Miss Truth
Chapter 219 - 139: Bright Moon Over Guanshan_2

Chapter 219: Chapter 139: Bright Moon Over Guanshan_2

"Perhaps it’s best to have Liu Qingsong take a look after all, since he was originally treating the seventeenth lady’s injuries, and he understands the situation quite well," Xiao Song said.

Since Xiao Song had spoken, Ran Wen found it difficult to object. Although Xiao Song’s tone seemed consultative, it carried an unquestionable authority. Ran Wen felt that the Xiao family’s doctor’s medical skills must be no less than those of the Imperial Physician. After some pleasantries, he said, "Then I must trouble you, my talented nephew."

Ran Yan glanced at Xiao Song, noting how in just a few sentences he had shifted from Assistant Minister Xiao to Mister Xiao, and in a blink, he was now regarded as the talented nephew! She suspected that after a couple more days, even the term "Xiao" might be dropped.

"By the way, what were you discussing earlier, Ah Yan? To kill a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred of our own is the worst strategy, then what would be the best strategy?" Ran Yunsheng was still quite interested in this matter.

"Prepare the seats," Ran Yan ordered Ge Lan, then turned to respond, "It’s merely playful talk, Brother Ten should not take it to heart."

Ran Wen chuckled and said, "Exactly, what insight can a lady of the house have? She must have read it from some book, just random nonsense really."

Ran Yunsheng sighed inwardly, thinking that for someone as incapable of recognizing true merit and as narrow-minded as his uncle to hold the position of family head, it was merely due to the term "legitimate"; if this continued, the Ran family would eventually fade from the ranks of the prestigious families.

Seeing that Ran Yan did not wish to answer, Xiao Song’s gaze fell on the flute in her hands, "Was that the flute music I heard from afar earlier? Did you play that tune?"

Ran Yan’s lips twitched—could that even be called a tune? So she said, "I’ve just taken an interest recently, I’m not yet skilled."

Xiao Song explained, "Playing the flute requires proper breathing, flexible fingers, the ability to control the air vents flexibly with the lips, and adjust the breath, while the tongue also needs to be versatile, simply blowing air will naturally not produce a good tune."

Ran Yan looked down at the flute in her hands; she had never thought learning an instrument was simple, but she had not expected it to be so complex. She raised her hand and offered the flute to him, "You play, let me listen."

Ran Wen’s expression changed slightly as he chided softly, "Ah Yan, how can you be so impolite."

Xiao Song smiled faintly as he took the flute, "Uncle Ran, do not blame Seventeenth Lady, Sang Suiyuan and I both greatly appreciate her straightforwardness; Sang Suiyuan is truly captivated by it!"

As he spoke, he did not wait for Ran Wen’s response, tested the flute by his lips, then unexpectedly proceeded into the main melody.

Ran Wen was still digesting Xiao Song’s words, sensing their underlying meaning: essentially, Sang Suiyuan likes your daughter precisely for her forthrightness; changing it might make Sang Suiyuan lose interest.

Ran Yan glanced at Xiao Song, fully aware that his words had spared her much trouble.

The flute already bore an ethereal and desolate tone, and the melody was expansive, akin to being deep in mountains or entering a quiet valley, with a profound sense of bold desolation and distance.

Xiao Song’s gaze was lowered, his sharply defined features softened, yet his presence was undiminished, analogous to the expansive melody he played—it was overall gentle yet boundlessly vast. It seemed as if one could see the endlessly varied, majestic scenes beyond the frontier.

Man and music became one, peeling away all pretenses, calculations, and insidiousness; Xiao Song, like a robust pine growing from a high cliff, appeared ancient, tenacious, and upright.

High buildings on this night, sighs should not yet be at rest!

The sound of the flute ceased, yet it lingered long, captivating and endlessly fascinating.

"Bright moon arises over Heavenly Mountain, between the vast clouds and sea. Long wind travels tens of thousands of miles, crossing over Yumen Pass. Han travels down the White Ascension Trail, barbarians peering across Qinghai Bay. Lands of war and strife see no one return." Ran Yan’s mind involuntarily conjured up this poem, couldn’t help but praise such a wonderful tune.

Ran Yan’s voice, cool and measured, recited this poem of lofty style and grand vision, "Guanshan Moon", enhanced by the haunting music Xiao Song had just played, causing everyone to fall silent for a moment before Ran Yunsheng excitedly clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Wonderful music, wonderful poem!"

Xiao Song handed the flute back to Ran Yan, his expression contemplative.

"Assistant Minister Xiao once served in the military at the frontier, thus he deeply resonates with this "Guanshan Moon," understanding its spirit is expected, but Ah Yan has never been to the frontier, yet she could produce such an extraordinary poem! My Ah Yan is truly a rare genius!" Ran Yunsheng excitedly pulled Ran Yan to sit down on the newly spread felt mat.

Xiao Song recollected his thoughts, his gaze resting on the hands Ran Yunsheng and Ran Yan held together; a sourness bubbled up inside him, and that phrase "my Ah Yan" caused a momentary stiffness on his usually slightly smiling face.

"Brother Ten, do not praise me too highly; this poem is..." Ran Yan looked up and saw Liu Qingsong coming over unsteadily with a large box, then continued, "it was recited by Dr. Liu Qingsong, who said it was written by a gentleman named Li Bai."

The so-called leading trouble away with her few words led to Liu Qingsong barely stepping into the Water Pavilion before he was questioned by Ran Yunsheng about this matter, with Xiao Song also very interested in knowing when Liu Qingsong might have recited this poem to Ran Yan privately.

""Guanshan Moon"? Li Bai?" Liu Qingsong was completely confused, but after glancing at Ran Yan, he knew she had accidentally caused some trouble and immediately slapped his thigh, launching into a spitfire telling of Li Bai’s exploits, "Li Bai’s father was named Li Ke, from Longxi, his father was a merchant on the frontier, I met him by chance once, this man was extraordinarily brilliant..."

Liu Qingsong’s tongue was silver, speaking without restraint, soon digressing to the Tang royal family. Listening, Ran Yan felt he might expose himself if he continued, and quickly cleared her throat, slowly saying, "Ge Lan, bring in the tea, no extra spices in mine."(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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