Miss Truth
Chapter 125 - 80: Meeting Under the Moon

Chapter 125: Chapter 80: Meeting Under the Moon

Inside the carriage, Wan Lu was spiritedly telling Ran Yan everything about Ge Lan.

The more Ran Yan listened, the more she felt that this was an extraordinary woman—intelligent, composed, and endlessly resourceful in dealing with the Gao family. Sometimes she appeared rather ruthless and despicable, but when it was time to show mercy, she left a sliver of hope; and when it was time to strike a final blow, she wouldn’t hesitate in the slightest. It was hard to believe that this was just a teenage girl.

"Xing Wife said that Jade Lady had a seven-orifice exquisite heart, it seems Ge Lan must have taken after her," Wan Lu remarked with emotion.

Ran Yan smiled faintly. People like Ge Lan were suited to live among the prominent clans; neither the former Ran Yan nor the current her were fit to worry over the struggles of the inner quarters.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t fight; on the contrary, if it really came to a confrontation, the Gao family might not be a match for Ran Yan. Besides, what was there for her to compete over? If a forensic doctor wanted to kill someone, there were plenty of ways to go unnoticed.

It’s just that her previous life was too solemn—all work and no play. In this life, she was destined not to make forensic science a career, so she needed to live freely and untroubled.

If those from the Ran household would keep to themselves, then there would be no need to cross paths. But if they truly provoked Ran Yan, she wouldn’t mind using these hands, skilled in dissection, to dissect a few living people.

The carriage gradually slowed down and finally stopped. Outside, the night had grown pitch-dark, and the lamp on the carriage could only illuminate less than ten meters around it. Ran Yan looked out to see the wild grass stretching into the distance, creating an impression of profound coldness and stillness.

"Wife, we’re here," Xing Wife called from outside the carriage.

Wan Lu helped Ran Yan disembark and stood at the bleak foot of the mountain.

Wan Lu looked around and paused, but then she could only sigh with resignation. She was very self-aware that aside from her loyalty and audacious spirit, she could do nothing else; she could never make plans for her Wife in advance like Ge Lan did.

Ran Yan knew what Wan Lu was sighing about and patted her hand, "This place is quiet; it’s perfect to lie low. What’s there to sigh about? Besides, Shilang won’t let me suffer."

"What the Wife says is true," Wan Lu nodded. Even if every member of the Ran family was cold and heartless, at least Shilang was good to his Wife.

At the foot of the mountain, the mist was ethereal, growing denser as it ascended. Ran Yan looked up for a while but could only vaguely make out the flickering lights through the fog, indescribably desolate.

"Amitabha Buddha," a Buddhist chant echoed up from the foot of the mountain.

Ran Yan shifted her gaze, following the sound. Three nuns dressed in wide-sleeved kasayas approached, the one in the lead appearing to be around thirty, tall and slim with a long neck, her sharp face made more delicate by the robe, her eyes and eyebrows faint. Behind her were two younger nuns, the youngest being about twelve or thirteen, evidently not yet settled in her heart, curiously eyeing Ran Yan and her group.

"I am Jing Hui," the leading nun walked up to Ran Yan, pressed her palms together at her chest, and bowed slightly.

"I am Ran Yan of the Ran family, the seventeenth lady; I pay my respects to Reverend Jing Hui," Ran Yan returned the Buddhist greeting.

Jing Hui looked down slightly, "I dare not accept such honor."

After saying this, Jing Hui greeted Xing Wife and Wan Lu as well, and then led everyone up the mountain. Fortunately, the uphill path was not very steep, and the mountain trail was fairly smooth; although the carriage could not pass, the bearers could just about manage to keep up.

Yingmei Temple was situated about fifty meters up the mountain on a semi-protruding plateau. With the courtyard included, the site covered less than half an acre, backed by a steep cliff with woods to the left and right and only one main gate for entry and exit.

Near the main gate was a large bamboo grove, densely planted, reaching straight for the sky like a natural screen, separating Yingmei Temple from the outside world.

The moonlight filtered through the bamboo, and the breeze brought a whispering sound. Accompanied by the faint scent of bamboo, Ran Yan instantly fell in love with the place.

It was so beautiful even in the evening; it must be even more lovely during the day.

"Donor Ran, I have had people prepare a small courtyard in the temple for you to worship Buddha. Yingmei Temple does not attract much devotion, and it is rather simple, I hope Donor Ran will make do," Jing Hui spoke calmly and soothingly, comforting to hear.

"If one is to worship Buddha, sincerity is what matters. Besides, I quite like this place," Ran Yan responded.

Jing Hui glanced out of the corner of her eye at Ran Yan’s face, inwardly skeptical of her words. There had been noble ladies who came to worship Buddha before, but none had ever stayed more than three days.