Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 115 - 8: Prosperity of the Azure Lotus

Who would have thought that the usually reserved Old Madam of Duke Zhen Guo would actually praise Old Madam Song like the Empress Dowager did, and then even mention that little maid Susu, which led the Empress Dowager to also comment on her being loyal, skillful, and what a pity, and so on!

Of course, the Empress Dowager would never meet personally with a little maid, but she did mention, "Next time the Old Madam of Anshun Earl Mansion visits the palace, have her come and sit with me! She has lived in the South for many years and must be more knowledgeable than those of us who have never left the Capital! Just look at Consort Xi, and you’ll see she’s good too!" Although these words were said privately and won’t be spread outside, they show that Consort Xi holds a certain weight in the eyes of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor! 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Upon returning to the Prince Mansion, the Imperial Concubine knew her granddaughter was planning a small gathering to entertain new friends, so she casually added Susu’s name to the list. Although she didn’t understand why the Old Madam of Duke Zhen Guo would want to elevate her status, she didn’t mind offering a push herself. After all, she was just a little maid, and there was no harm, just a bit of kindness!

When they had met earlier, she was dressed as a maid, but upon seeing her today, she couldn’t help but compliment her appearance; such demeanor is truly unfortunate! Everyone has a soft spot for beauties; it unknowingly stirred a sense of pity in her heart: "Good girl, that Qinglian Shengshi is such a clever idea. The Empress Dowager, who has seen all the good items, even praised it as ingenious! I’ve spoken with your Old Madam today; if Susu doesn’t showcase her skills, I’ll have to keep your girls here to keep this old lady company!"

Susu was a bit confused about the situation, but she knew about the Qinglian Shengshi, a fragrance she designed at the request of Consort Xi. Although she didn’t think making fragrances was difficult, as it was mostly a ’borrowed idea’, those eighty-one exquisitely carved jade lotuses had cost a fortune, employing a specialized Jade Carving Master and utilizing the most precious whole block of glass-clear Imperial Green Jade from the Old Madam’s private collection.

The materials for one lotus could at least make two bracelets and some small pendants. With a total of eighty-one lotuses, one could imagine the size and value of this piece of jade!

The Empress Dowager had just celebrated her birthday, and although the Song family hadn’t received word about the results yet, given the Imperial Concubine’s remarks today, Susu knew the outcome was sure to be worthy of that piece of jade and her month’s time!

Susu still wore a light smile, neither arrogant nor impatient, making people regard her even more highly, "What good things hasn’t the Imperial Concubine seen? Susu only has a little talent, it’s not like she could overturn the Buddha’s Five Finger Mountain, so it looks like our young ladies will have to stay at the Prince Mansion!" She said this with a ’helpless’ expression as she looked at the Song family’s young ladies, making the girls present burst out laughing.

Princess Qingning, holding Lady Shen’s hand, smiled at the Sixth Miss, saying, "You said she was so wonderful, I didn’t believe it, but now that I’ve met her today, I see you left something out; this girl is truly amusing!"

Ruan Qiniang was genuinely delighted to see the Thirteenth Lady and, noticing her sister’s seemingly unintentional glance, stepped forward pretending to be pitiful, "If I’d known there were so many beauties here today, I wouldn’t have come and let Grandmother overlook me even more!"

The Imperial Concubine pulled her to sit beside her, playfully scolding, "Whose family are you from, such nerve? A little wife here to get jealous over my young ladies?"

Ruan Qiniang pretended to be unbearably shy, burying herself in the Concubine’s lap, "Why, I’m from your family!" which made everyone present even less formal!

The Princess Consort watched from the side, covering her mouth with a handkerchief in laughter, her gaze inadvertently landing on Susu and then on Ruan Qiniang, exclaiming, "Oh? I thought this girl looked familiar before; now that I compare them, doesn’t she slightly resemble my second niece-in-law? This girl’s eyes also seem familiar, though I can’t recall where I’ve seen them before!"

With the Princess Consort saying this, the Imperial Concubine and others took a careful look at Susu and Ruan Qiniang as well. The Imperial Concubine commented, "Not to mention, the nose and mouth are similar; these eyes..." Something seemed to flash through the Imperial Concubine’s mind, her gaze tightening briefly, though imperceptibly, and she continued, "These eyes are truly well-formed indeed!"

The Imperial Concubine said this while gazing at Ruan Qiniang, noticing her slight change in expression, and sighed inwardly. Outwardly, she remained composed, giving the Princess Consort a glance, and with a shared understanding, the Princess Consort smiled at her daughter, "Today is your banquet; you should get along well with your friends!"

The Imperial Concubine added, "Go play, girls, while you still can; don’t be shy at home!" Then she looked at Ruan Qiniang and smiled, "You’re the oldest here, so take good care of the honored guests; if anyone’s not satisfied, I’ll not only seek out Qingning but also punish you!"

Ruan Qiniang, with a distressed look on her face, said to the group of ladies, "Good sisters, let’s go to Yintai Building to shop another day!" The ladies just covered their mouths and laughed!

Afterward, the girls followed Princess Qingning and Ruan Qiniang to the Prince Mansion’s largest back garden, which not only had a small plum grove but also a glass conservatory. Due to the weather, the main luncheon was held in the conservatory, but since it had snowed last night, it was a perfect opportunity to admire the red plum blossoms against the snow. A small space was also set up in the plum grove with folding screens, low tables, and floor mats, complete with small red clay stoves and delicate snacks, showing how much thought the Commandery Princess had put into it.

Susu, given her awkward status, found solace with the Song sisters and Ruan Qiniang helping her integrate. Most of the girls in attendance, after all, were around eleven or twelve, or eight or nine years old, and thus more curious about Susu rather than hostile, making it easier for the atmosphere to lighten up!

Even the smallest girls have a woman’s nature; after the gossip comes clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics! And these were Susu’s specialties. Coupled with her warm and harmless demeanor, it was easy for others to lower their guard, even those who initially envied and underestimated Susu due to the Imperial Concubine’s favoritism found that she was indeed adept at "amusements, clothing, food, and housing" in every way!

The three Song sisters and their two cousin young ladies made some genuine friends. Even the Fifth Miss, though not genuinely foolish, had long tucked away her small-minded behavior from home! Apart from her crooked mind, Fifth Miss was also well-taught in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, etiquette, and decorum by renowned teachers, and even those unaware of her inner thoughts would praise her as talented and beautiful!

Now that they knew each other and made friends they wished to keep, they got up in groups of three or five to appreciate the plum blossoms, with some of the more elegant ones even gathering the snow water from the plum trees together. Susu, however, ended up talking with Ruan Qiniang. Everyone saw their shared interest in food, but little did they know these two were actually recognizing each other as sisters!