If she could see Marquis Pingyuan again, if she could have another chance, she would definitely expose An Jiu's true colors!
Perhaps the Marquis will be moved by her honesty and start to see her in a different light...
Sixth Sister's idea was good, but it was too difficult to find the right timing, location, and people. She wasn't stupid, so she didn't place all her hopes on Lu Mingxiu.
If that doesn't work out, she'll still try to find herself a good marriage.
It seems that her stepmother's family has a very promising nephew, whom her maternal aunt mentioned when she came last time... Sixth Sister is somewhat tempted, but she doesn't know who her stepmother prefers.
In Aunt Li's courtyard.
Today, after the three girls, Sixth Sister and the other two, returned from Tingfeng Pavilion, Aunt Li had someone call Seventh Sister over.
As soon as she entered, Seventh Sister angrily threw the handkerchief in her hand onto the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, and said hatefully, "Sixth Sister An is too much! Does she think she's all that? Her poems and songs are nothing but vulgarities! She's just a concubine's daughter, she doesn't even deserve to study with us!"
Aunt Li quickly covered her mouth.
"My dear girl, what nonsense are you spouting again!" Aunt Li said angrily, looking at her good-for-nothing daughter. "Sixth Sister is your sister. What nonsense about her being a concubine? If her reputation is ruined, will you feel any pride?"
Seventh Sister was still stubbornly angry.
Aunt Li knew that her daughter was the type who responded better to gentle persuasion than force, so she suppressed her anger and softened her voice, saying, "What exactly happened today? Tell Aunt Li properly."
Only then did Seven Sister calm down a bit, and she poured out her heart about what happened at school that day.
It was only when Mr. He asked them to compose a poem together that Sixth Sister beat her to it, wrote two lines, and was even praised by Mr. He. Seventh Sister was indignant; if she had spoken first, she would surely have thought of something better.
After hearing this, Aunt Li sighed deeply in her heart.
My daughter is still too naive.
"It's just a simple couplet, how could that offend you?" Aunt Li pleaded with Seventh Sister, saying, "Everyone has good and bad days. Why not let her off this time? What about Tenth Sister? How did she handle it back then?"
Seventh Sister said nonchalantly, "Tenth Sister? Tenth Sister naturally didn't say anything. She must be annoyed that Sixth Sister stole the limelight."
Her own daughter, Baibai, was a year older than Shi Niang, yet she wasn't as composed as Shi Niang. And that Aunt Lan wasn't exactly clever either, all soft and weak-willed; who knew her daughter was nothing like her!
Aunt Li was very worried about Seventh Sister, but she was also afraid that if she said anything too profound, Seventh Sister would become unfriendly to Tenth Sister again, which would make Seventh Sister seem even more immature.
She could only gently persuade him.
"Seventh Sister, I've heard there's some great news coming up. If you continue like this, it might fall on Sixth Sister's shoulders." Aunt Li had a plan in mind, determined to make Seventh Sister feel some pressure and stop her from acting recklessly.
This was what she originally intended to tell Qi Niang.
Sure enough, Seventh Sister listened to her.
"Yesterday I heard your father say that our Marquis's Mansion is still going to form a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Dingbei's Mansion," Aunt Li said mysteriously. "Your father hasn't told anyone yet. It's Fang Ting, the most promising eldest son of the Marquis of Dingbei's Mansion!"
Although Aunt Li was not well-liked by Madam Zhao, she could still manage to get some information from An Yuanliang by sweet-talking him and using gentle words.
But Seventh Sister was not as happy as Aunt Li had imagined.
She curled her lip in disdain and said, "Wasn't Ninth Sister rejected by the Marquis of Dingbei's family? Ninth Sister was betrothed to the Marquis of Pingyuan, and she went to be the high and mighty Marquis's wife. Why should I marry a illegitimate son of the Marquis of Dingbei who was previously engaged to her? I won't marry him!"
Seventh Sister's words infuriated Aunt Li.
What do you mean she won't marry? This is such a wonderful marriage!
"Do you know that Fang Ting has already passed the imperial examination twice?" Aunt Li said with exasperation, "and he's still only a junior scholar! So many sons of concubines in noble families are ruined by their stepmothers, or they indulge in pleasure and don't strive for anything! It's rare that the Lady of Dingbei is so wise, and Fang Ting himself is also living up to expectations!"
Seventh Sister still seemed unconcerned.
If Anran were to marry someone unhappily after breaking off the engagement with the Marquis of Dingbei's family, she would naturally accept it happily. But the person Anran is to marry is the Marquis of Pingyuan, whom they all dream of marrying. Seventh Sister considers herself a hundred or a thousand times better than Anran, so she is naturally extremely unwilling.
"Seventh Sister, let me tell you, don't take this lightly!" Aunt Li played her trump card, saying, "If you're not willing, there are plenty of others who are. Sixth Sister is waiting to snatch it from you!"
Upon hearing Aunt Li mention Sixth Sister, Seventh Sister immediately felt a sense of urgency.
"Why did she practice poetry and prose so diligently?" Aunt Li made up a story on the spot: "Isn't it so that she can marry Fang Ting and the two of them can talk about anything!"
The marriage proposal to the Marquis of Dingbei was kept completely secret within the Marquis of Nan'an's household. It was only when An Yuanliang was in bed, having been coaxed into a good mood, that he blurted out his thoughts, speaking off the cuff. But Aunt Keli believed him.
Seeing that An Ran was betrothed to the Marquis of Pingyuan, she thought it was only natural that her own daughter could marry the eldest son of the Marquis of Dingbei.
Aunt Li thought about it and believed An Yuanliang's words.
Moreover, the Marquis of Dingbei's family originally intended to form a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Nan'an's family. However, the rumors circulating about An Jiu were so unbearable that the Marquis of Dingbei's family broke off the engagement.
But now that the imperial edict has cleared An Ran's name, the Marquis of Dingbei must be regretting it now!
Seventh Sister's elder sister is the heir apparent of Prince Yi's mansion, and her younger sister is the future Lady of Pingyuan Marquis... Seventh Sister's position will be even stronger after she marries into the family.
Aunt Li's plan was very well-conceived, and Seventh Sister's heart was also slightly moved.
She definitely wouldn't let Sixth Sister get her way!
Seeing that Seventh Sister seemed somewhat interested, Aunt Li quickly praised Fang Ting profusely, and finally warned Seventh Sister, "I only heard this from your father, so you must keep it a secret and not let Sixth Sister know. She is also quite cunning, otherwise, who knows how she would harm you!"
Seventh Sister nodded.
Taking this opportunity, Aunt Li quickly gave Seventh Sister a lecture, telling her to behave herself from now on, to act more harmoniously with her sisters, and to try to please the Grand Madam and the Madam, instead of always letting Sixth Sister show off.
This time, Seventh Sister finally obediently agreed.
Aunt Li finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Little did they know that their conversation was overheard by a newly arrived maid in Aunt Li's room. Her eyes flickered slightly, but she continued with her work without making a sound.