Miss Truth-Chapter 494 - 325 Lanling

Chapter 325

By May, one could already feel the heat of early summer, but fortunately, a rain during the ’Stop Seven’ days brought the temperature down significantly.

Chang’an City seemed touched by the two grand funerals, and various teahouses and taverns were much quieter than usual.

The remains of the Grand Madam had to be transported back to Lanling for burial without delay, so the death of Ling Xiang was temporarily set aside.

Xiao Song and Ran Yan also needed to go along. After the burial of the Grand Madam, during the mourning period, Ran Yan paid tribute at the ancestral hall, formally becoming a member of the Xiao Family.

Xiao Song had to support the coffin and follow alongside it, while Ran Yan followed behind with the women of the Xiao Family. The weather was hot, and the coffin could not be delayed on the road, so ensuring safety while hurrying was a difficult task indeed.

Like the other women, Ran Yan rode in a carriage, which was somewhat more comfortable than what Xiao Song and the others experienced.

...

’Lan’ is the fragrance of a holy king, ’ling’ refers to high ground. The meaning of Lanling is a high ground filled with orchids.

Upon arriving in Lanling, indeed, the place did not disappoint Ran Yan. Orchids clustered in the vast, tranquil forest emanated a clean, fragrant aroma everywhere, and the view was utterly breathtaking.

The Xiao family residence was not crammed onto the lands of Canglan County but was built near such high ground. Surrounding the ancestral hall and main residence were several hundred homesteads, forming what resembled a village. Everyone living here bore the surname Xiao, and aside from the branch Xiao Song belonged to, which was of the most distinguished imperial lineage, the others were also from the Xiao Clan’s genealogy, mostly within the fifth degree of kinship.

Today, the clan school did not hold classes; instead, a high monk was invited to recite scriptures in front of the tombs of Emperor Xiaoming and Empress Xuanhui (the Grand Madam). All descendants of the Xiao Family were required to take turns attending.

As soon as Xiao Song was relieved from his duties, he took Ran Yan to walk around the area.

The Xiao family’s clan school was huge, occupying more than twenty acres of land, built on the hillside closest to the high ground, surrounded by orchids in shades of purple, blue, and white.

Entering the clan school, Ran Yan couldn’t help but marvel; no wonder the Xiao Family could boast of "two emperors and nine Xiao prime ministers"! The two places where the entire Xiao family concentrated their efforts most were the ancestral hall and the clan school.

The spacious grand hall was rather empty, with portraits of the Xiao Clan’s former emperors hanging on the northern wall, and the left and right sides held portraits of over thirty prime ministers from the Xiao family. Under each portrait, there were bookshelves holding their works and records of their political deeds while serving as prime ministers.

Having seen all this, Ran Yan was truly overwhelmed with awe. Being a descendent of the Xiao Clan and seeing these monolithic forefathers, one must feel genuine pride, spurred by such motivation. How could they not strive forward?

Ran Yan knew that, in the future history of the Great Tang, aside from Xiao Yu, there would be eight more prime ministers from the Xiao Family stepping onto the historical stage.

After the Wang, Xie, Yuan, and Xiao entered the Tang, only the Xiao family remained so illustrious. Surely, valuing education is the foundation of strength!

Suddenly, Xiao Song pulled Ran Yan to kneel on the cushion by the north wall and proclaimed loudly, "Ancestors of the Xiao family, this is the wife of Xiao Yuezhi!"

In the spacious hall, Xiao Song’s rich, stiff voice carried a faint echo and was quite imposing. Even though Ran Yan was usually calm, his sudden declaration startled her. "Xiao Yuezhi, what are you thinking!"

Xiao Song flashed a bright smile and quickly bowed his head to drop a kiss on her forehead, "When we are old, let’s return to Lanling, shall we?"

"Fine," Ran Yan pushed him away, but she agreed with his words.

The two wandered around the clan school and continued walking up the slope.

Upon reaching the top of the slope, there was a vast expanse in front of them, a sea of orchids that seemed endless, filling the enormous space with a lingering fragrance.

Standing on top, one could look down over the clan school and the village, the carved beams and painted rafters, and the corners of the roofs set off by the lush greenery, all exceptionally beautiful.

"That patch is the clan’s forest, and behind it is the mountain. Though not tall, ordinary folks can’t get in from that side," Xiao Song pointed towards the dense woods in the distance.

While Ran Yan was gazing into the distance, Xiao Song sneaked off his outer garment and laid it down on a flat rock, "Let’s rest for a while."

Ran Yan sat down and asked him, "You haven’t slept since last night, aren’t you tired?"

"Tired," Xiao Song sat beside her and smiled, "but I’m afraid we’ll have to return to Chang’an in a few days. We said we would go to Guanshan, but it never happened. Here, with this beautiful scenery, let’s use it to make up for that."

Xiao Song’s every move seemed completely unstructured, yet surprisingly carefree and pleasing to the eye, much more comforting than Xiao Ruizhi’s strictness. Ran Yan thought.

"Lie down for a while," Ran Yan patted her own legs.

"Such a beautiful scenery, such a beautiful woman..." Xiao Song complied and lay down, burying his face in her abdomen and deeply inhaling, "Yanyan smells better than flowers."

Ran Yan’s voice was even, "Go to sleep."

The corners of Xiao Song’s lips slightly curved, and he lay back, finding a comfortable position and closed his eyes.

The stones in the afternoon held a warm temperature, lying on them one didn’t have to worry about the cold harming one’s body, although it wasn’t very comfortable. However, for Xiao Song, who hadn’t slept well for seven or eight days, it was excellent.

Ran Yan momentarily forgot the gloom that had been weighing on her heart these past days, enjoying the tranquility of the moment.

She recalled the first time she met Xiao Song.

It was in the dense forest, Xiao Song was chasing Su Fu, at that time she only heard a voice, her neck had a sword on it as she faced life and death, thus she didn’t pay much attention to him, but thought that his voice was very pleasant.

The second time, once again she only heard his voice as they came face to face on a narrow path, neither wanting to give way... It was also that night she first saw his face.

The rocks were as fine as jade, the pines as green as emeralds, his beauty was unparalleled, there was none other like him in the world.

In fact, though his looks were handsome, when considering delicacy, he couldn’t compare with Su Fu, but for some reason, she felt that he was truly one of a kind.

Ran Yan lowered her head, looking at his handsome face, her fingers gently caressed his prominent nose. Perhaps it was because this place was unrealistically beautiful, that Ran Yan felt somewhat uneasy at heart; what if this was just a fleeting dream? What if she were to wake up to find herself asleep on her office desk as usual, without Xiao Song, without Great Tang...

As if to confirm his presence, Ran Yan lowered her head and kissed his forehead, just as he did to her every time. Xiao Song was clearly in a deep sleep, otherwise he would have started to stir by now.

Ran Yan then confidently kissed his lips, gently tracing their shape.

Lost in her kiss, by the time she heard footsteps, it was too late, the Servant had already reached the slope, stammering halfway through his speech in shock, "Jiu..."

Ran Yan froze, lifting her head, awkwardly unsure how to proceed, yet still managing to maintain her composure, she slightly turned her head back and softly asked the Servant, "What is it?"

The Servant was startled for a moment before reacting, and he hurriedly lowered his voice, "There’s a letter from Chang’an, the Duke is looking for Jiulang."

Xiao Song and Ran Yan had not brought any servants with them today, secretly sneaking out. If they were not seen for long, with Duke Song’s temper, he was likely to rage again! Ran Yan immediately gently nudged Xiao Song, "Husband! Wake up."

After calling him a few times, Xiao Song groggily awakened, his voice still hoarse from sleep, muttered, "What’s wrong?"

"Your father is looking for you," Ran Yan stated succinctly.

Instantly, Xiao Song became half-awake, rubbed his brow, and sat up.

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

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