Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 107 - 5: Gossip (3)

Chun Feng saw that both Susu and Yang Liu didn’t seem to care, feeling a bit embarrassed herself, took the small pocket and ran back to her room. Before leaving, she said, "I’m not giving it to my mom, if it gets into her hands, she’ll definitely save it for my brother."

Yang Liu was speechless; the second aunt was great in every way except for her heavy favoritism towards sons over daughters, which had made her own daughter very distrustful.

Susu and Chun Feng had dinner at the Qiao Family’s house. It was only after Housekeeper Qiao and his son and daughter-in-law returned home and chatted for a while, that it was already dark, and a coarse servant woman escorted the two to the back door.

The two walked back together to Sui’an Hall. By the time they reached Sui’an Hall, it was almost seven o’clock. Chun Feng went to the back room, while Susu headed to the upper room.

Two horn lanterns hung under the eaves of the main room, with two rough maids standing at the door. Seeing Susu, they greeted her with a smile, "Sister, you’re back!"

Old Madam was kind-hearted, and after dinner, all the maids except the ones on duty were allowed not to serve in front. On cold days, even the rough maids wore thick cotton jackets and fur vests. But the northern cold weather was something the southern maids and women couldn’t quite tolerate, and no one wanted to be on duty outside.

Susu came up with a method: one-hour rotation shifts, equipped with hand warmers and hot tea, which made some of the little maids purchased from the Capital exclaim, "We’ve fallen into a nest of bliss," making Old Madam very happy, as well as prompting Susu to arrange for some small jewelry to be given to them as a reward.

So, in Sui’an Hall, when it comes to who has the best relationship with people, besides Nanny Qin, there was no one who surpassed Susu, who had the backing of Old Madam.

Upon entering, a wave of warmth hit her. Susu first turned into the east side room, which was set up as a tea room and also where the maids waited for instructions while on duty.

The maids on duty, two third-tier and two second-tier maids, were surrounding a round table, leisurely eating sunflower seeds. Upon seeing Susu, they hurriedly greeted her.

Susu took off her outer cloak, which Qing Zhu, the perceptive third-tier maid, promptly took over, while the second-tier maid Ming Yu quickly poured Susu a cup of hot tea, asking, "How is Sister Yang Liu?"

Susu took a sip of hot tea, feeling a bit warmer. Although she was a northerner in her past life, she had spent seven years in the south in this life and found herself somewhat unaccustomed to the northern cold. Especially now when there was no such thing as global warming, it was truly cold. The weather had turned bad in the afternoon, likely it would snow soon.

Susu let out a breath and said, "Sister Yang Liu is doing well, just feeling a bit bored at home and missing Old Madam and all of you."

Hearing laughter from the main room, Susu asked, "Who is serving by Old Madam’s side?" Ming Yue, the other second-tier maid, quickly responded, "Ning Cui, Yun Duo, and Ming Xiang are all there. A few young ladies and the Heir’s wife are accompanying Old Madam, while Nanny Qin, whose bones have been aching since winter began, felt worse today, so Old Madam had her rest early."

With so many people gathered, it must be for the small banquet set by Princess Qingning of Prince Gong Mansion tomorrow!

Susu put down the teacup, "I’ll go in and have a look. Be sure to ask the young maids to check the East Ear Room occasionally, as Nanny Qin can’t take the cold; the fire-bed and the heated walls need to be burning strongly."

Nanny Qin was in poor health, and with Yang Liu out of the mansion, the usually lazy Susu found herself having to be more attentive to matters. Fortunately, there was still Ning Cui for now, but Ning Cui wouldn’t be staying much longer. Once she leaves the mansion, there will be one less close person, and just managing interpersonal relations gives Susu a headache; indeed, being all things to all people is truly difficult!

While lamenting to herself that her future affluent and leisurely life was slipping away, she softened her facial expression and headed towards the West Warm Pavilion, inwardly complaining: Pretending to be someone you’re not, indeed, is a well-practiced skill!

The masters were all in the West Warm Pavilion, and as Susu lifted the curtain and entered, she saw a lively scene filled with chatter and laughter!

Old Madam was all smiles, looking lovingly at the granddaughters and daughters-in-law at her knee. As soon as she spotted Susu, her smile grew even brighter.

"Has that girl Yang Liu let you return? How is Granny Zhao?"

Susu first paid her respects to Old Madam, the Heir’s wife, and the young ladies, before standing beside Old Madam.

"Mrs. Zhao is doing well, and she sends her regards to Old Madam, thanking you for remembering her. As for Yang Liu..." Susu paused, then said, somewhat amusedly, "Despite being so grown-up, when I was leaving, she almost dragged me down to roll and act foolish, clamoring to come back with me. It wasn’t until Housekeeper Qiao scolded her that she quieted down."

Recalling the scene when she returned, she laughed, resting on Ning Cui’s shoulder. "Old Madam, you should have seen Yang Liu’s refusal to act properly; even Housekeeper Qiao found it amusing."