Miss Truth

66: Chapter 43 Concealing the Truth_2

66 -43 Concealing the Truth_2

Noble Lady Ran Meiyu felt slightly relieved and turned her head to glance smugly at Ran Yan, who merely lowered her gaze slightly, ignoring her provocation.

Liu Pinrang was very vexed.

Ran Meiyu claimed that her fingernail had broken because she was pushed by Ran Yan into the flowerbed beside the winding path and did not know what it had hit against when it snapped.

However, despite having someone search for over two or three hours during the day, they had not found the broken half of the fingernail.

Yin’s household maids could attest to Ran Meiyu’s fall, but no one could prove where exactly her nail had broken.

Previously, he had also had someone inquire among other Noble Ladies.

Some could testify that Ran Meiyu had been to the Yulan Residence, but no one saw her go to the side hall, thus she had the time to commit the murder.

“I will ask you once more, Lady Ran Eighteen, if you did not go to the side hall that day, where exactly did you go?” Liu Pinrang asked this question many times, but Ran Meiyu had always been evasive, neglecting to give a straight answer, which was quite suspicious.

With pursed lips, Ran Meiyu said, “Is this really important?”

Liu Pinrang was already frustrated internally, but maintained a serious demeanor as he said, “Of course it’s important.

If you don’t tell us and no one can prove where you were during that time, you will become a prime suspect!”

Ran Meiyu’s face turned pale.

Biting her lip, she said, “I spoke with Yin Si Lang for a while in the Liangfeng Pavilion.”

At this statement, Ran Wen’s forehead vein bulged instantly, but due to many prominent figures present in the hall, it was not convenient for him to show anger, so he just glared fiercely at Ran Meiyu.

In the Tang Dynasty, private meetings were not uncommon, and making a lifelong commitment privately was also recognized as a legal marriage by the Tang Code.

However, the issue was that Yin Si Lang was not of legitimate birth, nor was he born from a concubine with status; he wasn’t even from Yin’s direct line.

His father was a half-brother of Yin Wenshu’s from the same father but different mother, inherently of low birth, with no reputation to speak of, and his mother was a maid who had been given the status of a concubine only because she had given birth to him.

This status made it impossible for Ran Wen to remain calm!

Freedom in marriage is one thing to speak of, but how could there be any real freedom in practice?

Especially for a major clan like the Ran family.

Catching a glimpse of Ran Wen’s simmering anger, Ran Meiyu’s complexion grew even paler.

It wasn’t just this matter that upset Ran Wen.

With so many people present, having his daughter be questioned about such an issue, where could he possibly place his face?

“Since that is the case, I will send someone to question Yin Si Lang right away.

Everyone, please wait in the side hall for a while.” Liu Pinrang stood up, ordered someone to escort Ran Meiyu back to her room under guard, and lead the others out.

Walking behind a group of men, Ran Yan was uncertain of where to go when a middle-aged man dressed in light green official uniform approached and said in a low voice, “Madam Ran, the Inspector has other instructions for you.

Please come with me.”

Ran Yan looked at him indifferently and, lowering her gaze, followed him to a side door.

“I am Yu Bohao, in charge of the criminal justice in this state.” Yu Bohao was skinny, short, and his features were decently shaped.

With pale skin and a strong scholarly aura, he seemed amiable and didn’t at all resemble someone in charge of a state’s criminal justice and a Judge.

Ran Yan paused, then gave a slight bow and said, “So you are Judge Yu.

My apologies.”

Yu Bohao couldn’t help but take another look at Ran Yan, who maintained the same expression from beginning to end, showing no sign of turbidity.

She displayed neither fear nor arrogance; her eyes held a faint coldness when she looked at people.

He was somewhat surprised, for with such beauty and bearing, how had she remained unknown?

“Please.” Yu Bohao continued to lead Ran Yan towards the back of the Government Office, into a quiet courtyard.

Once inside, he said, “Lady Ran, please wait here.

The Inspector will be with you shortly.”

Ran Yan was puzzled.

Why had Inspector Liu secretly brought her here alone?

All the necessary questions had already been asked, and although she had shown some analytical ability in front of him, it was just basic analysis.

Anyone with slightly meticulous thinking could have reached the same conclusions.

She didn’t believe Inspector Liu would want to discuss the case with her.

Yu Bohao kept observing Ran Yan’s expressions.

Seeing her continuously looking down at her toes with an even calmer and colder demeanor than before, several lanterns were lit around them.

The flickering light, bright one moment and dim the next, fell on her face.

She was extremely beautiful, but there was also a hint of morbid stillness in her appearance.

Yu Bohao, in charge of the criminal justice, often dealt with forensic doctors and even had to examine bodies on-site with them.

Those forensic doctors probably had the same expression as Ran Yan had when facing corpses, serious and cold.

Only someone like Forensic Doctor Feng Sanxun, who had examined countless bodies with his own hands, would gradually develop this kind of “dead person’s face.”