She will not give up!
******
"Still no movement from Ninth Sister's courtyard?" Zhao Shi paced anxiously in the room. She suddenly turned around, her gaze sweeping over Jinzhi and Baizhi like a knife. "Are you sure you relayed every single word to Jinping?"
Jinzhi and her companion were startled and quickly knelt down to swear to Zhao Shi, "We only started talking after we saw Jinping come in, and Jinping definitely heard everything!"
Only then did Zhao turn her gaze back.
This is so strange, Jiu Niang hasn't reacted yet? Did Jinping not say anything?
Ever since An Ran returned from Wu Mama's house, Zhao Shi had secretly sent people to keep an eye on the vicinity of Ningxue Courtyard. She would know if there was the slightest disturbance in An Ran's courtyard. However, Ningxue Courtyard remained quiet, and the expected loss of composure by An Ran did not occur.
Or... Zhao thought of another possibility: An Ran was too calm and collected.
Zhao thought about it for a moment, then felt it was too absurd. An Ran was not even fourteen years old yet, how could she have such composure?
"Madam, Ninth Miss has gone to the Grand Madam's courtyard!" Shi Mama lifted the curtain and came in, saying to Zhao Shi, "But Ninth Miss seems perfectly normal, there's no sign of her crying!"
Zhao nodded haphazardly.
She sat down again, but felt as uneasy as if she were standing on pins and needles.
Rong'an Hall.
An Ran changed into a brand new dress and went to the Grand Madam's courtyard. She wore a light yellow jacket and a white embroidered skirt. Her black hair was styled into double buns, wrapped with two gemstone chains and adorned with two small pearl flowers.
Her fair and delicate skin, without any makeup, lacked some allure but gained a touch of charm.
This outfit makes her look even younger.
"Grandmother!" An Ran greeted the Grand Madam with a smile and bowed. "I came back from Mama Wu's house. I was afraid you would rest, so I went back to change my clothes before coming."
Even the old lady couldn't help but show a hint of surprise in her eyes.
An Ran's composure surprised her, and she even began to suspect that An Ran might know about this...
"Are you two settling in well at Aunt Wu's house?" The thought flashed through the Grand Madam's mind. Soon, she spoke gently to An Ran as usual, "If there's anything you're not comfortable with, just tell Aunt Wu and let them feel at home."
Anran thanked her gratefully.
She recounted everything that happened at Aunt Wu's house that day, her expression relaxed and cheerful, showing no sign of being troubled by anything.
"Ninth Sister, there's something I need to tell you." The Grand Madam said gently to An Ran, "As you know, your Third Sister hasn't been feeling well lately. There's also a lot going on at the Prince's Mansion, and she's not feeling very energetic. Your mother and I are thinking that since you sisters are so close, why don't you go to the Prince's Mansion in a couple of days to keep your Third Sister company?"
An Ran was slightly taken aback.
I never expected it to be this reason! The old lady didn't mention becoming a concubine at all, only saying that she was to go and keep Third Sister company.
An Ran smiled coldly to herself.
They've certainly got a good plan. A perfectly good unmarried girl going to accompany her sister—if it were further away, it wouldn't be so bad, but they're both in the capital… what's the point of her staying at the Prince Yi's residence for so long? Being by Third Sister's side, she'll inevitably have to see the Heir Apparent, and now Li's status is different; she's Third Sister's half-sister…
They clearly intend to send her in as a concubine, yet they're trying to cover it up with a fig leaf.
"Is something wrong with Third Sister?" An Ran asked, feigning concern. "Then we should see a doctor as soon as possible, otherwise it will be bad. I should go see Third Sister. Seventh Sister and Tenth Sister grew up with Third Sister since they were little, so I think they are also concerned. We'll go together then."
Anyone can pretend to be confused.
By this time, the old lady naturally noticed An Ran's dissatisfaction.
The old lady breathed a sigh of relief; she wouldn't have been at ease if An Ran had truly been without any flaws.
"Of course they will go too." The old lady's expression remained unchanged as she said gently, "Of the four of you sisters, you are the most obedient and sensible, and your third sister loves you the most. So stay a little longer and keep her company."
“Yes.” An Ran nodded obediently.
"Ninth Sister, you must remember that you sisters are all daughters of the Marquis's Mansion. Regardless of whether you are born of the principal wife or a concubine, the Marquis's Mansion is your support." The Grand Madam looked at An Ran with a kind and benevolent expression, almost as compassionate as Guanyin Bodhisattva.
“You brothers and sisters are all of the same origin. Not only should you live well yourselves, but you should also help each other so that the Marquis’s mansion can flourish and you can live with more confidence.” The Grand Madam smiled slightly and said, “In the end, it’s just about sharing weal and woe.”
The old lady is giving herself a warning.
An Ran thought silently, her big eyes looking at the old lady as if she were completely ignorant, yet also as clear-headed as if she understood everything.
"Granddaughter has remembered," An Ran readily agreed.
"You can prepare for the next two days. You don't need to go to class for now. Just tell me if you need anything or if you're missing anything." The old lady was very satisfied with An Ran's understanding. "Tomorrow I'll have He Mama check for you. You're such an easy child; you won't say anything if you're missing anything."
An Ran gave a shy smile.
“In that case, I’ll take my leave now.” Seeing that the Grand Madam had only given this much advice, Anran wisely took her leave.
The old lady watched An Ran leave.
Her graceful figure, her bright and beautiful face, and her intelligent and perceptive mind... The old lady couldn't help but feel a little regretful that she was only made a concubine.
She walked out of the corridor unharmed.
The warm sunlight fell on her, and the gentle spring breeze caressed her face, soft and comfortable.
She thought she had found a breakthrough. (JustL)
Chapter 39 Reaction
As expected, An Ran did not attend class the next day, and the same was true for the next few days. Every day after paying her respects to the Grand Madam and Madam Zhao, An Ran would go directly back to Ningxue Courtyard.
Only Sixth Sister, Seventh Sister, and Tenth Sister were left looking at each other in bewilderment. It seemed the rumors were true! It was indeed going to send Ninth Sister to the Prince's mansion... Then it must also be true that she would become Third Sister's husband's concubine!