Chen Mingzhu continued there:
"Actually, you could make more friends. I originally wanted to bring some other sisters, but my cousin wouldn't let me."
Su Nansheng silently watched Chen Mingzhu muttering there in a low voice, feeling a bit sad.
She wondered what this little girl would be like after her father was demoted and exiled. Would she still be as lively and straightforward as she was now?
At this moment, Chen Mingzhu took out a small paper packet from her bosom, her eyes shining:
"My cousin is preventing you from making more friends. Aren't you angry?"
Huh?
Su Nansheng hesitated and didn't answer.
"This is croton powder. You can quietly put it in my cousin's tea later."
Chen Mingzhu pushed the paper packet towards Su Nansheng with her fingertip.
Su Nansheng's sadness disappeared instantly, and she shook her head firmly:
"It's my own incompetence. I can't blame Young Master He. You'd better do it yourself, Miss Mingzhu."
Chen Mingzhu was very straightforward:
"Hey, I'm too scared to do it, so that's why I'm asking you!"
Su Nansheng rubbed her forehead and really wanted to thank Chen Mingzhu.
Chen Mingzhu kept muttering there:
"This painted pleasure - boat is no fun. When we get off later, I'll take you to Zhuyin Pavilion to find some handsome young gentlemen..."
Su Nansheng suddenly stood up:
"Miss Mingzhu, I suddenly remembered that I have something to talk to Young Master He about."
Chen Mingzhu looked up blankly: "What is it?"
Su Nansheng lowered her eyes, picked up the paper packet on the table:
"To put the croton powder in his tea."
After saying that, Su Nansheng quickly got up and walked out. She could still hear Chen Mingzhu's obviously unconfident voice behind her:
"Hey? Really? Actually, I didn't really want to drug my cousin."
...
After leaving the cabin, the damp wind blew on her face, cool and refreshing. Su Nansheng felt extremely comfortable.
She stood by the ship's railing, looking at the medicine packet in her hand, her face contorted.
If she threw this thing into the river, the fish would probably have diarrhea too. But it didn't seem right to keep it on her...
"Did that girl give you a hard time?"
He Xun's deep voice suddenly sounded, scaring Su Nansheng so much that she shuddered. The paper packet in her hand fluttered towards the water.
"Alas~"
Su Nansheng let out a soft sigh and reached out to grab the paper packet, but it was in vain. The paper packet gently landed on the water and then sank.
"I've done my best."
Su Nansheng silently explained in her heart before looking up at He Xun:
"Miss Mingzhu has been very kind to me. Really kind."
Su Nansheng's tone was sincere, and her smile was charming.
Today she was wearing a bright red silk dress embroidered with peony patterns. The hem of the dress fluttered in the wind, as gorgeous as rosy clouds.
Her slender waist was so thin that it seemed one could hold it with one hand. She was extremely charming. Her smile was reflected against the glistening silver light on the river surface. She was like a beautiful painting.
Although the painting was beautiful, in He Xun's eyes, her smile was artificial.
"What did she tell you?" He Xun looked down at Su Nansheng, his voice intimidating.
This...
Whether it was about putting croton powder in his tea or going to the young - gentleman brothel, neither could be said.
"Hey, there's a white egret!"
Su Nansheng avoided He Xun's eyes, gently raising her slender finger, her voice affected.
No one responded...
When she looked back, she saw He Xun still staring at her, with a playful smile on his face.
"Miss Mingzhu said she would take me to the young - gentleman brothel later to appreciate their talents."
Su Nansheng tried to sound as above - board as possible, but her voice was full of guilt.
But compared to putting croton powder in his tea, going to the young - gentleman brothel should be less damaging, right?
He Xun obviously didn't expect this answer. He was slightly stunned for a moment, then turned around and walked away:
"Where is she?"
Su Nansheng quickly grabbed his sleeve:
"Miss Mingzhu is still young. It's just for fun. Young Master He, don't take it seriously!"
She was really afraid that he would scold Chen Mingzhu.
He Xun stopped in his tracks and looked down at the hand that was grabbing his sleeve.
The fingers were as long and delicate as jade carvings, and a section of her fair wrist was as white as frost. Placed together with his raven - blue outer robe, it was extremely eye - catching.
"I really like Miss Mingzhu. Really."
Su Nansheng tugged at He Xun's sleeve again, afraid that she couldn't persuade him.
"Oh?"
He Xun didn't move, just stared at the hand on his sleeve.
Sensing his gaze, Su Nansheng let go of his sleeve and turned to look at the river, not noticing He Xun's slightly disappointed look at all.
"Miss Mingzhu is open - minded, unrestrained, not afraid of the worldly eyes, and not restricted by worldly rules. Moreover, she is enthusiastic and kind. It's hard not to like such a girl."
It was obvious that she had been doted on and grown up in the palm of everyone's hand.
"She may have been spoiled too much and lost her sense of propriety." He Xun walked to Su Nansheng's side, his voice cold.
Su Nansheng shook her head. A little girl who only dared to scare people with croton powder couldn't have any bad intentions.
The gentle breeze blew, and some strands of her hair fluttered beside her temples. Her thick eyelashes were like feather fans, fluttering up and down, making his heart itch.
Suddenly, an impulse rose in He Xun's heart: "Would you like to marry..."
"Cousin, let's play chupu. I've brought the dice."
Chen Mingzhu's voice sounded, drowning out He Xun's words.
He Xun closed his eyes and said, "Gambling is prohibited in the army."
"But this isn't the army. It's so boring. Next time I'll never..."
Under He Xun's gaze, Chen Mingzhu's voice became smaller and smaller until it was inaudible.
Su Nansheng couldn't help but smile softly. It seemed that Chen Mingzhu was really afraid of He Xun.
"I'll take you fishing." He Xun took the lead and walked towards the stern of the boat.
Su Nansheng's smile froze.
"If I come out to play with my cousin next time, I'll punish myself to stay at home for a month and not go out for fun."
Chen Mingzhu swore to the sky.
"Follow me."
Chen Mingzhu lifted the hem of her dress, grabbed Su Nansheng: "Coming."
...
"Really come and play with me. With me around, you won't be bored."
Chen Mingzhu repeatedly told Su Nansheng. Only after hearing Su Nansheng's solemn promise did she order the coachman to leave.
Su Nansheng watched the departing carriage, feeling happy.
She had a friend. Although this little friend was initially deceived.
In contrast, Chen Xuan, the chief scribe, was not in such a good mood.
When he returned from the yamen, he found that there were quite a few young gentlemen lined up in front of his mansion gate. Each of them was handsome, elegant, and suave.
Chen Xuan thought to himself that the imperial examination had been over for a long time. Wasn't it a bit too late for them to come and submit their visiting cards now?
Seeing the gatekeeper looking at a loss, Chen Xuan was curious and walked closer:
"What's going on?"
When the gatekeeper saw him, he trembled and his eyes shifted.
Chen Xuan frowned: "Speak quickly."
"Reply to my lord. These people are from Zhuyin Pavilion. They said... they said they were ordered by the young lady to come to the mansion to perform."
Chen Xuan stroked his beautiful beard: "Zhuyin Pavilion?"
Why did it sound a bit familiar? He seemed to have heard it from one of his colleagues.
"Zhuyin Pavilion!"
Suddenly, it was as if a dull thunderbolt hit Chen Xuan on the top of his head. He was fuming with anger.
"Chen Mingzhu!"
On that day, the weak civil official Chen Xuan roared with great force, and his killing intent filled the air.
On that day, Chen Mingzhu was beaten badly and never dared to go out to find young gentlemen again.
That night, He Xun slept soundly. Arrogance and willfulness would lead to trouble. It was better to nip it in the bud.