She smiled wryly and said, "I mentioned it to Third Sister the other day. Although Third Sister didn't refuse this time, she seemed unwilling."
“Madam, please rest assured, Third Aunt knows what’s important.” Nan Mama has served Zhao Shi since she was a child, and Third Aunt is someone she has watched grow up. “Third Aunt has always been very fortunate, and she married a good man… Although it’s hard to bear at this moment, Third Aunt is the future Princess Consort of the County, and she knows what to do.”
“My third sister has always been proud since she was a child, and she still is.” Zhao’s tone was somewhat helpless.
“You have to help the Third Miss, you can’t let her go down the wrong path!” Nan Mama also felt uneasy, her mouth bitter. “Even if it’s suppressed for now, what about the future? The young lady needs a son or daughter by her side! Although the young lady’s children will have to call her mother in the future, she will still be her own aunt in the end.”
"Ultimately, we need to know their background and be able to control them!"
A hint of reluctance flashed in Zhao's eyes, but she ultimately made up her mind.
She couldn't let her daughter repeat her mistakes.
Chapter 13 Going Out
After the Sixth Sister, Seventh Sister, and Tenth Sister had all subtly inquired about the clothes and jewelry An Ran would wear on the first day of the lunar new year, and even the Grand Madam had inadvertently asked about their attire during their conversations, An Ran finally realized that everyone was taking the Prince's Mansion on the first day of the lunar new year very seriously.
After having dinner at the Grand Madam's place that day, Anran took out paper and pen under the lamp and began to practice calligraphy.
The lessons taught by Liu Niang and the others became increasingly profound and difficult to understand, while Master He only assigned An Ran the basics of calligraphy. Although An Ran had received some education before, her handwriting was only average. Liu Niang and her two sisters, on the other hand, all had excellent handwriting.
Anran felt it was a regret, but now she has actually started practicing calligraphy for three large sections every day.
It's best not to aim too high when it comes to academic pursuits; she should focus on what she can actually do. With Shi Niang already having achieved so much, she's just showing off her limited skills in front of an expert.
Moreover, Anran discovered that writing could calm her mind. When she was agitated, copying a few more scriptures would actually calm her down. And because she practiced diligently, Master He praised her for her significant progress, which made Anran even more interested.
After Anran finished writing, Jinping brought over hot water mixed with rose syrup.
“Miss, I went to Aunt Cui, who works in needlework, to get your clothes today, and I ran into Cuizhi from Seventh Miss’s room.” She whispered, “She went to get a new main garment that Seventh Miss had made. I chatted with the maidservant from Aunt Cui’s place for a bit, and it turns out that not only Seventh Miss, but Sixth Miss and Tenth Miss have also gotten new things.”
Anran sent the clothes that Zhao had prepared for her in advance to the sewing room. They didn't fit her well, so she took them to be altered.
The stepmother is so generous!
Anran gently stroked the white porcelain bowl, lost in thought.
It seems that the legendary situation of the legal wife withholding money from her illegitimate daughters did not occur. Although it can be seen from the concubines in the mansion that Zhao Shi was not a generous person, she was very generous to her illegitimate daughters, often bestowing them with clothes and jewelry.
You can know a person's face but not their heart, so I dare not make any hasty judgments.
"Jinping, have you also noticed that the young ladies are paying extra attention to Third Sister's spring banquet this time?" Anran asked. "Are the young ladies always this attentive when they go out?"
Jinping first shook her head, then nodded, leaving Anran somewhat confused.
"I noticed that the young ladies are paying extra attention this time, even more so than usual." Jinping looked on with a look of reminiscence. She explained, "But it's always the same. Madam has to approve the young ladies' attire. You don't know, not long after Sixth Miss returned, Madam took the young ladies out to a banquet. They had agreed to walk together in front of the hanging flower gate. But it seems that Sixth Miss mistakenly wore a dress of an inappropriate color that day, and Madam immediately made her change."
"The lady was in the carriage with the seventh and tenth young ladies, which made the sixth young lady extremely embarrassed."
No wonder Zhao asked Shi Mama to help her choose clothes; it turns out she had learned a lesson from Liu Niang's experience.
Even if Madam Zhao disliked her illegitimate daughters, it was still a matter of public dignity for the Marquis's household, so she naturally couldn't let them embarrass themselves. Her legitimate daughter was already a future Princess Consort of the County, and if Madam Zhao was smart, she wouldn't give anyone ammunition to criticize her.
Could this be the reason why the Zhao family treated their concubine's daughter so well?
“I remember one time it was even more grand than this one!” Jinping suddenly recalled a past event, and she lowered her voice even further as she said, “It seems that the aunt of the Marquis of Pingyuan was also present that time, and the girls’ clothing was all approved by the Grand Madam!”
It seems that the rumor... was true.
The Marquis of Nan'an's household already has a legitimate daughter who is the wife of the Prince of the County. Does it mean they want to choose another wife from among the remaining illegitimate daughters?
An Ran shook her head inwardly, finding it somewhat absurd.
If the Marquis of Pingyuan had any temper, he would not marry the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Nan'an. Wouldn't that be a slap in the face? It would be more reasonable to take a concubine... Thinking of this, An Ran couldn't help but shudder and almost dropped the sweet white porcelain bowl in her hand.
Was Lu Mingxiu's reluctance to make a definitive statement because he had this intention?
An Ran suddenly gripped the porcelain bowl tightly and slammed it down on the desk.
"Miss...Miss?" An Ran's unusual behavior startled Jinping.
In recent days, An Ran had always given Jinping the impression of being steady, composed, dignified, and generous; she rarely showed any signs of panic.
That's not right either.
An Ran forced herself to calm down. If she could think of this, how could the Grand Madam and their father not? If they really went to great lengths to send their illegitimate daughter to become a concubine of the Marquis of Pingyuan, would the Marquis of Nan'an's mansion have any face?
Knowing too little information, An Ran couldn't figure it out, and the more she thought about it, the more her head ached.
"I'm fine." An Ran's expression had returned to its usual composure. She curled the corners of her lips and said, "I just suddenly thought of some things."
Jinping, being sensible, didn't dare to ask any more questions.
Just then, Cuiping came in carrying various kinds of thread for making knots, and the conversation was diverted.
“Miss, the Grand Madam’s birthday is in two months. You should start preparing early,” Cuiping reminded Anran. “The young ladies always prepare their gifts well in advance every year.”
Upon hearing this, An Ran's face fell.
What's a good birthday gift?
An Ran was worried not only about the Grand Madam's birthday, but also about her stepmother's, father's, sisters', and brothers' birthdays... An Ran was poor, so giving her some needlework would have been the best choice, but her needlework skills were really lacking...
Just thinking about it makes her teeth ache.
"Bring it here!" An Ran hardened her heart and had Cui Ping bring her embroidery hoop.
I've recently taken a liking to calligraphy, and have neglected my needlework. Anran, feeling helpless, has no choice but to try both at the same time.