NOVPUB65: Chapter 43 A Diversion for Others
65 -43 A Diversion for Others
This interrogation was beyond Ran Yan’s expectation.
In the brightly lit main hall, Liu Pinrang, clad in a scarlet official uniform and a black hat, sat flanked by several dignitaries.
Among them were Yin Wenshu and Ran Wen, giving the impression of a public trial.
“Inspector, Noble Lady Ran Shiqi has been brought here,” announced a Government Official.
Everyone in the hall turned their heads at the sound.
Under the dim light, a figure in a light purple robe with her ink-black hair loosely tied into a bun, her features like a painting, approached with the hem of her dress unfurling at her feet in a graceful arc, exuding a faint coolness.
Ran Wen’s iron-gray face eased slightly upon seeing Ran Yan.
Ran Yan stood in the center of the hall and bowed respectfully, “I greet Inspector Liu.”
Liu Pinrang’s expression was solemn as he briefly replied, “You need not be formal,” and then turned to the Government Official, “Bring in Noble Lady Ran Shiba.”
It wasn’t long before Ran Meiyu was led into the hall.
Having been detained for less than two hours, Ran Meiyu appeared disheveled.
Her scarlet gauze dress was wrinkled, her hair bun slightly undone, and her beautiful eyes almost spat fire when she saw Ran Yan, wishing she could glare holes into her.
If it weren’t for her, how could she have suffered such humiliation!
“I greet Inspector Liu!” Ran Meiyu bowed in greeting.
Liu Pinrang acknowledged with a gesture to dispense with formalities, then had mats laid out in the hall.
After all, they were ladies of high birth, and since they had not been convicted, Liu Pinrang couldn’t afford to treat them too poorly.
Once both were seated, Liu Pinrang asked, “Noble Lady Ran Shiqi, a Maid from the Yin family reported that on the twenty-ninth day of the sixth month, towards the end of the hour of si, you had a dispute with Noble Lady Ran Shiba in Yin’s backyard garden.
Is this true?”
Ran Yan answered truthfully, “Yes.”
Liu Pinrang instructed, “Please, elaborate.”
A glint of triumph flashed in Ran Meiyu’s eyes.
She thought to herself that by tomorrow, practically all of Suzhou would know how Ran Yan snatched her golden hairpin.
She’d see where Ran Yan could put her face then!
There were witnesses to the incident, and she expected that Ran Yan wouldn’t be able to deny it!
Ran Yan, with a calm expression, briefly recalled the events, then spoke without any agitation in her voice, “That day, as I left the side hall, my Maid was not by my side, so I turned towards the garden to look for her.
Just as I arrived in the garden, Ran Shiba suddenly appeared to block my way, demanding the golden hairpin and speaking rudely to me.
I was in a hurry to find the Maid, so I pushed past her and continued towards the vicinity of the sweet osmanthus arbor.”
Surprise showed on Ran Meiyu’s face.
She had thought that Ran Yan would at least try to cover up the incident somewhat, but Ran Yan had straightforwardly admitted it!
Was she not afraid of ruining her reputation?
Liu Pinrang glanced briefly at Ran Wen, whose expression darkened further, realizing that the contested “golden hairpin” might be the result of a private grudge amongst the ladies of the house.
Therefore, he did not pursue the matter further and instead asked, “Why was your Maid not by your side?”
“That day, during the tea party, the gentlemen requested to move to a pavilion in the garden closer to the ladies.
Yin Sanniang then suggested a game where her Maids would hide and leave poems as clues for the gentlemen to find them.
I heard Yan Daniao say that Yin Sanniang intentionally had two Maids hide in the garden so the ladies could secretly watch the unmarried gentlemen.
So, I joined Yan Daniao in heading towards the sweet osmanthus arbor to watch.
On the way, I met Qi Shiniang, who asked to borrow my Maid to lure a gentleman over,” Ran Yan explained the detailed situation.
Liu Pinrang then said, “Coincidentally, that was when the incident at Yulan Residence happened, so you rushed there and didn’t have time to call for your Maid.
Afterwards, on your way back, you encountered Ran Shiba.
Is that correct?”
“Exactly,” Ran Yan replied, noticing out of the corner of her eye that Ran Wen’s expression was turning uglier.
Her confession was too detrimental to Ran Meiyu.
Liu Pinrang continued his questioning, “Then, at Yulan Residence and the side hall, did you see Ran Shiba?”
Ran Yan paused for a moment, carefully recalling the events of that day.
She truly didn’t remember seeing Ran Meiyu.
Except when she was in the side hall, she saw Mrs.
Gao comforting Mrs.
Ling, but it was also possible she hadn’t noticed Ran Meiyu.
So she answered, “I did not pay attention.”
Ran Meiyu stared at Ran Yan with anger, “Ran Shiqi, your heart is too cruel!
I was at Yulan Residence that day, and yet you say this!”
Ran Meiyu felt that, during such a situation, whether or not Ran Yan had really seen her, she ought to say she did to clear herself of suspicion.
Since Ran Yan did not say so, she was convinced in her heart that Ran Yan wanted to frame her.
Had she not retained a fraction of her reason, she would have already rushed forward to slap Ran Yan several times.
Ran Yan gave her a cold look, “Must I have seen you?”
Ran Meiyu’s face turned pale, and she looked at Ran Wen with a face full of grievance, “Father!”
Ran Wen was somewhat displeased but could not fault Ran Yan for anything, so he comforted, “Meiyu, if you were at Yulan Residence, with so many people there, surely someone will testify for you.
There’s no need to panic.”
