Chapter 449 - 292: The Chill of Spring
Xiao Song sent Ran Yan back to the mansion. Both were straightforward people, so their goodbye was brief and without any undue sentimentality. However, once they turned around, they were deeply anxious.
In the following days, Xiao Song was extremely busy. On the first day of the month, he attended the royal banquet at his ancestral home, on the second, he paid respects to his family elders and participated in the clan feast, and on the third, he returned to Chang’an, where he visited friends and colleagues. He barely had a moment to breathe, and on the rare occasion he found time to see Ran Yan, he was stopped at the door by Mrs. Xing.
Since Mrs. Xing had seen how affectionately Xiao Song behaved with Ran Yan, she became cautious, especially since there was no word yet of an official marriage agreement. Naturally, she dared not let them be too close, particularly as Xiao Song was at an age of vigorous energy. Ran Yan’s status was hardly a match for Xiao Song’s, and any slight issue might lead to disdain from his family.
Hence, Mrs. Xing faced Xiao Song’s imposing manner with the attitude of "you must step over my dead body first." Ran Yan had no choice but to speak to him briefly through the window.
After the new year, two heavy snowfalls finally cleared on the seventh day, revealing a sky as clear and crisp as washed crystal.
The gloomy weather in Chang’an had lasted a long time, and the sudden appearance of such bright sunshine indeed lifted the spirits. Ran Yan, troubled by the case of the Princess of Wenxi, finally felt her mood lighten considerably.
The Ran and Xiao families matched the horoscopes of Ran Yun and Liu Qingsong, and decided on a fortunate marriage to be held six months later. In contrast, there was still no news about Ran Yan’s marriage. Mrs. Xing went to the gatehouse daily to inquire if there was a letter from the courier station, almost wishing she could go to Suzhou herself to see what was the matter.
Meanwhile, spring was already touching Jiangnan, and the ice on the river had begun to break. The river wind was slightly warm and fishy.
A woman in a teal blue gown with twin buns stood at the bow of the ship, her eyes slightly moist as she gazed at the familiar black tiles and white walls, her hand gripping the hem of her dress tightly at her side.