Miss Truth

Duke Song was stern and unyielding. Ever since he was demoted and left Chang’an, he never set foot in Chang’an City again. This time, it was Xiao Song who personally went to invite him back.

By mid-March, the weather had already started to warm up, and Ran Yan, dressed in layer upon layer of ceremonial clothing, began to feel sweat trickling down her back. It was rare for the people of Tang to marry in the summer, which is hardly surprising that the Xiao family was so eager to arrange the wedding. If they missed the spring, they would have to wait until the late fall, by which time Xiao Song would already be twenty-eight. In ancient times, a twenty-eight-year-old man without a wife or children was not just pitiable; it was a tragedy.

Xiao Song’s residence was very close to that of Xiao Ruizhi, and they arrived in just over a quarter of an hour.

Xiao Song got down from the carriage first and extended his hand to help Ran Yan alight. Servants and maids had been waiting at the door; upon seeing the pair, they bowed in unison and said, "Jiulang, Lady Jiulang."

"Dispense with the formalities. Where are Father and Mother?" Xiao Song walked shoulder to shoulder with Ran Yan, holding her hand as they went directly into the residence.

The servants followed them, with a maid of about seventeen or eighteen years of age stepping slightly forward to lead the way. She spoke softly and slowly, "My lord rose at the second watch before dawn and has already taken breakfast with Lady Song. They enjoyed the flowers in the garden for a while, and now that Princess Kaizhi has also finished her meal, Jiulang and the county mistress have just arrived and are accompanying Father and Mother in the hall for tea. However, the State Lady only got up a short while ago and is currently having her meal."

Her words seemed to only describe what various members of the household were doing, but they contained much information.

For instance, Duke Song getting up at the sound of the watch drum probably reminded him of the time when he used to attend court, also bringing to mind the frustrations of his demotion and leaving him in a poor mood. Yet, his going out to enjoy the flowers suggested that he was not in an especially bad state. Moreover, the family not dining together was unusual for a family that valued strict etiquette, which might mean that someone had displeased Duke Song.

And surely the State Lady would not have overslept, but due to Ran Yan’s absence she might have deliberately delayed so as not to give the impression that everyone else was lazing around, just waiting for her arrival. While the Duke and others might become displeased with waiting too long for the new bride, waiting for the State Lady was considered proper and expected.

Ran Yan silently analyzed this information, and her heart immediately relaxed. No matter how much others might dislike her, having the State Lady as her support was more valuable than anything else.