Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 104 - 4: Talking Sense into Yang Liu

Mrs. Zhao advised Susu to dismiss the thought of going to the Northwest, saying: "Even if you leave the mansion, the Old Madam will surely have arranged a good marriage for you. And even if the young master agrees to your journey to Hami, it’s not as simple as just going. Even if you don’t marry, with your looks, how could Old Madam Song and I be at ease with you traveling such a long distance? If by any chance Old Madam Song finds out there’s something amiss with your background, how would she treat you then? By your attire, it’s clear that Old Madam Song dotes on you greatly."

Susu was taken aback upon hearing this, as Mrs. Zhao’s words touched upon matters she was trying hard to avoid, yet could not escape.

Seeing Susu remain silent and sensing a somewhat melancholic atmosphere, Mrs. Zhao sighed and said: "My dear girl, when the road ends, there’s always a way. There are still four or five years before you leave the mansion, and solutions will surely come by then."

Susu realized she was being too insistent, adjusted her mindset, and smiled: "Mother, let me share some good news with you. The Old Madam has removed me from the registry, and now I am considered a free person. Old Madam even bestowed upon me two hundred mu of land in Tongzhou."

After hearing this, Mrs. Zhao muttered "Amitabha," and said: "The Old Madam is truly kind; even Aunt Su in the afterlife should be at peace now."

Susu’s eyes welled with tears. Although she had little affection for Aunt Su, it was due to Aunt Su’s remnant favor that Mrs. Zhao managed to change her identity.

She had taken over the body of Aunt Su’s daughter. Every year, the paper money offerings were divided into one portion for Su He and her family and one for the original parents. Returning to the Capital, she dared not even pay respects at Aunt Su’s grave, fearing it might expose her identity. How could she not feel sorrow?

Mrs. Zhao hosted Susu for lunch. After the meal, Susu bid farewell to Mrs. Zhao and Sister Qiuyun before boarding a carriage back to the Shun’an Earl Mansion.

Since she also needed to visit Yang Liu’s home, the carriage stopped directly in the back alley of the Shun’an Earl Mansion.

Yang Liu, having heard the news, came out to greet her, holding Susu’s hand without letting go. The two hadn’t seen each other for half a month. Since they first met, except for the few years when Yang Liu accompanied the Old Madam to the Capital, they had never been apart for so long. "Silly girl, it’s about time you came to see me."

Susu rolled her eyes at her, then turned and said to the carriage driver and the maidservants who had followed them: "Thank you, I’ll invite aunt and my sisters to dinner later. You can return to the mansion now; I’ll be back a bit later."

Yang Liu secretly pinched Susu, "What’s wrong with staying a night? You hardly ever get a break. I don’t believe the Old Madam didn’t tell you to stay a few more days." "The Old Madam did say so, but I didn’t because I find you annoying." After sending off the maidservants, the two continued talking and laughing as they walked into the courtyard.

The Qiao Family has been serving their masters since Grandpa Qiao’s time. Housekeeper Qiao used to follow Grandma and Old Madam against wind and fire in those days.

Yang Liu’s father, Chief Steward Qiao, is the Senior Master’s personal attendant and is expected to become another Housekeeper Qiao in the future.

Yang Liu’s brother is the princely heir’s personal servant and will also take over the roles from his grandfather and father in the future.

Yang Liu’s mother manages the kitchen for the outer courtyard of the Senior Master, her second uncle manages various businesses of the Song Family in the Capital, and her second aunt manages the kitchen for the young masters’ meals.

This family holds a position akin to that of the Lai Family in "Dream of the Red Chamber." However, unlike the muddle-headed masters of the Jia Family, the Qiao Family is not as overbearing as the Lai Family. Although they also have fields, estates, and houses outside, those were all honorably gifted by their masters!

The house in the back alley is a three-part compound. Since the family isn’t divided, they all live together but are separated into the east, west, and middle paths, with Yang Liu’s family residing in the east path. If it were to be traded, this house would be worth at least three to four thousand taels of silver, demonstrating the esteem of their masters!

Now, apart from Yang Liu, all members of the Qiao Family are working at the mansion, making it very serene.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, Yang Liu led Susu directly to her own room, asked a young maid to bring refreshments, then dismissed everyone before saying: "If you hadn’t come to see me, I would’ve gone to the mansion to see you. After leaving the mansion for half a month, it feels like half a year has passed. Earlier, when I returned home, I felt like a guest; now I feel like the main host, but it’s not something I’m used to."

Hearing this, Susu rolled her eyes at her again, "If Uncle Qiao and Aunt Qiao heard that, they’d be heartbroken! You’ve come home, and with maids and servants attending to you, you’re still not used to it?"

Yang Liu chuckled, "Besides you, I’ve told no one else about this."

Seeing Susu taking off her plain lotus green cloak lined with gray squirrel, wearing a honey-colored jacket and a greenish yellow cotton skirt underneath, and having only two or three hairpins, Yang Liu couldn’t help but exclaim: "The newly tailored winter clothes from the mansion—someone even sent them to me, though I’m out of the mansion. Why don’t you, the most favored, have them? Old Madam said you don’t need to avoid such matters. Is there anyone who’s dared to speak ill of you about this? If so, you might as well leave the mansion, considering you’re now free!"

Susu felt both touched and amused in her heart, saying, "I’m about to get married, yet you’re still so straightforward. What’s wrong with my attire? Do I have to dress splendidly to be considered favored? I think you’re the one pampered by the Old Madam to the point of being oblivious. No matter how favored I am, I’m still just a maid; I cannot be arrogant. Besides, this squirrel-lined cloak and silk clothes—many legitimate daughters of middle-class families might not even have a few such garments. What’s not decent about them? Just now, I visited Mrs. Zhao’s home; dressing too lavishly would not be a visit, but a display! Among the four of us, you’re the best at dressing, and I’ve heard your future brother-in-law’s family is quite wealthy, with gold and silver mountains. But Old Madam has long advised you, an unmarried daughter and a daughter-in-law are different! No matter how rich your brother-in-law’s family is, they are still just landlords. Even if they have money, they can’t buy what you wear and carry. One or two pieces could be justified as Old Madam’s and the family’s affection, but more than that would be excessive."

Yang Liu was too embarrassed to respond. Susu, seeing it was the right moment, took her hand and said, "Good sister, I spoke a bit harshly; don’t take it to heart. Given our years of friendship, I only speak to you as I would to a real sister!"

Yang Liu’s eyes reddened but still rolled her eyes at Susu, "I only said one thing to you, and you replied with a cartload of words." Then she grew serious, "It’s not your harsh words that bother me; I’m truly grateful to have such a sincere friend. It’s not wealth that confuses me, but rather I have no understanding of life outside the mansion! My mother also told me some things about the Huang Family, and I am uncertain, so I simply choose not to think about it, though deep down, I feel inferior! I’ve heard the Huang Family is a century-old family, each generation with only one heir. Although they don’t have many scholars, they’re still well-known landlords in Tongzhou. Why would such a family eagerly take in a girl with a maid’s background? My mother says their grand-old master owes a life debt to my grandfather and that they usually maintain contact. Upon hearing the mansion entered the Capital, they developed a desire for kinship."

Susu smiled, "Why should you feel inferior, sister? In terms of character, looks, and knowledge, you’re not lacking. Most of the operations at Sui’an Hall are managed by you, and even the Imperial Palace has been visited by you. Why would you fear managing the home of a rural landlord? Speaking of which, it is just that you come from a maid’s background, isn’t it? But maids are not all the same; those who come out from the mansions of noble and aristocratic families are in high demand. Just among us, the Old Madam arranged well for each sister. It is said, ’Better to marry a great family’s maid than a commoner’s daughter.’ Comparing connections, ten landlords from Tongzhou couldn’t match one Grandpa Qiao. You’re not inferior but rather have a knot in your heart, thinking they wish to use marriage to attach to the mansion. Am I right?"

Yang Liu showed a look of "How do you know everything?"...