An Ran kept having doubts.
But since Third Sister didn't say anything, and none of the people around her were her confidants, An Ran had no chance to subtly inquire.
As evening approached, Anran led Cuiping and the others on a casual stroll around the vicinity of the estate.
As the sun sets, the evening glow shifts and changes in the sky, displaying a dazzling array of colors. In the distance, the evening breeze carries the fragrance of rice paddies, wisps of smoke rise from chimneys, and farmers carrying their tools return home from their work in the fields. Children can be seen jumping and playing by the fields.
An Ran witnessed this warm and tranquil scene bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, like a painting come to life. Little did she know that in the eyes of others, she was a dazzling presence, like a pearl in the morning dew.
Everyone in the village knew that a very beautiful young woman had arrived at the master's house, dressed in the most luxurious and elegant attire. Therefore, many young women and wives secretly hoped to catch a glimpse of this Ninth Miss.
Such a beautiful and distinguished person, anyone who glances at her will have something to brag about when they get back.
Although being watched by others was unpleasant, An Ran wasn't annoyed. On the contrary, her friendly and approachable manner made her even more likable.
However, An Ran still wanted to be alone for a while, so she took her people to the house that her third aunt had just bought for her, which was not far away, for a stroll.
As they walked along a large group, Anran seemed to see several children playing together in the distance as they crossed a pebbly path.
At first, she thought it was just children playing and didn't take it to heart. But it stirred up memories of when she was playing with An Mu and An tide by the fields; both children were very well-behaved and obedient to her...
She walked slowly, glancing in that direction every now and then.
An Ran felt increasingly uneasy as she looked around. This wasn't a group of children playing together; it was clearly a group of children bullying a thin, weak little boy.
The little boy looked smaller than the others. The other children were clearly throwing punches and kicks at him, uttering vulgarities. Although they weren't hitting him hard, the little boy kept his head down and dodged, showing no intention of fighting back.
An Ran was furious upon seeing this.
When An Mu was bullied, An tide was still young. The little tyrant An Ran personally took action and beat up the two children who bullied An Mu. Although she was given a reputation for being "fierce" from then on, she never regretted it.
"What are you doing?" An Ran stepped forward quickly and said sharply, "How dare you bully people like this?"
An Ran's cold expression was quite intimidating; her beautiful face was as cold as ice, which frightened the children for a moment. The oldest of them was only eight years old. Seeing that An Ran was dressed in rich clothes and followed by a group of servants, they knew that she was from the master's family, so they shrewdly scattered.
Cuiping was surprised that her young lady would suddenly meddle in her affairs, so she hurriedly chased after her.
An Ran took out a handkerchief and gently helped the little boy up, softly wiping away the tears that had not yet dried on his face.
"You're a man, don't cry." An Ran squatted down, patted the weeds and dirt off him, and said gently, "Why did they bully you? Can you tell me?"
The little boy stared blankly up at An Ran, momentarily forgetting that An Ran was talking to him.
The person before him was both beautiful and gentle, and had rescued him from those who had bullied him. He had never seen such a beautiful person before, and couldn't help but ask in a daze, "Are you a fairy sister from heaven?"
Before he finished speaking, An Ran was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing.
An Ran gently brushed her hand over his head, her smile melting into the soft evening breeze.
“This is the ninth young lady of our Nan’an Marquis’s mansion.” Jinping also half-squatted down and said to him, “Who are you? Where are your family? I’ll find someone to take you back.”
Jinping was Anran's head maid, and naturally, adhering to the principle of "the less trouble, the better," she didn't want Anran to get involved in these trivial matters.
An Ran, however, did not think so.
"What's your name?" An Ran smiled gently. "Don't be afraid."
The little boy finally mustered his courage. His voice was still soft, but his words were very clear. "My name is Sili."
“Sili?” An Ran repeated, then smiled and said, “What a nice name.”
Praised by his older sister, who was as beautiful as a fairy in a story, Sili felt a little shy. He said with a hint of awkwardness but also pride, "It was my mother who gave me this name."
Anran wanted to cheer him up, so she praised him a couple more times.
"Cuiping, bring me the purse containing plum blossom candy," Anran said without turning her head.
Jinping was getting impatient, but she couldn't urge her young lady. She also gestured to Cuiping with her eyes to hurry up so she could persuade her young lady to leave together.
Anran took out a white, plum blossom-shaped candy and placed it on a handkerchief. She ate one herself first to show that the candy was fine, and then invited Sili to eat with her.
At first, Sili was a little embarrassed.
"Your sister is rewarding you. You're very brave and a real man," Anran said gently. "But in the future, don't just stand there and let them bully you. Even if you can't beat them, either run away or call an adult."
Sili nodded vigorously.
Although he was in a lot of pain from being beaten, seeing this gentle and beautiful older sister made him feel less pain.
Seeing that he obediently took the candy and ate it, his tender little cheeks puffing up in a very amusing way, Anran simply stuffed all the candy into his mouth.
"Sili—Sili—" A male voice could be heard coming from afar.
Upon hearing this, Sili immediately stood up, a big smile spreading across his face. He waved vigorously and shouted, "Brother, I'm here!"
When she saw a man from another family arrive, Anran wanted to leave, but Sili was still holding her hand, and Anran couldn't bear to break free for a moment.
Seeing this, Jinping quickly sent someone to stop them, while Cuiping took out the veiled hat she always carried with her and quickly put it on Anran.
Seeing that her brother had been stopped, Sili hurried over. The maid explained the situation in a few words, and Sili's brother, after hearing it, wanted to come over and thank her.
An Ran, wearing a veil, couldn't see clearly, but Jinping and Cuiping could see her very well. The newcomer was no more than eighteen or nineteen years old, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and a resolute look in his eyes. He was tall and slender, and his coarse cloth clothes were washed clean, indicating that he was well-mannered.
"My name is Yu Zhou. Thank you for your help, young lady." His voice was slightly hoarse, but it possessed a composure beyond his years.
An Ran didn't want to cause any more trouble, so she just smiled gently and said, "It was nothing, don't worry about it."
She shouldn't interfere in other people's family affairs. Since Sili has an older brother, he would surely protect Sili. She nodded slightly, bid farewell to Yu Sili and Yu Zhou, and seeing the sun setting in the west, she led her maids and servants back to San Niang's estate.