Miss Truth
Chapter 522 - 346: The Target is Xiao Jiulang?

Chapter 522: Chapter 346: The Target is Xiao Jiulang?

"Not seen," Ran Yan said.

Erasing her trail in the Princess’ Courtyard wasn’t something that could be done in a short period of time, and also, from Xiao Song’s recent demeanor, he didn’t seem likely to return immediately. So, Ran Yan guessed this person was not Xiao Song.

Visibility was not high at night; if someone were trailing her, they would not dare to follow too closely. It only required someone with a similar build to Xiao Song and a slight resemblance to him to pass off as him.

Xiao Song simply used these stalkers to provide an alibi: the Assistant Minister and his lady are having a dispute, busy pacifying his wife, how could he have time to commit arson or murder!

Since it wasn’t Xiao Song, Ran Yan had no interest in dealing with it. She ordered the maid not to come and report anymore, to deny the visitor regardless of what he said. Then she went to bathe and retire for the night.

Lying in bed, Ran Yan tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep as she recalled the murderous method of the man in black she had seen on the slope. It greatly resembled Su Fu’s, but Ran Yan had never seen any other assassins kill, and she couldn’t be sure it was him.

Moreover, who could send a message to Bai Yi that he would trust implicitly? Even to the extent of altering the original plan set by Xiao Song and entering through a different door?

Considering Ran Yan’s observations of Bai Yi over this period, she thought that not even Duke Zhou’s message would sway him, unless it was from Xiao Song himself! But Xiao Song clearly had arrived later...

Ran Yan’s mind flashed through the characters seen in the Moon Pavilion, especially the three characters for "Xiao Yuezhi" on the plaque, which were misleadingly authentic. Ran Yan judged it a forgery because she knew, under any circumstances, Xiao Song would never write content suggesting "hidden Yuezhi." He was far too astute and would see through the implication at a glance.

That meant someone inside the Princess’ Courtyard could mimic Xiao Song’s handwriting and was coordinating with the assassin—deceiving Bai Yi into following a set route that left evidence of an attack on the Princess’ Courtyard!

Ran Yan suddenly sat up. If those people had meticulously planned this, could they also have been certain Xiao Song would realize the conspiracy? Determining that he would personally go to wrap things up?

If the person designing all this was Princess Baling herself, could her target be Xiao Song?

Thinking of this possibility, Ran Yan could no longer lie down, lit a lamp, sat down by the table, then stood up to walk to the window, constantly comforting herself—with his capabilities, even if Princess Baling conspires, she might not succeed.

But, with the advantage of planning against an unsuspecting target, even if Xiao Song was vastly resourceful, he is but a human, not a deity; humans inevitably make mistakes occasionally.

The two thoughts wrestled in her mind, rendering her restless and anxious, almost compelling her to rush back to ensure he was unharmed.

She forcefully suppressed the chaos in her heart, sat quietly for a while, but ultimately could not calm down, and decided to stroll in the courtyard.

The air in the countryside was fresh, especially at night, carrying a faint smell of dew, brisk and refreshing. Distracted, Ran Yan fidgeted with the mosquito repellent bag, pacing back and forth in the yard.

"Ran Yan," Liu Qingsong called out as he poked his head over the neighboring wall, "why haven’t you slept yet?"

"I can’t sleep." Feeling like she was going mad to even consider chatting with Liu Qingsong, but having indeed lost her composure, Ran Yan confided, "I’m worried about him."

Ran Yan shared her concerns with Liu Qingsong.

"There is indeed such a possibility!" Liu Qingsong leaned on the courtyard wall, yawning, "But don’t worry, I watched him grow up... also grew up with him, even if he failed, he must have a way to save himself. He and our uncle are not the same, if uncle were insulted, he would surely end it by taking poison, but Jiulang would endure, believing that as long as you keep the green hills, you won’t be afraid of running out of firewood."

It’s like hitting exactly where it hurts!

Ran Yan’s face darkened even more, "Are you trying to comfort me?"

"Can’t you tell?" Liu Qingsong said earnestly, not seeming to be joking at all.

"I don’t feel comforted," Ran Yan’s voice was flat, "If he lost his virtue, I’d rather he be like the tenth brother, and I would die alongside him if need be."

Liu Qingsong chuckled dryly, "Isn’t that a bit much? Throughout history, we speak of virtuous and chaste women, not men. If he just lost a bit of dignity, with Jiulang’s character, he would definitely take his revenge tenfold. Besides, how do you know if he hasn’t lost his virtue before?"

Ran Yan stared at him intently for a long moment and said coldly, "You came specifically to sow discord, didn’t you!"

Liu Qingsong was startled by her expression, shrank his neck and said with a forced smile, "I’m wrong, okay? Your family’s Xiao Yuezhi is as chaste as jade, the absolute image of a chaste man, I’ll get upset with anyone who says otherwise."

"How did you know I wasn’t asleep?" Ran Yan changed the topic, fearing she might not be able to restrain the impulse to silence him permanently if the conversation continued.

"Seeing the lights in your courtyard, I guessed you’d be worried that Jiulang couldn’t sleep," Liu Qingsong chuckled, "Ran Yan the forensic doctor, you said you wanted to conquer the Great Tang, right? I finally have a goal, you can’t just let me strive alone."

Ran Yan sighed softly and sat down on the porch, "Before conquering the Great Tang, allow me first to kill Princess Baling."

Liu Qingsong’s foot slipped and he thumped down, then staggered back to his feet, rubbing his back and saying, "You’re not joking, are you? Although I don’t really have class consciousness, I have lived in a society where the monarchy reigns supreme for over a decade. In this regard, I am your senior. I beg you, don’t act hastily. Do you think this is a fantasy story? If princesses were that easy to deal with, with Jiulang’s character, she would have been cremated by now, and would there be so many persecuted people unable to act?"

"I’ve been a forensic doctor for many years, and this is the second time I’ve felt the urge to kill," Ran Yan said, lowering her gaze, "When my good friend was brutally murdered by that despicable group, I desperately wanted to torture them with the most brutal methods in the world, to make them regret being born, but the chief of the criminal police was right, it’s not worth bringing down one more person for their sake. This might be unlikely, but here in the Great Tang, I’m confident I won’t leave any trace."

Ran Yan looked up at Liu Qingsong, firm voice saying, "This time, I don’t want to wait until after something happens to regret deeply."

Although Ran Yan couldn’t be considered kind-hearted, out of respect for life, she wouldn’t easily take a life, but in these times, nothing was equal. To protect the ones important to her, she had to be ruthless.

"You’re right. It’s risky, but it’s not impossible," after a moment, Liu Qingsong replied. Having said that seriously, he then revealed that mischievous smile, "And according to the protagonist’s rule..."

He hadn’t finished his sentence when Ran Yan violently threw a mosquito repellent bag at him, hitting him right on the forehead.

Liu Qingsong winced in pain, slipped again, and thudded down, "It’s not easy balancing on a water jar while chatting! Ouch, my poor back... Ms. Ran, your aim is too accurate!"

Listening to Liu Qingsong’s wails, Ran Yan felt much more relieved, able to control her emotions. She glanced at the courtyard wall and smiled slightly; sometimes, Liu Paopian did have his uses.(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)