Miss Truth
Chapter 327 - 205: Opportunity Has Arrived_2

Chapter 327: Chapter 205: Opportunity Has Arrived_2

Moreover, Wu Zetian’s most difficult moment was from the last years of the Zhenguan era to the second year of the Yonghui era. Since there were still more than a decade of good governance remaining in the Zhenguan era, wasn’t it too early to start supporting her now? Rather than that, it would be better to devise a way to catch Li Shimin’s attention, as there was much to be achieved in the coming decade.

Having thought through many things, Ran Yan had a general direction in mind and planned to seek out Liu Qingsong the day after tomorrow to discuss a specific plan.

The next day, early in the morning, as soon as the dawn drums began to sound, Ran Yan got out of bed.

After washing up, she went to the kitchen.

The kitchen maids had already started preparing breakfast. The Ran household’s kitchen was very large, and since they had been notified the night before, a stove was kept available exclusively for Ran Yan.

After washing her hands in a basin, Ran Yan began to skillfully chop vegetables.

Her knife skills immediately caught the attention of the steward’s wife, but seeing Ran Yan’s unapproachable demeanor, she didn’t dare to disturb her.

It wasn’t until the aroma of the braised pork belly filled the kitchen, permeating the air with a fragrance that was tantalizing yet not greasy, that the kitchen maids started craning their necks to look, and the steward’s wife couldn’t help but draw close to make conversation, "Wife really is virtuous, your cooking skills must make even the imperial chefs in the palace green with envy!"

Ran Yan glanced at the steward’s wife during a brief moment, and her first impression was "plump." Her figure was such that probably three Ran Yans tied together wouldn’t match up to her. Because of her obesity, her facial features were not very pronounced, especially her eyes, which were squinted into two thin slits by the mounds of flesh, but her skin was good, and when she smiled, deep dimples appeared on her cheeks, which was quite charming.

"I’ll have someone copy the recipe and send it to you later," Ran Yan finished, but then she hesitated for a moment, wondering if she had been too direct?

The steward’s wife, however, did not mind and was overjoyed, smiling broadly, "Wife really is straightforward. Not keeping such exquisite culinary skills to yourself, I am called Fu Tuan; if Wife ever wishes to use the kitchen again, just let me know directly, no need to go through the steward."

"Thank you." Ran Yan thought the name "Fu Tuan" suited her quite well and smiled faintly at her to show friendliness.

Fu Tuan squinted her eyes and clicked her tongue, "Wife truly is a beauty. I’ve lived in Chang’an since I was a child and have seen many ladies from wealthy households, but it’s the first time I see a delicate beauty like Wife!"

Ran Yan didn’t respond. She guessed the workings of Fu Tuan’s mind. Much like in the future, where calling someone "beautiful lady" was common, even when asking for directions on the street, if by chance you met a young woman, you would say, "Beautiful lady, how do I get to such and such place?" People were usually happy to answer; it was just a polite way of speaking, and it didn’t necessarily reflect one’s true thoughts.

Fu Tuan then praised Ran Yan to the skies, as if the young lords of Chang’an would regret it their whole lives if they couldn’t marry her.

Ran Yan let it go in one ear and out the other, occasionally inserting a question about the customs and ethos of Chang’an, managing to keep the conversation going.

Ran Yan made Wu Xiuhe’s favorite dish, braised pork belly, along with a ginseng chicken soup, a spicy sauce tripe, several small stir-fries, and also made a pot of ginger pork porridge for Ran Pingyu and Luo Shi.

Eating ginger in the morning is better than drinking ginseng soup. Eating ginger on a winter morning is an excellent health practice. Living in someone else’s house, Ran Yan always felt a bit indebted, and since Ran Pingyu and Luo Shi were not lacking in wealth, she could only show her gratitude in these small gestures.

All preparations complete, Ran Yan boarded the carriage inside the Inner Gate.

The carriage rolled out the main gate and was about to turn the corner to head south when it was blocked by another carriage that had just stopped at the entrance of the Ran residence.

"Don’t rush, don’t rush, let me get off first," came an anxious man’s voice from outside.

Ran Yan raised her eyebrows slightly, lifted the curtain, and saw that thin figure about to knock on the Ran residence’s door, she called out, "Liu Qingsong?"

Liu Qingsong turned around abruptly, saw Ran Yan, and joyfully said, "I was just looking for you!"

"Get in and we can talk," Ran Yan said.

Liu Qingsong quickly climbed into Ran Yan’s carriage.

As the coachman continued towards South City, Liu Qingsong, bursting with excitement, asked, "Do you know how to treat asthma?"

Ran Yan was silent for a moment, then under Liu Qingsong’s hopeful gaze, she slowly shook her head and said, "I can’t treat it, but I am quite familiar with the bodily indications of asthma in corpses after death."

"I’m defeated by you! What would I do with that information!" Liu Qingsong sighed heavily like a deflated ball, "Yesterday, I heard Jiulang say that the little Princess of Jinyang is ill. His Majesty was originally planning to visit Huai State today, but he canceled the trip, and now he is frantically anxious! Jiulang’s description of the symptoms sounds like asthma, and Empress Changsun died from asthma—it must be hereditary!"

Liu Qingsong looked at Ran Yan with an "you know what I mean" expression.

"Don’t look at me like that; even if you keep looking, I won’t suddenly know how to treat asthma," Ran Yan replied. She wasn’t truly ignorant in treating diseases. She understood the mechanism, treatment, and aftercare of asthma quite well, but knowing the theory of treating diseases was not enough without rich clinical experience to truly claim expertise.

Ran Yan knew of this Jinyang Princess; her pet name was Sizi, and she was Li Shimin’s most cherished princess. Ever since Empress Changsun had passed away, Li Shimin had kept both Sizi and Li Zhi by his side to personally educate them. It was said he would even hold Sizi on his lap while reviewing documents.

Sizi was clever and sharp, quick to pick up on subtleties at a young age, and knew how to win people’s affection. Whenever she saw her father the Emperor getting angry, she would judge the situation and speak up for whoever was being reprimanded, gradually dissipating Taizong’s anger.

Many court officials had been beneficiaries of the little princess’s kindness and therefore held her dear, treasuring her greatly.

It could be said that gaining the opportunity to treat the Jinyang Princess would make any endeavor much more efficient.

A previously unseen brilliance flashed in Ran Yan’s eyes as she pondered, "This, I might be able to do."

She believed that with effort, everything was possible. Sizi died in the eighteenth year of the Zhenguan era, which was still seven years away. If she focused on asthma during this time, seeking out patients to treat in the marketplace to accumulate experience, she would certainly make progress given enough time. Moreover, compared to ancient doctors, her advantage was a better understanding of the disease and knowledge of many drugs and treatment methods they had yet to discover. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to cast your recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)