Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 206 - 3: Joyful Reunion (Part 2)

Susu didn’t know that Ruan Qiniang was worried about her spending money extravagantly. It was just an occasional event, so Susu also customized a set for her two sisters, while for others, she chose small yet exquisite and valuable hairpins and other accessories.

No one would wear such precious jewelry at home, in fear of damaging them. Besides, they are quite heavy. Even a light set of filigree hairpieces weighs seven or eight taels of gold, and with gemstones and beads, it could weigh a pound or two. Add bracelets, pendants, and necklaces, and sure, they are beautiful, but burdensome too.

Susu stopped by at the Shun’an Earl Mansion, bringing the Old Madam a basket of garlic sprouts and baby spinach she grew herself. The Shun’an Earl Mansion certainly didn’t lack such things, but in the dead of winter, fresh vegetables are always appreciated.

After having lunch with the Old Madam, Susu planned to head back home, but the Old Madam asked her to stay.

"Qing He’s wife is due to give birth any day now, and as the year ends, stewards and manor heads from various places will be coming. Nanny Qin has leg pain in the winter and can’t move. It’s easy outside, with Third Miss and Lady Yue, but Sui’an Hall is short-staffed; could you stay and help?"

Susu naturally agreed and took over the responsibilities of Sui’an Hall. Ning Xiang and Yun Tong were the happiest, as during the Mid-Autumn Festival, they struggled without Susu’s guidance and protection. They were almost constantly in the storeroom, sorting and organizing, due to some intentional difficulties posed by others.

The Old Madam is quite hands-off, stating that without experience, they won’t grow. Although nothing went seriously wrong, Ning Xiang fell ill after the Mid-Autumn Festival, partly due to exhaustion but mainly due to stress.

Now with Sister Susu around, even if she kept them busy, Ning Xiang and Yun Tong were willing.

The Heir’s wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl weighing seven pounds six ounces at dawn on the eighth of the twelfth month.

Though it was a girl, apart from the Heir’s wife who felt some disappointment and guilt, the rest of the Song family was quite delighted. The Song family didn’t believe in preferring sons over daughters; the Old Madam even comforted the granddaughter-in-law, saying flowers bloom before fruit.

Even the old master held the granddaughter, reluctant to let go. The Heir wished to hold his daughter but was stopped by the old master, who said his son’s hands were heavy, inexperienced, and he didn’t want him to hurt his precious granddaughter.

The in-laws’ reactions comforted the Heir’s wife greatly, and even the Marchioness Wenchang visiting her daughter felt relieved and very satisfied with the marriage her husband arranged for their daughter.

The Song family is now four generations under one roof. As the first of the fourth generation, the girl is not only the legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Earl but also the legitimate granddaughter of the Marquis Wenchang. Miss Song was showered with love, and her three-day celebration was held on a grand scale.

Hong Sheng, who hurried back from outside the city after settling his subordinates, naturally didn’t see Susu until attending the three-day celebration for the Song family’s eldest legitimate granddaughter, whom he had missed dearly for several days.

There was nothing inappropriate between them. Hong Sheng visited the Old Madam after the guests had left, as a member of the younger generation.

Though most guests from the inner court had left by then, a few close female relatives remained, including the Heir’s wife’s mother and sisters, as well as Yang Liu, Ning Cui, and Bisi.

The ladies from the Wenchang Marquis Mansion weren’t familiar with Susu, but Yang Liu, Ning Cui, and Bisi glanced at Susu with playful smiles, suggesting that if no outsiders were present, they might have teased Qi Susu already.

The Marchioness Wenchang, having heard from her daughter about Susu’s engagement, noted that Susu’s fiancé was a fifth-rank official and said with a smile, "Miss Su has certainly turned misfortune into fortune. Let me know when the big day arrives, so I can add a gift to her dowry."

It was a great honor for Susu to receive such words from the Marchioness Wenchang. The Old Madam laughed and said, "That would take advantage of the in-law’s good things." The Marchioness Wenchang’s remarks weren’t because she highly regarded Susu, but because she knew the Old Madam favored Susu; it was a gesture of appreciation for her daughter’s good marriage, reciprocating kindness.

Susu knew this was due to the Old Madam’s influence, but it was still a benefit for her. She wasn’t one to feign aloofness, so she sincerely thanked the Marchioness Wenchang.

As an outsider, Hong Sheng was in the presence of unmarried girls, so the Marchioness Wenchang took her daughters through the rear corridor of Sui’an Hall to Qingfeng Pavilion. The Song family’s Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and Miss Sun also left.

Only Sixth Miss and Miss Zhao, one aged ten and the other nine, remained. They were not too young but also not too old, and they playfully insisted on staying, saying, "We’re also family sisters; there’s no harm in meeting Sister Susu’s fiancé!" The Old Madam and Susu were both amused and let them stay.