Miss Truth
Chapter 161 - 103: Invaluable

Chapter 161: Chapter 103: Invaluable

Ran Yan knew that Sang Chen dared to propose not because he came from a prestigious family; he never considered himself part of the wealthy Boling Cui clan. Knowing this, Ran Yan really wanted to grab his collar and loudly ask him what was going on in that unhinged mind of his?

"That idiot!" Ran Yan was so frustrated that she couldn’t help but curse angrily, "All he knows how to give is an inkstone! Coming to propose with the Shipan inkstone as if I were some kind of object!"

No one present understood what "that idiot" meant, but they could all see that Ran Yan was very displeased.

Ran Yunsheng thought Ran Yan was dissatisfied because Sang Chen was neglectful, so he quickly explained, "The clay inkstone handmade by Mr. Sang is priceless in the market. In Chang’an City, it commands a price of thousands of guan. Presenting the Shipan clay inkstone as a betrothal gift is indeed very valuable."

Xing Niang and others were so shocked by Ran Yunsheng’s words that they momentarily paused, and then their eyebrows lit up with joy.

Xing Niang happily said, "Did the gentleman agree? Old servant sees Mr. Sang as a man of good character and appearance. Originally, I thought he was only from an average background, not expecting him to be the direct descendant of the Boling Cui clan’s sixth room. This is indeed a family to be grasped with urgency."

Wan Lu and Xing Niang bombarded Ran Yunsheng with questions, with Ge Lan also cheerfully joining in, leaving Ran Yan, whose face was turning an iron blue, coldly on the sidelines.

Thinking of spending the rest of her life with such a man made Ran Yan so suffocated she felt like vomiting blood. Having to face him every day would undoubtedly shorten her life by decades.

"My uncle didn’t rush to agree," Ran Yunsheng said.

Xing Niang, Wan Lu, and Ge Lan looked bewildered. The Boling Cui clan! Even Ran Yan was slightly surprised, thinking Ran Wen must be insane not to agree.

Xing Niang frowned, "Could the gentleman be so partial? Is he thinking of marrying off Ran Shiqi?"

Ran Yan suddenly felt energized. She had not expected Sang Chen, with his indecisive demeanor, to act so decisively. He just blushed twice, and there he was, daring to propose on his own. The more she thought about it, the more she felt it impossible to communicate with such a multidimensional person. Images flashed through her mind; him at a 45-degree angle sniffing flowers, him fainting with rolled-back eyes, him arguing stubbornly, him hesitating to speak, him alternating between wanting to stop and wanting to say more, his face of innocence listening but missing the main point...

Ran Yan felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, furrowing her brows and asking, "Where is he now?"

Ran Yan thought over and over, convinced she had never led him on in any ambiguous way, and wondered which wire got crossed for him to suddenly propose. She really wanted to go and ask him at once if anything was wrong, pledging that she would definitely change her ways and reform thoroughly!

Ran Yan had never been so unsettled, even when she was betrothed to Qin Silang; back then, she just thought of simply crippling him with some drugs, but this time she couldn’t restrain herself. She truly feared that one day he would drive her mad, and she might actually kill and dismember someone.

As night began to fall over Suzhou City.

The Ran residence was brightly lit. Ran Wen, having learned of Sang Chen’s identity from Ran Pingyu, couldn’t contain his joy and insisted that he stay for the evening banquet.

The music of strings and bamboo floated through the air as cups clinked amidst the gathering; almost all members of the Ran family had arrived, filling the room to the brim. Ran Wen, having been greatly embarrassed by Ran Yan’s work as a forensic doctor in front of the clan elders, had his influence somewhat diminished. The sudden marriage proposal from the Cui family of Boling caught him both shocked and overjoyed, which he naturally publicized extensively. Ran Wen tried hard to hide the ecstasy in his heart and turned his head to nod slightly towards Sang Chen.

Sang Chen immediately bowed in response. Such courtesy made Ran Wen gain more face and he truly wished he could immediately take Sang Chen to the Government Office to register the marriage. However, for the dignity of the Ran family, this matter still had to be discussed solemnly and seriously to show that they were also very reserved and actually indifferent about reaching upward to the Cui family of Boling.

Compared to Ran Wen, Lady Gao’s smile was more amiable and kindly. She inquired about Sang Chen’s well-being without showing any timidity despite facing a clan of high status. However, only she knew what she truly thought, and certainly, it was not pleasant. She had treated Ran Yan with such indifference over the years, how could it benefit her if Ran Yan truly married into the Cui family? This matter required careful consideration.

"Master Sui Yuan seeing such potential in my daughter Ran Yan truly is her good fortune," Ran Wen sighed. "Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to Yingmei Temple to ask about her feelings. Considering Master Sui Yuan is a talent that appears once in a century, Ran Yan will surely be pleased. However, as her father, I cannot make this decision entirely on her behalf... I hope you understand, Mr. Sang..." Ran Wen praised Sang Chen’s talents but deliberately did not mention the Cui family, making it clear he esteemed him, and it was certainly not because of his family’s high status.

Sang Chen bowed deeply and said, "You are right, such significant matters should consider the wishes of Miss Ran Shiqi. Being of humble origin, with a poor family background and no official position, I am truly honored by your consideration, although I do not deserve it."

Sang Chen blushed with embarrassment; today, he had indeed used up all the courage he had saved during the first half of his life.

Ran Wen was momentarily stunned, then felt that Sang Chen was merely being modest and did not take his words seriously, "Master Sui Yuan has topped the imperial examinations multiple times, a truly unprecedented achievement. To speak so lowly of oneself is really too modest."

The people around them agreed, saying, "Indeed, indeed."

Sang Chen returned the courtesies to everyone, saying, "I dare not, I dare not."

Ran Wen, stroking his beard and smiling, looked at Sang Chen as if to say: Pretend all you like, young man.

Ran Pingyu sat at a prestigious spot to the right, slowly savoring his wine. In the Tang Dynasty, the left was favored during celebratory events, and the right during mourning; under such circumstances, the seat to the upper right was considered quite respectable. As a merchant, occupying this seat among his kinsfolk who only coveted his wealth but despised him at heart, he seldom spoke unless necessary. He was both a disgrace and a pillar for the Ran family.

With Ran Pingyu’s discerning eye, he felt that Sang Chen’s words were not merely an act of modesty. However, members from great families always managed a facade well. He dared not make a hasty judgment. Observing the young man’s characters, who seemed kind and loyal, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if Ran Yan married him.

Thinking this, Ran Pingyu did not step forward to test the waters; there would be plenty of opportunities to do so after today, no need to upset his elder brother.

The atmosphere was joyful and the conversation lively here, while on the outskirts of the city, halfway up the mountain, Ran Yan was nearly at her breaking point.

"Brother Shiqi, I..." Just as Ran Yan began to speak, she was interrupted by Ran Yunsheng, "Ran Yan, Brother can see that you have no affection for Master Sui Yuan, but as your brother, I must advise you out of duty. With such family background and extraordinary talent, and moreover leading a clean life, unlike those nobles who indulge in lewd activities, not one of them is reliable, just look at Qin Silang! Mr. Sui Yuan is indeed a rare gem. You mustn’t act rashly and should treasure what is before you."

Ran Yan’s irritation eased a little. She sat back on the porch watching Madam Xing cry with joy. Ge Lan and Wan Lu stared at her with shining eyes, and even Xiaoman seemed very happy... which made her wonder if she had remained unmarried in her past life because she had been too demanding? (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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