Hearing this, Su Nansheng stopped her chopsticks again. The food in her hand suddenly lost its appeal.
So many things had happened that morning, yet she had missed every one of them. Moreover, she had been caught sleeping in. Didn't she have any dignity?
Thus, Su Nansheng cursed even more vehemently in her heart, so much so that He Xun, who was far away in the office, felt a slight ringing in his ears.
He Xun's face was solemn. Had his body become so weak after just a few months away from leading troops?
...
After a long period of mental preparation, Su Nansheng finally walked into Qionghua Garden with a proper smile.
As soon as she entered, she saw Chen Wanrong reclining on the beauty couch, feigning sleep. There was a rare look of exhaustion on her face.
Hearing the noise, Chen Wanrong didn't open her eyes. She just waved her hand and said,
"Sit down first. Let me take a break. I'm so angry that my head hurts."
Even though she had been to the garden once the previous day, seeing the miserable state of it again today still made Chen Wanrong's heart skip a beat.
She had wondered why she felt more and more uneasy when offering Buddhist rites. It turned out there was a demon causing trouble at home.
Fortunately, she had returned early. Otherwise, she didn't know how much damage that girl would have caused to the family.
Wasn't she supposed to be sick? How could she be so troublesome?
She had so much energy. It was a pity she couldn't be sent to the battlefield.
As Chen Wanrong was lost in these random thoughts, a pair of gentle hands began to massage her temples.
"It's my fault for being lazy and failing to share your worries, Mother," Su Nansheng said, her tone tinged with a bit of guilt.
Although she didn't need to pay morning respects, being late for sleep was still being late. It was better to admit her mistake voluntarily.
She thought she would surely receive a few words of instruction, but unexpectedly, Chen Wanrong opened her eyes. She pulled Su Nansheng's hand and made her sit beside her.
"I'm happy as long as you and A Xun have a loving relationship. You don't need to share my worries. That Su Hele is no match for me."
Facing Chen Wanrong's suddenly bright eyes, Su Nansheng's smile became unnatural.
She and He Xun... had a loving relationship?
Perhaps afraid that Su Nansheng would feel embarrassed, Chen Wanrong quickly changed the topic.
"The accountant has already sorted out the accounts from when the garden was built. You should check them. Then, add the medical expenses and lost - time compensation for those injured servants. Calculate the total and give it to me. I'll send it to Concubine Li myself."
By the end of her words, there was a hint of dissatisfaction. Concubine Li couldn't even handle a mere Su Hele. Where was the spirit she had when competing for favor with her before?
"Concubine Li was also very angry with the Second Young Mistress. If we send the bill to her, will she cause trouble?"
Based on Su Nansheng's understanding of Concubine Li, she wouldn't miss any opportunity to slander Chen Wanrong.
But unexpectedly, Chen Wanrong smiled indifferently.
"She will, but so what? She has to pay me the money for real. After feeling the pain this time, she'll know how to discipline Su Hele next time. I won't have to bother with this anymore."
She really didn't want to deal with such a nuisance again. She wanted to live a few more years.
"I understand, Mother," Su Nansheng bowed her head and replied.
With Chen Wanrong backing her up, what was there for her to hesitate about?
"Besides, you've been in the mansion for some time. It's time for you to visit our relatives. The Marquis's relatives are few. Among those within the five - generation kinship, his uncle died early due to poor health. His nephews are all good - for - nothings. None of them can stay in the capital, so we don't visit them often.
As for my side, I have a few siblings who are all officials in the capital. We usually visit each other. In two days, my elder brother's mansion is holding a summer - retreat banquet. You'll go with me."
As if thinking of her family, Chen Wanrong's face softened a lot.
Su Nansheng couldn't help but smile. She would get to see that little rascal Chen Mingzhu again.
After Su Nansheng left, Chen Wanrong reluctantly said to Nanny Zhao,
"Go and tell Su Hele to get prepared. She'll go with us in two days."
Seeing this, Nanny Zhao couldn't help but smile.
"If you're not willing, why do you make things difficult for yourself, Mistress?"
Su Hele was very troublesome. If not handled properly, she would surely cause trouble.
Chen Wanrong sighed.
"I don't want to take her either. But this is the first time the new bride of the mansion is going to a banquet with me. There will be so many eyes on us. Although I'm not afraid of the rumors, I'd rather avoid them if possible. It can also prevent some trouble. Fortunately, we're going to my elder brother's mansion. I just need to keep an eye on her."
If she only took Su Nansheng, the reputation of mistreating the concubine - born son would spread immediately.
Moreover, considering the current situation in the mansion, she wouldn't feel at ease leaving Su Hele at home.
She was really a troublemaker whether she was let out or kept at home.
Chen Wanrong massaged her temples. She really wanted to exile her to Lingnan.
Nanny Zhao sighed silently. Everyone wanted to be the mistress of the mansion, but it wasn't that easy.
Not to mention anything else, in the current court, how many high - ranking officials had fallen because of their inner - court affairs.
...
In the small study, Su Nansheng was happily clicking the abacus beads.
Sending this bill would surely add fuel to the already tense relationship between Su Hele and Concubine Li. It was wonderful.
Facts proved that when people were doing something they liked, they were unaware of the passage of time.
Su Nansheng felt like she had just started calculating the accounts when the room gradually became dim.
With a "pop", someone lit a candle and placed it in front of Su Nansheng.
"What time is it?" Su Nansheng didn't even raise her head.
"It's time for dinner," a deep male voice came from beside her. Su Nansheng trembled and immediately stopped what she was doing.
Why was He Xun here?
Su Nansheng didn't move or say a word, and He Xun didn't move either. The two of them just stood there stiffly.
Although they didn't speak, Su Nansheng could feel the intense and persistent gaze from above her head.
After a long while, Su Nansheng finally couldn't stand it anymore. She looked up and saw He Xun still staring at her, with a smile on his lips.
Seeing him like this, the anger that had just subsided flared up again.
The word "bastard" rolled in Su Nansheng's throat but was finally swallowed. She only spat out an angry question.
"What are you doing here?"
Hearing this, He Xun raised his eyebrows, but he quickly understood why Su Nansheng was angry.
He rubbed his eyebrows. It seemed that last night... but it couldn't all be his fault, right?
But looking at Su Nansheng's current state, he obviously couldn't say this.
So, He Xun held out his palm. "Where's my sachet? You've owed it to me for several days."
Uh...
Su Nansheng didn't expect He Xun to ask for the sachet at this time. She was caught off - guard, and her momentum immediately waned.
"It's under the soft pillow in the bedroom. Go and get it yourself."
"I can't find it," He Xun still didn't put down his palm.
"Wait here. I'll go and get it for you."
Su Nansheng tried to bypass He Xun, but he casually grabbed her wrist. "I'll go with you, wife."
Saying that, without giving Su Nansheng a chance to speak, he lifted his foot and walked.
Su Nansheng reluctantly followed him, still a bit angry in her heart.
At this moment, a tingling sensation came from her wrist. He Xun was gently rubbing it with his thumb.
Su Nansheng's face instantly turned red. This He Xun!