Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 173 - 10: Festival Gifts (First Update) (Part 2)

There were half a cart of watermelons, grapes, and pears, along with various fruits from overseas; boxes of bird’s nest, snow clam, ginseng, and other tonics were also given. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Additionally, the Old Madam took out private savings to have four sets of clothing, two sets of headpieces, and a box of scattered small jewelry made for Susu.

Next, the Eldest Young Madam had food and fabric prepared, followed by the small gifts prepared by the young ladies.

Among them, the Sixth Miss sent a painting, which was executed in her newly learned style of realistic oil painting, depicting Susu leaving the mansion in green attire, sitting beside the Lotus Pavilion, bowing her head to smell the lotus fragrance.

The Sixth Miss has considerable talent in painting, and though Susu is accustomed to her appearance in the mirror during daily grooming, even she had her heart stirred for a moment by the beauty depicted in the painting.

Susu finally understood why the beautiful youth Narcissus from Greek mythology was madly enamored with himself.

Of course, Susu wasn’t that narcissistic, and because this face had caused her much trouble, sometimes she even had the impulse to destroy it. Fortunately, she always remembered that "impulse is the devil," so at this moment, she could sit calmly appreciating her portrait.

Susu instructed Fen Dai to take out some snacks and food to reward the servants. The remaining items were cataloged by Shuimo, and she also asked Qi Qiao Linglong to pack up the belongings, planning to return to Shun’an Earl Mansion after lunch.

Just as Susu arranged the items sent by the Old Madam, Bai Fu’s household came to report, "The Huang Family’s Grandma has sent someone to deliver festival gifts!" Susu was just about to call someone in, when another maid came in to report: "Someone from Yangwei Escort Agency has come calling, saying that Northwest Households Commander Hong has sent festival gifts for the young lady."

Hearing this, Susu quickly got up, intending to invite them in, but knowing that the escort from Yangwei Escort Agency must be male, she thought it improper to meet a male guest and said, "Ask Zhao Manor Head to receive the guest, to see if they’re in a hurry to leave. If not urgent, prepare a guest room in the outer courtyard for them to rest. If they are in a hurry, ask the kitchen to quickly prepare a delicious meal and pack some food supplies."

The maid hurriedly went to execute Susu’s instructions, and the servants at the manor had already been told that their young lady was engaged to a Fifth Rank Households Commander from the Northwest, and they would all accompany the young lady in her dowry in the future. It must have been this Households Commander Hong. People sent by the future son-in-law must not be neglected.

Bai Fu’s household was still waiting for Susu’s instructions, and Susu asked, "Is the person who came from Cai Chong’s family?"

Bai Fu’s household quickly replied, "Exactly from Cai Chong’s family!"

"Since it’s her, there’s no need to be formal. Tell her there’s a visitor from the Northwest, our home is busy, and I won’t see her. Meanwhile, let her take the festival gifts prepared for the Huang Family back and notify her master about it, and ask her to convey my apology to the elders of the Huang Family, saying I will visit another day."

After Susu finished speaking, she called Shuimo and said, "Take a superior red packet for Cai Chong’s household." At Susu’s place, a superior red packet contained five taels of silver. Shuimo took the red packet and left with Bai Fu’s household.

Susu hadn’t expected the people from Yangwei Escort Agency could find her here. Surely they traced back to Prince Ke Mansion and learned from Nanny Wei that she had already left the mansion. After thinking for a bit, Susu summoned Fen Dai and said, "Go outside and ask Uncle Zhao if it’s possible to send some things to Households Commander Hong. If possible, it would be great, if not, then forget it."

Ever since the minor nuptial agreement, Susu had started to embroider her bridal trousseau, with the wedding dress being prepared according to the Old Madam’s command. It was crafted by a master embroideress renowned for her exquisite embroidery in Yangzhou, who took nearly half a year to complete it before it was sent to the Capital just before Susu left the mansion, requiring just a few stitches from Susu.

Not having to prepare the wedding dress saved quite a lot of time, allowing Susu to embroider some handkerchiefs and headbands for the Old Madam, while occasionally making some clothes for Hong Sheng. She had been making clothes for Hong Sheng for several years, having learned of his measurements during the minor nuptial agreement. Men’s clothes didn’t require much embroidery, so it came naturally to her.

Previously she had wondered whether to use the Earl Mansion’s caravan going to the west to send clothes to Hong Sheng, but now that people from Yangwei Escort Agency came in person, it saved an additional trouble.

Fen Dai went to deliver the message, returning shortly after and said, "Three escorts and six troopers from Yangwei Escort Agency came, while others are waiting in the Capital. These few are good friends with the son-in-law, so they’ve brought the items over. They said they couldn’t stay long and would leave shortly, asking if the young lady had anything to send to the son-in-law. When the maid returned, Uncle Zhao was accompanying them for a meal, and Mother had already prepared supplies including beef jerky, jarred dishes, and mooncakes sent by the Old Madam."