She quickly smiled, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.
"Then so be it."
Upon hearing this, Su's mother and Zhou's mother, who had already boarded the bus, were also taken aback. They exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
Although Qingxing is young, she is a loyal servant to her master.
Someone has already gone to the Marquis's residence to report the news. Of the six guards, two stayed behind to watch the trunks, while two old women waited with Qingxing for the Marquis's residence to send out another carriage.
The carriage began to move smoothly again.
It seemed the bandits had been captured, and by the time Anran's carriage passed by, the chaos in the street had subsided.
When the carriage returned to the street, An Ran couldn't help but cautiously lift a corner of the curtain and peek out.
Not far away, a figure in black stood tall by the street, accompanied by what appeared to be a blue-robed official and some yamen runners. He listened intently to the newcomer's words, his expression solemn and serious.
An Ran glanced at it silently, then lowered the carriage curtain.
She didn't see that the moment her carriage curtain fell, a deep gaze followed her.
******
Prince Yi's Mansion.
Third Sister was sitting on the chaise longue in the inner room, flipping through a book of poetry, but she was too restless to continue after only two pages.
She still clearly remembered the stern words her mother had said a few days ago.
When she was alone, San Niang had thought about it. She knew she wasn't a qualified matriarch. Managing household affairs, caring for her husband's offspring, balancing her husband's harem... Ever since Yun Shen became the heir apparent, San Niang had felt increasingly unhappy.
Originally, Yun Shen was just the second son of the Prince's mansion. With an elder brother above him, he didn't have much responsibility, so no one bothered him even if he was a bit carefree. The couple lived a happy and harmonious life, like a pair of lovebirds. Yun Shen had even promised her that he would be with her for life.
But the heir of the Prince of the County is completely different.
Furthermore, Third Sister had never given birth to a son, let alone a daughter. As for Yun Shen's harem, he had neither a son born of a concubine nor a concubine with a formal title; he only had two or three former maids.
Then came Lady Li. Originally, she was just a distant relative of Consort Li. Having lost her parents, she came to rely on Consort Li. Although Consort Li had not been able to bear any children, she was deeply favored by Prince Yi, was very good at interpersonal relationships, and had a certain degree of respect in the Prince's residence. Therefore, the Prince's wife temporarily tolerated her.
One day, Prince Yun Shen returned from drinking outside and fell asleep on the waterside pavilion in the south courtyard connected to the study. When he woke up, he saw that there was another person on the bed.
The woman with tears streaming down her face, looking so pitiful, was none other than Madam Li.
The snow-white brocade quilt was stained with bright red virgin blood. Li's clothes were torn, and she was huddled in a corner trembling. Her appearance was so pitiful.
What just happened is crystal clear.
Just then, Third Sister came looking for Yun Shen and stumbled upon this scene.
Seeing this, Third Sister was enraged, her eyes blazing with fury. She shouted and threatened to kill Li. At first, Yun Shen remained silent, but later, unable to bear it any longer, he stood in front of Li and stopped Third Sister. He then sent someone to inform the Princess Consort, and dragged Third Sister, whose eyes were red from crying and whose voice was hoarse, away.
Although the Princess Consort was also angry that Yun Shen was so indecent and had slept with Consort Li's niece, the deed was done and she had no choice but to let Yun Shen take her as his concubine.
Third Sister, however, refused to back down and refused to give Li a proper title.
It wasn't until later that Yun Shen finally agreed to send Li away far away that the couple reconciled.
But then something else happened. Li entered the household heavily pregnant and gave birth to the eldest son of a concubine. The Prince's Mansion even granted her the title of a concubine... What made San Niang most desperate was that she clearly felt that her husband was growing further and further away from her.
These days, apart from returning to the backyard to play with Dongge'er for a while, Yun Shen's visits to her courtyard are just routine; he spends the rest of his time in the outer study.
Third Sister was furious and resentful, her heart aching terribly, yet she couldn't bring herself to beg for peace.
Just when she was at her most exhausted, her mother suggested that she take a concubine for Yun Shen, and the candidate was her half-sister, Jiu Niang. She refused without even thinking about it.
"What did you say? You want Jiu Niang to be Yun Shen's concubine?" San Niang's face was full of disbelief. She exclaimed, "Impossible! I don't agree!"
This time, Zhao showed no mercy as usual. She said firmly, "If you want to keep your position as the Crown Prince's consort, you must do this!"
Previously, Zhao sent a beautiful maid to persuade Third Sister to take Yun Shen as her concubine, hoping to win Yun Shen's heart. However, Third Sister ignored her advice, which led to her current predicament. Not only did Li give birth to the eldest son born out of wedlock, but she was also promoted to a higher rank as a concubine.
"I promise to let Zhimo and Rulan serve Yun Shen!" Third Sister gritted her teeth and said slowly. She made her biggest compromise.
Unexpectedly, Zhao shook her head again.
"It's too late." Looking at her panicked and heartbroken daughter, Madam Zhao felt a pang of pity. But it was precisely her previous soft-heartedness that had emboldened Third Sister to become increasingly willful. She said in a deep voice, "If you had offered two beautiful concubines to your son-in-law when Li Shi had just been taken in by the young master, you would have kept Li Shi under control. But now—"
“Now, Lady Li is raising her eldest son as a concubine…” Lady Zhao said with a heavy heart, “Even as the Crown Prince’s wife, you cannot easily touch her.”
Third Sister slumped onto the soft couch in a daze.
"My child, you are my own flesh and blood, how could I not love you?" Madam Zhao was full of tenderness, but unconditional pampering could not solve any problems, and instead had led to today's trouble. "I'm doing this all for your own good!"
Third Sister's eyes slowly reddened, and she turned over and lay face down on the large pillow, wailing silently.
“Let Jiu Niang accompany you for a while, just say you miss your sister.” Zhao Shi softened her voice and advised, “If the time is right, you should also persuade your son-in-law to take Jiu Niang in and give her the status of a concubine.”
San Niang shook her head desperately in her heart, but she could only let the tears flow down her face and couldn't say a word.
“I’ve discussed this with your grandmother before bringing Jiu Niang here.” Even though Zhao Shi was reluctant, she couldn’t bear to see her daughter continue making mistakes. “Jiu Niang is obedient and sensible. Didn’t you listen to her advice last time? And sure enough, you didn’t make any major mistakes.”
“There are advantages to Ninth Sister’s presence. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also still young. It may be difficult for her to conceive at this time, but it’s good that she can compete with Li Shi.” Zhao Shi lowered her voice and said earnestly, “I have also invited a good doctor to help you get better. In the end, it is best to have a legitimate son first.”
Upon hearing Zhao mention offspring, Third Sister's expression darkened.
“Third Sister, I know all your suffering. I, too, have made mistakes!” Zhao softened her voice. “Listen to me, let Ninth Sister come first. Just say she'll keep you company. I won’t force you to make her a concubine right away—”
Third Sister closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.