"When the young master came out of the main courtyard, find a way to have him come over." Madam Li took a deep breath and said slowly, "Just say that the young master has woken up and is looking for the young master."
The little maidservant hurriedly agreed and went off.
The baby, not even a month old, had no idea to look for someone, but right now, the child was the only thing she could use to keep the prince firmly in her grasp.
These days, Madam Li has been constantly devising ways to present herself as someone who doesn't compete or fight, seemingly content with her own little corner, but in reality, she is relentlessly seeking opportunities to get the young master to come to her courtyard every day.
Although she couldn't yet share a room with the young master, with Third Sister keeping an eye on things, no one else in the back courtyard could climb into his bed. As long as the young master was willing to come to her courtyard to see the child, she would have the biggest advantage.
But what if An Jiu were to interfere...?
Don't let An Jiu Niang's young age fool you; she's quite shrewd. If she and her sisters can truly win over the young master with a harmonious relationship, there will be no place for her in the inner court!
Li immediately became alert.
If it were anyone else, Li would have to worry about how to sow discord between the two sisters, but since the mistress was the third sister, Li felt very confident. Although it wouldn't necessarily cause the two sisters to turn against each other immediately, as long as the seeds of suspicion were sown, and more conflicts and misunderstandings were created in the future, she wouldn't have to worry about the two sisters not becoming estranged.
Now that An Jiuniang has entered the manor, she probably has no way out. Will she let San Niang suppress her?
"Auntie, the young master is here!" Xiaodie rushed over to report before she could even catch her breath.
Li hurriedly had the wet nurse bring the baby in, waking up the already exhausted Dongge'er, and using a rattle to amuse him and keep him awake.
"Dong-ge'er, you're the best. We've already fed you, why aren't you asleep yet?"
When Yun Shen entered the room, he saw Li Shi carrying Dong Ge'er, pacing back and forth on the ground. She was patting his back and softly coaxing him.
"Does our Dong-ge'er miss his father?" Madam Li frowned slightly, her voice tinged with helplessness. "Knowing that his father comes to see you every day, he won't sleep well today because he didn't see him?"
"Dong-ge'er won't sleep?" Yun Shen's heart softened when he saw Dong-ge'er's face scrunched up and his lips pursed as if he was about to cry.
Li seemed to have just seen Yun Shen and was startled, almost dropping Dong Ge'er.
Yun Shen quickly helped her lift up, and Li Shi unconsciously ended up in Yun Shen's arms, her face full of shyness.
"Master, you've arrived!" Madam Li smiled first, then said with a troubled expression, "You don't know, Dong-ge'er just wouldn't go to sleep today. He looks so sleepy, yet he's still throwing a tantrum."
Upon hearing this, Yun Shen took the child, carefully held him, and gently rocked his small body.
Once in his arms, Dongge'er seemed to be soothed. He clenched his little fists, yawned a few times, and slowly fell asleep in Yun Shen's arms.
"It's true that father and son are of one mind. Although the boy is small, he knows that it is the young master who is holding him!" The wet nurse whispered with a smile, "The boy is so clever. He won't sleep unless the young master holds him every day."
"It's because Master is willing to spoil the young master that the young master is so lucky."
Yun Shen revealed a gentle smile.
Once Dongge'er was fast asleep, the wet nurse carefully took him from the bed and led him to the inner room to sleep.
"Master, you must be tired from carrying Dong-ge'er. Please sit down and rest." Madam Li invited Yun-shen to sit down while bringing him tea. Yun-shen couldn't bear to refuse her earnest gaze, so he sat down. "I'm a little later than usual today. I know I shouldn't interfere in your affairs outside, Master. You should take good care of yourself."
Yun Shen didn't think much of it and chatted with her casually for a bit.
“My sister’s younger sister came over today. Her horse got spooked on the way and she suffered some scrapes,” Yun Shen said. “I heard about it when I went to get medicine from Mo Song, so I went to check on her.”
The gentle smile on Madam Li's face froze instantly. She hurriedly asked with concern, "Startling the horse is no small matter! How could you startle a horse while it was walking peacefully on the road?"
“How can just applying some ointment be enough? We should also invite a good doctor to take a closer look!” Madam Li said with some confusion, “Since the horse pulling the carriage was startled, I’m afraid Ninth Miss’s injuries are not serious either.”
As if afraid that Yun Shen would not believe her, Madam Li continued, "A few months ago, when I was still living on the estate, I heard that a horse had been frightened and the two people in the carriage could not be saved! I heard that no one could hold back the mad horse, and in the end, it crashed into the hillside before the carriage came to a stop."
After speaking, Madam Li clasped her hands together in a gesture of chanting Buddhist prayer. "Amitabha, may the Bodhisattva protect Ninth Miss and keep her safe and sound! Fortunately, Ninth Miss is a blessed person!"
Yun Shen nodded thoughtfully after hearing Li's words.
"Now that Ninth Miss has arrived, shouldn't I go and greet her?" Seeing that Yun Shen had taken her words to heart, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Li's eyes. Having achieved her goal, she said no more. "Ninth Miss is Madam's most beloved younger sister. She is so beautiful, well-behaved, and clever. I liked her very much when I saw her last time."
"Although it's not far, you're still in your postpartum period, so it's best not to go out too much," Yun Shen said calmly. "I appreciate your kindness on behalf of Third Sister."
Upon hearing this, Madam Li agreed, and a gentle smile quickly returned to her face.
But her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were clenched into fists, and her meticulously manicured nails left deep marks on her palms.
"You rest well first, I have something to do, I'll be leaving now!" Yun Shen said, without lingering, he got up and was about to leave.
Li bowed gracefully behind him. "Respectfully seeing you off, sir."
Yun Shen waved his hand and left without looking back.
He didn't see that when Li looked up, her gaze, which had been gentle and tender, suddenly turned sinister.
Although Yun Shen took his provocations to heart, he still instinctively defended An San Niang in front of him!
Li angrily threw the handkerchief onto the bed.
It's alright. The young master has already begun to doubt the authenticity of An Jiu Niang's injury. I think he will soon find out that it was An San Niang who made up an excuse to deliberately say that An Jiu Niang was injured, and used the excuse of getting medicine to lead the young master to the main courtyard.
The crown prince hates being deceived the most.
If Third Sister were to soften her stance and beg the Prince to come over, perhaps he would gladly go to the main courtyard. However, Third Sister is not the type to use gentle and subtle methods—An Jiu Niang had only just arrived when news of her injury spread; it was probably An Jiu Niang who gave Third Sister the idea!
When the Crown Prince discovers the truth, he will only assume it was Third Sister's idea and hold a grudge against her. Third Sister, in turn, will only vent her dissatisfaction on Ninth Sister.
A sinister smile crept across Li's lips.
You sisters have fallen out; let's see how you'll team up against me now!
It turned out that Li didn't believe the story about the horse being startled at all.