Chapter 98 - 61: Qi Xi in Pingjiang

Chapter 98: Chapter 61: Qi Xi in Pingjiang Ran Yunsheng was so meticulous that Ran Yan couldn’t help but sigh softly, "The sister you truly doted on is long gone." Receiving such care on behalf of someone else, Ran Yan felt compelled to be nicer to Ran Yunsheng in return, and his own gentle nature made their interaction quite pleasant. Ran Yunsheng led Ran Yan to a small dock, ushering her onto a boat of modest size. From the outside, the boat looked plain, but inside it was a world unto itself. The cabin wasn’t large; at each corner stood tall lamps covered with white gauze, their frames delicately painted with landscapes and inscribed with a couple of poems. A bamboo curtain hung in the middle of the cabin, dividing the space into inner and outer sections. Inside were a low table and soft couch, and on the table sat a round, silver, carved incense burner, not with incense, but with ice inside. The entire space, though understated, was exceedingly comfortable. Knowing the value hidden in this simplicity and the thoughtfulness it represented, Ran Yan did not skimp on compliments, "Shilang has really gone to great lengths. It’s exactly to my liking!" "Glad you like it!" Ran Yunsheng replied with a beaming smile, turning to order someone to set sail. When he returned, he carried two food boxes. "It’s rare to be undisturbed, so I had someone fetch these meals from home. There’s nothing better in life than boating under the moon and sharing a few drinks," he said. Ran Yan removed her mask and smiled lightly, "Shilang seems quite content." "I’m clothed warmly, well-fed, and have gold and silver to spend as I please—if I’m not content, I’d be inviting divine retribution," Ran Yunsheng chuckled as he began to unload the dishes from the food boxes. It was a modest meal, just two meat and three vegetarian dishes, but each was exquisitely prepared. "Doesn’t Shilang have any dreams or aspirations?" While contentment was good, lacking ambition was not necessarily so. As Ran Yunsheng poured the wine, his hands briefly paused, and a complex smile crossed his stunning face. "When I was young, I aspired to join the civil service, so I never slacked off in my studies. But when I reached the age of ten, I realized that the son of a merchant couldn’t take the imperial examinations, nor could he serve as an official." Ran Yan felt a lump in her throat, realizing she had touched a sore spot, and she softened her voice, "The world is so vast; there are countless things one could do. Shilang shouldn’t feel sad." After a moment of thought, Ran Yan understood: Ran Pingyu also turned to commerce out of necessity. With family connections that could secure government posts typically reserved for the legitimate sons, his prospects as a collateral descendant were bleak. Unwilling to be looked down upon and to live a life of insignificance, he had to forge his own path. Though society might scorn merchants, no one despises wealth. "Uncle is an extraordinary man," said Ran Yan. To become the wealthiest merchant in Suzhou City and a notable trader in Chang’an in just over a decade was beyond the reach of the common lot, unachievable without exceptional means. "Ha! Just make sure you never heap such praise on him to his face, or else he’d be too delighted to sleep for three days," Ran Yunsheng laughed. The boat drifted slowly on the water’s surface, the cool night breeze from the river wafting through the windows, the bright moon overhead. Nearby boats shimmered with lights; flutes and strings played, dances were performed, and the air was thick with the fragrance of powder—a scene of great liveliness! "Eh? Isn’t that Ran Shilang?" Someone from a nearby boat called out. Ran Yunsheng looked up and saw a man standing on the deck, clothed in a dark green robe with wide sleeves, bending at the waist and peering into their boat. Ran Yunsheng smiled faintly and said, "It’s indeed Zhang Fei, what a coincidence." Ran Yan’s face was mostly hidden behind the bamboo curtain, she glanced indifferently at the man, then gracefully took a sip from her cup of wine. The man was named Zhang Fei, who had caught a glimpse of him that day at the Yin residence’s entrance and later in the garden, where Qi Shi’niang had Wan Lu lead him over. Because it was him, Ran Yan remembered him quite distinctly. When Zhang Fei saw Ran Yan’s fingers under the moonlight, delicate and emanating a gentle glow, his eyes brightened slightly. Then he quickly said, "Shilang, the lady accompanying you, on this Qixi Festival, even wives reveal their faces. Why don’t you introduce her to us, for us to get acquainted?" There were many men on the same boat as Zhang Fei, and they all knew that Ran Shilang’s appearance was stunningly beautiful, so the woman with him must not be anything less. Upon hearing that Ran Shilang had an appointment with a lady on the boat, they all became curious and scrambled up onto the deck eagerly. "My younger sister is not used to seeing many people. Everyone’s enthusiasm is a bit overwhelming, and she is nervous and afraid to meet you. Please forgive us," Ran Yunsheng explained with diplomacy, but what he essentially meant was, you’re all acting like a pack of hungry wolves, and you’ve scared my little sister. Those men were used to joking around and naturally did not take it to heart. Many legitimate and illegitimate daughters from the Ran residence often attended various banquets, but only the recently renowned Ran Yan had not left the estate for two years. Therefore, the crowd was even more eager, repeatedly saying, "It must be Noble Lady Ran Shiqi, right? We’ve long heard of the lady’s reputation and hope she could grace us with her presence!" Their clamor disturbed many of the nearby boats, and numerous curious noblemen’s sons brought their boats closer, circling around Ran Yan’s boat to prevent her from escaping. Such behavior annoyed Ran Yunsheng as he often found himself in similar situations, cornered by onlookers as if he were a monkey on display, certainly aware of the embarrassment. Ran Yan noticed the veins standing out on his clenched fists, knowing he was about to lose his temper, and quickly reached out to calm him, "Shige, let’s not get angry. Who’s to say what the scenery is like." Searᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They could treat her as an object of amusement, and Ran Yan naturally could do the same to them. Ran Yunsheng quickly understood, and though still angry, he restrained himself. "It’s not that I cannot go out," Ran Yan’s voice was light and cool as it drifted away with the river wind. Hearing Ran Yan’s voice, those young noblemen became even more excited, clamoring to know what would make her come out. "You are all people of status; surely you wouldn’t stoop to coercion? Moreover, what’s so interesting about just one person? If you can think of a way to lead Noble Lady Qi Liu and the many other grand ladies onto the deck from that boat, I would naturally make my appearance as well. I’ve heard that Qi Liu is fond of good music and poetry, and since you all are learned and talented individuals, this shouldn’t be difficult," Ran Yan said in a voice clear and indifferent, yet the corners of her lips curled into a derisive, cold smile. Bullying a young lady was something these people were certainly capable of, but in the full view of an audience, and given that Ran Yan was not from an average household, they would undoubtedly think twice before doing anything absurd. Furthermore, Ran Yan’s proposal was an interesting challenge. Thereupon, the crowd began racking their brains to compose music and poetry, each hoping to stand out, win the lady’s favor, and if they could spontaneously come up with a brilliant verse, it would quickly reach the ears of the famous scholars, which would be favorable for their careers. They put in a good effort. Ran Yan lowered all the bamboo blinds, blocking the view from the windows, poured a cup of wine for Ran Yunsheng, and said indifferently, "Shige arranged for this boat ride, and this turned out to be a good opportunity. I’ve brought the music and poetry to liven things up for Shige. Are you happy with that?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)