She had indeed witnessed how a frightened horse could run wildly, throwing people out of the carriage and killing them, while the horse itself could only stop by crashing into a wall and dying.
An Jiuniang can't even come up with a decent excuse when she lies!
If the Crown Prince were to simply go out and verify the facts, he would be able to expose their lies.
An Jiuniang is still young and inexperienced.
Li was very confident that she could use this opportunity to leave a bad impression of the Third Sister on the Prince and also to sow discord between the Third Sister and the Ninth Sister.
An Jiuniang, only thirteen years old, thinks she can outwit her? No way!
******
After leaving Li's place, Yun Shen returned to San Niang's courtyard.
Just then, Third Sister called Anran to have some snacks in the main courtyard. Yun Shen didn't have anyone announce her arrival; she simply lifted the curtain and walked in herself.
"Brother-in-law!" An Ran, who was happily eating a peach blossom pastry, saw Yun Shen enter out of the corner of her eye, quickly put down the pastry in her hand, and hurriedly stood up.
Yun Shen smiled and nodded.
He subtly sized up An Ran.
The little girl was wearing a light blue dress today, with two buns tied in her hair. Her fair face showed a hint of panic. She looked even younger than her half-sister, Yunfang.
"Didn't the young master go out on business?" Third Sister didn't know that the young master had just turned around and gone to Li's place. She still said in a good mood, "Could it be that he knew I was entertaining Ninth Sister with snacks and came over because of the aroma?"
Yun Shen smiled.
"Knowing that the Crown Princess has good snacks and tea, I naturally had to come over." Yun Shen replied with a smile, then said to Third Sister, "There's something I need to tell you. General Zhao's mother's birthday is coming soon, and we should prepare a generous gift to send over."
Third Sister said, "I remember! I know you have a good personal relationship with General Zhao. Just the other day, I was looking at the dowry catalog and there was a piece of fine sandalwood. I've already asked someone to have a skilled craftsman carve a Buddha statue for it. Old Madam Zhao is a devout Buddhist, so I think she'll like it."
A hint of relief flashed in Yun Shen's eyes.
Third Sister was always generous and never haggled over trivial matters. He knew Third Sister was an upright person and wouldn't lie to him.
But... Yun Shen looked at An Ran, who was "lively and energetic," and couldn't tell that she was injured at all.
"I heard that Ninth Sister's horse was startled when she came? If she's feeling unwell, there's no need to hide it; just tell your older sister." Yun Shen couldn't help but say it.
An Ran inwardly cried out in alarm, but still got up and obediently agreed.
The young master went out of his way to tell her about the frightened horse again. Was it just a polite greeting? Even if it's Madam Zhao's birthday, the young master didn't need to come all the way over to tell Third Sister! There's something strange about the young master's visit now!
She silently thought to herself that she must find out where the prince had gone after he left.
Third Sister didn't notice anything strange. After Yun Shen left, she still urged An Ran to eat some snacks. Seeing An Ran engrossed in eating, she couldn't help but say, "Just eat two more pieces, or you won't be able to eat lunch!"
An Ran looked up and, quite cooperatively, let out a burp.
"You silly child!" Third Sister hurriedly had someone bring her some tea to help with digestion, and then ordered someone to bring her hawthorn cake from the kitchen.
"Third sister, I'm too full. I need to go for a walk before I can have lunch!" An Ran said calmly and slowly. "Let Hua Ping accompany me for a stroll. I'm afraid I'll get lost."
Third Sister was amused by her, "Even in this state, you're still thinking about food! Go, go, just stroll around the courtyard, don't go out. This afternoon I'll take you to see the Princess Consort." She called Huaping over repeatedly, "You accompany Ninth Miss for a stroll around our courtyard."
Anran nodded obediently and followed Huaping out the door.
"Where did Third Brother-in-law go just now?" As soon as they reached the corridor, An Ran changed her casual expression and asked seriously.
Hua Ping was used to An Ran's questions at any time. She knew that Ninth Miss was doing it for her own good, so she answered without reservation: "I just had someone inquire, but I didn't dare to tell the Crown Princess. She went to Aunt Li's place."
It was Li's doing again!
An Ran raised one eyebrow and asked softly, "Does Third Brother-in-law go to Li's place every day?"
Hua Ping nodded.
“Every day after returning from his official duties, the young master would visit Dong-ge’er, stay in Li’s room for a while, and then come out.”
An Ran said, "It's fine before, but from tomorrow onwards, find two capable people to keep a close eye on him. From the time the young master returned from his official duties until he went to Li's courtyard, find out who he saw." She thought for a moment and then instructed, "Make sure to remember all the maids, servants, and boys who didn't speak to the young master on the way."
Hua Ping agreed to everything.
"Don't let my third sister know about these things for now!" An Ran hesitated for a moment, then said to Hua Ping, "I'll tell her myself in a few days!"
Hua Ping and An Ran had already walked to the covered walkway.
Looking at the koi swimming around in the pond, Huaping whispered in Anran's ear, "Ninth Miss, we all know that you are devoted to our Crown Princess. But the Crown Princess cares too much about the Crown Prince and has been blinded by love for a while. Please don't take it to heart, Ninth Miss!"
An Ran looked up in surprise.
Huaping is a reasonable person; she even knows to smooth things over for San Niang in front of her.
The surprise on her face slowly turned into a faint smile, and as a warm breeze blew by, the smile deepened into her eyes. "I am my third sister's younger sister, so naturally I want to see my third sister and brother-in-law living a happy and harmonious life."
With the painted screen, An Ran breathed a slight sigh of relief.
From then on, things became much easier for her.
******
Without even having lunch at his residence, Yun Shen went directly to the Jingzhao Prefecture.
"Young Master, what brings you here today!"
Upon seeing the arrival of the Prince Yi's heir, the yamen runners at the gate hurriedly sent someone to announce his arrival while also eagerly welcoming him inside.