Miss Truth
Chapter 285 - 180: The Farthest Distance_2

Chapter 285: Chapter 180: The Farthest Distance_2

Ran Yan listened to her childlike concern, with an even brighter smile on her face, "It doesn’t hurt anymore, in a few days I’ll be able to do everything as usual. Did you and Mr. Sang suffer any hardships on your way here?"

"Not at all. Teacher Brother is treating me well; he’s teaching me to read, write, and even play the zither," Huan Kong answered with a beaming smile. When she mentioned playing the zither, Huan Kong proudly said, "Teacher Brother said I learn the zither especially fast, and that I will soon catch up to him."

"Is that so? Then Huan Kong is smarter than me," Ran Yan complimented her, going along with the conversation.

"Wife Ran should not be sad. Teacher Brother said that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and that you are very brave," Huan Kong consoled sincerely.

Hearing Huan Kong’s "Sang-style" way of speaking, Ran Yan suddenly wondered if it was really a good idea for Huan Kong to study under Sang Chen.

"What else have you learned?" Ran Yan inquired.

"Playing chess, the way of tea, but Teacher Brother spends more time telling me about Buddhist scriptures. He has read so many of them!" Huan Kong’s eyes sparkled with excitement and admiration.

Perhaps in Huan Kong’s heart, Sang Chen could indeed be a steadfast mountain. Ran Yan asked, "What do you think about Mr. Sang’s explanations of the scriptures?"

Huan Kong replied honestly, "Teacher Brother said he lacks the wisdom root and doesn’t understand the meaning of the scriptures. He only explained the obscure words to me and asked me to contemplate on my own."

After this conversation, Ran Yan felt that Sang Chen was born to be a renowned scholar and should aim to educate others as his life’s pursuit.

After chatting for a while longer and seeing that Huan Kong was getting sleepy, Ran Yan let Wan Lu take her to rest; Ge Lan would keep watch at night.

As Ran Yan lay on the couch, despite being very tired, she couldn’t fall asleep no matter how she turned and tossed, haunted by the case details Xiao Song had discussed with her during the day.

Su Fu had once said that his mother was an assassin. Since the Consort Yang gave the twin Hu sisters to Su Chengbai with an agenda in mind, could it be possible that Su Luan’s mother was also an assassin?

Following this line of thought, could Su Luan possibly possess martial arts skills as strong as Su Fu’s?

She had both the motive and the means to kill... and that string of Ying Luo... that string of Ying Luo... Ran Yan stared fixedly at the dim moonlight filtering through the lattice window, pondering repeatedly whether she should disclose this matter to Xiao Song.

If Su Fu had confided this to her out of trust, would it be considered betrayal if she were to reveal it to Xiao Song?

This question troubled Ran Yan until she became extremely weary and slowly drifted off to sleep.

***

The next morning, Sang Chen and Liu Qingsong were released, their faces pale as death.

Watching the corrupt body of Zhuang Yin, even Liu Qingsong was slightly frightened, let alone Sang Chen, who naturally had the heart of a rabbit?

Sang Chen, from Liu Qingsong’s incessant chatter, learned that it was Ran Yan’s poison and was shocked. As he stepped out of the prison cell, breathing in the fresh air, he suddenly recalled the words from last night—The greatest distance in the world is not between love and indifference, but between love and fear.

All along, Sang Chen only understood his wish to be with Ran Yan; as for what love was, and whether he had fallen in love with Ran Yan, he was unsure. Yet now, it was crystal clear in his mind: he feared her.

Last night’s frost had left a white layer on the withered grass by the roadside, which shone brilliantly in the sunlight, the air crisp and piercing to the heart.

Xiao Song stood in the attic beside the prison cell, still donned in a purple robe, lazily leaning by the window, holding a teacup from which steam rose in swirling tendrils, clouding his view, yet not preventing him from observing Sang Chen’s expressions.

After watching for a while, he leisurely sipped his tea, a smile of ambiguous meaning spilling from the corners of his lips. He placed the cup on the stand and descended the stairs.

In the following days, fortunately, no mishaps occurred, and everything proceeded smoothly and peacefully.

As for Ran Yan, she hadn’t experienced any more nightmares, and occasionally dreaming of the distinctive corpses she had dissected was nothing out of the ordinary for her.

Xiao Song would come from time to time to chat with her and take her out to bask in the sun. She had hinted to Xiao Song that Su Luan might know martial arts but did not elaborate on why, and Xiao Song did not inquire further.

Ever since Sang Chen returned, he had buried himself in his room, coming and going like a shadow, darting away whenever he saw someone.

It was not until the early morning of the sixth day that the Su residence sent someone to invite Ran Yunsheng and Ran Yan to watch a play. This time, the Su’s did not host a grand banquet but only invited a few families with whom they were closely associated to liven up the atmosphere.

"Wife, you still have some wounds that haven’t scabbed over, so you need to be careful," Xing Nanny fussed as she adjusted Ran Yan’s clothes.

Wan Lu also nodded, "Shilang said that in a few days we will go to Luoyang. It’s much more interesting to recuperate in Luoyang than in Jushui County, and we can go out and have fun."

Xing Nanny scolded with a laugh, "All you think about is playing!"

"Indeed, I also want to see Luoyang," Ran Yan had long been eager to witness the grandeur of this famously ancient city, "but with my injury, I don’t know how much trouble I’ve caused Shilang."

Before Xing Nanny and Wan Lu could reply, they heard Ran Yunsheng’s voice laced with amusement from outside, "I haven’t even entered yet, and I already heard such heartwarming words from you, Yan."

Ever since Ran Yunsheng returned from Luoyang, he had been restless, but today was the first time Ran Yan felt he was back to his usual self, which relieved her, "Shilang, come in."

Stepping into the room, Ran Yunsheng was dressed in a white round-necked Hu costume, wearing a black head covering, with a face as bright as the moon and sideburns sharp like a blade’s cut. Even though Ran Yan was used to his looks, she still found the sight striking.

"The businesses have always been managed by Father, and even in my absence, it’s not a big deal, so Yan, don’t worry," Ran Yunsheng said.

Ran Yan nodded, then took another glance at Ran Yunsheng and remarked, "Shilang looks more dashing the simpler he dresses."

Ran Yunsheng responded with surprise, "Is that so?"

Wan Lu and Xing Nanny both eagerly agreed, but Ran Yunsheng’s expression was a mix of emotions, not displeased but also not quite pleased, rather somewhat concerned.

Ran Yunsheng had never been satisfied with his appearance, but he had never behaved so unusually before. Ran Yan made a mental note of it but did not ask.

After Ran Yan got ready, the two of them took the gifts, boarded the carriage, and headed to the Su estate in the eastern part of the city.

The carriage ride was smooth, and in about half an hour, they reached their destination.

Compared to usual, the place was livelier today, with four carriages parked at the entrance. The house steward Mu had been awaiting at the front door and hurried forward to greet Ran Yunsheng as soon as he dismounted. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please feel free to give us your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)