My sister is so carefree!
After hearing this, Third Sister said with a hint of disappointment, "Ninth Sister, what can I say about you?"
An Ran's cheeks flushed even more. She whispered, "I didn't say... he wanted to go on his own." She felt a little wronged, but upon reflection, she realized that Lu Mingxiu had been patient with her. While she was touched, she also felt sorry for him.
But what could she do?
"Even if—" Third Sister began, but An Ran lowered her head, her eyes seemingly misty, displaying a charming and shy demeanor befitting a young girl, which softened Third Sister's heart. After all, she was still a young girl, and it was understandable that she didn't understand these things.
Therefore, Third Sister's tone softened again, and she said gently, "Alright, I shouldn't have said that to you, don't feel wronged."
Despite her past life experiences, An Ran still felt embarrassed about it. Moreover, some of her later memories were not pleasant, so she inevitably tried to avoid them.
Furthermore, she is not even fifteen years old yet, and it is really inappropriate for her to do such a thing.
"I told you last time, there are many ways." Third Sister wasn't trying to find fault with Anran; she genuinely cared about her younger sister. Knowing she hadn't taught her these things, she wanted to offer some pointers.
Jiu Niang and Ping Yuanhou are newlyweds, and absolutely no problems can be allowed to arise.
Seeing that An Ran was blushing and keeping her head down without saying a word, Third Sister took a square brocade box, about a foot in size, from the black lacquered kang table placed by the window and gestured for An Ran to open it.
An Ran took it in a daze, opened it, and her face turned red all the way to her neck.
These beautifully bound books feature two almost naked people on their covers, in ambiguous poses.
After just one glance, An Ran understood everything.
"Ninth Sister, listen to what your sister has to say." Third Sister saw An Ran abruptly close the brocade box, then pressed her hand down and said, "The Marquis dotes on you and cherishes your young age; such affection is rare. You can't remain indifferent, can you?"
An Ran suppressed her shyness and nodded gently.
"Then take it back and read it carefully." Third Sister placed the book in An Ran's hands and said earnestly, "The Marquis values and understands you, so you should repay him in kind. It's not that difficult. Not consummating the marriage doesn't mean you can't do anything. Can you bear to always make him endure and accommodate you?"
An Ran nodded "steaming hot," then shook her head.
Seeing this, Third Sister smiled with satisfaction.
"Come here, I want to say a few more words to you—"
When Nian-ge'er came in, An Ran was blushing, clutching the booklets that Third Sister had given her, looking like a boiled shrimp.
"Mother, why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?" After playing with Dong Ge'er for a while, Dong Ge'er got sleepy and was coaxed to sleep by the wet nurse. Nian Ge'er excitedly ran in to find An Ran, but saw that her face was flushed, which was quite different from usual. He couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Are you feeling unwell?"
As he spoke, he ran to Anran's side. The kang (heated brick bed) by the window was a bit high for him, but that didn't stop him. Niange climbed onto the kang by the window using a small stool, stretched out his tender little hand to touch Anran's forehead, his face full of worry.
"Don't worry, Nian-ge'er, I'm fine!" When An Ran saw Nian-ge'er come in, she hurriedly tried to hide the booklet in her hand, as if it were a hot potato. She was afraid that Nian-ge'er would see it. Although she knew that Nian-ge'er wouldn't understand even if he saw it, she still stuffed it behind the large pillow.
Despite An Ran's words, Nian Ge'er was still worried. He wasn't satisfied with just testing the temperature with the back of his hand. He tilted his little face up, wrapped his soft arms around An Ran's neck, and pressed his forehead against An Ran's to test the temperature.
This thoughtful gesture warmed Anran's heart. Her efforts had not been in vain; Niange'er was a sensible and good child.
An Ran gently picked up Nian Ge'er and said softly, "Mother is really alright."
Seeing this, Third Sister's eyes also showed approval, and she praised Nian-ge'er, saying, "Nian-ge'er is so good, he even knows how to care for his mother."
She was also happy for her younger sister. Although the rumors of an illegitimate child were a bit embarrassing, the child was well-behaved and sensible, and close to Ninth Sister, so it wasn't all that bad.
Third Sister thought of Dong-ge'er again.
Although she didn't want to raise Dongge'er by her side at first and hated Li Shi, when this child looked at her with his innocent and pure eyes, clean and untouched by filth and evil.
Dongge'er's existence serves as a reminder of her husband's betrayal, but San Niang has also come to understand that she must learn to compromise.
For example, after she became pregnant, Yun Shen did not live separately from her, nor did he go to the concubines' quarters; he simply stayed by her side. When she got up at night, Yun Shen took care of her. Her status as the Crown Prince's consort became increasingly secure; as long as she gave birth to a son, no one could shake her position.
Because of the incident involving Lady Li and Consort Li, her mother-in-law, Princess Yi, also showed her extra affection and took good care of her.
Third Sister always reminded herself that she had nothing to be dissatisfied with in this kind of life.
After that incident, she's come to terms with some things.
Moreover, Dongge'er has always been raised by her side, so naturally they will be close to each other in the future. Even if she gives birth to a legitimate son, they will grow up together, and their bond from childhood will be different from that of others.
Nian-ge'er arrived at Jiu-niang's side halfway through the journey. She watched from the side, and the intimacy between the two seemed genuine. Nian-ge'er seemed to like Jiu-niang very much, and Jiu-niang, as always, had a gentle smile and was extremely approachable.
Looking at Nian-ge'er, San-niang felt that he was just like Dong-ge'er in the future.
Thinking of this, Third Sister's gaze softened considerably when she looked at Nian Ge'er, and she praised him highly.
Feeling everyone's attention on him, Nian Ge'er was a little embarrassed. He shyly buried his head in An Ran's arms, but a smile appeared on his little face.
Third Sister managed to get Anran out of the predicament by having Yinping put away the booklets so Anran could take them with her when she left.
When An Ran saw Yin Ping's actions, she felt the heat that had subsided on her face begin to rise again.
Now that Nian-ge'er has come in, it's not appropriate to continue the previous topic, and An Ran breathed a long sigh of relief.
Huaping and Jinzhi each carried in two black lacquered trays with beads on them, on which were placed some delicate snacks, all prepared for Nian-ge'er.
An Ran first had someone take him to wash his hands before picking out two pastries for him.
Nian-ge'er watched obediently, only eating what An Ran gave him, without reaching out for his own food. Moreover, his manners while eating the snacks were excellent, clearly indicating that someone had put in the effort to teach him.
"You've put a lot of thought into this." Third Sister looked at Nian Ge'er, but said to An Ran with emotion, "I can tell you've put a lot of thought into this."
An Ran smiled and shook her head, saying, "Nian-ge'er is well-behaved, sensible, and clever; he understands everything very quickly."
After having some snacks and honey water, Nian-ge'er sat next to Anran, glancing at San Niang from time to time with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.