Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 364 - 4: No Hesitation in Tricking You (Third Update)

Chapter 364: Chapter 4: No Hesitation in Tricking You (Third Update)

In mid-October, Prince Ke returned to the Capital with the envoys from the Tartars and Wala, and Hami finally returned to tranquility.

Now, without Bai Lili and Yue Baiyou stirring up trouble, the other Bai Family’s women were keeping a low profile, and Susu felt a carefree vibe in the air.

By the New Year, Mantou was already six months old, and after flipping and sitting milestones, his "innate ability" started to show. It seemed he inherited the divine power from her and Hong Sheng.

Susu didn’t expect such a "golden finger" ability could be hereditary, and it was even boosted by both parents.

Because Mantou was still young and couldn’t control this ability, once Susu noticed the signs, she replaced the maids around him with those she trusted.

Chang Sheng and Bai Yue also finally had a "place to use their skills," along with Linlang, Qi Qiao, and the people from Wei Defu’s household; this would be Mantou’s future "team."

As for others, even the nanny, who was merely decorative, was sent away by Susu.

Nanny Jiang and Mrs. Ding returned to the Capital with the Fourth Miss. Now that the Fourth Miss was pregnant, it was a blessing for them to stay by her side.

Another New Year came around, but this year was much livelier than the last. After all, the atmosphere at home was completely different with Hong Sheng there.

On New Year’s Eve, Hong Sheng held the already sleeping Mantou, looked at Susu who was staying up with him, and said in a deep voice, "Wife, thank you!"

Susu smiled and said, "Husband, you’re welcome!"

...

After the New Year, the Hong Family, with their maidservant and servant boys, moved into the Hami Camp.

This time, Hong Sheng’s Vanguard Camp made a big splash in the Northwest Army, with various garrisons emulating them. Although Hong Sheng didn’t participate in the final battle against the Tartars, he killed many Wala soldiers while assisting Governor Qin Dusi, compensating for that bit of regret.

His promotion to the third rank was certain, waiting only for the Angel to arrive in spring to announce the imperial decree, determining his future prospects.

It was still uncertain whether Hong Sheng would remain at the Hami Guard or be transferred elsewhere.

But even if there were future transfers, for now, Hong Sheng was still the Commander responsible for the Vanguard Camp, which had now been expanded to a thousand men.

Susu came to the camp not for anything else but to let her brother see Mantou; this was his real nephew, whom he hadn’t even met.

The first to be eager to see the little nephew was the Ninth Son.

When he saw the Mantou, who looked like he was carved from the same mold as Susu, the Ninth Son almost wanted to hold the little ball in his mouth and hands.

With no one else in the room and Piggy watching outside, the Ninth Son didn’t need to worry, "Sister, can I hold the little nephew?"

Susu smiled and handed Mantou, who was curiously "gooing" at the Ninth Son, to him.

"Don’t be so stiff with your hands and arms, relax, it’s okay. I didn’t dare to hold him at first either, but now I’m used to it."

Susu instructed the Ninth Son on his posture as she spoke.

Mantou squirmed uncomfortably in the Ninth Son’s arms and reached out to push him, which Susu quickly stopped, wiping a cold sweat in her heart but speaking gently, "Mantou, this is your uncle; he likes you the most."

Mantou looked at his mother with eyes identical to Susu’s and then at the Ninth Son, like a little prairie dog.

Perhaps Mantou didn’t understand why his mother handed him to someone unfamiliar, but he had this cluelessly cute attribute, smiling with whoever held him.

Earlier, it was just uncomfortable with the Ninth Son holding him, but now that the Ninth Son learned how to hold him properly, he beamed a smile.

With a face that’s about 70% similar to Susu’s and that adorably silly grin, Susu could only cover her eyes.

In the future, she didn’t want to look directly in the mirror anymore.

But the Ninth Son didn’t think so; he said excitedly, "Sister, the little nephew smiled at me. He likes me, right?"

Susu patted the Ninth Son’s head, "Of course, you’re his uncle!"

The Ninth Son reluctantly left but not before leaving a longevity lock.

The style of that longevity lock was quite novel.

One side was a lock-shaped silver holder, directly cast with the pattern of "Five Blessings and Longevity" and the words for long life and happiness, and the other side embedded with a piece of glassy three-colored jade lock.

This three-colored jade is also known as "Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity" jade, which must have green, red, and purple colors on the same piece of jade to be considered such.

Three-colored jade is not uncommon and is mostly seen in hand pieces or jade sculptures, but small pendants or ring faces are rare, let alone a "Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity" three-colored jade.

"This is the last thing I had when I left home. Those were tough days, and Brother Lin wouldn’t allow me to pawn it, so it’s meant to be given to Mantou!

Sister, don’t say you don’t want it; it’s just a token of my feeling as an uncle."

Such words from such a little person warmed Susu’s heart, so she accepted it on Mantou’s behalf.

Later in the evening, when the Ninth Son went home to boast about Mantou to his brothers, it left Ruan Sixth Son envious beyond measure, wishing they could visit the Hong Family immediately.

But they still waited until it was really dark before heading out one after another.

Here, Hong Sheng was preparing to cuddle his wife when he just sent off Ruan Sixth Son, who was eager to take his son away, and then Ruan Seventh Son came.

Finally, when Ruan Seventh Son reluctantly left, Ruan Eighth Son arrived.

Just as Hong Sheng was about to throw him far away, the truly scheming Ruan Qilin appeared with a smirk.

He was the one Hong Sheng dared not offend. Darn it, although he was the godfather, he still felt intimidated.

He could only pass his son to him and run to his wife for comfort.

Ruan Qilin, stiffened, looked at the little cousin abandoned by his own father and was filled with exasperation.

Hong Sheng, you shameless jerk, you come here!

Having sold his son without any mental burden, Hong Sheng was pinched fiercely by his wife’s skillful fingers, nearly yelping in pain.

Watching Susu, about to step out, Hong Sheng, said pitifully, "Ever since having a son, your heart is less on me than Liu Uncle’s Wangcai!"

Looking at Hong Sheng comparing himself unfavorably to a dog, Susu was both angry and amused, "You leave your son and Lin outside, and you have the nerve? Come back, and I’ll deal with you later!"

Hong Sheng gestured playfully, "Deal with me in that or such way? I’m scared of pain!"

Susu: ...

Hong Sheng, you shameless rascal!

Susu exited the bedroom to see Lin, who had by himself figured out how to hold the baby.

He smiled at Susu, "Look how peacefully he’s sleeping!" Then, casually asking, "I heard from Uncle Nine that his formal name is Hong Feng, and his nickname is Mantou. Who came up with that? Quite unique!"

Had Susu’s eyesight not been sharp enough to catch the dark glint in Lin’s eyes, she might have thought he was complimenting them!

Considering Lin’s scheming nature, Susu decisively said, "Your godfather came up with it; you know he didn’t go to school. He said he hoped his son would be as majestic as a mountain. He also said Mantou has good symbolism, unlike his own youth, which lacked food and clothing."

Hong Sheng, eavesdropping outside: ...

The largest pitfall in history!