For whatever reason, the maids in the main courtyard all looked at An Ran with an incredulous expression.
The Crown Princess has never shown such care to any of her younger sisters before!
An Ran could only manage a bitter smile in her heart.
Because Yun Shen was there, Third Sister didn't mention having An Ran take Zhi Mo and Ru Lan back, which relieved An Ran.
Originally, persuading San Niang to stay with Zhao Shi could be considered a merit, but if these two people were taken back, all the good things left would be lost.
An Ran could only console herself that whether she went back to make the embroidery or not shouldn't matter anymore. Even if Liu Niang and the others wanted to embarrass her or make her look bad, they wouldn't choose this time.
When they went out, San Niang and An Ran rode together in a carriage.
Two carriages carrying goods followed behind, while Yun Shen rode ahead on horseback.
"Third Sister, isn't this much better? Your brother-in-law respects and cherishes you!" Seeing that her third sister-in-law still had a look of displeasure on her face, An Ran could only gently advise, "You can't let others take advantage of you!"
Third Sister smiled.
Just as An Ran was about to say a few more words of advice, the carriage suddenly stopped. An Ran was leaning forward and almost lost her balance and fell off the cushions, but fortunately, Third Sister caught her in time.
"What's going on?" Third Sister asked, somewhat displeased.
The maidservant beside him hurriedly replied through the curtain, "Reporting to the Princess Consort, the Prince just encountered Marquis Pingyuan, and the two are talking."
Marquis of Pingyuan?
Could it be that the person the Grand Madam and the Marquis of Nan'an are trying so hard to win over, the one who really wants to marry the Marquis's daughter to him?
An Ran couldn't help but feel curious, so she secretly lifted a corner of the curtain to peek outside.
Not far away, two tall and slender men were talking. The one in the royal blue robe was naturally her brother-in-law, Yun Shen, and the other, dressed in a black robe, was probably the famous Marquis of Pingyuan, Lu Mingxiu!
An Ran could only vaguely see a profile view.
With a sharp, angular jawline, tightly pursed thin lips, a high, straight nose, dark, bright eyes, and thick eyebrows... seemingly sensing An Ran's gaze, Lu Mingxiu turned around without warning.
An Ran was startled and quickly dropped the carriage curtain she was holding.
The sharp gaze made An Ran truly feel fear. Although Marquis Pingyuan was good-looking, he was clearly not someone to be trifled with.
It's not easy to live a second life, so she'd better stay away from people like that! Anyway, all her sisters are waiting to marry the Marquis of Pingyuan, and she'll politely decline. (Just Love Network)
Chapter 30 Turbulence
Noticing An Ran's actions, Third Sister couldn't help but tease, "What's wrong? Is that Marquis of Pingyuan still a man-eating tiger? Look how scared you are!"
San Niang had no regrets about not being able to marry Marquis Pingyuan, Lu Mingxiu. Firstly, the marriage was arranged by her parents, and San Niang had barely met Lu Mingxiu. Secondly, she and Yun Shen had met each other before the marriage and were satisfied with each other. After the marriage, the young couple were deeply in love, and there was no one else in San Niang's heart.
An Ran shook her head somewhat awkwardly.
There's no particular reason, but she's just afraid of him. Anyway, she values her life highly, so she'd rather avoid dangerous people like him.
"His gaze seemed a bit fierce!" An Ran said hesitantly, "I was really scared when I saw it!"
Third Sister couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"The Marquis of Pingyuan is a veteran of countless battles. Did you see his sword just now? It's been stained with blood!" Seeing that Anran's face was a little pale, Third Sister stopped teasing her and comforted her, "The Marquis of Pingyuan is tall and handsome. So many noble ladies in the capital are eager to marry him!"
An Ran shook her head again.
She's afraid of powerful people. It doesn't matter if she can't beat them; as long as she knows her own limitations, that's enough—just stay away, right?
Third Sister quite liked her half-sister. She was a person who clearly distinguished between likes and dislikes, and Anran had helped her a lot at the Prince's Mansion, so she also had a good impression of Anran. When Anran reached the age for marriage, she would ask her mother to find a good match for her, as a way of repaying her kindness.
Third Sister secretly plotted in her heart.
The carriage started moving smoothly again, and An Ran breathed a sigh of relief.
Third Sister didn't mention the Marquis of Pingyuan again. The two sisters chatted about everyday things, and the atmosphere was quite relaxed and pleasant.
The Marquis of Nan'an's residence.
Before Shenshi (3-5 PM), the Dowager Lady, Zhao Shi, and others had already received word that Third Sister and her husband were coming, and everyone began making grand preparations. Even Marquis An Yuanliang of Nan'an was specially summoned back, as he was to accompany Third Sister-in-law when he arrived.
Upon hearing that the young master and the third sister had brought Anran back together, the six sisters and their sister didn't show their true feelings when they heard it at the Grand Madam's place. But as soon as they stepped out of Rong'an Hall, the seventh sister's expression changed immediately.
Although the matter at Prince Yi's residence was kept secret from both the Dowager Madam and Madam Zhao, Seventh Sister and Tenth Sister, who both had concubines serving in Madam Zhao's courtyard, already knew about it. Sixth Sister had been back for more than half a year, and with the help of Granny Liu and her own channels of information, the three sisters had known about it for a long time.
They were all initially glad they had gone out with Fifth Sister instead of staying home. Tenth Sister, in particular, knew that if she had been home, she would most likely have been the one to go. If the three of them had been there, An Ran wouldn't have had a chance to go.
Shi Niang knew San Niang's personality all too well: spoiled, willful, stubborn, and impatient... Although she wasn't a bad person, Shi Niang had no confidence that she could persuade San Niang not to make a foolish mistake after the young master had done such a thing.
Anyway, they all gloated that An Ran got the job, which was a thankless and arduous task.
Especially Seventh Sister, who already dislikes An Ran. If An Ran messes up this time and can't explain herself to the stepmother, Zhao Shi will only hate Ninth Sister even more. She won't even need to think about how to deal with An Jiu anymore; from now on, An Jiu will probably never have a chance to rise in the Marquis's mansion again.
In short, she passed away peacefully, and all three sisters were overjoyed.
But who knew that the news Su Mama brought back was that Third Sister had been persuaded by An Ran and hadn't made a scene; when Nan Mama returned at dusk, she said that Third Sister had kept Ninth Sister with her, and that after Third Son-in-law returned, Third Aunt and Third Son-in-law didn't even start arguing, and everything was calm and peaceful.
As for the more detailed information, Nan's mother only told Zhao's mother.
Today, the Third Sister and her husband even personally escorted Anran back. Anran is merely a concubine's daughter in the Marquis's mansion, yet she receives such treatment! It's impossible not to feel envious and jealous.
Both Liu Niang and Shi Niang had a bad feeling.
It seems that Jiu Niang will be making a name for herself in front of the Grand Madam and Madam Zhao this time she returns.