Miss Truth
Chapter 351 - 221: Mutually Training Each Other

Chapter 351: Chapter 221: Mutually Training Each Other

Ran Yunsheng did not look good, and Xiao Song kindly comforted him, "Shilang, rest assured, he has always been like this whenever he fancied any wife. Just have your younger sister be a bit cautious, and after some time, when his enthusiasm fades, things will get better."

To modern ears, Liu Qingsong’s words might sound like a joke, but even in the open-minded Tang Dynasty, such language felt overly libertine.

Liu Qingsong had just finished telling stories, his mouth dry and tongue tired, having barely managed to establish a brilliant impression in Ran Yunsheng’s mind, but Xiao Song dispelled all that with a simple sentence. Hearing those "indecent" words firsthand, especially since his impression of Xiao Song had always been one of depth and stability, Ran Yunsheng immediately lowered his opinion of Liu Qingsong to the lowest point.

Moreover, with Liu Qingsong’s eloquent tongue, he might indeed manage to deceive Ran Yun.

Seeing some anxiety in Ran Yunsheng’s expression, Xiao Song slightly curved his lips, then spoke earnestly, "Lady Seventeen has injuries and should not move too rapidly. How about this, Shilang, you quickly go back and inform your sister about this. It happens that I need to leave the city for some errands, and can drop Lady Seventeen at your doorstep on the way, so you can rest assured."

Ran Yunsheng remembered there was a maid waiting outside the Government Office and thought Xiao Song was a gentleman, so he gratefully bowed his hands, "Thank you, Mr. Xiao! I entrust Ah Yan to you."

"Shilang, no need to be so courteous, I am just passing by." Xiao Song bowed in return.

Ran Yunsheng gave a few instructions to Ran Yan and then hurried away.

"Sly." Ran Yan watched her brother deceptively led away, understanding why diverting Ran Yunsheng was possible but asked, "Did Liu Qingsong offend you?"

"No, but didn’t he offend you?" Xiao Song referred to Liu Qingsong mocking Ran Yan’s poetry and his earlier comments about her lack of literary taste.

Actually, these weren’t even the main point. The main issue was that Liu Qingsong stubbornly refused to confess when he recited "Guanshan Yue" to Ran Yan, plus, with his journey riddled with hardships, Xiao Song also couldn’t bear to let Liu Qingsong have too smooth a sailing.

In Liu Qingsong’s words: A little bitterness on the path of love makes the taste of marriage sweeter later.

If it weren’t for Liu Qingsong’s openly bold exclamation of "capturing Ran Yun," Ran Yunsheng wouldn’t have believed it so easily.

Ran Yan shot Xiao Song a glance, wondering if he had deliberately provoked Liu Qingsong into making that declaration! If that were the case, then he had been setting a trap for Liu Qingsong from the moment he entered the room...

"I would never deceive you like that." Seeing the look in Ran Yan’s eyes, Xiao Song promptly clarified.

"Who knows!" Though Ran Yan said as much, she actually believed him. For someone accustomed to playing with power like him, deceiving her over such a trivial matter wouldn’t be difficult, yet he had chosen not to do so.

The two of them talked as they boarded the carriage.

...

After two days of snowfall, the weather began to clear.

The snow melted unusually fast, dripping from the eaves everywhere, almost completely disappearing within a day. The air was slightly cold and damp, a lot like Suzhou’s winter.

Ran Yan leaned against the carriage window, watching the passersby outside, while Xiao Song, having finally managed to get others away, seized the opportunity to introduce her to the neighborhoods they passed.

As they passed by the East Gate, opposite to Pingkang Square and East Market, the area buzzed with laughter and chirping sounds. Women’s laughter rang like silver bells, and up in the pavilions, women dressed either extravagantly or revealingly were beckoning to customers. Some held fans, partially concealing their smiles, others adorned flowers in their hair, or coyly waved handkerchiefs, using seductive language to draw the attention of passing gentlemen...

With the scent of rouge in the air and flowers in full bloom, it suddenly felt like spring had arrived.

Ran Yan watched intently, almost unblinking.

"Ran Yan." Xiao Song saw how engrossed she was and thought she did not know what place this was, "This is not a place for a wife to come, stop looking."

Ran Yan turned her head and said, "Hmm... I was just thinking, these people who engage in promiscuity must be plagued by sexually transmitted diseases!"

Ran Yan was indeed thinking that since she could extract penicillin, and there were so many brothels in Chang’an City, the market was huge. Moreover, penicillin has a wide range of uses, not necessarily for treating sexually transmitted diseases. Why not use it to practice medicine and earn some money first?

Xiao Song was startled but soon burst out into a hearty laugh, attracting the attention of many prostitutes outside. Xiao Song’s voice was very pleasant, whether it was a loud laugh or a husky low tone, it had a power that stirred people’s hearts; hearing him, the prostitutes naturally wanted to catch a glimpse of his true face.

"So unrestrained." Xiao Song laughed and scolded.

Ran Yan glanced outside, "So many beauties craning their necks, Master Xiao, are you a regular visitor?"

Xiao Song laughed, "Do you know what would happen if I stand out there now?"

Absolute scattering of birds and beasts.

Xiao Song was not new to visiting brothels, sometimes due to social obligations in the official circles, he inevitably came to such places. At first, when the prostitutes saw Xiao Song’s handsome and tall appearance, they were naturally overjoyed and flocked to him. But once they knew his real identity, they subtly started to keep their distance. If simply keeping their distance was all, it would have been fine; while serving others, they still occasionally stole glances at him. It was annoying.

Of course, some were so enamored with him that they were willing to serve him despite the risk of being "cursed to death."

"I’ve been here a few times, but just for a drink." Xiao Song said.

Ran Yan frowned, "That shows you’re smart."

"Hmm?" Xiao Song raised his eyebrow.

Ran Yan usually lacked interest in other people’s private lives, but somehow, she wanted to "educate" Xiao Song on this concept, "Being smart or not depends on intelligence, that is, wisdom. Typically, the higher the intelligence of a person, the higher their expectations in matters of men and women. They focus more on a spiritual connection, only feeling physically satisfied when there is a basis of soul-to-soul communication. Promiscuity belongs to beasts."

Physical... promiscuity... Ran Yan’s bold vocabulary took Xiao Song a moment to process. He immediately slapped his thigh and laughed, "So you mean to say that this place houses a den full of beasts?"

"Those who visit brothels are all beasts, but not necessarily the prostitutes," Ran Yan seriously explained. "Those who visit brothels actively seek pleasure, but most prostitutes are forced into selling themselves."

Xiao Song nodded, "Makes sense, but Ran Yan, just keep these thoughts between us when in front of other gentlemen."

Ran Yan huffed, speaking more out of seeing potential in him than out of an idle need to lecture others.

"Did you hear me?" Xiao Song saw her dismissive expression and sternly lectured.

Ran Yan glanced at him, "Are you trying to discipline me?"

After a long stare, Xiao Song let out a sigh, letting it go. He also liked her for this frankness and directness; if she were to become like other wives, hesitating to speak and playing coy, he would be annoyed. Consequently, he changed the topic, "I remember Chai Xuanyi also often visited brothels... since there are no missing concubines from his house, could it be the prostitutes he played with?"

Ran Yan watched as the brothel of Qin and State gradually moved further away, pondered and said, "It’s also very possible. He said he remembered being forced by someone and a maid to jump off a hillside; does he remember the person’s face? Clearly the bandits intended to kill him and killed this woman, and it wasn’t for robbery? Could it be a revenge killing?"

It is said that out of the four missing people, only one body has been found, leaving three people’s fate unknown!

"You suspect Princess Wenxi, but do you have proof?" Ran Yan asked.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please head over to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)