Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 203 - 2: Joyous Reunion (Part 1)

Ruan Shiniang had no memory of her original self. The things she knew were mostly gathered from the subtle hints given by the maid who served her after she time-traveled. As for Susu’s concubine mother, she only heard that she was someone with beauty and a tragic fate, who had passed away shortly before she time-traveled.

Now she couldn’t care less about what kind of person Susu’s concubine mother was. Her mind was entirely focused on the herbal recipe that Susu mentioned could help Big Cat’s health.

"Good sister, if that recipe truly helps Big Cat’s health, I would be willing to give up everything."

Susu saw the anxious look on Ruan Shiniang’s face and comforted her, saying, "Sister, don’t worry. I came today to tell you about that recipe. Although the ingredients are not unusual, they are particular, and it cannot be made now; we must wait until next year."

After Susu finished speaking, she took out the "Ying Chun" herbal recipe she carried with her and handed it to Ruan Shiniang, "I am sure it might be useful for Big Cat because I remember taking it when I was young. I was born with a deficiency, and without the Ying Chun Pill, I wouldn’t have grown up to where I am now."

Susu wasn’t lying; the original self indeed took the Ying Chun Pill, but she was too young then to know what her concubine mother gave her in secret. It was only after Susu searched her memory thoroughly that she realized about the "Ying Chun Pill."

Ruan Qiniang and Ruan Shiniang looked over the recipe, their expressions quite complex. Ruan Shiniang felt that the Ying Chun Pill was as miraculous as the Cold Fragrance Pill Baochai took in "Dream of the Red Chamber."

But while the Cold Fragrance Pill was a recipe given by an immortal, what was the origin of this "Ying Chun Pill"?

Even though there were no ingredients available now and they must wait a few more months, at least there’s a hint of hope, especially since Susu serves as a ready example.

Ruan Shiniang held the recipe tightly, knowing it was something incredibly precious. She wanted to express her gratitude, but a mere "thank you" couldn’t possibly convey her feelings at that moment.

It was Ruan Qiniang who said, "Among sisters, there’s no need for too much formality. But Shiniang, let me remind you, memorize this recipe and then destroy it immediately. Under no circumstances let others know, as it’s dangerous to harbor such precious things."

Ruan Shiniang quickly nodded, "Seventh Sister, Susu, rest assured, I understand!"

The three sisters talked for a while more, acknowledging that Hong Sheng was also among the soldiers heading to the Capital. Possibly, they might marry and depart for the Northwest before Susu fully came of age, a thought that made the two older sisters reluctant.

Ruan Shiniang couldn’t stay long, and Ruan Qiniang personally escorted her downstairs, just in case there were guests downstairs who might arouse suspicion, so Susu did not go down.

Susu opened the window upstairs, the sun was shining brightly outside, and even the wind had become gentle. She initially wanted to watch Ruan Shiniang leave, but at this moment, the soldiers heading to the Capital would soon pass in front of Jinyinman Tang.

Susu’s senses seemed to have been heightened because of time-traveling. Her vision was sharp enough to count the legs of a fly five meters away, so spotting someone as large as Hong Sheng naturally caught her eye instantly.

To think of it, she had only met Hong Sheng twice, and they hadn’t even exchanged many words, yet she was about to marry him. It could only be described as a mysterious fate. Earlier, Susu merely regarded Hong Sheng as a savior, or perhaps because of his similar age to Ruan Sixth Son, learning of his melancholy background naturally made her feel a bit empathetic.

On the day before Hong Sheng left for the Northwest, he bid farewell to the Old Madam. Although he was already a young man then, in Susu’s mind, she didn’t purely place them in a man-woman relationship. Even upon knowing he was headed to Hami, despite having various plans, she still only regarded him as a benefactor or even a "brother," which is why she never took a careful look at Hong Sheng’s appearance.

It was not until today that Susu truly scrutinized Hong Sheng as a "man." Hong Sheng had a tall and slender yet not rough figure; what people nowadays would call "a natural clothes hanger." Under slanted sword-like brows were a pair of jet-black eyes. Susu, with her keen eyesight, noticed that Hong Sheng had double eyelids, and his eyelashes’ length and curliness would make some women envious.

The lips beneath the high nose bridge were somewhat chapped, which was Susu’s favorite lip shape, neither thick like sausage lips nor thin that required tight-pressing to appear appealing, just perfectly in between.

Hong Sheng’s looks were definitely handsome, coupled with a bronze complexion, that unique military aura, with clothes on he appeared slender, but without them, he was well-built. His charm attracted young ladies and wives alike, casting handkerchiefs and pockets his way, showing a "fangirl" sort of enthusiasm.

But Hong Sheng showed no expression, riding his horse straight ahead, shattering the hearts of countless young women.

As Susu thought about this, she didn’t realize the smile at the corners of her eyes had already betrayed her current mood, and Hong Sheng didn’t know that his "uprightness" was scoring him more points.

Susu thought for a moment, took off her sachet filled with her favorite jasmine scent, and put a golden bracelet she was wearing into it. She measured it a bit and when Hong Sheng rode by Jinyinman Tang’s entrance, she tossed it outward.