"Did he offend you?" Ran Yan thought to herself, he must have angered her quite a bit, otherwise she would not betray herself.
Ran Yun hadn't got a chance to reply when Madam Luo angrily said, "You met him the day before yesterday?"
"Yes, it was in our backyard garden, he said that setting a date under the willow leaves after dusk would add to the romance," Ran Yun said, noticing the worsening expression on Madam Luo's face, yet she still tried to distance herself from the situation, "Actually, I didn't want to see him."
Madam Luo, understanding her daughter well, sighed and tapped her head with her hand, "You, oh you! Not siding with your own husband, and always throwing little tantrums! Whatever will you two do after your marriage?"
Hearing this, Ran Yan also felt that with someone as unreliable as Liu Qingsong, coupled with Ran Yun, who was still quite childlike, their married life should be... quite interesting.
Ran Yan watched Madam Luo help Ran Yun with her hair and suddenly thought about how Liu Qingsong's reputation as a coroner was well known, and she couldn't help but worry that the murderer might recklessly seek revenge against him.
It was better to be overly concerned than unprepared. Liu Qingsong lived near the Imperial City, and with officials gathered around, he should be safe. She feared, however, that someone could, like before, kidnap and threaten him, so Ran Yun's protection must be reinforced.
Ran Yan was about to look for Ran Yunsheng when a maid announced, "Your husband has arrived."
"You go ahead. I'll go take a look," Ran Yan said as she stood up.
Madam Luo said, "Alright."
Ran Yan stepped out of the room and saw Ran Yunsheng in a rust-red robe with a round collar. His stunning face was now partially concealed by a beard, lending him a more mature and steady appearance.
"Ah Yan," Ran Yunsheng greeted with a radiant smile, his bright eyes sparkling with vitality that couldn't be hidden, "I heard you came early in the morning, and I just got free."
"Big brother, how have you been?" Ran Yan, busy with various post-marriage matters, had always been in a hurry during their meetings and never had the time to sit down and have a good talk.
Ran Yunsheng smiled faintly, "Quite well. Shall we sit in the garden?"
Ran Yan hummed in agreement.
The two walked slowly along the winding corridor toward the garden, with maids trailing at a distance behind them.
Ran Yan looked up and studied Ran Yunsheng carefully, feeling that something about him was different.
Seeing her intent gaze, Ran Yunsheng's eyes twinkled with amusement, "After just over a month, don't you recognize your Big Brother anymore?"
Ran Yan shook her head, "It's just that I haven't looked at you closely in a long time."
She suddenly understood—the warmth in Ran Yunsheng's smile had diminished. She remembered that, back in Suzhou, even though his smile had been gentle, it contained a fervor; beneath the surface of scholarliness, anyone could sense the passion emanating from deep within his soul, involuntarily drawing them into his radiance. Watching him smile had been a true pleasure.
Now, however, his geniality masked a hint of cool detachment. Even though his joy at seeing her was genuine, it couldn't make up for what his soul now lacked.
Perhaps, she thought, after experiencing many things, everyone changes. There are no constants in life, are there?
On such a joyful day, Ran Yan didn't want to bring up unhappy subjects, so she changed the topic, "How's Qing'er? I would like to see him."
Ran Yongqing was the name Ran Yunsheng had given to his son. The boy was now almost two years old, inheriting his father's beautiful eyes, and was exceedingly charming. Currently learning to talk, he was particularly adorable.
"With all the noise at home, I asked Er Dong to take him to the estate for a few days," Ran Yunsheng replied. Seeing Ran Yan looking somewhat disappointed, he smiled, "Some other day, I'll bring him to your residence for you to see."
Ran Yan smiled, "Don't tire out the child; I'll come to see him when I'm free. My three children are now able to call out to people and recognize them. Big brother, you should visit them often, right? You're my kin, don't mind the social status issues. When the kids grow a bit more, I'll bring them to see you."
"Alright," Ran Yunsheng agreed, then asked, "By the way, our clan sent someone too, do you want to see them?"
Ran Yan felt no affection for that side of the family, "No, seeing them only brings trouble. I consider this place my maternal home; the Ran family in Suzhou has no ties to me anymore. I owe them for my upbringing, but they also benefitted from my marriage to the Xiao Family, didn't they?"
Ever since Ran Yan had married into the Xiao Family, the Ran clan basked in the reflected glory of a powerful clan. Everywhere, they received a measure of respect. Furthermore, emboldened by Ran Yan's solid performance—giving birth to triplets—the entire Xiao Family paid special attention to her. To ensure Ran Yan's background was worthy of the mother of the legitimate heir, the Xiao Family had extended significant support to the Ran family. Those in the Ran clan who held government positions found their careers flourishing, and they had become the most radiant noble family in Suzhou, and a highly respected household throughout the whole Huainan Road and Jiangnan Road.
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