After leaving the Jade Grace Courtyard, Su Hele was seething with anger.
Thoughtful and clever, huh? Clever enough to climb into someone's bed!
He Jin had already been a bit cold to her. If he were to be seduced by those scheming women...
No way. She would rather stop painting in the mountains.
"Su Mo, go to the study and fetch some painting supplies. Then come with me to the garden."
She was an excellent painter. Even without going out, she could create beautiful landscapes. Moreover, the common plants in the garden were all bought with her silver.
With that in mind, Su Hele didn't wait for Su Mo to catch up. She stormed off towards the garden in a huff.
Just as she was about to turn into the garden, she saw Su Nansheng.
Today, Su Nansheng was wearing a bright red brocade dress embroidered with cloud patterns and gold trim on the hem, cuffs, and front. Every move she made seemed to be accompanied by a shimmering light, making her look gorgeous and enchanting.
She was turning her head, talking about something. He Xun beside her was listening intently with his head slightly lowered.
Behind them, Bitao and Feiyu were each carrying a lot of things, obviously just back from shopping.
Su Hele looked at Su Nansheng's radiant face and then at the brocade box in Bitao's hand. Her face gradually darkened, and then a strong look of disdain flashed across it.
"Humph, vulgar and materialistic."
She lifted her foot, intending to teach Su Nansheng a lesson that one shouldn't live such a luxurious life. But then she caught sight of the sword on Feiyu's waist and quickly withdrew her foot.
Forget it. They were all vulgar and reckless people. She disdained to argue with them lest she get stained with their vulgarity.
...
Su Nansheng was discussing the upcoming banquet at the mansion with He Xun when she suddenly felt a cold gaze on her.
She looked up, but there was no one in front of her. All she saw was a figure in plain clothes disappearing into the garden.
A sneer appeared on Su Nansheng's face. It was Su Hele.
It was quite strange today. Why was she avoiding her?
"You can invite whoever you want on the invitation cards. You don't have to invite only those in high positions. It's fine to invite those close to you. A simple gathering will do."
He Xun responded. If it weren't for his mother's insistence, he really wouldn't be interested in holding a banquet.
Su Nansheng came back to her senses. "We should return the favor to the Song Imperial Censor, right?"
After all, they had just attended the Song family's banquet. It was only proper to reciprocate.
He Xun naturally understood what she meant, but he didn't really care.
"As you wish. If you don't feel a connection with Lady Song, you don't have to invite her."
He didn't need to make connections to pave his own way. The most important thing about a banquet was for the guests and hosts to have a good time.
So it was best to keep the banquets at his mansion relaxed and casual.
Hearing this, Su Nansheng slowly lowered her head, her eyes as dark as the feathers of a raven.
As she wished?
In her previous life, in order to win people over for Su Hele and pave the way for He Jin, she was always required to invite high - ranking officials and their families.
But those people were not easy to invite. She had to go to great lengths.
She would follow the places where the noble ladies often went and then pretend to run into them by chance to start a conversation.
She would spend money to find out the preferences of the high - ranking officials and then send them corresponding gifts, pretending it was just a coincidence.
Fortunately, her hard work paid off, and she was always able to invite the people she needed.
However, despite all her careful efforts and flattery, she still got a reputation for being calculating and scheming.
Even Su Hele, who benefited from her efforts, disliked her, saying that she was too materialistic and worldly, lacking the innocence and elegance of a woman.
Back then, no one had ever told her that she could do things as she wished.
Su Nansheng's expression changed several times. Finally, a smile slowly appeared on her face.
"Since my husband has given the order, I naturally have to obey."
Her tone was light and there was a rare hint of playfulness in it.
He Xun looked at her suddenly bright eyes and the sincere smile on her face, and couldn't help but smile too.
It seemed that she didn't like Lady Song.
When they entered the Listening to the Wind Courtyard, He Xun stopped.
"I still have some official business to deal with in the study. Do you want to come with me?"
At the mention of the study, Su Nansheng couldn't help but think of the absurd things that happened last night. She didn't even want to hear it. She quickly said,
"I'll go back and change the incense for you."
With that, she quickly untied the sachet from He Xun's body. Without even looking at him, she headed straight for the bedroom without looking back.
Looking at her obviously flustered back, He Xun let out a soft laugh. It was she who had started to take off his clothes first last night.
It wasn't until Su Nansheng's back was out of sight that He Xun turned around. He saw Feiyu standing there motionless with the things in his hands.
"What are you thinking about? Hurry up and send the things to A Sheng."
Feiyu had been acting strange all day. Not only was he not proactive in his work, but when they were shopping in the Western Market, he always sneaked away. No one knew what he was up to.
"Hehe, I'll go right away."
Feiyu's smile lacked confidence. He didn't really want to send the things to Su Nansheng right now.
Just as he was hesitating, a messenger guard entered the Listening to the Wind Courtyard.
Feiyu's eyes lit up. He quickly walked up to the guard, hung all the things on his arms and neck, and then snatched the secret letter from his hand. He whispered,
"Any oral message?"
The guard whispered something to Feiyu with a solemn expression.
Feiyu's expression was no longer as relaxed as before, but he didn't say anything. He just said,
"Send the things to Concubine Su."
Watching the guard leave, Feiyu squeezed the secret letter in his hand and went to the study.
"Master, Lady Duoluo has sent a letter."
He Xun, who had just looked quite relaxed, suddenly frowned. He reached out to take the letter with a solemn expression.
What could it be about for her to send a letter at this time?
He Xun rubbed the envelope twice and then tore it open. His expression was complex.
Seeing this, Feiyu was a bit anxious. "Master?"
He Xun casually handed the secret letter to Feiyu.
"Chief Wurentuo of the Ze and Wu tribes is critically ill. Send a message to Liu Liangzong to get prepared. He doesn't need to take the initiative. If Duoluo Yue is in trouble, he can step in to help."
Feiyu quickly scanned the letter. His mood was also quite complex.
"If Wurentuo really dies, I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. It doesn't matter if it's a blessing or a curse."
After the initial alertness, He Xun's mood had returned to normal.
In the northern border, the Ze and Wu tribes were adjacent to the Southern Witch tribe and were in a triangular situation with the Great Qing.
The strength of the Ze and Wu tribes was second only to that of the Southern Witch tribe. However, unlike the Southern Witch tribe's obvious ambition to invade the south, the attitude of the Ze and Wu tribes towards the Great Qing had always been ambiguous.
The Ze and Wu tribes were divided into the Ze and Wu parts. Wurentuo of the Ze part had always been trying to join forces with the Southern Witch tribe to invade the Great Qing, but Duoluo Yue of the Wu part thought otherwise.
He believed that even if they joined forces with the Southern Witch tribe, the two countries would not be able to pose a threat to the Great Qing. It would be better to show goodwill and form an alliance.
To show his sincerity and at the same time strengthen the power of the Wu part, he proposed a political marriage between his youngest daughter Duoluo Rina and He Xun.
It was an obvious political marriage, but it was effective.
Since then, the Wu part could focus on developing its own strength, and He Xun didn't have to worry about being attacked from behind when fighting against the Southern Witch tribe.
However, although the emperor knew the reason why He Xun had married the daughter of a foreign tribal chief, he still couldn't help but feel suspicious.
That was why Feiyu felt sorry for him.
Judging from the secret letter, it was obvious that Duoluo Yue wanted to take this opportunity to annex the Ze part, which was why he had asked for their help.