An Ran was delighted when she saw the person. Wasn't this the two concubines that Zhao Shi had given to Third Sister, and had Third Sister give to Yun Shen? It seemed that although Third Sister had accepted them, she hadn't actually done as instructed.
Suddenly she sighed softly again.
Yes, Third Sister refuses to compromise. If she were willing to back down, she would have made Yun Shen a concubine long ago, and brought a son from a concubine to raise sooner. Perhaps then, Li Shi wouldn't have had a chance to take advantage! At least she wouldn't be in such a passive position now!
There are many ways to deal with Li Shi; most mistresses of the inner quarters have some tricks up their sleeves.
For example, they would take any child born to Li, regardless of gender, and raise it themselves, whether the child wanted it or not. Being able to raise a child under the legal mother's name was a great blessing for a son or daughter born to a concubine, so who would dare to object! Once the child was raised by the legal mother, they would naturally become distant from the concubine.
For example, they could choose two beautiful maids for Yun Shen to use, or promote Yun Shen's original concubines to the rank of maternal concubines and let them fight amongst themselves. After a few years, when Li Shiyan is no longer beautiful, let's see if Yun Shen will still remember her!
Third Sister should join forces with the Princess Consort to gain her support. You see, this Li is a distant relative of Consort Li. Even if a principal wife has a virtuous reputation, no one truly likes a concubine by their husband's side! Furthermore, Li seduced the Crown Prince, which is something the Princess Consort already dislikes. Otherwise, if Third Sister had wanted to send Li away back then, the Princess Consort wouldn't have remained silent; it seems she tacitly approved.
But things changed after Li had a child. Yun Shen was now the only legitimate son and would inherit the family business in the future. After more than four years of marriage without an heir, the Princess Consort was naturally anxious. Although Li was not likable, she was fertile. If she could give birth to a son, the Princess Consort would probably change her opinion of her.
Even so, there must still be some distance between them in the Princess Consort's heart. If Third Sister could make good use of this...
Ultimately, the mistress of Prince Yi's mansion at this time is still the Princess Consort!
I wonder how Third Sister managed to ruin what seemed like a pretty good hand.
An Ran thought about it and finally rejected it herself. Even if Third Sister agreed to let Li Shi into the mansion for the time being, she might not be willing to do these things again.
Moreover, Madam Li is a shrewd and patient woman; she certainly wouldn't sit idly by and wait for her doom. Besides, the child in her womb is her lifeline in the Prince's mansion, so she definitely can't let go easily.
I don't know what she will do.
Just as Anran was about to finish washing up and resting, Huaping, the head maid of San Niang, suddenly entered.
Behind her were two maids whom An Ran did not recognize, each carrying two pieces of clothing and a set of jewelry.
Huaping first exchanged a few pleasantries with Anran, and then relayed Sanniang's words: ask her if she was getting used to it, and just tell her if she needed anything or anything.
An Ran smiled and replied, her gaze involuntarily falling on the clothes and jewelry that the little maid had brought.
“These were prepared by the Crown Princess for you, Miss. They are all delicate and suitable for your age.” Huaping winked at Anran before saying, “There are also these two sets of headdresses, one set of red gold inlaid with pearls and the other set of red gold inlaid with gold and rubies. Although they are not expensive, they are extremely exquisite.”
An Ran quickly thanked them and asked Zhi Mo and Ru Lan to put away the clothes that Third Sister had sent.
Huaping also sent the two maids back first before saying to Dao Anran, "Ninth Miss, when Aunt Li returns tomorrow, the Crown Princess wants you to go as well."
Tomorrow? So soon?
An Ran was somewhat surprised. Could it be that the Crown Prince had already made preparations? Or was it that Lady Li's belly was simply too impatient to wait?
Thinking of this, An Ran couldn't help but feel a little alarmed. If she hadn't suddenly learned the news by some twist of fate, given Third Sister's temperament, she would have really caught her off guard. If Yun Shen suddenly returned with Li Shi, wouldn't Third Sister be furious? At that time, even the Crown Prince would lose face.
Such a rift between husband and wife is likely to be difficult to repair in the future.
Fortunately, Third Sister was prepared.
Since Huaping refers to her as "Auntie," it must be with Third Sister's approval. This means that Third Sister and Lion have reached an agreement, which is good news!
"I understand." An Ran agreed. She wanted to meet Li Shi tomorrow to see just how formidable she was.
"This servant will not disturb your rest any longer, Miss." Huaping said a few words and then withdrew.
Zhi Mo and Ru Lan then tactfully came over, helped An Ran wash up, and after she changed into her nightgown, she went to bed to rest.
She didn't let Zhimo and Rulan keep watch in the room at night. Instead, she had someone light the five-pointed palace lantern by the bed, dim the wick, and let the light that shone through after the curtains were drawn be very soft and not too bright.
Anran lay on her back on the canopy bed, but she was not sleepy at all, staring blankly at the top of the tent.
Many people probably didn't sleep well that night! Not only Third Sister, but also the Grand Madam, Madam Zhao, and even Madam Li.
Tomorrow is a crucial day, and as the younger sister of Third Sister's family, An Ran knows she must be extremely prepared. If anything goes wrong with Third Sister, she will have to find a way to remedy the situation. Tonight, she should get a good rest and be fully refreshed.
But as soon as she closed her eyes, she could see Third Sister's heartbroken cries, her desperate, heart-wrenching sobs, and she felt extremely distressed.
She finally forced herself to fall asleep, but couldn't help but recall her past life after marrying Chen Qian. She was exhausted from fighting with Chen Qian's concubines and eventually died in these domestic struggles.
I must not make the same mistake again in this life!
Anran silently reminded herself once again.
As the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, I peacefully closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
******
"Miss, which of these four outfits would you like to wear?" Zhi Mo spread the four outfits that San Niang had sent yesterday on the soft couch and let An Ran choose.
An Ran rubbed her sleepy eyes and tried to open them wide to see.
The quilt was a deep blue-green, the wide-sleeved top was a dazzlingly beautiful dress, the vest was a crimson red, the long jacket was a pale yellow, and there was also a white silk skirt, a sixteen-panel Xiang skirt, a pea-green brocade skirt... and even a waistband and other items were thoughtfully placed inside.
Third Sister is indeed very generous and her actions are extraordinary.
These clothes were of the highest quality in terms of both tailoring and material. Third Sister immediately took out many of them and gave them to her, all of them newly made.
Finally, An Ran thought about it and decided that taking a concubine was a joyous occasion, so she shouldn't dress too plainly. Therefore, she chose the Zui Xian Yan wide-sleeved top and paired it with a bright sixteen-panel Xiang skirt.
She had just changed her clothes when, as if she had timed it perfectly, Huaping led in a round-faced, amiable-looking woman, who greeted Anran.
"Ninth Miss, this is the Crown Princess's hairdresser. Today, she will serve you by combing your hair."
Anran thanked him.
"What kind of hairstyle would you like, young lady?" the woman asked Anran respectfully.