Miss Truth
Chapter 228 - 144: Gambling on Stones (1)

Chapter 228: Chapter 144: Gambling on Stones (1)

A full moon hung in the sky above the Pingjiang River, shrouded in a faint mist as if veiled by a layer of moon-white gauze. Lanterns with delicate bamboo frames dotted the banks on either side of the river, their various colors shining through, some painted with landscapes and serving maidens. There were also vendors selling blank lanterns in various colors; poets and literary men, struck by inspiration, could at any time take up a brush and leave their prized calligraphy on a lantern.

Painted pleasure boats shuttled back and forth on the water, carrying the scent of rouge and powder, and the clamor of voices mingled with the laughter of courtesans, their delicate voices dispersing through the thin fog.

Stores lined both banks of the Pingjiang River, their eaves touching one another like scales on a fish, with awnings grandly displayed, bustling with even more activity than during the Qixi festival.

Ran Yan and her companions dismounted their carriage in the market and walked toward the docks. To avoid a repeat of a prior incident, they did not board any boats but instead reserved a private room in a nearby tavern.

The name of this tavern was quite interesting, called "Riverside Immortal," a song title from the music bureau, surprisingly fitting for this occasion. The location of the private room was excellent, seated by a window overlooking the river, it offered a view of its most bustling section. The Riverside Immortal’s structure extended over the water, the river breeze making it feel as if one were on board a ship, while the inner windows gave a view of the tavern’s main hall. On such a special occasion, the tavern would invite the most famous courtesans to perform.

Ran Yunsheng had secured this spot not only with a handsome sum of money but also with considerable effort.

"Ah Yan, take a look at the calligraphy and paintings in this room," Ran Yunsheng winked.

"I’ve seen them, Sang Suiyuan," Ran Yan took a sip of water and looked up at the large character hanging in the center; it was refined and elegant, its strength hidden yet revealed, creating a style of its own.

After speaking, Ran Yan suddenly felt she was being too indifferent, especially considering Ran Yunsheng had gone to great lengths to secure the room, so she added, "It doesn’t matter whose calligraphy or paintings hang in this room; what matters is that you went to great lengths to arrange this for us."

"Ah Yan really knows how to speak!" Ran Yunsheng laughed, then paused before adding, "Master Sang’s calligraphy is priceless; I heard that the owner of Riverside Immortal caught Master Sang’s eye and was thus able to obtain this piece."

Ran Yunsheng genuinely thought Sang Chen was a good man; he noticed that Ran Yan wasn’t taking their present matter to heart, yet he couldn’t bring himself to say too much in the way of advice. Hence, he only seized opportunities to praise Sang Chen, a man of talent matching a woman of beauty. Wouldn’t wives love their husbands’ talents?

Ran Yan nodded and then gazed at the bustling market, slowly saying, "Ever since I learned about his background, I have analyzed his mentality. Since Sang Chen’s mother committed suicide and his father died of grief, and considering Master Huai Jing wouldn’t let him become a disciple, he probably feels unanchored and adrift, thus subconsciously seeking something to rely on, whether emotionally or realistically. The sense of security he seeks from me may only be a little, because he thinks of me as someone who dares to dissect a corpse and certainly wouldn’t be as weak as his mother."

Ran Yunsheng stared at Ran Yan, dumbfounded; although he was aware of Sang Chen’s background, he had never considered this perspective.

Ran Yan’s gaze locked on Ran Yun, frolicking through the crowd, and she smiled, saying, "I appreciate Sang Chen’s purity and talent. I am willing to protect him in other ways, to be his support, but I am not willing to sacrifice my own lifelong happiness to do so."

Ran Yan felt that Ran Yunsheng was trustworthy and a person close to her, so she spoke openly about her true feelings to prevent him from continuing his ardent matchmaking efforts. She knew she did not always have the patience to listen to the same thing decided upon.

"Ah Yan’s thoughts are like many wives in Chang’an," Ran Yunsheng said.

Ran Yan sat up straight and said to Ran Yunsheng, "No matter what happens to Ah Yan in the future, you will always be Ah Yan’s elder brother."

Ran Yunsheng’s face broke into a gentle smile, "Of course."

Ran Yun didn’t know when she had rushed over, guzzling two cups of water before exclaiming, "Brother, Sister Seventeen, what’s so interesting about sitting here? It’s lively down there, come on, let’s go have fun together!"

"Ah Yun, it’s not convenient for your Sister Seventeen to walk about in the streets," Ran Yunsheng said, pointing out that his appearance also tended to attract attention.

Ran Yun glared and retorted, "I’m such a beautiful child and barely anyone notices me; the two of you are only a little prettier than me, you’ll be fine!"

Ran Yan’s lips curved slightly; Ran Yun was truly an unusual child, whose way of speaking and thinking stood apart from others. Yet she could still be considered within the range of normalcy, whereas Sang Chen and Liu Qingsong belonged outside the realm of humankind.

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