Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 278 - 30: Deadly Words

Commander Liu had always known that his niece was a remarkable person. After all, with looks like this, he had only seen such captivating features twice in his entire life.

One was the eldest daughter of his friend, who was also his brother-in-law, a noble lady from Duke Zhen’s Mansion, daughter of the Northwest Emperor, Governor Qin. In the Northwest, she was even more esteemed than a princess.

Yet now, this maid-born Su, didn’t pale in comparison one bit.

If his niece was like the passionate sun capable of melting the snow on Tianshan, this niece was like the gentle moon, watching calm clouds rise and fall.

But at this moment, Commander Liu felt that gentleness was a facade, for the moon too waxes and wanes.

Susu had no idea she had become a moon that changed with time.

She couldn’t care about others’ gazes, for she had already caught sight of her brother through the crowd.

Her brother was taller than before but also thinner. Though he was the same age as Hong Sheng, he appeared a decade older.

The sun had not set yet, but Susu felt as if the world had dimmed, for she saw gray hair on her brother’s head.

How she longed to run to him, to tell him: "I’m here." But she could only stand there, stealthily glancing over, then pretending to look away.

Susu gazed at the crowd, her heart bleeding, yet maintained an air of nobility and an imposing demeanor, wondering how many among them had wronged her brother?

"Before I came to the Northwest, my husband told me Hami was a warm place, known for its Dombra, Dolan dance, small flower hats, and lamb skewers. Leaving the Capital, leaving family and friends, I came here, to bring blessings and gratitude from afar for my husband and for you all, for guarding the frontier so that the people of the Central Plains can live peacefully."

Susu looked at the soldiers in the crowd, proud and excited, as her tone shifted.

"But I didn’t expect to be greeted not with wine and flowers, but with rumors and slanders. Honestly, I am disappointed.

Just like now, I’ve prepared wine and food for you, and what you’ve prepared for me are vile words and death!"

Susu’s gaze turned sharp, yet her expression remained indifferent, but people could feel the sadness emanating from her.

"I might as well just die here, to maintain my reputation, but I still stand here because I know what I represent!"

"I am the wife of Hong Sheng, the war hero who captured the Sixth Prince of Tartar. I am a Madam of the Fourth Rank with imperial recognition. Tarnishing my reputation, you’ve broken my husband’s heart. If that isn’t clear, let me be direct: Someone is unsettling the army, harming the loyal and virtuous. How can such people be considered the proud sons of Great Chu?"

Susu’s gaze slowly swept across the crowd, and everyone she met eyes with couldn’t help but lower their head, feeling guilt.

"If not the heroes of Great Chu, then what? Tartar spies? Or Wala lackeys?"

If they had previously seen Susu as a fairy, those harboring ill intentions now saw her as a demon!

Commander Liu and two associate commanders exchanged looks, stunned by this impressive young woman’s sharp tongue, as she elevated the matter to such a level.

Other sub-commanders and vice households, who rushed over upon hearing their superior’s arrival, immediately turned pale upon hearing this, as nothing strikes fear in the army like the word "spy."

Hong Sheng looked at his wife with such a "queenly" aura and couldn’t resist smiling. Were they not in public, he’d want to hug her tightly for "protection," even if it might seem cowardly for a man to want his wife’s protection, but he couldn’t help but love her like this...

The sons of the Ruan Family also snapped back to reality.

The Seventh and Eighth Sons, one eighteen, the other fifteen, looked at Susu, then at their brother Ling, and finally at their bewildered Sixth Brother, and couldn’t help but rub their cheeks, their teeth aching!

When the incident happened in the Ruan Family, the Seventh Son was already ten, being the legitimate third house’s son and close with the Sixth Son, he naturally had some impression of the Thirteenth Lady. He wondered if he was hallucinating!

The Eighth Son, the youngest legitimate son of the fourth house, born to a mother from a military family, was known for her straightforward nature, raising him with not much thought; it took him a moment to say, "I have a feeling!"

Ling squinted at his big but slow-minded Eighth Uncle, "Eat more later, don’t speak!"

Though the Eighth Son wasn’t sharp, he wasn’t dumb, so he looked at his nephew with grievance, couldn’t you at least ask what I felt?

However, the Ninth Son blinked at his three brothers and elder nephew, then at the dignified Sister Su, the sweetness of candy and snacks still lingered, along with the aroma of the red-braised pork... Is it truly sister?

I have a secret, but I’m not telling you guys!

Susu ignored the varied expressions of the soldiers and bowed to Commander Liu, "Greetings, Uncle Liu. If you’re free, you might as well try your niece’s craftsmanship; I have a homemade jar of Cold Soul liquor that Princess Changlong, Grand Princess Consort Gong, and Eldest Princess of Duke Zhen’s Mansion praised. With pure ice from Tianshan, it’ll offer a unique taste!"

Commander Liu had to admire this; what on earth was with these children today? Was he really getting old?

Given the situation, refusing might land him a month’s stay on the hard floor if the wife found out. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Commander Liu sadly watched Hong Sheng and Susu, who seemed like young foxes, feeling like an old wave crashed by the waves of the Yangtze River!

But he laughed heartily, "With your words, how can Uncle Liu resist? Hong, aren’t you going to lead the way? Don’t be stingy with the good stuff!" Then he turned to two friends, "You should come too, bask in my niece’s courtesy!"

This unexpected turn nearly made the troublemakers spit blood. Just what was the background of Hong Sheng’s wife, with such divine beauty and witty tongue, and now she’s revealed as Commander Liu’s niece?

The determined cold aloofness of Hami Lord had joined the fray, only to take the opposite side. How could one continue the game pleasantly?

Commander Liu wouldn’t bother with the thoughts of fools. If you dared to cause trouble, be prepared to handle the aftermath.

This is the army, not your playground, did you think he was invisible?

Susu called Aunt Lin and two coarse women to help several kitchen soldiers serve food to the soldiers.

She and Hong Sheng led Commander Liu’s group back to their small courtyard, joined naturally by the three later arrival officers.

Leng Xiao and four trusted aide carried food boxes, and a half-cooked wild boar, roasted as they went, sparking envy and jealousy.

Back at the courtyard, Fen Dai and the four others had already tidied the place neatly.

The men entered the front hall to find a set of redwood furniture, with a landscape embroidery hanging opposite the entrance and a redwood shelf with twenty to thirty antiques lined up along the left wall.

This front hall opened up into two rooms, exceptionally spacious. Now divided by an embroidered light screen depicting eight steeds, with a large round table of redwood intricately carved with Eight Immortals placed opposite, accompanied by eight carved cloud patterned round stools.

Once settled, a pretty little maid served tea and snacks. The tea was this year’s pre-Qingming Longjing, with spring water from the mountaintop, alongside four palace-style pastries.

Susu bowed courteously to Commander Liu and the others, exchanged some polite words, then returned to the inner courtyard.

As the young maids set the table, Hong Sheng invited everyone to sit, while outside the aides roasted the wild boar, basting it with Susu’s homemade spices. The aroma quickly spread, whetting everyone’s appetite.

The group inside drank and enjoyed the food, clinking glasses jubilantly.

Except for Commander Liu, who truly savored the meal, others harbored unspeakable envy and jealousy in their hearts.