Miss Truth
Chapter 302 - 190: Medicine in the Great Tang_2

Chapter 302: Chapter 190: Medicine in the Great Tang_2

"Slave Yingxiang, sent by the Lady, has come to invite the seventeenth daughter, Miss Ran, to the welcoming banquet," Yingxiang slowly curtsied.

"No need for such formality," Ran Yan said indifferently.

Yingxiang discreetly took a glance at Ran Yan and stepped aside on the path, extending her hand, "Miss Ran, please."

Ran Yan nodded slightly and followed the path ahead, with Yingxiang always slightly behind. Yet, she managed to guide Ran Yan at every turn in advance.

They soon arrived at the destination. Ran Yan was neither early nor late, coincidentally arriving at the banquet hall entrance at the same time as Ran Yunsheng. She then walked half a step behind him.

Inside the hall, Ran Pingyu, dressed in a gray cloth robe, was already seated in the place of honor. Next to him sat an elegant and beautiful wife. At first sight of her, even though Ran Yan normally paid little attention to people’s appearances, she couldn’t help but pause for a moment. The wife’s hair was styled into a luxurious and dignified demi-chignon, adorned with a cluster of golden peony flowers. The petals were thin, yet the flower was quite large and unmatched in its delicacy. One look at her face, still radiant, made one understand how someone with Ran Pingyu’s looks could have fathered a son like Ran Yunsheng.

"Uncle Pingyu, Auntie, your niece Ran Yan pays her respects," Ran Yan said as she bowed.

"Is the injury you sustained feeling better, Ah Yan?" Ran Pingyu asked with concern.

Ran Yan replied, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. It has healed."

Luo Shi smiled with an aloof gentleness, neither warm nor rude, as she joined their conversation, "Miss Seventeen, please no need for such formalities, have a seat."

Ran Yan thanked her, then took a seat in the second position to the left.

"Shilang, come and let your mother look at you. Why have you become so thin?" Luo Shi saw the slender Ran Yunsheng and couldn’t help but feel distressed for her son, her voice instantly becoming a hundred times more tender.

"Travel usually has this effect, didn’t father also lose some weight?" Ran Yunsheng said with a smile.

Without even glancing at Ran Pingyu, Luo Shi snorted, "He’s just losing some of his fat. He would need to lose three to five rounds of weight before it’s noticeable."

Ran Pingyu gave a light cough, shifting the topic, "And Ah Yun? Why hasn’t she come back yet?"

At the mention of Ran Yun, Luo Shi’s gaze reluctantly moved away from Ran Yunsheng, and she said with a touch of annoyance, "That girl knows nothing but to run about all day! Off to Linglang Pavilion early in the morning and still not back!"

Linglang Pavilion was a jade shop owned by Ran Pingyu. Linglang signifies exquisite jade. Someone once used "a feast for the eyes" to describe the Wang family of Langya’s many handsome men; men as beautiful as jade, and beautiful jade with beautiful people. The shop’s name was indeed quite charming.

While they were speaking, Ran Meiyu walked in wearing a light yellow garment with paired bird rhomboid patterns on a splendid cloud-embroidered fabric, leading a few maids. She bowed gracefully to the seats of honor, "Eighteen greets Uncle and Auntie."

Dressed not in red, Ran Meiyu lost some of her flamboyance, gaining instead a touch of gracefulness. Among a group of Northern women, she truly had the appearance of a jade beauty from Jiangnan.

"Meiyu has arrived. No need for formalities, please sit down," Ran Pingyu said.

Lady Luo remained politely indifferent as she exchanged pleasantries.

At this point, everyone who should have arrived had done so, except for Ran Yun. Ran Pingyu said, "Let us start the meal; we won’t wait for Ayun."

Naturally, no one objected. Ran Meiyu glanced at Ran Yan, noticed her haggard appearance, and gave an almost imperceptible snort before burying her head in her meal.

As it was the custom not to speak during meals and since everyone dined at separate tables, the banquet hall fell silent for a moment, only occasionally interrupted by the light sound of bowls and chopsticks clinking.

After dinner, the maids brought tea for everyone to rinse their mouths with, and Lady Luo softly asked about Ran Yunsheng’s journey.

Between the lines, Ran Yan could tell that Lady Luo did not seem to have a favorable impression of her, so she prudently refrained from joining the conversation and simply lowered her gaze to drink her tea. Ran Meiyu, on the other hand, seemed to fit in effortlessly. Although Lady Luo did not openly show any particular liking for Ran Meiyu, she did occasionally exchange a few words with her.

Mrs. Xing knew well that her mistress had never been good with words and could only fret silently.

Ge Lan’s heart stirred, and she quickly swept a cup from the corner of the table onto the floor.

The crisp sound of the shattered porcelain drew everyone’s attention, and Ge Lan subtly tugged at Mrs. Xing’s sleeve, giving her a meaningful look.

With years of partnership, Mrs. Xing instantly understood her intention and promptly stood up to apologize, "This old servant has carelessly knocked over a cup. I implore my master and lady to punish me."

Ran Pingyu replied with a cheerful demeanor, "Mrs. Xing, there is no need for such formalities. It is just a cup; please take your seat quickly."

Seeing Ran Pingyu’s courtesy, Lady Luo couldn’t help but scrutinize Mrs. Xing more closely. She was around fifty years old, dressed in a clean and simple dark green robe, with slightly greying hair meticulously arranged, and carried herself with a natural air of confidence, never losing her composure even when apologizing, unlike common servants who would be cringing and cowering.

"You are... Mrs. Xing, aren’t you?" Lady Luo could hardly recognize her, Mrs. Xing had aged so much over the years!

Mrs. Xing was visibly moved and crouched as she replied, "Yes, my lady, it is indeed this slave."

Lady Luo, visibly touched, quickly went forward to help her up, and did not forget to reproach Ran Pingyu, "How could you be so neglectful towards someone who serves your elder sister!"

As she said this, she instructed someone to set a place for Mrs. Xing, but Mrs. Xing stopped her, "My lady, you flatter this old servant too much! No matter what, I am still a servant and how could I dare to sit at the same table as my masters? It would not be proper."

Lady Luo, of course, knew the propriety. She had at first thought that Mrs. Xing, because of her perceived slight towards the Seventeenth Lady, was dissatisfied. Considering the great kindness of the Zheng family, she naturally wanted to show some respect. However, now she saw that Mrs. Xing valued and understood the rules very well, knew when to advance or retreat, and was worthy of respect even though she was expressing dissatisfaction.

Ran Meiyu felt infuriatingly helpless, and when she glared at Ran Yan, she clearly saw Ge Lan’s secret and provocative smile.

And throughout it all, Ran Yan acted as if none of it concerned her, merely focusing on her tea. It was only when Mrs. Xing went out to apologize that she had straightened her posture and was about to speak in defense, but Ge Lan gently tugged her back. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your monthly and recommendation tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)