Nan's mother and Su's mother finally breathed a sigh of relief.
My wife is extremely strong-willed, or to put it bluntly, a bit stubborn. Although she has improved a lot now, she still occasionally reverts to her old ways.
The two hurriedly began to talk about the guests at the Third Sister's Spring Banquet that day, with the most distinguished being Princess Yunyang and others. Zhao managed to suppress the anger in her heart.
An Ran, who was riding in the same carriage as Shi Niang, was naturally unaware of what was happening in her stepmother's carriage.
She was chatting and laughing softly with Shi Niang. Without Qi Niang around, the atmosphere between the sisters was very harmonious and pleasant.
The Prince Yi's residence is not far from the Marquis of Nan'an's residence.
Less than an hour later, the carriage, which had been traveling smoothly, came to a stop.
A maid's voice came from outside: "Girls, we've arrived."
Anran and Shi Niang were helped down from the carriage, and Zhao Shi and the sixth and seventh sisters in front of them had also gotten off.
Three light carriages used for transportation in the inner courtyard stopped in front of the hanging flower gate. Strong and sturdy maids followed on both sides of the carriages, with a pretty maid leading the way.
"This servant greets Madam and the young ladies." She smiled and curtsied. "The Crown Princess said she would come to pick you up in person, but she happened to be there to greet the Duchess of Cheng, so she missed you."
A smile immediately appeared on Zhao's face.
“We’re family, so there’s no need to bother with these formalities,” Zhao said cheerfully.
The head maid helped Zhao Shi into the first carriage, while An Ran, Shi Niang, Liu Niang, and Qi Niang each boarded the carriages behind.
"This is Yinping, the head maid of Third Sister," Shi Niang whispered to An Ran.
Anran nodded.
She discreetly observed the interior of the carriage. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary black lacquered carriage, but the interior was indeed extremely comfortable and luxurious. From the cushions and pillows to the hanging ornaments, everything was exquisite. It seemed that the Prince Yi's mansion was indeed wealthy, and Third Sister had indeed married very well.
The people following outside were very close, and since it was a quiet inner courtyard, the people inside the carriage could easily be heard from outside. The two sisters exchanged a few words in hushed tones and then fell silent.
After traveling for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the mother and her five daughters changed into sedan chairs again. After traveling for about half an incense stick's time, someone asked them to get out of the sedan chairs.
They first went to Third Sister's courtyard.
Before they could even step onto the steps in front of the courtyard gate, Third Sister, dressed in her finest attire, came out to greet them.
"Mother, you've arrived!" Third Sister smiled broadly and bowed to Zhao Shi, saying, "Fifth Sister will be here soon too."
Seeing her daughter's radiant appearance, Zhao was naturally in a great mood.
"Third Sister." An Ran and her three sisters also came over to greet their third sister.
Third Sister was in a good mood today, and she found her four half-sisters much more agreeable. She smiled and agreed.
"Why didn't you bring Yu-ge'er with you?" Third Sister asked Zhao Shi. She knew that this brother was someone her mother had worked very hard to obtain, so she couldn't help but feel a little more affection for him.
Madam Zhao smiled and shook her head, saying, "There are many people at the manor today, and he is still too young to come."
Third Sister nodded.
Zhao Shi has always cherished An Jue like a precious jewel. An Jue is also physically weak, so even though there are many distinguished people around today, Zhao Shi is unwilling to let him show his face.
After passing the white marble screen wall at the entrance, the group walked through the central hall and two more doors to reach the room where Third Sister usually lived. The courtyard had three sections, with covered corridors connecting the side rooms on both sides. The main house was a row of seven rooms, and there were five rooms on each of the east and west wing rooms.
There is a large koi pond in the courtyard, which looks like it was filled with fresh water from elsewhere.
The courtyard is quite spacious, with various seasonal flowers and trees planted in a staggered manner, creating a vibrant scene.
The Prince's Mansion is indeed magnificent.
There were many maids and servants serving in the courtyard, but they were all very well-behaved and trained, walking silently and moving nimbly.
Third Sister led them to their usual resting place.
The entire set of rosewood furniture, from the rosewood floor-to-ceiling screen to the tall tables and then to the rosewood chairs, is made entirely of rosewood, instantly exuding a sense of nobility.
On the table by the window on the kang (heated brick bed) was a jade screen with carved mandarin ducks and landscapes on a sandalwood base. On the floor was a sandalwood screen with carved begonias and embroidery. The partition was also made of sandalwood inlaid with ivory flowers and reflected in glass. There was also a sandalwood cloisonné enamel incense burner with animal ears... An Ran's gaze swept over the arrangement of the room and she couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
The various ornaments displayed on the display cabinet were naturally a level more valuable than those in the Marquis's mansion, including a Buddha's hand ornament made of mutton fat jade and a vase made of blue and white porcelain. The most outstanding piece was an ornament carved from jadeite, which was of the highest quality in terms of clarity and color, and was so fresh and vibrant.
An Ran thought of the jade bracelet that her third aunt had given her.
It seems that Third Sister is living very well in the Prince's Mansion, so why did she return to the Marquis's Mansion in a fit of rage on the day I came back?
As Sixth Sister and the others chatted and made conversation with Zhao Shi and Third Sister, An Ran noticed a hint of envy flash in Tenth Sister's eyes, even though she was as composed as she was. An Ran had heard that their brother-in-law, the heir apparent, didn't even have a concubine of any status; that was truly enviable!
With a distinguished family background and a loving husband... it seemed that nothing could be more satisfying for San Niang in her life.
"The banquet is set up in the west garden. We'll go together when Fifth Sister arrives. I also invited Fourth Sister, but she said her mother-in-law isn't feeling well, so she won't be coming." Third Sister personally served tea to Zhao.
Third Sister didn't care much about her half-sister Fourth Sister; she mentioned it casually without delving into it further.
Seeing her daughter so happy, Zhao hesitated to speak.
She's in such a good mood right now, why upset her? We should wait until after the spring banquet to talk about it...
Just as Zhao was hesitating whether to send the Sixth Sister away so she could have a word with the Third Sister, she heard a maid announce that the Fifth Aunt had arrived.
It was An Wu Niang, whom I had never met before!
An Ran was also somewhat curious about Zhao's other legitimate daughter.
Sixth Sister and the others all stood up. After a moment, the beaded curtain rustled, and a bright and beautiful face appeared in their eyes.