Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 129 - 17: Planning Ahead

A little maid from Sui’an Hall came looking for Susu while they were talking.

Susu asked curiously, "The Old Madam hasn’t returned yet at this time. Is there something Yun Duo needs from me?"

The little maid replied, "Someone from outside has come looking for you, sister. The gatekeepers knew you were visiting Sister Yang Liu today and didn’t dare make a decision, so they informed Sister Yun Duo. She sent me to bring the person here."

Upon hearing it was someone from outside, Susu first thought it might be Mrs. Zhao, but everyone in the mansion knew Mrs. Zhao.

"Is the visitor male or female? Did they leave a name?"

The little maid answered smartly, "It’s an eleven- or twelve-year-old girl, quite nicely dressed. She said her name is He Miao."

Susu’s greatest strength was her photographic memory. As soon as she heard the name, she remembered who it was, but knowing surprised her even more.

A maid from Prince Ke Mansion, why would she come to Shun’an Earl Mansion to find me?

Although they became friends at that time, and she had given her a red agate ring saying they’d exchange a pocket the next time they met, those words were mostly polite, and no one took it seriously.

Yang Liu asked, "What’s wrong? Don’t recognize her?"

Susu shook her head, "I recognize her, just need to borrow your living room."

Yang Liu gave her a playful glance, "Is there a borrowing fee?"

Susu was already taking out a small silver ingot from her pocket to give to the little maid guiding the visitor. The little maid happily took the silver ingot and left.

Susu tossed the pocket to Yang Liu, "Given by the master, if it’s not enough, let’s talk later!"

As Yang Liu reacted, she laughed and was annoyed, "Who is your master? Where did you learn such naughty behavior? If I don’t tear your mouth apart!"

Without waiting for her to make a move, Susu pushed open the door and ran, leaving Yang Liu staring blankly!

In Yang Liu’s courtyard, there was a small flower hall, converted from an earthen room, specifically reserved for receiving female guests who were not too close.

Susu had He Miao invited over and greeted her with a smile, "Good sister, I never thought we’d meet again so soon."

Although she spoke thus, her heart was racing.

Upon first meeting, He Miao was merely a labor maid, although from Prince Ke Mansion, her attire was even less than the Song Family’s labor maids.

But now, in just two or three months, her clothes and accessories have improved significantly.

Dark yellow patterned silk rabbit fur edged cotton jacket, matching cotton pants, covered with a crabapple red long vest lined with gray mouse fur, with a scallion green belt tied at the waist, looking playful and adorable!

Her hair was styled into two buns, tied with red hair ribbons, hanging two small silver bells and adorned with two pearl silk flowers.

Her earlobes bore agate earrings the size of fingernails, red like fire, Susu recognized them as genuine South Red agate.

On her wrists were several fine gold engraved bracelets, estimated to weigh two or three taels, not something a labor maid could wear!

A little maid served tea and pastries, naturally arranged by Yang Liu.

Although Susu was carefully observing He Miao, her hands kept busy, leading her to sit down.

"Sister, have you risen to prominence?"

Not only Susu was inspecting He Miao, but He Miao was also observing Susu.

On that day was amazed by her, though merely a maid, her attire indicated she was favored by the master, and now seeing her, realized she had hidden her prowess at Prince Ke Mansion.

What she wore couldn’t be compared to a favored master’s, the fabric of her clothes, the crafted jewelry, even the Blood Beauty jade ring on her hand, was only seen on the Empress Dowager who had given birth to a first-born son, Consort Zhao Shufei, reportedly bestowed from the palace.

Yet He Miao wasn’t someone with shallow insights, replied with a smile, "When I first arrived, I feared you’d find me presumptuous, but now seeing you alleviates my fear. I am now in Aunt Ruan’s courtyard, recently promoted to second-class. It truly is thanks to you, sister."

Aunt Ruan? Susu caught onto the word. The Prince Mansion women were ranked as Main Wife, Concubine, Concubine, Concubine, and Concubine. Among the concubines, those not pregnant were called Mistress, those pregnant were called Aunt. This Aunt Ruan must be Ruan Shiniang without a doubt.

Susu didn’t show it on her face, curiously asked, "How is it thanks to me?"

"That day, Sister found our Aunt’s pocket at Prince Ke Mansion. That pocket was left by an important relative of Aunt’s. At that time, there were many people and much gossip, so Sister left hastily. Later, Aunt learned Sister was the main maid in front of the Old Madam at Shun’an Earl Mansion. Coincidentally, I was assigned to Aunt’s side, and unexpectedly, Aunt still remembered me, knowing I had befriended Sister, treating me well just for her sake. When Aunt became pregnant and had her own courtyard with more servants, she promoted me to second-tier, all thanks to Sister’s favor."

He Miao felt like it was a windfall.

Listening to He Miao praise Ruan Shiniang, Susu was full of admiration, realizing Ruan Shiniang truly deserved her reputation as a distinguished leader, adept at managing those under her.

"If Aunt Ruan didn’t genuinely like you, receiving gifts alone would be enough. Why would she bring you by her side? Surely it’s because you’re good, so Aunt Ruan is willing to use you!"

Upon hearing Susu’s words, He Miao’s smile became more genuine.

"I have wanted to visit Sister for a while but have been busy. This New Year, Aunt gave me three days off, so I thought to visit Sister. Aunt even prepared a thank-you gift for Sister, instructing me to give it to you."

Saying this, He Miao took out the item wrapped in red silk from her bosom. It was a pair of Mutton Fat Jade bracelets, carved with patterns of long-lasting happiness.

"When Aunt became pregnant, the Prince bestowed these upon her. Our Aunt said that Sister must accept them as her dowry addition."

Truth be told, He Miao felt it strange; even if the pocket Susu found was important, the thank-you gift was way too expensive. Furthermore, what’s with the mysterious dowry addition?

Isn’t it odd for a concubine from Prince Ke Mansion to add to the dowry of a maid from Shun’an Earl Mansion?

However, He Miao had a virtue, which was not listening when unnecessary and not asking questions when inappropriate. She handed the bracelets to Susu, completing her task.

Upon hearing this, Susu realized Ruan Shiniang must have a secret communication channel with Seventh Lady, and understood her own situation: gifting such expensive bracelets for a dowry was clearly a message for Susu to get married promptly!

Susu said, "It was quite the coincidence back then; now, why burden your Aunt with such expensive bracelets? Saying they’re for a dowry—how embarrassing! The marriage isn’t even settled; can your Aunt predict the future?"

He Miao asked in surprise, "Sister is really getting married?"

Susu pretended to be shy, "Our Old Madam loves me dearly, saying waiting until eighteen to find a husband would be too late, so she’s already released my contract!"

He Miao couldn’t help but marvel, this was the model maid, unmatched even in dreams!

"Then Sister must accept these bracelets; otherwise, when I return, Aunt will blame me for not doing my job well!"

After speaking, He Miao took out another exquisite pocket from her bosom, with a dark green base embroidered with a lotus pond under the moonlight.

"Although I haven’t been in the sewing room, Aunt asked Sister Hong Fei to teach me. The embroidery isn’t good, Sister, please don’t mind. Next time, I’ll surely make a better one for Sister!"

When Susu took it, although the stitches were somewhat uneven, they showed a certain charm. Being able to embroider like this in just two or three months proved she was not only talented but also willing to work hard.

Susu laughed, "This is already very good, but if there will be another pocket next time, I will be waiting!"

Upon arrival, He Miao knew this wasn’t Susu’s home and didn’t want to impose by staying for a meal. Truth be told, she and Susu didn’t have a deep friendship, just Aunt’s favor.

This time meeting Susu, seeing she didn’t belittle her for being a small maid, He Miao felt more engaged!

With the task completed, He Miao said she needed to leave, "My home is in the Capital suburb, and my mother is waiting for me to return home for a meal!"

Susu found it easy to let go, knowing He Miao had neither a sedan nor a carriage accompanying her, so she quickly asked someone from outside to call a carriage, and didn’t hold back, asking Yang Liu to prepare a gift of four items for He Miao’s family.

Although Yang Liu didn’t know the little girl’s background, Susu valued her, so naturally, she wouldn’t be stingy: four pieces of satin, four types of pastries, four types of fruits, and four rings, all nicely packaged and sent to the carriage. When He Miao returned home and saw them, she exclaimed, "Incredible!"

The Song Family truly had wealth, not just empty words. Even a stewardess’s daughter showed her worth!

Though Prince Ke Mansion sounded prestigious, it had neither money nor power, not even living as comfortably as a local landlord.

After He Miao left, Susu didn’t wait for Yang Liu to inquire before explaining how she knew He Miao, of course omitting Ruan Shiniang!

"I thought this girl was genuinely sincere; she said she would visit me and did indeed come! When Fourth Miss truly enters Prince Ke Mansion in the future, we’ll have means of communication!"

Susu didn’t say the name He Miao was quite inconspicuous. However, once by Ruan Shiniang’s side, she seemed highly important, reminding Susu that she was probably the self-combed He Miao aunt by the protagonist’s side, an absolute divine helper.

Now, she’s just a little girl; later, when the protagonist becomes the Empress Dowager, He Miao has become the head Chief Palace among the Six Ladies-in-waiting! One can never underestimate anyone!

Yang Liu never expected that even before Fourth Miss entered Prince Ke Mansion, Susu had found routes for message conveyance, truly impressed and convinced, no wonder the Old Madam cherished her the most!