Therefore, she needed to occasionally give Li a little provocation. She would stir up Li's sensitive nerves, and when Li became defensive, she would casually retreat.
She wanted to see how long Li could keep this up.
When Third Sister returned from the Princess's place, she stopped by the Embroidery Brocade Courtyard and took Anran back with her.
The courtyard was quiet. When Third Sister entered, she did not ask the maids to announce her arrival.
"Lan Niang, I should thank you more." When she entered, An Ran was sitting quietly at her desk practicing calligraphy, with Yun Lan occasionally offering pointers.
Third Sister said with relief, "Ninth Sister has finally settled down and is practicing calligraphy properly."
Yunlan noticed that Third Sister had come in. She quickly stood up and waved her hand, saying, "I dare not accept Second Sister's thanks. Ninth Sister is naturally intelligent and has a good foundation. Even without me, she would have made progress."
Upon hearing this, An Ran didn't get up, but simply looked up and said, "Third Sister, how can I improve my calligraphy if you always discourage me like this!"
Third Sister smiled and shook her head. She walked closer to An Ran from behind and looked at her quite seriously. "You've made some progress, but you're still far behind Lan Niang. Don't get cocky again!"
Anran puffed out her cheeks.
Yunlan, watching from the side, felt a deep sense of envy. The two sisters had such a good relationship; her second sister-in-law genuinely loved her younger sister, and although she scolded her, their affection was evident.
Seeing that Anran hadn't finished writing on that page, Third Sister wasn't in a hurry to leave. She and Yunlan sat on the large kang (heated brick bed) by the window in the side room. Soon, Huaping came in and brought over a box.
Third Sister took it and handed it to Yunlan, saying with a smile, "Take it and use it for writing."
Yunlan opened the box and saw a Duan inkstone and four sticks of Huizhou ink inside. When she saw what was in the box, she quickly declined, saying, "Second Sister-in-law, I—"
“Your handwriting is excellent; you deserve these.” Third Sister smiled and pressed her hand, gesturing for her to accept them. “These past few days, Ninth Sister has also been bothering you quite a bit. Just consider it as her tuition fee for becoming her apprentice.”
Yunlan could no longer refuse, so she thanked him and asked Douxue to put it away for her.
Third Sister was always known for her generosity, as Yunlan knew; she treated her sisters-in-law well. But Yunlan envied Anran even more, for she was deeply favored by Third Sister. She had only given Anjiu some pointers a few times, and Third Sister had already sent her a thank-you gift.
No matter how you look at it, An Jiu is the younger sister who is deeply loved by Third Sister. Where is there any sign that An Jiu is going to become Yun Shen's concubine?
Yunlan couldn't help but doubt Consort Li's words.
Anran, who was writing in the next room, overheard their entire conversation. Seeing that San Niang was making arrangements for her, a warm feeling welled up in her heart. Ever since the two had opened up to each other, San Niang had acted like a kind older sister.
An Ran guessed that since Consort Li had brought Yun Lan into the group, she would inevitably reveal to Yun Lan that she was there to become a concubine. But the more Third Sister showed her importance, the more suspicious Yun Lan would become.
There's no need for them to create any false impressions; Consort Li, Lady Li, and Yunlan will all have their own suspicions. Their relationship is inherently unstable, and collapse is only a matter of time.
Third Sister waited patiently for Anran to finish writing, then had Yunlan give her some pointers before leading Anran away.
Yunlan saw the two off at the courtyard gate, her eyes flashing with envy that she herself was unaware of.
"Third Sister, did you give Yunlan a gift?" An Ran suddenly asked as they were almost back in their courtyard.
Third Sister nodded and smiled, "Jealous? Don't worry, I've saved all the good stuff for you. I'll have Huaping give it to you when we get back."
An Ran shook her head hesitantly. "Look at what you're saying, sister. Do you think I'm such a petty person?"
"Our Ninth Sister is the most magnanimous," Third Sister nodded with a smile. "It seems I underestimated you. How about I prepare some writing materials for you to apologize?"
After the misunderstanding between the two was resolved, Third Sister seemed to have rediscovered the joy of being the older sister. Gifts for An Ran poured into the east wing, making An Ran feel rather embarrassed, as if Third Sister was taking advantage of her.
Yun Shen was away on official business and couldn't return home today, so Third Sister kept An Ran in the main room for lunch.
"Third Sister, Li has finished copying all the books; it seems she's about to be released from confinement." An Ran knew her third sister-in-law disliked it, but she had to bring up Li. "And what about Dong-ge'er? What are you going to do?"
Sure enough, the smile on Third Sister's face immediately vanished.
Li Shi and Dong Ge'er were people she couldn't avoid. Even though her relationship with Yun Shen had returned to normal, these days, because Li Shi was confined to her room to copy books, San Niang deliberately made herself ignore her existence.
Seeing the change in San Niang's expression, An Ran sighed inwardly.
Although Third Sister is currently in a favorable position, Li Shi is too ambitious and insists on competing with her. In this struggle in the backyard, it's always a matter of one side prevailing over the other.
An Ran had previously thought of advising San Niang to find a way to control Li Shi. However, after Li Shi's actions these past two times, An Ran had a feeling that she wanted to take Li Shi's place.
Just because Li had tried to maliciously ruin her reputation, An Ran couldn't let her go.
She could guess what Yunlan was planning to do by leading her to a secluded corner. The most thorough way to ruin a woman was to defile her. That was exactly what Madam Li intended!
Third Sister's hatred, coupled with her own grudges, would certainly not allow her to let this go so easily.
"Third Sister, I have something to say to you from the bottom of my heart today." An Ran looked at her third sister-in-law earnestly and said slowly, "If Madam Li were gone, would you be able to accept Dong-ge'er?"
Upon hearing this, Third Sister's eyes were filled with astonishment.
Is Li not present?
Previously, as the heir apparent's primary wife, she could naturally sell off the concubines. But now that Lady Li has given birth to the eldest son born to a concubine and has gained the status of a noble concubine, it will probably be much more difficult to get rid of her!
"Although I hate her, I also know that it is too difficult to get her to leave the Prince's Mansion." Third Sister did not act impulsively again, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips. "I always run away from reality, but I know it in my heart."
An Ran shook her head. "What if there really is a way?" she asked Third Sister persistently.
Li Shi is definitely going to leave the Prince's Mansion. Given her viciousness and cunning, she will rise again if she isn't completely defeated. All I did was offer a suggestion to Third Sister to have her confined, and she retaliated so fiercely. Therefore, it seems that even if I keep her under control and make her suffer, Li Shi will certainly not be obedient.
We absolutely cannot let her stay in the Marquis's mansion.
She still hoped to leave the Prince's mansion one day, but as long as the threat of Lady Li wasn't eliminated, there would always be a problem for Third Sister in the mansion. Even if other concubines came later, if Third Sister could establish herself completely through the Lady Li affair, she wouldn't be afraid of these newcomers.
It is important that Third Sister can calmly accept Dong Ge'er.
"If it were true, I would be willing to raise Dongge'er." After a long while, Third Sister seemed to have made up her mind. She gritted her teeth and said, "After all, he is the Marquis's eldest son by a concubine. If Li Shi is gone, I can't just ignore him..."