"Comb it all up." An Ran thought that as a member of her maternal family, she was going to "support" her third aunt today, so she couldn't be too childish.
The woman combing Anran's hair smiled and readily agreed, quickly beginning to comb her hair. Zhi Mo brought out a jewelry box, and Anran casually picked out a few pieces and handed them to the woman combing her hair.
After she had finished getting everything ready, she stood calmly in front of the full-length mirror and looked at herself in the mirror.
Although she hadn't slept well the night before, she was still young, and her face showed no signs of fatigue. The fabric of the "Drunken Immortal Face" dress accentuated Anran's fair skin, giving it a faint blush, and she looked radiant. Not only did the woman combing her hair and Huaping's eyes flash with amazement, but even Zhimo and Rulan couldn't help but praise how beautiful Ninth Miss was.
"Miss, if you're all ready, the Crown Princess would like to invite you to have breakfast together!"
Anran agreed and went with Huaping.
When they arrived at Third Sister's room, the young master had already left early in the morning, and Third Sister was trying on clothes in front of the full-length dressing mirror.
"Third Sister, I think this outfit is perfect." An Ran entered the room and pointed to a bright red brocade jacket with ten patterns, saying to Third Sister, "Third Sister has fair skin, and bright red suits you very well."
Third Sister nodded.
Only the principal wife wore bright red upon entering the household; concubines could only use some festive colors that were similar to bright red.
After changing into her jacket, Third Sister casually picked out a hempen skirt and took Anran to the side hall for breakfast.
"They lived in a house just three alleys away from the Prince's mansion, and it's a shame I was so blind to it," Third Sister said dejectedly with a self-deprecating laugh. "I didn't even notice!"
An Ran quickly offered a few words of advice. For those of you reading this, you can search for "" to find this site immediately.
Chapter 28 Entering the Door (Part 2)
Third Sister only drank a few mouthfuls of porridge before she couldn't eat anymore. An Ran also had no appetite, so she simply had the maids remove the breakfast and the two sisters sat on the kang (heated brick bed) by the window and talked.
"She'll arrive in about an hour. Come here first and offer me tea, then I'll take her to see my mother." Although Third Sister agreed, there was still disgust in her eyes. She said in a bad tone, "Yun Shen told me that Li Shi is almost nine months pregnant and will be giving birth soon."
"I asked Yun Shen about what you asked me to ask yesterday." Third Sister's expression was disgusted, as if she had swallowed hundreds of flies. "He said that Li begged him not to tell anyone. She said she was willing to be a mistress outside, to give birth to the child and then send the child back, and that she would only be allowed to see the child once as a servant afterward."
An Ran's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
Li was even more formidable than she had imagined.
So, back then, Third Sister thought she was the one who forced Li Shi out, but is that the truth? Could it be... that An Ran thought of a terrible possibility: Li Shi wanted to leave on her own?
No man is immune to pride, and all men desire a woman who admires them. Lady Li consistently targets the Crown Prince's weaknesses, adopting an extremely humble posture. A woman who is gentle, weak, pitiful, obedient, and sensible—one who avoids trouble—is bound to evoke a man's pity!
It's really tough on Yun Shen to have kept her hidden for over five months!
Even if she doesn't fight back and instead takes a step back, Yun Shen will only love her more!
Li's methods are truly ingenious.
"Shameless!" Third Sister spat fiercely, "Why are you coming back now? If you're so capable, then stay outside for the rest of your life!"
An Ran shook her head.
"So, it was your brother-in-law who suggested bringing her back?" An Ran asked. "It wasn't her own idea?"
Third Sister nodded reluctantly and said, "That's what Yun Shen said. It's outrageous that the eldest son or daughter of a concubine in the Prince's Mansion is treated like this, without any official status or title. What will happen to the baby's third-day celebration, full-month celebration, and hundred-day celebration?"
This tactic of feigning retreat to advance was brilliantly executed; An Ran couldn't help but admire Li Shi. Even after learning of her pregnancy, she remained calm and collected for over five months, subtly influencing Yun Shen to side with her… allowing Yun Shen to voice her own thoughts…
An Ran glanced at the still indignant Third Sister and couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"Third sister, the best people to serve her are two experienced maids that you can ask the Princess Consort for." An Ran said, "Before she gives birth, give her a small courtyard to serve her with the people she brought with her. There's no need to take away the people from her place yet."
A look of surprise flashed across Third Sister's eyes.
"Are you going to expect me to turn a blind eye when she comes back? Don't you think I can control her?"
It turns out that her third sister also knew how to control people!
An Ran suppressed a laugh and cleared her throat, saying, "Third Sister, that's not what I meant. At least before she gives birth, please don't interfere. After that..." An Ran paused, then asked, "Do you want to raise the child yourself?"
"Me, raise that bitch Li's child?" Third Sister's first reaction was indignant: "Impossible!"
That's just like An San Niang's style.
Anyway, there are still a few days before Li's delivery, so we can still persuade Third Sister. Li will be arriving soon, so we can't upset Third Sister.
The two sisters chatted for a while longer when a maid announced that Aunt Li had arrived.
Upon hearing the words "Aunt Li," even though she had agreed to it herself, a sharp pain still flashed in Third Sister's eyes. She straightened her clothes and was about to get up to wait in the main hall.
Before leaving, Anran thought for a moment, then called Huaping back and whispered some instructions to her. Huaping agreed and left.
******
Main courtyard.
Even though Li was quite far along in her pregnancy, she could only be carried to the main gate by sedan chair, and she had to walk the rest of the way herself.
So when the maid announced that Aunt Li had come in, An Ran looked up and saw a maid and an old woman supporting Aunt Li on either side, and Aunt Li's face was covered with a fine layer of sweat.
When they crossed the threshold, the maid and the old woman stopped following them, and only Li Shi walked in, supporting her back with her hands.
Li's oval face was slightly rounded due to her pregnancy, and her breasts were high and prominent. With her nearly full-term belly and short stature, it looked as if her belly might fall at any moment. As a result, she moved somewhat clumsily.
From An Ran's perspective, Li Shi was quite beautiful. She should have been a petite and graceful woman, and with her gentle and kind nature, she would have been an object of pity.
Upon entering the mansion today, she wore none of the bright red clothing, but rather a smoky purple top, a true purple skirt, and a few pearl ornaments, which made her appear exceptionally gentle.
"This concubine greets Madam." Madam Li's voice was soft, and before Third Sister could speak, she was about to kneel down tremblingly, supporting her belly.