Third Sister smiled and nodded.
"Go to bed early tonight, and tomorrow you'll help Yunfang and the others entertain the guests."
An Ran smiled, rose, curtsied, and quickly returned to the east wing.
******
The next morning, Anran got up early to wash and dress. First, she changed into new clothes, and when her hairdresser came, she helped Anran comb her thick, black hair.
This time, An Ran reluctantly gave up her double bun hairstyle. Her hairdresser combed all her hair up and put on a full set of ruby headdress, making her look two or three years older than before.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, An Ran looked at her outfit and still felt it was a bit too alluring.
An Ran left a little early today and, by sheer coincidence, ran into Yun Shen and Third Sister, who was seeing him off. An Ran quickly stepped forward, curtsied, and greeted the two of them.
A hint of admiration unconsciously appeared in Yun Shen's eyes.
Just a few days ago it looked like a pretty little flower bud, but today it has blossomed into a charming and delicate flower.
Guests were expected to arrive early in the morning, so Anran and San Niang ate a simple breakfast together before splitting up. San Niang received the noble ladies, while Yunfang and her sister received the young ladies.
The first to arrive was the carriage from the Marquis of Nan'an's residence.
Not only did the Dowager Lady attend the baby's third-day celebration, but she also attended the full-moon banquet. To celebrate the birth of her granddaughter, the Marquis of Nan'an's mansion prepared generous gifts.
Sixth Sister and the others also came along. When the three of them saw An Ran looking radiant and living a very comfortable life, they couldn't help but be a little surprised.
They had expected to see An Ran make a fool of herself today, knowing that An Ran and Third Sister must have a terrible relationship. They were certain An Ran's days in the Prince's mansion would be miserable.
"Sixth Sister, Seventh Sister, Tenth Sister." An Ran greeted the three with a smile, showing no sign of having been wronged.
Because there were outsiders present, even Seventh Sister knew she couldn't directly criticize An Ran. The four sisters greeted each other warmly and amicably.
The full moon banquet was held in the garden south of the Prince's Mansion.
The noble ladies were entertaining guests in the West Flower Hall, while the older noblewomen were with the Princess Consort. Third Sister was busy greeting guests.
Having been assigned the task of entertaining guests by Third Sister, An Ran, who didn't even recognize all the noble ladies, could only follow behind Yun Fang.
An Ran had just greeted the two legitimate daughters of the Duke of Cheng's family with Yun Fang when she quietly withdrew. To others, she was merely the third sister's half-sister, so it seemed rather strange for her to step forward like this. She was just thinking of sitting with the tenth sister and the others when she suddenly felt someone tugging at her sleeve.
An Ran turned her head and saw a pretty little face with big, watery eyes sparkling with joy. "Sister!"
It's Jia Niang.
"Jia Niang, come and sit down." An Ran's face immediately lit up with a smile. She took Jia Niang's little hand and led her to a less crowded place to sit down.
Jia Niang was happily led by An Ran, having prepared many things to say to this gentle and beautiful older sister. Before she could even open her mouth, she discovered that her two older cousins had come together.
Her two older cousins came over, completely ignoring her and only talking to Anran.
An Ran initially found it strange, but she quickly understood. Last time, An Ran had won the favor of Princess Yunyang, which elevated her status in the eyes of outsiders. Now, as the rumored most favored younger sister of the Third Sister, Lady Zhang, the wife of Lord Liu, naturally instructed her two daughters to flatter An Ran.
After listening to the two of them, An Ran was surprised to realize that the reason why she was ignored at the last spring banquet but was greeted by people all the time was because of this!
"Please have a seat, Miss Lius." An Ran thought that since they were Jia Niang's cousins, if she showed a different attitude, Jia Niang might be bullied when she got back, so An Ran had no choice but to be more hospitable to them as well.
An Ran didn't stay there for long, as Yun Fang soon came looking for her to meet someone.
Helpless, An Ran could only give Jia Niang an apologetic look before leaving with Yun Fang. Yun Fang didn't take her back to the crowd, but instead led her aside and whispered, "Do you know, the Marquis of Pingyuan is also among the male guests today."
Lu Mingxiu?
An Ran quickly pictured that cold, stern face in her mind.
"I heard he's engaged to your family?" Yunfang was a straightforward person; of the four concubine's daughters in the Nan'an Marquis's mansion, she liked Anran the most. "He saved you last time, aren't you going to thank him in person?"
"What does this have to do with anything?" An Ran couldn't help but chuckle.
“It’s true that Marquis Pingyuan helped, but naturally my brother-in-law and my father went to thank him.” An Ran shook her head and smiled, “There’s no reason for us to show our faces in public.”
Yunfang pouted, giving Anran a disappointed look. "What a great opportunity! A hero saving a damsel in distress! Which of your three sisters doesn't want to marry the Marquis of Pingyuan? I only told you this because I care about you, why don't you think about your own future?"
So that's what Yunfang was thinking! She meant well, but her method was really unreliable.
"I really hadn't thought about it. Thank you for your kind offer." An Ran showed no embarrassment and spoke of her marriage with grace and composure.
Yunfang was taken aback by Anran's bluntness.
"Fine, fine, just consider it as me saying something pointless," Yunfang snorted coldly.
"Alright, you're the host today, so hurry up and greet the guests." An Ran curled the corners of her lips, then lowered her voice and said in a flattering tone, "Don't be angry, I know you're doing this for my own good, but I really didn't think of that."
Yunfang finally smiled again. "Am I such a petty person?"
An Ran laughed, "Yes, yes, Fang Niang is the most magnanimous."
Having made things clear, Yunfang took Anran's arm and returned to the crowd, much to the envy of Liu Niang and the other two.
It seems that An Ran is doing quite well in the Prince Yi's mansion, even more so than in the Marquis of Nan'an's mansion! The three of them couldn't help but recall the incident a few days ago when An Ran's carriage had an accident, but she was rescued by the lucky Marquis of Pingyuan.
Although the matter was suppressed, the three couldn't help but feel envious, wishing they could have such an opportunity with Marquis Pingyuan...
Fortunately, it was An Jiu who was rescued.
Even if outsiders haven't guessed her purpose in coming to Prince Yi's residence yet, given time, even if she still lives there as his younger sister, everyone will understand. Even if she had a chance to "rescue a damsel in distress" with Marquis Pingyuan, she would never marry him.
Although today is Dongge'er's full moon celebration, just as Anran had told San Niang, this banquet is not just about celebrating Dongge'er's full moon. Once the banquet started, the conversation gradually became more lively.