Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 89 - 15: The Source of Trouble (Part 2)

Fifth Miss previously mentioned there were a few pieces of Shu brocade fabric she was reluctant to use, and then she couldn’t resist glancing at Susu, because Susu’s long jacket was also made of Shu brocade fabric, though it was woven with a subtle cloud pattern in light blue, with silver threads embroidered with a few white orchids along the hem and round collar.

The kind of fabric proper young ladies are reluctant to use, yet Susu has casually made it into a jacket; thus, the problem becomes apparent!

Susu merely smiled gently, "I’m afraid I can’t agree with what Fifth Miss said. Others may not know, but I certainly do. The Old Madam cherishes you, even when it’s the Shu brocade, cloud brocade, feather silk, and embroidery used exclusively by the Ladies in the palace, the Old Madam hasn’t skimped on giving some to young ladies each year. What’s more, we don’t speak of reluctance in our mansion; saying that would provoke laughter from others."

Fifth Miss found it unprecedented that Susu spoke so much; her grandmother’s face bore a smile, yet not a glance towards her, realizing she had acted impulsively today. Rising to her feet, she held Susu’s hand and said, "Good sister, please forgive me! I was just making a casual remark, yet you’ve brought out such a lengthy response." Saying so, she proceeded to offer Susu an apology with half-hearted sincerity.

Susu quickly dodged behind the Old Madam, who then said, "Stop fooling now, you’re all grown-up young ladies, should outsiders see, you’d become the subject of ridicule." Then turning to Fifth Miss, she remarked, "Your outfit today is indeed nice, but for everyday wear, it’s rather too formal, while on most days too plain. Our family’s young ladies are to be cherished; your aunt has your father and mother to take care of her, no need for you to worry, don’t wrong yourself!"

Fifth Miss was startled internally, yet her expression remained unchanged: "I know Grandmother cherishes me." She nonchalantly sipped tea, taking a bite before continuing, "Speaking of my aunt, there’s something I’d like to discuss with Grandmother!"

Seeing the Old Madam regarded her without disapproval, she relaxed, choosing her words carefully, Fifth Miss continued, "It’s my aunt’s brother who came to the Capital for exams; my nurse encountered him while out for medicine. He entrusted her to pass his regards to me; after all, they are my aunt’s family, couldn’t ignore them, so I sent some items over. Recently, he passed the exams as a scholar and purchased a house in the city, reportedly also engaged to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel’s family. Aware they’re not genuine relatives, unfit for visitation, earlier, my aunt’s parents also arrived in the Capital, inviting me for a day. I felt it improper to decide alone, hence contemplating discussing with Grandmother."

Fifth Miss was indeed clever, avoiding terms such as "uncle" and "maternal family," yet mentioned "after all, it’s my aunt’s brother," demonstrating her sentiments and righteousness. Besides, her uncle, having passed the exams as a scholar, was now of an official status, surely Grandmother knew his value too.

Upon hearing these words, Old Madam Song seemed to recognize this granddaughter anew, scrutinizing her until Fifth Miss, feeling guilty, averted her gaze and shrank back slightly. Only then, Old Madam declared without expression, "If you seek advice, let me know your thoughts!"

By now, Fifth Miss regretted her actions, yet had already spoken much, recalling her uncle’s advice, she steeled herself and said, "Granddaughter naturally listens to Grandmother, but I thought, after all, they are my aunt’s parents and brothers..."

Before she could finish, the Old Madam interrupted, "They may be your aunt’s parents and brothers, but don’t you have parents and brothers?" Her tone was cold and harsh, the first time Fifth Miss had seen the Old Madam with such an expression, fear seized her, tears streaming uncontrollably, "Grandmother, I’m wrong, please don’t be angry; you may punish or scold me, just don’t hurt your health!" Her pitiable demeanor truly would stir pity in others, but who in the room was unfamiliar with her?

Bisha, sensing trouble, also knelt down, "I plead with you, Old Madam, don’t be angry; it’s from the Gao family that they’ve sent several messages, the young lady truly couldn’t refuse, hence she’s discussing with you!"

The Old Madam waved her hand, prompting Nanny Qin to step forward, delivering a slap to Bisha’s face, "When masters speak, who are you to intervene? Let this slap teach you a lesson; repeat such mistakes, and you’ll be expelled from the mansion."

Bisha dared not cry, merely lowered her head, remaining silent. Fifth Miss’s face, too, felt as if struck, internally boiling with anger and shame, she bowed her head in tears.

The Old Madam sneered coldly, "Ordinarily, you feign vulnerability and innocence as if anyone wrongs you, that’s fine, for I never intended you to glorify the family. You and your aunt dress in worn clothes daily, bear outdated ornaments, administer eye drops to the third daughter-in-law, and send the Song family’s silver to the Gao family, I let you. Firstly, the relationship between an aunt who is a concubine and the rightful wife is inherently strained; secondly, since silver is given to you, spend as you will, others can’t interfere. But now you’ve gone too far, using Song family’s silver and Song family’s young lady to disgrace Song family—if I ignore this, I’m afraid you’ll become even more brazen."

Fifth Miss looked at the Old Madam in disbelief, collapsing to her knees with a thud, "Grandmother, I did not!"

The Old Madam paid no heed, this time genuinely enraged.

"Not what? Not feigning pity? Not giving your Legitimate Mother the slips? Or not sending silver to the Gao family? What grudge do you hold against your mother and siblings, that you’d shame them and cut off their prospects?"

Fifth Miss shook her head repeatedly, disregarding her image, this time truly cried.

"Grandmother, truly I never meant it this way, merely considering Uncle Gao now having passed as a scholar, soon marrying the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel’s daughter, persistently inviting granddaughter over, it’s hard to ignore. If handled well, doesn’t it serve as assistance to our family too?" Carelessly, the term "uncle" slipped from her lips.

Hearing this, the Old Madam actually withdrew her anger, Aunt Gao and her daughter appeared shrewd, yet merely puppets controlled by strings, the truly astute was that Gao Yue. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The Old Madam watched Fifth Miss crying like a tearful doll, yet her heart did not soften a bit. A misstep in this affair, would tarnish Song family’s reputation, especially with Qing He achieving scholastic success and soon marrying; she couldn’t afford to relent!

Previously ignoring these matters was to give Fifth Miss face, hoping she’d recognize her errors and cease accordingly. Who knew this granddaughter appeared wise, yet actually dazzled by wealth and success.

With a silent sigh, the Old Madam said, "You didn’t intend, but you did. What relation do your aunt’s parents and brothers have with you? If you leave today, tomorrow the entire Capital will know, Song family acknowledging an aunt’s family as genuine relatives. Others would praise your ’uncle’s’ capabilities, while Song family would bear a reputation of lacking propriety. An Imperial Censor would soon criticize your Uncle for failing to manage the household strictly. You and your mother’s a great deal of silver thrust into the Gao family, hoping that Gao Yue would back you, truthfully a grand joke! Even if Gao Yue becomes Chief Cabinet Minister, he can’t oversee Song family’s aunt and illegitimate daughter; Song family has no relation with him. Further, if he truly cared for you, he wouldn’t exploit your aunt’s sellout money nor scheme against her daughter. Do you think upon leaving Song family’s door, any reputation remains for you? Assistance? A person with a wolf’s ambition and unscrupulous methods, Song family dares not count as assistance. Now aiming to bite a chunk off Song family, fearing in future not the entire Man Mansion’s wealth could satisfy Gao family’s appetite!"