Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 232 - 12: Parting Feelings (3)_2

Mrs. Zhao laughed and said, "Anyone who sees your features right away knows you’re your mother’s child!"

Susu covered her mouth and giggled, while Qiu Yue pretended to protest, creating quite a lively scene.

Although lunch was served in the guest hall of the left courtyard, Mrs. Zhao thoughtfully arranged for men and women to sit at separate tables to ensure everyone felt comfortable.

After the meal, Susu and Hong Sheng were about to take their leave. Mrs. Zhao and Sister Qiu Yue already knew they would be departing for the Northwest on March 16th, and they felt quite reluctant to let them go.

Susu smiled and patted their hands, saying, "On that day, make sure you both come to see me off!"

Susu and Hong Sheng returned home with the return gifts from Mrs. Zhao, and Susu didn’t have time to rest because Miss Song was entering Prince Ke Mansion on March 12th, and everyone needed to contribute to the bridal gifts on the 11th.

Before leaving, Hong Sheng also had many things to attend to. Early in the morning, he dropped Susu off at Shun’an Earl Mansion. Susu told him to come pick her up in the afternoon on March 12th. Even though Hong Sheng didn’t want to leave his wife, he could only agree when he thought about the sweet treat his wife had made up to him for last night.

Ah, having a sly little wife is such a joy mixed with a hint of melancholy! But, no matter how cunning a fox is, it can’t outwit a good hunter. As Hong Sheng watched his wife’s figure disappear after entering the Shun’an Earl Mansion, he clenched his fist to motivate himself. To get a taste of the prize, let’s work hard!

Susu, with her maids, went straight to Sui’an Hall. It was only around seven o’clock when she arrived. The Old Madam was having breakfast, accompanied by Third Miss, Fourth Miss, Sixth Miss, Seventh Miss, and two Cousins.

Seeing Susu, everyone smiled and asked, "Why did you come so early?" The Old Madam asked, "Have you eaten yet? If not, have a bowl of bird’s nest porridge with me!"

Susu waved her hand quickly, "You know me, I can’t stand being hungry. I ate at home before coming here. I figured there would be many people today. The Heir’s wife and the young lady need care, so I came early to see if there’s any place I could be of help."

Since Susu was married, the Old Madam had to think twice before calling her over for a chat, let alone asking her to help with family matters. But out of consideration for her, Susu couldn’t bear to let the Old Madam work hard.

Once she’s no longer in the Capital, it’s one thing, but now that she’s here, she wants to help ease the Old Madam’s burden as much as she can.

The Old Madam understood Susu’s intentions and asked for a chair to be moved so Susu could sit by her side, "The household hasn’t prepared for a big feast, not even staying for lunch today, so just stay by my side today."

Susu was taken aback and couldn’t help but look at Fourth Miss. Fourth Miss gently put down her chopsticks and smiled, "Don’t feel bad for me, this is just fine."

Susu sighed, "If you don’t feel wronged, how could others feel wrong for you? Actually, this is quite good. With the concubines only just entering the palace, results won’t be out for at least another two months. You not only have two more months than others but also received betrothal gifts from the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Keeping low-key now is the right thing to do!"

The Old Madam nodded in relief. She knew Susu understood.

After the meal, the sisters prepared to contribute to Fourth Miss’s bridal gifts, and Susu joined in the fun.

Among the sisters in the family, Third Miss was the eldest, so she was the first to contribute. She gave Fourth Miss a pair of top-quality glass-type jade bracelets, with a purple hue that, while lacking a bit of the opulence of genuine violet jade, carried an elegant charm instead.

Rightfully, since Third Miss is the elder sister, she should marry before Fourth Miss, but circumstances dictated otherwise, and this was the best course.

After Fourth Miss entered Prince Ke Mansion, there would be a streak of joyous occasions: the Second Young Master’s wedding in May, Third Miss’s marriage in June, followed by the weddings of the Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master in the spring of next year. The Song Family indeed had a succession of happy events.

Only Susu wouldn’t be around to witness them.

Sixth Miss gifted a self-painted Travel Far Map, which surprised even the other viewers when Fourth Miss opened it. It depicted scenes from when they were still in the Yangzhou garden, only now it included the two Cousins.

One painting, four pictures: admire peach and plum in spring, lotus in summer, golden chrysanthemums and osmanthus in autumn. The winter scene showed plum blossoms proudly standing against the snow, sharing beauty and companionship year after year. (Ha, my humble work, please don’t expect too much!)

The characters in the paintings remained unchanged, only the scenes and landscapes varied. In the spring scene, Susu, Ning Cui, Yang Liu, and Bisi supported the Old Madam under the peach trees, watching the young ladies. Third Miss and Fourth Miss picked peach blossom petals, Fifth Miss, holding a book, stood under a tree showing off, while Sixth Miss and the two Cousins pointed at the tree crown, apparently discussing something. Upon closer inspection, it seemed they were pointing at the little fruits peeking through where the peach blossoms had fallen.

In the distance, a few indistinct figures could be seen, dressed as young gentlemen. Among them was a chubby lad, likely Sixth Young Master, seemingly trying to run towards them but being pulled back by many hands. Just a few strokes, yet Susu could vividly picture Sixth Young Master’s indignant look as he shouted "traitor" after being held back.