“Dalang will be twenty-two after the New Year. It’s already too late for him to get married.” Madam Liang said with a headache, “You’re fifteen too. If you keep putting it off, when will you get married? Since you’re also interested in Dalang, why don’t you settle down sooner? Your father will be happy to know.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Hui merely nodded perfunctorily, saying she was going to check on the kitchen, and then walked away on her own.
All that remained was Liang's constant sighing.
******
After seeing Lu Mingxiu off today, An Ran got up early to do her hair and makeup. Today she was going to take Nian Ge'er to visit Princess Yunyang.
Now that Nian Ge'er's identity has been acknowledged, An Ran plans to introduce him to all her relatives and friends. She can't keep him hidden in the mansion, as if the Pingyuan Marquis's mansion doesn't value this illegitimate son.
Fortunately, Nian-ge'er has become much more cheerful than before, and he has learned the rules very quickly. He dares to greet people in a generous manner, which makes Anran very satisfied.
“Madam, Qingping has sent someone to deliver a message saying that the Marquis has asked her to leave for a month, and the time is almost up. Should she be allowed to return?” Biluo heard the news from her brother Songyang and then went to inform Anran.
Although Qingping did some inappropriate things, she was also the person who had been with Niange the longest. Although Niange had been with her these days, he would occasionally think of Qingping, but afraid of upsetting her, he would carefully keep quiet about it.
An Ran wasn't exactly unenlightened; as long as Qing Ping behaved herself, she wouldn't mind having a loyal person by Nian Ge'er's side.
Yang entrusted Nian Ge'er to Qingping before her death, and she must have had her own reasons for doing so!
"I understand." An Ran nodded and said softly, "I'll discuss it with the Marquis tonight."
Biluo nodded and silently retreated.
Before going out today, An Ran had her hair styled by a maid, and wore a set of red-gold pearl headdress bestowed upon her by the Empress. She also wore a genuine purple jacket with auspicious four-happiness patterns, paired with a crimson horse-face skirt, exuding a subtle air of nobility. The mutton-fat jade bracelet on her wrist was a gift from Princess Yunyang, which she had specially taken out today.
This was the first official visit to Princess Yunyang's residence after the wedding, so naturally, I had to dress up in a more formal manner.
After finishing his hair and makeup, Nian-ge'er was also carried over by Tao-zhi.
“We’ll be going to Princess Yunyang’s residence in a little while. Besides the princess, there will be two aunts and a little uncle there as well,” Anran said softly to Nian Ge’er. “They are all very nice people, so you don’t need to worry.”
Nian Ge'er nodded and said in his childish voice, "I'll go with Mother."
Anran patted Niange's head with satisfaction.
The carriage was already prepared. Anran had personally inspected the gifts for the children and the gifts for Princess Yunyang and her husband. Then, Anran took Niange'er into the carriage.
As usual, eight guards accompanied her when she went out.
An Ran felt that Lu Mingxiu was making a mountain out of a molehill. The Pingyuan Marquis's residence was not far from the Yunyang Princess's residence, and it was not even far from the Nan'an Marquis's residence or the Yi Prince's residence. However, every time An Ran went out, Lu Mingxiu insisted on having enough people with her.
An Ran initially thought they were just ordinary guards, but later, by chance, she discovered that they were all exceptionally skilled, and it would be a pity if they followed her.
When An Ran mentioned this matter to Lu Mingxiu, Lu Mingxiu was adamant that enough people must accompany them.
“Ninth Sister, everything else is negotiable, but this is not.” Lu Mingxiu’s tone was light, but it left no room for argument. “Many people are watching me, and they might try to harm you. If they hurt you, it will be far more effective than if they hurt me directly.”
"Listen to me, bring everyone with you."
Ten years ago, Prince Rui was the most capable prince to ascend the throne. However, he lost Yun Xu's trust due to Yun Shu's scheme. He then started fighting among himself with the seventh and ninth princes, who had not yet been granted the title of prince. In addition, Yun Xu intended to weaken his power, and Yun Shu seized the opportunity to wipe them out in one fell swoop.
However, Prince Rui had cultivated his power base for many years, and some of his influence remained undiscovered. Recently, rumors have circulated that Prince Rui's former subordinates wanted to install his posthumous son as heir. While the truth of these rumors is unknown, the assassination attempt at Princess Yunyang's residence was a real event, forcing Lu Mingxiu to be extra cautious.
He didn't want to see An Ran lying lifeless in front of him, but he was powerless to do anything about it.
Lu Mingxiu had already spoken so earnestly that An Ran could no longer argue and could only nod in agreement.
Therefore, whenever An Ran went out, she was always accompanied by a large group of eight people.
After walking for about half an hour, they arrived at the residence of Princess Yunyang.
Anran and Niange'er got off the carriage in front of the hanging flower gate. Jia Niang was already waiting in front of the gate with Yi Jie'er and Heng Ge'er.
"Sister!" Seeing Anran come down, Jia Niang hurried over and took Anran's hand affectionately. She hadn't seen Anran for a long time, and while she was happy, her voice also carried a hint of grievance. "Sister, you haven't come to see me in so long!"
Although Jia Niang returned to her biological parents and received all kinds of love, and had well-behaved and sensible younger siblings by her side, An Ran was the only person who cared for and helped her during her most difficult time, and therefore had a different meaning for her.
Although there is no blood relation, there is a kind of intimacy in it.
Yi-jie and Heng-ge also came up to greet her, pulling her close and calling her "sister," their attitude intimate.
"Jia Niang, Yi Jie'er, Heng Ge'er." An Ran greeted them one by one with a smile, and patted Jia Niang's hand to comfort her. Then she turned around and said to the people in the carriage, "Nian Ge'er, come down quickly."
The sapphire blue carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a lovely, snow-white face. There was still a hint of timidity on her face as she opened her arms, wanting to be held safely.
Anran took Niange'er down and introduced him to everyone one by one.
Yi-jie and Heng-ge ran over and grabbed Nian-ge's hands, showing no shyness at all.
Jia Niang stood aside, not immediately going over. She scrutinized Nian Ge'er from head to toe. Jia Niang had heard long ago that he was the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Pingyuan and had only recently been brought back. Jia Niang was already eight years old, not a child who knew nothing, and her first thought was of An Ran.
Will her older sister be sad and heartbroken? Will this child listen to his sister? Will he truly respect his sister as he would his mother? These are the only thoughts that Jia Niang, at such a young age, can think of.
Although she thought her brother-in-law, Marquis Pingyuan, was a good person and treated her sister well, she wondered if the arrival of this child would create a rift between her sister and brother-in-law.
An Ran noticed Jia Niang's actions and couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips.
She had already guessed some of what the little girl was thinking.
“Jia Niang, my sister is doing well, and Nian Ge’er is very well-behaved and sensible.” An Ran looked at Yi Jie’er, Heng Ge’er and Nian Ge’er talking, and then she leaned down and whispered to Jia Niang, “You don’t need to worry about my sister.”
After hearing this, Jia Niang nodded gently, but the worry in her eyes lingered.
An Ran felt a warmth in her heart. The child she had once protected was now thinking of her wholeheartedly, which was why he had acted this way!
Although Yi-jie and Heng-ge were very friendly to Nian-ge, especially Heng-ge, who was always the youngest, he was naturally very enthusiastic when he saw Nian-ge, who was even younger than him, like a pink and tender dumpling.