Inside the grand hall of the Ran Family’s residence, the atmosphere was sowhat oppressive.
When it was known that Ran Qingchen had left without saying goodbye, the reactions of everyone varied.
The first to speak sarcastically was undoubtedly the second lady, Hu ixin.
Ever since she was nearly killed by Ran Qingchen’s grip on her throat last ti, the woman had harbored hatred deep in her bones.
While Ran Qingchen had been there, she dared not speak out, but now that he was not in the residence, her courage to curse others had surged.
"I always said she was an ingrate."
Hu ixin sneered, "Knowing that a great disaster was looming over the Ran Family, she sneaked away and left us and Old Madam Ran here to wait for the court to execute us. How filial indeed."
Zuo Su expressed her disapproval, "Qingchen is not like that."
"Not like that?"
Hu ixin’s heavily made-up face was full of scorn, "Then where is she?"
Zuo Su, always dignified and conservative like a noble lady, looked up at Old Madam Ran and said:
"Old Madam Ran, Qingchen told before that she wanted to go to Ten Thousand Mountains to find Jiang Mo.
But I didn’t want her to go, especially since the court’s attitude towards us is unclear, and leaving rashly could bring us danger. Especially since Old Madam Ran is not in good health, she can’t endure such turmoil.
However, it seems Qingchen can’t bear to part with Jiang Mo. Perhaps in her heart, Jiang Mo is more important. But Old Madam Ran, I believe Qingchen will co back."
Listening to Zuo Su’s words, the faces of the people in the hall from the Ran Family looked rather displeased.
To think that for a man who had abandoned her, she would even be willing to forsake her own family—her attitude truly chilled the heart.
Even Ran Jinyi, who had once taken good care of Ran Qingchen, turned ashen.
Therefore, Ran Jinyi summoned Jinxiu to question her.
Jinxiu had intended to conceal the truth, but under interrogation, she had to speak truthfully, "Miss indeed went to find her gentleman."
The maidservant had no idea that the sa words, under deliberate guidance by Zuo Su, appeared skewed, causing everyone’s dissatisfaction with Ran Qingchen to grow.
"You all heard that."
Hu ixin ridiculed again, "That girl simply doesn’t care whether we live or die. She always talks about considering the Ran Family and being filial to Old Madam Ran, but in the end, for a man, she neglects everything."
Jinxiu, belatedly realizing it, quickly waved her hands and explained, "No, that’s not what Miss ant—"
"Is there anything wrong with Qingchen pursuing her happiness?"
Zuo Su coldly interjected, "What has Qingchen done to wrong our Ran Family? Even if the court is to bla us, how does it matter? I, Zuo Su, am not afraid of death, as long as Qingchen is happy."
Hu ixin laughed derisively, "You are a nun, you’ve renounced the secular life and are not afraid of death, you can be noble all you want, no one’s stopping you. But we are afraid of dying, I don’t want to lose my life because of Ran Qingchen."
"Enough, stop arguing."
Old Madam Ran tapped her cane with a knock and was just about to speak when she started coughing, covering her lips with a handkerchief.
Jinxiu quickly ca forward and rubbed Old Madam Ran’s back.
Looking at Old Madam Ran, who looked significantly more frail, Jinxiu shed tears, "Old Madam, Miss is not that kind of person."
Old Madam Ran waved her hand, lowered her head to glance at the blood on her handkerchief, quietly folded it, and said calmly to the uneasy or angry people in the hall:
"Qingchen will co back, there is no doubt about it. Actually, I, this old woman, would rather she did not co back. If she really left the Capital, the farther she went the better.
I know you all are very afraid and angry, I, an old woman, can understand. But you need not worry, as long as I am here, the Ran Family will be safe.
If you are worried about being implicated, you are free to leave, I, this old woman, will not bla you."
The people in the hall fell silent.
Old Madam Ran sighed, "if there really is a calamity befalling the Ran Family, it should be blad on . The decline of the Ran Residence today is due to my inadequacy as an old woman, only thinking of placing the burden on Qingchen."
"Mother—"
Ran Jinyi, his face full of sha, "It’s I who am inadequate, as the head of the family, I should take on more responsibilities."
At that mont, the habitually silent second son, Ran Jinsheng, spoke up:
"Mother, even if you do not wish for Qingchen to return, as long as our Ran Family is in the Capital, the court will use us as a threat, and Qingchen will still have to return."
Ran Jinsheng paused, then tentatively suggested, "I think we should issue a public statent from the Ran Family severing ties with Ran Qingchen. In doing so, we’d make our stance clear to the court, and Qingchen wouldn’t need to co back—"
"How dare you!!"
Before Ran Jinsheng could finish speaking, Old Madam Ran fiercely slamd the table.
She trembled with rage, pointing at her second son, "You... how can you say such outrageous things! You are Qingchen’s uncle..."
Old Madam Ran picked up her cane, stood up, and charged at her second son.
Frightened, Ran Jinsheng quickly jumped up from the chair and hid behind his wife, Hu ixin, pleadingly explaining:
"Mother, I’m also thinking of what’s best for the Ran Family and Qingchen. After all, mother, you are a titled non-blood-related Princess; if we sever ties with Qingchen, it’s likely that the Emperor won’t do anything to us."
Hu ixin also chid in:
"Yes, mother-in-law, my husband is right. Theoretically, the Emperor should have acted against our Ran Family long ago, but there has been no movent, rely waiting for an attitude from us.
Moreover, whether Ran Qingchen really belongs to our Ran Family is still uncertain."
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