Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 260 - 12: Digging Pit (First Update)

(With over 20,000 cumulative subscriptions and an average subscription of 200, here’s an extra Chapter! Hope everyone supports it! Asking for votes, after seeing the vote request from the Great God of Elbows, I realized that the monthly ticket is quite important—it represents the readers’ affirmation of Ah Biao’s efforts!)

By the time all the women woke up from their drinking, it was already two or three in the afternoon.

Even those who did not know the proper etiquette felt embarrassed, having lost face completely. How could one get drunk at someone else’s house during a visit?

However, Susu, who had changed into another outfit, was completely unconcerned. Instead, she comforted everyone, saying, "It’s rare for us women to gather like this. Why should only the men be allowed to drink and make merry, while we can’t enjoy ourselves for once?"

This statement was enlightening to everyone—yes, why can’t we women have a bit of freedom and fun for once!

"All we did was drink at noon, barely ate any food, so it’s likely we’re hungry now. I’ve asked people to prepare tea and snacks, and invited a performance troupe for entertainment today. Ladies, let’s all enjoy ourselves!"

The women had never been treated with such importance. Together with Susu’s assurance that the men were already informed, they decided to let go of their worries and truly enjoy the day.

The men had already dispersed earlier. Hearing the noise and applause from the inner courtyard just a wall away, they couldn’t help but wish they could join in the fun.

While they had seen performances before, they just wanted to be amidst the excitement. However, no matter how boorish they were, they knew it was inappropriate to enter the inner courtyard.

They all nudged each other, making faces at Hong Sheng, saying, "Look at how your little sister-in-law entertains guests, and then look at you—you’re really not considerate!"

Hong Sheng interpreted this as praise for his wife, not bothering to argue with these relentless fellows.

At around four or five in the afternoon, the small banquet was coming to an end. Old Mrs. Yang waited until Susu was escorting her out to quietly ask, "Why didn’t I see Miss Yue? Susu, there’s an old saying, ’A toad may not bite, but it makes people uncomfortable.’

Susu hadn’t expected Old Mrs. Yang to bring up Yue Baiyou at the end, but the tone suggested she also found her annoying.

Before Susu could respond, Old Mrs. Yang seemed to talk to herself, "Everyone knows that girl isn’t good. Why hasn’t anyone told Sheng boy? First, Sheng boy has no feelings for her, so people are afraid of embarrassing him if they mention it. Second, Sheng boy promised her brother to look after her. If Sheng boy were incompetent, it wouldn’t matter, but he’s advancing too quickly, sparking a lot of envy. Mishandling this could lead to accusations of betrayal, which is the worst for a leading general. Right now, we can’t touch her."

Susu realized that Old Mrs. Yang was actually giving her a hint. Although she had considered these things, the fact that no one had voiced them except this old lady left Susu deeply grateful.

"Don’t worry, ma’am. Miss Yue is well taken care of at the mansion, and no one dares to mistreat her. Today, she mentioned she had made plans with a friend to go shopping, and I didn’t have the standing to stop her, so I just let her go."

Though Susu didn’t want to see Yue Baiyou adding to her troubles, she knew that hosting a banquet without her would lead to gossip and speculation.

The way things were set up, Miss Yue was poised to create issues no matter her actions, so Susu wondered why she should keep her around to annoy herself.

Old Mrs. Yang, hearing this, understood that the girl was doing it deliberately. Her staying might stir trouble, and her absence might incite speculation. Apparently, all her cunning had gone into these tricks.

Old Mrs. Yang laughed coldly, "Don’t worry, I’ll chat with a few old sisters later to prevent misunderstandings about you." Although the old lady had a bad temper, she was loyal and had quite a few old friends—friends who had been close for many generations.

These families were old military households that nearly covered the entire middle and lower social circle of the Hami Guard’s military generals.

Despite being exceptionally respectful to Old Mrs. Yang and having taken Sister Fang as an informal student, Susu felt her own offer of gratitude seemed too practical. Reflecting on this made her blush privately, as she resolved to repay the old lady’s kindness in the future.

Holding Old Mrs. Yang’s hand, Susu beamed, saying, "Thank you so much. Please allow me to visit you at home sometime for a proper meeting, so I can properly stop by in the future."

After sending the guests off, Susu changed into her home clothes and lazily reclined on the large heated bed in the Warm Pavilion. Resting against a snow-blue Hang silk pillow embroidered with dark orchids, she sipped a cup of warm broth with fresh lotus seeds and peppermint rock sugar, feeling relaxed for the first time.

It had been so long since she interacted with women that she found herself a bit out of practice. People often say that a gentle village is a hero’s grave, and the reverse is true as well. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The women guests had left, but the men’s side might go on until nightfall. With Hong Sheng not yet returned, it gave Susu time to sort through her thoughts.

In truth, when Susu first heard that Yue Baiyou was out today, she had breathed a sigh of relief. But Susu was by no means naïve; with a little thought, she realized that girl had set another trap for her.

This time, Susu couldn’t help but think more deeply. Was this cunning person the same one who had tried to assert herself over Susu, the legitimate wife of Hong Sheng, at the main gate? Even if Susu had made a scene then, what good reputation would she have gained?

Yang Fang Jie had certainly not been taken as a student for nothing; even before Old Mrs. Yang, she had mentioned Yue Baiyou.

"She’s out, huh? She’s quite cunning, knowing no one here likes her. Let’s not even talk about pretending; she claims to like Brother Hong, but flirts with everyone, just a little fox."

Though Yue Baiyou had been overly friendly to Yang Fang Jie, hoping to become "good sisters," the more simple-minded the person, the more they have a beast-like intuition.

Yang Fang Jie firmly believed, "Unnecessary friendliness is either treachery or theft," so she and Yue Baiyou weren’t even ’plastic sisters,’ and she had humiliated her multiple times.

Despite Yang Fang Jie not being particularly bright, she had a good mother and a formidable grandmother. Yue Baiyou was ultimately too green, and when they discovered her attempting to use Fang Jie as a stepping stone, they naturally spread the word. If not for considering her as someone Hong Sheng promised to care for, she would’ve been ousted from Hami long ago.

At that moment, Susu thought with some frustration: Hong Sheng, that guy, really can’t accomplish anything but can mess things up!

Unaware of being labeled as "incompetent at doing good, but effective at spoiling things" by his wife, Hong Sheng was being made to drink by a group of men. After all, who wouldn’t be envious, jealous, and resentful of him marrying such a good wife?

Meanwhile, Yang Fang Jie, whom Susu thought of, was at Hami County’s most famous jewelry shop—Treasure Pavilion—choosing jewelry.

Claiming to be meeting friends, she saw no acquaintances but wandered the streets with a maid, exuding a forlorn and bewildered aura. Her eyes were slightly red, as if ensuring everyone on the street knew of her sadness and confusion.

Having finally had enough of roaming, Yue Baiyou entered the Treasure Pavilion with her maid.

By the time she arrived, it was nearly noon. The shop had few customers, just a couple of people she knew, though their interactions were not particularly pleasant.

As soon as Yue Baiyou saw the person, she immediately tidied her collar and skirt, walking towards them with determination, as if stepping onto a battlefield.