Miss Truth-Chapter 506 - 335: Trick

Ran Yan fell silent for a moment. Chun Lai would rather die than protect Shilang. Was Shilang related to Li Ke? Even if there was a relationship, why would Chun Lai protect him?

"Do you think Chun Lai likes Shilang?" Ran Yan suddenly asked.

Xiao Song, who was lazily basking in the sun, heard her question and slightly raised his eyebrows, "I don’t know. If we assume normal circumstances, they grew up together since they were young. Although Shilang’s character is a bit lacking, his looks and talents are incomparable to those of ordinary young lords. There’s no reason not to like him, right?"

Ran Yan gave Xiao Song a faint look. She really didn’t understand how the Chang’an’s Gui Jianchou had the nerve to criticize others for their character flaws, especially since Xiao Xuanzhi looked much more gentle and refined than him.

"If it were before, I would think the same, but as Liu Qingsong said, emotions are unreliable. There’s nothing about causes and consequences," Ran Yan could not guess whether Chun Lai had deep feelings for Xiao Xuanzhi, and it was crucial. She paused and then said, "Instead of thinking about it here, why not ask her directly?"

After speaking, Ran Yan sighed. With Li Ke in the mansion, and it unclear whether he was friend or foe, it seemed inadvisable to meddle in this matter rashly.

Xiao Song, seeing her talk to herself, was very pleased and couldn’t help but gently stroke her hair as he spoke softly, "What’s so difficult about that? If you want to know, just trick it out of her."

Ran Yan’s eyes lit up, and she grabbed his hand, "How to trick her?"

Xiao Song called Bai Yi over, whispered a few instructions, then turned around and said, "Let’s go. We’ll take a walk to the back mountain!"

Xiao Song blinked, holding her hand and walking outside, "I might return to Chang’an in a day or two. I’m afraid there won’t be many more leisurely days. The weather is nice today, I’ll just accompany my wife."

Ran Yan did not know what he was planning to do, but she followed him calmly.

Going to the back mountain was in the opposite direction of the ancestral shrine, but the side gate offered a shorter route.

Exiting through the side gate, they passed a row of houses. Xiao Song continuously told Ran Yan jokes along the way, and she courteously laughed a few times. As they were about to leave the village, Xiao Song slowed his pace and then said, "Shilang hasn’t been in good spirits these past few days. It must be because of Chun Lai. Shilang is stubborn, and if she truly has feelings for Shilang, he will definitely protect her with all his might," his voice gradually lowered, then returned to normal, "Before we return to Chang’an, you should visit the Lady."

"Okay," Ran Yan agreed obediently.

Xiao Song took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from the side of Ran Yan’s brow, asking gently, "Are you tired?"

Ran Yan shook her head, and the two seemed just like a couple making casual conversation as they slowly headed towards higher ground.

When they reached the middle of the slope, Xiao Song, seeing no one around, did not care whether Ran Yan was willing or not and suddenly carried her on his back, which startled her, "Xiao Yuezhi, you are always messing around! Put me down now."

Ran Yan was usually not the type to care about what others thought. However, today was not like other days. In Suzhou, she had not kept her autopsy practice a secret, which later caused many troubles. Though none were fatal, it had taught her a comprehensive lesson... rumors are fiercer than tigers.

"It’s okay," Xiao Song said, his voice filled with amusement.

Since he said it was fine, Ran Yan no longer insisted on getting down.

Xiao Song helplessly said, "You still don’t understand the intricacies of the inner court. As a wife, you rely on status outside, background, your husband’s status, your in-law’s status. At home, it’s all about your husband’s favor. Who would dare to slight someone I value?"

With Ran Yan’s background, it would be impossible for Xiao family’s proud daughters-in-law to truly respect her, but at least knowing how much Xiao Song valued her, others would not embarrass her publicly. Otherwise, it would be slapping Xiao Song’s face. Who in the entire Xiao family would dare to provoke the Duke other than Song himself.

Although Xiao Song had been living alone for a long time, he was still from a prominent family and had absorbed more in his childhood than Ran Yan.

Ran Yan listened silently, she was completely helpless in these matters, practically a Level Nine disability, but fortunately, Xiao Song seemed to understand a lot.

When the two reached the top of the slope, the maids picking flowers were shocked to see Jiulang carrying the Lady up the hill, all showing faces of surprise, even Wan Lu rushed over, anxiously asking, "Wife, have you been injured somewhere?"

Ran Yan tapped her on the forehead, "Can’t you think something good about me?"

Only then did Wan Lu breathe a sigh of relief, and immediately covered her mouth, teasingly laughing as she whispered in Ran Yan’s ear, "The Lord and Wife truly show great affection."

Ran Yan smiled slightly, changing the subject, "Let me see how you all are doing with the picking."

"Would the Lord like to join the Lady in checking?" Wan Lu boldly asked. Since Ran Yan had married into the family, Wan Lu never dared to speak with Xiao Song, simply because he was really intimidating when serious.

Xiao Song slightly nodded his head, took Ran Yan’s hand, and walked together deep into the flower bushes.

The bamboo baskets were not big, about half the size of a basin used for washing faces, and the six maids’ baskets were nearly full. According to Ran Yan’s request, they had only picked half-opened buds.

Xiao Song just stood silently by her side, checking the flowers together, his expression was indifferent, seemingly emotionless. He was always like this in front of others. When facing people with whom socializing was necessary, he could naturally engage in cheerful conversation, making it hard to distinguish between sincerity and pretense. Toward those with whom he need not show emotions, he maintained the current state, appearing slightly lazy and detached.

Ran Yan noticed that the surrounding maids did not even dare to breathe loudly, and couldn’t help but look at Xiao Song, "We are just looking at flowers, why the stern face?"

Xiao Song cleared his throat, it was not intentional, just a habit that was not easily changed, besides, no one had asked him to change it.

"Let’s not look at flowers anymore, let’s go see the scenery ahead, I know a good place," Xiao Song’s expression was much more natural.

Ran Yan nodded, put down the flowers, and followed him away.

The wind was slightly stronger on the high ground, blowing their robes fluttering, the fallen petals of orchids were picked up by the wind, twirling in the air, filling the air with a faint fragrance.

Xiao Song led Ran Yan through a small pine forest, and the view suddenly opened up; a flat plain stretched to the horizon, full of greenery, and even villagers working in the fields could be seen not far away. Immediately below was the Xiao clan’s residential area, especially the ancestral hall, everything was in plain sight.

"Who were you trying to have hear that comment just before we climbed up?" Ran Yan recalled Xiao Song mentioning Chun Lai.

"Chun Lai’s grandmother." Xiao Song never missed any detail while investigating cases, and he knew Chun Lai’s grandmother was blind but had better hearing than most elders, and she used to fiddle with some food in the yard around just before noon every day, so she certainly could hear what he said.

Seeing Ran Yan frown, Xiao Song quickly said, "It’s not entirely about using her, if the old lady could indeed make Chun Lai reveal even a word or two, wouldn’t I try my best to spare Chun Lai’s life?"

"It’s a temporary solution, I’m not blaming you." Ran Yan looked down the mountain, "Can the old lady see Chun Lai?"

"Don’t worry, the clan pities the old lady’s solitary life and hasn’t stopped her from visiting, but there are always people present. I have already ordered someone to deal with them, they can talk freely, only my people will hear," Xiao Song smiled. When Duke Song had tasked him with this matter, he had already arranged the guards of the ancestral hall, no one was more skilled at finding a loophole in defense.

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

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