou, what hope is there for our Hua Dynasty?" The young master's face grew angrier as he spoke.

Lin Wanrong had been in this world for a month and knew that this era was called the Hua Dynasty, with an emperor named Zhao and a capital at Shuntian.

He heard that northern invaders were attacking, and the Hua army was losing ground. Fortunately, the nomadic invaders had underestimated the Hua army's rapid collapse and were unprepared for a prolonged campaign. As winter approached, they retreated to their grasslands to regroup and prepare for a full-scale invasion the following year.

In the previous dynasty of Song, Bianzhou was the capital. When the Song became corrupt and weak, they were forced to move the capital to Hangzhou after the northern invaders threatened Bianzhou. The humiliation of Bianzhou becoming a secondary capital was never forgotten. So, the young master understood Lin Wanrong's reference to treating Hangzhou as Bianzhou and agreed deeply. (Note: This novel is set in a completely fictional world. This Song dynasty is not the one we know, just happens to share the same name. Further explanations will follow in the text.)

Although Lin Wanrong still felt out of place in this world, he knew he had to integrate himself into it. These were his compatriots, and he couldn't allow them to be bullied by foreign invaders.

"For a country to be strong, both civil governance and military prowess are essential. Indulging in false peace during such times should be minimized," the young master concluded, looking worried for his country.

Initially, Lin Wanrong had thought this androgynous young man was just someone who spent too much time among cosmetics, but he seemed to have some ambition. Lin Wanrong's impression of him improved slightly.

However, for Lin Wanrong, national prosperity and strength were not his responsibilities at the moment, so he didn't show much interest.

The young master was displeased with the scholars on the lake. His words seemed reasonable, but Lin Wanrong's professional experience told him things were never as simple as they seemed. He couldn't fully agree with the young master.

Lin Wanrong snorted and remained silent, staring at the lake.

Seeing Lin Wanrong's expression, the young master assumed he was a scholar and asked, "Do you have any academic titles?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head. "I haven't taken any exams."

So you can quote poems, but can't recognize a real scholar? Have you seen a scholar in such shabby clothes, with toes poking out of his shoes?

The young master asked again, "Have you taken the provincial exams?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head again. "I don't even know which direction the exam hall faces."

The young master was puzzled. "Then you don't even count as a—" He realized his mistake and quickly stopped speaking.

Lin Wanrong understood and felt indignant: Androgynous freak, what kind of eyesight do you have? If I'm not a scholar, could I recite such fitting verses? As a proud graduate of Peking University, I could be a top scholar in a few years. How dare you look down on me?

But then again, Lin Wanrong hadn't read many books in this era. The young master wasn't entirely wrong.

Feeling extremely displeased, Lin Wanrong hummed softly and recited, "Beyond the green mountains, buildings rise. When will the singing and dancing on West Lake end? The warm wind intoxicates tourists, making them mistake Hangzhou for Bianzhou."

The young master's eyes lit up, clapping repeatedly. "Wonderful, wonderful! What a splendid verse! With such talent, no one in the world can compare to you, brother."

The servant, who had been giving Lin Wanrong cold looks, also showed a respectful expression.

Lin Wanrong found it amusing, despising the young master's flattery, but couldn't help feeling pleased.

However, it was funny that the young master, who claimed to despise scholars, praised Lin Wanrong's poetry so highly.

The young master, being very astute, noticed Lin Wanrong's expression and seemed to understand. He quickly said, "Sir, I did not mean to look down on scholars. It's just that our country is in trouble, and I cannot bear to see the scholars of Jiangnan ignoring it. Please forgive my offense, sir." He bowed deeply to show his apology.

Seeing his sincere apology and impeccable flattery, Lin Wanrong decided not to hold a grudge. He pretended to help him up and said, "Brother, may I know your name?"

"Please, call me Xiao, Xiao Qingxuan," the young master said respectfully.

"Ah, Brother Xiao. I'm Lin, Lin Wanrong," Lin Wanrong said with a playful smile, showing no respect.

"Brother Lin, my apologies," Xiao Qingxuan said, smiling with dimples and a blush, his expression surprisingly charming.