Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 100 - 22: Rewards (Part 3)

The Princely Heir assumed that the young lady’s heart was indifferent, but he also couldn’t say anything, as Susu was indeed a maid by birth. However, he believed that once his wife understood Susu’s character, she would no longer look down on her!

Thinking of Susu, he sighed deeply in his heart. What man doesn’t appreciate beauty, but it’s not something to be mentioned! Now that he was married, he tucked those youthful affections deep in his heart, treating his wife well so as not to tarnish that pure emotion!

By noon, someone from the palace arrived—it was the eunuch proclaiming the decree from Weiyang Palace and the steward eunuch, Eunuch Huang, from Consort Xi’s side. The eunuch brought the official decree for the formal appointment of the Princely Heir’s wife, making Zhao Lanxi rightfully a Junior Third Rank titled lady, entitled to court salaries, along with a set of grand adornments befitting her rank.

Eunuch Huang brought gifts that Consort Xi had rewarded to her niece-in-law, along with the honor of a palace audience after the third-day return ceremony.

Afterwards, the eldest master took the eunuch to have tea, and only then did Eunuch Huang ask, "Which one is Miss Susu?"

Susu, standing behind the Old Madam, was called forward. "Susu greets the eunuch."

Eunuch Huang, plump and in his forties, was known to have been a eunuch by Consort Xi’s side since she first entered Prince Rong Mansion, his loyalty to Consort Xi beyond doubt.

Upon seeing Susu, Eunuch Huang was momentarily taken aback, but having seen many beauties in the palace and being a rootless eunuch, he could only sigh: "No wonder Consort Xi and the Princess kept mentioning you upon their return to the palace; someone like this by the Old Madam’s side is truly exceptional!"

The Old Madam gently patted Susu’s hand and smiled, saying that she was undeserving of such praise.

Eunuch Huang pointed to another large chest on the ground and said, "The incense blended by Miss Susu is praised by both the Emperor and the nobles in the palace. I heard that our Lady and the Princess were to bestow gifts, and the Empress also rewarded the young lady."

Susu promptly bowed three times in the direction of Weiyang Palace, "Thank you, ladies, for your grace." The Old Madam added, "The nobles are indeed kind. The incense crafted by Susu is truly unique, and we have a set of fragrance formulas and molds here. I’d trouble the eunuch to present them to the ladies in the palace!"

Eunuch Huang nodded, secretly admiring his own Lady’s intelligence, surely inherited from Old Madam Song.

The two eunuchs took large sums of reward money and the set of fragrance formulas and molds away, while the chest filled with the Lady’s gifts was taken directly to Susu’s room by the Old Madam.

The Old Madam quietly caressed Susu’s face and said, "Child, don’t be afraid. With these things in the future, no one will dare look down on you!"

Susu lay in the Old Madam’s arms, tears welling in her eyes, "With the Old Madam here, Susu is not afraid!"

With the Eldest Young Madam (henceforth known as the Princely Heir’s wife) joining the family, there was no apparent change for the Song family on the surface, although secretly, their status in the capital was rising steadily.

The relatives were also preparing to return to Yangzhou. With the Princely Heir’s wife managing the household, Third Madam felt that a great burden was lifted; her efforts during this period were merely in hopes that her niece-in-law would look after her daughter a bit more!

As for Fifth Miss, after Third Master received the news of her incident, his anger over these past days had almost dissipated. After all, she was his biological daughter, and with all his other children in the capital, taking her alone back to Yangzhou would surely invite unwelcome speculation.

Furthermore, both Second Aunt and Third Aunt left their children with their grandmother for education. Should outsiders learn that granddaughters were left behind while a granddaughter was sent away, it would hardly be proper!

After a thorough discussion with Old Madam, Fifth Miss was ultimately allowed to stay.

Fifth Miss vehemently swore and pleaded, claiming she had been deceived. Facing Third Master’s plea, Old Madam felt she couldn’t press the matter further and ultimately decided to allow her to stay.

With two granddaughters arriving, they naturally stayed with their grandmother, and fortunately, the East Wing was vacant, so the two Cousins were accommodated there. Joining the sisters for studies and play, they all got along well.

Second Aunt brought her youngest legitimate daughter, named Fangqing, who was the same age as Fifth Miss. Unlike the delicate and frail Fifth Miss, Fangqing was very round and adorable. A closer look would reveal that she bore some resemblance to Eldest Aunt in the palace, Consort Xi. Naturally possessing a beauty’s appearance, she also had a gentle and gracious demeanor.

Third Aunt brought a son and a daughter. Her son, Zhao Yi’an, was already fifteen, a scholar in fact; not only was he handsome, but his demeanor didn’t align with that of ordinary government officials. In modern terms, he was a bit effeminate, causing much concern for Third Aunt. She was determined to send her son to her natal home despite her mother-in-law’s opposition, hoping he could learn from the bearing of his cousins.

The cousin, Zhao Yishu, insisted on coming along, even though it wasn’t her biological grandmother. Still, Old Madam Song adored them very much. Even though they only saw each other once a year due to distances, Zhao Yishu loved her grandmother and her cousins dearly.

Zhao Yishu was just eight, even younger than Sixth Miss. Being spoiled at home, Third Aunt hadn’t planned on bringing her to the capital, yet her persistent demands and crying made her frown. Though reluctant to have her daughter away from her side, she realized her daughter’s manners couldn’t compare to those of the Song girls, so she brought her along.

This Cousin Zhao’s disposition was somewhat prideful yet not unreasonable. She was quite naive, looked good, and was articulate, pleasantly winning the Old Madam’s favor.

Even though the relatives left, the Song family, now with two Cousins and a Princely Heir’s wife, remained quite lively.