Miss Truth
Chapter 299 - 188: Chang’an, Here I Come_2

Chapter 299: Chapter 188: Chang’an, Here I Come_2

Rong Qian had planned to return to Chang’an with them, so she ordered the bathhouse to be prepared and told them to rest well, while she went to the yard to give instructions.

But it wasn’t long before the yard was thrown into chaos. As Ran Yan passed by underneath the corridor, she saw Rong Qian chasing a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy with a broom. The boy dodged desperately, nimble in his movements, but still no match for Rong Qian, and within a few strikes, he was swept to the ground.

"You little rascal, don’t think that just because I’ve been away for a few days you can do whatever you want in Xinfeng! If I catch you mingling with those young nobles again, watch me sell you off to a brothel!" Rong Qian’s anger was fierce, with no hint of jest.

"What do you mean ’leading me off’? I’m not a donkey!" The young boy, clutching his head and lying on the ground, looked up and talked back. When he saw Ran Yan standing on the corridor, his face turned red all at once. He stared blankly for a while before quickly getting up, pulling Rong Qian’s sleeve, and pleading in a low voice, "Auntie Rong, can we go somewhere else to talk, please?"

Ran Yan smiled and walked toward the bathhouse.

After bathing, Ran Yan lay on the bed, nestled in the warm, new blankets, surrounded by a faint scent of peilan, very comfortable.

Peilan, also known as orchid grass or fragrant orchid, has a neutral fragrance and is good at removing decay and impurities. Ran Yan used it as the main ingredient, combined with other substances, to create a mixture that she would add to her bath after conducting autopsies, to remove the smell of death and filth.

Previously, due to healing wounds on her body, she could only clean herself with a wet towel. Moreover, it wasn’t easy to bathe properly on the road, which had been extremely uncomfortable. Now, with the first proper bath in a while, she felt utterly refreshed.

She slept soundly and dreamlessly that night, miraculous for a night not haunted by visions of corpses...

The next morning, Ran Yan, feeling refreshed, finished her morning routine and breakfast, and soon afterward, she said goodbye to the vibrant and chivalrous Xinfeng and set off for Chang’an.

The imperial road between Xinfeng and Chang’an was smooth and wide, without the bone-jarring bumps of the road. The journey, with Rong Qian’s chattering and laughter, was not too unbearable.

Chang’an City, the choice location for emperors of successive dynasties. Since the times of the Zhou, Qin, and Han, three states flourished like brocade, eight rivers flowed around the city. Thirty-four alleys adorned with flowers and willows, seventy-two towers filled with music. This is how future generations would praise Chang’an City.

Looking up at the towering city walls through the carriage window, Ran Yan recalled the reverent expressions of those who came from all directions to pay their respects, the bustling markets within the city, the palaces with their painted eaves and carved beams, and noble residences lined up along the streets, the Huji serving wine, the dazzling array of different cultures mingling and clashing... Ran Yan felt a sudden surge of emotion. Her feelings were not the same simple excitement and curiosity as Wan Lu’s; she was moved by this most colorful and majestic era in Chinese history. Moreover, she firmly believed that the Great Tang, with its embracing spirit, would surely accommodate her profession.

The carriage slowly made its way into Chang’an through Yanxing Gate. Thinking about the many days she would spend in Chang’an, Ran Yan didn’t peer curiously out like Lady Liu entering the Grand View Garden.

Seeing her calm demeanor, Rong Qian gave an approving nod in her heart and took the initiative to explain, "Our residence is in Anshan Square. It’s easy to locate. From Yanxing Gate, go straight to the third major intersection; turn there between Jing’an Square and Yongchong Square, pass Jing’an Square, and to the right side is Anshan Square."

Ran Yan, with a gentle smile on her face, nodded. She knew that these were just the main roads and that there must be numerous smaller paths crisscrossing within the square.

Rong Qian continued, "Anshan Square is a bit far from the Imperial City, but because it is located in the east of the city, it’s quite safe. The west side of the city is mixed with all sorts, and Noble Lady, if you wish to go to the western market in the future, you will need someone to accompany you."

By the time they reached Anshan Square, Rong Qian had already described the general layout of Chang’an to Ran Yan. The east side of the city was situated on higher ground, safe from the threat of floods. Hence, it was where the elite resided, and the land was extremely valuable, especially those areas closer to the Imperial City in the east. The real estate prices were so high that even in an era from her future memory, when millions were enslaved by their mortgages, one could hardly imagine such costs.

The carriage slowed to a stop, and Ran Yunsheng was the first to disembark, followed by Rong Qian and Ran Yan, who stepped out together.

Before their eyes lay streets intersecting at right angles, straight and orderly, with narrow drainage ditches along the sides and elm trees planted next to them. Since it was the deep winter, the trees were bare of leaves, their branches exposed. Standing at the entrance of the Ran residence, whether looking left or right, the scenery was almost indistinguishable.

Ran Yan couldn’t help but sigh, no wonder Sang Chen got lost in Chang’an for half a month!

This incident had been relayed to Ran Yan by Liu Qingsong, who was quite the gossip. It was said that when Sang Chen placed first in the imperial examination for the third time, his origin was revealed. While noble ladies were crazily smitten with him, he somehow disappeared. Later on, it was discovered that he had not gone into hiding to avoid the limelight but had actually gotten lost wandering in the neighborhood, and for half a month at that. It was fortunate he had carried a fair amount of money with him; otherwise, he might have become the first top scholar in history to die of starvation lost in a neighborhood.

Ran Yan privately thought that Sang Chen must have made a habit of getting lost; otherwise, it would not have been such a coincidence, nor would he have been so well-prepared.

"Shilang has returned home!" The gatekeeper, recognizing the visitors, quickly shouted toward the inside.

Immediately followed the echo of voices from within the compound, "Shilang has returned home" ... "Shilang has returned home."

After Ran Yunsheng and Ran Yan, among others, stepped onto the stairs, they saw an old man in his fifties leading about a dozen maids and servants to greet them, their speed and efficiency astonishingly swift.

"Shilang!" The elder bowed in greeting.

Ran Yunsheng hastened forward to help him rise, "Elder Fan, what are you doing? I’ve only been away from home for a few months, and you treat me with such formality. If it were three to five years, wouldn’t you fail to recognize me?"

Elder Fan was amused by Ran Yunsheng’s words, shaking his grizzled beard as he laughed heartily, becoming much more cordial and relaxed, "Shilang is teasing this old servant again!"

Ran Yan took a cursory glance at Elder Fan, then lowered her gaze.

"Is this the Noble Lady of seventeen?" Elder Fan immediately noticed her and promptly bowed in respect.

Ran Yan stepped forward to offer a token gesture of support and said, "Please, no need for such courtesy."

With a few extra degrees of warmth in his smile, Elder Fan followed her lead and straightened up. It wasn’t that he was just putting on a show of reluctance to bow; the rules dictated he should greet Ran Yan in this manner, but having served as the steward of the Ran residence for over a decade, he naturally appreciated the face given by the masters.

"Elder Fan, I am standing right here, such a big person, and you haven’t even glanced at me?" Rong Qian called out loudly.

Elder Fan gave her a look and waved his hand dismissively, "Still as loud as ever, you make everything chaotic as soon as you return! Just causing me extra trouble. I am old; there are some things and some people that ’out of sight, out of mind’ is for the best." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)