Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 114 - 8: Prosperity of the Azure Lotus

Nanny Tao had honed her skills in the palace, always keeping an eye and ear out. Now, she unobtrusively observed all the noblewomen with ease.

She was already familiar with the young ladies of the Zhao Family, but it was her first time meeting Miss Song! 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Even though all the young ladies were dressed extravagantly, Nanny Tao’s eyes fell straight on Susu at the back. It couldn’t be helped; this young lady was exceptionally beautiful. Even a seasoned palace-dweller like Nanny Tao had to admit Susu’s beauty was unique. Having seen her once, she still found herself defenseless against it, just as Susu continued to gaze at her with eyes full of "admiration, respect, and astonishment." She didn’t realize that to others, she was equally "astonishing"!

With such a girl, it was no wonder that Old Madam Song frequently praised her, making even the Imperial Concubine remember this talented and beautiful young maid. Today, with the Commandery Princess hosting a banquet, the Imperial Concubine even formally sent her an invitation, instructing that she not be neglected.

Nanny Tao led the young ladies towards the Rongle Hall of the Imperial Concubine, saying as they walked, "Today’s guests also include three young ladies from the Annan Earl Mansion of the Imperial Concubine’s family, and four young ladies from the Rongxian Marquis Mansion of the Princess Consort’s family. The Second Young Madam from Annan Earl Mansion, who is quite fun, also accompanied her sisters. Additionally, there is Lady Shen from the Ping Shun Earl Mansion, all of whom are currently with the Imperial Concubine."

The layout of the Great Chu Prince Mansion was quite similar, though the Prince Gong Mansion was one-third larger than other Prince Mansions.

After walking about 200 meters through a corridor, they entered the inner courtyard. Sun Fangqing and Susu, at the back, quietly discussed the Nanny Tao they had just met, exclaiming her impressive demeanor as a former Chief of Etiquette, and talked about the strict and orderly demeanor of various servants.

Susu quietly agreed with her, all the while thinking about the Second Madam of the Annan Earl Mansion mentioned by Nanny Tao. If nothing unexpected happened, this Second Young Madam should be Ruan Qiniang. Susu was sure Ruan Qiniang had come because of her; otherwise, why would a married young woman attend a small banquet held by unmarried girls?

The layout of Rongle Hall was similar to Sui’an Hall but larger and more luxurious, with more exquisite decorations, presenting an understated luxury!

Susu had seen many fine things with Old Madam Song, but the seemingly unimposing Golden Rattan Wood bed, where the Imperial Concubine sat, couldn’t be purchased by the wealthy Song Family.

Not to mention the calligraphy and paintings on the walls, the incense burner on the small table, and the warm jade piece in the hands of the Imperial Concubine, which truly demonstrated what heritage meant!

The Song Family spent a fortune to obtain the title of Shun’an Earl, which could only be inherited for three generations at most, and they were as happy as if a pie had fallen from the sky, all for the sake of heritage!

Susu’s thoughts wandered, yet didn’t prevent her from greeting the Imperial Concubine, the Princess Consort, Princess Qingning, and Lady Shen with the other young ladies, as well as the two concubine-born daughters of the Prince Mansion, the young ladies of Rongxian Marquis Mansion, the young ladies of Annan Earl Mansion, and Ruan Qiniang!

As a maid, Susu’s presence at such an event was already noticeable, yet the Imperial Concubine specially said, "Susu, come here to me!"

The Imperial Concubine had only seen Susu two or three times but remembered her vividly due to Susu’s appearance, Old Madam Song’s praise, and the attention this maid generated! Not every young maid could catch the attention of the palace ladies enough to receive special rewards!

Not to mention that even the Empress Dowager now knew that Consort Xi’s family had a talented, beautiful, loyal, and righteous little maid!

This all began with the incense crafted by Susu, specifically the Twelve Flower Goddess Incense submitted on the fifteenth of August, which earned Consort Xi and the Little Princess the Emperor’s praise, consequently earning Susu the Empress’s reward!

At the beginning of November, it was the Empress Dowager’s birthday. Since it was not a major one, it wasn’t celebrated grandly, but gifts still had to be presented, and Consort Xi instructed Susu to create a type of incense!

Knowing that the Empress Dowager was a devout Buddhist, Susu spent a month crafting a Buddha Incense, consisting of eighty-one palm-sized jade-carved green lotuses, but the most precious were the lotus pods in their centers, containing a total of seven hundred twenty-nine nine-colored lotus seeds. While the materials weren’t the most precious, they were made using a secret method, with nine colors and nine scents, and each scent had three notes — the top, middle, and base.

Originally, the Empress Dowager didn’t care who made the incense; she used whatever made her comfortable and naturally rewarded Consort Xi for presenting it. But the day before yesterday, the Imperial Concubine, the Princess Changlong, and the Duke Zhen Guo Old Madam visited the Empress Dowager for casual chatter in the palace, and they noticed this incense. Upon learning it was presented by Consort Xi and having used the incense products sent by Old Madam Song, the three naturally knew it must be Susu’s handiwork.