Marriage was undoubtedly the highlight of the event. It was also a time for the daughters of noble families to showcase their excellent upbringing.
Seeing that An Ran was beautiful and had an unfamiliar face, some people who had never seen her before couldn't help but secretly inquire about her. Those who already knew her identity, and others who tried to get information from Madam Zhao and the Grand Madam, were all evaded by the two of them.
After all, it was not a respectable thing to send a concubine's daughter to the husband of the legitimate daughter to be a concubine.
The banquet was over, and the stage in the garden was ready, waiting for the ladies and noblewomen to move over and listen to the opera.
Everything seems to be going well!
Today, Third Sister brought her child out, and Li followed behind with her head bowed. Sure enough, the mothers carrying the children were also from the Princess Consort's courtyard. When the guests saw them, they only praised Third Sister for being blessed with a son. Although the Princess Consort mentioned Li's status as a concubine, she was not very enthusiastic.
Contrary to her expectations, Li did not come out to cause trouble and embarrass San Niang in front of everyone.
Was she overthinking things? An Ran chuckled self-deprecatingly and sat down next to Jia Niang without making a sound, in a spot a little off-center from the stage.
The opera had already begun, and Anran prepared to concentrate on listening to the performance.
For some unknown reason, Third Sister, who had been serving the Princess Consort, the Dowager Lady, and others, was suddenly summoned. When she returned, her expression immediately turned sour. She said something to the Princess Consort and the others, and then left with her maid.
An Ran was too far away to hear what they were saying. Third Sister's departure wasn't very noticeable; if An Ran hadn't been constantly observing her movements, she wouldn't have noticed at all.
Her heart leaped into the air.
"Ninth Miss." Before long, Huaping came looking for her. Although her expression didn't reveal anything, Anran could sense her anxiety. "There's something I need you to do."
The more Hua Ping spoke in a mumbled and unclear manner, the more uneasy An Ran became.
Fortunately, An Ran was seated to the side, so her departure went unnoticed by many.
"Ninth Miss, something terrible has happened!" As soon as they stepped out of the garden gate, Huaping said to Anran in alarm and anxiety, "You must go and persuade the Princess Consort. You absolutely cannot let her quarrel with the Prince!"
An Ran's eyes widened in surprise. "What happened?"
"It seems the young master is bringing in another pregnant woman. It was supposed to be done quietly, but somehow it got to the ears of the young master's wife!" Huaping was sweating profusely with anxiety. "This time, the young master's wife is really angry and is going to find the young master to demand an explanation."
Yun Shen is probably in the outer courtyard with a male guest right now. If Third Sister really goes and makes a scene, both families will lose face.
An Ran could understand San Niang's anger. Having tolerated Li Shi and the eldest son of a concubine, San Niang had been holding back her anger. On top of that, she was annoyed that her half-sister was going to be sent to be a concubine. Judging from San Niang's usual personality, it was already quite remarkable that she was able to smoothly organize Dong Ge'er's full moon banquet today.
How come there's another pregnant woman out there?
Yun Shen is, after all, the heir of a prince, yet he acts so unreliably!
An Ran felt angry and indignant for San Niang, but then she sensed something was wrong.
Even if Yun Shen really wanted to bring people in, he would never have chosen this time. If people found out, not only would Third Sister lose face, but even if Third Sister didn't make a scene, the entire Prince's mansion would be disgraced. Yun Shen, no matter how muddle-headed, wouldn't do something like this.
Furthermore, in the past few days, An Ran observed that the relationship between Third Sister and Yun Shen was still quite good, and Yun Shen didn't seem like someone who had another love interest in his heart.
Today's events are truly bizarre.
"It's all because that maid Jinzhi was too straightforward. She heard some rumors and rushed off to tell the Crown Princess!" Huaping gritted her teeth in anger. "Isn't that just making things worse!"
An Ran quickly said, "Don't be anxious. It's not Jinzhi's fault. She's just a second-class maidservant by Third Sister's side. The reason she knows must be because someone deliberately leaked the information." Seeing this, she calmly said, "You all stop Third Sister in a secluded pavilion, I'll go and talk to her!"
Hua Ping nodded hurriedly.
Given what had happened, she couldn't go directly to the Grand Madam or Madam Zhao. Fortunately, the Ninth Miss was seated in an inconspicuous location, so no one would question her if she suddenly left her seat.
"There's a pavilion on the south side of the garden; it's very quiet there. It's secluded, yet you can see people coming down the path, preventing anyone from eavesdropping." Huaping pointed in a direction to Anran, then bowed deeply to her: "I'll go invite the Crown Princess!"
Anran nodded and strode towards the pavilion that Huaping had mentioned.
We absolutely cannot let Third Sister cause trouble today. Otherwise, even if it is Yun Shen's fault and the Prince Yi's Mansion loses face, the blame will be placed on Third Sister.
An Ran arrived at the pavilion first, her heart filled with anxiety.
Before long, San Niang was tricked by Hua Ping and came over. When she saw An Ran standing in the pavilion, San Niang realized that she had been deceived and turned to leave.
"Third Sister, wait!" An Ran rushed out and, together with Hua Ping and Yin Ping, practically dragged her in.
"Ninth Sister, what do you mean by this?" Third Sister was furious. Seeing An Ran blocking her way, she had nowhere to vent her anger, so she blurted out, "Are you waiting to take advantage of the situation today and enter the Prince's mansion together, so that you can reveal your identity as the Prince's concubine in front of everyone?"
An Ran was stunned.
Neither of them saw that a dark figure behind the side room behind the pavilion, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks after San Niang's words.
An Jiu Niang? The young master's concubine? (Just Love Network)
Chapter 49 Third Meeting
In an instant, the pavilion fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.
"Third Sister." After a long while, An Ran took a deep breath and slowly said, "Since you've brought this up today, I'll tell you the truth. From beginning to end, I never intended to become some kind of concubine."
"You should know that I have only recently returned from Yangzhou. In the Marquis's residence, what matter is it that I can make decisions on my own?"
An Ran's eyes reddened slightly. She blinked hard and exhaled a long breath.
"Third sister, I know you and your husband are very much in love. I don't want to get involved, please believe me!"
In fact, as soon as Third Sister uttered those words, she regretted them somewhat.
She had witnessed An Ran's careful avoidance of suspicion these past few days, and An Ran had spared no effort in helping her deal with the Li family, wholeheartedly considering her needs. An Ran had thought of everything for her, even things she hadn't considered.
Her words truly hurt Jiu Niang's feelings.
"Third Sister, the most important thing right now is that you don't fall into a trap." An Ran composed herself, trying to hide the slight sob in her voice. "There's definitely something wrong here."