Miss Truth
Chapter 192 - 122: Chang’an Gui Jianchou_2

Chapter 192: Chapter 122: Chang’an Gui Jianchou_2

After all, it was a matter for a lifetime, and Ran Pingyu did not press too hard, only smiling as he said, "Getting married is a joyous affair, Ah Yan, you shouldn’t look so helpless; it makes your third uncle worried. The marriage will likely be settled in the next few days, as the elders of the Ran clan are anxious. Once it’s decided, you will go to Chang’an with your third uncle to have fun, and prepare for the wedding upon returning, or perhaps you can even get married directly from Chang’an."

The future that Ran Pingyu portrayed truly seemed wonderful; indeed, it would be a beautiful affair if one were marrying someone they loved.

The two talked for a while longer, and after Ran Pingyu had his servants bring in the gifts they brought, he led his men and left.

Ran Yan sat in the pavilion, watching as the group of people grew smaller in the distance, yet she did not snap back to reality for a long time.

Wan Lu wanted to remind Ran Yan, but Ge Lan tugged at her and wrote on her palm, "Wife is upset, go fetch the cloak."

After glancing at Ran Yan’s slightly furrowed brows, Wan Lu listened to Ge Lan’s words and ran back to get the cloak.

As night fell, the Government Official guarding the entrance of Yingmei Temple lit the lanterns, and the dim light shone through the bamboo forest, casting shadows into the pavilion. Watching the mist emerge from her own breath, Ran Yan felt a slight calming of the coldness around her.

If Ran Yan knew someone meant her harm, or pressured her, she could simply resort to killing to silence them, but now the entire Ran clan was pressuring her; she surely wouldn’t exterminate all of the Ran clan over this matter, or kill Sang Chen and Xiao Song, would she?

At this moment, Ran Yan felt utterly helpless. However, since everything depended on human effort, she would never give up, even at the end—that was Ran Yan’s customary way of handling matters.

She would think about it some more...

Wan Lu returned out of breath, passed the lantern to Ge Lan, and unwrapped the cloak to drape it over Ran Yan’s shoulders.

The deep purple brocade patterned with discreet flowers, and a large ring of black marten fur around the neck, made Ran Yan’s coldly beautiful face look even more noble and chilly.

In the black night among the bamboo groves, a lantern emitting a yellow-orange light illuminated this small area. Ran Yan leaned against the railing, showing no intention of going back for a long time.

As Wan Lu thought about the injuries on Ran Yan’s body, she could not help it and was about to speak, when she heard a magnetic voice coming up the path, "It is late at night with heavy dew, why is Seventeenth Lady still out here?"

Ran Yan turned around and saw Xiao Song in a purple wide-sleeved robe with his hair loosely hanging down, standing with his hands behind him on the stone path, slightly frowning at her—the handsome face vaguely different from what she usually saw.

"Xiao Sir," Ran Yan saw him and merely called out indifferently, showing no intention to rise and greet him.

Seeing her like this, Xiao Song couldn’t help but laugh and say, "It seems I have not offended Seventeenth Lady recently, so why the anger upon seeing me?"

Ran Yan was slightly startled, because she had just been discussing marriage with Ran Pingyu, and seeing Xiao Song did make her somewhat displeased, but had he not mentioned it, she would not have even noticed her own annoyance.

Thinking of Xiao Song’s assistance, Ran Yan rose and bowed to him, "It was my lapse, please forgive me, Xiao Sir."

Xiao Song noticed her slightly reddened nose and quickly averted his gaze, saying, "It’s nothing, I was presumptuous. The night deepens, and the air grows colder and wetter; Seventeenth Lady should head back soon."

He slightly nodded in greeting, and seeing Ran Yan had nothing else to say, he turned and continued up the stone steps.

Ran Yan watched his erect figure and suddenly called out, "Xiao Sir."

Xiao Song suddenly halted his steps and turned back to wait for her to continue speaking. Ran Yan paused for a moment and said, "Thank you, Sir Xiao, for your righteous assistance."

"Righteous, huh..." Xiao Song murmured repeatedly, then immediately added, "Things can be done once or twice, but not thrice. Lady Seventeen should understand this."

"Thank you for your advice, Sir Xiao." Ran Yan bowed slightly.

Xiao Song nodded again, turned, and walked upwards. When a few government officials at the entrance of Yingmei Temple saw Xiao Song approaching, they immediately bowed with folded hands. He whispered something, and a government official quickly ran down.

Ran Yan suddenly remembered that Xiao Song had once said if she helped Inspector Liu solve this case, he would grant her two requests. Even if saving Su Fu counted as one, there was still another left!

"Sir Xiao." Ran Yan called out to him again.

Xiao Song stopped and said, "Lady Seventeen, please speak."

"If you are not too busy, could we talk?" Ran Yan said.

Xiao Song’s lips curved slightly, "Busy, yet can afford to be not busy."

Saying so, he walked slowly down the stairway and turned into the pavilion, his bright eyes carrying a faint smile.

Wan Lu and Ge Lan stepped back a few paces. Only the two of them remained in the pavilion. Ran Yan thought for a moment and felt it was too direct to cut to the chase, so she decided to approach the subject gradually, "Does my injury from the case count as a work-related injury?"

Xiao Song looked at her calm expression with amused eyes and subtly raised his eyebrows, "A work-related injury?"

"Injured on duty." Ran Yan hastily explained and continued, "I wonder if Assistant Minister Xiao remembers mentioning that after solving the case, you promised me two favors. Although the case has not yet been solved, I have been diligently applying myself. Now I would like to discuss my requests with you in advance. That would not be too presumptuous, would it?"

"Hmm, proceed." Xiao Song regarded her leisurely.

Ran Yan said, "I would like to ask you, Sir Xiao, to engage with me for now and call off the engagement later when things simmer down." Seeing his obviously astonished expression, she hurriedly explained, "I am aware that marriage is not a trivial matter. What I am suggesting... might seem unfair to you..."

"Heh." Xiao Song watched her trying to maintain composure while hurriedly explaining and could not help but laugh.

Laughter tinged with complex emotions made it hard for Ran Yan to discern his feelings.

"So this is what has been troubling you." Xiao Song stood up, pondered for a moment and said, "Engage with me... it seems Sang Suiyuan is really not to your liking! Or is it that you actually have someone else in mind?"

Although Xiao Song asked this, he did not intend to receive an answer from Ran Yan, simply smiling, "Rest assured, this matter will turn out as you wish."

Ran Yan stared at him in astonishment, understanding from his words that there was no need to engage with him or Sang Chen, "You have already resolved it?"

"Well, strictly speaking, half of it is still unresolved. I will take some time tomorrow to visit the Ran household; no need to worry." Although Xiao Song said this, his expression revealed no emotion of concern.

Ran Yan nodded, remembering he had previously mentioned that the marriage proposal was initiated by Elder Lady Xiao, and he might not like her either. He probably just wanted to help her out of a tough situation, but he wouldn’t assist without any reason, "Why do you want to help me like this?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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