Chapter 410: Chapter 262: Candid Romance_2
“Yes,” Ran Yan obediently responded.
After discussing various matters, Mrs. Luo steered the conversation towards Ran Yunsheng, “I have picked a good day to bring Er Dong into the household. She has, after all, served Shilang for so many years and has been very proper in her conduct. Making her a concubine would be most appropriate… alas!”
She heaved a heavy sigh, her voice tinged with frustration, “I don’t know how I raised such a son—he insists on a proper marriage. Could it be he intends to spend his whole life devoted to just one woman? Even if that were the case, Er Dong is rely a slave we bought. Even if she is freed from her low status, her background is far too humble!”
Mrs. Luo doted on her son, and in her eyes, Ran Yunsheng was exceptionally handso, possessed unparalleled intelligence, and excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The only flaw was his birth in a rchant family. She even incessantly urged Ran Pingyu to give up comrce for an official position, striving to make her son even more perfect.
Ran Yan understood this very well. She didn’t know how high Mrs. Luo’s expectations were for a daughter-in-law, but she was aware that in Mrs. Luo’s heart, Er Dong’s background would never qualify her to be Ran Yunsheng’s formal wife.
“Moreover, freeing soone from servitude cos at a great cost! Back then, getting rid of Qian Niang’s slave status cost a whole five thousand guan, plus two manors… Though our family doesn’t lack the money, the thought of it still makes my heart uncomfortable!” Mrs. Luo furrowed her brow and sighed continuously, “Our Shilang could even marry a woman from a great clan—it’s not impossible!”
The social hierarchy of the Tang Dynasty was extrely strict. Ran Yan knew that Mrs. Luo might be setting her hopes a bit too high. For the true elite, helping a slave escape their lowly status was a matter of a few words, but for an ordinary family, it could co at a great cost. Thus, for the vast majority of slaves, breaking free from their status seed as unlikely as a fanciful tale.
“Ayan, Shilang has always been kindest to you. You have to help persuade him,” Mrs. Luo pleaded, taking Ran Yan’s hand, finally getting to the heart of the matter.
Ran Yan hesitated for a mont, then nodded. But she wasn’t one to hold on to class concepts—how could she persuade Ran Yunsheng of such things?
“There’s no ti to lose. Why don’t you go and talk to him now? Your third uncle’s intention is to handle the ceremony of bringing her into the household before the New Year, combining it with the festive celebrations. He is still unaware of Shilang’s thoughts on the matter!” urged Mrs. Luo.
Ran Yan saw the eager hope in her face and reluctantly agreed, “I will do my best.”
While they were discussing, Mrs. Luo took her by the hand and walked towards the door.
Ran Yan thought of it as an opportunity to visit Ran Yunsheng, and did not delay or make excuses.
Upon reaching the entrance to Ran Yunsheng’s chamber, she saw the door firmly shut and no second-tier maids in the courtyard—only Qian Xue standing guard at the door.
“Seventeen Madam,” Qian Xue saw Ran Yan and quickly bowed to salute her; her voice was slightly raised, as if she intended to alert the person inside.
Ran Yan lightly supported her, “No need for formalities. Where is Shige?”
Qian Xue replied, “He is inside. I will inform him of your visit.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than the door opened, and Er Dong ca out with red eyes and crouched to salute Ran Yan. Imdiately after, Ran Yunsheng’s voice ca from inside, “Ayan has arrived?”
Ran Yan answered and entered the chamber.
Ran Yunsheng was kneeling before a table, drinking tea. He had beco even thinner than he was in the past few days, and his brows bore faint lines from frequent frowning, which unexpectedly added a touch of masculinity to his appearance.
Ran Yan cocked her head and scrutinized him before saying, “Shilang may have lost so weight, but you look even handsor than before.”
Ran Yunsheng was montarily startled, then laughed, “Ah Yan has learned to tease now? So tell , who is handsor, Shilang or Assistant Minister Xiao?”
Strictly speaking, both n were equally attractive, but in her heart, Ran Yan had a preference for the looks of Xiao Song. Caught by Ran Yunsheng’s question, she could only honestly reply, “Both are handso.”
“Co sit by ,” Ran Yunsheng patted the mat beside him.
As instructed, Ran Yan sat down next to him, “How have you been these few days?”
“I am doing well, aren’t I? Do not worry,” Ran Yunsheng’s smile was as bright and dazzling as before, like the blooming fuchsia flowers, yet Ran Yan could no longer see that lively spark in his eyes.
Such a state of Ran Yunsheng made Ran Yan’s heart ache.
Was it that every living person had to endure hardships, gradually eroding away their original simplicity and stubbornness? In this world, so people drift along with the tide, their sharp edges smoothing out over ti, eventually ending with a heart full of bittersweet mories. Others refused to go with the flow, holding steadfast to themselves, ending in a misfortune; yet, even in death, they still clung to that initial naivety.
Which was more worthwhile? Which was truly more precious… innocence or life?
“Shilang, do you like Er Dong?” Ran Yan asked.
Ran Yunsheng paused for a mont and said, “She has served for many years, and our bond is deep.”
Anyone cared for with such dedication over many years could not be without feelings, especially soone as sentintal as Ran Yunsheng! However, whether that was rely the affection between master and servant, friendship, or perhaps familial love developed over long periods, it was not the kind of romantic love one wished to accompany for life.
Seeing that Ran Yan wanted to speak, Ran Yunsheng interjected, “Does Ah Yan like Assistant Minister Xiao?”
He ant to say, she could love another yet marry Xiao Song, so why couldn’t he marry Er Dong?
“I understand what you an, Shilang,” Ran Yan said with a slight smile, “But… Shilang, you guessed wrong. I like him, and even though I don’t know when or where or why this affection began, even though it is not deep, I am sure that as long as he does not change, there will co a day when I will love him deeply.”
Ran Yunsheng was astonished, having never heard soone analyze and anticipate feelings with such rationality. He stared at her, those black pupils forever tranquil, as if nothing could ever disturb her composure.
“Because of this affection, and because I believe he is worth waiting for love my entire life, I can commit without any second thoughts even if, in the end, things do not turn out as desired, but having tried is a fulfillnt in itself.” Ran Yan’s eyes were filled with a quiet smile, “If you feel the sa about Er Dong, Ah Yan will not persuade you otherwise.”
Ran Yunsheng, seeing her so unconstrained, hesitated before asking, “Then what about Su Fu? What place does he hold in your heart?” (
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