Seventh Sister was much more blunt. "What incredible luck did An Jiu have? She's got all the good things happening to her!"
She seemed to have forgotten that just a day before she had been gloating.
The first quarter of Shen Shi (3-5 PM).
Everyone from the Marquis of Nan'an's mansion was waiting in the Grand Madam's Rong'an Hall when news came from outside that the Third Aunt, Third Son-in-law, and Ninth Miss had arrived at the door.
While the Dowager Lady remained calm, Madam Zhao was already anxiously looking around.
Zhao Shi couldn't put her mind at ease until she saw Third Sister in person and heard from her that everything was alright.
Sixth Sister, Seventh Sister, and Tenth Sister were all dressed in their own beautiful dresses, having put a lot of effort into their appearance. The three of them stood quietly behind Zhao Shi, with their hands at their sides. Only Seventh Sister couldn't help but occasionally look up and peek.
An Rui and An Feng also returned from the school. They stood with An Jue, who was being held by the nanny, and prepared to greet their brother-in-law Yun Shen together with An Yuanliang.
Suddenly a noise came from the courtyard.
It's Third Sister and the others!
Zhao stood up abruptly. She had been restless for a long time and no longer cared that the Madam was still there.
"Third Aunt, Third Son-in-law, and Ninth Miss are back!" The little maid who had lifted the curtain at the door announced loudly.
After passing behind the screen, the first to appear were Third Sister and her husband, followed by Anran. What pleased Zhao the most was that Third Sister and Yun Shen seemed to be doing well, and it appeared that Li's arrival had not caused any rift between them.
The eyes of the three sisters, Sixth Sister, Seventh Sister, and Tenth Sister, fell on An Ran first.
Not only them, but everyone else, except for Zhao, who only had eyes for her daughter, was secretly surprised when they saw An Ran.
Today, dressed in her finest attire, An Ran looked strikingly beautiful, even more so than when she attended the spring banquet at the Prince's mansion. The "Drunken Immortal's Gown" top, the bright blue sixteen-panel Xiang skirt… this outfit was definitely not something An Ran could possess.
Moreover, the hairpins and pearl flowers in her hair looked somewhat unfamiliar.
The girls were particularly sensitive to these things, and they immediately noticed that An Ran was different.
Sensing several unfriendly glances, An Ran knew without a doubt who they were. Perhaps they had originally planned to see her make a fool of herself!
Third Sister and Yun Shen greeted the Grand Madam, Zhao Shi, and An Yuanliang. Sixth Sister and her sisters, as well as An Rui and his brother, all came over to pay their respects to Third Sister and Yun Shen.
“Ninth Sister is so playful, she must have caused quite a bit of trouble!” An Yuanliang greeted Yun Shen politely.
Yun Shen had a good impression of An Ran. He laughed loudly and said, "Ninth Sister is very well-behaved and sensible. Third Sister also likes her. If you have some free time, you should let her spend more time with her older sister!"
There were four of San Niang's sisters present, including An Ran. Yun Shen only mentioned An Ran, which was somewhat inappropriate. However, Yun Shen was of noble status, so even if his words offended someone, no one dared to point out his mistakes.
Liu Niang and the others had no choice but to blame An Ran.
An Yuanliang immediately agreed.
Upon hearing this, Zhao's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. It seemed that Yun Shen still loved and valued San Niang very much; even with the arrival of Li Shi, San Niang was still Yun Shen's respected first wife.
Knowing that Third Sister had returned to her parents' home and would have much to say to the Grand Madam and Zhao, he considerately suggested that they sit in the outer study. An Yuanliang then accompanied Yun Shen out with his three sons. When Yun Shen personally carried An Yu out, a hint of comfort flashed in the eyes of both Zhao and Third Sister.
Only the Grand Madam, Madam Zhao, and the three sisters remained.
After such a big incident involving Li Shi, An Ran knew that Third Sister would definitely discuss it with the Grand Madam and Zhao Shi, so she tactfully withdrew along with Sixth Sister and the other two.
******
"Oh, our Marquis's great hero is back!" Not long after leaving Rong'an Hall, Seventh Sister couldn't contain herself.
In her eyes, An Ran was nothing more than a country bumpkin, inferior to her in every way except for her pretty face. But suddenly, An Ran solved the thorny problem, and not only did their grandmother and stepmother have a better impression of her, but now it seems that their third sister and brother-in-law also like An Ran very much.
Seventh Sister couldn't stand this. Just a couple of days ago, she had a huge fight with An Ran and was thinking about how to deal with her. But now it seems that it will be difficult for her to do anything to An Ran anytime soon!
"Seventh Sister, watch your words!" An Ran found it extremely grating.
She returned from Prince Yi's residence exhausted, utterly drained, with no energy left to deal with Seventh Sister's childish witty remarks. "I was merely a guest at Prince Yi's residence, troubling Third Sister for a day; what merit did I possibly gain?"
Seventh Sister was furious, but couldn't think of anything to say to shut up.
This is not something to be proud of, so it's best to keep it low-key. It would be a real problem if it were publicized.
"Now that our Ninth Sister has climbed up the social ladder, she naturally looks down on us sisters." Seventh Sister said angrily, "You're just a concubine's daughter like me. If your brother-in-law praises you, do you really think you're Third Sister's own sister?"
"Fifth Sister is Third Sister's true biological sister!"
What nonsense is this? Why can't Seventh Sister learn from Sixth Sister and Tenth Sister and stop focusing all her attention on her?
An Ran was too lazy to argue with Qi Niang anymore.
The matter of Third Sister is only just beginning. Anran is still worried that Third Sister will not be able to handle things such as Li's childbirth and how to settle the child.
Even though Seventh Sister and the others are separated from Third Sister by the distinction of legitimate and illegitimate children, they are still of equal standing. If Third Sister recovers, the Marquis's mansion will prosper even more. But it seems their attention is entirely focused on themselves…
"Seventh Sister, don't say that. We're all sisters, there's no need to be so distant." Tenth Sister couldn't just stand by and watch, so she stepped in to advise, "Ninth Sister has just returned and must be tired. If there's anything to say, we can talk about it tonight!"
Sixth Sister also stepped in to act as a peacemaker.
Although it was Seventh Sister who initiated the embroidery last time, An Ran had already guessed that Sixth Sister's encouragement and Tenth Sister's tacit approval were also indispensable.
Now that An Ran is highly regarded in both the Prince's and Marquis's mansions, they regret that they had openly and secretly ostracized her.
At least it can't be this conspicuous anymore—
Now, the more favored An Ran has become the common enemy of the three.
If An Jiu truly wins the favor of Third Sister, who is the eldest daughter most beloved by her stepmother and the heir apparent of the Prince Yi's mansion, and whose brother-in-law Yun Shen and Marquis Pingyuan have some connection and who has also praised An Jiu…