Thinking of this, An Ran felt a chill run down her spine.
One of them was someone she had brought from the Marquis of Jingbei's residence, and she still showed no mercy.
Such a ruthless and jealous Zhao Shi… no wonder I and Sixth Sister haven’t shown up at the Marquis’s residence. They’ve probably been taken away and raised by someone long ago! Since my grandmother is someone close to the Grand Madam, and Sixth Sister’s servant, Liu Mama, is also someone close to the Grand Madam…
The one who secretly orchestrated all of this must be the Dowager Lady!
When her daughter-in-law's family was at the height of its power, she tolerated Zhao Shi, allowing her to be arrogant and domineering in the mansion, using Zhao Shi's family's influence to support her own son; when Zhao Shi's family was no longer as powerful as before, she took action again, forcing Zhao Shi to promote people around An Yuanliang, and recently she even brought back Liu Niang and herself.
The Dowager is truly amazing!
This level of patience is beyond the reach of ordinary people, and that's what makes it so terrifying.
An Ran suddenly thought of Li Shi again; she was also a very patient person. If given the opportunity, who knows how far she might go.
"I understand." An Ran stroked the teacup in her hand, still somewhat shaken. She forced a smile and said, "I want to be alone for a while. You can go now!"
Seeing that An Ran's expression was not good, Jinping quickly responded and withdrew.
"etc."
An Ran called out to Jinping again, her face pale and weary, "Not a single word of what we said today is to be revealed."
Jinping readily agreed, making a solemn and vehement promise.
An Ran waved her hand and told her to leave, while she herself remained lost in thought.
Judging from the current situation, she is destined to be manipulated by everyone. Why she couldn't return in her previous life remains a mystery to her. Could it be that her stepmother's family was always powerful in her previous life, leaving the Grand Madam with no chance?
An Ran felt a sense of helplessness, as if she couldn't find an answer no matter how hard she tried.
******
When Zhao returned to the courtyard, she called Nan Mama over to talk.
"Tell me again what happened when Ninth Sister went to Third Sister's residence that day," Zhao said coldly, her expression very unpleasant. "The more detailed the better!"
Seeing Zhao's horrifying expression, Nan's mother frantically searched her memory.
“That day, Ninth Miss went in first and told us to wait outside.” Nan Mama said after thinking hard, “There were a few sounds of arguing, porcelain breaking, and crying. Then the sounds stopped. I suppose Third Aunt was persuaded by Ninth Miss.”
"Later, Ninth Miss came out and had the maids help Third Aunt bathe and change her clothes, while she went to the small kitchen to make some snacks." Nan Mama had been waiting outside the whole time and didn't know what was happening inside the house, so she could only speak based on what she had seen.
"Then the third son-in-law returned, and not long after, the ninth daughter also returned with some snacks," she recalled. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Nan Mama said, "It seems that Yinping went to the small kitchen to call the ninth daughter!"
Zhao frowned deeply and remained silent.
Nan's mother had no choice but to continue. "After Ninth Miss went in, Third Son-in-law came out not long after. Originally, we heard that Third Son-in-law was staying out to bring Li back. But that night, Third Son-in-law actually came back and had dinner, and he and Third Aunt seemed as loving as ever."
"Third Aunt kept Ninth Miss with her. Ninth Miss was very careful to avoid suspicion at night. It is said that she did not go out of the side room at all."
In the evening, Third Sister sent Nan Mama back, leaving only Anran behind. Therefore, Nan Mama's subsequent events were only heard from Yinping and Huaping.
"What do you think of Ninth Sister?" Zhao pondered for a while, then suddenly asked, "How does her temperament compare to Tenth Sister's?"
Nan's mother was taken aback by the question.
"In my opinion, Ninth Miss is actually quite good." Nan Mama, unaware of Zhao's intentions, could only cautiously reply, "She has a gentle and mild temperament, and a good temper. If I may be so bold as to say, what is most precious about Ninth Miss is her sincerity."
Zhao raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
"This servant is being presumptuous. To put it bluntly, the affairs of Third Aunt's household are originally none of Ninth Miss's business. The reason our household sent Ninth Miss there is simply because the other young ladies and aunts are not present. Ninth Miss has only met Third Aunt twice. Even if they are sisters, how deep is their relationship?"
“But Ninth Miss is doing her best to help Third Aunt.” Nan Mama said in a low voice, “I heard from Huaping and Yinping that Ninth Miss has tried her best to help Third Aunt out of trouble, whether in front of Third Son-in-law or in front of Li Shi.
Zhao remained silent for a moment.
"Make arrangements for the next two days, so that either Jinping or Huaping can come back and one of them can see me." Zhao rubbed her temples and said wearily, "I want to ask them myself."
Nan's mother readily agreed.
"Madam, Third Master is clamoring for you!" Suddenly, Shi Mama's voice rang out from outside the curtain in the silence.
Upon hearing that it was her youngest son, Madam Zhao's expression immediately softened. She hurriedly said, "Quickly bring Yu-ge'er in."
Before she could finish speaking, the curtain at the door was lifted, revealing a delicate and adorable little face. Anjue, held in her wet nurse's arms, was stretching out her arms and calling out, "Mother, Mother—"
Zhao's heart immediately softened.
"Good boy Yu'er." Madam Zhao took An Yu into her arms and coaxed him softly, "Did you miss your mother, Yu'er?"
"Mom hasn't played with me these past few days." Three-year-old An Yu spoke clearly, her voice still a little childish, but she could clearly express her meaning. "Mom is always busy, I want Mom to play with me!"
Zhao Shi had been preoccupied with her third daughter's affairs for days and had indeed neglected her youngest son, which made her feel guilty.
Looking at her son's fair and rosy face in her arms, his innocent and bright eyes blinking, she couldn't help but want to cherish him and give him the best of everything in the world.
But he's still too young!
An Rui and An Feng are far inferior to An Yu. An Yu is at a disadvantage in terms of age, and he is also physically weak. If Third Sister cannot support and assist him, An Yu may even have trouble inheriting the Marquis's mansion! Although Fifth Sister is smarter, the person she married is not as good as Third Sister, and her husband is not as promising as Yun Shen.
Even if Third Sister and the Prince couldn't get along anymore, there was no possibility of divorce. The Prince Yi's mansion could easily use Third Sister's jealousy as an excuse to divorce her, and Third Sister's reputation would be ruined.
We must protect Third Sister's position in Prince Yi's mansion!
Zhao hugged her infant son tightly and made up her mind.
******