Miss Truth
Chapter 319 - 201 Coming Soon

Chapter 319: Chapter 201 Coming Soon

"I heard that Jiulang was impeached by Wei Zheng this morning," Liu Qingsong suddenly said with a smile.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

As the morning court session had just ended, Ran Pingyu, no matter how well-informed, could not possibly have known about it by now; he couldn’t help but ask, "For what reason?"

Liu Qingsong naturally wouldn’t tell the real situation, only saying, "It’s said that he delayed his return to Chang’an to report on his duties..."

Ran Meiyu asked anxiously, "How serious is that crime? What will the punishment be?"

"That’s a serious offense!" Liu Qingsong said seriously, about to embellish the story, but Ran Yan interrupted him.

Ran Yan raised her eyebrows slightly, "I wasn’t aware that Wei Zheng even cared about such matters."

Wei Zheng was known to focus on the issue, not the person. For minor lapses like an official’s delay, he usually wouldn’t get involved; otherwise, wouldn’t he be stealing the job of those at the Imperial Censorate?

Liu Qingsong, not at all embarrassed by having his bluff called out, changed the subject and said, "That was just one case. The Minister of the Ministry of Justice, the Assistant Minister of Ministry of Justice, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Imperial Censor have all been impeached. It’s a minor matter made to seem bigger than it is, and the charges against them aren’t that serious."

Ran Yan suddenly understood Liu Qingsong’s implication. With a case in Chang’an and ambitions to rise, should one not lean closer to those in power?

The thunder was loud, but the damage was small, presenting an excellent opportunity. However, this depended on who you were. Liu Qingsong could still take advantage of his connections to Xiao Song, but what about her? She was neither famously reputable nor backed by powerful support.

Still, there were always opportunities... Ran Yan comforted herself with this thought.

Seeing that Ran Yan’s expression was not very clear, Liu Qingsong changed the subject again, "This year’s first snow really came down fiercely. I heard that Prince Wu, Li Ke, has also been impeached, angering the Emperor so much that he kicked over a table."

Seeing everyone’s astonished faces, Liu Qingsong said proudly, "Exclusive news, you know!"

Liu Qingsong might serve the Xiao household, but they didn’t treat him as a mere servant. The old Lady of the Xiao household even raised him as her own grandson, so Liu Qingsong had numerous friends in the government, which meant he received news quickly.

"Ah, the Emperor truly lives up to the reputation of a great sovereign, truly wise and decisive!" Liu Qingsong exclaimed with joy, his tone tinged with schadenfreude. Xiao Song had dismissed him yesterday, and now he was impeached. See, karma! But the others thought he was mocking Prince Wu.

Ran Pingyu was somewhat dazed by the barrage of information from Liu Qingsong, but one thing he did understand was that Prince Wu, Li Ke, was losing favor. Even if it was temporary, it could mark his downfall. This news was of great use to him. He thus sincerely expressed his thanks.

Everyone was still trying to wrap their heads around the succession of staggering events, with Madam Luo in front, chattering away to Ran Yunsheng.

Liu Qingsong took the opportunity to approach Ran Yan and whisper, "If history follows its original trajectory, one event after another will occur in November. The most important thing is... the Wu family has a daughter, who is soon to arrive."

The daughter of the late Governor of Jingzhou, Wu Shiyue, only fourteen years old and of breathtaking beauty, named Zhaoyi.

A future empress who would turn the tide and command the winds and the rains in history.

"Is there a way to get close to her?" Ran Yan frowned slightly. This matter was not easy to handle.

"Think of something that might attract her attention, and I’ll find a way to get it to her," Liu Qingsong murmured.

Wu Zetian’s personality after eighteen was clear from historical records, but when it came to her childhood, one could only guess based on bits and pieces from historical texts. Ran Yan didn’t have much confidence, "Didn’t you claim to be a friend to women?"

Liu Qingsong caught Ran Meiyu’s attention to their conversation and, feigning nonchalance, said, "I’m afraid she’ll fall hopelessly in love with me."

Ran Yan snorted and lowered her eyes.

Ran Meiyu saw Liu Qingsong looking at her with a smile and saying these words, she thought Liu Qingsong was referring to her, and couldn’t help snorting disdainfully through her nose, giving him a contemptuous glance, thinking, ’As if he has any merit to speak of.’

Since the incident in Jushui County, a frank conversation with Ran Yan had been like splashing cold water to awaken him, and he wondered if he should do something to prove his existence. At the end of the eleventh year of Zhenguan, due to the imminent arrival of a future female emperor, he suddenly took over the steward’s duties and hurried over to consult with Ran Yan about strategies.

After all, opportunities wouldn’t always wait for them, and they had to seize the ones that came their way.

Ran Yan pursed her lips slightly, looking forward to the era of Empress Wu when women’s rights would be unprecedentedly strong, which would make many hurdles lesser for her. But there was still so much time before that day arrived...

She needed to plan carefully.

After seeing Ran Yunsheng off, Ran Yan continued with her scheduled learning routine, reading the "Book of Songs" in the morning. Thanks to the original host’s certain level of literary cultivation, she found understanding classical Chinese not too difficult.

A few braziers were lit in the room. Ran Yan’s feet were wrapped in woolen socks as she sat cross-legged on a thick woolen felt, seriously embroidering in front of the embroidery frame.

Xing Nanny shook her head as she looked at Ran Yan’s sitting posture and the way she held the needle.

Ran Yan turned a blind eye to this; to this day, she didn’t understand the use of learning embroidery, but the original host’s Suzhou embroidery was quite exquisite, and she didn’t want to let that talent go to waste.

"Wife, why embroider on white folded cloth? We still have plenty of fabric left," said Wan Lu and Huan Kong, wrapped up in blankets, huddled in front of the stove, their voices trembling as they asked.

Without lifting her head, Ran Yan replied, "It’s just practice; there’s no need for silk."

Wan Lu pouted, "White folded cloth isn’t necessarily much cheaper than silk, but silk just looks nicer."

After waiting a while, seeing that Ran Yan ignored her, she dragged Huan Kong to the door and peeked through the crack at the heavy snowfall outside, feeling both delight and annoyance, "Shilang is a liar, Chang’an is clearly several times colder than Suzhou."

No sooner had her words fallen than the door was knocked upon. Before Wan Lu and Huan Kong could move away, the visitor pushed open the door and rushed in. Not expecting someone to be right in front, they tripped, and the three of them tumbled into a heap.

Three cries of agony pierced the sky.

A host of servants hurried over in a flurry.

Ran Yun got up from the ground, rubbing her head and said, "What are you two doing blocking the door!"

Having two "cushions" below her, she wasn’t much hurt and, after chiding them, she didn’t make much of it and scurried to Ran Yan, "Sister Seventeen, hurry and get ready, let’s go out! Lady Han has invited me to a snowball fight in the eastern part of the city, let’s join them!"

Ran Yun typically didn’t like to attend these Noble Lady gatherings but felt obliged to go. She thought Ran Yan’s stern face could really keep everyone in place, and since she had a good impression of Ran Yan, she invited her to come along.

"Wife, you should go," encouraged Xing Nanny, seeing Ran Yan’s hesitation.

Ran Yan felt that getting to know more people in Chang’an was a good idea and agreed briskly, rising to sit in front of the table to be attended to by Ge Lan for dressing and makeup.

Wan Lu felt she was being too delicate and, with determination, crawled out from her warm blanket. The cold immediately struck from all around, making her shudder.

A few attendants quickly helped Ran Yan to comb her hair and wash her face, preparing her clothes.

Ran Yun sat in front of the embroidery frame, looking at the small cluster of sword lilies in the upper right corner and couldn’t help saying, "That’s really beautiful."

This cluster of lilies, regardless of flower or leaf, was entirely purple. Yet, the flowers were gracefully shaped; amidst the density of the leaves, a spirit different from ordinary lilies was evident, not losing a touch of elegance. (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.)