Miss Truth
Chapter 307 - 193: Dugu Lanyan_2

Chapter 307: Chapter 193: Dugu Lanyan_2

Ran Yan did not choose fabrics as engrossed as Ran Yun and Ran Meiyu, but had been closely observing the changes in Ran Yunsheng’s expression. She couldn’t help but feel secretly astonished and vaguely guessed something.

"Shilang," Ran Yan said in a low voice as she approached him with a bolt of ice-blue brocade, pretending to seek his opinion, "If you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to speak about them so we can prepare in advance... ’Three cobblers outwit Zhuge Liang; two heads are better than one.’"

Ran Yunsheng’s eyes conveyed his gratitude as he sighed, "You’re right, let’s discuss it further when we return home." His gaze then fell on the fabric in Ran Yan’s hands, commenting, "The color is nice, but wouldn’t it seem too cold to wear this color in the dead of winter?"

"Brother, could you also give me your opinion on this color?" Ran Yun stretched out a bolt of goose-yellow brocade and asked Ran Yunsheng.

Ran Yunsheng was about to answer when the shopkeeper, smiling broadly, entered the curtain and said, "Shilang, it’s been a long time since you have visited. My apologies for any neglect earlier."

"That’s quite alright, Shopkeeper Ping. I’m a businessman myself, so I naturally understand," Ran Yunsheng replied with a light smile, showing no sign of his previous worries.

With an ambiguous expression, the shopkeeper said, "Just now, Dugu Lanyan inquired about you, Shilang. I sense good fortunes approaching for you."

Upon his words, everyone in the room paused their selection of fabrics, and Ran Meiyu asked, "Dugu Lanyan, is she the daughter of the Great General Dugu Yanyun?"

"Indeed," answered the shopkeeper.

Dugu Yanyun was an old follower of the Qin Prince’s residence, known for his bravery and skill in battle, a rare fierce general. Unfortunately, he was sacrificed during an early confrontation with Khan Xieli in the Zhenguan era.

His son, Dugu Mou, was also a fierce warrior, though not quite his father’s match. He had two daughters: the elder, Dugu Lanning, and the younger, Dugu Lanyan. Due to Dugu Yanyun’s legacy, the Emperor also bestowed considerable favor upon the Dugu family.

"The Dugu family is indeed a great noble house!" Ran Meiyu exclaimed. Whether Ran Yunsheng could marry Dugu Lanyan or enter the Dugu family by marriage, it would greatly benefit the Ran family.

Ran Yun glared at her resentfully, "What do you know? Although I don’t personally know Dugu Lanyan, I’ve heard of her. She doesn’t favor the type of pretty boys like Brother; in fact, I heard she highly admires Assistant Minister Xiao!"

Ran Meiyu internally disagreed, having clearly seen Dugu Lanyan’s infatuated expression earlier, and thought Ran Yun was merely trying to provoke her. However, she forgot that most people are pleasantly attentive when they see beautiful people or things.

"Is that so?" Shopkeeper Ping was also puzzled, but being a minor shopkeeper without access to high society gatherings, he didn’t take such rumors too seriously. However, since Ran Yun mingled with many noble ladies, and if such a rumor was widespread among them, it might well be true. However, "Assistant Minister Xiao is a widower, could it be she has changed her mind?"

"Let’s not discuss that now, Shopkeeper Ping. Don’t you have some unique fabrics? Don’t keep them hidden!" Ran Yunsheng said, steering the conversation elsewhere with a smile.

Shopkeeper Ping chuckled, "Of course, I recently acquired some top-quality Silk Floss and Moonlight Silk, but they’re in limited supply; I only have five bolts of each."

He turned and walked to the doorway, peeking out to quietly instruct the waiter in a few words.

Moments later, the waiter entered carrying a large, rectangular package. Ran Yan barely glanced at it; the material used for wrapping was of fine silk, indicating the package’s contents were quite costly.

Shopkeeper Ping let down the bamboo curtains and personally came over to unwrap the package.

Suddenly, the room was awash with shimmering light. A bolt of moon-white silk shimmered faintly, resembling moonlight or water ripples, and even without any decorative patterns, it was dazzlingly beautiful.

However, Ran Yan was more captivated by a bolt of Silk Floss beside it, pale as if brushed with ink, in a light smoke color, contrasting with a bolt of bean-green Moonlight Silk next to it, reminiscent of the misty rain in Jiangnan in March.

Shopkeeper Ping, satisfied by the astonished expressions of several people but slightly vexed by Ran Yan’s calm demeanor, watched her.

After a while, Ran Yun was the first to exclaim, "This must cost quite a sum!"

Ran Meiyu laughed softly, touching the light orange Moonlight Silk with her delicate hands, "With all that money you have, what else are you keeping it for?"

Her comment seemed rather ostentatious in front of Shopkeeper Ping.

With the four shops the Ran family owned in East Market, each in a different trade, only wealthy merchants attempted to diversify as the Ran family did. Shopkeeper Ping might not grasp the exact figure, but he could guess, with no need for overt display.

"Our shops aren’t far from here, and the Ran residence is a regular customer. I must not hide from you that Silk Floss costs thirty guan per zhang, and Moonlight Silk forty-sixty guan per zhang," said Shopkeeper Ping, in all earnestness.

The mention of the price made even Ran Yan’s heart skip a beat; one zhang of Silk Floss alone could buy more than a zhang of the finest silk. By this rate, this piece would cost at least a hundred and fifty guan. Rice in Chang’an barely cost five or six wen, and this piece of fabric could feed a family of four for ten years.

He added, "There are many nobles in Chang’an, and this item won’t lack buyers. I presented these because I admire the three ladies’ beauty, and since Shilang is a regular, I brought them out specially."

With Shopkeeper Ping’s sincere compliment, both Ran Meiyu and Ran Yun felt delighted, as any young girl who loves beauty would. Although Ran Yan was past the age of a young girl, every woman pays some attention to her appearance. Even though she didn’t react much to Shopkeeper Ping’s words, she liked the Silk Floss in her heart.

"Go ahead and pick," Ran Yunsheng said.

Ran Yun forced a smile, uglier than crying, initially wanting to refuse but seeing Ran Meiyu selecting eagerly, she felt imbalanced. Why should others spend the money she saved by tightening her own belt? Thus, she also steeled herself and began to choose.(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please consider supporting it by casting your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)