Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 136 - 20: Rumors and Gossip

At Sui’an Hall, Susu found it both amusing and bittersweet to see the Old Madam wearing an expression of "I know even if you don’t say it." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Although the Old Madam had long been completely disappointed with her two daughters-in-law, having these two daughters-in-law who seize every opportunity to irritate their mother-in-law was quite disconcerting!

"Previously, I got acquainted with a woman from the First Madam’s courtyard during the inspection of the main warehouse. Her daughter was later arranged by me to do cleaning in the courtyard. We usually didn’t have much contact, but only yesterday did she send a few messages. In regard to the rumors about me, the handiwork of the two Madams cannot be excluded."

Susu spoke of this without any guilt, because she knew of at least ten times when the First Madam tried to bribe the maids and servants of Sui’an Hall!

The Old Madam was not particularly concerned about that woman, only that she heard about the rumors involving Susu, driven and abetted by the two Madams, and remained silent for a while.

Seeing this, Susu quickly said, "The person behind this clearly exploited the nature of the two Madams, which is truly hateful. Although I won’t be missing a meal or a piece of flesh, having such a person lurking behind makes one uneasy."

"This matter with Ah Xiang (Nanny Qin) is entrusted to you. Be sure to investigate thoroughly. We’ll start with the courtyards of the two Madams. Since they have the interest to watch the drama, it’s not my fault to cut off their tails and trace back to the source. I want to see who has such great capabilities!"

The Old Madam finished speaking, darkening her expression before adding, "You are well-aware of the servants in Sui’an Hall. If there’s truly anyone betraying from within, beat them with a stick first, then talk. Also, keep a closer watch on the young ladies over there."

In fact, Susu had someone in mind. But without evidence, it was difficult to speak up.

Susu was about to leave the mansion; yet still, someone was trying to trouble her. Nanny Qin also harbored resentment against such a person stirring up trouble, so she loudly made a show in the mansion, clearly indicating that the Old Madam was partial to Susu, while secretly sending people to investigate.

As for Susu, after she served the Old Madam lunch and waited for her to fall asleep, a young maid came to announce, "The elder sister from Third Miss’s side has come over to see you about something."

Susu went out and saw it was Wanwan, the head maid beside Third Miss. This girl had willow-leaf eyebrows and, though not particularly striking in appearance, had a rare charm when she smiled. Third Miss gave her the name Wanwan, like Xiang Ming, one of her most trusted attendants.

Wanwan carried a delicately woven bamboo basket and, upon seeing Susu, smiled and said, "This is a chuanbei loquat paste made by Aunt Bai herself. Third Miss thought the Old Madam had been coughing lately, so she asked me to bring it over as a filial gesture for the Old Madam."

"Sister, come in and have a seat. The Old Madam is sleeping, and I’ll inform her when she wakes up." The Old Madam had always been generous with her attendants, and given such thoughtful gestures, Susu originally intended to give Wanwan a pocket. However, the rumors in the mansion about "pretending to be generous with the master’s things" made Susu rethink and she ultimately refrained, inviting Wanwan to come inside and sit.

Wanwan replied, "I still have matters to attend to with the Miss. Since the Old Madam is asleep, I won’t go in."

"Oh, by the way, I heard Fifth Miss had been coughing for a while, so Bisha often went to the pharmacy to brew several doses of chuanbei loquat paste with Mr. Zhao (the Household Doctor when they were in Yangzhou). It was very effective. The chuanbei loquat paste today is from a recipe Aunt Bai specifically asked Mr. Zhao about back then."

Susu paused, then looked at Wanwan, who seemed to speak unintentionally, but for someone qualified to be the head maid beside a young lady, destined to accompany her as a dowry, perhaps as a concubine or housekeeper’s wife, there weren’t many who weren’t sharp!

This wasn’t something said at random. Susu felt a jolt inside but outwardly said, "If it works for the Old Madam, I must go to Aunt Bai and learn a trick or two."

Seeing Susu smiling perfectly, Wanwan couldn’t tell if she understood or not.

As mentioned, those who become head maids aren’t usually lacking in wits. Wanwan didn’t know why Third Miss asked her to pass these few words to Susu, but thinking of Fifth Miss’s character, she guessed whether Fifth Miss started causing trouble again.

Currently, only the rumors about Guan Susu were causing unrest in the entire mansion, and Wanwan’s heart wavered: could it be related to Fifth Miss?

Leaving aside how Wanwan was tongue-tied returning to report to Third Miss, Susu pondered for a long time but couldn’t figure out why Fifth Miss had to go against her.

Could it be that not being envied is a sign of mediocrity?

Since this involves the masters, Susu cannot handle this quietly herself even if Fifth Miss is difficult. After all, she is the Old Madam’s granddaughter, and when Fifth Miss nearly sold out the Song Family before, she was only confined to reflect!

This matter wasn’t something she could bring up directly with the Old Madam, so Susu privately spoke with Nanny Qin, but Nanny Qin seemed unsurprised. Seeing Susu a bit puzzled, Nanny Qin chuckled, "Some people just can’t bear to see others doing well! You don’t have to bother; I know how to handle this!"