Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 256 - 8: The Visitor (Part 2) (Second Update)

The Yang Family’s Old Mrs. Yang may not have the kind, good-natured appearance, but Susu could tell at a glance that she was a wise old lady, much like the Old Madam. It’s just that their areas of wisdom differ.

But this didn’t stop Susu from loving every part of her home, so she quickly helped the old lady who was about to greet her, saying, "Old Mrs. Yang, you flatter me! You must be Brother Yang’s mother, right? Has Brother Yang ever mentioned me to you? I’m young and unfamiliar here, having just arrived without wisdom or guidance, so I must rely on you to take care of me in the future!"

The Yang Family is undoubtedly the local power in Hami. The old man of the Yang Family is still alive, and with the honor of her husband’s rank, Old Mrs. Yang holds the Fifth Rank title.

Susu said Old Mrs. Yang didn’t have the kind appearance, which was being truly humble. Because the old lady had high cheekbones and a long face with thin lips, a typical sharp and mean look.

It’s said that when Old Mrs. Yang was young, she was as gentle as water, but after getting married, all the men in the family went out to fight. In turbulent times at the border, not coming home for half a year was common.

She had to take care of everything at home, fend off opportunistic ruffians and nasty neighbors, and feed her children.

The hardships of life turned a gentle young woman into someone who could chase chicken thieves two miles with a kitchen knife and gamble insults lasting a whole day because a neighbor picked a handful of greens from their garden.

At home, her sons and daughters-in-law feared her like mice fearing a cat; even her grandchildren were not close to her.

However, she lived quite independently, managing the household, controlling decisions, and having her husband’s moral support, who felt indebted to her. To put it disrespectfully, within the Yang Family, she was like the Empress Dowager.

Whether she felt hurt or lonely due to her children’s alienation was unknown to others.

It was the first time she encountered such a fearless and enthusiastic girl, especially one that resembled a fairy in appearance, making her exceptionally charming to the old lady. Rarely did she show a smile, allowing Susu to hold her. "This old woman must’ve seen a fairy from the Turquoise Pool!"

If Susu wanted to charm someone, there was no one she couldn’t win over. With one willing to charm and the other willing to cooperate, within a few sentences, Old Mrs. Yang was calling Susu affectionately "Susu," even taking off a thick golden bracelet to put on her, slightly dissatisfied, saying, "It’s too plain; I’ll make it up to you later."

The women behind, including Susu’s retinue, were stunned. In just a few moments, what exactly did we miss?

Was the smiling "kind and gentle" old lady really that sharp old lady from the Yang Family, who seemed like everyone owed her silver?

Yang Xiaoshan’s mother, Yang Old Mrs.’s eldest son’s wife, thought, "I might have seen a fake mother-in-law!"

The ensuing situation turned quite dramatic.

Seeing the formidable Old Mrs. Yang being charmed by Susu, everyone else immediately lost some of their nerve.

Coupled with what they had seen before, they were already somewhat demoralized, and upon seeing Susu’s true manner, they readily agreed with their husbands (or brothers), feeling embarrassed for wanting to compete with her, wishing they could find a hole to hide in.

"Warriors, courage. Once inspired, followed by decline, then exhaustion."

As their courage dissipated, now left with resignation.

But as mentioned before, if Susu put her mind to charm someone, there was no one she couldn’t win over. Especially since she had already charmed the most senior, oldest, and crankiest Old Mrs. Yang, others became "easy targets."

Because many were attending, Susu entertained them in the main hall of the third courtyard house. Originally a guest reception hall, the three rooms were connected, with the remaining two rooms serving as a tea room and a maid’s room.

Susu led the crowd to the Flower Hall; those literate could recognize the plaque inscribed with "Langhuan Flower Hall." In front of the door hung a curtain with scalloped flowers, inside stood a large Southern incense table with a pair of bronze and tin-cranes candle holders and a lion playing with a ball incense burner.

Facing out stood a redwood carved bench depicting West Lake’s twenty-four views, with two large red satin embroidered cushions, a red satin embroidered long pillow, and a green silk brocade quilt below.

On the bench sat a short redwood carved table, holding a Western style large chime clock. Below it was a large spittoon and two redwood footstools.

On the bottom row, eight pairs of Canton-style redwood carved chairs, with red satin golden decorated crane chair covers and cushions, separated by a redwood tea table.

The east and west walls were evenly covered in water-polished square bricks, with one side featuring a Kesi tapestry of butterflies flirting among peonies, the other an overlaid golden screen with three floral mountain scenes of the sea, leading to the tea room beyond.

As everyone settled down, beautiful maids in pink jackets and green silk skirts served tea, snacks, fruits, and sweets, each a new sight like never before.

With Old Mrs. Yang as the mediator, a round of introductions ensued, Susu smiling warmly yet innocently, leaving no room for anyone with bothersome intentions.

The elder ones gave her respect, the younger ones deferred, even the young ones received a round of introductory gifts.

Speaking of farming, she understood, discussing shops, she was knowledgeable, talking clothes and jewelry, no one present knew more than her, mentioning cosmetics, she recalled vaguely hearing from her husband that the fragrances she crafted were meant for the Empress Dowager, Ladies, and Princesses.

Multiple interactions further demonstrated Susu’s unparalleled ability.

Although some young ladies and wives couldn’t help but feel slightly bitter, Susu pretended not to notice once she realized it, while the older ladies sighed inwardly time and again. Such a character, if not hindered by status, even a young and accomplished Hong Sheng, might not be suitable for her.

As Susu went to change clothes, the mothers and mothers-in-law quietly cautioned their young ones in the presence of the Hong Family’s maids.

Regardless if she was Mrs. Shangguan or not, such a person should only be befriended, not offended.

Old Mrs. Yang, on the other hand, was indifferent, picking up a palm-sized Western dove cake, taking a bite, and handing the rest to her daughter-in-law, saying, "Try it, Susu said it’s made with bird’s nest, ginseng powder, and pigeon eggs with white sugar, and it has a Western name."

Old Mrs. Yang rolled her tongue but couldn’t pronounce it, so she simply gave up, "Susu said it’s most suitable for the elderly, and she’d send two boxes home." The old lady smiled, appearing quite creepy to Mrs. Yang and the others.

Then she lowered her voice and whispered to her daughter-in-law, "I can’t control others, but you keep an eye on Sister Fang. If she does anything indecent, no pleading will work!"

Everyone assumed Old Mrs. Yang was whispering secrets to her daughter-in-law, unaware Mrs. Yang was mortified.

She knew too well her mother-in-law’s temperament; saying this meant she had already accepted Grandma Hong’s leadership role.

Remembering her spoilt "late-born daughter," her heart tightened, realizing offending Susu wouldn’t be a simple matter.

With this thought, she quickly glanced over to her daughter sitting among her friends, only to find her heart racing as she realized Sister Fang was missing from the group of similarly aged girls.