Miss Truth
Chapter 236 - 149: Departing from Mother

Chapter 236: Chapter 149: Departing from Mother

"Who are you talking about, Ran Shiba?" a cool voice came from behind Ran Meiyu, startling her. Ran Meiyu turned and saw Qi Liuniang in plain clothes, her cool face featuring eyes filled with the autumn’s hue, following Ran Meiyu’s gaze towards the Ran family’s carriage.

"I’m not afraid of you knowing, it’s about Ran Shiqi! She’s already engaged to the Cui family, yet she insists on monopolizing Mr. Xiao, if not shameless, what is it!" Ran Meiyu said with resentment.

Qi Liuniang withdrew her gaze and glanced at her indifferently, "Be mindful of your words, Shiba."

Ran Meiyu looked at her puzzled, failing to understand why Qi Liuniang would defend Ran Yan, "What, you think because she’s about to become Mrs. Cui, you’re eager to flatter her? Don’t tell me that even if she is not yet, you would put on a show in front of her."

"I have said all there is to say, think what you want," Qi Liuniang coldly retorted and turned to leave. She truly couldn’t understand, even if Ran Meiyu naturally lacked cunning, how could Gao, a person of deep schemes, have raised such a tactless daughter, incapable of understanding which words should be spoken and which should forever rot in the stomach?

Ran Meiyu acted recklessly without reason; if Ran Yan truly became Mrs. Cui, even though Ran Meiyu wasn’t a legitimate daughter, she would definitely have an excellent marriage herself. Qi Liuniang somberly looked towards the direction where the Ran family’s carriage disappeared, her lips slightly pursed; the person she fancied and she would forever be paths and bridges apart.

As the mid-month evening progressed, the noise above the Pingjiang River gradually dissipated, returning to its usual tranquility.

Ran Yan lay quietly on the couch, staring at the moonlight streaming through the lattice window on the floor, lost in thought. Although she had no attachment to the Ran household, having stayed in Suzhou for a while, the sudden departure left her slightly uneasy. Today it was Li Ke; who knew what tomorrow would bring? Moreover, since Li Ke did not succeed, he would not give up.

However, retreating was not in Ran Yan’s nature. To do what she enjoyed, as long as she persisted, even if she could not succeed in the future, she would not regret it.

Having realized this, Ran Yan exhaled, turned over, and gradually succumbed to sleepiness, continuing to struggle with the nightmare that had troubled her for many years.

Someone once told Ran Yan that she was actually a person who appeared strong on the outside but was fragile inside, rational yet emotionally weak. Ran Yan never denied it, but she fought her nightmares alone in the night, maintaining a positive attitude towards life; she acknowledged her emotional vulnerability but never saw herself as a weak person.

Resilient people, those who live life earnestly, are the strong ones. Cowardice and fragility are not the same.

Late at night, a light rain began to fall, leaving a thick fog over the river the following morning, thus delaying their departure by an hour.

It was during this hour that Ran Yan found out that Ran Meiyu was also going to Chang’an with them. Ran Yan had always treated Ran Meiyu as if she were invisible, as long as Ran Meiyu did not challenge Ran Yan’s limits... according to Ran Yun, it was reluctantly tolerable.

Ran Yan’s pack was yet unopened, very convenient. Before dawn, a servant came to load the belongings onto the boat, and after breakfast, everyone sat in the hall, drinking tea and saying their farewells.

Ran Yan watched as Ran Wen carefully instructed Ran Meiyu on many matters of daily life, realizing that Ran Wen was indeed a good father. He had grown up in Suzhou, embodying the meticulous and gentle nature of a Suzhou man. However, whether to the former Ran Yan or the current one, he was but a stranger.

After Ran Wen and Ran Meiyu chatted for a while, seeing the time was almost up, he walked up to Ran Yan, cleared his throat, and said, "Yan, be cautious with your words and actions once you arrive in Chang’an. You’re to become Mrs. Cui in the future. Your behavior must not be frivolous... Take good care of yourself."

"Father, do not worry," Ran Yan said lightly.

Ran Wen did not know what else to say as he was not close to this daughter, and given Ran Yan’s distant attitude, to instruct her meticulously like he did with Ran Meiyu felt somewhat insincere, so he also fell silent and turned to bid farewell to Ran Pingyu and others.

Lady Gao had just finished giving instructions to Ran Meiyu when she led her to Ran Yan, smiling warmly, "You two are sisters born of the same father. I admit I haven’t taken good care of Meiyu in the past, so I dare not ask you to look after your sister directly. However, if there are any disagreements between you, just tolerate each other a bit, and it will pass. Let’s not have a repeat of last time."

Ran Yan’s calm gaze lightly swept across Lady Gao’s face, "I always abide by the principle of not offending others unless I am offended. Just educate your daughter well."

"Ran Shiqi! What kind of attitude is that!" Ran Meiyu furrowed her brows fiercely, staring angrily at Ran Yan.

Lady Gao held Ran Meiyu’s hand, gently patted it, then turned to Ran Yan with a smile, "Shiqi is right, in the past, I’ve indulged her too much."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a servant announced from outside the hall, "My lord, the fog on the river has lifted somewhat, we can set sail now!"

Upon hearing this, everyone inside stood up, bidding farewell amidst tears and chatter, creating a bustling atmosphere. Only Ran Yan remained calm, as if she were merely a guest there; leaving was just normal for her.

Wan Lu and a few others were visibly excited, while the servant lady showed a hint of sadness, "Alas, I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to the lady..."

Just as they stepped outside, Ran Yan paused and turned her head to ask, "In which direction is mother’s grave?"

The servant pointed eastward, "It’s over there."

Ran Yan lifted her cape, knelt down in that direction, and bowed deeply as if no one else was around. Her disregard for observers startled many, causing those standing to the east to step back, but Ran Yan remained undisturbed, paying respects in the direction of the grave, "Mother, your daughter is about to leave Suzhou. Before departing, I couldn’t even pay my respects properly, truly unfilial. Now, I am going to visit Chang’an, where you grew up—please do not blame your daughter for her lack of filial piety."

Her gesture perplexed some of the newer servants who didn’t understand, yet it suddenly reminded the older household members of that noble lady from Xingyang of the Zheng clan who had passed away many years ago.

Ran Wen’s face looked somewhat displeased, and even Lady Gao, usually so composed, couldn’t hide a slight change in expression. However, what Ran Yan did was in accordance with filial piety, and since it was justified, nobody could stop her.

The servant lady also knelt and bowed deeply, her words silent in her heart. Wan Lu and Ge Lan followed suit.

After the ritual, the group finally left the Ran estate. They boarded a carriage departing for the Pingjiang River docks, where they embarked on a ship bound for Chang’an.

Small ripples danced on the river, the wind very slight.

Ran Yan stood on the ship’s deck, watching the crew retract the gangway, shout the sailing commands, and the people waving from the shore. Her eyes grew moist.

"Feeling sad?" Ran Yunsheng asked from beside her.

Ran Yan shook her head, "No, it’s happiness." After a pause, Ran Yan turned and asked, "By the way, older brother, did my master board the ship yet?" (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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