Miss Truth
Chapter 225 - 142: Do Not Listen to What Is Inappropriate_2

Chapter 225: Chapter 142: Do Not Listen to What Is Inappropriate_2

"Yes," came a compliant response as she followed Ran Wen.

Xiao Song chose a moment and whispered to Ran Yan, "After the greetings, look for an opportune moment to take your leave."

Ran Yan nodded but wasn’t sure if she could wait for the right moment.

The three of them walked into a small room shielded by a twelve-paneled screen. Ran Yan briefly looked around and saw that everyone present was a man between thirty and sixty years old, seemingly gathering to discuss current politics and literature.

As soon as Xiao Song entered, everyone stood up to greet him.

"Elders, please, there’s no need for such courtesy. You flatter me too much, please be seated," Xiao Song hurriedly returned their bows.

His demeanor made the old foxes in the official circles feel both comforted and disappointed. Comforted because such a high-ranking official, an Assistant Minister of Ministry of Criminal Justice, known as "Chang’an’s harbinger of worries," was so polite and spoke so kindly to them. Disappointed because the moment familial seniority was established, it limited the topics for the evening’s conversation; they couldn’t involve official politics—a tacit rule among court officials.

After they exchanged pleasantries, Ran Wen introduced the members of the Ran Clan to Ran Yan.

During this time, almost everyone noticed the injury on Ran Yan’s arm and expressed their concerns. Whether sincere or not, the differences between genuine and feigned interest were clear, making Ran Yan wonder what Ran Wen’s reason was for disliking Zheng Clan and her.

Before long, Xiao Song started a conversation about recent outstanding articles in Chang’an and the scholars and literati of Jiangnan Road. It turned the gathering into a cultural discussion, making Ran Yan feel somewhat out of place.

Taking this opportunity, Ran Yan bid farewell to everyone, leading Wan Lu and Ge Lan quickly back to the Water Pavilion along a narrow path, giving no chance to those who were either curious or looking for trouble.

While walking through the path to the Water Pavilion, sudden laughter and voices of young men could be heard from a pavilion.

"The smile of Ran Shiqi truly captures the heart. If Qi Liuniang could also smile, no doubt she would be no less charming," sighed one of the young men.

Another added, "Speaking of which, it’s rather pitiful. They say ever since her birth mother died, she’s been unable to smile, not removing her mourning attire for eight years...Do you think Qi Liuniang’s mother was tragically killed? That she witnessed it with her own eyes? Otherwise, the trauma wouldn’t be so profound."

Yet another said, "There might be some truth in that. Ran Shiqi lost her mother at a young age and rarely smiled since then. Could she also have witnessed her mother’s death? Or perhaps... it was the stepmother..."

"One mustn’t speak recklessly, don’t speak recklessly!"

The others quickly silenced him in unison.

Ran Yan passed by as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

The people in the pavilion, hearing the footsteps, immediately fell silent, each feeling the awkwardness of being caught. But seeing that Ran Yan appeared completely unaware, they breathed a sigh of relief, thinking perhaps she had only just passed by.

Ge Lan and Wan Lu felt somewhat embarrassed. Reaching the courtyard of the Water Pavilion, Wan Lu remarked, "Wife, you listen around corners so nonchalantly, it scared those men as if they had guilty consciences."

"Shouldn’t they have guilty consciences?" Ran Yan replied indifferently.

Were they to gossip together, should she have to sneak around to walk the path that she was supposed to take?

"But when we studied the classics, didn’t the sage say, ’Do not look at what is contrary to propriety; do not listen to what is contrary to propriety’? Besides, everyone else listens in hiding," Wan Lu scratched her head, recalling the sage’s words.

"The sage also said, ’Do not speak of what is contrary to propriety; do not act against propriety.’ If they dare to discuss such things in public, why shouldn’t I dare to listen?" Ran Yan understood the nuances of human relationships. She had encountered awkward situations where she inadvertently stumbled upon other people’s gossip before. Of course, the ones embarrassed were always others, while Ran Yan always stood her ground.

"That being said..." Wan Lu struggled to find words to refute, but wasn’t it common for people to hide their actions, or if really provoked, to confront those gossiping?

Ran Yan’s act of simply "passing by" was truly baffling to most.

Upon returning to her bedroom, Ran Yan’s gaze was immediately captured by the sight: a water-pink colored canopy, light pink and white gauze, and even the bead curtains were dyed red, swaying gently under the soft light, casting dazzling reflections.

Ran Yan had sat at the Water Pavilion since she returned to the estate. It was her first time entering the bedroom. She had a hard time imagining herself sleeping in such a dreamy room, but her heart couldn’t feel happy! The overwhelming pink made her feel suffocated.

"Wife, this Mrs. Gao has truly put in effort; all the items are of excellent quality and to the Wife’s liking," praised the Maid as she finished tidying up everything, happy that the Ran Family hadn’t neglected Ran Yan.

Ran Yan composed herself, thinking that since it wasn’t a permanent stay, it didn’t have to be to her liking. After all, it wasn’t like a knife on her flesh, and demanding to change the pink canopy at this point might just cause Mrs. Gao to think she was deliberately causing trouble.

Ran Yan sat down in front of the dressing table, allowing Wan Lu to help her remove her makeup.

Just as they finished, a Maid came to report that Shilang had arrived.

Wan Lu pouted, "Shilang didn’t bother about the Wife earlier... It’s a good thing Assistant Minister Xiao came to ease the situation."

Ran Yan felt compelled to speak fairly, "Shilang’s status is different from Assistant Minister Xiao’s. If Assistant Minister Xiao slighted others, perhaps no one would take it to heart because his status is exceptional. Shilang is different..."

"It’s hard for me to be so understanding of me," said Ran Yunsheng’s voice from outside the canopy.

Ran Yan put on a satin dress and got up to greet him. There stood Ran Yunsheng, dressed in light brown brocade finery, his face fair as jade, hair smooth as satin, his eyes curving into a smile, "Did Ah Yun bring over the orchid green hairpin?"

Ran Yan paused, hearing the implication in Ran Yunsheng’s words that he had intended to send only one set of orchid green hairpins, yet the other two cloud hairpins were also clearly valuable...

"They were brought over," Ran Yan answered and then turned to Wan Lu, "Take out the cloud hairpins."

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)