Miss Truth
Chapter 215 - 137: Returning to Ran Residence

Chapter 215: Chapter 137: Returning to Ran Residence

The so-called "No. 1 Beauty of Suzhou" basically comes from the whims of the students from the State Academy during their idle time.

The criteria for the selection isn’t just based on looks, literacy, virtues, and family background are all essential; in addition, it depends on the number of suitors. Over the years, numerous reputable families from both Jiangnan Road and Huainan Road have sought to marry Qi Liuniang. Yet, they are all local clans and cannot compare to even a fraction of Boling Cui or Lanling Xiao. Both families have simultaneously pursued Ran Yan, causing a huge stir in Suzhou City. The position of "No. 1 Beauty" is currently in a state of uncertainty.

All of this, Ran Yan was originally completely unaware of.

Ran Yunsheng stood at the window, his smile brimming as he closed the shutters, "Yan, have you heard?"

"Mm." Ran Yan responded, kneeling at the table, propping her head up, and looking up at him, "It looks like Brother Ten really dislikes Qi Liuniang, huh? So much schadenfreude."

Ran Yunsheng didn’t deny it, shook out his sleeves, and sat down at another table, "Yan’s marriage has probably been settled as well. As for these empty honors, they’re not of much use. Mr. Sang won’t care about these. As for Qi Liuniang... So many in Chang’an have asked to be her lover under the guise of admiration, she’s no different, even more hypocritical. In my heart, she doesn’t compare to our Ah Yan."

Ran Yan smiled slightly. These words sounded light, but Ran Yan knew that Ran Yunsheng certainly didn’t have it easy. There were all kinds of people in this world; could there be some Noble Lady who would threaten him with power? Even if such matters couldn’t be brought into the light, they must still cause many troubles.

As they spoke, the food was quickly served.

"This restaurant’s mandarin fish stew and golden jellied sea bass are the best in the whole Wu region. Yan, you should really savor them, for once you’re in Chang’an, it will be hard to taste truly fresh mandarin fish and sea bass again," Ran Yunsheng said.

The Waiter, hearing Ran Yunsheng’s praise, joyously responded, "Our establishment’s dishes are certainly worthy of Ran Langjun’s compliment. This mandarin fish and sea bass were fresh deliveries just this noon. Please enjoy your meal."

Ran Yunsheng smiled and joked with the Waiter for a moment before starting to eat.

In front of Xisai Mountain, white egrets fly; among peach blossoms and flowing water, mandarin fish thrive.

The so-called mandarin fish stew is essentially a mandarin fish soup, whose taste can rival that of pufferfish. It particularly likes to hide behind underwater rocks or dense weed clusters, which makes it hard to catch. Now that it’s autumn and winter, mandarin fish hibernate in the deep waters, making them even rarer. This small bowl of mandarin fish stew could almost be traded for a piece of fine silk.

"Spring is the best season to eat mandarin fish. They’re less fatty and more expensive in autumn, but compared to Chang’an, they’re still fresher and more affordable," Ran Yunsheng tasted a few sips, then set down his soup spoon, "In Chang’an, a bowl of mandarin fish stew could sustain an average family for a year."

Even in Suzhou, it wasn’t much cheaper. Ran Yunsheng was good at making money and also good at spending it, but he wasn’t willing to spend a fortune on just anyone. Ran Yan understood his nature, so she didn’t feel inclined to blame him for being lavish.

"This golden jellied sea bass is the epitome of sea bass cooking. Yan, try it, you won’t find such craftsmanship anywhere else," Ran Yunsheng highly recommended, "Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty loved this dish throughout his life."

"Golden jellied sea bass" is not a single dish, but a combination of sea bass with chun soup. The main dish is made from thinly sliced fresh sea bass and water chestnut interspersed with seasoning and sun-dried, with the sea bass being white as jade and the water chestnut golden as gold, hence the name.

The chun soup, dressed in drops of green and purple, with the snowy white sea bass, adorned with various colored vegetables, is delicious, vibrant, and beautiful, greatly beloved by refined scholars and literary men.

This dish has been lost in the modern era. Ran Yan, quite intrigued, watched it for a while before picking up a piece to taste.

Indeed, it lived up to its reputation. Although Ran Yan had tried both Eastern and Western cuisines, she had to sincerely admire, "Brother Ten, I didn’t know about the deliciousness of this dish before. Once I go to Chang’an and start missing it, I’ll blame you."

It was meant as a lighthearted joke, but it stirred a twinge of tenderness in Ran Yunsheng. Which of the Ran Clan’s daughters hadn’t tasted the delight of this dish? Only Ran Yan had eaten it when she was very young, and after so many years, she had long forgotten the taste.

The two laughed and chatted merrily, enjoying their meal immensely.

Ran Yan was just about to put down her chopsticks and take a rest before leaving when the door was suddenly flung open, and the excited voices of several girls came through, one high-pitched voice full of surprise exclaimed, "Brother Ten, it really is you!"

Leading the group was none other than Ran Meiyu, followed by six or seven girls of the same age, with four young gentlemen outside the door. Those few had seemed listless, but upon seeing a glimpse of Ran Yan, their laziness vanished, and they craned their necks eagerly.

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