After dealing with Zhu Manniang, Lan Er looked forward to the future even more. She would not fall into the slave class and meet Gu Tingye. Thinking that she was several years older than Gu Tingye, Lan Er decided to change her age first.
Previously, the embroidery she brought home was all inferior, so Lan'er saved the good ones to sell to embroidery shops when she had the chance. Gradually, Lan'er saved a fortune. Although this amount of money wouldn't have bought her a decent piece of clothing in her previous life, it was enough to support an average farmer's family for several years.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lan'er separated from her family and boarded an oxcart heading into the city, intending to try her luck at the Ningyuan Marquis's residence. Gu Tingye hadn't been born yet, but Bai Shi should have already married into the family. If she were lucky enough to run into Bai Shi and talk to her, she might have been able to grow up with Gu Tingye.
Lan'er sat in the carriage, thinking of Bai Shi in Ningyuan Marquis's mansion. Bai Shi, on the other hand, beamed with joy at the gifts arriving from Jiangnan. Father Bai's boatload of gifts had alarmed the entire capital. The fourth and fifth wives' mouths watered with envy at the cartloads of gifts arriving.
In addition to everyday fabrics and jewelry, these gifts also included imported goods, including a bright mirror. However, this mirror was far inferior to the quality developed by Empress Jing'an. According to the salt merchants, this mirror looked like a third-rate product.
Xu Wen, also holding a mirror, had been looking at herself in it with a smile for the past few days. Xu Lin had passed the imperial examination, one of the six second-place Jinshi candidates, a better-than-expected result. The sons of the Marquisate had no chance of achieving first, second, or third place in the imperial examination. Xu Lin, after his fame, might have to return to Jiangnan for a post. The Marquisate had long ago arranged Xu Lin's official career, but plans were far outpaced by events, and Xu Lin's future path was different.
The carriage took over an hour to enter the city, and was only allowed to pass after checking the pass. Because Lan'er was young, she was able to avoid it. After getting off the carriage, Lan'er found a rickshaw to take her to the Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion. She stood not far from the door and waited. Even after dark, no one came out, but she saw the fourth and fifth wives go in and out.
After waiting for two days, Lan'er was arrested and questioned by the guards of the Marquis' Mansion. Guard A asked, "Tell me, what have you been doing hanging around the Marquis' Mansion for two days? Tell the truth!"
Unable to break free, Lan Er angrily said, "I'm looking for the Crown Prince's wife. I have something to ask her. Her last name is Bai."
Guard B snorted coldly: "Little brat, if you keep making trouble, I'll catch you."
After being beaten with two boards and then let go, Lan'er turned around and looked at the plaque of Ningyuan Marquis Mansion from afar, thinking hatefully in her heart: One day, she will definitely walk in with dignity.
This matter was not reported to the inner court, and the two guards chatted and laughed and let it go.
Sitting on the oxcart again, Lan'er felt somewhat bewildered. She had been reborn several times, each time in a worse situation than the last. What had she done wrong? She simply wanted to live a good life, become a legitimate daughter, and marry a good husband of equal status.
The car wobbled and swayed until dark before it reached the village entrance. The two blows didn't hurt much, but Lan'er felt deeply humiliated and vowed to seek revenge.
"You silly girl, where have you been?" As soon as she entered the room, Ruan's mother twisted her ear and questioned her.
Without any struggle, Lan'er said calmly: "I don't know why I left with my mother. If it weren't for the kind-hearted person who took me in for two days, I would have been sold away."
Perhaps because Lan'er was usually docile, Ruan's mother let go of her ear when she heard her words. She pinched her shoulders and looked her up and down and asked, "Who took you in? Did that person do anything to you?"
Lan Er choked up with tears in her eyes and said, "A mother-in-law saved me, and was beaten with two boards. It hurt so much."
Father Ruan, who was sitting nearby, cleared his throat and said, "Boil some hot water for the baby to wash, and then steam an egg."
After receiving the order from Ruan's father, Ruan's mother quickly agreed and pulled Lan'er into the house.
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