The next day, nearing noon, a decree from the Emperor arrived, appointing Xiao Song as County Marquis of Xiangwu, Third Rank, with a fief of one thousand households. Ran Yan was appointed as Lady of Liang, Third Rank.
The title "Lady of Liang", being scholarly and capable, likely implied a connection to the descendants of the Liang state.
Not all ladies with titles had titles of substantial meaning, similar to Lady Daning whose title was due to meritorious deeds at the founding of the state, hence she had a fief, and it had no relation to her husband. Therefore, her imperial decree was prefixed with the name of the fief, making it a rather special case. However, most ladies like Ran Yan received their rank because of their husbands, without financial security, and their prefixes were all meaningful words.
Once the decree was announced, it immediately became the hot topic among neighbors, and more than the neighborhood discussions, the court was very calm. Even when colleagues met Xiao Song, they merely gestured a salute and offered congratulations. This situation arose firstly because the Great Lady had just passed away, and Xiao Song was still in the mourning period, making it inappropriate for others to visit and congratulate; secondly, because everyone in the court understood that being granted a title without reason usually meant shouldering a burden heavier than the title itself, and most would rather earn their titles through deeds than accept such baseless tasks.
Thus, Xiao Song’s residence remained quite undisturbed.
Ran Yan forced herself to calm down and used the time to work with Liu Qingsong to prepare many medications.
Liu Qingsong, already a student of traditional Chinese medicine, was somewhat stronger than Ran Yan in the art of Chinese medicine and preparing herbal prescriptions. The two spent a day in the pharmacy concocting various types of sedatives, illusion drugs, and poisons, and distributed them to the guards in the household that day to fully prepare for the search at the Princess’ Courtyard the next evening.
The morning of the third day, Xiao Song used his period of mourning to relocate with Ran Yan to an estate in the eastern suburbs. It wasn’t until after the thirty-six-day mourning period that he officially returned to the government office to resume his duties.
These two days were a real test of will for Ran Yan. She had spent all of yesterday focused on preparing medicines, which already made the days seem endlessly long. Staying idle in the estate today made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles, further compounded by the scorching summer heat, her chafed thighs healing, itchy and painful, causing her much irritation and distress.
Only as the cool breeze of the evening began to blow did Ran Yan finally settle down. She changed into a male disguise, ready to go search for Ran Yunsheng with the guards.
In the courtyard, Xiao Song sat under a camphor tree in plain clothes, making tea. His usually sharp features appeared much softer at this moment. His dark hair was loosely tied back with a black silk belt, and his slender fingers held a jade spoon, making him remarkably handsome. This simple elegance, in conjunction with the gardenias behind him, painted a peaceful and leisurely scene, extremely attractive compared to his usual domineering presence, and accentuating his handsome features in quiet stillness.
Since Ran Yan decided to personally search for Ran Yunsheng, Xiao Song repeatedly tried to dissuade her to no avail, and they had been ignoring each other up until now, with Xiao Song showing no intention of interfering with her plans.
Ran Yan stood in the corridor for a long time. As night fell, drawing closer to the time of departure, Ran Yan grew increasingly calm. She knew Xiao Song forbade her from going for her own good, but the tension inside her was stretched to its limit. If there was no news of Ran Yunsheng that night, she couldn’t guarantee what she might do.
"My lord," Ran Yan walked down the corridor and knelt beside him.
Xiao Song paused, turned his head to see her dressed sharply in men’s clothing, resembling a stunningly beautiful young man. He reached out to adjust her slightly disheveled clothes, "My Ran Yan looks good in any outfit."
"Are you not angry anymore?" Ran Yan caught his hand and asked.
Xiao Song smiled faintly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, "If I said I was still angry, would you not go?"
Ran Yan slowly shook her head.
"Since being angry is of no help, why should I make you unhappy at such a time?" Xiao Song stood up and kissed her forehead gently, speaking softly, "Ran Yan, I await your safe return."
With such a beautiful man expressing such tender words, how could she not return safely?
Xiao Song could not personally go to the Princess’ Courtyard. Even though they were in the suburbs, they were still within the boundaries of Chang’an. After being appointed marquis, Xiao Song was sure to be the subject of many speculations about the Emperor’s purpose behind the appointment, hence people would undoubtedly be watching him. Thus, any exit from the residence by Ran Yan would necessarily require Xiao Song personally diverting these watchers’ attention.