Miss Truth
Chapter 227 - 143: Dispute_2

Chapter 227: Chapter 143: Dispute_2

"You!" Ran Meiyu gritted her teeth, "Get up! There is only one legitimate Lady in the Ran family, and that is my mother. My mother has only one daughter, and that’s me. What exactly do you think you are!"

Ran Meiyu’s voice wasn’t loud, but everyone nearby could hear her clearly.

Lady Gao also noticed the standoff between the two and frowned slightly before she promptly rose and walked over. She was very clear on what sort of person her own daughter was.

Ran Meiyu was not stupid, but she was very impulsive. If Xiao Song had not been there today, she might have endured this grievance for the time being. However, she had to let Xiao Song know that she was the only legitimate daughter of the Ran family!

No sooner had Lady Gao taken two steps than Ran Yan suddenly stood up, and with a swift motion, she slapped Ran Meiyu’s delicate face, speaking in an even tone, "Lady Ran Shiba, since you consider yourself the legitimate daughter of the Ran family, please behave as such. Even village women do not use the foul language you just did!"

These words and that slap left everyone in the banquet hall dumbfounded. Ran Meiyu looked at Ran Yan incredulously; she had always been the pearl cherished by her parents. Who in Suzhou City would dare to touch a single hair on her head?

"Ayan, you are the legitimate daughter of the Ran family. Even if you dislike Meiyu, you should still consider the Ran family’s reputation," Lady Gao quickly approached, speaking not too loud but loud enough for everyone nearby to hear clearly.

Ran Yan didn’t pay much heed to the family’s reputation, but, of course, she couldn’t say that outright, so in a voice of equal volume, she retorted, "I wouldn’t dare claim that. Lady Ran Shiba was just questioning what I am and on what grounds I have the right to sit here. I’ve grown used to being in the countryside and haven’t quite grasped the etiquette. It’s good that you have arrived, Second Lady, so you can explain it to me thoroughly, lest I remain unaware of the proper hierarchy and sit in the wrong place next time!"

Ran Yan emphasized the words "unaware of the proper hierarchy" heavily, her gaze unwavering as she stared directly into Lady Gao’s eyes.

Lady Gao’s heart skipped a beat. She had had little to do with Ran Yan and based only on a few meetings had felt that Ran Yan had changed from before. But how could a person’s demeanor undergo such a drastic shift? If this had been the Ran Yan of the past, she would have likely smoothed things over already, but now not only did she dare to talk back, but there was an implied intention to embarrass her.

"Meiyu has been overindulged by me, unlike Ayan who is more sensible," Lady Gao paused for a moment in blankness before plastering a kindly smile on her face and then rebuking Ran Meiyu, "You’re so grown and still quarreling with your sister! Go and sit properly!"

Ran Meiyu pursed her lips as tears whirled in her eyes, her stubborn demeanor suggestive of a refusal to give in, but under Lady Gao’s oppressive gaze, she gradually relented, replying resentfully, "Yes."

Ran Meiyu clenched her fists tightly, sitting down beside Ran Yan in utter humiliation. She couldn’t accept it, absolutely couldn’t! Ran Yan’s mere existence was a great thorn in her life; with Ran Yan’s appearance, she had to face humiliation at all times. How could she possibly stay calm?

The people in the banquet hall could hardly contain their laughter; Ran Meiyu had always been tyrannical, and her siblings in the clan had often suffered her temper. The scene before them now was immensely satisfying.

Lady Gao, pulling Ran Yan aside, offered apologies and sweet-talked her. Ran Yan had no interest in making a spectacle of herself for others to watch, so she did not hold on to the matter.

Ge Lan and Wan Lu, along with the many wives and young masters’ maids, stood at the back by the wall, waiting for the banquet to disperse. Watching Ran Yan stand her ground without a hint of retreat, Ge Lan felt her eyes moisten slightly; even though she knew this was not the same Ran Yan, she still felt a sense of relief in her heart.

Wan Lu had no other thoughts except feeling extremely refreshed.

The banquet itself was tedious, but the Mid-Autumn banquet during the Tang Dynasty entailed much more attention to detail, with unique dishes like "mooncakes," which were all very novel to Ran Yan.

Aside from a small disturbance at the beginning, the banquet proceeded peacefully.

Once the family banquet concluded, the younger generation was free to invite one or two friends to go out and play. Today was not just a night market at Pingjiang River, but also East Market was specially open. Such opportunities only occurred twice a year, once during the Lantern Festival and again during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Ran Yunsheng had arranged early on to visit the area around Pingjiang with Ran Yan, and he left the mansion immediately after the banquet ended.

Xiao Song stood at the entrance of the Ran residence, watching the shadow of the departing carriage, his dark eyes showing a touch of desolation.

Indeed, the journey was long and obstructed!

Disappointment lingered but for a moment; Xiao Song was always a man of action. Rather than wallow in self-pity here, it was better to do something concrete.

"Master Xiao." Ran Meiyu had been watching Xiao Song for a while. His tall stature, handsome features were secondary; unconsciously, Xiao Song exuded a compelling presence that Ran Meiyu, who had always lived in Jiangnan, had never seen before.

Xiao Song nodded slightly, "Lady Ran Shiba needs not be overly courteous."

Ran Meiyu’s cheeks flushed slightly, wanting to look at him yet not daring to, "Master, are you heading to Pingjiang River? I am very familiar with Suzhou, why don’t I act as your guide?"

A slight smile formed on Xiao Song’s lips, seemingly happy, yet his words were sharp as a knife’s edge, "Lady Ran Shiba is of noble status, I dare not trouble you. There must be no shortage of those in Suzhou City willing to guide me; please excuse me."

Xiao Song bowed courteously and turned to walk southward. Soon a carriage approached from the opposite direction, with Liu Qingsong sitting beside the charioteer. Glancing at Ran Meiyu standing on the mansion’s steps, he wore an ambiguous smile, "Jiulang, hehehe... Rarely does a beauty offer herself, why not cherish it?"

Xiao Song yanked him off the carriage and leaped on.

The bamboo curtain swayed. Before Liu Qingsong could climb on, Xiao Song said, "Let’s go."

The coachman, from the Xiao Family, was very familiar with Xiao Song’s temperament and didn’t dare delay, immediately making a turn.

Liu Qingsong chased after the carriage, panting, "Jiulang, leave me here and you’ll miss out! I, Liu Qingsong, am a friend to women, and don’t you want to know about ’Guanshan Yue’? And aren’t you curious about Li Bai..."

Liu Qingsong looked at the carriage slowing down, running up to it with a face full of joy.

The curtain lifted to reveal Xiao Song’s calamitous handsome face, with a miserable smile showing his white teeth. As Liu Qingsong neared, the smile suddenly withdrew, and he spoke kindly, "I will find a way to make you spill it. Uncle Chuan, let Doctor Liu exercise a bit, we’ll go ahead."(To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)