******
The next day.
An Ran dressed up early in the morning, had a quick breakfast, and then went to say goodbye to the Grand Madam and Madam Zhao.
Her trunks were already packed, and with the additions from Mother He, there were six in total. Qingmei and Qingxing also packed two trunks; from now on, they would be following Anran.
Jinping and Cuiping looked at the slightly immature Qingmei and Qingxing with mixed feelings.
Hopefully, one day, as the young lady says, she will be able to return to the Marquis's mansion smoothly! (Just Love Network)
Chapter 40 Save the Beauty
Rong'an Hall.
Zhao arrived early in the morning, and in a daze served the Grand Madam breakfast, then waited for Anran to come and say goodbye.
Zhao's feelings were complicated.
On one hand, she needed An Ran to help Third Sister consolidate her position and deal with Li Shi. If An Ran, as a concubine, went to fight Li Shi, Third Sister could stay out of it and just watch. At the right time, she could help An Ran so that Li Shi would never recover.
On the other hand, she didn't want anyone to share her daughter's and husband's affections. The more obedient and beautiful An Ran was, the more worried Zhao Shi became. What if Yun Shen became infatuated with her and abandoned his original wife? Wouldn't that go against their original intentions?
When Zhao married, her family was at the height of their power, and she firmly controlled the inner quarters, forbidding concubines and illegitimate children from being born. What she couldn't do in her twenties, she now expects her daughter to do—it's truly too difficult!
If Yun Shen were still just the second son of the Prince's mansion, it wouldn't have been wrong for Third Sister to spoil him for a couple more years. But now that Yun Shen has become the heir apparent, Third Sister can no longer be willful.
If Lady Li has given birth to the eldest son born out of wedlock, and now she is to raise him as a concubine, then Third Sister's position will be in jeopardy. It's not that I'm afraid Lady Li will replace Third Sister, but I'm afraid that under Lady Li's instigation, Third Sister and her husband's feelings will gradually fade, and if Third Sister makes a mistake or goes down the wrong path, there will be no turning back.
Therefore, after much deliberation, Lady Zhao decided to send Anran to the Prince's residence.
When Zhao served the ginseng tea to the Dowager, she heard a maid come in to announce her arrival.
"Madam, Madam, Ninth Miss is here."
Before she finished speaking, a graceful figure emerged from behind the eight-panel sandalwood screen carved with landscapes and figures, and a figure dressed in light blue walked in.
"Greetings to Grandmother and Mother." Her soft, sweet voice carried a hint of youthful clarity and melodiousness, making it very pleasant to listen to.
Madam Zhao frowned slightly and made no attempt to hide her scrutiny of An Ran from head to toe.
An Ran wore a sky-blue jacket over a pear-white silk skirt, with a lapis lazuli-green double-ringed sash tied around her waist. Half of her thick black hair was styled into two buns, while the other half was neatly combed and hung down her back. Adorning her temples were two chains of pearls and two small tourmaline beaded flowers.
An Ran looked radiant and charming, like a lotus emerging from the water, pure and beautiful. Her fair and delicate face was free of makeup, which only accentuated her natural beauty.
Overall, Anran is beautiful in a refined and elegant way, and lively and spirited.
But……
“You should comb your hair up, and your clothes are too plain,” Zhao couldn’t help but say. “You should be wearing a light purple jacket and a pink skirt!”
An Ran's ethereal elegance is beautiful, but she looks way too young! She's not even fourteen yet... This outfit makes her look a year or two younger, even though she's not short!
Zhao suddenly remembered Li, whom she had met at the Prince's residence. Li's features were not exceptionally beautiful, but her eyes and brows gave off a gentle and tender feeling, almost like they could melt your heart. Coupled with her soft-spoken manner, she had a rather pitiful charm.
How could a childlike An Ran compete with the gentle and demure Lady Li? She should at least dress more gently and charmingly, and make more mature appearances to attract the Crown Prince.
Before An Ran could speak, the Grand Madam gave Zhao a disapproving look.
She understood Zhao's feelings as a mother, but Zhao was too impatient! Did she expect Jiu Niang to dress up in bright red and green, looking alluring, and go to the Prince's mansion, practically announcing to everyone that she wanted to become a concubine? Jiu Niang was, after all, a proper young lady from the Marquis's mansion, and naturally she should be more reserved.
Moreover... Madam glanced at the serene Anran, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.
Although it's practically a done deal that Anran will become a concubine, and Zhao Shi had a private talk with Third Sister a few days ago, Third Sister agreed despite her displeasure, if Anran acts too eager, it might arouse Third Sister's suspicion and displease her! If there's already conflict between the sisters so soon after she arrives, wouldn't that be playing right into Li Shi's hands?
This refreshing outfit is just right.
“I think Ninth Sister’s outfit is very nice,” the Grand Madam said meaningfully. “Third Sister has more good things than we do in our household. In the future, her sister will naturally guide her.”
Zhao then fell silent.
"Ninth Sister, you are a sensible and clever child. Your grandmother is very relieved about you." The Grand Madam said to Anran earnestly, "With you by your side, Third Sister's worries will soon disappear."
An Ran smiled and said, "Grandmother, you flatter me. I don't deserve it."
Zhao's gaze, however, was far more complex.
The person in front of him was someone he needed to help his daughter maintain her favor, but he also didn't want her to be too favored.
She's not even fourteen yet and she's already this beautiful. What will she be like when she grows up? Third Sister is six years older than her, and An Ran is getting more and more beautiful... Zhao felt uneasy and worried, always feeling that there would be endless troubles in the future.
While she was still lost in her own thoughts, the Grand Madam gave Anran a few more instructions and then told her to set off early.
Zhao hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.
She had a thousand words she wanted to say, but when the words reached her lips, she realized that nothing she said would be appropriate.
Finally, she watched An Ran's graceful figure leave, her heart still filled with worry. She never imagined that one day she would place her hopes on the illegitimate daughter she hated most.
Hopefully, Ninth Sister can help Third Sister overcome her current predicament!
******
The Dowager arranged for two maids and six guards to escort Anran to the Prince's residence.
There was another carriage behind them carrying Anran's several trunks. Qingxing and Qingmei accompanied Anran in the first carriage, while the two mothers were in the carriage behind, with the trunks.
Upon learning that they would be going to the Prince's Mansion with An Ran, Qingmei and Qingxing were not disappointed at all. On the contrary, they were very happy to be able to go with An Ran. They had been sold by their families since they were young and had experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships. They knew that the young lady treated them very well, so no matter what lay ahead, they were willing to stay by her side.