"You'd better watch yourself."
After coldly uttering those five words, Yun Shen, supporting Third Sister, walked out without stopping.
It felt as if a bucket of water mixed with ice shards had been poured over her head, and Li felt a chill emanating from every part of her body.
An Sanniang, An Jiuniang——
Li vowed in her heart that she would never let them get away with it!
******
An Ran originally thought that the Princess Consort sending her back was just talk, an excuse to leave.
Unexpectedly, the Princess Consort actually escorted her all the way to the east wing of the Third Sister's courtyard, and even came in to sit down, waiting for the imperial physician to come and examine her.
At first, An Ran didn't understand Princess Yi's intentions, but she gradually came to understand. Although she was known in the hearts of the Marquis's mansion and the Princess's wife to be Yun Shen's concubine, it hadn't been revealed to the public yet. At this time, An Ran was only a guest in the Prince's mansion, as the younger sister of the Third Sister. If something were to happen to her, the Prince Yi's mansion would have no way to explain it to the Marquis of Nan'an's mansion.
The princess consort wanted to see with her own eyes that Anran was alright before she could feel at ease.
"Your Highness, I'm really fine!" An Ran hurriedly said, "The imperial physician will come in a little while and prescribe some ointment for me to apply. You should go back first."
While chatting fluently with Madam Li, An Ran hadn't felt much pain. Now that she relaxed, she felt intense pain in several places, and her face was burning. However, she couldn't show it in front of the Princess Consort.
Will I be disfigured?
An Ran thought to herself with a self-deprecating smile, "If it really were destroyed, it might actually be a good thing. At least I could leave the Prince Yi's mansion legitimately, and the Marquis of Nan'an wouldn't have to think about using me anymore. It would be killing two birds with one stone."
Thinking this, An Ran couldn't help but glance at herself in the mirror. Half of her cheek was swollen and red; although the skin wasn't broken, it still looked rather frightening.
When the Princess Consort saw An Ran looking in the mirror, she figured she was probably worried about her face. Ninth Sister was not even fourteen yet, and with such a beautiful face, it was natural she would be frightened if she bumped into someone.
"Ninth Sister, don't worry." The Princess Consort comforted her gently, "Imperial Physician Chen is a renowned physician; he will surely be able to cure you. I have already sent someone to invite him."
An Ran quickly forced a smile to indicate that she was alright.
The Princess Consort looked at the well-behaved and sensible child before her and felt a fondness for her. At such a young age, she was so composed and mature, yet not rigid; she possessed a clever and insightful mind.
These past few days, it seems she has no intention of becoming Yun Shen's concubine at all. She truly acts as if she is a guest in the Prince's mansion, getting along very well with Yun Fang and the other two, and is deeply favored by the third sister.
Perhaps she didn't actually have such intentions? Or was it just the idea of her elders in the family?
The Princess Consort looked around at the furnishings of Anran's room. Every part was exquisite. She thought that Third Sister had used her own dowry to give to her younger sister, not wanting to make Anran feel wronged.
She became increasingly certain of her judgment.
Before Physician Chen arrived, San Niang and Yun Shen returned together. Seeing that the Princess Consort was also there, San Niang hurriedly invited her to the main room. Originally, the Princess Consort wanted to wait for the Physician to arrive, but since Yun Shen was also there, it was inconvenient for her to stay, so she left with Yun Shen, leaving San Niang to stay with An Ran.
"You scared me to death today!" After the mother and son left, Third Sister said with concern, "Let me take a good look at you, did you hurt yourself?"
An Ran smiled and waved her hand.
"It looks serious, but I'm fine." An Ran had made a big movement with her face, and her whole face hurt. She grimaced and said, "It doesn't matter if I'm disfigured. My sister will buy me land, and I'll go back to Yangzhou and be a small landowner."
Seeing that An Ran was still in the mood to joke, Third Sister knew that An Ran didn't take it to heart. But this matter started because of her, and her own sister was implicated and framed by Li Shi. If An Ran's face was even slightly damaged, she would definitely tear Li Shi to pieces!
"Sister will definitely not let anything happen to you." A determined look flashed in Third Sister's eyes. She secretly vowed in her heart that she would never mistreat Ninth Sister in the future, and would choose a good husband for her and marry her off in a grand and glorious manner.
The nephew of the Lady of Qingxiang Marquis is quite remarkable. Although he was born out of wedlock, he is very promising. He has now passed the imperial examination and become a probationary official, destined to enter the Hanlin Academy. Only those who pass the highest level of the imperial examination can enter the Hanlin Academy, and only those who are members of the Hanlin Academy can enter the Grand Secretariat.
Who knows, Fang Ting might even be able to enter the cabinet and become a prime minister in the future!
We should ask around again and not just listen to Lady Qingxiang's side of the story. If it's really good, perhaps we can find a chance for them to meet. Ultimately, it has to be Jiu Niang herself who likes it.
Even someone as intelligent as An Ran couldn't guess what San Niang was thinking at that moment. Seeing her sometimes furrowing her brows and sometimes relaxing her expression, she assumed that San Niang was thinking about what had just happened.
"Third Sister, how did you deal with Li Shi?" Although An Ran was quite reassured by Third Sister's performance, she couldn't help but ask another question.
Third Sister paused for a moment before coming to her senses. She spoke briefly and then sighed, "Even if I know it was that Li woman who caused this trouble, I can't just take her down to vent your anger."
An Ran's eyes lit up, and she immediately looked at Third Sister with new respect.
“Third Sister, you did the right thing! I couldn’t think of a better way.” An Ran praised, “You should have made her realize her place a long time ago. You should have given her a warning long ago.”
An Ran was even happier than San Niang. Yun Shen and San Niang's relationship had become more than just loving; they had found mutual support and respect, which was essential for their long-term commitment. Now, San Niang was also quite independent, and the day she could leave the Prince Yi's mansion was not far off.
"Third Sister, although Li suffered a terrible defeat this time, I'm afraid she holds a grudge and may have some other tricks up her sleeve." An Ran said without any concern, "You should be even more wary of her."
Third Sister did not underestimate her opponent; she nodded solemnly. (Just Love Network)
Chapter 58 Planning
An Ran was very pleased with the changes in San Niang.
She keenly sensed that Third Sister was different from usual; she was calm, composed, dignified, and noble. This unflappable demeanor was more like that of a princess consort.
Shedding naivety, instead of becoming decadent and disappointed, she has become stronger and more resilient.
"Third Sister, you've done very well." An Ran grasped her third sister's hand, looked into her eyes, and said earnestly, "Grandmother and Mother have no more worries. Only when you give birth to a legitimate son as soon as possible can you truly establish yourself firmly in the Prince's Mansion."
Looking at An Ran, San Niang's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. This child had witnessed her most painful transformation.
She was no longer the naive and willful An San Niang of the past; her current identity was the Heir Apparent of Prince Yi. She still loved Yun Shen as much as when they first met, as if they were newlyweds, yet it seemed as if her love had faded.
Ever since Li appeared, a piece of her heart has been empty, but she refuses to admit it and insists on deceiving herself to achieve a sense of fulfillment.
Now she has finally acknowledged this flaw, and she has awakened from that old dream.
Things in life can't always go as planned, but life goes on.