Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 317 - 27: Important Intelligence (Second Update)
It’s been half a month since the banquet that included daredevil talents, drama queens, melon-eating bystanders, and Bystanders A, but the aftermath shows signs of escalating.
Firstly, Mrs. Zhao cleared Susu’s name. Regardless of how many believed it, at least the outside gossip about Susu was swept away.
In this Northwest region, there truly isn’t anyone who dares to offend Mrs. Zhao, or rather her backing, the Governor Qin Dusi.
Susu found the Qin Dusi, who battles like a god yet is dubbed "naive" and "Xian’er" in private, extremely intriguing.
Just like her curiosity about Aunt Su’s background, yet never probing into it, Susu feels it’s best to maintain the mystery around Qin Dusi.
She always felt that if she truly met Qin Dusi, her worldview might need restructuring.
Like Qin Miao secretly told her, her dad is "only for distant admiration, not for disrespectful teasing."
Haha, with such a rascal kid, Qin Dusi must be feeling rather distressed.
Secondly, regardless of how the ladies who attended the banquet perceived Susu inwardly, they at least acted very warmly.
Ever since attending Aunt Qin’s banquet, Susu hasn’t had a moment’s rest, busy with various gatherings, making her very nostalgic for her previously leisurely days.
But Susu is not Mrs. Qin, she cannot and does not have the power to be indifferent to everyone.
Thankfully, only two or three individuals genuinely harbor malice against her and Hong Sheng; the rest are just "henchmen."
Under Susu’s carrot-and-stick policy, quite a few have already "reformed."
After all, Susu’s Golden Finger is absolutely real, though its effectiveness may be inconsistent.
And those people are really like Aunt Qin said, merely fence-sitters.
Susu certainly doesn’t dare rely on them to firmly stand by her side, but hopes they have reservations so neither side gets help.
Thirdly, word about the dowry Susu prepared for Yue Baiyou spread far and wide.
Aside from receiving several match-making visits, even Hong Sheng was flattered by numerous soldiers, making him almost believe he’d exuded charisma overnight.
And Yue Baiyou happily accepted the dowry Susu sent but remains undecided about the marriage.
She said she’s afraid of marriage consequences, yet essentially declares "I’m set on you," since she and Susu have already ripped all pretenses apart, pretending is meaningless.
Of course, in front of Hong Sheng and outsiders, she still pretends.
Fourth, though Susu didn’t see it herself, just hearing Sister Zhen recount, Susu knew how frustrated Bai Lili was facing Qin Miao, saying she left Liu Mansion spitting blood, only to fall ill at home.
Compared to Qin Miao, Bai Lili was inferior in looks, temperament, status, and knowledge.
Her nearly unbeatable wealth in Hami was reduced to nothing by Qin Miao.
Qin Miao’s skill in sarcasm made Susu ashamed of herself, supposedly on a scorching sunny day with flowers like brocade.
Qin Miao, resembling a Fire Phoenix, looked down on Bai Lili, showing a hint of disdain, yet seemingly indifferent.
"To transform from an ugly duckling into a swan, you must first be a swan’s egg."
"Having wings doesn’t necessarily make you an Angel; it could just be a bird-person."
Upon hearing these familiar words, Susu knew it must be a bombastic predecessor’s sayings with overly broad Golden Finger.
Upon inquiry, indeed! She even shamelessly penned a book called "Saint Martial Emperor’s Sayings."
It remains in the top three best-selling book rankings.
It’s said one should feel embarrassed not knowing some quotes from "Saint Martial Emperor’s Sayings."
Susu: ...
Fifth, and most importantly, according to the Little Beggar Gang’s leader tracking Yue Baiyou, it seems Yue Baiyou and Bai Lili have fallen out.
Susu could guess why they fell out because it was her design, certainly due to Chaotic Heart, they started suspecting each other.
Moreover, Susu received crucial intelligence.
Although the Bai Family is large making investigating Bai Lili difficult, probing Yue Baiyou is easier.
Even if she acts very vigilant and seems to know some martial arts, the Beggar Gang members in Hami are everywhere.
With Susu offering generous rewards and the Little Beggar Gang leader expanding territories, new members reported an odd incident.
A distinguished-looking woman has been appearing at an Old Beef and Mutton Restaurant in Puli County at the beginning and end of each month for two years, staying just long enough for a meal.
The beggar frequently begs nearby, encountered many regulars, seen many who come at fixed times, but never seen such punctual dining.
This piqued his curiosity, hence he paid extra attention.
But recently, the Shopkeeper and chef of Old Niu Lamb and Beef Restaurant said he was returning to the hometown, closing the restaurant for months, and then overnight they all vanished.
Some regulars didn’t get the news came to dine anyway, including that lady.
While others stopped coming after knowing it has closed, that lady visited several times.
Sometimes appearing as if passing by, sometimes conveniently shopping nearby.
Never underestimate beggars as they have keen observation and listening skills, discerning intentions.
It’s clear the lady’s attention remains on Old Niu Lamb and Beef Restaurant.
Plus, her expression shifted from suspicion, confusion, fear, forced composure, then calm, which sparked the imaginative aspiring constable beggar with suspicion.
Then, seeking amusement to spend time, this beggar followed the lady, discovering she circled into Hong Sheng’s Mansion, then Households Commander Hong.
And then...
There was no ’then’.
This beggar was bored but not suicidal, regardless if the woman is a maid of Hong Mansion, Households Commander Hong’s lady, or some other figure, none a beggar should meddle with.
If not for Susu wanting to know when Yue Baiyou began connecting with Bai Lili, she wouldn’t have thought of starting the investigation in Puli.
Naturally, she might have missed this, never knowing this Hami ten-year-old lamb restaurant had a non-local team of seven or eight vanish overnight.
This in itself is strange. Adding Yue Baiyou makes it even stranger.
What remains isn’t something the Hami Little Beggar Gang could assist with; it requires professionals.
Thankfully, Governor Qin Dusi is insightful and received secret reports; Awakening Incense isn’t just common commodity, critical times call for extreme measures, err on the side of caution.
Mrs. Zhao’s presence alerted Commander Liu to the gravity of the situation; unexpectedly, Hong Sheng’s wife is formidable.
Then he squatting alone in the corner growing mushrooms, unafraid of losing face, yet fearing no face to meet his wife, lacking culture is terrifying!
