Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 61 - 12: Entering the Capital

With smooth sailing, they had been sitting on the boat for a month and were finally nearing the Capital. Even the Old Madam was very pleased, and when they were still some distance away, she sent someone on a small boat to go ashore first to deliver the message.

Now, the Master not only held the title of Shun’an Earl but also had a position in the Ministry of Revenue as an Official of the Fifth Rank. Because he had to work at the Ministry, the Princely Heir, Song Qinghe, brought several younger brothers to the dock to greet the Old Madam. There were also servants and dozens of carriages, making them quite noticeable amid the bustling dock.

Some people recognized the emblem on the carriage, and once it was pointed out, everyone showed an expression of "no wonder." The Song Family was now among the new nobles in the Capital. Some secretly spat out "upstart," but couldn’t help feeling envious; even old aristocrats once started as new nobles. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The Song Family itself had contributed to the founding efforts and had a daughter who was a favored Lady in the palace. The descendants were all exceptional, not to mention their alliance with the Wenchang Marquis Mansion, one of the Six Great Marquis Houses upon the founding. Truly, they were in the limelight. Although originating as salt merchants, they were not the wealthiest in Yangzhou, but they were certainly affluent, a well-known fact.

No matter what others thought, Princely Heir Song Qinghe was wholeheartedly looking forward to his grandmother’s arrival in the Capital. It wasn’t just idle talk from being a son; if his marriage truly depended on his mother, he probably couldn’t have even gotten a wife. With two taels of oil shaved off the bride price for his future daughter-in-law, what more could he say? At the age of eighteen or nineteen, thinking of these things, Song Qinghe felt aggrieved and wanted to cry.

As the ten large boats drew nearer to the dock, the lively Fourth Young Master laughed, "Here they come, I see our family flag on the boat. I wonder if Little Sixth has lost weight?"

Upon hearing this, Song Qinghe also smiled, "You’ll know once you see him!"

While speaking, the Song Family’s boat had already docked. The young masters hurried forward and saw a round little figure dressed in a sapphire ground gauze robe embroidered with silver-threaded bats and peonies jump off the boat with a beaming smile. Spotting them, he toddled over like a little cannonball.

Fourth Young Master Song Qingyu saw his Third Brother, who had been in front of him, suddenly step aside, and the little fat one crashed straight into his arms.

Everyone heard an "ouch" as Fourth Young Master and Sixth Young Master tumbled into a heap, then the voice of Fourth Young Master underneath cried out, "Sixth Brother, why are you still this fat? Third Brother, you tricked me, Big Brother, help!"

The little chubby Sixth Young Master stood up, patted the dust off his clothes, and laughed, "Fourth Brother, why are you still not so bright? Look how cunning Third Brother is. Oh, what a shame my new clothes!"

Princely Heir Song Qinghe stifled his laughter as he helped his Fourth Brother up, noticing that his Second and Third Brothers were also struggling to hold back their laughter. Upon hearing Sixth Brother’s words, they couldn’t hold it any longer, and the three elder brothers erupted into laughter without any brotherly love.

Second Young Master, laughing, said, "Little Fourth, what do you think, did Sixth Brother lose weight?" Fourth Young Master looked disappointed with this unloving world.

Amidst the laughter, Fifth Young Master and the four girls accompanied the Old Madam off the boat, surrounded by a group of beautiful maids. Fortunately, the family’s servants had already cleared a space; otherwise, this group of handsome men and beautiful women would have drawn quite an audience.

The Princely Heir led his three brothers to greet their grandmother and various brothers and sisters. After everyone took turns greeting, the Old Madam carefully examined her four grandsons, especially the three other young masters she hadn’t seen for a long time. Seeing they were all handsome, poised, and of good temperament, she nodded in satisfaction.

Young as he was, Sixth Young Master, visiting the Capital for the first time, clamored about wanting to ride a horse with his brothers. The Old Madam, who usually doted on this grandson who was raised by her side, relented, "Riding is fine, but you’ll ride with your eldest brother." Sixth Young Master, knowing he was too little for his grandmother to allow him to ride alone, was hoping to ride with his brothers anyway, and upon getting her consent, he grinned and cupped his hand towards his big brother.

The Second, Third, and Fourth Young Masters hadn’t returned to Yangzhou for three years. Upon seeing Susu who was following the Old Madam, they could hardly tear their eyes away. However, having been alongside the Master and seen some of the world, they quickly pulled their fifth brother along to escort their grandmother and sisters into their carriage.

Susu took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. After six years, she was back. The feeling was indescribable. In the novel, she was just a bystander; now, she still hoped to remain just a bystander. Yet even as a bystander, she wanted to live well.