Although Yun Shen's expression was not good, Li Shi was not afraid. She seemed completely unaware and smiled as she handed the embroidery frame in front of Yun Shen, saying, "I want to make a bellyband for Dong Ge'er."
Originally, Madam Li said this to make Yun Shen feel more sorry for her. She wanted Yun Shen to see that in the backyard, Third Sister did not take care of her, and she had to do it herself even before she was out of confinement and wanted to buy a bright new dress for the boy.
Since Yun Shen is already angry with Third Sister, she might as well add fuel to the fire.
This time, however, Li guessed wrong.
"Where is the wet nurse? Take Dongge'er away." Yun Shen's face darkened, and he called the wet nurse in loudly.
Seeing Yun Shen's unresponsive expression, Madam Li suddenly felt a pang of anxiety. She couldn't help but say, "Master, the boy has just fallen into a deep sleep; it might not be good to move him now..."
Yun Shen would always compromise if Dong Ge'er was brought up in the conversation, but not this time. He insisted that the wet nurse come in and take Dong Ge'er away.
Originally full of confidence, Li finally began to panic.
"Even Third Sister doesn't fully understand why Ninth Sister was injured outside, yet you guessed it as if you saw it with your own eyes. Isn't that a bit too accurate?" Yun Shen's eyes seemed to hold ice, sending chills down one's spine upon seeing them.
Madam Li forced a smile and said, "I was just worried when I heard you say that. I met Ninth Miss at Madam's place before, and we got along quite well. I was just concerned about Ninth Miss, so I asked her."
"As you know, I've never left this little courtyard. I've heard some news and can't help but worry. If I've asked anything wrong, please punish me as you see fit, Your Highness!"
Yun Shen stared straight at Li Shi without saying a word.
Li felt uneasy under his gaze, but she had no choice but to force a smile to appease him.
"You were the one who reminded me that a runaway horse can seriously injure someone!" Yun Shen stared coldly at Li Shi without looking away. "If there were no injuries, then it wasn't on a carriage pulled by a runaway horse."
Li finally figured out where the problem was.
It's likely that Yun Shen has verified that An Jiu Niang really did encounter a runaway horse, and wasn't seriously injured! Otherwise, Yun Shen wouldn't have come to confront her so vehemently, and with such harsh words.
Li knew things were going badly, so she could only forcefully explain, "I was just thinking about what I had seen and heard before, and I was worried about Ninth Miss!" She steeled herself and cried, "I don't know what I said wrong. I only found out when you told me that Ninth Miss was injured."
"You can go to the estate and inquire whether such a thing is true!" Li Shi wept, tears streaming down her face. She held a handkerchief and kept wiping her tears, saying, "If I have uttered even half a lie, may I die a horrible death—"
Yun Shen then withdrew his gaze.
Just as Madam Li was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Yun Shen suddenly said, "I know that Third Madam is not magnanimous enough as the mistress of the house, but she is by no means a gossip."
"You are Dongge'er's birth mother, and my mother has agreed to elevate you to the rank of concubine. We will announce this to the public when Dongge'er's full moon celebration is held."
After hearing this, Li showed no joy on her face.
She noticed that Yun Shen's usual gentleness was gone, and there was still suspicion in his eyes as he looked at her.
"My lord, don't you still trust me?" Madam Li cried anxiously, "If I have any disloyal intentions, not only will I die a horrible death, but even Dong-ge'er will—"
"Shut up!" Yun Shen snapped at Li Shi, his face turning cold. "How dare you say such nonsense?"
Seeing that Yun Shen was willing to get angry with her, Madam Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Just focus on taking good care of Dong-ge'er. Don't worry about anything else," Yun Shen said before hurrying away.
As if all her strength had been drained, Li slumped onto the soft couch. She angrily threw the embroidery hoop on the ground and pounded the couch several times.
She misjudged the situation, allowing Third Sister and Ninth Sister to win this round!
The prince will surely think that she deliberately stirred up trouble...
She was too careless.
Li secretly vowed in her heart that she must turn the tide and win back the prince's pity for her.
******
Sure enough, Physician Hu arrived shortly afterward.
After examining An Ran, Physician Hu only said that she had been frightened but that her internal organs had not been damaged. He left An Ran several jars of external ointment and prescribed some calming medicine.
Yun Shen personally escorted Physician Hu out.
Third Sister took the prescription in her hand and looked at it carefully. Then she instructed Yinping to have a maid get the medicine, decoct it in the small kitchen, and send it over.
"Third Sister, do I look like I've been frightened?" An Ran blinked her beautiful big eyes and stared pitifully at her third sister.
Third Sister nodded.
"It's not just that you look like one, it's that you do!" She pointed a finger at An Ran's forehead, feigning anger, and said, "You seemed so mature and composed a few days ago, how come you've become more and more like a child lately?"
An Ran stood up from beside San Niang with a grin.
"I'm injured and need to go back to rest," An Ran said to Third Sister with a straight face. "If you have something to do, you can worry about me tomorrow."
After saying that, she fled the main room as if she were escaping.
"This child!" Third Sister laughed in exasperation. "I never knew she was so mischievous."
Huaping smiled and advised, "Ninth Miss is still a child. She's close to you, that's why she's acting so affectionately towards you!"
Third Sister nodded with a smile.
"Take the medicine and dinner to Jiu Niang's room. Make sure she finishes her medicine before you come back," San Niang instructed. "Also, make some of Jiu Niang's favorite snacks and candied fruits and send them to her. Have Qing Xing and the others keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't eat too much."
Hua Ping agreed to all of them, and only then did San Niang let her leave.
Anran, who had already returned to the east wing, dismissed all the servants and rested on a large pillow.
Before coming, she had already decided that she wanted to be the Third Sister's younger sister, not the Crown Prince's concubine. And to be a younger sister, one had to act like one. She needed to be a little coquettish and childish so that the Third Sister could lower her guard.