Miss Truth
Chapter 303 - 191 Dawn Drumming

Chapter 303: Chapter 191 Dawn Drumming

The first day in Chang’an ended amid the invisible smoke of battle between Ge Lan and Ran Meiyu.

As for the petty squabbles within the inner court, Ran Yan didn’t need to concern herself at all; even after being cut off from the world for two years, Ran Meiyu, now away from the Gao family, was no match for her.

The Gao mother and daughter had brought Ge Lan’s family to ruin, and even if Ge Lan truly did kill them, Ran Yan would feel no pity. This was a society where the legal system was not yet perfect; if one only hoped for the government to punish the wrongdoers with a full sense of justice, they would be oppressed all their life. Ran Yan had long passed the age of naivety.

Ge Lan knelt in the outer room, watching Ran Yan through the dense bamboo curtain as she read Medical Books by lamp light on the couch, and gradually, her heart softened.

Although Ran Yan said nothing, Ge Lan knew that she had been keeping her promise all along, just as she had said, "However you deal with the Gao family, I won’t hinder you, and when necessary, I’ll even help. This is the repayment I owe for borrowing your body, but please remember, your wife’s death has nothing to do with me. The day I discover you’ve done something detrimental to me, don’t blame me for showing no mercy..."

Now, Ran Yan was silently fulfilling the first part of her promise, and Ge Lan would ensure that the latter half would never come to pass.

...

The next day, at two o’clock in the fifth watch, as dawn began to break, the tranquil silence was shattered by the sound of the "morning drum" from the palace. The neighborhoods followed in sequence, beating their drums, and gradually, drumbeats filled the city as the gates of the wards began to open one after another. This drumming would continue for three thousand beats, until daylight.

The people of Chang’an City either rose with their clothes thrown on or slept even deeper amidst the rhythmic drumming.

It was Ran Yan’s first experience with the morning drum, and after about a dozen beats in Anshan Square, she awoke to see it was still dark and lay back down on her couch to rest her eyes.

Only after the three thousand drumbeats ceased did Ran Yan rise to wash and dress with the assistance of Wan Lu and Ge Lan.

Afterwards, she joined Ran Pingyu and his wife for breakfast in the front hall, and Lady Luo stayed behind to talk with Ran Yan and Xing’s mother for a while.

Following the events of last night, Lady Luo’s attitude toward Ran Yan had clearly softened a bit in her tone.

"Seventeenth Lady is of the tender age for fine jade, your garments could be more colorful, why do you always wear such plain clothes?" Lady Luo said with a smile.

Ran Yan replied with a bowed head, "I have always preferred simplicity, finding comfort in clothes to be most important."

Lady Luo nodded in agreement, "That is certainly true."

Recently, Ran Meiyu had been seeking conversations with Lady Luo who, although not very fond of her own family members, couldn’t help but engage due to the talks revolving around Ran Yunsheng. Lady Luo, anxious about her son, naturally didn’t refuse.

When Ran Meiyu mentioned how Shilang took special care of Ran Yan, even spending a fortune for her, Lady Luo felt somewhat displeased in her heart.

Even though the Zheng family had provided her with great help, a kindness as though giving her a new life, and no matter how much they spent on Ran Yan, she didn’t think it was cause for alarm. However, Ran Yunsheng had always been measured in his behavior, so his sudden act was not something Lady Luo could be pleased with.

But now, looking at Ran Yan who didn’t seem to have that frivolous vanity, Lady Luo felt a bit more relieved in her heart and decided to consider it as Ran Yunsheng repaying a favor.

Just as she was thinking, the light at the door dimmed as two figures entered, one tall and one short, it was Ran Yunsheng and Ran Yun.

"Mother," the two greeted the seated Lady Luo with a bow.

Looking at her pair of striking children, Lady Luo’s eyes brimmed with smiles, and she hurriedly asked them to sit down.

"Sister Seventeen, how is your illness?" Ran Yun plopped down beside Ran Yan and turned to ask.

Ran Yan replied, "It has already healed."

"That’s perfect, I am going to Linglang Pavilion today, come with me," Ran Yun said with enthusiasm. "The jade pieces you won in Suzhou, I’ve sent them to Linglang Pavilion. The small ones have already been crafted into finished products, and the large one has been carved into an ornament. It should be completed in another seven or eight days."

Thinking that the raw stones were won by Ran Yan, Ran Yun was not in a hurry to sell the finished products, waiting for Ran Yan to arrive in Chang’an to take a look first.

"Look at you, do you even resemble a lady anymore? You’re running wild outside every day. Pretty soon you’ll be fifteen, let’s see which family would want you!" Luo was utterly vexed by Ran Yun. Their family was of merchant origin, with no high status. If Ran Yun could be literate, gentle, and virtuous, with their family’s foundation and wealth, there would be no worry about marrying her off. However, Ran Yun now seemed like nothing more than a little merchant, and noble families would surely look down on her.

Ran Yun disagreed and even grumbled, "Brother is literate and learned, as profound as a carriage full of books, and born beautiful too. Surely, he wouldn’t worry about not being wanted. Why not let Brother marry out instead, Mother, and I’ll stay home to honor you."

"You! Honor?" It would be a miracle if she didn’t infuriate me to death! Luo really got angry this time, but due to the presence of outsiders, she forcibly held it back.

Xingniang comforted her softly, "Lady, please calm your anger. In my view, Yunniang is lively and intelligent, with outstanding beauty. How can she worry about marriage? She is just young; more teaching is all that is needed."

Luo’s heart stirred and she glanced at Ran Yan, who seemed too cold and not very likable, probably due to her innate nature. Yet there was no shortcoming in courtesy, so Luo decided to entrust Ran Yun’s education to Xingniang.

After all, Xingniang came from the Zheng family of Xingyang. With her guidance, there would surely be no shortcomings. However, now was not the right time.

With her thoughts fleeting, Luo gave a few instructions and then let Ran Yunsheng and the others go out to play, leaving only Xingniang to speak with.

The winter in Chang’an was still a bit colder than in Suzhou. The bare branches were covered with a thin layer of frost, glistening and bright in the dazzling sunlight. When they spoke, white mist escaped from their lips.

Wan Lu was still playing enthusiastically behind them.

When they reached the Inner Gate, Ran Meiyu suddenly appeared from nowhere, "Brother Ten, Yun, are you going out?"

Ran Yunsheng halted his steps, "We’re going to East Market, do you want to join us?"

"Yes!" Ran Meiyu’s face beamed with joy.

Ran Yun was known as "Ran Meiyun" in the main family. Luo thought the name was too vulgar, so she removed the "Mei" which represented the status of a concubine’s daughter. Aside from the elders in Suzhou, few people knew this name.

Ran Meiyu seemed to think that this would bring them closer, not realizing she had touched on Ran Yun’s taboo, "How many times have I said not to call me Meiyun? My name is Ran Yun, not Ran Meiyun! If you get it wrong once more, don’t even think about following me wherever I go!"

Ran Yun was not concerned with being legitimate or illegitimate; she simply felt that this vulgar name would prevent her from holding her head high among the noble ladies.

Ran Meiyu, who was not accustomed to being reprimanded, immediately frowned and turned to Ran Yunsheng, "Brother Ten, I want to ride in the same carriage as you."

Ran Yun snorted coldly, stepped into the carriage waiting outside the Inner Gate, and didn’t forget to pull in an ally, "Sister Seventeen, let’s go!"

Ran Yan looked indifferently at Ran Yunsheng, certain that he had always been tender-hearted toward friends and relatives and would surely agree to Ran Meiyu’s request. She then followed Ran Yun into the carriage.

As expected, after getting into the carriage, Ran Yun peeked out through the curtains and huffed, "Brother really is... It’ll take a bite from Ran Shiba’s poisonous fang for him to learn when not to be soft-hearted! This is so infuriating!"(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)