Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 183 - 13: Return to the Mansion (Part 3)

Susu sighed, "They have great ambitions. I couldn’t find a reason to send them away, nor a place to settle them, so I have to keep them under my watch. It’s better than letting them cause trouble behind my back."

The Old Madam and Nanny Qin exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat exasperated. The Old Madam said, "Since you know they have great ambitions, do you really intend to take them with you as a dowry? If things turn bad and reach your husband’s ears, what face will you have left?"

As the Old Madam spoke, she squinted her eyes and said airily, "Are you perhaps trying to test Hong Sheng?"

Susu knew the Old Madam well. Hearing her tone, she knew something was wrong. The Old Madam was genuinely angry, so she quickly shook her head, "No, no. Even at my worst, I am still taught by the Old Madam. How could I be so brainless? It’s truly because I have no place to settle them. Although they are not good, their families are all quite capable. I’m just worried that dismissing them will hurt the feelings of others in servitude."

Only then did the Old Madam feel relieved. She knew Susu wouldn’t be so reckless, then spoke earnestly, "You are still young and haven’t had the chance to be taught these things earlier. However, Susu, remember that men cannot withstand probing. ’As distant as the moon, as close as spouses can be both kin and alien.’ Secrets can exist between two people, but sincerity within a marriage is most valued. You must learn to grasp this balance."

Hearing this, Susu couldn’t help but snuggle into the Old Madam’s arms and said, "It’s so good to have you love me, Old Madam!"

Old Madam Song stroked her head, silently wishing this fairy-like child a future of health, joy, and fulfilled dreams!

Speaking of Hong Xiu, the Old Madam couldn’t help but tap Susu’s forehead and said, "Didn’t you look at the dowry list I gave you? How come there’s no place to settle a few servants? Besides, even if her male relatives are capable and useful, having such an ambitious daughter is their misfortune. It’s hard to find a three-legged toad, but there are plenty of two-legged servants!"

Susu slapped her own forehead. After leaving the mansion, she arranged the estate, then got called by Yang Liu. Upon returning, she was busy with Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, barely glanced at the Old Madam’s dowry list before leaving. She had no time to manage it once out of the mansion.

After the Old Madam’s words, Susu realized she truly became a landowner now, certainly not lacking space for a few servants.

Aside from the gold, silver, and jewels, the Old Madam gave her a shop on the Third Ring Road in the Capital, a courtyard on the Fourth Ring, five qing of prime farmland in Yangzhou, a tea mountain in Shu. Converting these into silver, it amounted to about fifty thousand taels.

Though this was just a trifle for the Old Madam, even a legitimate daughter would only receive twenty thousand taels as a clear supplement from her.

When Susu first saw it, she was startled and refused to take it. Only after the Old Madam urged her did Susu accept it with a trembling heart.

The Old Madam’s daily affection for her already caused jealousy from the Fifth Miss. If this dowry were to be revealed, even the Third and Fourth Misses might harbor thoughts.

Yet, the Old Madam’s words left her no room to refuse.

"I regard you as a granddaughter. Since you have no parents, the Bo Mansion will be your mother’s home. To be frank, your marriage to Hong Sheng is also a support for our mansion. You followed me long enough to know many things. Our house is like splendid flowers on brocade, with blazing oil flames. But the merit of supporting a dragon is not easily obtained. These items were collectively prepared by your granduncle and me. I have private gifts for you as well. Perhaps you and Hong Sheng might be a retreat for the Bo Mansion."

Having spoken to this extent, Susu no longer rejected it, and upon leaving the mansion, the Old Madam privately gave her several land deeds, which included prime farmland in Yangzhou and some silkworm orchards and tea mountains further south. Susu didn’t need to manage these properties.

The stewards of these estates had been secretly trained by the Song Family over the years. Their loyalty went without saying. Susu only needed to wait for the silver annually.

Susu managed the Old Madam’s private treasury, and various stewards fully recognized her authority, yet she hadn’t seen some stewards. They likely came from the granduncle’s domain or perhaps not officially under the Song Family. She once thought she already knew plenty, but only now realized that supporting a prince with the Song Family’s financial backing wouldn’t limit itself to just these visible businesses.

Previously, the deep waters would have deterred Susu, who feared trouble and death. But now, with the Old Madam and the Sixth Miss she couldn’t bear to part with, and even the Qiao Family being Yang Liu’s weak spot, Susu had no choice but to get involved.

A bit off-topic, but Susu finally recalled she wasn’t merely handling an estate in Tong County. She initially intended to tidy up the estate the Old Madam gifted her. Being caught up in matters made her forget. On return, she could move a batch of servants to that estate, leaving people behind to care for it logically.

Looking at the Old Madam, Susu mischievously raised her thumb, "Ginger gets spicier with age!"