Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 142 - 22: Aftermath

Fifth Miss respectfully kowtowed to the Old Madam, "Grandmother, I know that saying more is pointless, but I’m just not willing to accept it. You say that in your heart, both legitimate and illegitimate grandchildren are your grandchildren, but how many people in the world are like you? What is wrong with wanting to stand out? I’m not convinced, even if I were sent back to Yangzhou, I still wouldn’t be convinced."

Without waiting for the Old Madam to speak, Fifth Miss got up directly and looked at Susu, who was standing behind the Old Madam, "Since I was little, I never liked you, even though you’re not much older than me, you’ve always been so perfect that you didn’t seem real, appearing gentle and amiable to everyone. But you should really look in the mirror; who can actually catch your eye? A maid, yet not even a legitimate daughter can compare to you. Don’t you think that’s heart-piercing?"

At these words, Susu was stunned for quite a while, opened her mouth, but eventually said nothing.

The Old Madam saw Susu lower her head, glanced at Fifth Miss, "Fifth Girl, Grandmother is not afraid of you not accepting your fate, nor is Grandmother afraid of your ambition, but at least your heart should be pure, and your path should be righteous. You’ve been filled with crooked ways by your aunt and that Gao Family, which will only harm yourself and others in the end. Now leave!" These words were rather harsh!

Song Qingrou forced a smile as if she didn’t care, but her heart was bitter. She bowed to the Old Madam once more, and then left without looking back. Just wait, she wouldn’t fall without rising again. She waited for the Song Family, waited for the day her grandmother would personally welcome her back.

Fifth Miss was sent back to Yangzhou by the Fifth Young Master, and the Song Family spared no effort to deal with Gao Yue. The Song Family is now like the rising sun, growing brighter and stronger. Gao Yue has plotted against the Song Family, and their new and old grievances will be settled together.

The Song Family, even at its worst, is still an Earl. Not to mention, they have Consort Xi and Princess Anning in the palace, and every child in the family is strong, with exceptional marriage alliances. Targeting a rootless Gao Family poses no pressure at all.

However, for fear of damaging Fifth Miss and Susu’s reputations, they couldn’t have someone report Gao Yue’s crime of hiring an assassin; they could only think of ways to suppress Gao Yue’s appointment letter. Most scholars from the imperial exams serve as officials, but whether they become capital officials or local officials, serve as a Seventh Rank County Magistrate in a wealthy area, or an Eighth Rank County Magistrate in a poor area, or are immediately appointed or wait three to four years, all depends on their individual and family capabilities.

The Song Family found someone to suppress Gao Yue’s appointment letter. This matter couldn’t escape the notice of Gao Yue’s father-in-law, Lord Qi, as after all, Lord Qi is Mr. Wang’s son-in-law. Gao Yue’s appointment was something Lord Qi had long set with arrangements.

It’s just that Lord Qi actually discovered earlier that the Song Family held no regard for Gao Yue, merely meddling by the Song Family’s concubine and a not properly recognized daughter on behalf of their uncle. But by that time, the concubine’s daughter from the Qi Family was already married, and she was deeply enchanted by Gao Yue. Luckily, Lord Qi believed that Gao Yue had some skills and could only accept it begrudgingly.

But now, the Song Family is openly suppressing Gao Yue. Cutting off a future is akin to killing one’s parents, an unacceptable enmity. Lord Qi started to doubt. Over there, Gao Yue was happily waiting to assume office with his beloved wife, while here, Lord Qi called Gao Yue to ask some questions, mainly about any grudges with the Song Family, and mentioned the suppression by the Song Family.

Upon hearing this, Gao Yue broke into a cold sweat, immediately thinking, "The Song Family knows," but his face only showed distress, "Father-in-law also knows about my sister, her status was indeed disgraceful. But she is, after all, my own sister, and she offered a lot of silver for my education. I only hoped to give her some standing, even if not a concubine, at least a second wife, better than being belittled. But the Third Wife of the Song Family is Old Madam Song’s own niece, and Old Madam Song has always been protective. Even a maid catches her eye, so for her niece’s sake, she has every reason to dislike me."

Isn’t it true that if Gao Yue had a ladder, he was bound to achieve great things? Look at how he crafted his words, making himself seem both sentimental and innocent while describing Old Madam Song as being entirely unreasonable.

But Lord Qi could not be considered foolish, having earned Mr. Wang’s favor as a son-in-law and becoming a Third Rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, all by his early forties. But Gao Yue returned home, drank away his sorrows until his eyes were bloodshot, and embraced his beloved wife seeking comfort. The next day, the concubine’s daughter from the Qi Family went back to her family home. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Lord Qi doted on this concubine-born daughter, and after the concubine’s nightly whisperings into the pillow, gave his best-looking maid as a concubine to Lord Qi, who, confused by all these domestic matters, promised the concubine he would make plans for his son-in-law.