“Now that the matter of the Li family is a foregone conclusion, I can no longer help Third Sister in the Prince’s Mansion, and it’s not appropriate for me to stay here any longer.” An Ran explained with a smile, “After I go back today, please explain to Grandmother and Mother that I should come back.”
“If we’re lucky this time, we might even be able to bring down Consort Li. The Princess Consort would love to see that happen too!” An Ran winked playfully when she saw that Third Sister didn’t speak. “But Third Sister, don’t forget that you promised me you would take me to the estate in a few days.”
Third Sister curled her lips into a smile.
"I understand, don't worry, I'll remember." There seemed to be a deeper meaning in San Niang's words, but An Ran just chuckled twice in a coquettish manner.
Of course, she wouldn't just remember to take Jiu Niang out. Jiu Niang had helped her a lot, so she would naturally remember Jiu Niang's kindness. After this matter, she would mention Fang Ting to her grandmother and mother. If the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion was also satisfied, they would quickly finalize Jiu Niang's marriage.
“I was afraid of alerting them, so I didn’t take the trunk back with me,” Anran said to Third Sister. “I left the green apricots behind. Once you’ve finished your business, you can have someone send my things back.”
Third Sister glanced at it and said reproachfully, "So Ninth Miss had already made plans, without letting a word out."
An Ran chuckled.
"Because I know my sister is so understanding, generous, and loves me so much," An Ran said confidently. "My sister will definitely agree!"
Third Sister was so exasperated by her that she couldn't hold back her laughter.
The two sisters chatted and laughed all the way, and soon arrived at the Marquis's residence.
The Dowager Lady and Madam Zhao had been waiting at Rong'an Hall for a long time.
Stepping back into the Marquis's mansion, An Ran couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. Although she was certain she would return, the moment had come, it still felt like a lifetime had passed.
Rong'an Hall.
When Third Sister brought Anran in, Madam Zhao couldn't wait to greet them.
Her eyes immediately welled up with tears, as if she had a thousand words to say, but when she spoke, only a choked sob came out.
Third Sister hurried forward and, seeing Zhao's heartbroken appearance, her eyes also stung with tears. However, her anger outweighed her sorrow, and she managed to hold back. She helped Zhao to sit down below the Grand Madam and then, along with Anran, bowed to the two of them.
"Grandmother, Mother".
Seeing the harmonious sisterly relationship between Third Sister and Anran, the Grand Madam felt a sense of comfort.
When An Ran walked in today, she was immediately struck by how bright her eyes were.
The exquisite red-gold and ruby headdress adorning her temples, the elegant robe that accentuated her beauty… the Grand Madam knew a little about what An Ran had brought from the manor. When An Ran had only brought simple clothes, the Grand Madam had secretly praised her for her cleverness.
These clothes and jewelry she wore today were definitely not An Ran's own; there is only one possibility: they were given to her by Third Sister.
Ninth Sister is truly remarkable; she managed to win over the usually proud and arrogant Third Sister, especially considering that Ninth Sister was about to become the young master's concubine. Third Sister still treated her so well. The jewelry was one thing, but An Ran's clothes fit her perfectly. Since she and Third Sister were different sizes, the clothes were clearly newly made.
She had also heard the rumors in the capital that the Crown Prince's wife doted on her illegitimate ninth sister. The Grand Madam had thought that Third Sister had become smarter and knew to at least put on an act, but she never expected that Third Sister was actually really good to Ninth Sister. Even her own sister couldn't be better.
Zhao was not surprised.
A few days ago, when she attended the birthday banquet at the Marquis of Qingxiang's residence, she witnessed how much her daughter valued An Jiu.
After all, she hadn't come back to visit relatives today. Anran knew that the Grand Madam, Madam Zhao, and Third Sister and her daughter had a lot to talk about, and there was no need for her to be present at this time.
An Ran made an excuse to go back to her original room and quickly left.
Upon learning that Third Sister and Anran had returned to the mansion, the three sisters, Sixth Sister and her sister, rushed over and happened to run into Anran as she was about to step out of the Rong'an Hall courtyard.
"Sixth Sister, Seventh Sister, Tenth Sister," An Ran greeted the three with a smile. "Third Sister is talking to Grandmother and Mother, so let's wait a bit before we go over."
Sixth Sister and Tenth Sister had no objections; on the contrary, they invited An Ran to come back and sit down together.
Seventh Sister immediately retorted with dissatisfaction, "I didn't know when Ninth Sister would be able to control me. Third Sister is back, and you say you're stopping us from seeing her? Don't think you can make decisions for her just because Third Sister dotes on you a bit."
An Ran sighed, really unwilling to argue with her in front of the Grand Madam's courtyard. After all, she was about to return to the Marquis's residence, and it was better for the sisters to be on good terms.
But Seven Sister wouldn't let her off the hook. Seeing that she didn't speak, she thought that she had touched on her secret.
"Why are you silent now? Weren't you quite quick-witted?" Seventh Sister said sarcastically, "Now you see, don't you? In front of Mother and Third Sister, you're just an outsider like us!"
"Seventh Sister, be careful what you say!" Tenth Sister quickly pulled Seventh Sister back. They were still in the Grand Madam's courtyard, and they couldn't talk nonsense.
Sixth Sister also tried to persuade Seventh Sister from the side.
For no other reason than that these words would inevitably reach the ears of the Dowager Lady, and they could not leave her with the impression that they were not friendly to their sisters.
An Ran took a deep breath, but before she could speak, someone spoke up for her. (Just Love Network)
Chapter 65
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The Qiao family's affairs are not over yet. The old lady has already become suspicious. The fourth wife will not make any moves for the time being, but she will not give up. There are also the second and third wives whom she has not yet met, plus the cousins in the third branch... Lan Xi has a headache. How far is she from a leisurely and carefree life as a landlord's wife?
"Have Banxia come over for the night watch later. I have something to ask her." Lanxi suddenly remembered the round-faced maid she had seen in the old lady's courtyard during the day. She dared to remind her in front of everyone, so they must have some connection.
Tang Li nodded and called Yue Lin and Ban Xia in to help Lan Xi wash up and change into her nightgown before resting.
"Banxia, who was that round-faced maid in the light green vest who held up the curtain for me today?" Lanxi sat up and let Banxia sit on a small stool with her clothes on, and the two began to talk quietly. "She looks familiar, but I can't remember her for the moment."
“She is Yu Chan, and she is related to Zhu Tao’s family by marriage,” Banxia explained. “Before she came to serve the old lady, her parents were dying and couldn’t afford medical treatment. It was you who gave her two gold hairpins and helped her parents get medical treatment, which helped them recover. Yu Chan is a kind person and has always remembered your great kindness.”
So that's how it is. It seems the original owner's gentle nature had earned her some good karma. The old lady has her own people around her... We should start keeping in touch with them in the future. The old lady is keeping a close eye on the Marquis's mansion, so it would be good to get any information in advance.
Lan Xi silently planned in her heart, and asked Ban Xia many questions about the affairs of the manor. Ban Xia answered all the questions she knew.
The clock had just struck midnight, and Lan Xi hurriedly told Banxia to go to sleep on the large kang bed by the window. She then lay down herself, half-asleep and half-awake, pondering the things she had to deal with over the past few days.