Miss Truth
Chapter 87 - 54 Dream_2

Chapter 87: Chapter 54 Dream_2

It was water again.

She was surrounded by water, with her black hair snaking around her in the water. The vibrant cherry-red seemed enchantingly seductive underwater, void of any screams. The woman immersed in the water appeared entirely lifeless, her face wrapped in layers of plain cloth, resembling a plaster statue without features.

Ran Yan swam up to her, reaching out to unwrap the cloth from her face, layer by layer, all the while unconsciously observing the other circumstances of the body.

The woman’s pale, delicate wrists were also tightly wrapped in the cloth, and her feet were bound with hemp rope, which was tied at the end to a large cage that seemed to be filled with stones.

"Ran Yan!" Suddenly, someone patted her from behind, and even the brave Ran Yan was startled.

She turned around and immediately saw Yin Miaomiao’s radiant smile. In an instant, the surrounding water disappeared, and she was standing in the back garden of the Yin’s house, with osmanthus flowers in full bloom and tiny white petals falling like a heavy snow.

Yin Miaomiao frowned and said, "Ran Yan, why are you frowning? Is Lady Gao bullying you again?"

Ran Yan shook her head.

Yin Miaomiao, looking displeased, said, "Don’t think you can hide it from me. I know Lady Gao wants to send you to the manor! Your asthma needs a good doctor for proper treatment. It’s entirely malicious of her to throw you out to the manor. Ran Yan, listen to me, you must absolutely not go. Once you leave, her daughter will rightfully replace you, and in the future, in Suzhou City, everyone will know only Ran Shiba, not the legitimate daughter that you are!"

"I know... But what can I do if I don’t go? She is now the legitimate mother of the Ran family." Ran Yan blurted out uncontrollably, her mind still flashing with the underwater scene, utterly chaotic.

Yin Miaomiao’s voice faintly reached her ears, yet Ran Yan could not hear it clearly, gradually also unable to see the broken and fragmented images.

The light suddenly brightened, and Ran Yan abruptly opened her eyes on the couch.

It was already daylight.

She was sweaty again. Ran Yan got up and walked to the outer room where Mrs. Xing had already risen and was sewing clothes in the corridor. Seeing Ran Yan come out, she smiled and said, "Did my lady sleep soundly last night?"

"Yes, I slept very well." For Ran Yan, as long as she did not dream of her past life friend being violated, it was considered a good night’s sleep.

Mrs. Xing put down her sewing, urging Ran Yan to bathe, "Today, old servant will dress up my lady into a fairy, surely making Mr. Xiao fall for you at first sight."

Ran Yan gave a resigned smile, "Even if I’m as beautiful as to incite jealousy from the heavens, all hidden behind the mask, who could fall for me at first sight?"

"That’s true..." Mrs. Xing said, but her hands were busy pushing Ran Yan towards the bathroom, "Mr. Xiao lacks the refined elegance of Jiangnan men. Apparently, he is from the north, perhaps unfamiliar with Suzhou. Today my lady can guide him, find a chance to take off the mask..."

Mrs. Xing kept planning to herself.

Behind the screen, the hot water was ready, and Ran Yan removed her clothing and stepped into the water, hearing the ebullient Mrs. Xing ask, "How does my lady find this old servant’s idea?"

Ran Yan reluctantly praised, "It’s very thoughtful."

"Then it’s settled, old servant will go speak to Mr. Xiao right away." Mrs. Xing happily walked towards the door, adding one last remark, "Mr. Xiao is fine in all respects, only his wet nurse truly lacks manners!"

Madame Xing was never known for her decisiveness, so Ran Yan was surprised to see her act so swiftly this time. It wasn’t until Madame Xing had closed the door that Ran Yan realized she was serious this time.

She still had a heap of things to do today! Although Lord Xiao might not agree, what if he did? Without fussing much over her bath, she quickly wiped down and rushed out of the bathhouse in her clothes.

Madame Xing was nowhere to be seen outside. When Ran Yan saw a maid entering, she immediately said, "Have you seen Madame Xing? Go and call her back quickly."

The maid paused for a moment, then stepped forward to present a letter to Ran Yan, "Wife, this letter was left by the guest."

"Did Lord Xiao leave?" Ran Yan asked, taking the letter and feeling relieved.

"The slave heard from Shao Ming that Lord Xiao left before dawn," the maid replied, seeing Ran Yan open the envelope and said, "I will go look for Madame Xing."

"There’s no need," Ran Yan said, looking down at the letter.

The content of the letter was simple, thanking her for her hospitality and asking her to keep his visit to Suzhou City a secret.

Keep it a secret? Ran Yan smirked slightly. Even she didn’t know his true identity, what gossip could there possibly be worth spreading? Right, he said he was here to investigate a judge’s case covertly.

A judge was a significant official in Suzhou, but to the entire Great Tang, the death of a mere judge shouldn’t be such a big deal, should it? Ran Yan thought to herself. Xiao Song said he was on a mission to investigate, but he didn’t specify it was by imperial order. She wondered whose command he was under. If she ever became immensely bored one day, it would be worth speculating.

However, there was no time for that now.

Ran Yan said to the maid, "Come help me with my makeup."

Upon hearing Ran Yan’s order, the maid’s face brightened, and she quickly agreed, following Ran Yan into the room.

Ran Yan did not specify her requirements, allowing the maid to do as she saw fit. As long as it was not too exaggerated, she could accept it.

Yet, the result was beyond Ran Yan’s expectation. The maid gave her a subtle makeup look, chose a cyan and purple vestment skirt with silver vine patterns embroidered on the neckline and cuffs, and styled her black hair into a simple bun adorned with two white jade magnolia flowers rimmed with silver.

This attire, simple yet sophisticated, was a stark contrast to Madame Xing’s usual efforts to mask Ran Yan’s aloof demeanor. This look, however, accentuated her coldness to the utmost.

"Why have you dressed me this way?" Ran Yan couldn’t help but look up at the maid. The young girl, probably only fifteen or sixteen, wore a light orange vestment skirt, her face round, and her doe eyes sparkling with liveliness and cleverness.

"The slave heard from Madame Xing that you were going to see patients these days, and the slave thought it inappropriate to dress too seductively..." her answer was obviously nervous, and her voice grew weaker.

Ran Yan asked, "What is your name?"

"The slave’s name is Xiaoman," the maid replied uneasily.

Ran Yan nodded, took her mask, and without a single comment, she headed straight out the door.

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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