Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 309 - 19: Trading Favors (Second Update)

The words of Madam Liu had just fallen, and the atmosphere in the front hall became somewhat tense. However, those inside the room didn’t know that everything they said was being relayed verbatim to Madam Qin.

Susu rose and bowed to Madam Qin and Mrs. Zhao, saying, "I will first go meet those lacking manners. It’s time they understand what it means for the younger generation to surpass the old."

Susu was always accustomed to being friendly, but if someone bullied her, she would not take it lying down.

Madam Qin laughed, "Go with confidence; if anything happens, Aunt Qin will handle it. I think they are just too idle."

Mrs. Zhao also advised, "Although there is an antidote for Chaotic Heart, you still have to be careful. Who knows what other malicious tricks they might have?"

Susu smiled, "Rest assured, dear aunts, Susu is no longer the Susu of the past. I can protect myself."

Once Susu left the room, Madam Qin sighed, "This child has had it hard. Serving others is not as easy as she says. Seeing her handling everything gracefully now, one can tell how much hardship she has been through."

Mrs. Zhao comforted her sister-in-law, "If Susu were still as timid as she was as a child, then we would have reason to worry! As you’ve said, she’s sharp from a young age. She knows how to assess the situation and handle matters. And if she can’t, aren’t we here as well?"

While the two were chatting, Qin Miao grew impatient listening to her mother and aunt’s conversation. "I’ll go sit with cousin."

Madam Qin thought of Madam Liu’s group, who had brought her own daughter without asking the hosts, to cover up Bai Lili’s visit, causing her eyes to darken slightly.

Today, she had not planned to invite unmarried girls. Her two daughters were supposed to be in their own courtyard learning rules and studying with the governess and teacher.

"Go ahead. Your cousins are still young, so help entertain those uninvited guests."

Hearing her aunt’s words, Qin Miao smiled like a blooming rose, "Aunt, rest assured! I will make them feel as if they are at home."

Mrs. Zhao gave her daughter a helpless glance, "Don’t go overboard."

The maid named Cui Zhu, who was by Madam Qin’s side, personally led Susu to the side hall. As they walked, she quietly told Susu about someone slandering her and causing trouble for Fen Dai.

"During that time, the mistress didn’t speak up. I heard a little maid eavesdrop while by the window, and she whispered the news to me. This isn’t something joyful, but I thought the Madam should be a little prepared."

Susu realized Fen Dai, in her anger, must have given them something to use against her. Still, seeing her loyalty, Susu couldn’t bring herself to blame her.

This Cui Zhu was well-meaning as well, so Susu took off a gold ring embedded with green tourmaline and tried to give it to her.

"My good sister, you took great care to maintain my honor in front of others. This may not be a precious item, but it’s crafted so delicately. Sister, please take it and enjoy wearing it."

Cui Zhu was taken aback upon seeing the ring and quickly tried to decline. She was only trying to curry favor for the sake of Qin Madam’s attention on Susu and did not dare accept such a valuable item.

Cui Zhu thought: What is this Madam Susu’s background? Her generosity surpasses even that of their own madam.

Having seen much by accompanying her madam, she knew that this ring of gold, with six green tourmalines each the size of a soybean forming a flower, although small splounds were vivid in color and pure in quality.

The gold and tourmaline, not to mention the delicate craftsmanship, would make a ring like this worth around eighty to a hundred taels of silver.

Yet before she could voice her refusal, she heard Susu say, "Seeing as sister is used to fine things by Aunt Qin’s side, refusing it would be looking down on me."

As Susu spoke, she took Cui Zhu’s hand and slipped the ring onto her finger, just the right size, smiling, "Look, sister, doesn’t it look beautiful on you?"

The ring only made Cui Zhu’s hand appear even more slender and fair. Naturally, she was pleased by it.

Gold and jewels paired with the craft from Qiaogong Pavilion are impossible for any woman to resist.

Cui Zhu thought to herself that she carried a little weight in front of her madam, and since it was a gift from Madam Susu, it would be appropriate to have her approval before returning. So she smiled, "I really am lucky to enjoy such fine things. I wonder how the other sisters would envy me."

Susu then pulled out a six-cash gold ingot from her pocket, "Please pass this to that little maid. She has gone through some trouble too."

Cui Zhu’s mind worked quickly, and she accepted it. "Back in the room, I have two sets of clothes. I will pass them to her along with this gift. Thanks to her listening in, I was able to receive such a valuable item so easily."

Though Madam Qin wasn’t fond of socializing, she was well aware of the officials’ wives in Hami. Cui Zhu, being by her side, was privy to things others were not.

Seeing the seemingly indifferent attitude of Madam Qin and Mrs. Zhao towards Susu, others might assume it was simply to maintain appearances. At least, Cui Zhu was aware of Madam Qin’s attention on Susu.

Now seeing Susu’s kindness and generosity without any airs, she couldn’t help but acknowledge that Madam Susu was indeed extraordinary. Hence, she reciprocated by whispering some gossip from the front hall to Susu.

Hearing these words, Susu couldn’t help but praise internally: Aunt Qin’s training has truly produced an impressive maid!

Looking at her own three companions, Shuimo, Linglong, Qi Qiao, and thinking of Fen Dai by Yue Baiyou’s side, though they were smart and experienced to some extent, they were too young to hold their ground.

In the side hall now, people had split into two factions: one kept to themselves, neither conversing nor contradicting others, although such individuals were as rare as cats’ teeth.

The other faction harbored animosity towards Susu for various reasons.

Knowing that Susu had arrived early and was constantly by Mrs. Qin’s side, clearly giving her more prestige compared to those ladies who hadn’t even exchanged words with Mrs. Qin, Susu appeared more dignified.

Thus, learning that Fen Dai was the maid accompanying Susu from the Capital, they used the excuse of pitying Yue Baiyou as an orphan, criticizing Susu via Fen Dai.

Susu and Cui Zhu had just reached the door and hadn’t entered when they heard a weak voice, saying, "This little maid seems no older than eleven or twelve. How could she know what it means to curry favor? She’s only doing as her mistress ordered. Don’t make things difficult for her. When Madam Susu arrives, let’s plead for Miss Yue. I’m sure Madam Susu would save some face for us."

Susu saw at the door a beautiful woman around thirty, dressed in an autumn fragrance-colored dress, speaking. Then the woman continued, "Poor thing, Miss Yue, you need to stand up for yourself and plan ahead."

Susu mused internally: This woman has a way with words! She then spoke out, "Oh? How does this madam intend to plead for Miss Yue? Also, my maid naturally follows her mistress’s instructions. What did she do that requires you to stoop so low as to make things difficult for a little maid?"

The crowd turned to look towards the voice at the doorway, seeing the figure entering with a graceful gait, the sunlight behind her seemed to gather around her alone, outlining a graceful silhouette, her radiance outshining even the dazzling rays.