Miss Truth
Chapter 217 - 138: Residence by the Water

Chapter 217: Chapter 138: Residence by the Water

The Ran residence was located near the Pingjiang River, occupying seventeen acres and consisting of multiple courtyards.

At this moment, the heavy nanmu wood gates stood open, with two rows of grey-clothed servants and turquoise-clad maids at the entrance, accompanied by three flashy concubines, a dozen girls and boys of various ages, and leading them were Ran Wen and Lady Gao. Naturally, Ran Yan did not assume that this grand reception was in her honor as the legitimate daughter; even if it were, it was only a show for Xiao Song’s benefit. Thus, she felt a flicker of impatience watching the tearful façade of Ran Wen.

"Ah Yan!" Ran Wen advanced to take Ran Yan’s hand, choking with emotion, "You’re finally back, Ah Yan! You’ve suffered so much in the nunnery!"

"Father has been too concerned," Ran Yan replied indifferently, quietly withdrawing her hand.

Ran Wen didn’t mind and naturally turned to make pleasantries with Xiao Song, "Lord Xiao, your visit brings great honor to the Ran family!"

Lord Xiao, making such a statement is really too flattering for me. I was alone in Suzhou during the Mid-Autumn Festival, grateful beyond words for not being forsaken by Uncle Ran!" Xiao Song spoke with heartfelt sincerity, without any pretense of pretentiousness. However, he made a careful note of Ran Wen’s attitude toward Ran Yan.

Ran Wen was increasingly joyful, engaging in a lively chat with Xiao Song, till Lady Gao came over with a smile, chiding, "My lord, you really shouldn’t keep our seventeenth young lady and our guest Lord Xiao standing at the door to talk."

"Haha, just look at my temper, come, come, let’s go inside to continue our conversation." As Ran Wen moved to the entrance, he at least didn’t forget Ran Yan, telling the crowd of servants, "Lady Seventeen has been away for two years to recuperate, she must be unfamiliar with the household now, take good care of her!"

"Yes!"

The servants bowed and answered in unison.

A cluster of young girls whispered among themselves, glancing occasionally at Ran Yan’s mask. Ran Yan knew that these were her clan sisters and younger aunts but pretended not to see, as the Ran residence was just a place for her to stay for a few days, and she had no intention of engaging with its social intricacies.

This apparent disregard was taken for arrogance by the others, but after all, she was the legitimate daughter with the backing of a powerful husband’s family; no one dared to blame her. Their attentions were quickly captured by the tall and handsome Xiao Song, and Ran Yan, glancing at them, saw their looks of shy coyness and reluctance to speak, which she found quite pitiable.

After they passed the screen at the entrance, Ran Wen and Xiao Song went to the main hall, while Lady Gao personally led Ran Yan to the courtyard where she had previously lived.

"I had someone clean up the Water Pavilion a month ago, the layout is still as it was before, only everything has been replaced with new items." Lady Gao said with a soft smile, just like in the past, no matter what she did behind the scenes, she never uttered a harsh word face to face.

"Thank you, second mother," Ran Yan said in a flat, unemotional tone, leaving Lady Gao feeling uncertain.

Though her smile never wavered, Lady Gao’s eyes flickered towards Ge Lan for a couple of breaths, her expression becoming somewhat uneasy. She would never forget how this seemingly unambitious young girl had once cornered her, nearly capsizing her boat! But times had changed, and Lady Gao quickly adjusted her mindset and led Ran Yan to the Water Pavilion.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, memories flooded Ran Yan’s mind, causing a momentary dizziness. Her body swayed, and Wan Lu quickly steadied her, asking softly, "Are you feeling unwell, my lady?"

Ran Yan decided to continue acting "unwell," removing her mask and bowing slightly to Lady Gao, "Ah Yan suddenly feels a bit dizzy and cannot attend to second mother, please forgive me."

Ran Yan was not very good at pretending; she could only use silence and calm to mask her true thoughts. Therefore, facing someone like Lady Gao was quite strenuous, and she saw no need to curry favor with her.

After issuing the dismissal, Lady Gao, who understood the situation, turned to give some perfunctory instructions to the maids in the courtyard and then left.

The reeds are lush, and the white dew turns to frost. The one I pine for is on the other side of the water. That’s the origin of the name for the Waterside Residence, chosen by Lady Zheng. One can imagine the hopes and dreams she vested in her daughter.

Wan Lu’s lively nature had changed; there was no excitement or joy upon returning to familiar grounds. Ran Yan offered a light smile, it seemed she wasn’t the only one who disliked certain people in her heart.

Waterside Residence was built at the edge of a pond with a water pavilion extending into it. The pond’s lotuses had withered, leaving only the dry leaves drooping on the water’s surface, along with tall, slender stalks.

Ran Yan instructed servants to move a daybed to the pavilion, where she sat down to admire the scene of wilted lotuses. Relative to her former, excessively idle days, Ran Yan had begun to learn to enjoy life and gained a pair of eyes for spotting beauty.

Maid Xing and others set things down and began to tidy the house again.

Wan Lu took a heavy cape and draped it over Ran Yan, then knelt beside her, expressing her discontent, "Wife, I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but I just can’t hold it in any longer."

Ran Yan accepted the hot tea she was handed, letting the steam waft over her face, "Since when have you learned to beat around the bush? Out with it."

"Your husband doesn’t truly care for you. Your arm is in a sling, obviously wounded, yet he hasn’t asked a single word about it; even the Gao lady at least put on a pretense of concern with a few words!" Wan Lu’s eyes reddened with anger, obviously very upset.

Ran Yan sipped her tea and frowned, "Leave out the orange peel next time."

"Understood. Don’t you have any thoughts on this, Wife?" Wan Lu had been looking forward to returning to the estate, but the moment she saw Ran Wen’s attitude, her heart turned cold, foreseeing that the days ahead would be difficult.

"I’m merely a passerby in the Ran estate, what’s there to care about? After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will be traveling to Chang’an with Tenth Brother. All your indenture contracts are with me, and of course, you will all come with me." Ran Yan said.

"Really?" Wan Lu’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Ran Yan, filled with longing, "Chang’an! I heard there are so many exotic beauties there with golden hair and blue eyes, with skin fairer than snow—I’ve never seen such sights!"

Ran Yan chuckled, "So, you want to go to Chang’an just to look at the beauties?"

"Not at all; there’s no beauty more beautiful than you, Wife. I’m just looking for something new." Wan Lu was so delighted she hardly knew what to do with herself, and she stood up saying, "I’ll go tell Maid Xing and Ge Lan."

"Have Ge Lan come here afterward." Ran Yan decided she needed to ask Ge Lan if she wanted to come with her, for seeking revenge on behalf of the original mistress was Ge Lan’s own wish.

Sitting alone, Ran Yan pulled out an xiao from her sleeve, placing it to her lips to give it a try. She wanted to use this flute as a weapon for self-defense, but if she couldn’t play it, wouldn’t it be strange to carry it everywhere?

The original mistress had a grasp of music, and after Ran Yan tinkered for a while, she managed to produce a tune, albeit a discordant one. Ran Yan sighed: Indeed, she lacked any shred of artistic talent.

Footsteps approached from behind.

Ran Yan turned her head to look, and there was Ge Lan coming with pen, ink, and paper.

"Did you hear?" Ran Yan asked. (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast a recommendation ticket and a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest

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