On the second floor of the waterside pavilion in the backyard, the gentle breeze carried a faint floral fragrance. It was cool and refreshing, making one feel refreshed and carefree.
However, at this moment, Chen Wanrong closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, looking impatient.
As soon as Concubine Li went to confront Su Hele, someone had already reported the situation to her.
Learning that Su Hele had offended Princess Huici during the short time she was out, Chen Wanrong couldn't help but feel a headache.
Hadn't she just learned the rules? How could she forget them all so quickly?
She had never heard that Su Hele was so trouble - prone before.
"Madam, the maid of the second young mistress is still waiting for you in the main courtyard," Nanny Du said softly.
Hearing this, Chen Wanrong slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Nanny Du's pink and white silk dress, her headache got worse.
"Tell her I'm still taking a nap and send her away," Chen Wanrong waved her hand and slowly closed her eyes again.
Seeing this, Nanny Du nodded to the maid beside her, then walked behind Chen Wanrong and massaged her temples.
"Madam doesn't want to get involved in the second young mistress's business?"
Thanks to Nanny Du's massage, Chen Wanrong looked much more relaxed, but her impatience had not completely disappeared.
"I've disciplined her before, but what's the use? Su Hele simply doesn't listen. Since Concubine Li has stepped in herself, why should I be the bad guy?"
"However, with the second young mistress's temper, she is unlikely to yield. If Concubine Li can't handle her, she will probably be even more angry."
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Chen Wanrong's face.
"That's even better. It's just the right opportunity for Concubine Li to see what it means to truly not put her in one's eyes."
Concubine Li was always competitive. When she was in charge of the household, whenever it came to her, no matter the outcome, she always claimed that Chen Wanrong didn't respect her enough and didn't put her in her eyes.
Now, with Su Hele as a comparison, it was just the right time for Concubine Li to understand what true disrespect was.
Nanny Du was stunned for a moment, then shook her head with a smile.
"You know, those two are really a perfect match for a mother - in - law and daughter - in - law."
Chen Wanrong slowly opened her eyes.
"Alright, no matter who gets the upper hand between them, they'll both come to me later and ask me to make a decision for them. We should go back to Qionghua Courtyard."
She had thought that having two daughters - in - law would allow her to have some leisure time. Instead, she now had to deal with the conflicts between them, which made her busier than before.
Just as she was thinking, she saw Nanny Du's arm in the pink and white silk dress reaching out, as if to help her up.
Chen Wanrong pinched the space between her eyebrows.
"Go back and change your clothes quickly. It hurts my eyes just looking at them."
...
In the small study, Su Nansheng looked at the household expenses of the past few days with a sneer on her face.
Su Hele had withdrawn three hundred taels of silver from the public account to buy new clothes for the servants and writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Although she claimed it was for official business, in Su Nansheng's opinion, it was simply a waste of silver.
Not to mention the useless new clothes, just looking at the fact that only a dozen servants went to the waterside pavilion to practice calligraphy every day while there were hundreds of sets of writing tools lying idle was enough to show the waste.
Previously, she had been too busy sorting out the household accounts to deal with Su Hele. Now that she had some time, it was time to put an end to Su Hele's bad behavior.
Just as she was thinking, she faintly heard Bitao whispering, "They're arguing! They're arguing!"
The voice got closer and closer, and soon rang in Su Nansheng's ear.
"The madam has punished the second young mistress to stay in her room for self - reflection for a month and has also revoked the rule that she made about the servants wearing new clothes and going to study on time every day."
Bitao was gasping for breath and fanning herself with her hand, obviously having run all the way back.
Su Nansheng looked up. "Speak slowly."
She hadn't even taken action yet, and Su Hele was already punished to stay in her room?
Bitao immediately started gesturing as she told the details. When she got excited, her eyebrows almost flew off.
When she finished, she found that Su Nansheng was still looking at her with a smile.
"What's wrong, mistress? Did I not explain clearly?"
Bitao was a bit confused. She had even told her mistress how many slaps Su Hele had received. She couldn't have missed anything, could she?
Su Nansheng shook her head with a smile.
"I'm just curious how you always manage to be at the scene of the conflict in the first place."
Hearing this, Bitao puffed out her chest.
"I'm so quick - witted! As soon as I hear any commotion, I dash out. You should have seen how miserable the second young mistress looked just now. Her hair was all loose, and her clothes were dirty..."
Su Nansheng's smile gradually widened.
It seemed that someone was even less patient with Su Hele than she was and had taken action before her. It felt really good to reap the benefits without effort.
...
In the evening, thinking about the mole in the Jingzhao Prefecture, Su Nansheng returned to her bedroom earlier than usual.
As soon as she entered the inner room, she saw He Xun reclining on the beauty's couch. He must have just finished washing up. He was wearing a robe over his undergarment, which was carelessly open, revealing his well - defined chest and abdomen. His muscles were tight and firm.
One of his legs was bent, and the other was hanging off the edge of the couch. He was rubbing something in his hand.
"My lady is back early today," He Xun said with a teasing smile on his lips.
Su Nansheng knew that he was referring to the fact that she had been avoiding him in the past few days, and she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
"Come here," He Xun patted the beauty's couch beside him.
Seeing that he didn't seem to be holding it against her, Su Nansheng immediately sat down beside He Xun.
As soon as she got close, the moist air mixed with the fresh smell of soapberry immediately enveloped her.
The moment she sat down, Su Nansheng quietly moved a bit to the side to keep some distance.
"I haven't found any suspicious people among the yamen runners in the Jingzhao Prefecture. Why do you suspect them?"
He Xun noticed her movement but didn't say anything.
"I just guessed randomly. You suspected them too," Su Nansheng said, her eyes slightly shifting.
He Xun tilted his head and looked at her. His suspicion of a mole was based on his years of experience in battle.
But why would a girl in the inner courtyard have such a suspicion?
However, seeing her like this, it seemed that she was not willing to tell the truth.
Thinking of this, He Xun slowly leaned towards Su Nansheng.
"I'm going to the Jingzhao Prefecture tomorrow to set a trap to expose the mole. Do you want to know who it is?"
As He Xun's handsome face got closer and closer, Su Nansheng leaned back slightly, but she still managed to answer, "Yes."
"It depends on your performance," He Xun's eyes lingered on Su Nansheng's face and then slowly fell on the red mole on her neck.
It depends on your performance?
Su Nansheng's eyes fell on He Xun's muscular chest, and her breathing suddenly became heavy.
She gently curled her hands and reached out to hug He Xun's slender waist.
But just as she stretched out her hand, He Xun suddenly stood up, buttoned up his undergarment, and put on his robe.
"I just remembered that I have some official business to attend to. You go to sleep first."
Su Nansheng stared blankly at his actions. Didn't he want her to perform?
"All my colleagues are wearing sachets embroidered by their wives. I don't have one," He Xun seemed to understand her confusion and looked down at her.
Su Nansheng stared blankly at He Xun. He just wanted a sachet?
Seeing her dazed expression, He Xun's lips curled into a smile.
"I'll take you to the Jingzhao Prefecture to catch the mole at the beginning of the Si hour tomorrow."
After saying that, He Xun turned around and left.
It took Su Nansheng a long time to come to her senses. This He Xun must have done it on purpose!
Su Nansheng couldn't help but rub her forehead. She should have pounced on him from the beginning. She had missed a great opportunity.