Even though she is a daughter of a marquis, it was her grandmother's family who raised her. Now that she has returned to the marquis's mansion, should she simply enjoy her wealth and neglect her younger siblings?
Perhaps in the eyes of everyone in the Marquis's mansion, An tide and An Mu were just servants' children, but to her, they were the family members she cherished most in both her lives.
She must protect them well.
“Although they raised me thanks to my grandmother’s kindness, I can never forget that kindness.” An Ran showed no emotion; her tone was gentle and soothing, and even her insistence on her own opinion was pleasant to hear. “If Xi’er and Mu’er become successful, then it will be a way of repaying them in some way.”
Since the person who came to pick her up gave that explanation, she could only pretend to believe it. After all, her experience of living two lives sounded too unbelievable, and she hadn't revealed a single thing about it to An tide and An Mu.
All the questions could only be answered by her slowly.
The old lady's expression finally changed, and she revealed a faint smile.
"Good child, it's kind of you to have such a thoughtful heart." The old lady showed no displeasure. She said gently to An Ran, "Qiu Sui has taught you very well. She would be very happy to know that you are so sensible in the afterlife."
An Ran was overjoyed. Judging from the Grand Madam's words, there was a chance that An tide and An Mu would move out.
Just as An Ran was both surprised and delighted, the Grand Madam said softly, "Let An tide and An Mu go with Granny Wu to her house."
Her words were like a thunderclap in An Ran's ears.
The old lady patiently explained, "Her son and daughter-in-law also have a business outside, and their home also has three courtyards. Wu Mama's grandchildren are about the same age as An Mu and An Xi, so they can keep each other company when they go."
An Ran felt a chill run down her spine: The Grand Madam clearly intended to put An tide and An Mu under her control!
The house was quiet, the window frames were propped up, and the fragrance of flowers and plants from the courtyard drifted in from afar. The gentle spring breeze was warm and exuded a lazy atmosphere.
The old lady still looked at her with a smile, kind and gentle.
An Ran felt a chill rise from the bottom of her heart, spreading through her limbs and bones, making her feel cold all over.
In all seriousness, the Grand Madam's actions were beyond reproach. If An Ran wanted to keep An tide and her brother, the Grand Madam would have given them respectable jobs; if An Ran wanted the two siblings to leave, the Grand Madam would have found them the most suitable place to go.
But the old lady's calm and composed attitude of having everything under control reminded An Ran of someone.
In her previous life, her mother-in-law was Chen Qian's mother, Ding.
Madam Ding knew her son's temperament very well; he was extremely stubborn, and forcing the two to separate would only backfire. Therefore, when Chen Qian proposed to marry An Ran, who came from a poor family, Madam Ding did not object. Instead, she helped Chen Qian persuade his father. Once An Ran entered the family, Madam Ding began to use all her methods, tormenting An Ran until she had no way to express her suffering.
An Ran isn't exactly a formidable person.
Therefore, I am genuinely afraid of such people.
Of course, the Dowager Lady was much more formidable than Lady Ding. She appeared respectable and approachable, with a smile as serene and tranquil as a Bodhisattva, yet An Ran instinctively felt afraid.
She could vaguely guess that the Marquis's family had ulterior motives in bringing her back. However, having experienced her previous life, An Ran truly couldn't fathom the Marquis's family's intentions.
"Granddaughter thanks Grandmother in advance!" An Ran stood up and respectfully curtsied to the Grand Madam. As if a weight had been lifted from her heart, she let out a long sigh and said, "Thanks to your help in planning, otherwise I really wouldn't know what to do."
The choice is only between fire and light.
With the old lady still watching her, An Ran had no choice but to make a decision immediately.
We complied with the Grand Madam's suggestion.
It was she who suggested sending Anxi and Anmu out in the first place, so it wouldn't be good to go back on her word. Besides, could the security at Wu Mama's son's house compare to that of the Marquis's mansion? Living outside would always be more convenient. The two children were kind and simple-minded, and were not suited to living in this secluded mansion.
"Once everything is settled, we'll have them come in to kowtow and express their gratitude to you." Although An Ran was smiling, a trace of sadness still lingered in her eyes.
The Grand Madam noticed this subtle emotion and invited Anran to sit down, saying affectionately, "What's wrong? Are you reluctant to part with them? Mu-ge'er is not available, but if you are reluctant, Xi-jie'er can keep you company."
An Ran's eyes flashed with joy at first, but then she quickly shook her head. She seemed to have made a difficult decision: "Mu Ge'er is so young and doesn't have anyone close to him. It's better to let Xi Jie'er stay by his side."
"Good child, it's admirable that you're so sensible." The Grand Madam looked at An Ran with more satisfaction. "When they have time in the future, just have them come to visit you at the manor often."
This must be the biggest compromise the Dowager Lady made!
An Ran happily agreed, and afterwards, when she spoke to the Grand Madam, she became more affectionate.
Having dealt with the immediate matter, Anran noticed the old lady's weary expression and tactfully took her leave, returning to her own courtyard with her maid.
Chapter 8 Sisters
As soon as Shi Niang stepped out of Tingfeng Pavilion, she saw the maids in Aunt Lan's courtyard peeking and looking in her direction.
Seeing that Sixth Sister and Seventh Sister were not paying attention, Tenth Sister asked her maid Fangzhi to stop her, while she and Dongyue followed behind her two older sisters at a leisurely pace.
The three sisters chatted all the way, and when they parted ways at the western path, Shi Niang did not return to Ningxue Courtyard, where she and An Ran lived, but instead turned and went to Aunt Lan's Baoyue Pavilion.
Fangzhi arrived before Shi Niang.
"Why did you send someone to Tingfeng Pavilion, Aunt?" Shi Niang still had a smiling face, but there was still a hint of displeasure in her eyes. "There are too many people there, and it just so happens that it was when we came out. There's no guarantee that Sixth Sister's or Seventh Sister's people won't see us."
"If you've figured out the reason in the future, just have your maid call me openly." Shi Niang frowned slightly and said, "Auntie is a person of status. How can you act so sneakily?"
Ten-Niang's words made Aunt Lan feel embarrassed.
Although she was Shi Niang's biological mother, Shi Niang was always well-behaved and sensible, never causing her any trouble, and even helping her make decisions. Therefore, Aunt Lan was somewhat afraid of her own daughter.
"It's nothing..." She was a straightforward person, and although she was beautiful, she was honest and law-abiding, which is why Zhao Shi could tolerate her. "I heard that Ninth Sister has returned, and she is extremely beautiful."
Shi Niang took a deep look at her birth mother.
Today, Aunt Lan wore a moon-white satin jacket with primrose patterns and royal blue trim, over which she wore a white floral-patterned skirt. Her hair was simply styled into a low bun, adorned with three red gold hairpins inlaid with rubies. Although she was already in her early thirties, she looked no more than twenty, yet she always appeared anxious, which added to her fragility.
She suddenly felt a bit irritated.
But Shi Niang remained patient and softened her voice, saying, "What is there for Aunt to worry about? In terms of looks, Sixth Sister is far superior to both Seventh Sister and me. You know I'm not afraid of these things—"