Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 125 - 13: The Matter of Sister Long (Part 1)

Chapter 125: Chapter 13: The Matter of Sister Long (Part 1)

On the fifteenth, Old Madam and the Heir’s wife went to the palace early in the morning. When they returned, they were all smiles, and there was a box of items gifted by the Lady to Susu, naturally for the grand occasion prepared for the Empress Dowager.

Additionally, the Empress Dowager summoned the Old Madam for a delightful conversation and bestowed upon her four sets of gifts. The items themselves were secondary, but the honor they represented was significant!

Consort Xi also did not support Susu entering Prince Gong Mansion. The best outcome was to form a connection with Hong Sheng, and if not, they should still arrange an alliance to support the Song Family in the future.

The Princess Consort of Prince Gong also sent someone over, it was Nanny Tao whom Susu greatly admired. On the surface, she came to apologize on behalf of the Prince for his rudeness, bringing small gifts for the young ladies and Susu. In reality, she subtly hinted at the conversation the Princess Consort had with the Prince, suggesting that they quickly find a suitable match for Susu.

This was when the Song Family realized that the Prince of Prince Gong Mansion had been inactive because of a misunderstanding, mistaking Susu for Miss Song and thus hesitating to act.

Old Madam first thanked the Princess Consort and mentioned that Susu was now a good citizen and of age, presently under consideration for marriage.

Nanny Tao was satisfied and left.

In a few days, Ruan Qiniang sent an invitation to Zhao Lanxi, making Zhao Lanxi quite puzzled. Although her aunt was Ruan Qiniang’s maternal aunt by marriage, they were too far apart in age to have played together.

Moreover, since the seizure of titles from Duke Li’s Mansion, Ruan Qiniang had been living in seclusion as a young girl and was not close to her.

This was the first time the Heir’s wife received an invitation from Ruan Qiniang. Even though she didn’t know what it was about, she immediately responded, setting a date for a meeting, only to hear a secret tale.

Duke Rong, in an attempt to please the Emperor, failed to redeem his own daughter and granddaughter, resulting in the daughter’s tragic death and the granddaughter’s fall into a lowly actress role.

And that young girl named Long Jie was actually in their mansion.

Ruan Qiniang came to ask the Shun’an Earl Mansion for a favor, wanting to take Long Jie away for proper care.

"This is not within my authority, please wait a moment, elder sister, while I consult my grandmother to understand her opinion."

Upon hearing Zhao Lanxi’s words, Ruan Qiniang smiled gratefully: "This is natural, it’s just troubling for my little sister!"

"You’re being too polite, elder sister, please have some refreshments first." Zhao Lanxi had maids and older women serve while she herself ran to Sui’an Hall.

With the New Year approaching, Sui’an Hall was very lively, and the New Year gifts from all over kept Susu so busy she had no time for other thoughts.

She couldn’t stay long, and was putting all her effort into teaching Ning Xiang and Yun Tong (Wu Tong was renamed Yun Tong to avoid the Little Princess’ name taboo), when the Heir’s wife arrived. Susu was then reporting to Old Madam about the profits from various shops and was also returning gifts to the stewards and shopkeepers.

This wasn’t the usual time for the Heir’s wife to pay respects, and Old Madam, knowing her granddaughter-in-law had a guest today, asked curiously, "The guest left? How come they didn’t stay for a meal?" Also, according to custom, they should meet the elders!

The Heir’s wife laughed and said, "I haven’t yet greeted grandmother. How could I let her leave! I just came to see if grandmother has time."

Old Madam replied, "Since it’s a relative, there’s no need for so much formality. Bring them in."

The Heir’s wife glanced at the maids in the room, and Old Madam immediately realized there was a private matter that shouldn’t be overheard, waving her hand for Susu and Ning Cui to lead the maids out of the room and close the door!

"Grandmother..." The Heir’s wife hesitated, uncertain where to start, knowing that with the current Emperor’s temperament, mishandling this could drag the Song Family into trouble if it were exposed.

Old Madam patted her hand reassuringly, "We are family. What cannot be said? I’ve seen many storms in my years! Is it related to the Second Young Madam of Annan Earl Mansion who came today?"

Zhao Lanxi, relieved, recounted in detail the matter concerning Ruan Qiniang’s visit.

The Song Family initially had its roots in Yangzhou, being merchants. Though they heard that after the Emperor ascended the throne, Duke Li’s Mansion was seized, they were not familiar enough with the capital to grasp the full impact of the event.

Being the legitimate daughter of the Wenchang Marquis Mansion and having married into the newly prominent Shun’an Earl Mansion to become the Heir’s wife, Zhao Lanxi, future Ancestral Lady of the Song Family, was privy to insights casually mentioned by her elders. She was aware that the Duke Li’s Mansion would undoubtedly have its title restored one day.

This was only known to some families with deep roots and had not been widely circulated, otherwise, it would embarrass the current Emperor!

Zhao Lanxi’s mind whirled as she said, "The Founding Saint Martial Emperor left a decree, stating that the founding eighteen prestigious families, if not guilty of treason, may share the same longevity as Great Chu."

Old Madam was taken aback, then looked at her granddaughter-in-law, who still modestly bowed her head, serene and gentle, as if those words were a mere illusion.

Old Madam sighed internally, realizing that the Song Family lacked the foundation to know such critical matters, and it was through an outsider like her granddaughter-in-law that they learned.

While the Song Family was beloved by the Emperor, yet as the emperor aged, the Song Family must navigate the political landscape to maintain their hard-earned status, ensuring their place in the ongoing struggle for the throne!

Being merchants, the Song Family always prized harmony, and with Ruan Qiniang coming personally, only requesting what was essentially a servant, it seemed impolite to refuse.

However, the servant was of particular significance, and Old Madam considered that if the Emperor discovered this, the Song Family would be implicated.

After all, every official slave was registered with the government, and any transfer, sale, or death required reporting.

"Please invite the Second Young Madam in, since we are all relatives, no need for formalities."

Old Madam steadied her mind, realizing that the Second Young Madam of Annan Earl Mansion connected at least seven or eight founding noble families.

Thinking further, the granddaughter-in-law and Ruan Qiniang shared similar statuses, with an even more influential Marquis father. Striking this match truly meant great fortune for their family!

Old Madam Song did not know that Zhao Lanxi’s acceptance of the marriage was indeed partly due to the Heir’s exceptional qualities, but also because the founding nobles realized after the events with Duke Li’s Mansion, that they should not place all their eggs in one basket. They had sacrificed too many excellent daughters and granddaughters to Duke Li’s Mansion alone. It was heartbreaking!

Susu, seeing Ruan Qiniang, understood that the Heir’s wife had dismissed everyone to discuss Long Jie’s matter with Old Madam.

Ruan Qiniang likewise noticed Susu, playfully winking before entering the inner chamber.

The maids served tea and then withdrew.

When Old Madam called them back in for service, she saw Ruan Qiniang with slightly red eyes, evidently having cried. But now, she was cheerful, signaling to Susu that Long Jie’s situation had been resolved.

Ruan Qiniang smiled at Susu, saying, "I wonder how the Old Madam raised such a delightful child? Every time I see her, despite my limited experience, I want to take her home and hide her away. Even the wise Imperial Concubine is fond of her. Previously in the Prince Mansion, Susu taught the young girls to blend a type of Buddha incense. The sisters brought it home, and our family’s matriarch loved it, praising Susu as clever and skillful. When they heard I was visiting, they expressly instructed me to bring a token of thanks, not to let Susu act as a ’teacher’ without reward."

It was merely cloth and jewelry; Old Madam modestly declined a few times before instructing Susu to accept them. Susu requested Ruan Qiniang to thank the Old Madam of Annan Earl on her behalf.

As the Heir’s wife’s cousin, Ruan Qiniang, although not an elder, was visiting the Song Family for the first time, so naturally, the young ladies had to pay their respects.

Although they met at Prince Gong Mansion, Ruan Qiniang was not the host then, so she prepared gifts accordingly, mainly rings and earrings, yet exquisite with pearls, gemstones, gold, and silver inlays.

The young Seventh Lady was too little to wear these, so she received a pair of pearl flowers, showing that Ruan Qiniang had done her homework and addressed all aspects, giving great face to the Song Family.

The Song Family didn’t have many relatives, most far away in Yangzhou. Now, the granddaughter-in-law’s relatives were naturally considered part of their own family. Old Madam was very pleased and invited Ruan Qiniang to dine at Sui’an Hall. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Due to Zhao Lanxi and Susu, Ruan Qiniang was particularly attentive to Old Madam, and during the meal, there was much laughter and joy.

Zhao Lanxi, seeing how Ruan Qiniang honored her, felt closer to this cousin, whom she hadn’t been very close with in the past.

After the meal, Ruan Qiniang bid farewell.

After everyone left, Old Madam sighed to Nanny Qin, "Now this is the kind of noble woman raised by an aristocratic family, unmatched by our family’s daughters!"

Nanny Qin laughed, "Forgive an old servant for speaking out of place, but our family has only been wealthy for a few generations. People say, ’Three generations learn to wearer away, four inculcate eating manners, five excel in academics,’ and when our family continues through the generations, won’t we also raise such noble women? Now, our eldest daughter is an Imperial Concubine, and maybe we’ll have an Empress in the future!"

This eldest daughter, whom Nanny Qin habitually referred to, was indeed Consort Xi.

Old Madam, hearing this, knew Nanny Qin was joking to amuse her. Though happy inside, she scolded laughingly, "You old rag, aren’t you afraid the wind might twist your tongue!"

The two master and servant treated it as a joke at the time but did not foresee that it would indeed come true one day!