Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 187 - 15: Poetry and the Distant Places

Susu felt that it wasn’t necessary to question Nanny Qin to the end. As long as Old Madam and she understood, it was enough. Just thinking of Ning Xiang and Yun Tong’s anxious expressions made Susu feel quite sympathetic. After all, they were her apprentices, and to reassure them, Susu had to make the trip.

However, Susu did not go to Nanny Qin’s East Ear Room. Instead, she changed clothes and headed straight to the main house. While there might be some underlying matters, Yun Duo’s actions had truly humiliated her. Susu absolutely did not believe this was instructed by Old Madam or Nanny Qin, so there was nothing she couldn’t discuss.

As she walked, the maids and servants greeted her with courtesy, their eyes burning with gossip. Susu felt that this year was indeed a disastrous one for her, with a pervasive sense of misfortune.

Susu had no interest in being scrutinized as if she were a curiosity. Although her expression remained naturally composed, her pace quickened. Upon entering the main house, she found the Old Madam conversing with Nanny Qin. Seeing Susu, Old Madam smiled and said, "Ah, speak of the devil, we were just talking about you. Didn’t I ask you to settle in first?" She finished by patting the Arhat Couch beside her, motioning Susu to sit next to her.

Susu didn’t decline and gracefully took the Old Madam’s arm, "The room is more furnished than when I last lived there. Nothing is missing, just needed to organize some of my usual things. With Fen Dai and the others around, it’s more than enough. I only need to act as a hands-off shopkeeper."

Susu concluded by clutching the Old Madam’s arm, "It’s comforting to have Old Madam looking out for me. I don’t have to worry about anything. But how come you brought out the Longquan Green Porcelain Tea Set? That was a gift from the Master of the house to honor you." The Old Madam indulged in Susu’s affection, laughed, and said indifferently, "Even the finest tea set gathers dust if unused. I remember you like simple things, so I had Ning Xiang fetch it. Take it with you when you leave, otherwise, you never know who might profit from it!"

The earlier words were typical of the Old Madam, but the latter had some implications, especially when considering Yun Duo’s attempt to access the small storeroom. Susu felt there was certainly more to the story, likely a scandalous mess.

With no one else around, Nanny Qin personally served two cups of tea. She gave Old Madam the Tianshan Snow Chrysanthemum brought by Susu, while Susu received rose tea. "Although Snow Chrysanthemum is good, you shouldn’t drink it often. It’s cooling, and you already suffer from cold uterus and dysmenorrhea. Drinking it might worsen your condition, especially during your period, when you must avoid it. Even on regular days, balance it with some black or Pu’er tea. Rose tea, however, is fine for regular consumption. Roses are sweet, slightly bitter, warming, and help to regulate the liver, relieve depression, promote blood circulation, and ease pain."

Susu looked at Nanny Qin admiringly, "Nanny Qin, you’re truly knowledgeable. I’ve been feeling heaty lately, so I thought drinking some Snow Chrysanthemum could help disperse the heat. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I’d end up in excruciating pain again."

The Old Madam watched Nanny Qin preach with a gentle smile and commented with a serious tone after hearing Susu’s words, "You need to be more careful every day. Though the Imperial Physician mentioned your cold uterus has improved significantly, you still mustn’t be careless." She feared Susu might take it lightly and spoke with a solemn tone.

Susu didn’t take it too seriously, yet after the rumor about her condition had spread throughout the Man Mansion, even the elderly women sweeping the floors looked at her with deep sympathy. This made Susu realize just how dire the consequences were for a woman in ancient times if she couldn’t bear children. Even if the Old Madam didn’t mention it, Susu was now very cautious.

"Rest assured, even in the peak of summer, I never touch cold water. I rarely eat cold foods either; if it’s too hot, I only eat fruits chilled in well water."

With Susu’s reassurances, the Old Madam and Nanny Qin were finally at ease.

Nanny Qin, after serving tea, sat on the embroidered ceramic stool in front of the Old Madam, "Did Ning Xiang and the others come to find you?" Susu touched her nose, "Nothing escapes Nanny Qin’s insightful eyes." Nanny Qin chuckled sarcastically, "Insightful eyes, really? They went to the East Wing, and soon after, someone came to tattle. You’ve left everything behind, and I, this old woman, am left accompanying the master like an old fool."

The Old Madam laughed at Nanny Qin venting to Susu. Seeing Susu, at her wit’s end, winking desperately for help, she smiled and said, "Alright, alright, Ah Xiang is tired. Susu, quickly massage Nanny Qin’s back."

Susu hurried over to knead Nanny Qin’s shoulders and back. "Dear Nanny, it’s us who were short-sighted, making you worry and putting you through trouble. It’s my fault." Accepting Susu’s apology, Nanny Qin sighed, pulling her to sit down, "Who would have thought that child could hide it so well? I’ve seen many people and was convinced she was genuinely honest and kind. If Chief Steward Qiao hadn’t quietly informed me, I would have really suggested to the Old Madam that she manage the small storeroom, as I’m getting older and forgetful. I find drawing up accounts quite demanding."

Rubbing her chest, Nanny Qin continued, "I truly got a scare. The small storeroom of the Old Madam is filled with items rewarded by the palace, and some things are intended only for showcasing. Selling them privately is a severe offense. If that superficial girl had truly been given control over the small storeroom and stole one or two treasured items to sell, not only would our home lose its reputation, but the emperor might also hold us accountable."

"Since you know she’s unreliable, just tie her up, sell her, or send her to the farm. Why keep her around and elevate her so high that she acts without any decorum, as if she’s become someone else entirely?" Susu didn’t mention Yun Duo’s previous attempt to send a message because the person was already in the well, and there was no need to throw stones.

Nanny Qin glanced helplessly at the unbothered Old Madam, "The Old Madam said that with Yang Liu and you around, the troublemakers dared not act. Now that you’ve all left the mansion, some of them have become active. They simply use Yun Duo as a foil to see what kind of demons they can unearth and also let Ning Xiang and Yun Tong gain some experience. Though the training results weren’t ideal."

At this, Nanny Qin couldn’t help but steal a glance at Old Madam Song, who also frankly waved her hand, "The training was a bit too harsh, and the kids were traumatized. It’s partly my fault. Susu could hold her own even at the age of seven, and I assumed they could too. Indeed, one should not be greedy. In this world, there’s only one Susu."

Susu tilted her chin proudly, "Naturally."

The tense atmosphere was disrupted by the master and servant duo, causing Nanny Qin to involuntarily roll her eyes as Old Madam and Susu chuckled, leading the conversation astray. Finally, Old Madam summarized that if anyone showed her a cold shoulder, Susu should just retaliate. Susu didn’t need to concern herself with the young girls, as she had protected them from any hardship in the past, and now it was time for them to develop some sense. As for the others, those who are honest will naturally be rewarded in the future, and those who are unruly will be dealt with in due time.

After spending some time with Old Madam, a few young ladies came to take Susu away, insisting she teach them how to blend Lotus Dew. Susu, thinking of the young ladies eagerly waiting for her to advocate for them, had a few words conveyed to them.

While Susu was happily painting and blending fragrances with the young ladies, Ning Xiang and the others listened to Fen Dai relay a few words, and they were somewhat bewildered. If expressed in modern quirk, their thoughts were, "What the hell?"

What did Susu say?

"Life is not just about poetry and the distant lands, but also the struggles right in front!"

"If life deceives you, sadness and anxiety are of no use!"

"Eat and drink when you should, and don’t let things weigh on your heart!"