Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 298 - 9: Twin National Beauties

However, when Susu heard Mrs. Zhao’s words, she quickly said, "Aunt Zhao, saying that makes me ashamed. If it weren’t for your help, I wouldn’t have grown up safely in the Song Family!"

Mrs. Zhao had already learned from Mrs. Qin about Susu’s life in the Song Family over the years. Although she knew Susu had a decent life there and Old Madam Song treated her kindly, she didn’t expect such a deep bond between Susu and her maid.

"Old Madam Song is kind and gentle. Being brought up by her side hasn’t diminished your status."

Susu looked up with a faint smile, exuding an air of serenity, "What status do I have? I am just the daughter of a poor scholar’s family. Old Madam’s affection for me is indeed a blessing!"

Mrs. Zhao glanced at Mrs. Qin, who helplessly said, "Sister-in-law, you know this child has been exceptionally clever since childhood. Now that she’s grown, she’s even more exceptional. For such a major matter, there’s no need for me to say anything."

Looking at Susu, Mrs. Zhao’s gaze was also filled with helplessness. She held Susu’s hand and said, "Good child, you’ve been through hardships. Just because your eyes and appearance are too striking, if I hadn’t sent you far away, I feared..."

She was afraid Susu would be sent to the palace; if the Emperor noticed her when she grew up, it wouldn’t be as easy to handle as Prince Gong!

Susu couldn’t help but gently pat Mrs. Zhao’s hand, "Aunt Zhao, I understand everything. I am sincerely grateful to you. Even if the name cannot be rectified in the future, does that mean I’m not of Ruan Family blood? Am I not family with Sisters Seven and Ten and my other siblings?"

Mrs. Zhao tightly squeezed Susu’s hand, "You and your mother both have a tranquil heart."

Fearing Susu would be saddened by memories of her mother, she hurriedly changed the topic, "Let me introduce you to your cousin Qin. She’s half a year older than you, yet she’s not as mature."

The girl sitting to the left had been quietly listening while Susu and Mrs. Zhao caught up. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said to Mrs. Qin, "Aunt, you see, my mother is dissatisfied with me again. Everyone claims their own children are the best, but why is it the opposite in our house? She previously said I couldn’t even compare to little Sister Zhen, and now with a fairy-like sister, my mother’s heart has even less room for me! I might as well become your daughter, Aunt!"

When Qin Miao spoke, Susu had already turned around and saw a beauty with complexion like snow and features like flowers, radiating warmth and charm.

She was leaning against the chair, her behavior and conduct very proper. Yet Susu seemed to see a lazy Persian cat. Her small mouth spoke words of grievance, but her tone was coquettish, making anyone want to cherish her.

The young lady wore a crimson chest-length dress with pomegranate-red silk, covered by a large-sleeved shawl of light rose gauze. Her long hair was adorned only with a long red jade pin carved into a lotus in bloom.

In addition, she had a pair of blood jade earrings shaped like small water lilies, and her snow-white neck and wrists bore a string of blood jade beads—one long, one short—highlighting her glowing pale skin.

Coupled with her enchanting features and graceful and curvaceous figure, she epitomized allure and charm.

If Susu herself was a fairy from heaven, then this Miss Qin in front of her was a remarkable earthly beauty.

For some reason, Susu remembered gossip that spread in the mansion when Third Madam Qin was preparing the bridal bed for the Heir’s Wife.

It was said that back in the day, the legitimate daughter of the Wenchang Marquis Mansion took a fancy to the third son, a concubine-born, from the Duke Zhen’s Mansion, causing quite the scandal.

Though Mrs. Zhao was also beautiful, Miss Qin resembled her only slightly. Her features were more akin to her Aunt Qin’s, likely inheriting more from her paternal side.

Just by looking at this young lady, Susu could imagine what kind of "stunningly charming" figure Third Master Qin, who captivated Mrs. Zhao’s heart, must have been! 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Susu was momentarily lost in thought, and to others, she appeared to be in a daze while looking at Qin Miao, amusing the three seated there.

Qin Miao had always been proud. Previously, when she heard her mother and aunt compare her to Susu, it seemed she had been slightly outmatched. Although not frustrated, she held a competitive spirit.

But upon meeting Susu today, she truly accepted it.

Her own appearance was glamorous and charming, her voice as sweet as that from Wu Nong, her playful anger was more like a pout, which even she felt disheartening.

She understood clearly that if not for her noble birth, merely relying on her appearance would not qualify her as lady of the house.

Fortunately, her noble birth, along with loving parents and three overprotective brothers, allowed her to lead a carefree and bold life.

Seeing Susu today, one could tell immediately she was well-mannered and loved by everyone. Yet fate was unkind, turning the illustrious Duke’s legitimate daughter into a servant maid, truly unfortunate, though Susu’s situation has recently improved.

Qin Miao stepped forward and held Susu’s hand, smiling, "Good sister, after meeting you, I finally understand what ’like a light cloud veiling the moon, like a floating breeze returning to snow’ means."

Susu came back to her senses, seeing her gentle smile, akin to peach blossoms on a branch, burning brightly. And hearing these words, she laughed and replied, "Meeting you, Sister, I now believe that Cao Zhi’s description of Luoshen as ’radiant as the morning sun, dazzling as a lotus emerging from clear waves’ is true."

Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Zhao exchanged a look, then chuckled helplessly, "Aren’t you like the old woman selling melons, praising her own goods?"

Qin Miao and Susu exchanged glances, and in unison, said, "What we have is called great minds think alike." After that, they shared a smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie.