Although she had been mentally prepared, when Su Nansheng suddenly heard that He Xun was leaving, an inexplicable sense of loss welled up in her heart.
She let He Xun lead her by the hand towards the bedroom, but her steps were slow, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind.
Why was it so soon? She remembered that in her previous life, He Xun had left later.
She hadn't established a firm enough foundation in the Marquis Mansion yet, and she hadn't met enough noble people. She still...
He Xun walked on by himself, but when he found that Su Nansheng beside him wasn't moving, he couldn't help but turn his head.
He saw Su Nansheng with her head down, looking a bit dejected.
Seeing this, He Xun secretly curled his lips:
"The imperial edict came suddenly this time. Otherwise, I would definitely ask for permission to let you accompany me."
Su Nansheng slowed down her steps. Well, that wasn't necessary. Who wanted to go to the Northern Border with him.
"However, this trip won't take long. I'll be back in just ten-odd days."
Su Nansheng finally raised her head that had been hanging down. Back in ten-odd days?
It would probably take more than ten days just to reach the Northern Border.
Just when Su Nansheng felt something was off, she heard He Xun continue:
"Actually, the main activity during this trip to the mountain palace for summer retreat is hunting. It's not really suitable for you. Next time..."
Su Nansheng stopped in her tracks: "Mountain palace for summer retreat?"
He Xun was also halted by her movement:
"Yes. The palace servant just informed me that we have two hours to prepare and then gather at the palace gate later... Hmm?"
He Xun looked at Su Nansheng, who suddenly quickened her steps, looking puzzled.
Why was she walking so fast? Didn't she seem reluctant to part with him just now?
Su Nansheng, who had walked ahead, couldn't help but grumble inwardly. Why didn't he explain clearly? He made her worry for nothing.
Just a moment ago, she had even thought about faking a pregnancy.
But... fortunately, it was just accompanying the emperor on a hunting trip to the mountain palace.
...
In the bedroom, Su Nansheng had just folded a robe and put it into the luggage when she turned around and saw He Xun standing there with his hands behind his back.
"If you're not satisfied, you can pack it yourself."
Su Nansheng frowned slightly as she looked at He Xun, who had been following her around ever since she started packing.
He was in her way. She didn't know what he was looking at.
He Xun lowered his eyes and looked at the robes in the luggage, most of which were red and white. He also frowned slightly.
Seeing Su Nansheng looking impatient, he turned around and sat down on the mahogany chair beside him. His voice was low:
"Have you thought about the question I asked you before?"
Su Nansheng was just about to put a wolf - fur cloak into another bag. Hearing the strange tone in He Xun's voice, she turned to look at him.
She saw that although He Xun was drinking tea, his peripheral vision was always on the luggage on the couch.
Thinking of his words just now and the question he had asked before, Su Nansheng immediately understood what He Xun meant.
She said helplessly:
"The hunting ground is full of dense forests and tall ancient trees. Besides, the archery skills of those hunters vary. What if they mistake you in dark - colored robes for prey and accidentally hurt you? Naturally, you should wear some bright - colored clothes."
Don't you understand this, General of the Northern Border?
He Xun was stunned for a moment, then said disdainfully: "Such a thing won't happen in our army."
Although he said so, he still withdrew his gaze and concentrated on drinking tea.
So she had remembered what he said that day.
Seeing that He Xun was no longer causing trouble, Su Nansheng quickly finished packing. Then she looked out of the door:
"Where's Feiyu? Ask him to put your luggage in the carriage. We can set off."
Although two hours wasn't a short time, since they were accompanying the emperor, there would surely be many people going.
With so many people gathering at the palace gate together, who knew what might happen on the way? It was better to set off earlier.
"He's packing his own things."
He Xun glanced at Su Nansheng and continued: "Is that all?"
Su Nansheng looked at the several bags and nodded slightly:
"The wound medicine may not be needed, but I've packed it for you anyway."
"Think again."
He Xun was obviously not satisfied with this answer.
So, Su Nansheng scanned the several bags again and counted the things in them on her fingers.
She had packed thick clothes, change of undergarments, and even a new pair of leather boots...
He Xun sighed and was just about to speak when he heard Feiyu shouting outside:
"My lord, I'm ready."
Su Nansheng watched as He Xun got into the carriage. Feiyu removed the footstool and got into the carriage too. The coachman whipped the horse and was about to leave.
Suddenly, she felt anxious:
"Wait."
The carriage window snapped open, revealing He Xun's cold face: "What is it?"
Su Nansheng quickly walked up to the window and whispered: "Linchuan, be careful."
"Okay."
Only after the carriage had disappeared from sight did Su Nansheng turn around and return to the mansion.
Inside the carriage, He Xun, who had just looked cold and solemn, now had a smile on his lips.
That was more like it.
Feiyu beside him crossed his arms and stared at the roof of the carriage. He decided that next time he'd better ride a horse and follow outside.
...
That night, Su Hele nestled in He Jin's arms, her face streaked with tears.
There was a bandage on her left index finger, with faint blood seeping through.
"I just wanted to have the calligraphy copied by my husband framed. I didn't expect to be so clumsy and hurt my hand."
"Why do you have to do such a trivial thing yourself? You could just send it to a shop."
There was a hint of reproach in He Jin's voice.
"No, I want to do it for my husband myself. Only then can it represent my affection."
Su Hele looked up, her eyes tearful and appealing.
He Jin suddenly felt a surge of emotion in his heart.
Maybe A Le had been a bit out of control recently, but it was ultimately because of her background. He couldn't blame her.
But her love for him had always been the same. Having a wife like this, what more could a man ask for?
Thinking of this, He Jin's hand reached towards Su Hele's clothes.
"Let me see your affection again."
"My lord~~"
Although Su Hele was pushing him away with her words, a look of triumph flashed across her face.
She would never humble herself to go after He Jin. She had her own way to make He Jin come back to her on his own.
Look, with just a little trick, He Jin had come back to her in a hurry.
In the morning, Su Hele served He Jin as he got dressed.
"My lord, those noble ladies don't understand me. Please tell mother on my behalf that I don't want to attend those banquets anymore."
He Jin was being served comfortably, so of course he agreed to whatever Su Hele said now:
"If you're not comfortable with them, you don't have to go to those banquets. Anyway, I don't expect you to be good at socializing."
He didn't care about using his wife to make connections with the powerful to get promoted. He relied on his own real skills.
Su Hele gave a faint smile, then showed a worried look again:
"Now that I don't have to manage the affairs of the mansion, I'm actually quite glad. But the scenery in the mansion really doesn't suit my taste. I'd like to go out for a stroll."
He Jin gently stroked Su Hele's bare shoulder:
"I didn't let you go out before because I wanted you to recuperate. Now that you're well, you can go out if you want."
The worried look on Su Hele's face finally disappeared, and she smiled: "Thank you, my lord."