Miss Truth-Chapter 470 - 306: Calm

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.

And Xiao Song had not deceived her—the estate had effectively become the Princess Mansion, and therefore the Xiao family had decided not to hold the wedding of Ran Yan and Xiao Song at the old residence. This meant that Ran Yan would not have to wake up before dawn every day to pay respects to her mother-in-law, nor would she need to spend all day every day in the constant company of her two sisters-in-law of high status, which was undoubtedly a relief.

Thinking of this, Ran Yan felt that even if Lady Dugu were to establish strict rules today, she had no right to complain.

Ran Yan did not look around, but followed the maid’s lead to the entrance of the main hall.

The maid announced their arrival, "My lord, Lady, Jiulang and Lady Jiulang have arrived."

Two other maids came out to lift the curtains for Xiao Song and Ran Yan.

Trailing half a step behind Xiao Song, Ran Yan entered the room and glanced up to see an old man in his sixties sitting in the main seat, dressed in a dark purple round-necked robe, looking hale and hearty with silvery hair, long eyebrows that stretched into his temples, a straight nose, and an expression that was rigid and serious. Beside him sat a woman in a teal brocade dress with meticulous and proper makeup. On both sides of them sat two middle-aged couples; the men wore regular attire, while the women were also in teal brocade dresses.

The brocade dress, which features the pattern of pheasants, is an official’s wife’s dress, and the higher the rank of the official’s wife, the more pheasant patterns on the dress.

The brocade dress is usually worn for various formal occasions such as enfeoffment ceremonies, sericulture activities, grand court meetings, and weddings. Their choice to wear it was not meant to flaunt their status in front of Ran Yan, but instead it was an expression of respect for the new bride, indicating that they did not intend to show any contempt just because of Ran Yan’s heritage.

The couple approached the main seat and kowtowed to their parents.

They had barely finished two bows when a maid announced the arrival of the State Lady. Duke Song and Lady Dugu solemnly accepted their salutations before standing to welcome the State Lady.

The State Lady was also wearing a teal brocade dress. As a State Lady, the number of pheasants on her dress was naturally higher, making her appear very solemn and exceedingly elegant.

"Mother," Duke Song and Lady Dugu greeted her with a bow. After that, each of the grandsons, along with their wives, performed their bows before taking their seats.

Taking the opportunity, Ran Yan stole a glance at Xiao Song’s two brothers and their wives. Xiao Ruizhi was over forty, and Xiao Kaizhi was around thirty-eight. Xiao Ruizhi bore a strong resemblance to Duke Song, with a rigid and serious expression, while Xiao Kaizhi seemed more scholarly and amiable. However, their wives were the exact opposite; Princess Kaizhi was gentle and dignified, while Lady Jia Rong’s demeanor was a bit more serious.

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