Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 97 - 21: Display of Authority (Part 3)

Then she said to Susu, "I heard that yesterday, Third Aunt let my chamber steward manage the small kitchen in this courtyard, it’s Third Aunt’s way of caring for me, so young lady, please eat here! I would also like to ask you about Grandmother’s preferences, offering a dish later would be my way of showing filial piety!"

Susu quickly replied, "The Old Madam has already provided meals. I dare not presume to teach, if the Old Madam knows of Eldest Young Madam’s filial piety, I’m afraid anything she eats will seem sweet!" After exchanging pleasantries, seeing that Eldest Young Madam sincerely wanted to know, she continued, "The Old Madam never permits being picky, so she has no dietary restrictions, but as she grows older, she tends to avoid greasy and heavy foods."

Susu felt relieved in her heart, guessing that Eldest Young Madam had heard some gossip and bore a grudge against her and not the Old Madam, which didn’t frighten Susu.

Susu then spoke some more about the Old Madam’s eating habits, and when Eldest Young Madam’s dinner was served, Susu said, "I won’t disturb Eldest Young Madam’s meal any longer. If there’s nothing more, may I take my leave?"

Zhao Lanxi had indeed secretly inquired about Susu. Although the Zhao family’s servants had just arrived yesterday, with money able to make the devil turn millstones, and since the rules in both the First and Second Wife’s households were not stringent, naturally, they found out what the First Madam had previously said about making Susu the Princely Heir’s concubine.

Zhao Lanxi felt somewhat uneasy. Anyone would feel uncomfortable hearing excessive praise for a maid’s excellence and beauty, especially knowing that the mother-in-law mentioned bringing her in as a concubine for one’s husband, even if such things were initiated by the First Madam’s reckless antics.

This led to today’s situation!

But seeing Susu’s composed demeanor, neither servile nor overbearing, Zhao Lanxi felt as if she had punched cotton. Feeling wronged, she also realized that this girl truly didn’t seem the type who aspired to be a concubine!

Though a bit headstrong at times, she was ultimately a daughter raised by a noble family. As she grasped the situation, her tone naturally softened, "It’s late, I won’t keep you any longer," she said, as she had a maid fetch a large pocket from the cabinet, personally handing it to Susu, "Please don’t find it wanting." Susu quickly thanked Eldest Young Madam for her reward.

"Wen Xiang, properly see Miss Susu out."

"Yes!"

Wen Xiang was the main maid who had ushered Susu in. She got someone to light a lantern to see Susu out, saying as they walked, "We’ve just arrived; please offer us some guidance!" Susu replied, "You’re too humble, Sister."

When they reached the second gate, Wen Xiang instructed the maid holding the lantern and a rough servant woman to escort Susu back. Once the two brought Susu to the outer gates of Sui’an Hall, Susu thanked them, handed each an eight-tenths silver ingot, and had someone bring out a tray of fruit for them before letting them report back to Eldest Young Madam.

This coming and going consumed half an hour. Yang Liu had already returned from the young ladies’ quarters and was nestled in the side room with several maids keeping watch, cracking melon seeds. Seeing Susu enter with a bulging pocket, she laughed, "Quick, let us see what Eldest Young Madam rewarded you with. They say to share half upon meeting!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Susu, smiling, opened the pocket and emptied it onto the table, revealing numerous gold ingots shaped into small peanuts, pumpkins, and pomegranates, about twenty to thirty different designs. There were nearly fifty to sixty ingots, roughly weighing five to six ounces of silver, which would equal fifty to sixty taels when exchanged!

The few young maids gasped, "Eldest Young Madam is certainly generous." Only Yang Liu secretly pouted, which Susu saw and nudged her.

Susu said, "Your Sister Yang Liu has suggested, share half upon meeting, each of you take a few to play with and share in Eldest Young Madam’s good fortune."

The young maids cheered, knowing Susu was generous, each taking two, while Susu grabbed a handful for them to divide, saving the rest before pulling Yang Liu into the inner room.

"The day has really turned cold; Sister, quickly find a cloak and deliver it to the Old Madam. With so many distinguished guests at the banquet, she hardly took a bite for herself. I’ll first instruct the small kitchen to prepare rock sugar bird’s nest."

Yang Liu pinched Susu’s cheek, "You’re the only one who knows how to care for the Old Madam, as if we are useless? We’ve long sent someone over, many are rushing to earn favor. Don’t try to dodge me with that feigned ignorance, seeing this reward, does Eldest Young Madam truly regard you as merely a servant? A bag of gold ingots, as if we’ve never seen gold before?"

Susu helplessly said, "I truly am just a servant; Eldest Young Madam rewarding a bag of gold makes me happier than anything else. I just like this, Sister, stop talking about it. After all, it’s only our Old Madam who spoils us, in actuality, which prestigious card do we belong to? A bag of ingots weighing five to six ounces is quite a sum."...