Unfortunately, An Ran bumped into the bedpost, and her fair, jade-like cheek immediately became red and swollen.
This distressed Third Sister, who rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
Third Sister didn't even glance at Dongge'er in the wet nurse's arms; in Third Sister's heart, he was far less precious than Anran. She hurriedly asked, "Ninth Sister, how are you? Does your face hurt a lot? Did you fall down there?"
An Ran covered her face, about to say that she was alright, when she heard Li Shi rush in, crying out in a shrill voice, "Dong Ge'er, how is my Dong Ge'er?"
Li, who went to prepare the snacks, didn't come back earlier or later, but of all times...
Ignoring the pain in her body, An Ran's mind raced. She was afraid that Li was trying to frame her!
Sure enough, Madam Li hugged Dongge'er tightly, crying and lamenting, "My poor Dongge'er, you're so small, what if you fall and get seriously injured!"
Third Sister raised her eyebrows. She watched as the wet nurse protected Dong Ge'er well, and now it was Ninth Sister who was in trouble!
The wet nurse was clearly Li's confidante. With great skill, she supported her back while forcing herself to stand up and kneel before Li, crying, "Auntie, it's all my fault! I didn't watch Dong-ge'er properly, and he accidentally bumped into Ninth Miss, which caused all this trouble. Please punish me, Auntie!"
Originally, Li Shi, who was holding Dong Ge'er and crying her heart out, stopped crying and turned to An Ran to start wailing again.
"Ninth Miss, if our Dong-ge'er has offended us in any way, please forgive him for being less than two months old! He's so young, what can he understand!" Li cried with great skill, her cries loud and her words clear.
An Ran wanted to applaud her.
But wouldn't it be a waste if her wonderful performance was only seen by her and San Niang?
There must be some people who haven't arrived yet!
Just as she expected, Yun Shen walked in from outside shortly afterward.
Third Sister shouted angrily, "Li Shi, what nonsense are you spouting? It was the wet nurse who didn't see Dong Ge'er, and you're dragging Ninth Sister into this! You're clearly targeting me—"
Yun Shen hurried in, taking three steps at a time.
What's going on?
After finishing his duties at the yamen today, Yun Shen returned to Third Sister's courtyard. Hearing from the maid that Third Sister and An Ran had gone to Luoyue Pavilion, Yun Shen felt very gratified. After all, he respected Third Sister and didn't want the two to have any misunderstandings because of Dong Ge'er. If Third Sister was willing to accept Dong Ge'er, that would be even better.
Since Third Sister was the mistress of his courtyard after all, Yun Shen didn't think about going over. Just as he was about to read and wait for Third Sister to return, a maid suddenly came in to report that something had happened to Dong Ge'er in Luo Yue Pavilion.
Yun Shen became anxious before he could finish listening and rushed to Luoyue Pavilion.
As soon as he entered, he heard Li's crying and San Niang's loud scolding. When he went inside, he saw Li holding Dong Ge'er and sitting on the ground, while San Niang helped An Ran sit on the soft couch.
The wet nurse also collapsed to the side.
"Young Master, please do justice for me!" Li cried, her sobs growing louder with each wailing. "Dong'er is so young, how could he deliberately offend Ninth Miss? Ninth Miss's punishment was far too harsh!"
Yun Shen looked up at San Niang and An Ran, puzzled.
An Ran's pretty face was already red and swollen, but her expression showed no sign of panic or anger; she was surprisingly calm. In contrast, San Niang's eyes were practically spitting fire as she spoke to Li Shi.
"You're spouting nonsense!" Third Sister, enraged, rushed over to confront Li. "Ninth Sister has never laid a finger on Dong-ge!"
Li ignored San Niang, and carrying Dong Ge, she crawled on her knees to Yun Shen, only shedding tears.
"Please, sir, do us justice for my son and me!"
Yun Shen had no choice but to help her up and take Dong Ge'er from her. Dong Ge'er had been crying incessantly since the chaos began, and his voice was already a little hoarse.
On one side was her infant son, and on the other was her legal wife. Yun Shen didn't know which side to trust.
Amidst the chaos, a maidservant's voice suddenly came from outside: "The Princess Consort has arrived."
Li's tantrum-like crying stopped quickly.
Why is the Princess Consort here too? In her plan, just Yun Shen would have been enough. Having Yun Shen explain these things to the Princess Consort might not have been enough to convince her. Her presence was certainly a good thing; she was just racking her brains for an excuse to invite the Princess Consort, and this was a perfect opportunity to completely ruin the An sisters' image in the Princess Consort's eyes…
She glanced at An Ran, who stood quietly with her eyes downcast and without saying a word, and a feeling of satisfaction flashed through her heart.
An Jiuniang, aren't you usually so quick-witted? You've ruined her plans time and time again... Why are you mute this time? Can't you defend yourself?
An Ran glanced sideways, her peripheral vision clearly taking in Li Shi's expression.
Very well, now everyone who should be there has arrived. Madam Li is probably hoping for a stage like this so she can take the stage, sing, act, and perform a great show!
Although the situation seemed unfavorable to her and Third Sister, An Ran remained calm. Li's crude and unorthodox methods… Ha, did she think that simple and brutal methods could quickly resolve the mess?
Nothing in this world is ever that easy.
The more chaotic the situation, the calmer An Ran remained.
"Greetings, Mother Consort."
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Everyone went to the central hall to greet Princess Yi, and for a moment they didn't care about arguing or complaining, and they all obediently greeted the princess.
The Princess Consort nodded and sat down solemnly in the central armchair.
"Your Highness, I beg you to do justice for me!" Madam Li preemptively knelt down and cried, "I know my status is lowly and I am not as noble as the Crown Prince's wife or the Ninth Miss, but my son Dongge is still the Crown Prince's flesh and blood, and I cannot allow him to be bullied!"
Third Sister felt a sense of foreboding. Just as she was about to step forward to argue, An Ran grabbed her sleeve. An Ran gently shook her head and gave her a look, signaling her to calm down.
As expected, the Princess Consort glanced at Li Shi indifferently, and quickly looked away.
"Didn't you hear Dong-ge'er crying so hard? How have you been taking care of him all this time?" The Princess Consort's voice wasn't loud, but it was full of authority. "Mama Sun, take Dong-ge'er away."
Seeing this, Li's initial confidence plummeted. Without the crying and fussing Dong-ge'er present, the persuasiveness of her next words seemed somewhat weaker…