Su Nansheng was startled and quickly stood up.
"What do you mean by going back on one's word?"
Then she heard Chen Mingzhu burst into laughter. Immediately afterwards, she proudly waved her hand behind her.
"All these were sent to you by my mother."
Only then did Su Nansheng notice that there were several little maids behind Chen Mingzhu, each holding several brocade boxes in their hands.
"Look, these are top - grade bird's nests and snow frogs. They're most effective for beautifying and nourishing the skin. They're for you. And this deer antler with plum blossom patterns is great for invigorating yang and qi. It's for my cousin."
Chen Mingzhu pointed at a red - lacquered wooden box and winked at Su Nansheng.
Su Nansheng rubbed her forehead. "There's no need to introduce them so clearly."
"Mother said that since we're relatives, there's no need to say words of gratitude. Just sending some practical things will do."
Saying this, Chen Mingzhu crossed her arms and moved closer to Su Nansheng, wearing a sly smile on her face.
"Sister - in - law is really resourceful. Not only did you fend off that Lady Zhou, but my marriage negotiation has also been postponed for the time being. Next time, I'll continue."
Su Nansheng frowned and looked at Chen Mingzhu. "What do you mean by 'next time'?"
The more she listened to this, the stranger it sounded.
At first, there was still a smile on Chen Mingzhu's face. Then the smile gradually faded away, and finally she put down her crossed arms.
"Could it be that what you said that day was true?"
Su Nansheng's eyes widened. "Didn't you say you believed me?"
Well...
Chen Mingzhu scratched the corner of her forehead.
"What I meant was that I believe you had my best interests at heart."
She thought Su Nansheng had lied because she didn't want to negotiate a marriage.
Su Nansheng heaved a long sigh. So that's what she meant.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Chen Mingzhu quickly tried to find an excuse to make up for it. Suddenly, she remembered something else.
"So it wasn't you who did that either?"
Su Nansheng gritted her teeth and forced a smile. "What thing?"
How many things did Chen Mingzhu attribute to her?
Hearing this, Chen Mingzhu became excited.
"It turns out you don't know. That Zhou Mingxuan, Lady Zhou's son, had his leg broken!"
His leg was broken?
Su Nansheng tilted her head and looked at Chen Mingzhu, who nodded vigorously at her.
"So you not only thought I lied to Aunt, but also thought it was me who sent someone to break Zhou Mingxuan's leg."
Su Nansheng raised her eyebrows and looked at Chen Mingzhu.
Looking at Su Nansheng's calm and composed expression, Chen Mingzhu inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity, but she didn't have the time to think about it now.
She scratched the corner of her forehead again and averted her eyes guiltily.
"Well, Lady Zhou was just found out to be two - faced by you, and then her son's leg was broken. You must admit your suspicion is quite high. It's only human nature for me to think so!"
Su Nansheng continued to raise her eyebrows but said nothing.
"Hehe, sister - in - law, I was wrong. I won't blindly believe you next time. But who do you think did it?"
Chen Mingzhu wisely changed the subject.
Su Nansheng pulled Chen Mingzhu to sit down beside her and whispered, "Do you think it could be Aunt?"
Aunt, I'm sorry, but your suspicion is really high.
"My mother? Impossible. She usually confronts people directly."
Chen Mingzhu immediately vetoed it without the slightest hesitation.
Su Nansheng: ...
"Could it be cousin?"
Chen Mingzhu's tone was a bit hesitant.
Could it be that cousin was just cold on the surface but actually deeply in love with his cousin?
Chen Mingzhu shivered twice and quickly dismissed the idea. "It shouldn't be him."
"It shouldn't be him."
The two spoke at the same time and then frowned simultaneously. So who could it be?
...
The aunt and niece studied for a long time but couldn't figure out who the culprit was.
Finally, Chen Wanrong called them to have dinner together. Chen Mingzhu flirted with Chen Wanrong for a while, made an appointment with Su Nansheng to visit her, and then happily returned to the mansion.
After seeing Chen Mingzhu off and returning to the courtyard, Su Nansheng learned that He Xun had already come back and asked her to go to the study.
Su Nansheng happened to have something to ask him, so she told Bitao to go back to the room first and went to find He Xun by herself.
Pushing open the door, she saw He Xun sitting on the arhat bed. There was a stack of files on the table in front of him.
He Xun tapped his knuckles gently on the files as if deep in thought. Hearing the sound, he didn't look up but just gently patted the couch beside him.
Su Nansheng sat down there on her own initiative. "What's the matter?"
He Xun still didn't move. "Has that girl Mingzhu left?"
"Yes. How did you know? Have you had dinner?"
Since the old marquis wasn't at home, each courtyard ate separately. They only gathered together during festivals and ceremonies.
He Xun sometimes dined out, so he didn't let Su Nansheng wait for him to have dinner together.
"If she hadn't left, you wouldn't have had the heart to care about me."
He Xun finally turned his head, his tone tinged with complaint.
Su Nansheng was helpless. "I'm just asking if you've had dinner."
Wasn't this considered caring?
He Xun turned his body and looked at Su Nansheng with a smile for a while before saying, "Alright, remember to be more proactive next time."
He still had to remind her before she came to the study to care about him.
Before Su Nansheng could react, He Xun said again,
"I've heard about Feng Xiuxian's school - aiding deeds. The emperor not only praised him in the court but also inscribed words for those schools. Whether in the common people or in the court, he's now at the height of his popularity."
"Master Jijiu is truly a good person. He deserves this."
One couldn't always do good deeds in silence. Being known for doing good deeds would give one more motivation.
He Xun pulled Su Nansheng's hand and kneaded her fingertips.
"But how did you know about this?"
Feng Xiuxian really didn't seek fame. So when he built schools and sponsored students, even his colleagues didn't know about it. How did Su Nansheng know?
Su Nansheng lowered her eyes.
"I accidentally heard a scholar mention it, so I asked Bitao to find out about it. That's how I knew."
In her previous life, a student sponsored by Feng Xiuxian won the first place in the autumn imperial examination. Then he visited Feng Xiuxian with gifts, and this matter was exposed.
Feng Xiuxian became famous because of this, and that student was naturally regarded as his outstanding disciple and benefited a lot.
But that student had a devious mind. Later...
"Scholar? Which scholar?"
He Xun stopped kneading and stared at Su Nansheng.
Well... Did he need such a specific answer?
"Cao Xingwen."
Su Nansheng still lowered her eyes.
"Cao Xingwen..."
He Xun murmured. Then he suddenly lifted Su Nansheng's chin.
"I remember he was a student of your father, right?"
Su Nansheng was forced to meet his inquisitive eyes.
Su Nansheng frowned. "How do you know?"
"Answer my question."
Su Nansheng dodged He Xun's hand. "He can't really be considered a student. He just sent a visiting card to my father and visited my home a few times."
"Are you very familiar with him?"
He Xun continued to knead Su Nansheng's fingertips, gradually increasing the force.
"Just so - so. He proposed marriage to Su Hele."
It was even arranged by her, but it didn't work out in the end. It was really a pity.
Proposed marriage to Su Hele?
He Xun paused for a moment and then loosened his grip.