Miss Truth
Chapter 333 - 208: Irresistible Feelings (2)_2

Chapter 333: Chapter 208: Irresistible Feelings (2)_2

Xiao Song realized his lapse in composure, turned his head away, and quickly gathered his emotions, "Chai Xuanyi holds no official position, yet he is said to write splendid calligraphy and is quite capable of composing verses. It was he who was ambushed this time. Unfortunately, he fell down the slope and struck the back of his head against a rock. The injury was severe; he was in a coma for four days before he awoke. Tragically, the Imperial Physician has diagnosed him with memory loss."

Away from the enveloping presence of Xiao Song’s breath, Ran Yan let out a sigh of relief and nodded to show she was listening to his words.

Xiao Song sat upright and ceased speaking further. He always felt that although there was a certain atmosphere forming between them, Ran Yan always seemed to be evading it.

Given Ran Yan’s forthright nature, she shouldn’t be the type to enjoy playing coy. Xiao Song could clearly feel that she was fond of him, but this fondness wasn’t enough for her to willingly entrust her life to him. It seemed as if something was always lacking... But what exactly was that missing element?

Silence filled the carriage. Not long after they had passed East Market, Xiao Song heard a series of rapid hoofbeats outside. He lifted the curtain slightly and saw someone on horseback, braving the wind and snow, chasing after the carriage he was in.

Horseback was naturally faster than the carriage, and in the blink of an eye, the rider was less than two zhang away, "Assistant Minister Xiao!"

"Stop the carriage," Xiao Song ordered.

The carriage slowed down and stopped at the side, and the messenger approached on his horse, dismounting by the window, bowing and saying, "Assistant Minister Xiao, Mr. Chai has remembered some things!"

Xiao Song grabbed his cloak, turned to Ran Yan, and said, "I have official business to attend to. A guard will escort you home."

Ran Yan nodded, "Go ahead."

Xiao Song donned his cloak, mounted his horse outside, and returned with the messenger.

Ran Yan lifted the curtain and saw the black fur cloak disappearing gradually into the snow, resembling a bold and unrestrained ink painting.

"Wife," Wan Lu climbed into the carriage, and seeing Ran Yan deep in thought, called out softly.

Ge Lan followed her in.

They were only a door away outside the carriage and naturally heard everything clearly. Both felt somewhat apprehensive; this case involved the hidden Crown Prince’s only daughter, and the three departments were being extremely cautious. The Xuanwu Gate incident, where Emperor Taizong usurped the throne by killing his brothers, had become an indelible scar in his heart, and even the Elders dared not speculate on the Emperor’s intentions regarding the matter.

If this case were tangled with the Princess of Wenxi County and the Emperor’s intentions were unknown, it would be uncertain whether to proceed with the case or not.

Ran Yan also vaguely understood why Xiao Song was impeached. If the case couldn’t be kicked to the Ministry of Justice, then the Ministry of Criminal Justice would have to shoulder it alone. If they didn’t drag the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Censorate into this, once the case was cracked open, only the Ministry of Criminal Justice would inevitably bear the responsibility. And as the second-in-command of the Ministry, he couldn’t avoid being implicated.

At the same time, she understood that the Imperial Censorate definitely dared not impeach Xiao Song now. His reputation for solving cases was well known throughout the government and imperial court, and impeaching him would bring no benefit but harm to the Imperial Censorate.

Having reached this conclusion, Ran Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

Back at the residence, Ran Yan had a simple lunch and then continued to read "Shijing."

"Peach blossoms blooming, so radiant and bright, the man goes to his home, suitable for his family... " Ran Yan frowned and looked at this line, recalling the hairpin that Xiao Song had given her previously, was it not carved from peach wood and depicted peach blossoms?

Lush and verdant peach trees, with their blossoms blooming resplendently. When this woman becomes a bride, her household will surely be harmonious and full.

"I’ve read this before," Wan Lu, who was sewing at the side, interjected. Seeing that Ran Yan was not displeased, she continued, "The teacher said it compares the newlywed to a peach tree, symbolizing a prosperous lineage."

Ran Yan read and reread the poem "Peach Blossom" several times, "Is there such a meaning to it?"

She remembered this poem "Peach Blossom" and also vaguely recalled its meaning but hadn’t deeply considered this interpretation.

Xing Niang entered from outside, lifted the inner chamber’s curtain, and sat cross-legged beside Ran Yan, "Wife, I heard this morning that Emperor summoned Mr. Sang."

Ran Yan set down the book and turned to ask, "He has arrived in Chang’an?"

"Yes," Xing Niang sighed upon seeing Ran Yan’s lack of apparent concern and continued to speak, "It’s said that the Emperor personally appointed him as Doctor of the Imperial College."

This wasn’t a very high position, but since ancient times there has been a high regard for "honoring teachers and valuing their teachings." As a Doctor at the Imperial College, his influence would inevitably spread far and wide. Moreover, it was an appointment bestowed by the Emperor himself. Even if Sang Chen refused to acknowledge his descent from the Cui family, his prospects were not dim.

Ran Yan thought Emperor Li Shimin truly was a wise ruler, who could discern with a single glance that the rabbit was suited for nothing other than educating others.

Days are short in winter, and it soon grew dark.

After having her evening meal, Ran Yan read for a while and then lay down on her bed.

Muddled by various thoughts, it took her a long time to gradually slip into drowsiness.

In the half-conscious state, Ran Yan faintly heard a slight noise in the outer room. At first thinking it was Wan Lu, she didn’t pay it any attention, turned over, and prepared to resume fostering her sleepiness.

Because she wasn’t accustomed to a high pillow, she had Wan Lu make her a low pillow filled with buckwheat hulls. Also, ever since she had practiced the breathing techniques given by Su Fu, her senses had become clearer than before. With her ear close to the ground, she could faintly hear extremely light footsteps outside. These sounds, amidst the whistling wind and snow, would have gone unnoticed if not for Ran Yan’s natural vigilance.

Startled, Ran Yan knew Wan Lu would never approach the inner chamber so sneakily!

Moreover, Su Fu always appeared before people or behind them without a sound, and although Xiao Song was not exactly what one called a paragon of virtue, he was a candid person. Ran Yan also didn’t believe that after being exposed once, he would do it again. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)