After returning from South City, Ran Yan began to carefully recall all information about asthma and meticulously recorded it. Meanwhile, Liu Qingsong was primarily responsible for searching for patients with asthma in the streets.
The poison Ran Yan developed, through continuous improvement and perfection, after numerous in-vivo experiments on rats, finally achieved a fairly ideal effect. It minimized the occurrence process and the traces on the corpses to the lowest level, if modern techniques were to be used to examine cell slices, one would definitely find clues, but in the Great Tang, even Ran Yan herself had no better method of verification.
As for the means of poisoning, Ran Yan had also considered many.
Ran Pingyu originally made his fortune as a salt merchant, but after the Court took control of salt sales and prohibited private salt, he then switched to the grain business, and later began to get involved in various industries. Although the Ran Clan wasn’t an imperial merchant, they had many channels to infiltrate and acquire rights to process tribute goods, such as the Ran Clan always being responsible for the initial collection of raw silk in Jiangnan, which wasn’t a very profitable endeavor, but it was helpful to consolidate the Ran’s position in Chang’an.
In other words, if Ran Yan wanted to poison someone, there were many methods she could choose from, as long as it was done without leaving any trace.
But now Xiao Song had already intervened in this matter and instructed her not to be impulsive, so Ran Yan prepared the poison only as a precaution.
Ran Yan sat in the "laboratory," silently packing away the medicine.
"Wife, Shilang is here." Outside, Wan Lu’s voice came.
Ran Yan paused, then hurried her actions, packed up the things, opened the door, and saw Ran Yunsheng removing his wooden clogs, stepping onto the veranda.
"Shige?" Ran Yan wondered why he came back so soon.
Ran Yunsheng’s handsome brows and eyes carried a hint of sorrow, and he forced a smile at the sight of Ran Yan.
"What happened?" Seeing him , Ran Yan couldn’t help feeling worried.
Ran Yunsheng sighed and headed toward the hall, saying, "This time, I’ve really caused trouble for Xiao Langjun."
"How so?" Ran Yan followed him into the room.
"Rumors are flying around in the streets, all unfavorable to Xiao Langjun. Now the relationship between the Ministry of Criminal Justice and the Imperial Censorate is delicate, they are anxious about not catching the tail of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, with this incident emerging, I’m afraid the impeachment memos have already been presented to the Emperor’s imperial desk." When Ran Yunsheng and Ran Pingyu decided to latch onto Xiao Song, they had considered various situations, but had failed to anticipate such embarrassing rumors.
"What exactly happened?" Ran Yan frowned slightly.
Ran Yunsheng helplessly said, "Now, the rumor in the streets claims that Xiao Langjun, because of his wife-rejecting fate and unable to marry, has started to indulge in same-sex relationships, and is hiding one in his mansion."
The one hidden, naturally refers to Ran Yunsheng.
With such a scandal breaking out, the Imperial Censorate would inevitably charge him with a report of indecent private life and loss of virtue, which would have a large impact on one’s career.
"Then Shige coming back, does he know about it?" Ran Yan inquired.
Ran Yunsheng nodded, "He knows, it was Assistant Minister Xiao who sent someone to escort me back to the mansion in secret. Although the rumors are rampant in the streets, my identity has not been exposed ..."
It showed how well Xiao Song had done in keeping the matter confidential, not even slightly tarnishing Ran Yunsheng’s reputation, but he himself seemed to have taken the fall. Because of this, Ran Yunsheng felt quite guilty; after all, they initially harbored intentions of using him.
Ran Yan gave a sigh of relief and advised, "Shige, don’t worry, Xiao Langjun has been in the official circles for many years, how could he not understand the stakes. In my view, his actions must have a deeper meaning."
The common people may not know Ran Yunsheng’s identity, but that doesn’t mean everyone is unaware, at least Princess Baling definitely got wind of it, which is why Xiao Song didn’t stop Ran Yunsheng from returning home.
"Even if the Imperial Censorate can’t do anything to him, the Xiao Clan has strict family rules and standards; such rumors are a disgrace to the family reputation..." Ran Yunsheng’s voice trailed off. Not to mention family rules, just the strict and conservative nature of Duke Xiao, if he learned of this matter, it would be enough trouble for Xiao Song for a while.
"Since he has taken it upon himself, he must have his own plans, Shige need not worry too much." Ran Yan said with certainty.
Ran Yunsheng’s gaze flickered slightly as he looked at Ran Yan for a long moment, then couldn’t help saying, "I’m also somewhat familiar with Assistant Minister Xiao; his actions are always cautious, but matters of the heart can easily muddle one’s thinking. Just look at how he was willing to delay his official duties last time and run back to Jushui Town ... Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given it much thought."