Miss Truth-Chapter 473 - 308: The Reason

All sorts of arrogant and contrarian children from high-ranking families, Ran Yan secretly summarized in her heart.

"Why did you and Father have a falling-out?" Ran Yan asked.

Xiao Song’s grip on her hand tightened slightly, and after a moment’s hesitation, he replied, "He wants me to resign and return to Lanling."

"Why?" Ran Yan was puzzled. Prominent families were built upon the prestige and reputation that came from holding high offices, and Xiao Song was clearly a person with a promising political future. Why would the Duke of Song want to cut short his own son’s prospects?

The apricot blossoms in the courtyard had started to wilt, with petals in pink and white carpeting the ground. Xiao Song reached out to gently pat the tree trunk, causing a cascade of blossoms to fall like snow upon both their heads, which earned him an angry glare from Ran Yan.

Xiao Song chuckled, "Father had me plant this tree when I was a child, along with the apricots, as a symbol of fortune. He said that if one doesn’t conduct oneself uprightly and relies solely on intrigues and schemes to navigate the world, luck would not always prevail. Eventually, one would be exposed, bringing shame not only to the Xiao Clan but also leaving an eternal stain."

Ran Yan actually agreed with the Duke of Song’s point of view. It was better to be forthright as a person, but if forced, one should not be rigidly upright. The reason the Duke struggled in the Cabinet was precisely because he was always unbendingly upright.

"The current Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan is of advanced age and has been looking for a suitable successor. The elders have unanimously chosen me to take over," Xiao Song explained the reason behind the Duke’s insistence on his resignation.

For a massive clan like that of Lanling’s Xiao family, the Clan Leader had extensive responsibilities. Holding another office was simply not possible. The Duke of Song had always believed that Xiao Song’s way of handling things and his personality, if not careful, could tarnish the Xiao Clan’s reputation, and, more importantly, might even result in his expulsion from the family records. As Clan Leader, even if one was devious, it would ultimately be within the clan, and with so many elders supervising and assisting, no major problems could arise.

Ran Yan thought for a moment, then leaned in and whispered, "Then the person who murdered your wives, leading to your reputation as a husband who causes his wife’s death—could that have been for the position of Clan Leader?"

Xiao Song looked at her with a bright smile, "Lady is still so astute."

"There is no greater filial failing than to be without descendants; I suspect that person wanted to create this flaw in me. They hoped the elders would reconsider their decision. However, they didn’t anticipate that I would turn the tables and create for myself the reputation of a husband who brings misfortune to his wives," Xiao Song said with a faint smile.

Xiao Song’s disposition was unsuited to being a Clan Leader; he was not someone who liked to be constrained by rules and had already developed such a personality. Being a Clan Leader might seem powerful, but for him, it was far less enjoyable than playing politics.

A person fit to be Clan Leader must serve as a role model in all respects, and Xiao Song’s reputation as a husband who causes his wife’s death was a fatal flaw, so he had turned the tables on his opponent.

Ran Yan, however, noticed something in his words. After pursing her lips and remaining silent for a moment, she finally said, "Among those who died..."

There were those you killed yourself, right?

Xiao Song did not deny it, but just looked at her quietly, his dark, lustrous eyes hiding a glimmer of hope.

"Forget it," Ran Yan sighed. "I won’t be unhappy with you over past events, but from now on, consult with me before you do such things."

Xiao Song’s lips curved up slightly, "I will."

The two spent the morning strolling around the residence. As it approached noon, a maid came to invite them to dine.

The dishes were, of course, exquisite, with the Princess overseeing the meal; naturally, it was incomparable to an average household. However, Ran Yan tasted nothing; one didn’t speak during meals, and only when elders asked questions were you allowed to put down your chopsticks, listen fully, and then continue eating.

Lady Dugu naturally had nothing important to ask her, it was merely a test.

Fortunately, before her marriage, Nanny Xing had already instructed her meticulously, and coupled with Ran Yan’s consistently calm expression, she behaved impeccably. She won the praise of the Xiao family members and was somewhat accepted by them.

After lunch, Xiao Song along with Ran Yan took their leave and departed from the old residence.

The Duke of Song was set to return to Qi State tomorrow, so Lady Dugu was busy with preparations and didn’t insist on them staying longer. She simply assured Xiao Song to rest easy, asserting that the gifts for the return visit after three days were already prepared and that the Ran Family surely wouldn’t be neglected.

This didn’t mean that Lady Dugu was particularly optimistic about Ran Yan, but it was simply her nature. A noble household must maintain its status. Why haggle over small matters like those of lesser families? The Xiao family wouldn’t miss those return visit gifts. She felt that to quibble over such a matter would not make Ran Yan uncomfortable but would reflect poorly on herself instead.

Ran Yan understood full well and was thankful that her mother-in-law cared so much about face. At least this way, everyone could maintain their dignity.

"Does Father know about what you’ve done?" Previously at the mansion, Ran Yan hadn’t had the chance to ask clearly whether the Duke of Song knew about the matter regarding Xiao Song giving himself the reputation of a wife-discipliner.

Xiao Song chuckled, "If he knew, it would turn the world upside down. He only thinks that the maid has upset me, and thus the punishment was too severe, resulting in her death."

The life of a lowly maid wasn’t worth much. It wasn’t just about killing one, even if it were a dozen, the Xiao family could easily gloss over the incident. The reason behind Xiao Song’s actions was what was truly important.

"But today’s argument was not just about that matter. Lately, I’ve done some things that have damaged Prince Wu’s reputation, so he came to question me about it. When we couldn’t see eye to eye, he immediately got angry." Xiao Song leaned against a table, his fingers lightly caressing the edge of a white porcelain teapot, his smile elusive, "It’s not the first or second time this has happened. They say that a father and son are fighting, but actually, only Wei Zheng dares to openly clash with him without regard, even in court. I am his son, how could I possibly act so defiantly."

That is to say, he did get beaten every time.

Xiao Song usually carried himself with a commanding presence outside, arresting and executing people, revered by all of Chang’an like a vengeful spirit. But who knew that Xiao Song, the Assistant Minister, would be beaten by his father over political disagreements, roughed up at home without the chance to fight back?

No matter how shrewd Xiao Song was, facing his father, Duke Song, who was easily incensed, his only choice was to accept his fate. When the old man lost his temper, he didn’t care what you wanted to say, he’d beat you first to vent his frustration. As Xiao Song was his son, a father disciplining his son was considered completely justifiable, and there was no need for restraint.

"Did you get hurt anywhere?" Ran Yan’s voice was gentle.

Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Song replied with a teasing smile, "Won’t you see for yourself tonight?"

"I don’t want to look, so you should sleep in the study tonight." Ran Yan looked at him, frowning slightly, and said with a slight raise of her eyebrows, "Don’t you admire Fang Xiang for sleeping in the study?"

"There’s still plenty of time ahead of us, no rush for the study!" Xiao Song, clutching her hand, said petulantly.

Ran Yan slapped his hand away. frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

The two of them played around, and the carriage had already arrived in front of the Inner Gate of the mansion. Xiao Song alighted first, and as Ran Yan was just stepping out of the carriage, her waist suddenly tightened, and she found herself being swept off her feet by Xiao Song.

"Tsk, tsk, one could die of envy." At the top of the steps of the Inner Gate, Liu Qingsong stood with his arms crossed, staring at the two with an unseemly grin on his face. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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