Miss Truth
Chapter 224 - 142: Do Not Eavesdrop on Others

Chapter 224: Chapter 142: Do Not Eavesdrop on Others

The banquet hall was brightly lit with lights crisscrossing each other. The so-called "welcome banquet" had obviously been underway for quite some time.

Recently, the customs in Jiangnan had gradually become more open, yet the wives still wore masks when going out, just like in Chang’an during parties. The room was full of brightly dressed women with fluttering sleeves, laughter filling the air, among whom Xiao Song, Ran Yunsheng, and Qi Liuniang were particularly eye-catching.

Xiao Song wore a deep purple, round-necked regular attire, his sleeves embroidered with gold and silver thread forming a floral pattern, his ink-black hair tied up, his features handsome, and his laughter carried the heartiness typical of people from the North, instantly overshadowing the gentler scholars.

Ran Yan stood at the entrance of the hall and surveyed the room before stepping in.

Before the others noticed her, she quickly walked towards Ran Yunsheng. In this entire room, she was sure that only a few people would not avoid her; Xiao Song was the center of everyone’s attention, and naturally, Ran Yan did not wish to go there, nor did Ran Yunsheng, so she found an empty spot near Ran Yunsheng and sat down.

Xiao Song had noticed Ran Yan the moment she entered the room, and after exchanging pleasantries, he observed that Ran Yan was still sitting quietly alone. By then, many had noticed her presence, yet no one approached her; they simply whispered and pointed at her from afar. Ran Yan’s expression remained cold, her injured arm in a sling, with her other hand rubbing the rim of her cup.

Xiao Song felt a tightening in his chest and quickly concluded his current conversation, standing up and walking towards Ran Yan.

With his approach, more and more people noticed Ran Yan, and the expressions of the crowd varied.

Ran Yan felt extremely frustrated inside; she loathed being treated like an animal on display. Whether the looks in people’s eyes were of contempt, awe, or fear, they all made her feel as if she was covered in uncomfortable spikes.

Forget about ancient times; even in modern times, many people would maintain a two-meter safety distance upon hearing about her profession. During her matchmaking experiences, many had excused themselves abruptly after learning of her job; how many men would want to spend their days with a woman who often dissected corpses! Fortunately, it was the Tang Dynasty; otherwise, a woman like her would most likely have been drowned in rumors or tied up and burned. Ran Yan reassured herself in this manner.

She looked down, her fingertips tracing the edge of the cup, causing slight ripples in the drink. Suddenly, a slender hand picked up her cup, and Ran Yan looked up to see Xiao Song placing a glass of plum juice in front of her, his eyes carrying a gentle smile.

"Drink this," Xiao Song said.

Due to her ongoing medication, Ran Yan could not drink tea or liquor, and she also had not planned to stay long at the banquet, hence had not asked her maid to bring water.

"Thank you," Ran Yan said with a light smile.

This heartfelt smile, warm and melting like ice, suddenly made those who had been secretly observing them freeze in place, enhancing the exquisite beauty on Ran Yan’s face, making her seem vibrantly beautiful and breath-taking.

Xiao Song’s heart skipped several beats, and he finally understood why King Zhou of Shang lit the beacon fires to prank the lords just for a beauty’s smile.

At that moment, Ran Wen finally noticed Ran Yan’s presence and after greeting a few nearby scholars, he walked over.

"Ran Yan is here!" Ran Wen smiled warmly at her, his demeanor fatherly, "Come with your dad to greet some of your uncles."

Turning to Xiao Song, he said, "Nephew Xiao, why don’t you join us too?"

Ran Wen’s relatives held official positions, the highest being only a Fifth Rank, and they were lower-level officials stationed elsewhere. Even a Fourth Rank local officer couldn’t compare to Xiao Song’s Fourth Rank in the capital, which is why, although Liu Pinrang was of the same rank as Xiao Song, he always felt somewhat inferior.

Xiao Song did not like interacting with other officials at banquets outside his colleagues’, but as he glanced sideways at Ran Yan, he quickly responded with a warm smile, "If uncle says so, I naturally obey."

His words clearly established his stance, owing Ran Wen a favor, while also indicating that he was joining the elders for a chat as a junior, unrelated to official matters.

Ran Wen clearly understood, but his main intention today was for everyone to get to know each other better, regardless of their roles.

Ran Wen thought this because he didn’t fully understand Xiao Song’s character. Xiao Song was the type who clearly separated personal matters from official duties, willing to make concessions only when he deemed the situation truly necessary. Otherwise, even if his father, Duke Song, intervened, he would not be the least bit accommodating.

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