NOVPUB36: Chapter 29 Uninvited_2
36 -29 Uninvited_2
As she spoke, Ran Yan straightened her body and respectfully offered Liu a grand salute.
Liu, startled, quickly got up to help Ran Yan, “Wife, you flatter me too much.
You are a benefactor to my son and me.
Should you ever need help, I am bound by duty to assist!”
Liu thought to herself that the rumors in the market were indeed unreliable.
She had heard that Ran Shiqi was a timid and abandoned daughter with a kind heart, but seeing her today, her cold demeanor and her methods did not show the slightest bit of timidity.
Ran Yan didn’t know that her method of winning people’s hearts through kindness had actually made Liu admire her more.
Outside of work, Ran Yan didn’t talk much and didn’t have much to say to Liu at the moment, so she asked her to go back first and come to work again the next day.
Throughout, Wan Lu and Xing Niang had been silently attending beside them.
After Liu left, Wan Lu said somewhat puzzled, “Wife, if you want to use her, why did you burn the indenture contract?”
Xing Niang replied, “This Liu is no ordinary woman.
Her demeanor is proper, and her conversation is extraordinary.
Seeing that she willingly became a servant to repay a life-saving debt shows that she greatly values trustworthiness.
It would be a pity if we couldn’t win her heart.”
“Oh!” Wan Lu suddenly realized, and with sparkling eyes, said to Ran Yan, “Wife, you are truly impressive!”
Ran Yan merely smiled faintly.
Liu was astute and would surely see the deeper meaning.
However, Ran Yan had saved Zhou Sanlang and did not demand a high return, trusting that Liu understood this in her heart.
Though Xing Niang spoke sensibly, if it were up to her to act, she certainly wouldn’t know where to begin.
Ran Yan’s current actions greatly relieved her, and she wasn’t particularly suspicious, after all, the original Ran Yan was smart, just timid.
“Stop dawdling here, Wife has to attend a tea ceremony tomorrow.
Hurry up and finish the new gown!” Xing Niang laughingly scolded Wan Lu.
Wan Lu jumped up, “Really?
Has someone invited Wife?
That’s wonderful, I have a half-finished underdress that I will definitely finish by tomorrow morning!”
Xing Niang knew that the purple gauze skirt Wan Lu was making, made from the best fabric they bought last time, was only of medium quality.
The tea ceremony the next day would be attended by noble ladies dressed to their utmost, each trying to outshine the others.
“The tea ceremony tomorrow is sure to be a competition of elegance, and I’m afraid Wife’s garment might seem modest…” Xing Niang spoke up to remind her, and at this point, there was no other solution but to prepare Ran Yan mentally.
“As long as the garment is neat and proper, there’s no need for it to be overly luxurious.” Ran Yan replied nonchalantly while browsing through Medical Books.
Xing Niang sighed inwardly.
Seeing that Ran Yan wasn’t planning to rest anytime soon, she went to find Wan Lu to discuss altering the skirt into a more novel design, aiming for the finest craftsmanship possible.
Since the material was lacking, they would have to compensate in other areas!
With the need to rise early the next day, Ran Yan read for a while before going to sleep, leaving Xing Niang and Wan Lu squatting beside her whispering.
A night of gentle breezes and light rain is most conducive to sleep.
The next day, just after dawn, Xing Niang roused Ran Yan from her bed, completed her washing and breakfast, and then sat her in front of the dressing mirror to be attended by Xing Niang.
Ran Yan had slept through a whole cycle of light sleep and when she opened her eyes again, her appearance hadn’t changed.
Xing Niang was pressing on her face here and there—she hadn’t even started applying makeup yet?
“Does the Wife feel more refreshed now?” Xing Niang asked with a smile.
After thinking for a moment, Ran Yan realized that this was a kind of pre-makeup massage, meant to improve one’s mood and complexion.
At that moment, Wan Lu came in holding a garment, helped Ran Yan put it on, and then Xing Niang followed the style of the garment to style her hair into a low butterfly bun, which covered some of the coldness between Ran Yan’s brows and added a touch of feminine charm.
Once all dressed up, Ran Yan stood up to look in the mirror and genuinely jumped in shock.
In the mirror, she wore a purple wide-sleeved Luo skirt, the folds of which fell to the floor like smoke and mist, the collar and cuffs bordered with gold-embroidered satin, pressing down the ethereal quality somewhat, and looking magnificent yet solemn.
The attire of Huaxia was indeed breathtakingly beautiful!
What stunned Ran Yan was not just looking beautiful, but that this outfit had transformed her cool, harsh demeanor into something much softer, so much so that at first glance, she hardly recognized herself.
“The Wife is naturally beautiful, and looks good in anything.” Overwhelmed by Ran Yan’s splendor, Wan Lu finally blurted out after a long pause. 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Xing Niang’s eyes and brows were smiling.
“With the Lady’s fair, jade-like skin, the Wife naturally doesn’t need to powder her face as others do.” As she spoke, she took some rouge, dabbed it lightly on her palm, and brushed it across Ran Yan’s cheeks, lifting the heaviness and instantly brightening her appearance.
“Still missing something.” Xing Niang looked her over from head to toe, took out a few pieces of jewelry from the makeup box, and held them up to Ran Yan.
Eventually, she chose a jade bracelet and a jade orchid hairpin.
These were all relics of Lady Zheng—they were not many in number, but each was a treasure.
“Just with this simple adornment, the Wife already has immense charm; were you to dress up fully, you might possess a beauty capable of toppling cities and states.” Xing Niang placed the hairpin while she observed her in the mirror.
This casual look was no small matter as Xing Niang suddenly turned around, having noticed a man in splendid attire, who had appeared at the doorway without them knowing.
She fiercely reproached him, “Who are you to dare to intrude into a private residence like this!”
Ran Yan noticed the man at the same time as Xing Niang, but unlike her, she wasn’t panicked; she turned around, frowning at the infatuated Qin Silang, and spoke indifferently, “This is my boudoir; behave yourself here.”
Regaining his composure, Qin Musheng still couldn’t hide the astonishment in his eyes, gazing at Ran Yan, “Ran Shiqi, we are already engaged, surely we needn’t be so cautious?”
In the Great Tang, liberal attitudes were common, and getting on a carriage before marriage wasn’t considered out of the ordinary, let alone a fiancé visiting his fiancée’s boudoir.
But for Qin Musheng to arrive uninvited was indeed infuriating.
***
Apologies, something came up today, hence the late update.
This book breaks away from the solemnity typical of detective novels by combining case-solving with daily life aspects, focusing mainly on the female lead’s forensic knowledge.
Therefore, progress on the case might not be as heart-stopping as traditional detective stories, but expect numerous autopsy scenes (including potentially bloody scenes within the acceptance range of normal people).
Just a heads-up to avoid shocking our younger readers later on.
