Jinping and Cuiping exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile at each other.
Finally, there's a way to get the girl to practice her embroidery skills. Even though she doesn't need to do tailoring or other chores, she should at least have a few decent needlework skills.
Tonight is a very meaningful night.
This marked the beginning of Anran's diligent study at night after returning to the Marquis's residence.
******
Time flies, and before we knew it, it was April 1st.
Because she was going to the Prince's Mansion and had just returned from Yangzhou, Anran was completely clueless about the situation in the capital. So, the Grand Madam specially sent her personal maid to teach Anran etiquette and the relationships between some aristocratic families in the capital.
Fortunately, Anran wasn't really just a thirteen-year-old country girl with no experience, so the teaching went smoothly.
The old lady was still a little worried and specifically instructed Shi Niang to spend more time with An Ran that day.
It's understandable that she didn't choose the eldest daughter, Sixth Sister, since Sixth Sister had only been back for a little over six months and wasn't as capable as Seventh Sister and Tenth Sister, who had grown up in the capital. But she also didn't choose Seventh Sister, who was Anran and Tenth Sister's older sister. It seems the Grand Madam particularly values Tenth Sister…
This is not surprising. To be fair, if An Ran were to choose, the best candidate would also be Shi Niang.
Although she is the youngest, she is the most well-behaved, sensible, and tactful. She is adept at smoothing things over and building rapport with people.
Even An Ran, who had lived a second life, felt inferior to him.
That day, Anran was woken up early by Cuiping and Jinping. Taozhi, Taoye, Qingxing, and Qingmei were all busy preparing the clothes she would need for going out. In the room of Shiniang across the street, there was also activity early in the morning, with the maids fetching hot water and running in and out to get things.
Ningxue Courtyard has never been this lively before!
After Anran changed her clothes, Taoye came in to announce that Sister Lu from the Madam's courtyard had arrived.
"Greetings, young lady." Sister-in-law Lu curtsied to An Ran and said with a smile, "Madam was worried that you might be too busy here, so she asked me to come and help you comb your hair."
Sister-in-law Lu was tall and had a very straightforward appearance. She always greeted people with a smile before speaking, which made her instantly likable. An Ran had seen her before in Zhao's courtyard; she was the daughter-in-law in charge of combing Zhao's hair. She was very skillful and quick, which made her a favorite of Zhao.
An Ran's surprise lasted only a moment, but a smile quickly spread across her face. "I'm so sorry to trouble you. Sister-in-law, while you're here, I wonder if Mother is still managing things?"
Those who serve Lady Hou all possess a certain ability to read people's expressions. Sister Lu sensed An Ran's unfinished words and quickly said with a smile, "I came out early today and have already combed your hair, Madam. After I've finished combing your hair, I'll go to Tenth Miss's place."
An Ran was finally relieved.
Since Sister-in-law Lu came to help her and Shi Niang comb their hair, Zhao Shi must have also sent someone to Liu Niang and Qi Niang's places. An Ran breathed a sigh of relief, as long as she wasn't the one who drew attention.
Perhaps Zhao was worried that her concubine daughters' appearances were inappropriate and would embarrass her legitimate daughters!
As An Ran pondered this, she watched Sister Lu's movements through the mirror.
Aunt Lu's hands were extremely nimble; she quickly and lightly combed An Ran's hair. An Ran usually wore her hair in a slightly childish double bun, with half of it down. Today, clearly instructed by Madam Zhao, Aunt Lu didn't ask An Ran what style she wanted; she simply combed all of An Ran's hair up.
Qingxing brought over a complete set of pearl jewelry, while Qingmei brought over a tray covered with red velvet, on which were placed several pieces of precious red gold jewelry inlaid with gemstones.
Before Sister-in-law Lu could even ask An Ran, An Ran smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you can decide for me."
Sister-in-law Lu readily agreed, her hands moving swiftly as she selected several exquisite and elegant pieces from the complete set of jewelry. She then took it upon herself to add a phoenix-head hairpin with red gold tassels and inlaid rubies for Anran.
In this way, the simple and elegant hair accessories are given a touch of nobility.
"What a beautiful girl!" After helping An Ran get settled, Sister Lu exclaimed sincerely.
Anran looked at herself in the mirror.
She bears a striking resemblance to her previous self after she got married! Her usual bright and elegant appearance has gained a touch of gentle charm.
"Sister-in-law, you are so skillful," An Ran praised sincerely. She smiled and said, "Since you are going to Tenth Sister's place, I won't keep you any longer."
Sister-in-law Lu agreed and went to the other side.
After Shi Niang had finished getting ready, the two sisters went to the Grand Madam's place together.
Sixth Sister and Seventh Sister were talking with Madam Zhao and the Grand Madam when they saw Anran and Tenth Sister coming over. A complicated look flashed in their eyes.
The old lady showed a satisfied expression.
She gave the mother and her five daughters a few instructions and then told them to set off early.
Chapter 14 Spring Banquet (Part 1)
After exiting the hanging flower gate, Zhao boarded the first carriage, and then the four sisters boarded the next two carriages.
Zhao lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and saw An Ran boarding the carriage on a small stool. Although it was only a side profile, it still had a breathtaking beauty.
"The Dowager's judgment is indeed excellent." Madam Zhao sneered and flung open the carriage curtain. "Back then, she sent that wretched woman's daughter away behind my back, and now she's grown into a beauty. Does she think a pretty face is enough to bewitch the Marquis of Pingyuan?"
"How hateful that I believed her when she told me An Jiu died at birth!" Zhao was almost bleeding with hatred. She gritted her teeth and said, "She kept me in the dark for thirteen years! And An Liu... two such beautiful girls! She helped An Yuanliang do such a good deed!"
Seeing this, Nan Mama and Su Mama, who were sitting with Zhao, quickly tried to persuade her.
“Madam, let bygones be bygones,” Su Mama said earnestly. “Now you have the Third Master, the Third Miss has become the Heir Apparent’s wife, and the Fifth Miss has also married well… Who in the capital doesn’t say that you, Madam, are blessed?”
Nan Madam also advised, "That's right. Which of the four concubines in the backyard would dare to disrespect you or act according to your wishes? Even for the sake of Third Master and Third Aunt, you can no longer go against the Grand Madam!"
Thinking of her son and daughter, Zhao finally softened a bit, and her angry expression lessened slightly.
“If any of our four daughters marries well, it will benefit Third Miss and Third Master!” Nan Mama whispered. “Especially Sixth Miss and Ninth Miss, they have no mothers left. After they get married, won’t they all rely on the Marquis’s mansion? The Marquis’s mansion will belong to Third Master in the future!”
"The aunts of the Seventh and Tenth Misses are right under your noses, and all of this is under your control."
Zhao's expression brightened considerably.