Outside the Marquis's Mansion, Su Nansheng stood beside He Xun, smiling as she looked at Cui Yun, the eldest son of the Duke of An State's Mansion.
They had just alighted from the carriage when Cui Yun came striding towards them.
"Brother He, what a coincidence! I've just paid a visit to a good friend, and here I meet you as soon as I step out."
Cui Yun was dressed in a long robe embroidered with passionflower patterns edged in gold thread. He had a well - defined brow and a pair of bright eyes, looking elegant and refined.
He Xun's black eyes glinted slightly, and then he replied with a smile, "Indeed, it is quite a coincidence. Are you on your way back home, Young Master Cui?"
Cui Yun's smile was gentle. "The other day when Brother He got married, I didn't get a chance to have a good drink with you. Since we've met today, how about I treat you to a drink?"
Hearing this, He Xun cast a furtive glance at Su Nansheng. "What do you think, A Sheng?"
Su Nansheng, who had been forcing a smile, was utterly bewildered. What was this? He had been ignoring her before, and now he was pretending to be an affectionate couple with her?
"I would never delay your reunion with friends, Husband. You can go without worry," Su Nansheng replied in a gentle voice with a proper smile.
She didn't believe for a moment that Cui Yun's encounter with them was a coincidence. However, in her previous life, Cui Yun had been highly favored by the Emperor. It was always beneficial to maintain a good relationship with him.
"Very well."
He Xun readily agreed, but Su Nansheng felt a sudden chill.
Looking up, she saw He Xun looking at her with a half - smile, his expression rather odd.
Su Nansheng was puzzled. Did this expression mean he didn't want to go?
Just as she was about to say something to smooth things over, He Xun had already strode towards Cui Yun.
Cui Yun's smile became even more sincere. "Sister - in - law, rest assured. I won't lead Brother He to brothels to drink. We'll go to a proper tavern."
Su Nansheng continued to force a smile and replied softly, "I'm sure of that."
In her previous life, Cui Yun had a good reputation and was not a womanizer.
For some reason, after saying this, Su Nansheng felt the chill around her intensify, and the air seemed a bit thinner.
"Let's go, Young Master Cui," He Xun urged, his voice tinged with impatience.
Su Nansheng watched their retreating backs for a moment before heading back to the Listening to the Wind Courtyard alone.
"Miss, where's the Young Master?"
Bitao looked behind Su Nansheng, her heart filled with anxiety.
It had been three days since the wedding, but her young lady and He Xun had only been affectionate on the first day.
In the past two days, they had hardly been together. It was so awkward, like ice between them.
It seemed even more distant than before the wedding. What was going on?
"He met a friend and went drinking."
Although Cui Yun had the intention of befriending He Xun, they were both from noble families. There must be some friendship between them, so they could be called friends.
Su Nansheng bent down to pick up Snowball, who was wagging its tail at her, and recalled what had just happened.
Before returning to the mansion, He Xun had inexplicably detoured to Yongyang Street, saying he wanted to see her former family residence.
That house had long been sold to someone else, and now strangers lived there. Even she, the former owner, had never been back. What was He Xun going there for?
Just now, too, if he didn't want to go drinking with Cui Yun, he could have just refused. Instead, he had made her answer. But when she agreed, he seemed unhappy.
He would be able to leave for the northern border in the future, but she had to stay in the capital. Naturally, she couldn't offend Cui Yun.
This He Xun was still so strange. She had thought their relationship had improved, but it seemed not.
Su Nansheng sighed and checked Snowball's limbs again, but still found no wound.
Snowball didn't seem afraid of He Xun. So how on earth did He Xun get its blood? Could he have used some kind of witchcraft on Snowball?
"Concubine Su, the Second Young Mistress has come to visit you. She's already at the second gate."
Su Nansheng raised her eyebrows. Su Hele was coming to visit her? This was quite rare.
"Ask her to wait for me in the front hall."
...
Su Hele sat in the front hall, discreetly sizing up the surroundings.
The Listening to the Wind Courtyard was two or three times larger than her Azure Wave Courtyard. Behind it was the waterside pavilion in the mansion, with the lake glistening in the sunlight.
There was an artificial waterfall cascading down from the rockery in the courtyard, surging and powerful. Behind the water mist was a hexagonal glazed pavilion with upturned eaves, shining brightly.
Su Hele's hand clutching the teacup turned pale. It seemed that even the Anshun Mansion couldn't escape the convention of differentiating between the legitimate and the illegitimate.
Moreover, He Xun was rarely in the capital. It was such a waste of such a beautiful courtyard.
With such a charming scenery, if it were decorated with the chrysanthemums and green bamboos from her courtyard, it would surely be even more elegant.
Just as she was thinking, Su Nansheng entered from the back hall.
"Since you're married, Sister, you should be more diligent. You can't neglect the etiquette. You've made me wait for so long," Su Hele said coldly, with a hint of reproach.
"You came unannounced, Sister, without waiting for the servant to announce you. Naturally, I couldn't wait for you in advance," Su Nansheng replied, looking at Su Hele with a half - smile.
Since Su Hele had come to visit her, she must have a request. It was quite arrogant of her to maintain such an attitude when asking for a favor. Su Hele's life had been too smooth.
"I just came to visit my sister. I didn't expect to have to wait for an announcement. Sister, now that you've married into a noble family, you surely have more rules," Su Hele said, raising her chin slightly. So what if she had married the legitimate son? She was still just a concubine.
Su Nansheng smiled but said nothing, only looking down at the teacup on the table.
For a moment, the front hall was as silent as death, making people feel uneasy.
After waiting for a long time and seeing that Su Nansheng didn't say a word, Su Hele frowned imperceptibly, and then said, "Concubine Li is ill. She asked me to attend to her at dawn tomorrow."
Su Nansheng watched the green tea leaves floating up and down in the teacup but still didn't say a word.
"You know very well that I'm not good at the humble task of attending to the sick," Su Hele said, with an air of arrogance that brooked no disrespect.
"Since you're married, Sister, you can't neglect the etiquette. You should go back early and rest well so that you can attend to the sick better tomorrow," Su Nansheng finally spoke, but it wasn't what Su Hele wanted to hear.
"Concubine Li is also your aunt. You should do your part in filial piety. In this way, you can show your filial piety, and I don't have to humble myself to serve others," Su Hele hinted, feeling irritated.
Before, she didn't have to be so explicit. Su Nansheng would take on the responsibility for her. Why was she so slow - witted now?
Su Nansheng looked up. "You're right, Sister. I'll do my filial piety on your behalf tomorrow."
Su Hele immediately stood up. "Then I'll go back. I haven't even practiced calligraphy today because of Concubine Li's matter. Remember to go on time tomorrow. Don't be late."
After saying that, without waiting for Su Nansheng to reply, she held her head high and walked out of the front hall.
"Miss, are you really going to attend to Concubine Li?"
Before Su Hele had gone far, Bitao couldn't wait to ask.
Her young lady was from the eldest branch. There was no reason for her to attend to the concubine of the second branch.
"I said I'd do my filial piety on her behalf, but I didn't say I'd attend to the sick for her," Su Nansheng said mockingly. Su Hele had suffered several setbacks, yet she still didn't seem to learn her lesson.
Why did she still think that Su Nansheng would share her burdens and let her manipulate her as before?
Since she was so confident, let her suffer some more.