The next day, Su Hele was woken up while still in her dream.
"Second Young Mistress, it's time to get up."
Su Hele sat up. It was still dark in the room, obviously very early.
She frowned slightly and gently pushed He Jin, who was still sleeping:
"Dear husband, when will you tell the mistress to exempt me from the morning and evening greetings?"
But He Jin ignored her and turned over to continue sleeping.
Su Hele had no choice but to simply put on an outer robe and came to the outer room:
"How disrespectful! It's still early for the greetings. Why..."
Her scolding suddenly stopped. Standing in the outer room was Nanny Wang, not Su Mo.
"Second Mistress is so kind. She remembers to pay respects to the mistress but forgets the time to attend to the sick for the concubine. The concubine waited for you but her headache got even worse."
Nanny Wang had a smile on her face, but her voice was cold.
Su Hele was surprised: "Didn't Su Nansheng go to attend to the sick for the concubine?"
Nanny Wang looked at her with a strange expression:
"How could the concubine let Miss Su attend to her? Second Young Mistress, you'd better hurry up and get ready to attend to the sick. Otherwise, the concubine will get impatient."
After saying that, Nanny Wang retreated to the door and stood guard. Although she didn't urge anymore, she showed no sign of leaving.
Su Hele was rebuked by a nanny. A hint of gloom flashed across her fair face.
She was just a servant, yet she dared to talk to her like this.
But in the end, she gritted her teeth and didn't argue with Nanny Wang.
She was the dowry nanny of Concubine Li and an old servant in the mansion. It's better not to argue with her.
She should blame Su Nansheng. If it weren't for her going back on her word, she wouldn't have to suffer the humiliation of a servant.
After a while, Su Hele squeezed out a sentence between her teeth: "Su Mo, come and help me with my makeup."
Hearing this, Su Mo trembled and quickly ran to Su Hele to serve her. She held her breath the whole time and didn't dare to be the least bit slack.
...
"All I asked you to do was attend to the sick, yet you're so lazy and unwilling. Where are your manners?"
Concubine Li reclined on the beauty's couch, squinting her eyes, looking extremely displeased.
She got up an hour earlier than usual today just to torment Su Hele, but Su Hele didn't come on time. How daring she was!
Su Hele looked calm:
"Reply to the concubine. My younger sister couldn't bear to see me working hard and originally said she would attend to the sick for me. Unexpectedly, she was lazy at the last minute, so I'm late."
"Humph. If you knew any manners, you should have refused Miss Su on the spot. She's the mistress's daughter - in - law. How could she attend to my sick? I wouldn't even agree if she wanted to."
Concubine Li didn't move her eyes, and her voice was full of mockery.
"You're lazy yourself and still make excuses. Hurry up and come here to massage my head."
"Concubine, I've never done this before. I'm afraid I'll do it badly and make the concubine even more annoyed."
Su Hele stood there and didn't want to move.
Concubine Li opened her eyes with a smile on her face: "It doesn't matter. Bai He, show her how to do it."
Immediately, a young maid came over to massage Concubine Li's temples. Her movements were gentle and her attitude was respectful.
After a simple massage for a while, Bai He stepped back. Nanny Wang smiled and said:
"Second Young Mistress, please. Respecting your elders is the most basic rule."
Su Hele lifted her chin slightly, and the blue veins on her temples were faintly visible. She glanced at the door from the corner of her eye, but there was no movement outside.
Helplessly, Su Hele had no choice but to go over and massage Concubine Li's head.
"Press harder."
Concubine Li closed her eyes and enjoyed it.
...
In the front hall of the main courtyard of the Marquis Mansion, Chen Wanrong was sitting upright on the main seat. The narcissus in the light - pink peach - and - olive vase on the table was in full bloom, exuding a strong fragrance.
"Second Young Mistress has to attend to the sick for Concubine Li today, so she may not come. Mother, if you have any instructions, just tell me. I'll do it."
Su Nansheng was wearing a long light - crimson dress with flowing cloud patterns, a moon - white gauze shawl, and her black hair was coiled into a double - looped bun. She was gorgeous and charming.
"It doesn't matter. After a few days, I'll exempt you from the morning and evening greetings. It's so regular every day. I'm even getting bored."
Chen Wanrong didn't care at all. Instead, she just stared at Su Nansheng and smiled:
"You and A Xun are doing well, aren't you? I heard he came back very late yesterday and didn't sleep with you. Don't be angry with him. That child looks cold and tough, but actually he loves you very much in his heart."
Chen Wanrong knew immediately that He Xun had gone out drinking yesterday and then slept in the study.
"Yesterday, my husband went out to catch up with Young Master Cui. Of course, I won't be angry." Su Nansheng smiled gently.
She even agreed to it. However, she only saw He Xun's coldness and toughness and didn't feel his love at all.
...
In the side courtyard, Su Hele was massaging Concubine Li's temples one moment and pounding her shoulders and rubbing her legs the next. She didn't get a moment's rest.
Her hands hurt so much that she could hardly move, but Concubine Li showed no sign of asking her to stop.
Nanny Wang beside her also stared at her menacingly, afraid that she would be lazy.
Just when Su Hele couldn't bear it anymore and wanted to find an excuse to leave, a maid from outside came to announce:
"Concubine, Second Young Master is here to pay his respects."
Concubine Li suddenly opened her eyes and tilted her head to look at Su Hele, who was massaging her shoulders.
Su Hele looked calm, showing no sign of joy or anger.
Concubine Li turned her head back and snorted: "I've never seen him so enthusiastic on normal days. Let him in."
Behind her, a hint of pride flashed in Su Hele's eyes.
Just now, while Su Mo was helping her with her makeup, she specifically told her that if she didn't come back within an hour, she should wake He Jin up and ask him to come and pay respects to Concubine Li.
She just wanted He Jin to see how Concubine Li was tormenting her.
"Paying respects to the concubine."
He Jin still looked tired, obviously not having rested well.
Concubine Li felt very distressed: "Why did you come so early? Hurry back and rest."
But He Jin didn't move. He just looked at Su Hele behind Concubine Li.
Su Hele was also looking at him. Her eyes were moist, full of infinite grievances.
Seeing this, the look of distress on Concubine Li's face disappeared and was replaced by gloom:
"A Jin, you go out first. I still have something to tell her."
"Then please be quick, Concubine. A Le has to see off her parents today. We can't delay."
He Jin looked at Su Hele again and then went outside.
Concubine Li motioned for the maid to close the door and signaled Su Hele to stop:
"Don't think that everything will be fine just because you've married into the Marquis Mansion. Since I could make A Jin marry you, I can also make him divorce you."
Concubine Li lowered her voice, and her voice was fierce.
Su Hele didn't say a word. Her expression was calm, but her chin was still raised.
Seeing this, Concubine Li was even more angry:
"Get out! I'm annoyed just looking at your pretentious face."
Hearing this, the hands that had just been trembling due to soreness immediately clenched into fists, and the skin on the tiger's mouth turned white.
But she still curtsied and walked out of the room. When she saw He Jin, the corners of her eyes immediately turned red.
"Did the concubine make things difficult for you?" He Jin frowned.
"It doesn't matter. The concubine never liked me anyway. I'm willing to suffer for you."
Su Hele's hand that was wiping away her tears was trembling violently.
Seeing this, He Jin's face looked a bit ugly: "You don't need to come and attend to the sick anymore. I'll talk to the concubine clearly."
"Thank you, dear husband."
Behind them, was Concubine Li's gloomy face.