"Then thank you very much, sister," An Ran replied.
When Third Sister returned from the Princess Consort's courtyard, she went to see An Ran again. "Yun Fang and the others will go together tomorrow, so you can all have some company."
A strange feeling flashed through An Ran's mind, and she asked, "Sister, was it the Princess who suggested it, or did Yunfang or one of the others say it?"
Initially, Third Sister didn't mention bringing Yunfang and the other two to see the Princess Consort, but instead said she would take Yunfang with her. Anran didn't dislike them, but she felt something was strange about it.
“When I went to tell my mother, Yunlan, Yunfang, and Yunrui were all there.” Third Sister said nonchalantly, “Yunrui is young and is very pampered. Yunlan only mentioned that there was a beautiful spot in the temple, and she immediately started clamoring to go.”
"Go ahead and go. You're all around the same age, you'll get along well."
San Niang had arranged to meet Wang Xin's mother at Qixia Temple because of Wang Xin and that girl. San Niang had previously sent a message through the Princess Consort, who approved of her plan and readily agreed to let her go.
Having set a time, Third Sister went to inform the Princess Consort. Since Yunrui insisted on going, Third Sister simply did her a favor and brought all three of them along, so that Ninth Sister wouldn't be bored while Yunrui was talking to Madam Wang.
An Ran nodded.
So, although it was Yunrui who ultimately suggested going to Qixia Temple, it was actually Yunlan who brought it up... She wasn't deliberately targeting Yunlan, but she had heard from Huaping that Yunlan and Consort Li were getting along well, so she felt a little awkward about it.
"You should dress up nicely. Tomorrow is the fifteenth, and there will probably be quite a few people going to Qixia Temple. You might even run into some acquaintances." Third Sister teased, "If you happen to run into any young lady or lady, my sister is so beautiful, I'll naturally have to show her off."
The estrangement between the sisters was eliminated, and they became even closer than usual.
An Ran's face flushed slightly.
“I’ll have Huaping bring you a veil when we get back.” Third Sister said seriously, “Even if the Empress herself went, Qixia Temple would not be sealed off. Although we are in the backyard, it’s better to be cautious.”
Knowing that Third Sister meant well, Anran quickly agreed.
After Third Sister left, Anran hurriedly asked Qingmei and Qingxing to rummage through her trunk and find the most inconspicuous clothes. Since there would be many people tomorrow, she couldn't stand out.
As for jewelry... Anran opened the dressing case and only chose simple and elegant pieces, just enough to save face for Third Sister.
After An Ran had examined half of the blue clothes, it dawned on her that she understood the purpose of Third Sister's departure the next day. It must be about Commandant Wang.
Third Sister told An Ran about Wang Xin and the girl. An Ran was moved and breathed a long sigh of relief. Luckily, she had stopped her back then. If things had gotten out of hand, Third Sister would have had no grounds to stand on. Now, Yun Shen even had to ask Third Sister for help, and the couple's relationship had actually improved.
An Ran made up her mind to stay quietly in the backyard of Qixia Temple tomorrow and avoid causing any trouble. She would take Qingxing out tomorrow and at least get one of the characters from Yinping and Huaping to keep by her side, just in case.
For days, Li stayed obediently in Luoyue Pavilion copying books. The two mothers also went to her courtyard to take care of Dongge'er. She did not complain at all. On the contrary, she became even more low-key and obedient.
An Ran didn't believe that she would really change her personality and change her ways.
The more she remained still, the more An Ran felt that something was about to happen beneath the calm.
I can only act more cautiously.
******
The next morning, Anran got up early to wash and dress. She lingered for a while before going to San Niang's main room.
Yun Shen had already left, and San Niang had changed her clothes. Her hairdresser was almost finished combing her hair and was picking out jewelry from a carved sandalwood dressing case to ask San Niang about it.
Today, Third Sister styled her hair in a peony bun, with a coral, turquoise, and amber beaded flower tucked into her temples, a comb inlaid with various gemstones in red gold on her bun, and red gold pendants inlaid with tourmaline on her ears.
She looked incredibly elegant and sophisticated.
"Third sister, you are so beautiful!" An Ran praised as soon as she entered. "I just met you today, and this is the demeanor of a princess consort."
Third Sister saw An Ran in the mirror in front of the dressing table. She turned around and became anxious upon seeing An Ran.
Today, Anran wore a sky-blue wide-sleeved top and a Xiang skirt with scattered floral patterns and green grass. Her hair was still styled in two buns, and she wore two strings of round and full pearl necklaces, along with two small pearl flowers.
"What kind of outfit is this? What did I tell you yesterday?" Third Sister said with exasperation, "You're just giving me this perfunctory treatment!"
An Ran smiled, half coquettish and half cheeky, trying to get away with it. "Third Sister, this sky-blue fabric was a gift from you. You said it looked good on me!"
Third Sister was furious.
She glanced at the clock and, seeing that it was too late, decided against sending Anran back to change her clothes. She pulled Anran to sit down in front of the dressing table and said to the maid who was combing her hair, "Let Ninth Miss's hair down and comb it all up."
An Ran's face fell, and she wanted to beg for mercy.
She deliberately dawdled until now, thinking that even if Third Sister was not satisfied, it would be too late to change it.
"Disperse them." Third Sister's attitude was resolute. (Just Love Network)
Chapter 51 Another World
Forced by Third Sister's "power," Anran had no choice but to obediently sit down and watch helplessly as the hairdresser deftly removed her pearl necklace and let her hair down.
A head of thick, black hair as smooth as satin cascaded down as Third Sister personally took charge of the operation.
Since An Ran was wearing a light blue dress and her headdress was not too ornate or colorful, San Niang specially asked Hua Ping to find out a set of red gold and pearl headdress that she had kept.
The pearls were of better quality than the two Anran had worn before, and they were also larger. Third Sister picked out a few pieces and had the hairdresser put them on Anran.
After this makeover, An Ran looked more elegant and gentle.
Third Sister nodded in satisfaction.
"Let's go, Yunlan and the others should be arriving soon." Third Sister took Anran's hand, and the two sisters walked outside together.
An Ran only took Qing Xing with her. She had already spoken to Third Sister and asked for Hua Ping to stay with her. When she arrived at the hanging flower gate, An Ran found that Yun Lan, Yun Fang, and Yun Rui were already there.
Third Sister rode in a separate carriage with her maids and servants. Anran and Yunfang got into the second carriage, and Yunlan and Yunrui got into the third carriage. The two carriages behind them carried their maids and some things they needed to take with them.
This was Anran's first time riding in a carriage since the horse got spooked last time. Watching the docile horse occasionally flick its tail and hearing it snort, Anran couldn't help but shudder.