Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 193 - 18: Darkness Beneath the Lamp (Part 2)

Although Ruan Qiniang found it bewildering, seeing Susu’s serious expression, she also became earnest and remembered it firmly in her heart. "Our mansion really did receive an invitation to the Chrysanthemum Festival sent by Princess Ke. I didn’t expect Shiniang’s threat to her was so significant. Princess Ke, who has always held herself to the standards of the ’future Queen,’ is actually willing to slap her own face to make a move at the Chrysanthemum Festival."

Susu thought for a moment and found that Princess Ke was indeed deeply scheming. "Although making a move at the Chrysanthemum Festival might cause a scene, it’s precisely this way that can most effectively clear her of suspicion. After all, she is the one organizing the Chrysanthemum Festival, and everyone would certainly think she wouldn’t do something that slaps her own face. What is this called?"

Ruan Qiniang chuckled and said through gritted teeth, "It’s called hiding in plain sight. I will also attend the Chrysanthemum Festival and act accordingly when the time comes. Rest assured!"

After discussing the matters about Ruan Shiniang, Susu noticed it was about time for the four others, including Fen Dai, to come up, so she quickly took out a piece of mutton fat jade, the size of an egg, from her sleeve. One side of the Jade Lock featured a relief carving of a bat and ruyi, while the other side was engraved with the words "safe and sound year after year."

"In the past, as a maid, everything I had came from the master’s rewards. Now, knowing my sister has given birth to a nephew, there’s nothing much I can present as an aunt. This is something I carved myself after leaving the mansion; the material was sent by your future brother-in-law. Please, sister, do not disdain it. Although I cannot meet him, this is a token of my aunt’s affection." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Hearing Susu say this, Ruan Qiniang nearly shed tears, her heart filled with overwhelming emotion. She wiped her eyes and forced a smile. "How could I disdain such a precious thing? I’ll give it to Zhen’er once I return." Ruan Qiniang’s son’s full name was Zhao Anzhen, and he was already two years old this year.

Receiving the Jade Lock, Ruan Qiniang had already noticed its extraordinary quality. Holding it in her hand felt warm to the touch, indicating its great value—such top-quality mutton fat jade wasn’t even abundant in her dowry. And to think it was handcrafted by Susu herself. While she wasn’t superficial, the joy on her face was unmistakable.

"Susu, when it comes to judging if a man treats you well, don’t just listen to those sweet words that can’t be repeated. You also have to see if he’s willing to spend money on you. Now that I see your brother-in-law is attentive to you, I’m half relieved. When you reach the Northwest and meet Sixth Son, I’ll be fully at ease."

As she spoke, the expression on Ruan Qiniang’s face became serious. "Sister must remind you of a few things. If given a chance, you can secretly reunite with Sixth Son. I will also write to our mother to take care of you. But you must not be careless, for the slightest mistake could harm our loved ones. The one above would wish nothing more than for our family to be completely wiped out!"

Susu nodded resolutely, then somewhat bashfully shared her made-up "cousin" story with Ruan Qiniang. Ruan Qiniang was slightly taken aback and then laughed, "That is also a solution. After all, not even my mother knows the true origin of Aunt Su, and the only two people who did, Father is gone, and the only one left is Sixth Son."

Susu didn’t expect to hear such a secret, that even Lady Qin didn’t know Aunt Su’s identity. She thought it best not to inquire too much, as curiosity killed the cat!

After giving a few more words of advice, Ruan Qiniang handed Susu a large box she brought, saying, "When you got married, Sister couldn’t openly give you a dowry, so I’m taking this opportunity to give you something. You mustn’t refuse; you deserve this." Ruan Qiniang thought for a moment and said, "Father, after all, did think of us beforehand. He left a sum of wealth with our mother before chaos fell. If something went wrong, they naturally wouldn’t survive, and that wealth was meant for those who live on to use. But unfortunately, the one above keeps a close watch on Duke Zhen’s Mansion. Otherwise, our second sister-in-law and Sister Long would not have faced such a fate."

Mentioning this brought tears to Ruan Qiniang’s eyes. Among the women of the Ruan family, only one, the second sister-in-law of the third house, truly met a tragic end. She was actually a noblewoman from one of the founding Four Great Dukes’ Mansions, the Duke Rong Mansion. Truly, "what an absurdity!"

Susu looked at her worriedly. "Seventh Sister, the deceased are gone, and the living must continue!" Ruan Qiniang nodded, reining in her emotions. "I know, but Susu, since you were sent to Yangzhou, you don’t know the humiliation the women of the Ruan family left in the capital have suffered. If it weren’t for my maternal family being the Duke Zhen’s Mansion, and my uncle being the general guarding the Northwest, I fear I wouldn’t even have the courage to live on."