Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 230 - 11: Parting Sentiments (2)_3

At this moment, Zhao Wu also set up the carriage stool and stepped back a few steps. The maids from the carriage came forward, Shui Mo and Fen Dai lifted the curtain, and Hong Sheng stepped down from the carriage, then turned around and extended his hand.

The doorman and Zhao Wu stepped to the side together, watching as several flower-like girls and women in silk clothes lined up on either side of the carriage. The first to come down was a handsome young man with an extraordinary presence. Though the doorman was illiterate, he had heard people speak of "imposing demeanor," which he supposed aptly described this Mr. Hong.

Then, Mr. Hong personally helped a woman out of the carriage. Of course, the first thing extended was a hand, a smooth, jade-like hand with slender fingers.

The doorman immediately thought that a woman with such a hand must be a beauty. Then he saw a face that seemed to eclipse both the sun and the moon, and his mind went blank.

As Zhao Wu and the master and son-in-law entered the gate, the old master, the madam, their daughters, and the son-in-law of the Zhao Family greeted them. Surrounded by maids and women, they turned past the shadow wall and disappeared from view, finally prompting someone to push the doorman who stood there dazed.

"Little brother, why don’t you help me drive the carriage in through the side gate!" Zhao Wu was used to people becoming dazed at the sight of their young lady; after all, their young lady is indeed beautiful. He wouldn’t laugh at these people; remembering his own expression the first time he saw the young lady, he thought it was likely not much better.

The doorman muttered to himself, "My goodness, am I dreaming? Did I see a fairy?"

Zhao Wu chuckled good-naturedly but gave the doorman a hefty slap on the back, clearing his head instantly. Zhao Wu grinned, "Little brother, you’re not dreaming. See, it wouldn’t hurt if it were a dream!"

Leaving Zhao Wu and the doorman to their "reality versus dream" discussion, the Zhao Family greeted the handsome man and beautiful woman and felt their humble home was shining brightly.

The members of the Zhao Family were, of course, aware of Susu’s existence. Ever since Susu came to the Capital, she would send them things several times a year—food, clothing, entertainment items, daily necessities. While not necessarily luxurious, they were things that families like theirs could neither see nor purchase, making them a source of pride.

They only knew that Susu was one to repay kindness, feeling grateful that Mrs. Zhao hadn’t sold her off randomly but rather carefully found her a good home, and remembering Mrs. Zhao’s kindness for this.

Yet Susu, who was once a maid, now became an official wife and still visited them with her husband—a gesture far more touching to the Zhao Family than any tangible gift.

The two male members of the Zhao Family had never seen Susu before. Seeing her now, they were a bit dazed. Fortunately, being honest and sensible men, they didn’t exhibit the same foolish expression as the doorman outside, which earned them a bit of respect in Hong Sheng’s eyes.

No one understood better than himself the charm of his own wife, and the fact that they regained their composure so quickly suggested they were upright individuals, worthy of association.

Mrs. Zhao, holding Susu’s hand, glanced at Hong Sheng with satisfaction. In terms of insight into people, Mrs. Zhao was not inferior to Old Madam Song. After all, she had worked as a matchmaker for most of her life, interacting with all sorts of people. In terms of keen observation, perhaps only those in the palace could surpass her.

At a glance, she could see from Hong Sheng’s demeanor and eyes that he was a man of great integrity, most importantly, someone who subtly paid attention to Susu. He would discreetly kick away any pebbles on the road so they wouldn’t hurt Susu’s feet, showing she held a special place in his heart.

Mrs. Zhao discreetly patted Susu’s hand and smiled, "We women should go talk while you men aren’t interested in listening, so go sit in the front courtyard! Our old man and the son-in-law aren’t great talkers, so if there’s any lack in hospitality, I ask for your understanding!"

Hong Sheng quickly waved it off, "Please don’t say that, Susu said that without you, she wouldn’t be where she is today. Treat me as you would Susu! We’re not outsiders, just call me Brother Sheng!"

Upon hearing this and sensing Hong Sheng’s sincerity, Mrs. Zhao laughed, "Then I won’t stand on ceremony. Old man, son-in-law, make sure Brother Sheng is well entertained!"

Mrs. Zhao’s husband, Mr. He, was originally her cousin on her mother’s side; their marriage was arranged from childhood and naturally, their love was profound. The couple had only one daughter, and Mr. He resisted both familial and external pressure, resolutely refusing to take concubines or divorce his wife.

Finally, fearing that his wife and daughter would be subject to gossip and grievances, after sending his parents off on their last journey, he took his wife and daughter to settle in the Capital.

He Qiuyun’s husband was surnamed Wang, a man from the suburb with eight siblings. He was second in line, not particularly handsome, but loyal and skilled in farming and hunting. How such a person became a matrilocal husband likely involved another story, which need not be detailed here.

Let’s only say that Mr. He and his son-in-law entertained Hong Sheng in the front courtyard, chatting over tea. Since Hong Sheng also came from a farmer’s background, they found common ground in conversation, and got along quite well as a result.

Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard, after He Qiuyun introduced her two sons to Susu, Mrs. Zhao had them go out; once the maids and women left, Mrs. Zhao sat with Susu on the heated bed, "Girl, have you really decided?"