Yun Shu remained silent.
“The reason you have some objections is precisely because you dote on Mingxiu.” Xiao Jin said slowly and deliberately, “He is a junior whom you have personally cultivated and promoted, so you should trust him more.”
"That's your own judgment!"
Seeing his wife, who was just as charming and beautiful as she was ten years ago, Yun Shu's heart softened completely.
"Whatever you say." Yun Shu tapped her nose, her tone both helpless and indulgent. "The Empress is right. I can't argue with her. Everything is up to the Empress!"
Xiao Jin smiled gently.
Coming to his senses, Xiao Jin noticed that although the little girl appeared calm and composed, a hint of nervousness lingered in her eyes. "She's still so young," he thought, his heart softening.
"Don't be shy, everyone, please sit down."
Before she finished speaking, a palace maid came forward and brought out embroidered stools, inviting Princess Yunyang and Anran to sit down.
Xiao Jin chatted with An Ran in a friendly and gentle manner, talking about everyday matters, including the eldest daughter of Princess Yunyang, Tan Yue.
An Ran gradually relaxed.
"Don't laugh at me, but I just feel that Jia Niang is my Yue Jie'er." Princess Yunyang's eyes reddened again as she recalled the sad past. "Even if she isn't, Jia Niang is really kindred spirit to me, and I can't bear to see her suffer. When Tan Lang's men return from Jiangnan, it would be best if she were the one to take her in, but if not, I would still adopt her as my goddaughter."
An Ran felt both happy and sad upon hearing this.
She was happy that no matter whether Jia Niang was actually Princess Yunyang's daughter or not, her future would be bright; but what saddened her was that if Jia Niang wasn't Tan Yue, Princess Yunyang would probably be even more heartbroken!
"Yunniang, don't worry too much," Xiao Jin couldn't help but advise. "She hasn't returned from Jiangnan yet. Maybe Jia Niang is Yue Jie'er. Otherwise, why would she be sent to you? And she even has so many similarities to Yue Jie'er!"
Princess Yunyang picked up a handkerchief to cover the tears welling up in her eyes and nodded.
Infected by the somber atmosphere, An Ran's eyes also welled up with tears.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Jin couldn't help but recall what Princess Yunyang had said about the purse that Jia Niang treasured so much.
Princess Yunyang and Jia Niang became increasingly familiar with each other, and Jia Niang naturally told her without reservation how An Ran, who had no familial relation to her whatsoever, had helped her. First, she gave her pure gold jewelry, and now she was slipping her silver notes.
Jia Niang showed the purse to Princess Yunyang. The largest denomination inside was only one hundred taels, and the rest were all small denominations, which were convenient for her to use.
After reading it, Princess Yunyang did not think An Ran was stingy; on the contrary, she felt that An Ran was wholeheartedly thinking of Jia Niang.
Alone and helpless in Scholar Liu's residence, if she suddenly had extra silver notes, even if Madam Wu didn't discover them and steal them, they would still attract the attention of the disrespectful servants. It would be better to give her some small denominations for her convenience.
She is a thoughtful and kind child.
Anran and Jia Niang had no prior connection, only a few words exchanged, yet Anran was so righteous in helping her, which was truly commendable.
Xiao Jin thought silently to herself. She had long been fed up with the desolation of the Pingyuan Marquis's residence, but she couldn't just interfere rashly. Seeing that Qin Feng and Ke Lin were always the ones in charge of collecting rewards, Xiao Jin was also worried for Lu Mingxiu. The Marquis's residence should have a mistress long ago.
An Jia Jiu Niang is indeed a good choice.
As for the rampant rumors circulating in the capital, Xiao Jin didn't take them very seriously.
Ten years ago, the rumors circulating in the capital about her were even more nasty, saying that she seduced Yun Xu, betrayed Chu Tianshu, coveted wealth and status, and even used her status as the eldest princess to stay in the Phoenix Palace. Xiao Jin could only feign nonchalance and give a wry smile.
She only dared to be sad in the dead of night.
She had experienced that kind of pain before. So when An Ran was caught in those unbearable rumors, Xiao Jin felt more heartache than anything else.
“Ninth Sister, you can’t care what others say. As long as you have a clear conscience, that’s enough.” Xiao Jin looked at An Ran, his eyes filled with understanding and respect, without any curiosity or inquiry. “How can you live your life if you always care about what others think? It will only make your loved ones suffer and your enemies rejoice.”
Anran felt a warmth in her heart.
She quickly stood up and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."
"A young girl who can be noticed and remembered by Mingxiu is no ordinary person." Xiao Jin smiled slightly, and her few words were like a thunderclap in An Ran's heart.
Does Lu Mingxiu, the Marquis of Pingyuan, truly love her?
As if that wasn't enough, Xiao Jin ignored An Ran's shock. Her smile was like a gentle breeze as she said, "Just two days ago, Ming Xiu even went to the Emperor's court and brought Nan Xiaohou along to act as his intermediary, asking the Emperor to issue an edict to grant the marriage!"
An Ran was struck dumb, frozen on the spot.
Lu Mingxiu actually asked the emperor for a decree to grant him a marriage.
No wonder Lu Mingxiu asked that question yesterday at Princess Yunyang's residence!
An Ran was deeply shaken.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. Now she was embroiled in a scandalous rumor, and even with her stunning beauty, it would be difficult for her to marry into a wealthy family again! Fang Ting broke off the engagement, and she didn't resent or hate him, but she was still somewhat saddened.
At this time, the powerful Marquis of Pingyuan was willing to marry her!
In fact, given Lu Mingxiu's current status and An Ran's bad reputation, the matriarch and her father in the Nan'an Marquis's mansion would probably be willing to let Lu Mingxiu take her as a concubine.
But Lu Mingxiu did not do that.
If she can marry someone who loves and respects her, she will surely reciprocate with heartfelt affection and live a good life with him.
Does she also like Lu Mingxiu? An Ran's mind was in turmoil, and she couldn't figure it out for a moment.
But she couldn't ignore the strange feelings that were subtly emanating from her heart.
"What a perfect match made in heaven!" Princess Yunyang chimed in, "The ways of the world are beyond human imagination. Mingxiu is a renowned general with great talent, and Jiuniang is a gentle and beautiful woman. They are truly a perfect couple!"
Princess Yunyang's purpose today was also to bring Lu Mingxiu and An Ran together. Seeing that An Ran was not completely indifferent, she felt that there was hope for this.
“Ninth Sister, life is something you have to live.” Xiao Jin looked at An Ran, who was clearly a little lost and confused, and said earnestly, “Ming Xiu has courage and responsibility. Most importantly, he has a heart that can protect you, love you, and respect you.”