The happiest of them all was Seventh Sister.
She had been at odds with Anran for days, especially seeing Anran showing her face to the Grand Madam and Madam Zhao, and being particularly favored by Third Sister, which made Seventh Sister extremely angry. And a couple of days ago, when she tried to trip up Anran, Madam Zhao actually sided with Anran, which made her even angrier and more resentful.
An Ran was clearly the most eye-catching among the sisters, and if one had to choose one to marry Marquis Pingyuan, she would undoubtedly be a very good candidate.
Just as Seventh Sister was fuming and helpless against An Ran, news came that An Ran was to become the concubine of the Prince's heir. This was absolutely gratifying! Seventh Sister thought smugly, "Let An Ninth Sister be so proud of herself, she still ended up getting herself into trouble."
Besides the overjoyed Seventh Sister, Sixth Sister and Tenth Sister also breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving the news.
Although they didn't show it as obviously as Qi Niang, they both considered An Ran a formidable rival. An Ran was not only beautiful but also more favored by the elders, and they feared that An Ran would have a greater chance of winning in the selection of someone to marry into the Pingyuan Marquis's family in the future.
But now that the news is confirmed, there is absolutely no hope for Anran.
Even though the rumor was that An Ran was only going to accompany their third sister, they had already learned from various sources that An Ran was actually going to become their third sister's husband's concubine. However, they were afraid that their third sister would be unhappy, and they were also afraid of being laughed at by outsiders—after all, the young master had just had a son born out of wedlock, and the Marquis's mansion was in such a hurry to send his daughter out as a concubine, which would not look good for the Marquis's mansion, so they tore off a fig leaf to cover it up.
Even if they try to cover it up, who's blind? Anyone with eyes can see through the trickery.
Overall, this was fantastic news for Liu Niang and the other two.
After returning from Mr. He's place, Seventh Sister and Tenth Sister went to find their respective aunts, while Sixth Sister went straight back to her courtyard.
"Auntie, I didn't expect it to be true!" Seventh Sister said triumphantly to Aunt Li, "Ninth Sister didn't go to Tingfeng Pavilion for class today, and Mr. He didn't even ask. It just confirms the rumors. Sure enough, Ninth Sister is going to the Prince's Mansion."
A hint of joy appeared on Aunt Li's serene face.
"It's good news! There's one less person vying for it, especially these days, as Ninth Sister has become increasingly popular, making you all look insignificant."
Seventh Sister said with a hint of excitement, "Let's see how An Jiuniang always opposes me! She's done for now, isn't she? Now that she's seen the Prince's Mansion, she's going to get what's coming to her! My Third Sister already hates her to death, and that Li Shi—I heard she's not someone to mess with either!"
Before she could finish speaking, she not only failed to gain Aunt Li's approval, but was instead scolded by Aunt Li: "Especially now, you must not go against Ninth Sister! You only know that at this moment she went to the Prince's Mansion to become the Third Son-in-Law's concubine, which makes her a lower class than you. But who says that you can become the Marquis's wife?"
"If Ninth Sister proves herself, and with her pretty face, she might just win the Third Son-in-Law's favor. And if she gives birth to a son born out of wedlock, her status in the Prince's mansion won't be bad!" Aunt Li feared that Seventh Sister, being easily swayed, might cause trouble again, which would be disastrous. "She's even stronger than Li Shi; Ninth Sister also has the Marquis's mansion as her backing—"
Seventh Sister curled her lip, clearly not taking Aunt Li's words to heart. "Tch, would my Third Sister favor Ninth Sister? Let her share her brother-in-law's affections? If Third Sister were truly virtuous and generous, she would have already had a son born out of wedlock, would she have waited until now?"
"Times have changed." Aunt Li tapped her daughter's forehead with exasperation when she saw her daughter's stubbornness. "Third Sister has never suffered such a loss before! She's always had a smooth life, but now that she's encountered setbacks, she might just wake up and change herself."
“Even if Third Sister can’t tolerate Ninth Sister, they still have a common enemy right now: Li Shi!” Aunt Li explained to Seventh Sister in detail. “At least we have to deal with Li Shi first, then the two sisters can fight!”
Seventh Sister finally suppressed the gloating expression on her face.
"Don't provoke Ninth Sister lately." Aunt Li repeatedly warned her daughter, fearing she might cause trouble. "If she gets upset and makes you suffer in front of the Grand Madam and the Madam, you won't be able to handle it. Don't forget, even if Ninth Sister is gone, there are still Sixth Sister and Tenth Sister in the mansion!"
Seventh Sister nodded reluctantly.
******
In Aunt Lan's courtyard.
When Shi Niang arrived, Aunt Lan was waiting for her anxiously.
"Is that news true?" Ever since Aunt Lan heard from Madam Zhao that An Ran was to be sent to the Prince's mansion to become Yun Shen's concubine, she had been repeatedly sending people to inquire and confirm whether it was true. "I heard that Ninth Miss didn't go to class today!"
Shi Niang nodded with a smile.
"Thank God, may the Buddha protect us!" Aunt Lan clasped her hands together and uttered a Buddhist prayer. She said with a beaming smile, "Now you have one less formidable rival!"
Aunt Lan always regretted that she hadn't given Tenth Sister a beautiful face. Especially after Sixth Sister and Ninth Sister returned to the mansion, Tenth Sister, who was originally only considered to be of average to above-average appearance, was far inferior to the beautiful Sixth Sister and Ninth Sister.
Especially the sixth sister, who is multi-talented and quick-witted.
The Ninth Sister, who entered the household later, initially seemed to be nothing more than a pretty face. However, after visiting the Third Sister's residence that day, her treatment changed drastically upon her return. The Grand Madam and the Madam both held her in high regard, and the usually proud and arrogant Third Sister also greatly admired this younger sister.
Jiu Niang immediately became the target of everyone's criticism.
Things in this world are truly unpredictable. Jiu Niang, who originally had a good chance of being married into the Chengping Marquis's household, was instead sent to the Yi Jun Prince's mansion to become the prince's concubine.
Once she enters the Prince's mansion, regardless of whether the heir actually takes her in or not, she will have no chance of marrying the Marquis of Pingyuan.
"Sending Ninth Sister to Prince Yi's residence seems unexpected, but it actually makes perfect sense." Tenth Sister, always the most composed and calm, still spoke clearly: "Firstly, Ninth Sister previously dissuaded Third Sister, so she must understand Third Sister's temperament and isn't stupid. Besides, Ninth Sister is so beautiful! Taking a concubine is about beauty—"
Aunt Lan nodded repeatedly.
“Ninth Sister is clever. Although she seems quiet on ordinary days, she understands everything!” Tenth Sister frowned slightly and said, “Such a big matter, how come Ninth Sister can remain calm? I don’t believe she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
Seeing her daughter looking worried, Aunt Lan quickly comforted her, "My child, just relax. No matter how clever Ninth Sister is or how beautiful she is, once she enters the Prince's mansion, how can she compete with you?"
Shi Niang nodded.
In any case, there is no way that Jiu Niang can marry Pingyuan Hou again, and that is enough!
Her eyes flickered slightly as she looked out the window, remaining silent.
Previously, she, along with Sixth Sister and Seventh Sister, openly and secretly ostracized Ninth Sister. Now, it seems the conflict between the three of them will resurface.
Seventh Sister originally disliked Sixth Sister. It was only when the more beautiful and likable Ninth Sister arrived that Seventh Sister's attention was diverted. Once Ninth Sister left, Seventh Sister's attention would return to the sisters.
She needs to act quickly to win over Seventh Sister.
Now that Seventh Sister and Sixth Sister are living together, if Sixth Sister has the same idea, it might be difficult to handle.
Shi Niang sat on the large kang (heated brick bed) by the window, the joy she had felt from Jiu Niang's departure long gone. She unconsciously tapped the kang table with her index finger, lost in thought.
******
Sixth Sister returned to the courtyard and sat quietly alone in the inner room. After the initial joy, a sense of sorrow, like that of a rabbit mourning the death of a fox, was inevitable.
She still remembered Jiu Niang's soft question to her: "They are all concubine's daughters who have returned from outside. If Sixth Sister starts a fight with me first, wouldn't that please them?"