"Although your marriage is by imperial decree, you don't necessarily have to marry after your two half-sisters. But I heard from Mother that our father is already planning to marry off Sixth Sister and Seventh Sister." Third Sister thought of the letter Zhao sent her and said to Anran, "It seems that Father has already chosen someone. After asking Grandmother's opinion, he will start to arrange the wedding."
An Ran's eyes widened in surprise.
Is this to get Sixth Sister and Seventh Sister married off before she gets married?
“You are Yu Ping’er, there’s no need for you to fight them personally and hurt yourself for them.” Third Sister is quite calculating now. She said calmly, “Let them fight it out themselves. Even if they make a big splash, it will not get on you.”
An Ran nodded, also very pleased with the changes in San Niang.
Third Sister is no longer that somewhat stubborn and irrational pampered girl; she is becoming more and more like a qualified principal wife and matriarch.
“I’ll go tell Grandmother that you can stay at the estate for a while.” After thinking for a moment, Third Sister instructed Anran, “Don’t tell anyone when you get back. If you bring it up, it will make you seem arrogant.”
A warm feeling welled up in An Ran's heart.
Although she had helped Third Sister a lot in the past, Third Sister has now returned all the favors and treats her like a close sister, which is truly commendable.
"I understand," An Ran nodded in agreement.
As the two sisters were talking, they heard the sound of a child crying in the distance. Soon after, Huaping came over carrying Dongge'er.
"Princess Consort, Dongge'er has been crying and looking for you." Huaping glanced apologetically at Anran and said to Sanniang, "I had no choice but to bring him here."
Hua Ping's words were already surprising enough, but what San Niang did next almost made her jaw drop.
With practiced ease, Third Sister took Dongge'er into her arms and gently patted him. Dongge'er nestled obediently in Third Sister's embrace and slowly stopped sobbing.
An Ran was stunned.
She dared not make a sound, afraid of waking Dongge'er. Only after Third Sister personally carried Dongge'er into the cradle and put him down did Anran tiptoe back with Third Sister.
"Third Sister, when did Dong-ge become so attached to you!" An Ran would never have dared to imagine this more than two months ago, but now her Third Sister is actually very good to Dong-ge!
A faint smile appeared on San Niang's lips, while a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.
Seeing that San Niang didn't speak, and thinking that An Ran wasn't an outsider, Hua Ping explained from the side, "A few days ago, Dong Ge'er fell ill with a high fever that wouldn't go down, which worried the Crown Princess terribly. The Crown Princess stayed by his side for several days without taking off her clothes and took care of him personally, and only then did the boy recover."
"It's strange, ever since the boy recovered, he keeps looking for the Princess Consort. He cries when he wakes up and can't see her. No one else can comfort him; he has to have the Princess Consort."
An Ran listened and seemed to understand something.
Third Sister certainly hated Li Shi, and naturally disliked Dong Ge'er as well. But Third Sister was far too heartless to take a child's life so easily, watching him die of illness. And the fair-skinned little dumpling, crying and stretching out his little arms for her to hold and comfort him, smiling in her arms or sleeping peacefully, how could Third Sister not feel soft-hearted?
There's no chance Li will ever come back. Even if Dongge'er finds out when he grows up, what difference will it make? One is his stepmother who raised him and loved him, and the other is his concubine who gave birth to him and whom he has never seen again. As long as Dongge'er doesn't go astray, he should be able to distinguish right from wrong.
“It’s because Dong-ge’er and sister get along well.” An Ran pretended to be deep in thought and said, “Since sister has taken the time to raise him, he can become an asset to my nephew in the future.”
Third Sister smiled and said, "You little girl, you know how to talk."
An Ran didn't stay for lunch at Prince Yi's residence. She was going out in the next couple of days, so she had to hurry back to pack her things.
Seeing that Third Sister yawned with some sleepiness, An Ran couldn't help but say with concern, "Sister should also pay more attention to rest, don't ruin your health."
It must be difficult to take care of a child; Third Aunt must not be sleeping well.
“Ninth Miss, you must persuade the Princess Consort. We’ve tried to talk to her, but she won’t listen.” Yinping said worriedly from the side, “These days, the Princess Consort hasn’t been eating or sleeping well. She’s been forcing herself to stay awake during the day and won’t sleep for long.”
"Third Sister, you must take good care of your health. I'm looking forward to holding my little nephew next year." Anran coquettishly advised her third sister-in-law, "Dong-ge has so many wet nurses and maids. You don't have to stay up all night with them."
Anran could still distinguish between close and distant relatives. She did feel sorry for Dongge'er, but her sister was still her top priority.
Third Sister waved her hand dismissively and said, "I know. I'll be returning to the Marquis's residence tomorrow. Go back and pack your things, but don't let a word of it get out. Tenth Sister across from you is very clever, so don't let her know either."
An Ran nodded and didn't let San Niang see her off. She only had Hua Ping escort her to the front of the hanging flower gate. She gave Hua Ping a few more instructions before getting into the carriage and returning to the Marquis's residence.
I can go out with Anxi and Anze as early as the day after tomorrow!
An Ran couldn't help but smile. It had been over two months since they last met. Things had been piling up these past few days, and An Ran didn't want her two children to worry about her. She figured that if Third Sister asked, the Grand Madam wouldn't refuse.
Moreover, it would be better to go to a country estate, so that Liu Niang and the others wouldn't always try to come and spy on her. They were very curious about the box that Lu Mingxiu had given her, and they kept asking her questions, and the more vague An Ran was about it, the more curious they became.
Seventh Sister was alright, since Anran had never gotten along with her and was used to her occasional harsh words; Sixth Sister, on the other hand, would often remain silent, lost in thought. What frightened Anran the most was that once she saw a glint of madness flash in Sixth Sister's eyes.
Sixth Sister is a smart person, and it is such a person who is most terrifying when she loses her rationality.
Therefore, An Ran always avoided her and would not have any contact with her alone.
Fortunately, she was about to go to the estate, so she could take the things Lu Mingxiu had given her with her. It would be more convenient to look after them from outside. Sending a letter would also be much easier than in the Marquis's mansion.
She hadn't yet returned the letter Lu Mingxiu had sent last time.
Calculating the time, Lu Mingxiu should have already left the capital. She took out the black jade token and key that she kept close to her body and stared at them intently for a long time.
Let's take this opportunity to go out!
Chapter 88
The next day, Third Sister arrived as promised.
Third Sister went to Rong'an Hall to see the Grand Madam. In the end, it was she who pleaded with the Grand Madam to agree that Anran would go to the estate in the outskirts of the capital tomorrow. She would also take the two younger children with her and wait for Anran at the Marquis's residence early tomorrow morning so they could set off together.
When Zhao learned that Third Sister had even arranged an estate for Anran, her surprise was evident on her face.
The old lady readily agreed.
After Third Sister and Zhao returned to the courtyard, leaving only the mother and daughter, Zhao hurriedly asked, "Did you acquire a farm and land for Ninth Sister?"
Previously, Third Sister didn't like her half-sister much, but she was actually too nice to Ninth Sister.