Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander

Because Susu paid attention to balanced nutrition during pregnancy, in addition to fresh vegetables and fruits, she also included milk, goat milk, and various nuts every day. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

So the Little Bun, who was just born, did not look like other children, resembling a little old man. Instead, he was fair and soft, like a glutinous rice dumpling.

The sight of such a Little Bun left the newly upgraded parents Susu and Hong Sheng both anxious and delighted.

Earlier, Hong Sheng had also imagined that in the future, he and Susu would have a son and a daughter; the son would take after him, and the daughter should take after Susu.

Then he and his son would be responsible for earning money, while the daughter and Susu would be responsible for being beautiful.

But things were not as he had imagined. Susu indeed gave him a son, but as soon as the Little Bun was born, it was obvious that he was like a mini version of Susu.

The little dumpling changed day by day. When he opened his eyes on the third day, he looked just like a mini Susu.

Although Hong Sheng and Susu were quite worried about their son’s future, they were also utterly charmed by him.

When Hong Sheng returned home, there was no need for the Hong Mansion to be low-key. Since Susu was pregnant, he hadn’t been home, so it was as if he was competing with someone, hosting a grand "three-day ritual" for his son.

Except for the Bai Family, Hong Sheng invited all the notable figures in Hami.

During this "three-day ritual," the Little Bun finally received a name that his father came up with after going through countless books—Hong Feng!

Susu expressed her disdain. "Hong Feng," why not just call him "flood?"

However, Hong Sheng confidently explained that he hoped his son would be as majestic as a mountain in the future, which seemed reasonable.

Susu could only put down the "Book of Songs" and silently said to the son who was sleeping soundly, "It’s not that mom won’t help you; it’s just that your dad has now got the knack for flirting, and mom can’t handle it!"

But there is always worse. Susu, who seemed knowledgeable, gave her son a nickname—"Mantou" (Steamed Bun), even Hong Sheng found it eye-popping.

But he didn’t dare to contradict his wife’s words, only comforting his son silently that although the nickname was a bit rustic, isn’t there a saying, "A humble name makes for an easier life"?

Actually, the name "Mantou" had an extraordinary meaning. Susu hoped her son would be like a steamed bun, "rising when steamed, consistent inside and out."

So many years later, Hong Feng, known as "the most handsome man in Great Chu," had already been mischievously pranked by his not-so-reliable mother even three days after he was born.

...

Since Hong Sheng and his brother returned, Susu felt she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. She would no longer need to worry about the Bai Family and Prince Ke and could focus on a good Postpartum Confinement.

So the Rat Guard, Dragon Guard, and Pig Guard—all except the determined Pig—were packed up by Susu and sent back to Ling.

As for Pig, Susu made arrangements to bring her into the open, making her a close female Guard like Linlang.

Hong Sheng naturally was unaware of the Youye Twelve Guards, and Susu had no intention of telling him, but he wasn’t a fool and tried to cover for his wife.

Prince Ke didn’t believe Ling would hand over the secret powers of Duke Li’s Mansion to him, but it seemed quite true.

Of course, in Hong Sheng’s mind, Prince Ke was his benefactor, and his loyalty to him was indisputable. But Susu was his fate!

Especially after hearing from Susu about the collaboration between Prince Ke, the Bai Family, Prince Yong, and the "previous dynasty’s underground palace" incident.

Hong Sheng said to Susu that Prince Ke had changed and was no longer the master who "would help the world when successful" in his heart!

Susu laughed and said, "Young man, you’re overthinking it!"

But now, not only had he been labeled as a disciple of Prince Ke, even Susu, because of Ruan Shiniang, Ruan Yu, and the others, could not remain unaffected.

This also led to more tasks on Hong Sheng’s hands after returning to Hami, especially since his benefactor and master Prince Ke was still there. Hong Sheng returned late every night and left before dawn.

Susu suggested that he should stay in the barracks to avoid the long commute, but Hong Sheng didn’t want to.

"After finally coming home, I just want to stay with you two all the time. It’s hard to be free. Now that I’m back, I can see you two every day; you don’t know how happy I am."

Seeing this, Susu felt sorry for him but was also aware of Hong Sheng’s stubbornness and let him be.

She only instructed the kitchen to make an extra portion of the milk-inducing soup and supplements she drank, so Hong Sheng ended up eating Postpartum Confinement meals with Susu for a month, which later caused him to dread the sight of soup.

The "three-day ritual" was a bit ostentatious, so Susu and Hong Sheng discussed that the full month celebration would only involve inviting some close friends and family for a simple meal and gathering.

Hong Sheng helplessly shook his head, "The war is almost over; it’s estimated that Prince Yong will ascend the throne by the new year, and the Prince will also return to the Capital.

Most of those coming to our home with gifts now do so to curry favor with the Prince. Many things I haven’t even put in the storeroom. Do you think I’m hoarding private savings? I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d be angry."

Susu thought Prince Ke was simply obsessed. How could a proper prince turn out to be so money-crazy?

Hong Sheng sighed, "It’s not easy for the prince either; everything needs money! He supports many retainers and Guards, but he even needs to report to the Emperor when doing business or purchasing land."

He sighed again, "No matter how much wrong the prince did, he was always good to me."

Watching Hong Sheng express his feelings, Susu thought that if she hadn’t transmigrated and married him, this guy would definitely be a brainless fan of Prince Ke.

Their son’s "three-day ritual" and full month had become Prince Ke’s means of amassing wealth, leaving Susu speechless at Hong Sheng.

So when Susu finished her Postpartum Confinement, the Bai Family’s shop, which had just started to do well, suffered again. Don’t mention the exasperated Bai Wansan and Bai Lili; let’s just say Prince Ke called Hong Sheng with a sullen face.

"Can’t you control your wife?"

For Hong Sheng, Prince Ke had observed him for several years before deciding to trust him as a confidant, so naturally, he trusted him, and Hong Sheng hadn’t betrayed that trust so far.

But Prince Ke found Hong Sheng’s troublesome wife gave him a headache. She actually came to threaten him while heavily pregnant when Hong Sheng wrote to say he was returning.

She said Hong Sheng didn’t know her identity, and she just wanted a simple life, telling him not to come between their marital relationship.

Prince Ke was dumbfounded at that time, did someone actually dare to threaten him?

Darn it, who is the prince here, and who is the one with a hidden status? Are you dim-witted or something!

A simple life? Look at you stirring things up in Hami, tossing the Bai Family around, causing severe losses.

Now coming to me saying you want a simple life, do you have a misunderstanding about what a simple life is?

Now that Hong Sheng is back, she’s become even more aggressive, making Prince Ke harbor a murderous intent towards Susu, which wasn’t concealed even in front of Hong Sheng.

Hong Sheng stiffened and then knelt down before Prince Ke.

"Your Highness, she is my life!"

Hearing this, Prince Ke felt both toothache and a twinge of envy and relief.

Hong Sheng exposed his soft spot before him, indicating his unwavering loyalty.

"Go and tell your wife to stop causing trouble! After things are done, I will personally use Boertiechina Maryka to honor my child."