Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 77 - 7: Letter from Hong Sheng (Part 1)

When the guests left, everyone in the Song Family breathed a sigh of relief. Those who needed to clean up did so, and those who were going to eat went to eat.

Susu, famished, gobbled up several pieces of pastries gifted by the Old Madam, finally drawing a deep breath of relief. The Old Madam felt distressed yet refrained from making a comment as all the young ladies were present.

The Second Miss noticed how voraciously Susu ate, yet maintained her mannerly small bites. This made her less bothered by Susu’s previous attention-grabbing moment at the floral banquet; after all, such a person, wherever she goes, would never fade into obscurity.

Susu looked beautiful, possessed good qualities, and admirably adhered to etiquette—no wonder Grandmother was fond of her.

The Second Miss was not foolish; she was rather shrewd, possessing an instinctive tendency to profit and avoid harm. Recalling what a maid had confided in her after today’s banquet, she decided it’s best to remove Xiang Lian from her side. Initially elevated due to her sister’s marriage to the housekeeper’s son from the public warehouse, now without this association and having offended Susu, it was only wise for her to dismiss Xiang Lian.

Susu was unaware of the Second Miss’s inner scheming thoughts. Just as she intended to sip some tea, Fifth Miss chuckled and remarked, "Every time poetry was mentioned at home, Sister Susu would evade it. Today, we learned that she was merely keeping a low profile, leaving us to save face! ’Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers; rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea,’ what a fine verse indeed. I could never come up with such a rhyme!"

Fifth Miss expressed her admiration sincerely, seemingly genuinely impressed, but Susu shiveringly sensed the hidden implication in the words—what does a maid saving the face for the young ladies mean?

Putting down the pastry plate, Susu calmly responded, "Fifth Miss’s compliment towards this maid is undeserved. You know I enjoy reading miscellaneous books, and this verse was encountered just like Lotus Tea—it was found in some book whose name I no longer recall. The original verses go, ’Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers—all treasures by his side in those years. Now seven essentials reign: rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea.’ Today, I casually recalled and recited a couple of lines. As for hidden talents, having Fifth Miss alone in our house suffices!"

Upon hearing Susu’s words, Fifth Miss froze momentarily, then softly smiled and remarked, "Is this like an old lady peddling her own melons, praising them herself?" Laughter circled around.

Subsequently, the Old Madam, feeling tired, dismissed the young ladies, granting them repose.

Once the young ladies had departed, the Old Madam held Susu’s hand, saying, "Good child, you are truly wronged!" Susu smiled, "Not wronged. I understand, Old Madam is speaking for the maid’s good. Moreover, for all the maids and servants in the mansion, who can conversate with the young mistresses? It’s all due to Old Madam granting face to me!"

Old Madam Song patted Susu reassuringly, "I knew you would understand this sentiment. You are beautiful; though back in Yangzhou, we were the biggest household and unseen by others, now in the Capital, it’s different, not according to our wishes. As you grow older, year by year, I must consider your future. We don’t steal nor rob, our appearance is inherited from our parents, and living graciously is paramount."

It was also to appease An Wenchang Marquis Mansion’s interest, as such a maid should be wed outside rather than kept at home for the young masters, lest a scandal born from favoritism ruins the primary wife arises later!

Susu understood this very well, hence she did not keep her talents concealed in front of the Marquis Wenchang Mansion maidens, speaking boldly because she would not rely on those young mistresses for her livelihood in the future!

Shun’an Earl Mansion breezed into the aristocratic circle like wind, with invitations big and small flowing continually, the highest tier invitation being delivered by the Changlong Princess Mansion.

The Old Madam had not a moment’s rest, and Susu and Yun Duo accompanied her outside, gaining quite a collection of rings and golden bracelets; the priciest being bestowed by the Changlong Grand Princess—a hairpiece set inlaid with red gold with red gemstones, and the jade bracelets gifted by the Old Princess Consort Gong Mansion.

There is no choice—old ladies adore stories of faithful servants and filial masters, and having met Susu in person, appreciating her character and appearance, along with the Old Madam’s rapport—they naturally showed generosity. Though not quite as generous as the formal gifts for the young mistresses, they were still a top choice for maid gifts, drawing no despise, and in truth, it is loving the house and its crow!

The Old Madam, feeling grateful, commissioned Susu to specifically weave two styles of incense gifts for the Princess Mansion and Prince Gong Mansion, more heartfelt than costly objects!

Both the Changlong Grand Princess and Old Princess Consort Gong were unfazed by material wealth, yet the incense piqued their rare delight. Hearing Susu crafted them, they praised her as ingenious and clever. Not only did they return the favor with gifts, but they awarded several excellent fabric materials, marking Susu reputable within the maid circle! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

September arrived swiftly.

Just after breakfast, a maid returned with news, stating that the housekeeper mammy from Prince Ke Mansion came to visit the Old Madam, startling everyone!

The Song Family kept their interactions with Prince Ke discreet, with the Princess Ke rarely including Shun’an Earl Mansion in her invitations. Why would a housekeeper mammy from Prince Ke Mansion come?

The Old Madam quickly instructed, "Please invite them in!"

Two mammy figures entered, both approximately in their fifties: one donning a plain dark red robe with Zao Hong endless intertwined geometric patterns bordering her Hang silk attire, her hair neatly tied behind accessorized with two Chrysanthemum hairpins inlaid with East Pearl, adorned with red gold gourd pendants on her ears, exuding composed demeanor and dignified bearing—each step appeared precisely measured!

The other named Chen, simply fashioned a circular bun held by a jade hairpin—green akin to a water pool, glistening bright. Her forehead banded with a black patterned auspicious head scarf, a pair of jade pendants complimented her smiling, youthful face, clearly a favored and significant figure in her master’s favor!

Both mammy figures greeted the Old Madam, revealing that the stern one was surnamed Wei, manager of Prince Ke Mansion’s outer court—previously a head maid for the now honored Empress Xiao Zhao, and married the former chief steward of the Prince Rong Mansion. Upon His Majesty’s ascension, Prince Rong Mansion was bestowed upon Legitimate Son Prince Ke—naturally accompanying the young lord, esteemed by him.

The other mammy, Nanny Chen, served as Princess Ke’s wet nurse, although slightly beneath in prestige compared to Nanny Wei, held deep trust from Princess Ke. These two ranked tops among the slave hierarchy in Prince Ke Mansion, surpassing even some masters in stature.

The Old Madam ordered embroidered blue porcelain stools for both mammy figures and served them tea snacks once they settled.

After expressing gratitude, Chen Mammy glanced at Wei Mammy before addressing, "We should have paid respects to the Old Madam earlier, but our Princess Ke has not been well; your mansion naturally busy too, despite knowing the Old Madam arrived in the Capital, we couldn’t send invitations. By fortune, the ninth day of September marks both the Double Ninth and our young Commandery Princess’s full month. Princess Ke sent this invitation through me to kindly ask the Old Madam to attend."

The Old Madam promptly instructed Susu to receive the invitation, smiling, "Princess Ke surely overly complimented the elderly body! How thoughtful of Princess Ke, I’ll certainly attend!"

Nanny Chen added, "There will also be girls from relatives attending. Hearing that the young ladies of your mansion are all exceptional, Princess Ke says to invite them to make the occasion lively."

The Old Madam thought momentarily, projecting a smiling assent.

Then the quiet Nanny Wei remarked, "Aside from this joyful event from our Prince Mansion, the Prince asked me to convey the apologies—Households Commander Hong sent festive gifts to your mansion; however, the attendant uninformed about the Old Madam’s relocation to the Capital, delivered them to Yangzhou, causing delays. Yesterday, upon arrival, the Prince instructed me to deliver them firsthand today."

"Households Commander Hong, isn’t it Hong Sheng? In under a year, Brother Sheng has advanced to Households Commander!" The Old Madam inquired delightedly... (To be continued!)