Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 236 - 13: The Pain of Parting (Part 4)

Although they are officials, bandits generally won’t risk themselves, but "blinded by greed," with so many goods, it’s enough for them to strike once and then wash their hands in a golden basin, disappearing without a trace.

Now with a wife, Hong Sheng is not careless. Initially, he thought they would rely on the manpower of the Yangwei Escort Agency, and the agency could capitalize on their status. Now it seems he might have to throw some extra money at the agency!

Susu’s dowry and the gifts brought during her return visit amounted to about fifteen carts, but yesterday, the Shun’an Earl Mansion alone sent three carts of food and supplies, along with contributions from Yang Liu, Ning Cui, Bisi, and Mrs. Zhao, not to mention the ones sent by Prince Ke Mansion under Fourth Miss’s name and by Ruan Qiniang using the Qin Family’s third house sons. Even Princess Changlong Mansion and Prince Gong Mansion sent seven or eight boxes, demonstrating to Hong Sheng what "connections" really mean.

These boxes and items together filled six or seven carts, plus their own purchases, creating a grand spectacle.

As for Leng Xiao and others who added three carts worth of goods, plus the escort car from Yangwei Agency, they were not counted in the Hong Family’s convoy. If combined, they might truly meet bandit groups driven by "people die for wealth, birds die for food" mentality, caution is necessary!

Susu was in the flower hall seeing Bai Fu and his wife, whom Susu left to manage the house and the fields in Tong County, while their daughter and son followed Susu to the Northwest.

Though they were reluctant about separating from their children, they knew it was a testament to their family’s importance to their master. It wasn’t just that the couple was directly promoted from Inner Courtyard Steward and Account House to the main steward of the Su Family; even their children were treated with more respect than other servants.

"You both take care of the family affairs. If there’s any decision beyond your grasp, just find Grandma Huang. If she can’t help, there’s still Old Madam from the Shun’an Earl Mansion."

Susu felt assured by Bai Fu and his wife, as they were honest people.

"Stay informed about the happenings in the capital; send a letter monthly to the post office. Since Linglong and Bai Yue are by my side, I won’t mistreat them. The elder will find a way to return to the capital, and Linglong will be of age to marry by then."

Linglong is now twelve, and Susu is lenient, allowing maids to marry at eighteen, which is six years away.

This brought hope to Bai Fu and his wife, as six years sounded long but was better than endless waiting.

Susu wasn’t exaggerating. Prince Ke sent Hong Sheng to the Northwest just to accumulate experience and military merit. The Northwest wasn’t where Hong Sheng could truly showcase his talent.

When the time comes, Prince Ke will find a way to bring Hong Sheng back to the capital, into the Imperial Guard or Five Armies Camp, where he will truly serve Prince Ke.

In the original work, Ruan Shiniang entered the palace and was made a concubine at twenty-eight, while now she’s eighteen, meaning in ten years, the current emperor will pass, and Prince Ke will ascend the throne.

Before that happens, in four to eight years, Hong Sheng will undoubtedly be transferred back to the capital.

Thinking about this, Susu said, "Linglong, Bai Yue, have a good talk with your parents; it’s almost time to leave!"

Bai Yue, still young, couldn’t hold back his tears after hearing this, quickly lowered his head to wipe them away, while Bai Fu, his wife, and Linglong quickly apologized. Susu waved her hand, sending them away.

She was responsible for separating their family, yet they couldn’t cry? She’s not a fascist!

Fen Dai and the other three were also sent by Susu to check everything, afraid to leave anything important behind, leaving only Susu in the room.

She felt her jacket, containing two letters sent by Seventh Sister.

One was for Third Madam Qin, Seventh Sister’s direct aunt; the other was for her mother, Susu’s previous legitimate mother, now Commander Liu’s spouse, the third rank commander of Hami Guard.

Susu hadn’t expected that besides the sons of the Ruan Family, even Qin was in Hami; amidst twists and turns, old acquaintances would reunite!

Five miles outside the west gate of the capital stands the Pavillion of Farewells, named after the Founding Saint Martial Emperor’s poem "Farewell." When Susu learned of this "anecdote," she truly felt it was "shameless," even as a bystander, she couldn’t stand it.

Senior, is there anything you can’t do? Can you even give birth?

Susu stayed in the carriage silently mocking, temporarily easing her parting sorrow.

Until the carriage halted outside the pavilion, Hong Sheng lifted the curtain and said, "Old Madam Song and several young ladies have arrived, along with Grandma Huang and Mrs. Zhao." Pausing, Hong Sheng continued with some dissatisfaction, "I also saw Prince Gong ’strolling in the suburbs’!"

Susu only found out after marrying Hong Sheng that no matter a man’s age, he has a touch of childlike jealousy, requiring the daughter to play multiple roles: mother, dam, wife. Susu found this amusing.

Upon hearing this, Susu casually commented, "If you get jealous over this, you’re bound to have sore teeth! Honestly, you should be grateful to Prince Gong; without him, I wouldn’t be married so early. Had I waited three to five years, who knows what circumstances would arise by then!"

Besides, Prince Gong is flirtatious but not indecent. Susu’s current situation owes some credit to him, though he must be quite vexed!

Hong Sheng never expected Susu to say this, and before he could process, she was off the carriage, giving him no chance to read her emotions. He worried about upsetting his wife, quickly tagging along.

"Good wife, I was wrong, please don’t be angry! I was narrow-minded, it won’t happen again!"

Susu resolved to discipline Hong Sheng tightly, lest he gets "carried away"!

With no reply, Susu quickened her pace, and soon spotted amid the crowd beside the "Pavilion of Farewells" Old Madam Song.