Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 363 - 3: Winds Stirring (Second Update)

Susu was unaware, just like she was concealing from the Youye Twelve Guards and Song Family’s Dark Department, Hong Sheng also had some secrets hidden from her.

For instance, he had already known about the cooperation between Prince Ke and Prince Yong, as well as Bai Family’s identity when he headed to the Tartars.

He even knew that between Batraj and Bashahan, Bai Family chose the former, and to pledge allegiance, disclosed a well-kept secret.

He thought that ignorance meant protection, but upon returning to Hami, he realized that Susu had been embroiled in this vortex of power much earlier than him.

Hearing Prince Ke’s words, Hong Sheng bowed his head in agreement, promising Prince Ke that Susu wouldn’t cause any unreasonable commotion.

Once outside Prince Ke Mansion, Hong Sheng felt his back soaked with sweat, at that moment, Prince Ke truly intended to kill Susu!

But, just as Hong Sheng himself said, Susu was his life, no one could harm her, including himself.

...

In the ninth year of Kangping, August, Northwest Governor Qin Shidao decisively defeated Tartar’s capital—Shangjing. The Shangjing nobles, seeking safety, betrayed Bashahan and supported Batraj’s succession.

Northwest Army turned around, engaging in battle with the silently ambushed Wala Army at Baihe Town, located at the border between Tartars, Wala, and Great Chu.

Hami Guard Commander Hong Sheng, under the command of Prince Ke, traveled overnight a thousand miles for rescue.

Qin Dusi seized the head of Wala Army’s leader, Guhule, and decisively defeated Wala, leading to Wala seeking peace.

In October, Northwest Army safely returned to Great Chu, Tartars and Wala simultaneously sent envoys to Great Chu, presenting peace letters and requesting through union by marriage, offering the position of Queen.

Prince Ke was also about to return to the Capital along with the envoys from both countries.

At Liu Mansion’s other courtyard. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Susu was personally welcomed into Yuan Shan Residence by Mrs. Xu, and upon entering the door, Sister Ten was indeed there.

Having exchanged greetings, being not strangers, Susu looking at the still quite rosy complexions of Fourth Miss and Sister Ten, asked, "Both of you now are pregnant, one for three months, the other for five months, what is Prince Ke’s arrangement for you?"

Being able to conceive before returning to the Capital was naturally joyous, but the arduous journey was hardly bearable for pregnant women.

Ruan Shiniang pulled Susu to sit down, "Why didn’t you bring Mantou along? The last time I saw him was at his full month celebration."

Song Qinghui, hearing this, cut off before Susu could speak, "It’s surprising you’re even a mother now! Mantou is so young, how could he be out the door yet."

Ruan Shiniang laughed, "Listening to you, it’s like you’re his real aunt. I was just thinking once we return to the Capital, who knows when we’ll meet again, better to have our fill of hugs and kisses now!"

"Originally I wanted to bring him, but the weather changed just as we were leaving, and his father was at home, so I let them father and son play together, while I get to hug and kiss you guys!"

After laughing and teasing a few times, they began discussing official matters.

"Both I and Shiniang are returning to the Capital, staying behind would only lead to endless trouble. Besides, that one over there will also be heading to Shangjing!

The Princess Consort is no easy character, the Prince directly taking a concubine here is a real slap in the face for her, there’ll be some drama to watch!"

Song Qinghui toyed with the Jade button on her dress, smiling brightly.

However, Susu detected hatred and killing intent from this conversation, the vendetta of killing one’s child is irreconcilable, once in the Capital, it would be Fourth Miss’s arena, eliminating a concubine with questionable identity would be a breeze.

"Don’t act rashly, Bai Lili isn’t foolish, nor is Prince Ke a simpleton, as long as she holds the key to the previous dynasty’s underground palace, Prince Ke will protect her!"

Although Susu wished not to involve herself in these matters anymore, she kept her eyes on the information from Rat Guard and Song Family’s Dark Department.

Currently, they are like locusts tied to the same rope with Prince Ke, so Susu never mentioned the previous dynasty’s underground palace to Qin Family.

But Qin Family, following the Hidden Guard led by Shu Xin, isn’t foolish either, the Qin Family is a century-old family from the previous dynasty, possibly knowing more than Susu about the Qin Dynasty’s imperial mausoleums.

Upon learning Bai Family’s spies surprisingly possessed a so-called treasure map, Qin Dusi went silent, ordering all Qin Family’s Hidden Guards to withdraw, not to involve with this.

Of course, the Qin Family not involving with Prince Ke’s affairs does not mean they would spare Bai Family, Bai Family are undeniably Tartar spies, even though they haven’t caused any major issues in Great Chu, yet as the saying goes, "the ground next to the bed does not allow for others to snore!"

Whatever Qin Dusi discussed with Prince Ke is unknown, the next day a fire broke out in Bai Family’s mansion, the blaze was fierce, burning down nearly half a street.

Apart from Bai Lili and a few married daughters, none survived, including Family Head Bai Wansan.

But the truth is...

Susu was worried, fearing Fourth Miss’s impulsive nature, "Prince Yin has returned to Tartars, we have no idea how many invisible threads are moving. What we must do is wait, wait for Prince Ke to ascend the throne."

Song Qinghui lightly laughed, "Don’t worry, I can afford to wait! Besides..." she gently caressed her belly, three months along, not yet too apparent, "I would endure for him!"

Although the three of them were allied, Susu and Ruan Shiniang were biological sisters, Song Qinghui thoughtfully asked Mrs. Xu to help her walk in the yard, leaving space for Susu and Shiniang.

Ruan Shiniang gazed through the open window at Fourth Miss Song outside with a maternal aura, softly said, "Susu, why do you trust her not to betray us? If she gives birth to a son, as a mother, wouldn’t she want to leave the best for her own child?"

Susu shook her head, "Sister Ten, what constitutes the best? If we had any way out, I wouldn’t want Big Cat to sit on that highest yet lonely position!

Not considering whether Fourth Miss has this idea, even if she does, Shun’an Earl Mansion doesn’t have the standing to become the Emperor’s external family!

Consider the successive Emperors of Great Chu, which one had no connection to the eighteen founding meritorious families? Even though the current Emperor came from the lowest origins, his foster mother hailed from one of the Six Founding Marquis, Rongxian Marquis Mansion.

The Royal Family and the eighteen founding meritorious families are intimately connected, outsiders won’t be allowed to intrude for a share of the rewards!"

Therefore Empress Wang could become the Empress, but without offspring. Consequently, apart from Prince Ke, only the outside families of the First Prince and Second Prince, both of the founding meritorious lineage, held hope.

Susu originally knew none of these matters but after confiding some thoughts to her brother and Brother Lin, they had Rat Guard relay some information to her.

Perhaps in the original work, the female lead’s rise to Empress Dowager was inseparable from her scheming and methods, but more crucially, she was named Ruan, a lady from Duke Li’s Mansion.

Ruan Shiniang, not being native and not having received the original protagonist’s memories, most importantly not receiving special care from Ruan Yu and Brother Lin, naturally didn’t know these matters.

Wondering, she asked, "Is there never an exception?"

Great Chu’s founding emperor, this predecessor who traversed worlds, indeed had a serpent’s symptom!

While Ruan Shiniang was mocking the Founding Saint Martial Emperor, Susu was admiring this predecessor’s broad mind, this was truly "the king with his horse shared the world!"

However, Susu shrugged her hands, "Perhaps you could let Big Cat challenge a bit!"

At this moment Susu didn’t yet realize she possessed the innate gift of prophecy!