Before he finished speaking, both Third Sister and the Princess Consort were taken aback.
This was far too dangerous! It couldn't be brushed aside by An Ran's few casual words. If something really happened… Third Sister grabbed An Ran's hand, still somewhat shaken. The slightest mishap could have cost An Ran her life; how could she possibly be standing here talking like this!
“Fortunately, we ran into Marquis Pingyuan at that time,” Yun Shen said. “Marquis Pingyuan pulled on the reins and managed to control the carriage. If it had been someone else, they might not have been able to save Jiu Niang.”
The princess breathed a long sigh of relief.
An Ran lowered her head and stood obediently to the side, listening to the reprimand.
"Ninth Sister, such a big thing happened and you didn't even tell me!" Third Sister said, both angry and fearful. "What if something bad had happened—pui pui pui, it's alright, it's alright!"
"Third sister, don't be angry. I didn't say anything because I was afraid you would worry—" An Ran's voice grew softer and softer. She reached for her third sister's clothes and said timidly, "It's my fault for making you worry, sister."
"Fortunately, the Bodhisattva is protecting her, and Ninth Sister is blessed." The Princess Consort advised, "This child meant well and didn't want you to worry. She knows she was wrong, so please don't blame her."
Third Sister couldn't offend the Princess Consort. She managed a smile, but her gaze swept over An Ran with an air of authority, signaling her to settle the score later.
An Ran smiled ingratiatingly.
"Ninth Sister, you don't know Marquis Pingyuan, do you?" Yun Shen asked An Ran gently.
An Ran glanced at Third Sister, then shook her head hesitantly and said, "We don't really know each other."
Both Yun Shen and the Princess Consort had a hint of doubt in their eyes.
Third Sister then explained, "Earlier, the young master and I escorted Ninth Sister back, and the young master encountered Marquis Pingyuan on the way. He only caught a glimpse of him from afar, so it's understandable that Ninth Sister didn't recognize him at first."
The Princess Consort and her son showed expressions of sudden realization.
“The Marquis of Pingyuan has been a great help; we should thank him properly,” San Niang said to Yun Shen.
Yun Shen had recently heard some stories about the old affairs of the Marquis of Nan'an and the Marquis of Pingyuan. However, he knew San Niang well and knew that she had no feelings for Lu Mingxiu. Besides, she had hardly seen the Marquis of Pingyuan since she grew up, so he wouldn't be so jealous.
We should thank Lu Mingxiu; San Niang's frankness in speaking out made Yun Shen feel no resentment.
Yun Shen nodded and said, "That's natural."
"We should still invite the imperial physician to give Ninth Sister a proper check-up." The Princess Consort was very pleased with the harmonious relationship between her son and daughter-in-law. She said to Yun Shen, "Take the prince's visiting card and have someone go to the imperial physician."
This is getting more and more high-profile... making An Ran, who wanted to keep a low profile, somewhat uneasy.
She said weakly, "Your Highness, Third Sister, Brother-in-law, I'm really fine, just a few scrapes. Third Sister has already applied ointment to them—"
Clearly, her words had no effect.
"Internal injuries can't be seen," the Princess Consort said to An Ran. "She's so young; she can't afford to develop a chronic illness because of this."
Anran had no choice but to obediently nod.
"This child is too honest. He should have told his sister if he wasn't feeling well and should have rested properly," the Princess said affectionately. "There's no need for him to force himself to come."
She's really alright... An Ran wanted to cry but had no tears. All she could say was that Marquis Pingyuan was truly remarkable, pulling the reins in time to save her from disaster.
Six concerned gazes fell upon her, and An Ran had no choice but to obediently comply.
Marquis Pingyuan, Lu Mingxiu.
Hearing those six words, An Ran's heart stirred. She recalled the rough texture of his large hand and placed her own hand inside, feeling a sense of security. Although he seemed a little intimidating, he seemed like a good person!
In that situation, even the most confident rider would face considerable risk in attempting to subdue a runaway horse. A wise man avoids dangerous situations, and the Marquis of Pingyuan, now holding a high position of power, is truly a rare and fortunate individual.
An Ran wasn't presumptuous enough to think that Marquis Pingyuan went there for her sake. In a moment of urgency, even though Marquis Pingyuan probably didn't know who was in the carriage, he acted without hesitation.
He would save anyone in the car, whether they were from noble families or were commoners. For some reason, even though it was only their second meeting, she was inexplicably certain.
An Ran thought to herself, this must be what the majestic heroes in the storybooks look like!
******
Yun Shen went to arrange for the imperial physician to be summoned, and San Niang took Jiu Niang back home.
Along the way, Third Sister couldn't help but scold An Ran a few more times. It was all about how audacious An Ran was, daring to keep such a big thing from Yunyun. An Ran could only obediently admit her mistakes one after another.
"Third Sister, please don't tell Grandmother and Mother, okay?" Anran looked at her third aunt with pleading eyes, and softened her voice, saying, "Since I'm safe and sound, I shouldn't let the elders worry about me anymore! Anyway, I've already told them to just say when we get back that the carriage collided with someone, that I'm fine, only the carriage is broken."
Third Sister glared at her, and asked in surprise, "After something like this, you still think you can just cover it up on the spot?"
An Ran chuckled a few times, trying to get away with it by acting cute.
Third Sister disagreed.
"I can soften the tone of this matter, but we still need to tell Grandmother and the others the truth," Third Sister advised her. "There are two families involved, so you shouldn't get involved."
Having exhausted all other options, An Ran decided to give up entirely. Since everyone in the Prince Yi's mansion already knew, one more Marquis of Nan'an's mansion wouldn't make a difference.
Yun Shen, having returned from the Princess Consort's residence, instructed the servant on the matter and then went to the Li family's courtyard.
Dongge'er was still young and slept most of the day. So Li Shi leaned against the soft couch of Dongge'er's little bed and did embroidery with needle and thread.
Upon hearing from her maid that Yun Shen had come to her courtyard, Madam Li was secretly delighted, believing her plan had succeeded. She thought, "The young master has indeed discovered that it was Third Sister An and Ninth Sister An who are causing trouble. Then I'll just add a few more words to sow discord..."
For some time now, the young master will not set foot in Third Sister's courtyard again!
So Li picked up her embroidery hoop, took the needle, and began embroidering a koi carp on the bright red brocade. The koi carp was so lifelike that it looked like it had taken a lot of effort to make it.
"What are you doing?" Yun Shen didn't ask anyone to announce his arrival and came in by lifting the curtain himself. Seeing that Dong Ge'er was also there, he had to lower his voice even though he was full of anger.
Li, who was seemingly engrossed in her embroidery, appeared to only then notice Yun Shen's arrival. She quickly looked up, her eyes filled with joy. "Master, you've come!"