Nothing happened that night. The next morning, Green Jade helped her get up and wash. The two sisters then went to the warm pavilion where the old lady lived.
It was still early, and there was only a pretty woman in the room talking to the old lady. When she saw the two of them, she smiled gently and said, "Look, these two sisters are already as close as one person after just one night."
Pan Jinyue smiled and released her hand from Shi Lan's arm, bowed to the woman, and called out, "Auntie," before turning to rush to the old lady's side and calling her "Grandmother."
The old lady smiled and responded, reaching out to embrace Pan Jinyue.
Shi Lan watched her movements coldly, stepped forward to greet the old lady, and as she turned her head, she saw the woman's contemptuous glance at Pan Jinyue with a hint of mockery and disdain.
Shi Lan was taken aback, but quickly understood why she had that expression.
What was once considered precious pearls and jade has become worthless clods of dirt and rubble. What should have been kicked away has been endured out of consideration for one's status and face. One must even have to grit one's teeth and put on a smiling face. This must have been unbearable for Lady Han, the wife of the Marquis of Pinglin, who came from a prestigious family.
It's truly heartbreaking to see parents' hearts ache for their children. Madam Han has another daughter who is now of marriageable age. If word gets out about the serious matter of having the wrong offspring, not to mention the other ladies in the household, her daughter will be the first to suffer. How could Madam Han bear that?
Just before Shi Lan and the other person arrived, the old lady had already clearly analyzed the pros and cons. Therefore, even though Han Shi disliked Pan Jinyue to the extreme, she still pretended to be kind and gentle. Pan Jinyue was unaware of the details and, as usual, was arrogant and rude. However, she did not know that in Han Shi's heart, her status had undergone a tremendous change.
Thinking of this, Shi Lan's mood suddenly improved. Even though the old lady only nodded perfunctorily at her, it couldn't dampen her good spirits.
The Marquis's mansion is so large that if the old lady wants to be biased and control everything, she'll have to see if others are willing to cooperate.
Shi Lan smiled slightly, and just as she took a step, the old lady said, "Fourth Sister, this is your eldest aunt."
Shi Lan slightly bent her knees and gave Han a flawless bow.
Madam Han quickly sized up Shi Lan. Despite being so young and already living away from home, Shi Lan was not only more polite than Pan Jinyue, who grew up in the Marquis's mansion, but also more poised than the other ladies in the mansion.
Han helped Shi Lan up, then casually took off the white jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Shi Lan's hand, saying, "You're such a good child. Your aunt likes you. Come visit me when you have time."
Shi Lan quickly expressed her gratitude.
Madam Han pulled her to sit down beside her and instructed the maid to serve tea.
A few greetings came from outside the door. The curtain was gently lifted, and a young girl who was already starting to grow tall led a five- or six-year-old girl in.
The youngest girl in the lead was the first to greet them, and the younger ones followed suit.
The old lady smiled and said "okay," then ordered tea and snacks to be served. She then introduced Shi Lan to everyone and moved Pan Jinyan's ranking to fifth.
Shi Lan greeted the group with a graceful and generous demeanor.
Madam Pan Jinxuan was somewhat surprised. She turned to look at her own mother, Han Shi, who nodded to her. Pan Jinxuan then gave Shi Lan a kind smile and told her to come visit her sometime.
Madam Han then smiled and said, "Look, my daughter and I are thinking the same thing. It's clear that Fourth Sister is a very lovable person."
The old lady smiled but didn't say anything.
Shi Lan smiled shyly, behaving appropriately for her age.
Pan Jinyue's lips twitched unnaturally. The two of them came in together, and the First Madam only smiled at her without mentioning the invitation. How could she bear this?
Shi Lan glanced at her quickly, then turned her slightly pale face and smiled at Pan Jinyan, who was curiously looking at her.
Soon the curtain swayed again, and a young woman led a toddler who was just learning to walk in.
The woman bowed to the old lady and then greeted the first lady. Before she could even sit down, the old lady beckoned to Shi Lan and pointed at the woman, saying, "This is your mother."
Shi Lan curtsied and looked up to see the woman staring at her in a daze.
Shi Lan had already found out about this person when she was learning etiquette. She was Sun Shi, the second wife of the second master Pan Puliang. She had been married for less than five years. The child she was holding was her first child, Pan Jinjing, who was the youngest in the family.
Seeing her like this, the old lady coughed loudly, picked up her teacup, and lowered her eyes.
Shi Lan had already found out that the Sun family was not of high social standing; her father was just a poor scholar who had failed the imperial examinations. She herself was also very soft-hearted and liked to follow the rules and regulations of etiquette. She rarely left her own courtyard except when she came to Shou'an Hall to pay her respects.
Shi Lan knew very well that although people who closed themselves off and lived their own lives were somewhat cold and only cared about their own affairs, at least they didn't have any bad intentions. Compared to Pan Jinyue, who was always testing and digging pits, she preferred to be close to such people. Therefore, when she saw Sun Shi's face turn red, she smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Mother, are you wondering why I look so much like my aunt?"
Because she was embarrassed and speechless earlier, Madam Sun quickly replied upon hearing Shi Lan's words, "That's right, it's important."
Sun's voice was low, and Shi Lan didn't hear it clearly.
Hearing this, Shi Lan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. What a soft, sweet voice! It was so sweet it could melt anyone's ears.
When she was learning etiquette, she was still thinking that although the highly talented Master Pan's first wife had passed away, his aesthetic standards were still there. With the Ning family, who came from a prestigious family and was well-versed in poetry and literature, in front of him, how could he possibly look at the Sun family, who came from a humble background?
Now she knew that with such a beautiful voice, Sun Shi could definitely secure a place in Master Pan's heart.
The little girl, still smelling of milk, reached out to pull at Shi Lan's hanging handrail.
Madam Sun quickly took her hand, smiled apologetically at Shi Lan, and then took off the beaded bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Shi Lan, saying, "Today was too rushed, Mother will make it up to you another day."
Shi Lan smiled and thanked her, then looked down at her sixth sister, who was staring at her with wide, curious eyes, and smiled back at her own seat before turning back to her place.
Thus, all the youngest members of the Pan family, except for the eldest son Pan Chenming who was away on official business and had not yet returned, and the son and daughter of the third master Pan who were left behind on official business, were all present. They chatted for a while, and when the sun was high in the sky, the old lady ordered people to set out a meal. After they finished eating, they were dismissed.
Before leaving, Madam Sun dragged Liu Niang along, glanced at Shi Lan, thought for a moment, then turned and left.
Shi Lan blinked, and before she could figure it out, Pan Jinyue called her back to the Bisha Pavilion.
The Han family, who remained at Shou'an Hall, then brought up the issue of where to settle Shi Lan and Pan Jinyue.
The old lady's place is indeed very large. There was no other way to put Pan San Niang here in the first place. Her mother had passed away early, and there was no one in charge of the second branch of the family. The old lady, as the direct grandmother, had to take charge herself.
Now that the children are older and we've had Shilan, it's no longer appropriate for us to stay here.
Therefore, the Han family wanted to place them in Qingxi Pavilion and Xixiang Courtyard, which are close to Shouan Hall.
The old lady was initially reluctant, but after thinking it over, she realized that what Han said made sense, so she agreed to let the two move. (To be continued.)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
