Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 332 - 12: Bait (First Update)

Susu watched until Hong Sheng’s figure disappeared before entering the courtyard. A group of servants, seeing Susu’s face without a trace of sadness, didn’t know whether to remain silent or offer comfort.

Is this what they call "the greatest sorrow is the death of the heart"? For a moment, the courtyard was silent.

Susu didn’t know what the servants behind her were imagining. Hong Sheng had left, and who knows when he would return. Although she was sad, life had to go on.

In fact, sometimes Susu felt that her calmness bordered on cold-bloodedness, but it was precisely this calmness that had supported her until now.

Moreover, although Hong Sheng had left, the danger around her had not been eliminated.

At Hami Guard, Commander Liu and another vice-commander had followed Qin Dusi into Tartar territory with half the troops, leaving one vice-commander and three commanders to guard Hami.

Leaving aside the vice-commander, who was always a good person, those three commanders were all red-eyed with jealousy toward Susu.

Now they were in control of the troops, so even Aunt Qin chose to stay behind closed doors to avoid trouble, let alone Susu.

Fortunately, Fourth Miss Song had also arrived at Hami. As Prince Ke’s concubine, she held a Second Rank imperial decree, so even Aunt Qin had to show her some respect for the royal family’s dignity.

After Fourth Miss arrived in Hami, she summoned Susu. Those who had been waiting to give Susu a hard time after Hong Sheng left were dumbfounded.

Then they remembered hearing at the Liu Mansion that one of Susu’s backers was indeed the concubine Song from Prince Ke Mansion, and afterwards they all cursed under their breath!

Besides all these, there were several troublesome matters yet unresolved, the foremost being "Yue Baiyou" and the Bai Family.

Recalling what Hong Sheng had previously told her, Susu just hoped that Qin Dusi’s arrangements would be effective.

"Pack up, let’s head back to town!"

A pair of retired soldier couples were left to look after the courtyard in the camp while Susu led the others back to the county town.

Once everything was tidied up, she had someone invite "Yue Baiyou" over.

Having already fallen out with Susu, Yue Baiyou decided to pot-luck it; she didn’t even bother with formalities and didn’t exhibit any of the manners a young lady of a respectable family should have.

Now having entered the door, she didn’t greet Susu and went straight to sit on a redwood carved chair, laughing, "Oh, it’s rare for sister-in-law to want to see me today. Xiang’er, go outside and check, is the sun rising from the west today?"

Xiang’er glanced at Susu sitting at the head seat, and although she calmly sipped her tea, Xiang’er dared not move.

"You wicked girl, who’s your master? You dare to disobey me, I’ll sell you off tomorrow."

Xiang’er’s heart was full of hatred, but she pretended to be terrified, trembling as she knelt in front of Yue Baiyou. "Miss, I was wrong, please don’t sell me!"

Yue Baiyou reached out to pinch Xiang’er’s ear, "You little wretch..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a crisp sound came as Susu forcefully placed her teacup on the table.

She casually fiddled with a butterfly ring inlaid with an aquamarine gemstone on her hand and said, "If you want to hit or scold her, do it in your own room, don’t put on a show in front of me, who’s going to watch it!"

Raising her eyes to glance at Yue Baiyou, she said with a half-smile, "I called you over to tell you that before Brother Hong left, he arranged a marriage for you.

Though not from a family of officials you often associate with, they lack not for silver.

Their home is in Hebei, they came to Hami for trade and befriended Brother Hong. He’s now twenty-five, with only an elderly mother at home.

Though I haven’t seen him, since your Brother Hong has betrothed you to him, his character and looks must not be lacking."

Yue Baiyou shot up, incredulous as she looked at Susu, "Who gave you the right to marry me off to a merchant? Brother Hong said so? I don’t believe it!

It must be you’re trying to get rid of me behind Brother Hong’s back now that he’s gone to war, aren’t you afraid of being gossiped about?"

Upon hearing this, Susu chuckled, "Who gave us the right? A good question! It was your brother and you, of course.

When you moved into our home, taking our silver, you gave us this right!

As for your disbelief? Believe it or not! Anyway, I’ve made it clear. Your Brother Hong and that man settled on a date, the matchmaker comes on the eighth of September, and the man is in a hurry to return home, so all the Six Rites will be completed within a month.

Right, the wedding day is set for the sixteenth of October. Once married, you’ll return to Hebei and be able to spend a good New Year with your mother-in-law!"

Yue Baiyou felt that at this moment, Susu’s face had become unbearably repugnant, "Fine, you’ve finally shown your true colors. I ought to let Hong Sheng see your true face. Though your face is pretty, your heart is black."

Susu sneered, "You’re too kind, miss. I’d like to be a bit more ruthless, but ultimately not as much as you. If I had even a bit of your ruthlessness, miss, you’d either be hanging from a white silk ribbon or end this miserable life with loneliness in a temple."

Susu’s words carried not a trace of warmth, causing both Yue Baiyou and Xiang’er to shiver.

"Wicked woman, I’m going to find Brother Hong!"

Watching Yue Baiyou’s angry departing figure, Shuimo asked, "Madam, should we have someone stop Miss Yue?"

Gone was the indifference and coldness on Susu’s face as she waved her hand, "No need! Based on the time, my husband is long gone! Besides, not stopping her ensures plenty of drama to watch, doesn’t it? The bait is set, let’s see if the fish will take it!"

...

Yue Baiyou, with Xiang’er in tow, angrily stormed out of Hong Mansion, hailed a carriage in the street, and headed straight for the outskirts.

However, upon reaching the outskirts, there was no one left, the main battalion had already left long ago.

Yue Baiyou sat in the carriage, twisting a handkerchief almost to tatters, finally revealing a hint of panic, "Xiang’er, do you think what Susu said is true?"

Xiang’er recalled Grandma Hong’s expression when speaking, and it didn’t seem like a lie. Moreover, regarding marriage matters, her master always had excuses, and it seemed that the Hong couple had long been fed up.

Originally, as a young lady from outside, acting imposing in front of the legitimate mistress?

But that Susu is not a kind person either!

"Miss, I believe Grandma Hong didn’t lie. Don’t you remember, I have some impression; there indeed was such a merchant who was quite close with Mr. Hong, and master had even received rouge and powder he brought in from the South!"

"Yue Baiyou" inwardly cursed, she was no actor, now without a script, how was she to improvise on the spot!

Luckily, the little maid provided a reason, "Just a merchant, why bother remembering him? I absolutely won’t marry! Let’s go, back to town, I have something to instruct you!"

Hundred Flavors Building, the largest and most luxurious restaurant in Hami, Yue Baiyou rarely wore a veiled hat, and so did Xiang’er, as they discreetly requested a private room.

There were many veiled girls on the street, so they didn’t stand out too much.

Once inside the private room, Yue Baiyou finally removed her veil, "Did you deliver the message to the maidservant next to Miss Bai?"

Xiang’er quickly nodded, "Rest assured, it was received personally by Qiao Ge who serves Miss Bai!"

Xiang’er lowered her head respectfully while her hand instinctively touched a hard object in her sleeve.

That was a small gold ingot weighing about one ounce, she inwardly sneered, Miss Bai casually rewards with gold and treasure, yet after serving Yue Baiyou diligently for two years, her monthly salary given by the Hong’s is often withheld under various pretexts.

Master, if you are unjust, I will be unkind, don’t blame each other...