Chapter 29: Turning Up Uninvited

Ran Yan sat back down on the curved chair, reached out to lift up the two slave contracts to look at carefully, in between she paid attention to Ms Liu and Zhou Sanlang’s expressions out of the corner of her eyes.

Zhou Sanlang saw that Ran Yan really had desire to accept the slave contract, his eyes turned red slightly, gritted his teeth tightly, obstinately holding back his tears from falling, whereas Ms Liu only knelt down with her back straight, tranquil and calm, (Ran Yan was) unable to glean anything from her expression.

Towards this pair of mother and son who seemed to come from an unordinary background, if she really wanted to capture their hearts, Ran Yan naturally could not really treat them as slaves.

“This slave contract…” Ran Yan looked at it for a long time, before sighing heavily, handed one of them over in front of Ms Xing, her fair and slim fingers pressing on the yellowing paper, her elegant charm was inexplicable[1], but it tightly hooked onto both of their hearts.

However Ran Yan did not hurry to explain, indifferently her faintly cold gaze fell on Zhou Sanlang, “Have you studied before?”

Zhou Sanlang stared blankly for a while, lifted his eyes to look at Ran Yan, on the beautiful face of lady before him was an expression that no living being would dare to approach, it was not the least bit gentle, but he felt that it was very familiar[2], in his mind the scene of that day vaguely surfaced, she told him: If you’re tired, then go back sleep for a while.

“Sanlang does not know proper etiquette, please forgive him.” Ms Liu saw that her son did not reply, spoke out to mediate, turned her head and reprimanded him in a low voice, “Sanlang, answer Miss quickly!”

Zhou Sanlang looked down, answered with a clear voice, “In the past I’ve read at home [Records of the Grand Historian], [Zuo’s Spring and Autumn Annals], [Classic of Filial Piety], [The Analects of Confucius], [The Rites of Zhou], [Zilin[3]]…”

He really was very learned!

Ran Yan did not know whether him saying that he has read it, meant reading shallowly, or reading proficiently, but a 12-13 year old child even if it was reading shallowly, it was already not easy, a few days ago when she went to the primary school, there were still youths reading [Thousand Character Classic[4]]!

“You really are willing to become my slave?” Even though Ran Yan knew the answer, she still asked on purpose.

Zhou Sanlang did not know how to answer, before he came he definitely was unwilling in his heart, but after seeing Ran Yan, he did not know why, he was unexpectedly a little swayed.

Ran Yan did not wait for Zhou Sanlang’s answer, pushed that piece of paper in front of him, “I only saved one life, I won’t take advantage of you, just one person will suffice. Because I am a woman, Madam Liu staying behind to serve me will also be convenient, a son’s debt repaid by the mother, thinking of it, it hasn’t not happened before.”

Ms Liu in an instant understood Ran Yan’s meaning, yet again bowed down deeply, “Miss is benevolent and kind, you have this slave’s undying gratitude!”

As a slave, they cannot participate in the imperial examinations, if Ran Yan really took him in as a slave, it would equate to breaking his future prospects. And the word ‘slave’ Ms Liu used to refer to herself was the modest appellation that married women in the Tang Dynasty used for themselves, and it did not mean a slave servant.

Ms Liu know this clearly, and still brought her son here, it was sufficient to see her strong moral integrity.

“Six years.” Ran Yan looked at Zhou Sanlang, her vermillion lips lightly parted, and threw out these two words.

Zhou Sanlang furrowed his brows, an expression of confusion.

Ran Yan continued speaking, “I’m giving six year’s time, you can choose the imperial examination, trade business, no matter what livelihood it is, if you can achieve some accomplishment for yourself, I will return your mother’s slave contract, if you can’t do it, then your mother will only ever be the slave of Seventeenth Miss Ran for the rest of her life. Do you have any objections?”

12-13 years old in the modern era is still considered a innocent child, but in ancient times it was not considered young, they could already participate in the imperial examinations.

Zhou Sanlang’s tightly pursed lips gradually loosened, solemnly said, “Agreed!”

“You return first, I still have some things to discuss with your mother.” Ran Yan said indifferently. She was not really concerned about Zhou Sanlang’s future, she was only doing this in passing, if he really achieved great success in the future, it was possible it would be something she could use, anyway she did not meet any loss in doing this.

Moreover, even if Zhou Sanlang did not become successful in the future, Ran Yan had no intention to keep Ms Liu as a slave forever, it was just that she currently lacked staff, and Ms Liu seemed like a good candidate.

Ms Liu sent Zhou Sanlang out with her gaze, yet again with great seriousness she bowed low to Ran Yan, ” I have no words of thanks for your great kindness, this slave will serve Miss to my utmost in the future!”

Ms Liu prostrated herself on the ground, for a long time she did not hear a reply, only felt a flash of light in front of her, she unconsciously lifted her head to look. What met her gaze was Ran Yan tearing the slave contract into long strips, sticking into the little square lantern beside her, when she took it out, the flame was already burning the slave contract.

Ms Liu looked at it stunned, the firelight illuminated Ran Yan’s pitch black eyes that were as calm as a serene deep pool, until the rest all turned into ashes, and was swept away by the wind into the rain, then only she heard her clear and cold voice, “I will not demand repayment, but right now my circumstances are not ideal, I need a suitable person by me to help, this piece of slave contract is invalid at this point, right here Seventeenth Ran asks for Madam Liu’s help.”

Saying that, Ran Yan straighten her body while kneeling, solemnly bowed low towards Ms Liu.

Ms Liu startled, quickly got up to help Ran Yan up, “Miss is killing this slave, Miss is the benefactor of us mother and son, if you have difficulties and need help, naturally this slave will not shirk her duty!”

Ms Liu thought in her heart, it looks that the rumours on the streets cannot be trusted, originally she heard that the Seventeenth Miss Ran was a timid and weak discarded daughter, with an excellent character, but meeting her today, this cold appearance and this strategy, there was not a trace of timidity or weakness.

Ran Yan did not know, her strategy to buy their hearts by through an act of kindness in letting them go free, actually raised her in higher esteem in Ms Liu’s heart.

Outside work, Ran Yan did not speak much, after a short time she did not have anything else to say to Ms Liu, thus allowed her to go home first, and return back tomorrow for work.

From beginning to end, Wan Lu and Miss Xing served silently by side, after Ms Liu left, Wan Lu said with some confusion, “Miss, since you want to use her, why did you burn the slave contract?”

Miss Xing replied, “This Ms Liu does not seem like an ordinary woman, her bearing is proper, her conversational style uncommon, from the way she was willing to become a slave to repay Miss saving a life, she must be a person that places great importance on honour, this type of person, if you can’t capture her heart, wouldn’t it be a pity?”

“Oh!” Wan Lu understood in a flash, her gleaming eyes looked at Ran Yan, said, “Miss is really awesome!”

Ran Yan only smiled unenthusiastically, Ms Liu was astute, she could definitely discern her hidden intentions, but no mater what, she saved Zhou Sanlang, she also did not request a large amount of repayment, she trusted that Ms Liu will take that into account.

Even though everything Miss Xing said made sense, but if this matter was handed to Miss Xing to deal with, she definitely would not know how to handle it. Ran Yan’s actions today, also comforted her heart greatly, and she did not have much suspicions, after all the original Ran Yan was also clever, only her personality was timid that’s all.

“Stop dawdling here already, Miss is going to a tea party tomorrow, quickly go and rush the new garments!” Miss Xing reprimanded Wan Lu laughingly.

Wan Lu jumped up and said, “Really? Someone invited Miss? That’s great, I have a half-done ruqun, I will definitely finish it before tomorrow morning!”

Miss Xing knew that the purple muslin gauze skirt that Wan Lu was working on, was the best material out of those bought the last time, but even so, it was still of medium grade stock only, upper-class noblewomen and their daughters will gather at tomorrow’s tea party, which one would not dress up to greatest extent?

“Tomorrow’s tea party definitely will be a hundred flowers vying for attention, I’m afraid that your clothes will look shabby…” Miss Xing spoke to warn her, as matters stand, she did not have any other ways, and could only get Ran Yan to prepare herself.

“It will suffice if the clothes are clean and fitting, it doesn’t need to be too glamorous.” Ran Yan said absentmindedly while flipping through a medical book.

Miss Xing sighed in her heart, saw that Ran Yan was not planning to rest anytime soon, went to look for Wan Lu, to discuss about altering the dress to a newer design, and have the workmanship to be as fine as possible, since the material was not good, they could only make up for it in other aspects!

Because she needed to wake up early tomorrow morning, Ran Yan slept after reading for a little while, letting Miss Xing and Wan Lu mutter away beside her.

A night of gentle breeze and light rain, it was the best for sleeping.

The next day, just past 5am, Ran Yan was pulled out from the couch by Miss Xing, after freshening up, she ate breakfast, and then sat in front of her makeup mirror and let Miss Xing have her way with her.

Ran Yan went back to sleep, when she opened her eyes again, she still looked the same, Miss Xing was pressing here and there on her face, wasn’t she putting on makeup for her?

“Does Miss feel more alert now?” Miss Xing asked laughingly.

Vaguely recalling back, then only did she realise that this was was a type of pre-makeup massage, in order to made her vitality and complexion look better.

At this moment, Wan Lu carried in a set of clothes, helped Ran Yan change into them, then only did Miss Xing tie her hair up in a low butterfly bun to match to her clothing style, dampening some of Ran Yan’s cold countenance, adding some loveliness of a girl.

Once everything was done, when Ran Yan stood up to look at the mirror, she really jumped in shock. In the mirror was a purple wide-sleeved gauze dress, the skirt’s pleats flowed gently to the ground like smoke and mist, the cuffs on the collar were all edged with gold satin embroidery, acting to ground the misty feeling of the dress, making it appear gorgeous without losing its dignity. Chinese clothing, indeed there is nothing more beautiful!

Ran Yan was startled to a halt was not because she became pretty, but it’s because dressing like this, it forcibly turned her chilly and stiff appearance into gentleness, to the extent that at first look, she could not recognise herself.

“Miss is born beautiful, whatever she wears looks good.” Intimidated by Ran Yan’s gorgeous appearance, Wan Lu blurted out after a long while.

Miss Xing smiled from the tip of her brow to corners of her eyes, “Miss takes after Madam, her skin like jade, naturally fair, she does not need to put powder like other people.” As she said that she took out some rouge, touched it to the palm of her hand before lightly sweeping it over Ran Yan’s cheeks, getting rid of some of her heavy countenance, temporarily appearing bright and colourful.

“It’s still missing something,” Miss Xing looked up and down, took out some jewellery from the cosmetic box, held it up against Ran Yan to see. In the end she selected a jadeite bracelet and a jadeite orchid hairpin.

These were all left behind by Madam Zheng, even though there were not many left, but every piece was valuable.

“Miss just dressed simply like this looks extremely pretty, if you dress lavishly, I’m afraid your beauty would be capable of causing the downfall of a city or state.” Miss Xing scrutinised her in the mirror while helping her wear the hairpin.

This scrutiny was fine, but half her soul was startled away, when Miss Xing came back to herself, she spotted a richly dressed man standing by the door, fiercely berated him in fear, “Who are you! Actually daring to break into someone’s home!”

Ran Yan spotted the intruder at the same time as Miss Xing, but she did not panic, turned around, with a frown looked at Qin Musheng who had an infatuated look on his face, indifferently said, “This is my room, please conduct yourself with dignity.”

Qin Musheng came to his senses, but still could not look away from the stunning sight before his eyes, staring at Ran Yan he said, “Seventeenth Miss, we are already engaged, we shouldn’t need to abstain from too much right?”

The Tang Dynasty had an open culture, premarital sex was not something strange, let alone a fiancé coming to a lady’s room to have a look! But Qin Musheng came uninvited, it really caused one to get annoyed.

***
A/N: Apologies, today Xiuzi had some matters, so it’s a little late.

The main body of this book is to break the seriousness of the usual crime novels, this book is the combination of crime solving and daily living, the progression of (criminal) cases will not be very fast, the main thing is to show the medical knowledge of the female protagonist, therefore regarding the crime aspect it might not be as exciting and surprising as traditional detective novels, but there will be a lot about autopsies (without excluding bloody scenes, it will be within the boundaries accepted by normal people), I’ll inform everyone here first, in order to avoid frightening children later.

[1]说不出的雅韵: not sure if I translated this correctly

[2] 亲切: amiable / cordial / close and dear / familiar

[3]字林: Chinese character dictionary with 12,824 entries from ca. 400 AD

[4]千字文: 6th century poem used as a traditional reading primer