Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 149 - 2: Susu Leaves the Residence (2)

Because the master was not present, the inner courtyard was incredibly idle. Now that Susu was here, the four wives were determined to show their skills and not let the girl think they were just freeloaders!

"When we came, the village had been mostly tidied up. This house and its furnishings were also arranged by Housekeeper Qiao, and they are cleaned regularly. Knowing that the lady was returning today, they were wiped inside and out once again. Since we are unaware of the lady’s preferences, we haven’t moved the furnishings. We don’t know if the lady finds them suitable for use?"

As soon as Susu entered the room, she could feel that Grandpa Qiao had truly put in thought. The furnishings and decorations were top-notch, even the fruit plate was made of fine white porcelain. The paintings on the walls, though not ancient treasures, were works by famous contemporary artists, easily worth a thousand or eight hundred taels of silver.

The vases on the tables, the incense burners on the desks, though others might not know their worth, Susu, who had seen many such things, knew they were worth several dozens of taels of silver.

The room in the middle was the living room, the left side was the inner chamber, divided into a small hall, bedroom, and dressing room, all arranged according to Susu’s preferences.

The right side was the study. Not to mention the fine pen and ink, just the large bookshelf occupying an entire wall was enough to astonish anyone, as it was filled with books, from illustrated records and travelogues to historical books and educational primers. It seems someone had done quite a task since every book available in the bookstores seemed to have a copy here!

The remaining room was divided into two: one was a tea room, and the other was arranged as a fragrance mixing workshop, equipped with all sorts of tools, much to Susu’s delight!

Upon returning to the living room, Chun Feng said, "I really don’t know what to say. No one else compares to how the Old Madam regards my sister. Just these few rooms, not to mention anything else, the bookshelf alone is worth more than these two hundred acres of land. And that step-bed in the room, was the Old Madam intending it as part of my sister’s dowry?"

As soon as Susu entered the room, she took off her veiled hat. Although the four stewardesses were not seeing their lady’s face for the first time, they were once again struck by it. By the time they regained their senses, Susu, along with Yun Tong and Chun Feng, had already toured the house.

The four quickly apologized and asked if the lady was dissatisfied with anything. Susu waved her hand, "Everything is quite nice; thank you for your trouble!"

Qi Qiao’s father was named Wei Rong, and naturally, her mother was called Mrs. Wei Rong. Before marriage, she was the head maid in a noblewoman’s room and was skilled in embroidery. Qi Qiao learned less than half of her mother’s craft.

For Susu’s fourteenth birthday, the village also sent gifts, among them a skirt with embroidered flowers that never touch the ground, made by Qi Qiao’s mother. Even having seen many fine embroidered items at the Song family, Susu couldn’t help but praise its craftsmanship. It is still kept in a box, untouched!

Fen Dai’s mother was referred to as Mrs. Lin Sheng and was a master cook, known for her expertise in both banquet and everyday dishes. After paying respects, she went straight to the kitchen.

As for Shuimo’s mother, it was mainly because of her mother’s skills that Grandpa Qiao took an interest in the Shuimo family. She was knowledgeable in medicine and was previously a well-trained dowry maid in a wealthy family. When the master’s family got into trouble, even capable servants were sold off.

As for Linglong’s mother, Mrs. Bai Fu had no particular skills to speak of, but she used to be the personal maid of the housekeeper’s wife, adept at managing both big and small matters, making her managerial talent.

It’s fair to say that Grandpa Qiao put a lot of thought into selecting these four families, buying them as companions for a noble family’s daughter. Susu keeps this sentiment clear in her heart!

These people and matters ran through Susu’s mind as soon as she met them.

At this time, Mrs. Bai Fu said, "Please, lady, wash up and rest first!" Susu nodded, "With Fen Dai and the others here, you all may go about your tasks. Aunt Bai, please settle the people and things that came with us. After dinner, they have to return. Fen Dai, give four woven gold pouches to the aunts. Others will also see them sooner or later. Reward each of the four uncles with five taels of silver and, for everyone else, a silver ingot of three qian. Also, give a piece of measuring tape! I will provide five taels of silver extra for everyone to have some additional dishes tonight!"

Fen Dai first took out four bright red woven gold pouches and jovially handed them to her mother and the three aunts. "Please, Aunt Bai, pass this to my mother. The lady asked us to prepare these things long ago. Aunt Bai, please have someone collect the rewards outside the courtyard later!"

The three wives quickly expressed their gratitude, and only then did Susu ask them to proceed. Smiling, the three left, and Fen Dai and the others began to unpack, while Susu, along with Yun Tong and Chun Feng, sat in the inner hall sipping tea!

Mrs. Bai Fu and the other wives had all been born into noble families and had seen the world. Especially Mrs. Bai Fu, who served as the housekeeper of the inner court. The clothes and jewelry casually rewarded by her former mistress were numerous.

But once a house was seized, everyone left with nothing, naturally without any family assets.

The four had been together for such a long time, each with their own duties, and they got along well. First, they looked at the pouches rewarded by Susu; these pouches alone were worth a tael of silver, with gold threads on them, and inside were two gold ingots of eight qian each. One tael of gold equals ten taels of silver; the two gold ingots were worth sixteen taels of silver.

Susu’s rewards made the four wives gasp slightly. They had known about the lady’s status for some time, as she had been the head maid beside the Old Madam of the Song family at the Shun’an Earl Mansion. But her gestures now surpassed those of any previous ladies or young mistresses, prompting them to silently exclaim at the wealth of the Song Family! Naturally, they became more respectful, realizing that with the well-traveled and experienced lady, they had better show their true skills!