"Third Sister, life is something you make yourself." An Ran wasn't blind to the gloom in Third Sister's eyes; she too had tasted that pain of despair. "Your good days are yet to come."
Third Sister curled her lips into a faint smile, her eyes glistening with tears.
"You child, you have quite the way of talking about me." Third Aunt patted An Ran's head, her attitude even more affectionate than usual.
An Ran grinned, but accidentally aggravated the injury on her face, so she quickly covered half of her cheek with her hand.
Third Sister hurriedly urged her maid to go and see, and to wait for the imperial physician at the door.
Before long, Physician Chen arrived, and Third Sister hurriedly asked him to examine Anran.
Only after Physician Chen repeatedly assured her that Anran's facial swelling would subside quickly and would not leave any marks, and that her bones and muscles were not injured, did San Niang finally feel relieved.
Physician Chen prescribed some topical ointments and some internal decoctions for Anran, and instructed her to rest quietly for a few days.
Upon hearing the news, Yun Shen rushed over and hurriedly ordered his men to deliver the generous gifts prepared for Physician Chen to his carriage. He then invited Physician Chen to his study for a chat.
Third Sister even sent Huaping over, telling her to take good care of Anran at all times, to watch over her when she takes her medicine and eats, and to make sure she doesn't eat anything she needs to avoid.
Fortunately, the turmoil has finally subsided. In Luoyue Pavilion, only one of the old servants who used to serve Li Shi is left. The rest of the servants were transferred from San Niang's courtyard, and some were even brought by San Niang to the Princess Consort to take care of Dong Ge'er.
In other words, although Madam Li managed to keep Dongge'er, she was practically blind and deaf within the mansion. With so many eyes watching her, contacting the outside world was extremely difficult.
With Li's hands and feet tied, it would be difficult for her to cause trouble for the time being. However, An Ran was afraid that Li might do something desperate to harm herself or San Niang, so she had people keep a close watch on her.
It's clear from what happened last time that Madam Li was being too impatient. Perhaps because she had always had everything go smoothly and the domineering Third Sister had been completely suppressed by her, she began to harbor inappropriate thoughts. She only saw the glory of her aunt, Consort Li, in the Prince's mansion, and thought that with her eldest son by a concubine by her side, she should be able to rise even higher.
However, Lady Li never considered the relationship between Consort Li's lack of offspring and the Princess's indulgence in her privileged life.
Was it because Consort Li had no children and lacked confidence that she could only become a favored consort? Or was it precisely because she had no children that the Princess Consort allowed her to enjoy her current prestige?
Third Sister is much easier to control than the Princess Consort; she had Third Sister firmly under her control before. But this time, An Jiuniang is causing trouble...
The more Li thought about it, the more resentful she became. She had suddenly fallen from a position of absolute advantage to rock bottom, and she was filled with rage. If Third Sister could continue to disappoint the Heir Apparent and the Princess Consort, as before, then with the help of the Grand Princess of Lin'an, she might be able to advance even further.
Therefore, although Li appeared to be "well-behaved" and reflecting on her mistakes in the small courtyard, she was secretly plotting how to meticulously and completely destroy Anran.
Without Anjiu, Ansan is no longer a threat.
For a time, all was peaceful and calm.
Anran rested quietly in the east wing. Yunlan, Yunfang, and Yunrui had all visited her in the past few days, and the Princess Consort had also visited her once.
Even though she was injured, An Ran didn't feel unlucky. On the contrary, she felt it was all worth it. In exchange, Li Shi lost her right-hand woman, San Niang became enlightened, and she could leave the Prince's Mansion soon... An Ran was in a good mood. She didn't even notice when Hua Ping secretly reduced the amount of candied fruit she took after she took her medicine.
Five or six days later, An Ran's facial injuries had completely healed. During these days, she had practically had Third Sister personally apply the ointment to her face, afraid that someone else might use it incorrectly and delay her recovery. Third Sister, who had been anxious for days, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
When Lian Anran went to the main room, she ran into Yun Shen, who joked with her, "You seem quite easygoing. But if your face doesn't look good, your sister is almost going crazy."
Her fair and delicate face returned to normal, as radiant and charming as ever. Third Sister looked at her from left to right until she could not see anything wrong.
"Finally, it's all done." Third Sister let out a long sigh of relief.
Third Sister had already inquired with the noble ladies she had befriended since childhood, and the sisters who had now married into various prominent families. The nephew of the Marquis of Qingxiang was indeed quite good. He was tall and handsome, well-educated, and of good character. Apart from being born out of wedlock, there was not a single flaw to be found.
Therefore, Third Sister was very satisfied with him.
Lady Qingxiang was very pleased when she saw An. She thought the girl was pretty, well-mannered, and not only was she favored by her elder sister, the wife of the Prince of Yi, but she had also caught the eye of Princess Yunyang. She was truly a blessed girl.
The saying goes, "Marry a daughter up high, marry a wife down." Although An Ran was only the ninth daughter of a concubine from the Nan'an Marquis's family, and had grown up in Yangzhou, one could see from her the result of the Marquis's family's careful upbringing; she was certainly no mistake. When she returned, the Lady of Qingxiang Marquis told her sister-in-law, and the Lady of Dingbei Marquis was also very satisfied.
If this wife is married, people will not say that she mistreats her capable illegitimate son, nor will she overshadow the legitimate son's wife because her family is too powerful.
As a result, both parties were willing.
Taking advantage of the banquet hosted by Lady Qingxiang, San Niang proposed to take An Ran to meet Fang Ting.
“Of course, it’s not about letting them meet in private. It’s just about letting the two of them meet up so they can see each other and be satisfied.” Third Sister didn’t want to wrong An Ran, so she said, “They have to take a liking to each other first before we can continue.”
Lady Qingxiang couldn't help but tease, "You really dote on this younger sister; you even thought of this."
Third Sister wouldn't allow her to go around it until the Lady of the Qingxiang Marquis's Mansion agreed. She even explained to Third Sister in detail which garden path to take, which one to have her three daughters accompany Anran, and which one to have her nephew take from another path so he could catch a glimpse from afar. Only then did Third Sister let her go.
The extent to which An Ran was favored left Lady Qingxiang speechless.
Lady Nan'an Marquis has always disliked illegitimate daughters, and both families are well aware of this. Unexpectedly, An Jiu Niang, who has only recently returned, has caught the eye of Third Sister. Not only has she been brought to the Prince's residence to accompany her, but she's also very concerned about her marriage, insisting that An Jiu herself be satisfied before it can proceed.
"Ninth Sister is my most beloved younger sister, you mustn't be perfunctory!" Third Sister repeatedly instructed.
Lady Qingxiang gave her repeated assurances, which put Third Sister at ease.
However, Third Sister didn't tell Anran beforehand that she was going to take her to see a potential partner, fearing that Anran's shyness would be counterproductive. Anran, poised and radiant, was the most beautiful.
Although she didn't tell Anran, San Niang thought about it and told her husband Yun Shen what she had said.
After hearing this, Yun Shen also supported Third Sister in finding a suitable husband for An Ran. He said that Ninth Sister had been wronged in the Prince's Mansion, and Third Sister should send more dowry as compensation. He also told Third Sister to inform Zhao Shi in time, because marriage is a major event, and it is best to have the elders' approval. Although she felt sorry for her sister, she could not make decisions on her own.
If there's anything she can't do, she can ask the Princess Consort for help. She can also say that the Princess Consort likes Ninth Sister very much, and would likely be willing to help with matters of marriage.
He teaches his son in public and his wife in bed.
Third Sister was very pleased and listened to Yun Shen's words, agreeing to everything he said.
To be honest, Third Sister had her own ulterior motives for telling Yun Shen this. Ninth Sister was so beautiful, and she had lived in the Prince's mansion for quite some time... Third Sister hadn't missed the look of amazement that flashed in Yun Shen's eyes every time he saw An Ran.
Seeing that Yun Shen only treated Jiu Niang as a younger sister, San Niang's last trace of unease disappeared.
Without any reservations, she wholeheartedly prepared her outfit for the day she would go out.