Especially after her engagement was broken off by the Marquis of Dingbei's family, Sixth Sister and Seventh Sister felt even more at ease. The most threatening one among them had been destroyed.
Even though she has an exceptionally beautiful face, who would want to marry such a person?
"There must be a mistake!" Qi Niang murmured in disbelief, "The Marquis of Pingyuan is a man favored by the Emperor, a man of high rank and great power. How could he possibly marry An Jiu, who has already been disgraced?"
Fortunately, An Ran was still at Princess Yunyang's residence at this time, otherwise Qi Niang would have been tempted to rush over and question An Ran.
"That good-for-nothing can't even speak properly!"
Her maidservant wanted to advise her, but dared not provoke the angry Seventh Sister.
How could she possibly reveal it? Knowing Aunt Li's character, she would definitely have found out everything before sending someone to deliver the message.
Seventh Sister wasn't the only one in the Marquis's mansion who was jealous and shocked.
Seventh Sister was furiously smashing things, while Sixth Sister opposite her was suppressing her emotions and refusing to show them, her handkerchief tightly clenched in her hand.
"My dear girl, what are we going to do!" Mother Liu cried and wailed, constantly muttering in Sixth Sister's ear, "Where did An Ninth Sister get the good fortune to be betrothed to the Marquis of Pingyuan? Putting everything else aside, she's not even fourteen yet! Marrying such a young girl, and expecting her to bear children?"
Sixth Sister's face darkened slightly, and without Liu Mama saying a word, her face darkened even more.
"If we're talking about looks, young lady, you're not much less beautiful than Ninth Sister! Besides, you're fifteen this year, you've reached the age of marriage, and it's the perfect time for you to have children. It seems like you should be the one to marry into the family!"
"Besides, Jiu Niang's reputation is already ruined. Even the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion looks down on her and broke off the engagement. Why would the Marquis of Pingyuan pick up such a slut?"
Liu Mama's voice grew louder and louder, while Liu Niang's face grew increasingly grim.
"Please watch your words, Mother!" Hearing her increasingly absurd remarks, Sixth Sister slammed her hand on the table. Her face darkened, and her voice turned icy. "How can you say such things? If someone understands, they'll know it's Mother who's confused; if someone doesn't, they'll think these are my words!"
Despite her anxiety and anger, Liu Niang managed to maintain her composure, but Liu Mama was becoming somewhat senile.
Perhaps it was because Liu's mother didn't want to see her gamble on Liu Niang go bankrupt that she grew increasingly anxious. If Liu Niang were married off haphazardly, she wouldn't even make a ripple in the pool of the Nan'an Marquis's mansion, and wouldn't all her hard work of the past ten years have been in vain?
Therefore, at this moment, Liu's mother was not as calm as Liu Niang.
"What are you saying, young lady? It's all my fault now?" Madam Liu was taken aback at first, then felt utterly wronged. "I've always wanted what's best for you, young lady. From a young age, I've nurtured your talents, taken good care of you, and never wanted you to suffer any hardship..."
Sixth Sister had been tolerating Liu Mama since very early on. However, since she was new to the Marquis's mansion and had no connections, Liu Mama was still a former servant of the Grand Madam, so she had some influence over her.
In her opinion, Liu's mother was no longer as sensible and capable as before, and only dragged her down.
But... seeing how anxious Liu Mama was, a thought flashed through Liu Niang's mind: she could make good use of this.
Thinking of this, Sixth Sister let out a deep breath.
"Mother, don't cry. I was wrong just now." Sixth Sister composed herself and sighed, "I panicked when this arranged marriage happened. Please don't take it to heart, Mother."
Seeing that Sixth Sister had given in, Liu's mother finally stopped wailing.
"What should I do, Mother?" Sixth Sister was thoroughly annoyed with her, but she couldn't afford to be disrespectful, so she feigned panic and passed the question back to Mother Liu.
After all, Liu's mother had served by the side of the Dowager Madam and had some experience.
"In the end, An Jiu is just slightly prettier than the other sisters. Heroes love beauties, and Marquis Pingyuan was momentarily blinded by love to take a liking to her." A sudden inspiration flashed in Liu Mama's mind. She looked at Liu Niang excitedly and said, "If the Marquis were to see the young lady... the young lady is only missing one chance to meet the Marquis!"
After hearing her say that, Sixth Sister was also somewhat tempted.
An Jiu was merely injured at Princess Yunyang's residence and was rescued by Marquis Pingyuan. It was then that Marquis Pingyuan first encountered An Jiu!
Sixth Sister's heart was filled with jealousy. If the Marquis of Pingyuan had seen her first... would everything have been different?
“If Marquis Pingyuan hadn’t been in the capital a few days ago, he probably wouldn’t know about those things. Perhaps he still believes the rumors are just rumors.” Madam Liu calmed down and said to Sixth Sister with a thoughtful expression, “If you, young lady, were to ‘put righteousness before family’ and tell Marquis Pingyuan the ‘truth,’ wouldn’t he be furious and break off the engagement?”
Sixth Sister's heart stirred.
“But the Emperor has already issued an imperial decree… His word is law and there is no possibility of changing it…” Sixth Sister still looked hesitant.
Madam Liu, however, was very confident. As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. If Sixth Sister didn't take action, she would only be forgotten in the Marquis's mansion and eventually be married off haphazardly. It was a pity that she lacked beauty and the skills and needlework she had been carefully cultivated since childhood.
"It's all just a matter of a word from Marquis Pingyuan! Anyway, they're all daughters of the Marquis Pingyuan's household, so what difference does it make who he marries? I'm afraid that's what the Grand Madam and the Marquis think! If Marquis Pingyuan takes a fancy to you instead, the Grand Madam and the Marquis would be happy to see it happen!"
Sixth Sister was completely swayed by what Mother Liu said.
Lady of Pingyuan Marquis.
This was the position she had always dreamed of, a position she once thought was almost unattainable, yet An Jiu had obtained it so easily! How could she be content with that?
No matter what, she had to fight for herself!
Sixth Sister secretly made up her mind.
The courtyards of Seventh Sister and Sixth Sister were in complete chaos, but Tenth Sister in Ningxue's courtyard remained surprisingly calm.
Although she also gets jealous and anxious, she is able to remain calm.
With Sixth Sister and Seventh Sister, who were far more anxious than she was, she only needed to quietly watch them fight amongst themselves. It would be best if they could drag An Jiu into it; if not, she would befriend An Jiu to leave herself a way out.
She didn't believe that Sixth Sister and Seventh Sister could just stand by and watch An Jiu marry the Marquis of Pingyuan.
Even if Sixth Sister could remain calm, Seventh Sister wouldn't be able to hold back. If Seventh Sister could also restrain herself this time... A dark glint flashed in Tenth Sister's eyes; she would make Seventh Sister cause some trouble.
If things get even more chaotic, who knows what might happen?
She's always the one who won't stand up for herself and suffer losses.
******
An Yuanliang rushed home, only to be told that the imperial edict had not yet arrived.