Miss Truth-Chapter 483 - 316 - End (1)

Chapter 316

Spring was suitable for gentle nourishment. Ran Yan prepared several fish dishes and some light appetizers. Setting aside the taste, Ran Yan’s knife skills alone were breathtaking, as the naked eye could hardly discern the thickness variation between each slice of fish.

When Liu Qingsong tasted the familiar braised fish, tears uncontrollably welled up, yet his chopsticks did not stop.

This scene left Xiao Song stunned for a long while.

Xiao Song had known Liu Qingsong for more than a decade; he had always been carefree, regardless of how others reacted or rushed, always wearing a grin that made one want to punch him. Yet, at this moment, his pathetic look made one feel... he definitely needed a punching.

Ran Yan lowered her eyes and quietly ate her meal, never once glancing at him.

But what was meant to be a warm and joyful meal after Xiao Song’s recent marriage was turned into one of sorrow and melancholy by Liu Qingsong’s tears, leaving Xiao Song extremely depressed, his gaze lethal.

After the meal, Liu Qingsong’s mood returned to normal, but Xiao Song was eager to have him sent away immediately.

Ran Yan understood that Liu Qingsong was extremely homesick. Even after spending more than a decade in the Great Tang, it was not enough to soothe the longing deep in his heart for his homeland. No matter how well off he was in Tang, the moment there was a chance to return, he would not hesitate.

Did Ran Yan herself not wish to return to a place familiar to her?

"Lady?" Xiao Song, unbeknownst to her, had sat down beside her, drew her into his arms, and asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Ran Yan shook her head. She desperately wanted to talk to someone to relieve the pressure in her heart, but Liu Qingsong was unreliable, and she did not know how to start the conversation with Xiao Song.

Xiao Song kissed her forehead, and neither spoke. Ran Yan let him take her hand and lead her to the garden outside.

The garden was full of pink peonies blossoming like rosy clouds, set off by the verdant leaves, with roses creamy as fat and bright red kapok buds blooming on the branches.

In March, the peach blossom turned gradually into spring mud.

The weather in Chang’an was getting hotter, and already in April, it was possible to wear light gauze. Xiao Song had planned to take Ran Yan to Guanshan during their wedding period, but plans had failed to keep up with changes—Lady Xiao had fallen ill.

As a daughter-in-law who was knowledgeable in medical skills, it was naturally Ran Yan’s undeniable responsibility to stay by the old lady’s bed daily, almost lodging at the old mansion, inadvertently neglecting Xiao Song.

However, Xiao Song had no complaints. He was essentially raised by Lady Xiao, and his affection for her was even deeper than that of a typical grandmother and grandson.

Liu Qingsong also moved into the old mansion, constantly tending to Lady Xiao in a tireless effort, with a group of imperial physicians taking turns diagnosing her. Yet, Lady Xiao’s condition fluctuated unpredictably. Ran Yan knew in her heart, with her advanced age, and her illness striking as fiercely as a crumbling mountain, the likelihood of recovery was grim.

When Xiao’s family learned of Lady Xiao’s serious illness, confirmed by the imperial physician, they rushed to Chang’an in a mighty manner, with each branch’s legitimate sons, grandsons, and wives all arriving by the end of April.

Duke of Song who has just left had also requested leave from court to return and fulfill his filial duties.

At the same time, Yu Shixian, who was lingering on his sickbed, was also nearing his time, and two princesses in the palace had sudden violent illness episodes, keeping the Imperial Medical Bureau’s old men incredibly busy, running around all day, leaving the bureau almost solely to the apprentices who picked medicines.

On May second, the Emperor personally visited Xiao’s mansion to see Lady Xiao, and on May third, he visited Yu Shixian’s residence.

With the meticulous care of top doctors from the Great Tang, Lady Xiao’s condition was temporarily stabilized, and by the end of May, she had begun to show some improvement, occasionally even being able to get out of bed to bask in the sun outside.

Yu Shixian’s illness had irrevocably worsened, and on May 25, he passed away in Chang’an. Scholars wept bitterly, their cries echoing throughout Chang’an City.

"Has Yu Yongxing passed on?" Lady Xiao asked, sitting on the round-armed couch in the courtyard, slowly questioning Ran Yan.

Yu Shixian had been posthumously titled Duke of Yongxing, hence people often referred to him as Yu Yongxing.

"Yes." Ran Yan disliked deceiving others, especially since the old lady was not easily fooled.

Lady Xiao watched the bright red peonies in the courtyard in silence. After a long while, she took out a peach wood comb from her bosom, looked at it for a long time, and then handed it to Ran Yan. "Come, help me comb my hair."

Ran Yan took the wooden comb in both hands and untied Lady Xiao’s snow-white hair, gently smoothing it with the comb.

"When I was young, Emperor Xiaoming adored my hair the most. He said it felt smoother than the finest silk, and that no amount of gold or silver could match it. So, he personally made this comb and gave it to me," Lady Xiao said with a hint of a smile, lowering her eyes. "I said, ’Hair that no gold or silver could match, and you give me a wooden comb?’ He replied, ’This comb is a token of my heart for only you.’"

Ran Yan smiled along, thinking to herself that it was no wonder Xiao Song had skillfully carved a lifelike peach blossom hairpin; it seemed the Xiao family had carpentry in their heritage. "Grandmother’s hair still feels smoother than silk, and it’s not tiring to comb at all."

"You’ve learned to flatter just like Jiu’er," Lady Xiao laughed.

Ran Yan didn’t deny it, though Lady Xiao’s hair was indeed much better than most elderly people’s, it certainly wasn’t as good as when she was younger.

"Song’er, bring me that cloud-patterned robe with the curved hem," Lady Xiao said.

"My lady, Doctor Liu has gone to prepare medicine, I will get it for you," said the maid Liang’er, bowing.

Lady Xiao nodded slightly.

"My lady, let me comb your hair," Ling Xiang said, seeing that Lady Xiao was in a good mood.

Ling Xiang, now thirty-eight years old, had originally been a maid for Empress Xiao. After Yang Guang was murdered by Yuwen Huaji, Empress Xiao was taken away by the rebels, then captured by Dou Jiande, and later welcomed by the Khan. Having been handed over several times, Ling Xiang was given to Lady Xiao when Empress Xiao left for the Turkic lands. Clever and quick-witted, she had made herself quite beloved by Lady Xiao.

"Very well," Lady Xiao responded with a smile.

Ling Xiang took the comb and carefully combed Lady Xiao’s hair into an elegant and sophisticated hairstyle. This hairstyle was not the popular high bun of the Tang Dynasty, but it looked dignified and refined, wearing no gold or silver ornaments, just a single white jade cloud hairpin.

Liang’er brought out a black wide-sleeved, cross-collared robe, its solemn color and style more reminiscent of Han Dynasty attire, strikingly different from that of the Great Tang.

Ling Xiang and Ran Yan helped Lady Xiao put it on.

"I’ve gained so much weight," Lady Xiao noted with a smile as she barely managed to fit into the outfit.

Ling Xiang covered her mouth with a laugh. "You are not heavy, my lady. Look at my waist, it’s nearly a tube now."

Perhaps because she had dealt with the dead too often, Ran Yan was particularly sensitive to death, especially upon seeing the vibrant Lady Xiao, a sense of foreboding suddenly filled her heart, prompting her to quietly instruct a nearby maid to fetch Xiao Song and Liu Qingsong.

Lady Xiao sat kneeling on the husofa, took a deep breath, and said, "Ling Xiang, there is a golden silk nanmu box in my room. When you have time, have Jiu’er’s mother deliver it to A-Fen."

A-Fen was the childhood name of Empress Xiao. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel