Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 340 - 20: Father Unaware (Second Update)

After Wei Rong’s household left, Susu waved her hand for a few maids to set up the meal. She sat in the study, holding a brush and wanting to write a letter to Hong Sheng, but with so many thoughts in her mind, she didn’t know how to begin.

She wanted to tell Hong Sheng: You’re going to be a father! But also feared it might distract him.

After contemplating, she decided to write a regular family letter without mentioning her pregnancy.

She sealed the letter, planning to send it to the Liu Mansion tomorrow. Qin is also going to communicate with Commander Liu, naturally having her own channels.

Susu could have sent her letter to the barracks to go along with the soldiers’ family letters, but she didn’t trust those commanders.

"Madam, it’s time to eat!"

Shuimo came over to call Susu, who put her brush down, observing Shuimo’s cautious support. Susu smiled and said, "It’s only one month; there’s no need for this. If my belly gets bigger, you’ll be scared to death!"

Supporting Susu, Shuimo replied, "Aunt Wei said that no amount of caution is too much in the first three months." Then, slightly hesitant, she added, "We’re still young and don’t understand these things. Madam should really train some matrons or wives soon!"

Susu patted her hand, "It’s okay not to understand. You can learn slowly; I don’t trust anyone else. Even if new people come in, they are newcomers and won’t surpass you all."

Shuimo, usually aloof, revealed a childlike smile and said, "Am I someone who doesn’t allow others to stand out? If someone is truly good for Madam, I’d be willing to personally serve them soup and water."

Thinking about it, there were some matters Susu needed to discuss, "The incoming wives are either the sisters or sisters-in-law of the maids. Although married, they haven’t learned how to serve a pregnant woman. Madam should quickly write a letter to call the nurses back."

Shuimo’s words reminded Susu that those ready for marriage were the daughters and sons of the Zhao, Bai, Wei, and Lin families, who had previously followed Susu.

Housekeeper Qiao selected these families not just because the couples had some abilities, but also because these families had children of different ages.

Whether serving Susu closely or becoming stewardess when Susu married, they were more than enough.

But who would have thought that Susu had released some people upon her arrival, and those who married did so early. The previous plans were now useless.

The maids who served closely were still young. The maids intended to become stewardesses hadn’t married, leading to awkwardness.

While Susu managed everything thoughtfully for the Old Madam, she was not as attentive to herself. Now faced with reality, she realized she was short-handed.

Listening to Shuimo’s words, Susu realized that since marriage--or rather, since leaving the mansion--she had planned to enjoy life leisurely as a landlord’s wife, yet things kept happening.

Could it be...

Susu felt a toothache, wondering if she traveled through time, making the Thirteenth Lady the female protagonist?

Please, no!

Susu clasped her hands, praying to the heavens and gods, "I just want to be a bystander, eating melon seeds. Please, let me go!"

"Master, are you resorting to temporary measures?" Shuimo, knowing her master’s usual temple visits, questioned her sincerity in worship.

After all, no devout believer has a home devoid of Buddha or Guanyin statues, only thinking about temple vegetarian meals.

Had Susu known Shuimo saw through her "carefree eating and drinking" nature, she would have cried foul!

She truly believed, and was very sincere. After all, with the possibility of time travel, who knows whether a cloud might rain?

But asking someone educated in science for over twenty years to pray all the time is a bit difficult.

Susu coughed and seriously said, "The Buddha’s foot is too big; holding a toe is enough!" So, no special treatment needed!

...

After dinner, Susu returned to the study to write a letter to the Old Madam. This time, she wasn’t cautious, expressing excitement, nervousness, and fear to the Old Madam.

Susu traveled to Great Chu, not yet adjusted before realizing she was in a book, quickly facing confiscation of property and loss of titles.

Terrified in jail, uncertain of the future with human traffickers, she met kind Mrs. Zhao, entered the Song Family, and met the benevolent master, finally calming her drifting heart.

Old Madam was not just her master but also her mentor, friend, and family.

After writing, Susu put her pen down, looking at the ten-page letter and the two-page family letter to Hong Sheng, feeling somewhat guilty.

"It’s for your good, so you’ll focus on the battles rather than worrying about us mother and child!"

Susu muttered to herself, justifying her actions, then sealed the letter in wax before placing it into the mail tub.

Sending this letter was even easier now, as Susu held the Song Family’s Dark Department Northwest Chief’s White Tiger Seal.

After confirming the pregnancy, Susu enjoyed leisurely days for four or five more days, pondering over crafting baby clothes while still early in the pregnancy. Her dowry contained plenty of Songjiang Three-Shuttle Cloth.

When the baby arrived, it would be summer; Hami’s hot weather meant the baby couldn’t use ice. Luckily, her dowry included two precious Ice Silk Fans, cool to the touch, warm against the skin, sweat-proof.

This was granted by Princess Consort Xi from the palace when Susu married, and Susu only dared to cut two sets of undergarments from it.

There was also a piece of Yellow Grass Heart Cloth from Suzhou Weaving Bureau, bestowed by the oldest Steward in Shangjing. Susu had once used one piece for garments, keeping the other since, unpurchaseable outside.

Though Old Madam later gifted several pieces as dowry, Susu felt today’s were not as lightweight as initially given!

Susu instructed the maids to rummage through boxes to retrieve the materials, and when the maids learned it was for the baby, they marveled at the generous use of fabrics.

Qi Qiao, learned in needlecraft from her mother, recognized the precious fabrics and remarked, "Knowing Madam wishes to use the best for the baby, newborns grow fast and have delicate skin; only cotton is suitable. These Three-Shuttle Cloths are perfect!

Ice Silk is hard to come by; better suited for older children to wear for a season. Using it on newborn clothes would waste it!"

Linglong worried Madam might think Qi Qiao underestimated the baby and spoke up, "I remember when Bai Yue was born; true as Qi Qiao said, grew visibly every day. If Madam permits, use Three-Shuttle Cloth for diapers."

Susu chuckled, "I’ve gone overboard, wishing for stars and moons for him. Leave the Three-Shuttle Cloth; tuck away these fabrics.

Using Three-Shuttle Cloth for diapers, you think we own a mountain of gold!"

Restored to reasoning, Susu playfully tapped Linglong, this mischievous maid, always stirring up trouble!

"I heard using worn cotton garments as diapers is best, soft yet not wasteful. No small clothes to gift, but plenty boxed up; one box will suffice!"

Discussing so, Liu Nanny entered with news, "Concubine Song sent a post inviting Madam tomorrow!"