Upon hearing this, Li felt as if her face was on fire.
“You’re right, but Ninth Sister is no pushover,” Li said through gritted teeth. “At today’s full moon banquet, the two maids holding the baby were brought in by Third Sister after she asked the Princess Consort. She said that starting tomorrow, those two maids will come to help take care of Dong-ge!”
"There's really no other way, that's why I broke the rules today, so I'm asking you to come over."
Only then did Consort Li's expression stiffen slightly, finally realizing that Li Shi wasn't just worrying for no reason.
A few days ago, news came that the two wet nurses whom Li had brought from outside to take care of Dongge'er were not doing a good job. Yun Shen was furious and handed over the power of disposal to San Niang. San Niang did not replace them directly, but let everything continue as usual.
Unexpectedly, she quietly asked the Princess Consort for the person and placed him in her small courtyard.
Taking care of Dong-ge'er closely... that's pretty much a euphemism for monitoring her together! It won't be convenient for things to do in the future.
“Aunt, I originally thought it would be good that An Jiu came. With Third Sister’s jealous nature, the first person she wouldn’t tolerate would be her half-sister. Once the two sisters start fighting amongst themselves, that will be my opportunity.” Li said with some worry, “But this An Jiu is really formidable. She can actually make Third Sister submit to her.”
"Once An Jiuniang becomes a concubine, I'm afraid the young master will be unable to resist her beautiful face that could bring ruin to the world. If she can also win over Sanniang, the two sisters will join forces against me, and I'm afraid even if I have a hundred tricks up my sleeve, I will find it difficult to use them."
Consort Li looked thoughtful.
"I've thought it over, and I still can't let Ninth Sister stay in the Prince's backyard." Madam Li's attitude was very firm. She said with certainty, "If we really give Ninth Sister a title, I'm afraid Dong-ge and I will have no place to stand in this backyard."
When An Ran first entered the manor, Madam Li originally intended to sow discord between the sisters. She thought that without her intervention, the two sisters, Third Sister and Ninth Sister, would fight amongst themselves and both would suffer losses, allowing her to reap the benefits.
But after her repeated provocations and tests, she discovered that it was Ninth Sister who could control Third Sister. She had experienced Third Sister's formidable temper firsthand. Yet, when facing Ninth Sister, Third Sister appeared completely obedient, and even today's matter was resolved by Ninth Sister's persuasion.
After much deliberation, Madam Li decided that it would be best to find a way to get Anran out of the Prince's residence before her official status was confirmed.
"What do you plan to do?" Consort Li asked, raising an eyebrow.
Seeing that Consort Li had thrown the question back at her again, Madam Li was secretly annoyed. She was certainly willing to suffer any loss.
Back then, the reason she was willing to support me was because I hadn't been able to have a son or daughter. At the time, I was favored by Prince Yi, but what would happen after Prince Yi passed away?
I'm afraid her life won't be so easy from now on!
"Let me briefly share my thoughts. If there's anything wrong, please correct me." Although dissatisfied, Madam Li dared not openly confront Consort Li. In terms of shrewdness and influence within the Prince's mansion, she was far inferior to Consort Li. She still hoped for Consort Li's help. "If only someone could marry An Jiu. Or perhaps she has no choice but to marry someone..."
“In this way, both sides can be at ease and the problem can be solved quietly.” As Li said this, the corners of her mouth curled up, and a hint of coldness appeared in her smile.
After she finished speaking, Consort Li looked at her, the smile on her face slowly fading. Consort Li had seen through all her scheming.
The Li family certainly had a good plan.
An Jiu was perfectly fine, so what reason could she possibly have to get married? Besides, even if she left the Prince's Mansion, the Marquis of Nan'an's Mansion would still be in charge of arranging her marriage, and even the Third Sister couldn't easily interfere.
Li's intention was nothing more than to frame An Jiu and humiliate her, deliberately arranging for her to lose her virginity to someone, or to have intimate relations with another man in front of everyone, thus completely ruining her reputation.
In this way, even if Third Sister protects her, and the Marquis of Nan'an's mansion wants to protect her, it will be difficult. Unless she never marries, she can at least avoid it. At the very least, it's impossible for her to stay in the Prince's mansion as Yun Shen's concubine. Let alone marry into a high-ranking family again.
Such a wicked idea.
"I had no idea you'd improved so much." Consort Li sat there gracefully, a smile returning to her face. "Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?"
"Aunt is testing me again." Madam Li still smiled, but a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes. She lowered her eyelids and respectfully rose to curtsy to Consort Li. "So many people are begging you, Aunt, to pull some strings. How could you not have suitable candidates? These days, I've noticed that the lady of the imperial merchant from the south is getting very close to you. If you let out a word, she'll probably rush to get it done."
Before she could finish speaking, Consort Li raised an eyebrow, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
Madam Li pretended not to see it and said with a smile, "I was just saying it casually. You can choose whoever you think is suitable." Although she was not as good as Consort Li, Consort Li should not think she was stupid.
"However, my niece has no connections in this Prince's mansion, and it would be difficult for her to even buy a needle and thread outside. My aunt has been managing things in the mansion for over ten years and is deeply favored. I beg my aunt to help me with this matter!"
"From now on, not only my niece, but also Dong-ge'er will remember your kindness today!"
Despite Consort Li's ambiguous smile, she insisted on finishing her speech. She even brought up Dongge'er as her trump card: even if a legitimate son was born later, Dongge'er would still be the eldest son, with a status different from the others.
Moreover... An San Niang will never be able to give birth to a legitimate son in this lifetime!
"Please help me, Aunt!" Seeing that Consort Li did not agree immediately, Madam Li simply knelt down on the ground.
Consort Li looked at her calmly.
"Have you thought it through?" Consort Li said calmly and unhurriedly, "Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back. Don't regret it."
Li nodded vigorously.
"Alright, I'll help you this one more time." Just when Li felt her legs were about to go numb, Consort Li finally spoke up.
Lady Li rose, beaming, and thanked Consort Li profusely.
An Jiuniang... You've only just arrived and you're already in a hurry to deal with me. Are you eager to secure your position as her favored concubine?
Li thought to herself with a dark glint in her eyes.
If something goes wrong, don't blame me. Blame yourself for being too hasty!
******
"Go to Qixia Temple with you?" An Ran blinked, somewhat puzzled. Tomorrow wasn't a special day, so she didn't understand why Third Sister suddenly wanted to go to the temple.
These days, San Niang and Yun Shen have resumed their former intimacy. With their relationship improving, San Niang is naturally in a good mood.
She smiled and said to An Ran, "What's wrong? You don't want to go out and have fun?"
“No, that’s not it.” An Ran shook her head. After arriving in the capital, she rarely went out. At most, she visited An tide and An Mu once, and also traveled between the Prince’s Mansion and the Marquis’s Mansion.
"It's cool inside Qixia Temple, and the vegetarian food there is exceptional." Third Sister coaxed Anran like she was coaxing a child, "It's lively over there too, I'll have someone buy you some snacks later."
An Ran couldn't help but chuckle.