Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 306 - 16: Hostile Visitors (Part 2)
(ps: The title of Chapter 15 has been modified!)
This Madam Bai naturally comes from the Bai Family, and she is a concubine-born younger sister of Bai Wansan, the Bai Family Master, and the aunt of the Bai Family’s eldest daughter.
It is said that this Madam Bai was originally just a concubine and was only elevated to a proper wife after the death of the primary wife.
According to reports, Madam Bai seems to be a typical white lotus on the surface, but she secretly maintains the usual gentle and considerate demeanor of the Bai Family’s girls, earning much favor from her husband.
However, shortly after she entered the family, the primary wife, who was in good health, passed away along with her unborn child. The eldest son, left behind, lost his reputation and future because he mingled with his mother’s maid during the funeral period. The second son from the concubine-born line broke his leg after Madam Bai was legitimized, and soon after that, she was found to be pregnant.
Because the reputation of the Bai Family’s girls was so good, and she behaved like an innocent little flower, even if someone suspected her, they couldn’t produce evidence, leaving the matter to fade.
But Susu doesn’t believe in coincidences. Also, just because someone is named Bai Lianhua doesn’t mean they are pure and flawless.
Bear in mind that white lotuses grow from muddy ponds, and how many can truly be "untainted by mud and clean without being seductive"?
Just as Susu was pondering, a small maid came in to report.
"Greetings, Madam, Madam Su, Mrs. Sun sent me to convey that Madam Liu, Madam Jiang, and Madam Bai have arrived together, along with a few young ladies from their families and the Bai Family girl. Madam Bai mentioned that her niece from her maiden family is visiting her and, knowing that the Madam is the kindest, she brought her niece to the mansion to pay respects and broaden her horizons."
Upon hearing this, Susu knew they meant no good.
And Mrs. Qin sneered, "Now that they’re here, can I still send her back? They know I’m the kindest? Looks like I’m too kind, letting them become so presumptuous."
After saying this, she waved her hand, "Tell Mrs. Sun that I have distinguished guests here, and she should take them directly to the side hall, no need to come pay respects."
Susu was slightly surprised; Mrs. Qin was not someone who disregarded decorum like this. "Aunt Qin, you don’t have to do this because of me..."
Before Susu could finish, Mrs. Qin waved her off, saying: "It’s not just because of you. I’m the hostess today, and if they cause trouble at my banquet, it shows they don’t take me seriously. Previously, I couldn’t be bothered with them, but after hearing Aunt Zhao say that your uncle might be leaving Hami to advance on Tartars within a month, who knows who will take over military affairs in Hami. If I don’t show some strength, they might think I’m a pushover!"
Hearing this, Susu couldn’t help but admire Mrs. Qin. After all, she was of extraordinary background, knowledgeable as the head ancestral lady, yet just from a little information disclosed by Mrs. Zhao, she had already thought of ways to protect the Liu Family and assert authority after Commander Liu leaves.
Mrs. Zhao, having also heard the commotion outside, thought for a moment and then said: "Once those people are seated, have someone listen in on the side hall and, at an opportune moment, let Susu go over first. Initially, I didn’t want people to know I came to Hami, but now it doesn’t matter if people know how much Yunzhi (Mrs. Qin’s maiden name) values Susu—just say it’s because my niece from my maiden family asked me to take extra care of Susu, and since I’m not in Hami, I have to rely on you. I’ll go out with you later."
Susu’s apparent support was Old Madam Song; she was the niece of Mrs. Zhao from her maiden family, the legitimate daughter of the Wenchang Marquis Mansion, the heir’s wife of the Shun’an Earl Mansion, and a granddaughter-in-law of Old Madam Song.
Old Madam Song cared for Susu like her own granddaughter, so having the granddaughter-in-law ask her own aunt to take extra care was reasonable.
These convoluted relationships weren’t particularly intimate but held some formality, making them not too abrupt.
At this time, Mrs. Zhao and Mrs. Qin didn’t know that Old Madam Song had indeed asked the granddaughter-in-law to do so, and Susu still had a letter from the heir’s wife written to Mrs. Zhao.
However, the Old Madam and the others didn’t know Susu’s true identity, and since she had no use for the letter, she naturally set it aside, content with knowing the Old Madam’s intentions.
Thus, Mrs. Qin hosting a banquet for Susu wasn’t without reason, and it also distanced an accusation away from Ruan Qiniang.
After all, previously Mrs. Qin told the family that she favored Susu because she was friendly with Ruan Qiniang.
But only a few people knew about this matter; outsiders had no clue. If Mrs. Qin was overly warm to Susu and someone discovered this connection, and then linked a series of events, they would surely find that the names Ruan Qiniang and Ruan Sixth Son appeared too frequently after Susu came to the Northwest, and might discover something.
Especially since there was Brother Lin, whose eyes were exactly like Susu’s.
Fortunately, Brother Lin was in the military, always keeping a low profile and covering one eye. Even Hong Sheng, who had suspicions, only focused on Ruan Sixth Son, neglecting him.
But there’s never a shortage of smart people in the world. It never hurts to be cautious.
Moreover, with Mrs. Zhao’s assistance, those who intended to harm Susu wouldn’t dare to go full force, and could only proceed gradually.
Some things just require a slow approach.
Next to them, Qin Miao was also very cheerful upon hearing these words. She originally wanted to back Susu, but her mother said participating in this banquet might overshadow the host, so she had to avoid it.
However, listening to her aunt’s words now, her mother finally understood a point: constant retreat appears as weakness.
Upon hearing that shortly after Susu arrived in Hami, she was manipulated by a woman, but fortunately, Susu asserted herself, preventing them from seizing control.
Now, hearing that someone would stand up for Susu, Qin Miao was eager and excited, "I’ve heard that the Bai Family’s eldest daughter claims to be the first beauty of Hami. Today, I must really see what this so-called first beauty is like."
Leaving aside how touched Susu was by Mrs. Qin, Mrs. Zhao, and Qin Miao’s support, the side hall was also quite lively.
The female relatives who had come earlier might not be a match for Mrs. Qin, yet outside, they were quite intimidating.
But at this moment, as they followed the maids to the side hall, no one spoke, seemingly not yet recovered from the visual impact earlier.
They all had heard of Mrs. Qin’s niece, the daughter of the Governor Qin, a beauty said to be unrivaled, the Northwest’s first beauty. Upon seeing Susu, they thought she must be this first beauty and weren’t let down.
Then, with a simple introduction from Mrs. Qin, they realized that this was the renowned Madam Su, and they were instantly dumbfounded.
They had privately speculated that being favored by Commander Hong and rising from a maid to a fourth-rank Madam, she probably wouldn’t lack in cunning, tactics, or looks.
But they hadn’t expected her to look this way! 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Not just her appearance, even her aura was on par with Mrs. Qin.
Coupled with her breathtaking looks, no wonder there were words like "celestial beauty" circulating, they weren’t an exaggeration at all!
Can such a person really be of maid origin? What kind of family could afford such a maid?
With various doubts in mind, the group didn’t clear their heads until they entered the side hall, feeling the cooling effect of the ice basin inside.
Then they saw Yue Baiyou sitting in the chair, idly playing with a teacup, making them look at each other in confusion.
What’s going on? Why is this girl here?
