Miss Truth
Chapter 240 - 151 Temporary Farewell from Jiangning_2

Chapter 240: Chapter 151 Temporary Farewell from Jiangning_2

"Half a year is fine," although this matter was uncertain, even with his intelligence, Xiao Song could not guarantee that Ran Yan would develop different feelings for him within six months. But there is a saying, "Something is better than nothing," having something is better than having nothing.

The two had just exchanged a few words when they were interrupted by Ran Meiyu, "Sir Xiao, I heard you are disembarking at Jiangning?"

"Indeed," Xiao Song nodded slightly and bowed.

Xiao Song and Ran Meiyu exchanged a few polite words, and by then, the boat had already reached the shore. Xiao Song had very few belongings, just one set of official uniform, two sets of everyday clothes, and the rest were official documents.

It was just after nightfall, and Jiangning Pier was still bustling, mainly with boats unloading their cargo, and the pier was filled with laborers bustling about.

Ran Yan and Ran Meiyu stood by the railing, watching Ran Yunsheng escort Xiao Song and Liu Qingsong off the boat, until the boatman’s call to set sail rang out again, and only then did Ran Meiyu withdraw her gaze and glared at Ran Yan, "Vixen!"

In both her past and present life, Ran Yan had never been associated with these three words. Suddenly being labeled with this title, she couldn’t help but faintly spit out two words, "How novel."

Being called a "vixen," Ran Meiyu had seen various reactions, but she had never seen someone like Ran Yan who just stared dumbfounded as she walked away, making Ran Meiyu momentarily forget what she was going to say next.

The boat had left Jiangning Pier long ago, and Xiao Song still stood in the shadows.

Liu Qingsong poked his head out from behind him, stretching his neck to follow Xiao Song’s gaze towards the busy river, cleared his throat, and said, "Jiulang, I don’t want to throw cold water on you, but from my years of experience in the field of love, and countless summaries from books..."

He paused, and seeing that Xiao Song did not stop him, he reassuredly continued, "In countless stories, the typical male protagonists are bursting with overwhelming aura, a demeanor that scorns everything, including the female protagonist; those handsome young masters who are infatuated from the start are either cannon fodder or the second male lead."

Liu Qingsong had long explained terms like "cannon fodder" to Xiao Song, so it was not difficult for him to understand.

"Don’t talk to me about those storytelling tales!" Xiao Song walked away, flinging his sleeves as he spoke, "In all of history to this day, I have never seen such cases; all those crazy things must be your own fabrications."

"Hey, I’m not just making things up, Jiulang. Do you even know what people in the streets call me?" Liu Qingsong asked.

Xiao Song threw a lukewarm look of concern his way, and Liu Qingsong joyfully continued, "According to calculations, I can predict a thousand years into the past and a thousand years into the future, and they call me Liu the Semi-immortal in the streets!"

"Half a year ago, you said your street title was ’Great Tang’s Charming Doctor,’ four months ago it was ’Jade-Faced Divine Doctor,’ three months ago it was ’Women’s Friend,’ your titles change almost monthly over the decades, how credible are they?" Xiao Song, in a good mood, did not take Liu Qingsong too seriously.

"Before you met Seventeen, you had such an imposing presence! Alas! Such a beauty, causing countless heroes to bow down!" Liu Qingsong exclaimed, not answering the question.

He paused, then suddenly asked, "After arriving in Chang’an, you won’t still be tying up Sang Chen, right?"

Accustomed to Liu Qingsong’s jumping and shifting topics in conversation, Xiao Song decided to remain silent: curiosity killed the Liu Qingsong!

After watching him fret for a long time, Xiao Song smiled and said, "Want to know? If you want to know, then honestly tell me when you recited ’Over the Mountain Moon’ to Seventeen."

Liu Qingsong slapped the back of his head, his heart filled with resentment! It was all Ran Yan’s fault—why did you have to recite poetry, and even claim it as your own? He pushed the blame onto him.

Ran Yan pushed the fault smoothly, but it was tough on Liu Qingsong; Xiao Song’s nature was such that he would not stop until he achieve his goals, by any means necessary. It was foreseeable how difficult his later days would be.

The river wind eased down in the latter half of the night, the moon on the sixteenth of August shone extremely brightly, the fog was thin, and the speed of the boat began to pick up.

Ran Yan’s seasickness had improved a lot, and she soon entered a dream. In her dreams, many familiar faces flickered before her eyes again and again—Xiao Song, Su Fu, Sang Chen, Li Ke... and many faces she had not seen before, drawing closer to Chang’an, these faces swept over her.

The next day when she woke up, Ran Yan knew that those strange faces were simply people she imagined based on historical records. Longsun Wujie, Fang Xuanling, Cheng Yaojin, and others—Tang Dynasty had too many prominent figures; thinking that she might soon have the chance to see these people in person, Ran Yan’s usually calm heart stirred greatly.

"Wife, would you like to wash up?" Wan Lu asked when she saw Ran Yan awake.

The availability of fresh water was limited on board, so it was best to save it wherever possible, no need to wash up several times a day.

"Just brush teeth and rinse mouth, no need to wash the face," Ran Yan said.

With the go-ahead, Wan Lu and Xiaoman went below deck to fetch water.

Xiaoman was a servant sent to the estate by the Gao family, and her indenture contract was still held by the Gao family, but for some reason, they had given her indenture contract to Ran Yan.

Ran Yan wasn’t sure whether to continue trusting Xiaoman, so she let her stay by her side temporarily.

After washing up, Ran Yan went to the deck to enjoy the scenery.

The farther north they went, the colder it got; the river wind was already chilling to the bone. Ran Yan wrapped her cloak tighter, watching the buildings gradually change along the banks, feeling as if the bustling Chang’an with its lively taverns and spirited horses was drawing steadily nearer.

***

A nation stretching over a thousand miles, a city with ninefold gates. Without seeing the grandeur of the Imperial residence, how can one comprehend the majesty of the Emperor.

...

Nine beautiful districts surround the city, ten thousand households, thousands of gates all open flat. The slanting road that meets the magpie’s perch, the junction points directly to Phoenix Platform.

————"Epilogue of the Imperial Capital" by Wang Bo (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)