Miss Truth
Chapter 172 - 110: Rivals Meet

Chapter 172: Chapter 110: Rivals Meet

"Of course, it’s true! Words once spoken by Xiao Song are like water that has been splashed out," Xiao Song could clearly see what she was plotting, "Doesn’t Seventeenth Miss just want me to cancel the marriage proposal? As long as you help Inspector Liu solve the case within five days, your request will naturally be no issue." Xiao Song did have some affection for Ran Yan, but the current situation was not suitable for taking a wife, and he didn’t like Ran Yan to the extent of feeling he must marry her at all cost. Then why drag an innocent wife to decline at his family’s door?

Moreover, it wasn’t Xiao Song who had sent people to propose. He had long been on guard against his grandmother keeping a card up her sleeve, so when he found out that his grandmother had sent four teams to propose, Xiao Song ordered his men to chase and block them. Unexpectedly, his grandmother allowed Shu Niang to bring the betrothal gifts personally. She had already sneaked into Suzhou surreptitiously and proposed on his behalf yesterday.

Xiao Song was already twenty-six this year, turning twenty-seven after the New Year. While other people’s sons were running all over the place, he didn’t even have a woman on his side. His grandmother was so anxious she couldn’t eat or sleep, and as soon as Shu Niang mentioned that Xiao Song seemed a bit different towards Miss Ran Shiqi, she immediately sent people to propose the marriage, not caring at all whether the family’s status was a good match!

Indeed, old ginger is spicier. This time, it was clear that Xiao Song had been outmaneuvered, but as things hadn’t reached their conclusion, regaining the initiative now wasn’t too late.

"I don’t believe you," Ran Yan said with one sentence, angering Xiao Song enough to feel like vomiting blood. His always perfect pretense was somewhat shattered.

He, Xiao Song, had never been such a gentleman! Although he had guessed the outcome, hearing Ran Yan say it outright still provoked a sour feeling in his heart.

Ran Yan, unaware of his thoughts, continued, "Unless, after we go to the Government Office, Inspector Liu testifies and we set up an oath document that you sign and seal."

Xiao Song’s face darkened, wondering when he had ever suffered such insult. Suppressing his rage, he said, "Believe it or not, it’s up to you, marrying you won’t be a loss to me either way."

"Sign or not, it’s up to you. In any case, marrying into your family is nothing but death to me; it’s not a big deal." With these words laid down, Ran Yan asked coldly, "Is it possible to release my maid now?"

With a slight lift of his hand from Xiao Song, Bai Yi and the government soldiers, upon seeing this, let go of both Ge Lan and Wan Lu.

This case wasn’t of much consequence to Xiao Song, and his interest in the details likely stemmed from ulterior motives. For something important, if one takes a single step back, they may well take two, or even three steps back. The conditions that Ran Yan set forth weren’t excessive; making a private agreement and signing a document would not cause him to lose face, just leave a bad taste in his mouth. Xiao Song, having climbed the ranks in officialdom for many years, naturally knew how to weigh the pros and cons, so Ran Yan wagered he would compromise.

"Fine, I agree," he said.

Ran Yan had not walked three steps before Xiao Song called out to her.

An almost imperceptible arch of her brow, Ran Yan stopped and directed Wan Lu, "Bring over the medicine chest I usually use."

Wan Lu sneaked a glance at Xiao Song’s stern face, shrank her neck, and scurried back to Yingmei Temple.

Xiao Song glared at Ran Yan, his eyes already bright now seemed almost aflame. He who wants nothing, fears nothing, and with Ran Yan not even concerned with life or death, he truly had no better way to handle her. He could see that Ran Yan did not care for the wealth or reputation of the Ran family at all; the only thing she cared about was likely her brother, Ran Shilang. Xiao Song had done plenty of sordid things, but didn’t want to threaten her with this.

During the waiting time, Xiao Song had no intention of letting Ran Yan off the hook, "Since we’ve reached an agreement, would Miss Ran Shiqi care to share her thoughts on this case?"

"Is there only one suspect at present?" Since it was an official matter, Ran Yan was absolutely professional, not allowing personal feelings to influence her.

"No, you could say that everyone in Yingmei Temple is a suspect. Compared to Abbess Jing Yuan, I suspect Abbess Jing Hui more," Xiao Song said.

Ran Yan froze for a moment, having not noticed anything suspicious about Abbess Jing Hui, "Why?"

"Her cell is just a short two zhang away from Abbess Jing Yuan’s, and it is said that she was quite skilled at needlework before becoming a nun, though she has done less of it in recent years. However, I have discovered that this information isn’t entirely true; her right index finger bears a recent wound the size of a needle prick. Abbess Jing Yuan’s testimony stated that the shoes were made by her disciple Huan Wu, but compared to previous needlework, one can see a clear difference." Xiao Song laid out his findings one by one and added, "Of course, that Huan Wu is also a suspect; perhaps she feigns incompetence usually. Another suspect is Abbess Jing Hui’s disciple Huan Kong; I heard Abbess Jing Hui often taught her needlework, and the young nun is quite skilled."

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