Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 120 - 10: The Calamity of Beauty

As the wife of the legitimate second son of the Annan Earl Mansion’s first branch, Ruan Qiniang may not handle everything as impeccably as her sister-in-law, the Heir’s wife, but she is most fond of talking and laughing, deeply cherished by the Old Madam of Annan Earl Mansion, and gets along quite well with several sisters-in-law.

The Third Miss of the Annan Earl Mansion drew old friends and new acquaintances forward, jesting, "The Imperial Concubine asked my second sister-in-law to assist the Commandery Princess in entertaining guests, yet my sister-in-law knows how to evade responsibilities."

Then she turned to Susu, saying, "No wonder the Imperial Concubine holds such affection for you. Sister Rou even remarked that Miss Susu was quite the extraordinary person."

The Sister Rou in the mouth of the Third Miss from Annan Earl Mansion is the Fifth Miss Song. The fourth generation of the Song Family all bear two-character names, with the middle character being ’Qing’, and the Fifth Miss’s maiden name is Qing Rou.

Susu curtsied to the three young ladies, glanced at the gently smiling and agreeable Fifth Miss, maintaining humility on the surface, yet her voice was unconstrained as she said, "It’s merely some learned miscellany reaching the ears of nobles, undeserving of such praise from you, young lady."

Who is Ruan Qiniang? She is experienced in the warmth and coldness of human relationships, a social genius who instantly sees through the inconsistency of the Song Family’s Fifth Miss. Moreover, she is still young, unable to fully hide the resentment revealed in those eyes, inwardly sneering.

A lady of distinction holding resentment against a maid left her speechless. However, she could also see that Susu was indeed outstanding, no longer the silent little girl merely shadowing her elder sister!

Ruan Qiniang laughed and pinched her sister-in-law, saying, "You’re all agreed to going to Yintai Building to choose jewelry, can’t you let me ease up! Susu and I connected instantly as if old friends; what the Fifth Miss Song said hits the mark—Susu is not only remarkable but also a refined person. Earlier, listening to grandmother and great-grandmother talk about plum wine, the Cold Soul aroused tight curiosity. Today, hearing Susu talk about food, playthings, clothing, and accessories, each sophisticated without exception, one cannot but wonder how Old Madam Song raised such a wondrous person!"

The Third Miss of Annan Earl Mansion and the Fifth Miss of Rongxian Marquis Mansion exchanged glances, having previously held grievances against Susu, subtly influenced by the remarks of Fifth Miss Song, initially intending to embarrass Susu.

The two did not expect Ruan Qiniang to hold Susu in such regard, realizing that they should refrain from speaking further, exchanged a few polite words with Susu; then a maid from the Prince Mansion came to inform them that lunch was served in the Glasshouse, leading them to the Glasshouse.

This time, lunch was chosen as a separate meal system, with each person having a small desk, either kneeling or sitting, forming a circle, with a large desk in the center. Maids overseeing the division of dishes were in charge of serving food; whichever someone preferred to eat, they would ask the maids to serve it.

This way of dining was favored by the Saint Martial Emperor at palace feasts and has been continued since then. However, nobles of legacy families generally dislike it, for they emphasize status, hierarchy, rules, and etiquette.

By hosting the banquet in this manner today, Princess Qingning was somewhat considerate of Susu and the two cousin young ladies of the Song Family, ensuring their dignity. Susu couldn’t help but sigh that this is the true demeanor of noble ladies!

The lunch prepared by the Prince Mansion was not particularly novel for the young ladies from the wealthy Song Family; although there was no shortage of rare delicacies, they were considered merely average.

Ever since arriving in the Capital, Susu accompanied the Old Madam to many gatherings, understanding that the more substantial a family’s foundation is, they might not emphasize lineage but highly value the grace and poise expressed in gestures and demeanor; thus, this meal felt both mentally and physically demanding!

After the meal, since the Imperial Concubine had previously requested Susu to showcase her skills, coupled with the recently popular refined and lavish hobbies among noblewomen like tea ceremony, fragrance blending, flower appreciation, and poetry critique, in the afternoon, Susu taught several young ladies to blend a Buddha Incense, matching it with a small exquisite white jade incense burner, appropriate even for honoring the Empress Dowager.

The Imperial Concubine was instantly fond of it and rewarded Susu with a set of thirteen compartments’ filigree inlaid jewelry.

Ruan Qiniang naturally knew that Aunt Su was an expert in fragrance blending and didn’t expect that Susu, at such a young age, inherited Aunt Su’s expertise, knowing that Aunt Su passed away when Susu was merely seven years old.

Yet, Ruan Qiniang didn’t dwell on it too much, simply happy for her younger sister. Now Thirteenth Lady not only possesses presentable skills, but her personality also triumphs over her childhood timidness by far!

Thinking of Susu’s experiences over the years, with her young age, facing an anonymous life sold into servitude, is she had remained that timid child, the grass over her grave would likely be tall by now!

Regardless of how Ruan Qiniang rejoices for her sister, Susu undoubtedly won the discerning attention of a host of noble young ladies.

Susu is stunning—a beauty that captivates at first glance, combined with a gentle temperament, seemingly radiant like moonlit stars, making one feel increasingly at ease the more they look at her. It is easy to dispel wariness. Susu felt that perhaps this is her Golden Finger!