Seeing this, Qingxing became anxious. Her young mistress looked so pale; it was hard to believe she was alright. She and Cuiping hadn't heard the details, so they simply assumed Anran was unwell and didn't think much of it.
"Qingxing, call Qingmei and go stand guard at the door. Keep an eye out for any commotion." Anran helped herself up from the small table and said to Cuiping and Jinping, "Come in with me."
Qingxing obediently didn't ask any more questions, responded, and turned to leave. Cuiping silently questioned Jinping with her eyes, only to see Jinping shake her head at her before following Anran into the inner room.
"Jinping, where did you get this information? Did you overhear someone say it by chance, or did someone tell you?" Anran had come to her senses and looked at Jinping with clear and sharp eyes, saying, "Tell me what happened back then."
Jinping's expression hardened, and she replied solemnly, "Yes, Miss. After you left, I was thinking that the two clothes that Madam gave you last time didn't fit quite right, so I went to find Aunt Liu, who does needlework, to alter them. But then I saw Jinzhi and Baizhi, who were with Madam, talking in the pavilion by the garden."
"I didn't want to eavesdrop and wanted to leave quickly, but I wasn't far away, and the wind carried their voices, so I heard everything they said." Jinping frowned and whispered, "I heard Jinzhi say that something has happened to Third Aunt's residence. Somehow, that Li Shi has managed to get in touch with the Grand Princess of Lin'an and even managed to get the Grand Princess to speak on her behalf, asking the Prince's Mansion to grant her the status of a concubine because of her merit in giving birth!"
Before she could finish speaking, An Ran's gaze suddenly sharpened. However, she didn't interrupt Jinping, so Jinping continued, "The current situation in the Prince's Mansion is not favorable for Third Aunt. Li Shi is young, beautiful, and gentle, and with a son by her side, she will inevitably share the Prince's favor. In addition, Third Aunt and her husband have some disagreements..."
"So, the Grand Madam and the Madam decided to choose one of the Third Aunt's half-sisters to be the Third Son-in-law's concubine, in order to win over the Son-in-law's heart!"
An Ran remained calm as she listened, but Cui Ping's expression completely changed.
"They say that although the Grand Madam and the Madam haven't said it explicitly yet, they both think the Ninth Miss is better! They'll probably make a decision in the next couple of days, and the Miss will be allowed to enter the family soon!"
Jinping's voice choked with emotion as she spoke.
"Miss, what should we do!" Jinping's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face. "If you really go to the Prince's mansion, you'll be jumping into a fire pit!"
Cuiping was still incredulous. She grabbed Cuiping and said urgently, "They've only heard about it. The Grand Madam and the Madam haven't made a decision yet! They're just making wild guesses because our young lady is pretty!"
She stammered, "It's just hearsay. How much knowledge do they have? The Grand Madam is very knowledgeable and has been in charge of the inner quarters of the Marquis's mansion for many years. How could they possibly guess what she's talking about? I'll tear those gossipy little hussies' mouths off!"
As she spoke, Cuiping was about to rush out, as if she were about to confront the two of them.
"Cuiping!" Anran quickly stood up and stopped her, then said to Jinping, "Stop her quickly, don't let her do anything reckless!"
Jinping grabbed Jinping and pulled hard on her sleeve, preventing her from going out.
"What foolish thing are you doing?" Jinping couldn't help but say to her, "It's just a rumor, why do you have to shout it out so that the whole Marquis's mansion knows? That's just making us a laughing stock!"
Cuiping still looked unconvinced.
"They are nothing more than second-class maids serving the madam, just like you and me, yet they dare to gossip about the young lady!"
Upon hearing this, An Ran's eyes, which were like two pools of spring water, suddenly froze.
She lowered her head, looking at the exquisite butterflies embroidered on her wide sleeves, and smiled slightly. "No need."
“Miss?” Cuiping said, “You can’t let them talk nonsense…”
An Ran felt a warmth in her heart. Although Cui Ping was straightforward, she was wholeheartedly devoted to her. Although they hadn't known each other for very long, this sincerity was truly precious.
"How can you say that's nonsense?" An Ran curled her lips, but there was no smile in her eyes. "Just as you said, although they are not of high status, they are still second-class maids by the Madam's side. How could they really not know what's important?"
"Jinping, you said they were whispering in the pavilion..." An Ran's eyes flashed with disdain. She raised an eyebrow and said, "There's only one path next to the pavilion, which is your only way. If they were really talking behind people's backs, they should at least be watching the only path that people might take!"
"Were they whispering?" An Ran sneered, her voice chilling. "It's obvious they wanted to tell you directly so you could relay it to me!"
Jinping was stunned.
"No, it can't be like this?" Jinping recalled the situation and indeed felt something was strange. Yet she still couldn't believe she'd been tricked. "I just went to deliver clothes to the young lady..."
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she opened her eyes wide.
Jinping murmured, "No wonder when I returned from paying my respects to Madam this morning, I vaguely heard someone say that the clothes Madam ordered to be made were almost finished, and Aunt Liu didn't have much work to do right now... so I thought I'd take the opportunity to send the young lady's clothes to be altered..."
That makes sense.
Zhao deliberately led Jinping to Aunt Liu's place, casually informing her of the news on her inevitable route. Jinping, naturally anxious upon hearing this, would tell Anran everything. Ultimately, the matter would reach Anran's ears.
An Ran almost burst out laughing. It was all thanks to the Grand Madam and Madam Zhao for going to such lengths for a mere concubine's daughter like her.
“This isn’t just a rumor, it’s almost certainly true—” An Ran chuckled self-deprecatingly, then added, “No, it’s practically a done deal. Sending me to the Prince’s residence was the idea of the Grand Madam and the Madam!”
Jinping and Cuiping were so anxious they were practically spitting fire, but for a moment they didn't know how to help Anran relieve her worries.
Outside the window, the spring sunshine is bright and the scene is full of vibrant life.
An Ran felt as if a bucket of cold water mixed with ice shards had been poured over her head, the chill penetrating deep into her skin and seeping into her limbs and bones.
She pulled her clothes tighter; she felt cold.
“Miss—” Jinping said with some reluctance, “Perhaps it is too early to draw conclusions! After all, these words have not yet come from the Grand Madam or the Madam… There must be a way, there must be room for a turnaround!”
An Ran shook her head indifferently.
it's useless.
Jinzhi and Baizhi were sent to deliver the message at Zhao's behest. Without the Grand Madam's approval, Zhao wouldn't dare to arbitrarily punish the concubine's daughters who had returned from outside. After all, bringing them back was no longer Zhao's wish.
"I'm tired and want to be alone!" An Ran said calmly, "You all go down first. Keep this a secret for now and don't make a fuss."
Aside from the initial panic upon hearing the news, An Ran remained remarkably calm. Had she received this news, it would have been perfectly normal for her to cry, throw things in frustration, and demand an explanation from the Grand Madam or the Madam.
Jinping and Cuiping couldn't help but worry that their young lady was being too calm.
"I'm fine!" An Ran gave a very faint smile, as if she could disappear into the spring breeze at any moment. "Let me be alone for a while."
The two dared not offer any further advice and could only leave, filled with worry.
After they carefully closed the door, they got up and staggered a few steps forward. Their legs gave way, and they collapsed next to the footstool beside the canopy bed.
She wanted to wail and scream, she wanted to go to the Grand Madam and Madam Zhao and ask why, after helping Third Sister with all her heart, she ended up getting herself into trouble.