Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 239 - 14: Evergreen Hills Remain Unchanged (Part 3)

The Yangwei Escort Agency took on the task of transporting Five Continents Hall’s goods to the Northwest, and then bringing back items acquired from the branch over there. In modern terms, this would be considered smuggling, but in ancient times, it was simply trading.

Susu climbed into the carriage but couldn’t resist lifting the curtain to wave at the Old Madam and the rest, continuing until they disappeared from view. Hong Sheng heard Susu’s muffled sobs and felt as if his heart was being cut with a knife. He quickly dismounted and entered the carriage. When Fen Dai and the four maids had left, Susu finally nestled into Hong Sheng’s arms, crying out, "Nothing is more sorrowful than tears of parting, capable of breaking one’s heart at just the sound."

Hong Sheng held Susu tightly and whispered in her ear, "Susu, rest assured, we will return in a few years." Though sobbing, Susu nodded, "I know, ever since I entered the Song Family, I’ve always been by the Old Madam’s side. Today, parting is so far and wide, even a letter takes two to three months to arrive. The Old Madam is getting old, and I’ve burdened her with worries like this. The thought alone is heart-wrenching."

In Susu’s hand was the letter the Old Madam had given her. The Old Madam, a person so concerned about her reputation, had humbled herself to request this of her granddaughter-in-law. Susu truly wished she didn’t have to leave.

Susu recalled Seventh Sister in the capital supporting the Ruan Family, Tenth Sister struggling in Prince Ke’s harem, and Sixth Brother facing hardships in the Northwest, realizing she couldn’t act willfully.

Susu nestled further into Hong Sheng’s embrace, deciding to allow herself this one moment of indulgence. There were harsher challenges awaiting her in the Northwest.

When it comes to the escort trade, planning is crucial. Although one must also "act according to circumstances," it’s essential to "prepare for a rainy day." Hong Sheng, being an escort by profession, naturally understood the trade’s rules.

Due to the time delay caused by their departure, Hong Sheng had already informed Susu that apart from feeding the animals, they would not stop until reaching the last post house within the capital’s range by evening.

Susu, being reasonable, had no objections. Besides, she wasn’t particularly hungry, having only nibbled on some dry food for lunch and spent the rest of the time lost in her thoughts.

During the journey, the servants were cautious, fearful of upsetting their master, contributing to an oppressive atmosphere on an already somber day.

Susu, absorbed in her thoughts, didn’t even care to observe the scenery outside. Though aware of the stifling atmosphere, she resolved to indulge her whims, whatever they might be.

After much hurried travel, they finally arrived at the last post house within the capital’s range before nightfall. Beyond this post house lay Shuntian Prefecture, marking their departure from the Imperial City limits.

The Post House Manager personally greeted them. As the manager was of the ninth grade, a rank of no real distinction, he knew that guests at the post house all outranked him and treated everyone with a broad smile, knowing not where fortune might favor him.

Due to the post house’s strategic importance, its facilities were quite good. Besides the manager, there was one clerk, ten post house soldiers, and twenty hired hands, along with several kitchen maids and servants.

Susu’s party, consisting mostly of people with the surname Li, occupied two of the remaining small courtyards at the post house; the escort agency people and those soldiers shared one courtyard, while Susu and Hong Sheng took another. As the servants couldn’t fit, they requested a few communal rooms.

Hong Sheng handed over the fire card issued by the Ministry of War to the Post House Manager, who then realized that the young man before him was the much-discussed hero who had captured enemies a year ago, already advanced to the fourth rank at such a young age. The manager’s previous ingratiating expression gave way to genuine admiration, as he hurried to instruct the hired hands, "Feed the horses well, add saltwater!"

Hong Sheng smiled and thanked him, saying, "Thank you, the house servants have already taken the horses. Just trouble the hired hands to send more hot water to the two courtyards and allow us to use the kitchen!"

Such a request was hardly a request at all, and naturally, the Post House Manager had no objection.

This was not a post house in the cold and desolate Northwest; all who passed through here were wealthy or noble, so the kitchen was well-equipped, and the kitchen maids were experienced.

But when she saw what Lin Sheng’s household brought out, the kitchen maid paused. It seemed this family must be of significant stature, which explained why they didn’t need the post house’s meals.

Watching as they brought out Imperial Field’s Rouge Rice, Green Rice, premium official swallow, red dates the size of half a baby’s fist, snow-white flour, and other rare and valuable foodstuffs, she realized their high status. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

And judging by the kitchen maid’s skillful ways, she was no ordinary cook. If she could learn just a bit from this family’s cook, she might earn higher rewards in the future.

The master had only sipped tea with a few snacks at lunch, but now, finally having an appetite, Lin Sheng’s household spared no effort in preparing a meal.