An Ran smiled shyly and bashfully.
"What kind of pastries did you just bring? They look quite nice." Seeing An Ran's flustered expression, unsure of what to do with her hands, Yun Shen asked, "These pastries are..."
"It's passion fruit!" The girl's voice was melodious and sweet, like a nightingale's song. "My sister and I were talking about desserts from Jiangnan. She said you'd like them, so she asked me for the recipe, and we just tried making some. While they were cooling, I couldn't wait and ran to the kitchen to check on them..."
As she finished speaking, An Ran's voice grew softer and softer.
When An Ran mentioned that the snacks were specially prepared for him by San Niang, Yun Shen felt a pang of guilt.
He couldn't help but look up at San Niang, only to unexpectedly meet her gaze, which was still filled with the same deep affection as it had been years ago.
Yun Shen was deeply moved.
"I have some things to attend to, so I'll go out for a bit. You stay with your sister!" Yun Shen said. "I'll be back for dinner tonight."
Third Sister smiled and agreed.
A hint of joy flashed in An Ran's lowered eyes. Yun Shen's original plan was to stay at Li Shi's place, and he was going to bring Li Shi back to the manor in the next couple of days. But he was staying at home today, which was good news for Third Sister!
Chapter 26 Acceptance
After Yun Shen left, the smile on San Niang's face quickly disappeared.
She walked indifferently to the chaise lounge by the window and sat down, exhausted and silent. Gone was the hysteria that An Ran had shown when she arrived, but her despair and sorrow were even more palpable.
"Third sister, you did a great job!" An Ran walked up to her, took her hand, and looked into her eyes earnestly, saying, "Only by showing weakness will your brother-in-law feel more guilty and pity you!"
In her past life, Anran was a girl from a poor family, manipulated by Chen Qian and tormented by Ding Shi. Her lowly status left her helpless. But in this life, San Niang is the eldest daughter of a marquis, of noble status, yet she still faces the same predicament—her husband betrayed her sweet words and took another man as his concubine.
Although the two women were from completely different backgrounds, their experiences were quite similar! An Ran couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy for San Niang and thought about helping her.
“Now that things have come to this, don’t be too sad.” An Ran knew that this kind of pain and despair couldn’t be comforted by a few words, but she had to remind Third Sister not to make a mistake at this critical juncture. “You must think about how to settle Li Shi.”
This is not the time for sentimentality. The matter of Li Shi entering the family is urgent. What San Niang needs to think about is how to take the initiative and control Li Shi.
“Her?” Mentioning Lady Li, Third Sister’s indifference vanished instantly, her eyes practically blazing with fury. “We should have realized back then that Consort Li had no good intentions in bringing her into the manor! If she were a legitimate relative, this young woman would always find ways to get close to the young master…”
"She wants to come in?" Third Sister became increasingly agitated, her hatred fueled by both old and new grudges. "No way! Unless I'm dead!"
An Ran blinked in surprise.
Third Sister was clearly behaving very well just now, but it turns out it was only for a short while? Now that she's come to her senses, she's regretting it?
"Third Sister, you can't do this!" An Ran hurriedly said, "You can't go back on your word! With the bloodline of the Prince's Mansion, how could Li Shi be left to wander outside? Whether it's a boy or a girl, they are Brother-in-law's first children. Brother-in-law can't abandon them, and there's also the Princess Consort..."
"That vile woman Li's bastard child isn't Yun Shen's first child!" Third Sister exclaimed excitedly, "I—"
Halfway through her sentence, Third Sister suddenly stopped, as if remembering something. Then, like a tightly closed clam, she remained silent on the matter.
An Ran was a little confused, but since Third Sister didn't say anything, she didn't feel comfortable asking. Besides, in the end, Third Sister had to accept Li Shi into the family, or at least that's how it seemed.
"Third sister, what can you do if you don't want to?" An Ran said decisively, "You have to accept it. And when your brother-in-law comes back tonight, you have to bring it up with him. Bring Li back tomorrow and give her a proper title so that no one can find fault with her!"
Third Sister's eyes suddenly reddened.
"Third sister, what good will it do you to quarrel with your brother-in-law? Madam Li is waiting there tenderly and gently, and now she is about to give birth to her eldest son or daughter. Aren't you just pushing your brother-in-law away? The more you resist, the more you please Madam Li!"
An Ran understood San Niang's feelings, but at this moment she had to harden her heart in order to truly help her.
"Why do you think Li was able to stay quietly outside, even though she knew she was pregnant? She didn't come back because of her strong belly." An Ran said coldly, "Isn't it because she knew your temper! She knew you would get angry and cause trouble with your brother-in-law at this time!"
"It's good that things have gotten out of hand, that the Prince's mansion is in complete chaos!" An Ran said firmly. "It's good that you ran back to your parents' home in a fit of anger. Not only does she have absolute power in the backyard, but she's also become a laughing stock! Do you think you can stay away forever? Do you think you can divorce your brother-in-law?"
"Alright, even if you divorce, our Marquis's mansion will support you. Father, Mother, and Grandmother all love you. It doesn't matter if you don't want to live with your brother-in-law anymore." Seeing that Third Sister's emotions were fluctuating, An Ran first comforted her for a couple of minutes, then began to use strong words, speaking more harshly. "But speaking of the reasons, it's ultimately inseparable from Li Shi, isn't it?"
"Just because your brother-in-law took a concubine, you want a divorce? Won't you be branded as a jealous person?"
"After all this commotion, who has lost everything, and who is gloating? Third Sister, have you thought about all of this?"
An Ran's rapid-fire words left Third Sister completely bewildered.
"Then I'll just watch Li Shi walk in triumphantly!" Although Third Sister was still stubborn, her momentum had weakened considerably.
An Ran, whose throat was dry from talking, saw that Third Sister seemed to be softening, and quickly pressed her advantage, saying, "Let her in first, wouldn't it be better to keep an eye on her? If she behaves herself, then you can..."
Before An Ran could finish speaking, Third Sister immediately sneered, "She's well-behaved? If she's well-behaved, then where did that bastard in her belly come from?"
Anran was extremely exhausted.
“Third Sister, the first thing you need to get rid of is the word ‘bastard’!” An Ran sighed and said, “No matter how much you hate Li Shi, the child’s father is still your brother-in-law! How do you put your brother-in-law when you keep calling him a ‘bastard’?”
Even if your brother-in-law understands your sadness and anger, how can he be happy to hear you call his child that?
Third Sister remained silent.
An Ran took a deep breath and said slowly, "Third Sister, what you need to accept is not only the fact that Li Shi is coming into the family, but also Li Shi herself and that child—you can't just say you accept it verbally. If you are still unwilling or resentful, it will show in your expression and actions."
"That won't work."
Third Sister bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Similarly, you are the child’s legal mother, and the child will call you Mother!” An Ran softened her voice and said, “So, if Li is well-behaved, let her go and let her stay in the backyard; if she is not well-behaved, you have plenty of ways to deal with her after the child is born!”
Despite saying that, An Ran was still very uncertain.
Although Third Sister hated Li Shi and her words were inevitably a bit exaggerated, Li Shi was quite formidable. Not only did she manage to get into the bed of the Prince's heir, but she also became pregnant without any official status. She was very composed and only returned to the manor when she was about to give birth!
It's truly rare to have such composure.