Miss Truth
Chapter 518 - 343: The Most Desired Man_2

Chapter 518: Chapter 343: The Most Desired Man_2

Ran Yan glanced at him indifferently and began looking for the way.

Liu Qingsong, inexplicably buoyed again, followed behind Ran Yan cheerfully. Ran Yan, puzzled by his behavior, hesitated before finally speaking, "What are you thinking about now?"

Liu Qingsong chuckled, "Based on the main character’s indestructibility and various adventures..."

Ran Yan decisively turned to search for the path. The guards from Xiao’s residence, used to Liu Qingsong’s ramblings, let his words enter one ear and exit the other, as if a gust of wind had passed through, especially since they never understood them anyway.

After walking another half circle on a path, Ran Yan found a slightly shorter patch of grass under a pine tree, as if there was a not-so-obvious gap.

"This might be it." Ran Yan bent down and crawled under the pine tree. Ahead was still more pine trees, so she continued along the faint traces on the grass.

The group moved cautiously, following Ran Yan on tiptoe.

After crawling past seven rows of pine trees, they emerged into a clearing with an orchid nursery. The scent of pine mixed with the fragrance of orchids created a refreshing, familiar smell.

Surrounding the orchid nursery, in the stillness, stood a pavilion built by the water.

"Let’s go inside first," a guard whispered.

Ran Yan nodded, allowing a few guards to lead the way while she and Liu Qingsong followed behind.

By the moonlight, Ran Yan could see three powerful characters on the plaque of the pavilion: Moon Pavilion. She paused, finding the handwriting familiar, and took a closer look—there in the smaller characters of the signature was "Xiao Yuezhi!"

The door was gently pushed open by the guards, and Ran Yan, suppressing her doubts, focused on staying alert.

A few guards entered the house to search, and Ran Yan used this time to survey the surroundings. The place was positioned between the mountain and the water, with the pine forest they had just passed in front. The Moon Pavilion was nestled in the center, surrounded by untraveled wilderness.

About the time it took to brew half a pot of tea, the guards returned and reported, "There’s no one inside."

"Could this be some sort of trap?" Liu Qingsong was full of suspicion.

"Could it be Princess Baling’s private residence?" Ran Yan speculated, then paused and suggested, "Since we’re here, let’s search carefully to see if there’s any hidden room or something."

Ran Yan stepped into the house as a guard had already lit a small Corner Lamp, casting dim light that only illuminated a few steps around them. Despite this, the group spotted the most prominent portrait hanging in the hall.

The person in the painting, a young nobleman dressed in a purple robe, stood upright with sharp brows merging into his hairline, a strong nose, and a majestic bearing, his pair of shiny black eyes staring straight ahead, exuding a compelling aura.

Even though the painting was somewhat distorted, everyone recognized him at a glance—it was Xiao Song!

"What?" Liu Qingsong stared at the portrait in surprise, "The little Wife from Baling has been pining for Jiulang!"

Ran Yan suddenly recalled the familiar scent she had smelled earlier outside, pine mixed with orchid fragrance, very similar to the fresh scent of Xiao Song, only lacking a unique aroma, hence she only felt it familiar and didn’t associate it with him immediately.

And "Moon Pavilion" was probably a homophone for "Cangyue Pavilion."

"Tsk! Look at all these manuscripts of Jiulang here." Liu Qingsong pulled out a scroll from a nearby shelf and handed it to Ran Yan.

Ran Yan took it. It was the most recent dossier reviewed by Xiao Song, not the original but a copied version, with parts of Xiao Song’s handwriting deliberately imitated.

After setting down the dossier, Ran Yan casually took a few more books from the shelf and flipped through them under the dim light. All were dossiers reviewed by Xiao Song, along with memorial tablets, his official work papers, and public papers, all copied versions with no original handwriting.

"What are you all stunned for, go search for people!" Ran Yan said flatly.

Only then did the guards snap out of it and hurriedly went to search for people, leaving only one guard to protect Ran Yan and Liu Qingsong.

As Liu Qingsong idly flip through the dossiers on the shelf, he fueled Ran Yan’s fire, "Tsk tsk, I didn’t realize Jiulang was this popular. I guess, many young ladies who have not yet left their homes are secretly thinking about him, just scared they might approach him due to the fear of the ’Husband Killer’ reputation!"

Ran Yan remembered meeting Princess Baling at the East Market inn during New Year, who turned and flashed a radiant smile towards their side when she came downstairs—probably intended for Xiao Song. Ran Yan’s heart began to feel sour and bubbling inside.

But the feeling was fleeting; she instantly withdrew her thoughts, inwardly scolding herself for being foolish. How could she be jealous at a time like this! There was still no news about Yunsheng!

After a thorough search around the Moon Pavilion twice, they still hadn’t found anything. Liu Qingsong, beginning to sweat, grabbed Ran Yan and asked, "Could it not be here?"

Ran Yan was initially certain, but now, seeing so much concerning Xiao Song, she began to feel uncertain. If Princess Baling truly adored Xiao Song enough to prepare a pavilion for him, perhaps she wouldn’t hide another man here.

"Let’s search around," decided Ran Yan, willing to search one last time.

"Why do you think Princess Baling would hide someone here, aren’t you the one who loves logical analysis, any evidence?" Liu Qingsong watched as the guards went out, then turned to ask Ran Yan.

"It’s not logic," Ran Yan said.

Liu Qingsong, his mouth agape in confusion, said, "Is it a woman’s intuition?"

Ran Yan gave him a cold look but still explained, "It’s that look she gave me, the one where she looked through me, trying to see the shadow of Shi Ge in me."

While Princess Baling didn’t show such a look towards Xiao Song, despite everything related to him here suggesting her infatuation, Ran Yan believed more that the princess’s interest in Xiao Song was a desire to conquer a powerful opponent, while her desire for Yunsheng was sheer, naked longing. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)