Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 191 - 17: Secretly Crossing the Enemy Camp (Part 3)

Since Susu entered the capital, she hasn’t had the chance to stroll around the streets, yet she holds some impression of the silver building named "Jinyinman Tang." Upon deeper reflection, the impression is not hers; rather, it is from "Thirteenth Lady." This shop is part of the dowry belonging to Qin from Principle State Duke Mansion, later handed to Ruan Qiniang when she was ten to practice her skills. Every year, Thirteenth Lady would receive some delicate jewelry produced by "Jinyinman Tang," and naturally, the young girl would remember it well.

Now, this shop has become a part of Ruan Qiniang’s dowry, conveniently allowing Susu to meet with her. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Upon returning to the mansion, Susu instructed Bai Fu’s family, who was delivering festival gifts to Mrs. Zhao in the city, to use the seal given by Ruan Qiniang and send a message to Jinyinman Tang, arranging to meet today. She struggles to find an opportunity to meet Ruan Shiniang, leaving her no choice but to rely on Sister Seven. If delayed further, Sister Ten will soon give birth, and it will be too late.

Jinyinman Tang is divided into two levels; the bottom level is a glass display, while the top level is private suites. Guests can directly view jewelry and sit in suites to drink tea and peruse jewelry catalogs before viewing samples, according to the modern VIP, one-on-one service.

Susu instructed maids and servants to wait outside on the carriage as she entered Jinyinman Tang with Fen Dai and three others. Immediately, a beautiful "saleswoman" came to assist. Although she was anxious, she still had to pretend to browse leisurely. The layout of Jinyinman Tang is very modern, perhaps another idle creation of Saint Martial Emperor.

Though no woman doesn’t love jewelry, Susu has seen enough to not be amazed anymore, especially since Song Family’s Qiaogong Pavilion in Yangzhou is the number one silver building, and she has several sets of high-end custom jewelry herself. However, Fen Dai and the others don’t have Susu’s self-control; they were all enchanted by the colorful jewelry in the glass cabinet. Susu said, "You don’t need to follow me; browse as you wish. Today I’m in a good mood; each of you can choose a piece of jewelry."

Though Fen Dai and the others were tempted, even the cheapest silver hairpin in Jinyinman Tang costs two taels of silver, and the mistress had already treated them to a meal at Wangxiang Building. How could they have the audacity to ask for more jewelry!

Susu laughed, "Today, there’s no holding back, Missy won’t be this generous in the future, so don’t regret it!" Then she remarked, "A woman should have at least one piece from Jinyinman Tang in her lifetime." This is Jinyinman Tang’s slogan—blunt and bold.

Fen Dai and the others bit their teeth and stomped their feet, deciding to buy, even if it was the cheapest, and paying for it themselves. At Jinyinman Tang, there’s no fear of unsavory characters as no men are allowed entry—purely willful. With Susu securing a suite, saying she’ll go drink tea and wait for them, the girls confidently rushed towards the glass cabinets.

After the maid served refreshments and retreated, suddenly, the right wall of the suite flipped, and the once isolated suite of Susu now included a beautiful charmer—Ruan Qiniang, the owner of Jinyinman Tang.

Susu didn’t expect such operations and felt like she was in a secret meeting, resembling an underground party connect. In fact, her relationship with Ruan Qiniang was indeed susceptible to scrutiny.

"Sister Seven!" Susu stood up to greet her, and Ruan Qiniang, looking worried, scrutinized Susu intently, finally reassured upon finding her well.

"I was so worried! Receiving your urgent message, I intended to visit Song Family to see you but feared drawing attention. The past few days have been dragging unbearably. What matter compelled you to label it ’urgent’?"

Ruan Qiniang pinched Susu’s cheek with vigor, finding her sister more charming after their brief separation!

Old Madam Song celebrated her sixty-eighth birthday, naturally inviting all the womenfolk from Annan Earl Mansion. Susu seized the chance to meet Ruan Qiniang briefly amid the crowd, only informing her of her departure and address at a villa in Tong County.

Matters concerning Ruan Shiniang were confidential, unsuitable for public discussion, and lacking opportunity for private exchanges ever since, leading to delays.

Ruan Qiniang was unaware of the tribulations soon to befall another sister, fearing strife around Susu.

Susu was engaged recently, hearing that the counterpart’s character, appearance, and status were commendable. At this point, any scandal arising might disrupt the engagement.

Ruan Qiniang wasn’t aware of the ruckus already caused within Shun’an Earl Mansion, almost tarnishing Susu’s reputation!

Fortunately, Old Madam and the senior master imposed strict orders, ensuring the uproar stayed confined, truly a stroke of misfortune mixed with fortune.

Susu held Ruan Qiniang as they seated at the table, personally serving her tea, "I’ve troubled Sister with my worries, but the matter is significant and must not reach others; only I could meet Sister personally. It’s not about me, but Sister Ten."

Ruan Qiniang’s attention immediately piqued, eagerly asking: "What about Shiniang? I saw her just days ago."

Ruan Qiniang felt sympathetic towards these two sisters’ tumultuous lives. Though Susu herself endured much hardship, Shiniang faced equally challenging times.

Despite being a daughter of a noble family, albeit an illegitimate one, she was once considered suitable to be a concubine of the Prince Mansion. However, now she’s merely a concubine without any formal status, which grieved her as their elder sister.

Though Shiniang was pregnant now, Princess Ke was far from amiable. Virtuous and magnanimous? Just a façade to deceive outsiders.