Was he rejected by some girl and got upset, which is why he asked her that question?
An Ran silently grumbled to herself, "The Marquis of Pingyuan is talking a lot today."
“I’m not afraid of you!” An Ran remembered Lu Mingxiu’s life-saving grace, and that he knew her most embarrassing side, so she had nothing to hide in front of him. She smiled and said, “Your Excellency is very well today. Who wouldn’t think you are a handsome and elegant gentleman? You should smile more.”
Seeing Lu Mingxiu looking thoughtful, An Ran blinked and said playfully, "You were dressed in all black with a stern face, so you were naturally as cold as ice and snow. But when you smiled, it was as if the ice and snow melted away, and you seemed much more approachable."
An Ran herself never expected that she could let down her guard and relax in front of Lu Mingxiu.
“The noble ladies who admire you could line up from the south of the city to the north,” An Ran said half-jokingly. “You don’t need to worry.”
Before she finished speaking, Lu Mingxiu's expression, which had been gradually relaxing, became serious and solemn again.
An Ran's heart skipped a beat, thinking she had said something inappropriate.
Lu Mingxiu stared intently at her, his gaze more serious and focused than ever before. If An Ran looked closely, she could even detect the unease in his eyes.
"Is that including you?"
******
Jia Niang noticed that An Ran had been acting strangely ever since she returned from the small garden that day.
She was watching her write, but when she brought the writing up to Anran, her sister was lost in thought and didn't notice her.
She knew about what happened between Lu Mingxiu and An Ran that day, and she guessed that it might be related to this, but she didn't want to ask An Ran, so she had to go and ask Princess Yunyang.
Princess Yunyang thoroughly enjoyed her daughter's affection, but she didn't want her daughter to be anxious, so she said, "Beauties love heroes, so it's not surprising that your sister has fallen for Marquis Pingyuan. Besides, I'm taking your sister to the palace to see Her Majesty the Empress tomorrow."
Jia Niang still looked puzzled.
"The Marquis of Pingyuan has already asked the Emperor for a decree to grant the marriage, and the Emperor will certainly agree. That's why I was asked to bring your sister into the palace to see the Empress."
Princess Yunyang deliberately left An Ran and Lu Mingxiu alone to test An Ran's reaction. If An Ran was uninterested or unwilling, she wouldn't force her.
But her behavior after returning safely that day clearly showed that she was somewhat moved. Although even she herself might not realize it, Princess Yunyang felt that it was enough.
Princess Yunyang herself had a young daughter, so she naturally knew very well what was going on.
Moreover, marrying the Marquis of Pingyuan, who protects, loves, and respects her, would be the best possible outcome for Anran.
"Does Jia Niang like Marquis Pingyuan to be your brother-in-law?" Princess Yunyang asked affectionately.
Jia Niang tilted her head, thought about it carefully, and finally nodded.
"There are rumors circulating in the capital about my sister, and the Marquis must know about them, yet he still protects her and wants to marry her. True friendship is revealed in times of trouble, which shows that the Marquis truly loves my sister," Jia Niang said eloquently. "As long as he treats my sister well!"
Princess Yunyang couldn't help but smile.
"Our Jia Niang is so good and so smart!" She looked at Jia Niang, who was only eight years old, with satisfaction and said gently, "Your sister will be happy."
I really hope to find evidence that Jia Niang is Yue Jie'er as soon as possible, so that I can bring Jia Niang back and make her call me "Mother" instead of the distant and indifferent "Princess"!
I believe she won't have to wait much longer!
Early the next morning, An Ran was helped by the maids around Princess Yunyang to wash and dress.
"Ninth Miss, haven't you rested well?" Lan Cao noticed that An Ran's eyelids were a little swollen, and hurriedly asked someone to bring boiled eggs so that An Ran could roll them on her eyes to reduce the swelling. The princess had already given instructions to make sure that Ninth Miss An was dressed up beautifully and brightly.
Although Ninth Sister is naturally beautiful and it would be difficult for her to make herself look ugly, swollen eyes are still not pretty.
Princess Yunyang has already been to the palace and spoken to the Empress about her daughter and Anran's situation. Today's visit is merely to accompany Anran through the formalities.
The Emperor was still somewhat dissatisfied, which was why he hadn't issued the decree yet. The Emperor listened to the Empress's advice the most; if the Empress could meet An Ran and nod in satisfaction, the decree of marriage would probably be issued the moment they left the palace.
Princess Yunyang had already prepared clothes and jewelry for Anran to wear when she entered the palace.
The crimson top and bright blue skirt made the young girl look as radiant as a pearl in the morning dew. Even though An Ran was only a concubine's daughter, she still exuded a certain nobility.
Since she wasn't wearing a matching set of jewelry, Princess Yunyang picked out a few pieces from the Empress's gifts for her. She was to become the wife of Marquis Pingyuan, and as a wife of a high-ranking official, her attire should naturally be dignified and elegant.
This meticulous preparation was intended to make a good impression on the Empress from the very first meeting.
An Ran hadn't yet guessed the reason why Princess Yunyang attached such importance to it. She only thought that entering the palace to pay homage to the Empress was something that should be treated with great ceremony. As for why she hadn't slept well... An Ran couldn't help but blush slightly. Could she say that it was Pingyuan Marquis's words that had unsettled her?
Although someone came looking for Lu Mingxiu, saying they had urgent news to report, she still remembered that Lu Mingxiu had given her a deep look before leaving.
These words, which were almost a declaration of her true feelings, left An Ran at a loss for what to do.
She had never considered this possibility: that the Marquis of Pingyuan would like her, especially since she was currently embroiled in infamy and rumors.
She tossed and turned all night, barely getting any sleep.
Faced with Lan Cao's question, An Ran could only smile and let it go. The maids quickly and efficiently helped her with her makeup, and a stunningly beautiful face was reflected in the mirror.
"The princess has already sent someone to inquire, saying that if the young lady is ready, she should go to the main courtyard to find her," Xuancao reported as she entered.
Anran nodded, and then gave Jia Niang a few more instructions, telling her to stay home and read, and that she would be back soon.
Jia Niang obediently agreed.
When she entered Princess Yunyang's courtyard, Princess Yunyang, who had already tidied herself up, was immediately struck by her beauty.
Such a well-behaved and pretty little girl, Jinniang will definitely like her.
Chapter 83
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