Miss Truth
Chapter 377 - 239: Wife Control

Chapter 377: Chapter 239: Wife Control

Ran Yan slightly nodded her head, and since Madam Xing spoke so earnestly, she was not one to ignore good advice. Thus, she said, "I will take your words to heart and think them over carefully."

Madam Xing actually did not understand, what was there left to consider? If she disliked Sang Chen for being young and not steady enough, she could simply dismiss the thought. Yet, Xiao Song was a man of measured actions and great responsibility, trouble-free both inside and out. What was there to be dissatisfied with?

Ultimately, compared to the former Lady Zheng, Madam Xing was much less harsh on Ran Yan, showing more indulgence and less willingness to press her on this matter.

Having arranged to visit his residence today, Ran Yan informed Madam Luo, took her bodyguard and maid, and went to the Xiao family’s house.

Sitting in the carriage, Ran Yan couldn’t help but sigh.

Wan Lu found it strange, for her lady seldom sighed, and thinking about it, she asked, "My lady, what’s wrong? Is something troubling you?"

Ran Yan slightly furrowed her brow and said, "I’ve tried to see my brother twice, but he won’t even meet me. No matter how much I talk at the door, he doesn’t respond at all."

Ran Yan was tempted to kick the door in and confront him face to face to clear things up, but she feared that it would make Ran Yunsheng feel even more embarrassed, so she refrained. However, dragging the issue on was not a solution.

"Perhaps you should ask Mr. Xiao for advice, isn’t he full of ideas?" Wan Lu suggested.

Ran Yan felt a slight stir in her heart; perhaps Xiao Song could offer some good advice.

Seeing that the topic had come to a pause, Ge Lan pulled out some paper and wrote: My lady, Lady Luo plans to send the eighteenth lady back to Suzhou soon; we should prepare early.

Ran Yan glanced at the paper, her gaze slightly hardened, "Are you worried that the Gao family will use my autopsy in Suzhou against us?"

Ge Lan nodded and continued writing: Originally, for the interest of the Ran Family, she might not trouble your marriage and would maintain superficial courtesy, but once she learns of your tactics towards the eighteenth lady...

Ge Lan did not continue writing, thinking that if the Gao family feels the dispute is irreconcilable and fears that once Ran Yan becomes a high-ranked official’s wife, she might retaliate, they might act in desperation. They could not reach Chang’an, but the only thing they could use to obstruct Ran Yan’s marriage was the issue of the autopsy.

Prominent families all value reputation, and no family wishes their daughter-in-law to be engaged in such a despised profession, whether it be the Cui family or the Xiao family. Leaving Sang Chen aside, countless maidens in Chang’an would marry him, but the Xiao family would rather have Xiao Song remain unmarried for life than agree to a woman who has been involved in such a despised profession entering the Xiao family.

"Is there a good strategy to handle this?" Ran Yan looked towards Ge Lan.

Ge Lan’s eyes held a complex expression as she pursed her lips and wrote: Actually, the easiest and most foolproof method is to push this matter onto Assistant Minister Xiao, depending on whether you are willing or not.

If Ran Yan intended to marry Xiao Song, it was natural to push this matter onto him. However, if she had no such intentions, putting this burden on him was unfair and morally questionable.

"I’ll think it over." Being the kind of person Ran Yan was, even if she intended to marry Xiao Song, she would not simply shift everything onto him, especially since she was not yet fully decided.

Ge Lan nodded, and aside from their nominal servant and master relationship, she had also begun to respect Ran Yan from the bottom of her heart. Initially, she thought the words Ran Yan uttered on that rainy night were merely a warning or threat, but Ran Yan had quietly been fulfilling her promise, creating opportunities to bring down the Gao family.

After further interactions, she realized that Ran Yan was not one to frequently make promises. Up until now, she had only promised to take good care of Madam Xing and occasionally help her deal with the Gao family. These promises were being subtly fulfilled by Ran Yan.

Ran Yan was someone who struggled with expressing herself, particularly regarding emotions. She spoke straightforwardly, but for things that were inconvenient to mention directly, she could not hint indirectly and had to rely on actions.

They arrived at Pingkang Square.

Since Xiao Song had already instructed the gatekeeper, after a brief greeting, the carriage directly entered the Xiao family’s Inner Gate.

After stepping out of the carriage, Ran Yan was taken aback to see Xiao Song in a crimson official uniform, already waiting in front of the Inner Gate.

Xiao Song’s figure was tall and robust, his face handsome and spirited. The crimson not only did not make him appear effeminate, but rather, it brought out a more vibrant and youthful vigor, more so than the purple he usually wore. Standing next to him, Liu Qingsong looked like a frost-stricken eggplant, his wide-sleeved robe hanging on him like it was on a rack, empty. He appeared much thinner than before, his eyes swollen and the bags under his eyes dark, his cheeks looked filled, but Ran Yan could tell at a glance that it was due to swelling, giving him the look of being debauched, a stark contrast to Xiao Song’s bright and upright demeanor.