He Xun relaxed, only to find Su Nansheng looking at him intently. He raised the corner of his lips and his hand slid along Su Nansheng's waist.
Then he heard Su Nansheng say, "It wasn't you who did it, was it?"
He Xun stopped his hand halfway. "What?"
"Zhou Mingxuan's leg. Did you send someone to break it?"
Although she had rejected Chen Mingzhu's speculation, she did it just to avoid setting a bad example for her.
Wasn't He Xun investigating these people? Maybe he had discovered other stupid things Zhou Mingxuan had done and couldn't help giving him a lesson.
He Xun took a while to recall who Zhou Mingxuan was, then snorted:
"If I were to teach someone a lesson, it would be his father. Why bother with that yellow - mouthed kid?"
As he spoke, his eyes swept over the impeachment memorial on the table.
Hearing his tone, Su Nansheng couldn't help smiling.
"Zhou Mingxuan is about the same age as Mingzhu."
Yellow - mouthed kid indeed. He wasn't much older than Zhou Mingxuan.
He Xun's hand finally reached Su Nansheng's waist and he hugged her. He also leaned his head against her neck.
"What's my birthday?"
Huh? Why did he suddenly ask this question?
"What's my favorite food? What color of robe do I like to wear? What's my size..."
A series of questions left Su Nansheng completely dazed. By the time she came to her senses, her neck was ticklish as He Xun rubbed against her chest.
Su Nansheng's heart raced. She pushed He Xun's shoulder.
"What are you doing? This is the study."
He Xun picked Su Nansheng up and sat her on his lap. His lips gradually moved down. "Let's try."
Su Nansheng felt a flush rising from her neck to the tips of her ears. She pounded He Xun's shoulder hard. Try what!
He Xun let out a low laugh and leaned close to Su Nansheng's ear, his voice hoarse.
"Then let's go back to the bedroom. The bed here isn't comfortable."
...
A few days later, the servants of the Marquis of Anshun's Mansion gradually noticed that the mansion had been much quieter these days.
The second young mistress, who always held her chin high, rarely came out. Even when she did, she no longer gave orders with her head held high.
The servants heaved a sigh of relief. They no longer had to be on tenterhooks when passing by Bitao Courtyard.
In Qionghua Courtyard, Chen Wanrong was also very satisfied.
"The accounts for the past two months are very clear. I think you've got the hang of it. Why don't you take over the management of the mansion and get familiar with it first?"
There was a smile on her face. The more she looked at Su Nansheng, the more satisfied she was.
Not only was Su Nansheng good - tempered, but she was also excellent at managing accounts and socializing.
After several banquets, both the hosts and guests spoke highly of Su Nansheng. Now every lady envied her for having such a good daughter - in - law.
Thinking of this, Chen Wanrong took a satisfied sip of tea, looking relaxed.
"But it was the second young mistress who managed the mansion before. If..."
"Stop, stop, stop. Don't mention her in front of me."
Seeing Chen Wanrong waving her hand at her repeatedly, Su Nansheng couldn't help smiling.
Su Hele was really something. She had turned Chen Wanrong into a frightened bird.
"You just do your job. Don't worry about her. Besides, judging from her behavior these days, she seems to have calmed down a lot. I guess she knows she was wrong and is reflecting on herself."
Although Chen Wanrong seemed not to interfere much in the affairs of the mansion, nothing could escape her eyes. For example, He Jin had been sleeping in the guest room these days.
Thinking of this, Chen Wanrong put down her teacup and said with a smile,
"Remember to ask the small kitchen to prepare those tonics your aunt sent you. Although you're still young, it's always good to take some tonics. Especially A Xun. He's busy with official duties and should take more tonics."
Su Nansheng's hand holding the teacup trembled. Then she said,
"I'll tell the small kitchen about this. I still have some accounts to go through, so I'll go back first."
Su Nansheng fled in a hurry, leaving Bitao, who was waiting outside, looking completely confused. She could only follow her in a hurry.
Seeing this, Chen Wanrong couldn't help smiling helplessly.
"This child. It's been so long since they got married. There's nothing to be shy about."
...
In Bitao Courtyard, Su Hele stood in front of the window, looking in the direction of the guest room with a gloomy face.
"Reporting to the mistress, these days, it's always the pageboy Anfu who serves the young master. There are a few maids outside, but they've never entered the inner room."
Su Mo hung her head and her voice was a bit low.
"What are the characters and looks of those maids like?"
Su Hele's voice was calm, showing no sign of emotion.
But Su Mo could feel the cold air emanating from her. So her voice became even lower.
"Reporting to the mistress, they're all vulgar and unappealing maids."
"Go and tell them in your own name to behave themselves. Don't have delusions about things they don't deserve. Otherwise, I'll sell them all."
It wasn't until Su Mo left after receiving the order that Su Hele turned around. Her eyes were cold and her expression was gloomy.
Counting the days when she had feigned illness to avoid punishment, He Jin hadn't slept in the bedroom for almost half a month.
Fortunately, He Jin had no concubines. And since she hadn't accepted the maids Chen Wanrong sent her before, there were only a few maids serving in the courtyard, so there wouldn't be any scandals.
But...
He Jin had never been like this before. He would patiently listen to her explanations and stand up for her against Concubine Li.
But now he was so cold to her, leaving her alone in the empty room!
Su Hele pinched her fingertips so hard that a bloodstain appeared.
No, this matter must be related to Concubine Li. It must be her instigation.
Su Hele turned around and looked in the direction of the guest room again. Her eyes half - closed and a hint of cruelty flashed across her face.
She wouldn't let Concubine Li get her way.
So the news that Su Hele had cut her hand while mounting a painting for He Jin, and the wound was so deep that the bone was visible, reached He Jin's ears.
...
Su Nansheng fled all the way to the small study and then sat down steadily at the table, her mind in turmoil.
Although Chen Wanrong hadn't said it explicitly, Su Nansheng understood her meaning. At first, she had thought the same way.
It was just that life had been so smooth recently that she had forgotten her original purpose.
He Xun would eventually go back to the Northern Border one day. She had to have a child as soon as possible.
Thinking of this, Su Nansheng called Bitao in.
"Where are the things Mingzhu sent the other day?"
"I've put them all in the small storage room, mistress. Do you want to take some tonics? It's a good thing for you to nourish your body and improve your complexion. But although it's the end of summer, it's still very dry. Maybe it's not suitable for heavy tonics. How about I arrange some things to soothe your mind and calm your nerves?"
Bitao gave her suggestions enthusiastically.
She had examined all those things. They were all high - strength tonics. Her mistress was in poor health. She might get a nosebleed if she took too much.
Su Nansheng tapped the accounts with her index finger. It was easier said than done.
How could she tell Bitao frankly that it was her young master who needed the tonics?
Just as she was thinking, she saw He Xun enter with his hands behind his back. "I knew you'd be here."
Su Nansheng jumped to her feet like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Here comes the "Caocao" (referring to the saying "Talk of the devil and he appears").
"Why did you get off work so early today?" Su Nansheng averted her eyes, feeling inexplicably guilty.
He Xun gave her a strange look, then grabbed her wrist and pulled her out.
"Go and prepare my luggage."
Behind him, Su Nansheng's face changed drastically.
Is he going back to the Northern Border?