Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 313 - 23: Digging a Pit and Falling In Yourself (First Update)

Chapter 313: Chapter 23: Digging a Pit and Falling In Yourself (First Update)

The Qin family and Zhao family stepped aside, letting the people below catch a hint. So today’s welcome banquet was actually organized by Mrs. Zhao through Mrs. Qin. Could it be that Madam Su is somehow related to Mrs. Zhao?

The crowd thought about their earlier behavior, and to them, this news was absolutely shocking!

Madam Su, just who exactly are you?

Everyone settled down, unsure of when figurative rain might fall from which cloud. Better to first assess the situation!

Qin Miao observed the expressions of those around and interrupted the Qin family and Zhao family with a smile, saying, "Aunt, mother, if you continue to give way to each other, it will be night soon. Just have someone bring a chair so you can sit side by side."

The Qin family and Zhao family laughed at this and said, "Indeed, we were caught in a fog."

As a servant was moving a chair, Mrs. Zhao waved to Susu with a smile, "Why are you just standing there? Come over here. Have you met all the ladies?"

Susu walked over, also smiling, "Not all of them, I just met Madam Bai, Mistress Yang, and Mistress Bai. The three ladies were very enthusiastic, and we were having a pleasant conversation."

The three mentioned tried to maintain a smile, but could only awkwardly sip their tea.

Mrs. Zhao had long known about their troubles with Susu but chose not to expose them at this moment. Holding Susu’s hand, she addressed the women present, "I’ve heard some rumors about this child going around.

Here, I will clarify her identity. If you hear anything unpleasant again, speak up on my behalf.

I have pledged to my niece and my family’s old madam to take care of this child."

By then, the servant had finished arranging the chairs, and Zhao family and Qin family took their seats. Mrs. Zhao pulled Susu to sit beside her and waited for everyone to settle down before sighing.

"This child comes from a good family, her father had the genuine scholar’s degree. But her life has been tough; she lost her mother young and then her father later on.

By chance, she came to live with the Old Madam of Shun’an Earl Mansion and was grateful for saving Old Madam Song’s life. The old lady treated her like her own granddaughter.

The child is sincere and doesn’t want to take advantage without doing anything, so she served in the Old Madam’s presence, claiming to serve tea, but actually managing the Old Madam’s private treasury.

My niece said that even when it involves tens of thousands of taels of silver, Susu doesn’t bat an eye.

Old Madam Song regarded her as a granddaughter, and seeing her grow up beautifully, intended to find a good match for her early. She even set aside fifty to sixty thousand taels of silver for her dowry.

Susu’s engagement to Hong Sheng was personally proposed by him. If he weren’t someone whom Old Madam Song watched grow up, he was just a Fifth Rank official when proposing, they wouldn’t care to marry her off to someone leaving the Capital for the harsh Northwest.

Old Madam Song originally wanted to keep Susu for a few more years, but who would have thought Hong Sheng would resort to appealing to the Emperor, who even bestowed two chests of betrothal gifts, truly..."

At this point, Mrs. Zhao looked exasperated.

"Even before the child reached the Northwest, I received multiple letters asking me to take special care of her, not just from my niece who became the Heir’s wife of Shun’an Earl or the Old Madam at Shun’an Earl Mansion, but messages also came from my mother-in-law, Princess Changlong, and Grand Princess Consort Gong.

The Consort Xi in the palace is the paternal aunt of Shun’an Earl Mansion and speaks very highly of this child.

The most favored Princess Ning’an by the Emperor, who is Consort Xi’s daughter, even calls her Sister Su in private.

There’s also Concubine Song from Prince Ke Mansion, who was close to this child during their maiden years.

Those outside who know nothing have spread many scandalous rumors, should it reach noble ears, a simple whipping would be lenient.

Madam Su is now an officially court-appointed Fourth Rank lady, slandering a noblewoman is a crime severe enough for exile."

Women present, notable only within the Hami circles, had met no one as prestigious as Mrs. Zhao.

Listening to names like Old Madam of Shun’an Earl, Heir’s wife, mother-in-law of Mrs. Zhao (which includes Old Madam Duke Zhen Guo?), Princess Changlong, Grand Princess Consort Gong, Princess Consort Xi, Princess Ning’an, and Concubine Song of Prince Ke Mansion, their minds felt overwhelmed, their gazes wandering.

They didn’t doubt Mrs. Zhao’s claim as there was no need for deceit. By her tone, she had no direct association with Su, beyond being entrusted by nobles to care for her.

Goodness gracious, Susu’s connections are enough to mobilize Mrs. Zhao; even if she is a maid by origin, what of it?

And who would frivolously spend fifty to sixty thousand taels of silver on a maid’s dowry?

With her beauty, that large dowry, and such powerful connections, marrying Hong Sheng is Hong Sheng’s great fortune.

The ladies, now seated, couldn’t help but sigh, realizing why Hong Sheng ignored Miss Bai. They then cast disapproving looks toward Yue Baiyou and Bai Lili.

Especially glaring at Yue Baiyou as if they wished to devour her. Some negative rumors about Su must have involved her.

How dare you dig such a big pit for all of us!

And Yue Baiyou was at a loss, thinking she too was set up!

She merely embellished some hearsay, yet when it comes to spreading rumors about Su, wasn’t it all you who perpetuated them?

Now feigning a wronged victim demeanor, doesn’t your conscience ache?

And Bai, why glare at me? If not for your silver inciting me to cooperate, I could have maintained the facade of a ’half-sister’ at least!

No one noticed the silent exchange between Bai Lili and Yue Baiyou except Susu. And perhaps Qin Miao.

Qin Miao nudged Susu with her finger and mouthed, "Watch me."

"Aunt, mother, my cousin and I will take a few ladies for a stroll in the garden. Lunch will be served under the arbor; it’ll be cooler, and they’ll be more at ease."

Susu looked at the carefree Qin Miao, feeling a pang of envy; she too wished she could live with such unrestrained abandon.

Mrs. Qin looked at the four or five young ladies, including Bai Lili, and graciously said, "I almost forgot about you all! We didn’t prepare much, not knowing you’d come, but let’s go with what Sister Miao said. If there’s anything lacking, I ask for your understanding."

The unexpected guests blushed, feeling wronged, for it wasn’t their choice to come. It was Bai Lili’s insistence that brought them along, and Madam Bai’s persuasion that made even their grandmother (mother) bring them here.

Bai Lili even encouraged them to make things difficult for Su! In reality, they faced humiliation. They were at their limits of dissatisfaction with Bai Lili.

Both Madam Liu and Madam Jiang felt uneasy listening to Mrs. Qin, realizing it was improper of them, disregarding Mrs. Qin’s courtesy.

They blamed Madam Bai for insisting on bringing Bai Lili and coaxing them to bring their children, arguing that Madam Su would bring Miss Yue along, "If the children create a fuss, adults can more easily resolve it!"

But instead of resolving anything, they found themselves shamed and had nowhere to explain, hanging their heads and sipping tea in silence!