Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 102 - 2: Susu Leaves Servitude

As for Susu, after the Yang Liu family left, the Old Madam quietly gave Susu her sell contract, along with a land deed for two hundred acres of good farmland and a small estate, all under Susu’s name.

The land and estate were in Tongzhou, and when Housekeeper Qiao was arranging dowry land for Yang Liu, the Old Madam instructed him to also secure some for Susu. When Yang Liu marries, she can also help manage Susu’s affairs, and Susu only needs to collect the rent each year!

When Susu first saw the sell contract and household registration, she was startled and tearfully said, "Old Madam, are you dismissing your servant?"

The Old Madam laughed warmly and reassuringly, "Not at all, dear. It’s just a preliminary step to lighten your burden. This allows us to provide you with some farmland and estates. I wouldn’t let you leave right now. Only when I find a suitable marriage for you, can I rest assured."

Susu lay on the Old Madam’s lap, unable to speak for a long while, keeping her heartfelt gratitude within.

The Old Madam patted Susu’s head, "Dear child, I see you as my granddaughter. Now that you are freed, you must continue as before. I noticed in Yangzhou, you wore fine clothes. But since our Heir’s wife arrived, you stopped dressing up and socializing with the girls. I know you’re worried about people gossiping about our family not having rules. Don’t worry, our family isn’t bothered by such things. It’s your fate to have good relations with the girls. While it’s good to be cautious, being too reserved is excessive. A renowned maid admired such as yourself should be given due respect by younger generations, and not just in our family."

Susu nodded, "Old Madam, I understand everything!"

The Old Madam advised earnestly, "You will one day be the master of your own house. You possess many virtues, but your quiet and reserved nature seems rather aloof. The matter of freeing you from the sell contract was handled by the Princely Heir; the Heir’s wife must know about it. You should build closer relations with her."

Susu feared any gossip reaching the Heir’s wife, creating trouble for the Old Madam and Princely Heir.

The Old Madam likely also heard the rumors, freeing Susu was not only for her own good but to make it clear to everyone in the household that Susu would certainly not become a concubine for the Princely Heir. This also reassured the Heir’s wife. Hence, Susu’s mind was finally at ease.

When the Eldest Young Madam entered the household, she took charge of managing, looking after the Second Miss and Third Miss, allowing the Old Madam more leisure time again.

Starting in November, both land and sea trade caravans began to return. Fortunately, the annual tributes and land rents had not yet come, so Susu, though busy, found some free time and planned to request a day off from the Old Madam.

The maids took turns taking breaks, but Susu never took a rest. The Old Madam cherished her, always giving her an extra share of gifts. This time, hearing Susu wanted to take a day off to leave the estate, she asked, "Is it to visit Yang Liu’s family? That girl’s been out for half a month. It’s good to check in. You can stay a few more days if you like!"

Susu, upon hearing this from the Old Madam, quickly explained, "A day is enough. Actually, I’m not just visiting Sister Yang Liu but also intend to visit Mrs. Zhao. If not for her kindness bringing me to this home, I wouldn’t have the fortune to serve you, Old Madam. Now that I’m in the Capital, I thought I’d pay her a visit, honoring our acquaintance!"

The Old Madam nodded, "You are the most grateful person. Granny Zhao is indeed nice. It’s good to visit her. Take four bolts of silk, four pouches, four pieces of pastry, and four rings from the storeroom as gifts to her." She further added, "I’m not at ease with you leaving the estate alone, choose two rough female servants and two small maids to accompany you, and ask the outer yard to prepare a carriage and horses."

The next morning, after having prepared, Susu bid farewell to the Old Madam, and with two servants and two small maids, proceeded to the rear courtyard corner gate, where a red lacquered, carved carriage and a coachman, dressed in a blue coat with a lambskin cape, were waiting.

Susu seldom leaves the estate; she did not recognize most of the servants by the gates and with the horses. She took a small three-coin silver ingot from her pocket, handed it to the rough servant woman, and told the coachman, "Sir, please take this for your tea!"

The coachman, an honest and humble man, following strict orders from Housekeeper Qiao, accepted the silver with gratitude, and courteously invited Susu into the carriage!

Holding the hand of a small maid, Susu stepped onto the footboard into the carriage. It was very spacious inside, the kind of carriage prepared for the estate’s manager or head maid. It was Susu’s first time riding in it.

Once the servants and maids were also inside, and the gifts for the Zhao family were secured, the carriage smoothly set off towards Anye Lane of the Fourth Ring in the Capital!

Susu, known for her gentle nature, always spoke softly to her maids, never scolding them, yet none dared behave rudely in her presence. As Wu Tong said, "In Sister’s presence, no one dares to be insolent, they all find themselves unworthy!" Though it sounded exaggerated, it was indeed true.

Since Susu came of age, she became more stunning by the day, a fourteen-year-old girl, though not yet fully mature, but even so, could be called a heavenly beauty, especially her eyes.

After she made an impression at the Princely Heir’s wedding, the Old Madam seldom brought Susu along when going out. A talented, beautiful, favored maid, receiving gifts from the palace, with such titles aiming to have prominent people notice her, ensuring she wasn’t underestimated and that Susu can have a good marriage match. Yet, beyond this, for Susu, such honor could turn into trouble!

So Susu stayed in Sui’an Hall, always trying to keep a low profile, while making sure not to be forgotten by the prominent. Every month, the two kinds of incense she managed to prepare ended up either in the palace or within circles acquainted with the Old Madam.

The Old Madam fretted over her no less than her own granddaughters.

Breaking from her thoughts, Susu saw the two small maids and two servants sitting upright, not daring to disturb her, so she smiled, "What’s going on? I was lost in thought, and forgot about you. Please forgive me, mothers and sisters."

One rough servant, with the family name Liu and who came with the Old Madam from Yangzhou, familiar with Susu, quickly replied, "Young Miss is thinking of important matters, we merely feared disturbing you!"

Susu shared the pastries from the table with them, touched the teapot to find it still warm, poured each a cup of warm tea, and said, "Nanny Liu, you tease me, it’s no matter at all, I was just pondering what kind of place Anye Lane is, and worried that suddenly visiting, Mrs. Zhao might not be home!"

Nanny Liu comforted, "You are their guest, Miss, even if Mrs. Zhao isn’t home, you can leave a calling card and come another day! As for Anye Lane. It might be better to ask Sister Qi, her husband is driving the carriage outside, the couple is new to our household since arriving in the Capital, so they know the Capital better than we do."

Susu looked toward Nanny Qi, sitting beside Nanny Liu, realizing she and her husband were not born into the Song Family, but she didn’t expect her husband to be the coachman.

The fact that Housekeeper Qiao sent him to drive her shows he’s someone useful in his eyes, and with his wife in the Old Madam’s inner yard, even as a rough servant, her status implied significant respect, never underestimating the wisdom of humble characters.

Susu’s mind churned through thoughts, keeping a gentle smile, "Thank you, Aunt Qi, for your help!"

Aunt Qi replied promptly, "No need for thanks, the Old Madam cherishing you and sending us along is our honor. If you don’t mind me being wordy, let me tell you..."