Third Aunt waved her hand, gesturing for Anran to sit down beside her. "It's just the child being noisy, it's nothing."
An Ran stared at the round, full belly next to Qi Niang and suddenly said, "It must be my nephew. The shape of his belly makes it look like it."
Third Sister found it amusing, "You're just a young girl, yet you know so much." But then she realized it wasn't quite right; after all, Ninth Sister was already married, just not yet consummated her marriage. But age was a factor, and even though Anran dressed much more maturely and elegantly, in Third Sister's eyes, she was still that pretty little girl with her hair in double buns.
An Ran chuckled twice.
However, Third Sister was fairly certain that she was carrying a boy. Many people who saw her said that she was definitely carrying a boy. Zhao secretly found experienced midwives to examine her several times, and they all said that it was definitely a boy.
However, Yun Shen had already stated that he would love either a son or a daughter. As if to make up for the hurt that Li Shi's incident had caused San Niang, Yun Shen became increasingly caring and considerate. He stayed with San Niang in the main room the whole time, not even going to the study. Yun Shen did not visit the three concubines he had previously taken, and even secretly mentioned to the Princess Consort of Yi that he would arrange for them to marry.
Not to mention hiring other new people.
Zhimo and Rulan were essentially rendered useless, and Zhao found an opportunity to bring them back to the Marquis of Nan'an's residence.
"Did you take a good look at the things I gave you last time?" Third Sister suddenly asked out of the blue.
"Huh?" An Ran responded unconsciously, then suddenly remembered that Third Sister was talking about those erotic books. Her face flushed, and she stammered, "I...I read a little bit."
As if afraid that her third aunt would ask again, An Ran quickly changed the subject: "Sister, I've been dealing with a lot of messy things lately, so I was in a bit of a rush when I was making the clothes for my nephew, which is why they look a little rough. I hope you don't mind!"
Third Sister knew that Anran was shy, so she didn't make things difficult for her. She went along with her and said, "Bring Nian-ge over another day and bring the clothes so I can take a look."
An Ran nodded repeatedly.
"About what happened with Seventh Sister the other day—" Third Sister hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Aren't you going to hold it against her?"
An Ran sighed and said, "What can I do if I care? Should I make her spend her whole life in the family temple, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist prayers with Feng Ge'er's aunt? You should know that Seventh Sister is simple-minded. This is not just her own business."
"And there's Sixth Sister." Third Sister keenly thought of the instigator. "Is she still restless even now?"
"She's unwilling to accept it!" An Ran could understand Liu Niang's thoughts. From the beginning, she and Liu Niang were different. After all, before being brought back to the Marquis's mansion, she had no idea that she was actually a young lady from a Marquis's mansion in the capital; while Liu Niang obviously knew, being proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and also an expert in needlework. She was practically making meticulous preparations for her return.
Playing the pipa requires training from childhood; it's not something that can be mastered overnight or through talent alone.
Moreover, Sixth Sister was exceptionally beautiful, and An Ran confidently prepared to showcase her charm upon returning to the manor, which she indeed initially achieved. She was both talented and beautiful, gentle and charming, surpassing even Seventh Sister and Tenth Sister. An Ran clearly remembered that on her first day back at the Marquis of Nan'an's manor, Seventh Sister had been quite rude to Sixth Sister.
But Anran came back later.
Although An Ran was inferior to the three in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and not good at needlework, only possessing some talent in the guqin, she had an absolutely stunning face. Even in her somewhat shabby attire, she was breathtaking at first glance.
Sixth Sister's greatest advantage was thus overshadowed.
Later, Anran's life became difficult. Not only was she ostracized by Qi Niang, but she was also sent to Prince Yi's mansion to become a concubine for her third sister's husband. At that time, Liu Niang and her two sisters were all relieved, as Anran's life was ruined.
But to everyone's surprise, Anran returned safely and even gained special treatment from her third sister.
Although Anran experienced several setbacks after that, she overcame them all smoothly. In the end, the emperor bestowed upon her a marriage to the Marquis of Pingyuan, and she became the Marquis of Pingyuan's wife.
She is not even fourteen years old yet.
"Just because you're unwilling to accept it doesn't mean you can have such a vicious heart?" Third Sister snorted coldly. She patted An Ran's hand and said softly, "But I don't think that Chen Qian is any good either. If he really cared about her, why would he have to secretly exchange gifts? It would only damage Sixth Sister's reputation."
Calm and silent.
Although Third Sister didn't know the inside story, her words hit the nail on the head. Whether Chen Qian was sincere or not, his actions were ultimately detrimental to the young lady's reputation. If word got out, her reputation would be ruined for life.
"What kind of fruit will they reap from the seeds they have sown? Let's see what fate has in store for them." An Ran didn't believe that Chen Qian had become a good person in this life. Just by looking at how he had someone pass her a handkerchief and secretly slip her notes, she could tell that he had ulterior motives.
Marrying Chen Qian would be the greatest punishment for Liu Niang!
"Alright, now that she's married, that's the end of it." Third Sister had little sisterly affection for Sixth Sister, and Third Sister disapproved of what Sixth Sister did. "From now on, we'll just keep our distance from her."
An Ran smiled and nodded.
It wouldn't be good for Third Sister and Anran, as Sixth Sister's sisters, to arrive late. So, seeing that it was almost time, Third Sister rested for a while and then, with Anran's help, went to Sixth Sister's room.
The backyard was very lively.
The An sisters chatted and laughed together. Fifth Sister was witty and quick-witted, and Fourth Sister chimed in with a few jokes. Tenth Sister listened with a smile, her lips pursed. Seventh Sister, however, seemed much quieter today. When An Ran helped Third Sister into the room, her gaze suddenly became somewhat complicated.
After the six sisters exchanged greetings, they all went to the inner room to see Sixth Sister.
At this moment, the two women, Quanfu, were doing Liu Niang's hair and makeup. When they saw the An sisters come in, they hurried over to greet them.
One of them was particularly enthusiastic towards An Ran.
Fifth Sister introduced them from the side, but An Ran didn't remember them. They seemed to be the wives of two officials of low rank, one was Madam Wang and the other was Madam Zhang. After all, Sixth Sister's status was what it was.
It was Madam Zhang who took the initiative to come forward and talk to An Ran. Only then did An Ran learn that her husband worked in the Five Armies Commandery. His rank was lower than Lu Mingxiu's, but he could still be considered an official under Lu Mingxiu's jurisdiction.
"Sixth Miss is truly beautiful." She was unaware of the scandal in the Nan'an Marquis's mansion and thought that praising Sixth Miss would also please An Ran. "She looks like a blessed woman. After she marries into the family, she will surely have a loving and harmonious marriage, and have many children."
With her eyes downcast, Liu Niang was assumed to be a newlywed, and others assumed she was just a bride, which made her feel embarrassed.
An Ran would never openly display her sisterly discord on such a occasion. She curved her lips into a smile, but it wasn't warm.
Madam Zhang looked at An Ran with a beaming smile.
Fortunately, Fifth Sister was quick-witted and took the initiative to tell An Ran to go and keep Third Sister company.
A hint of envy still flashed in Qi Niang's eyes. An Jiu Niang married well and was praised by everyone. If she didn't want to pay attention to anyone, no one dared to say anything and had to greet her with a smile.
"It's a good thing Sixth Sister didn't have to go to Yangzhou," Seventh Sister suddenly said. "Otherwise, the journey by carriage and boat wouldn't have been so cheap."
Madam Wang laughed and said, "That's right. Most of the journey to Yangzhou is by boat. I'm afraid the Sixth Miss won't be used to living in our North."
“Ninth Sister is familiar with this place. It’s just that the journey is exactly the opposite.” Seventh Sister looked up at An Ran, a strange smile on her face, and said, “Was this journey arduous or not?”