When He Xun returned to the bedroom, Su Nansheng was sitting on the beauty's couch embroidering.
She must have just finished washing up, and her whole body was still misted with water. Her black hair was simply tied up with a red jade hairpin, and a few strands of hair fell on her neck, making her skin look as fair and smooth as jade.
The candlelight shone on her, forming a halo around her, hazy and languid.
She was embroidering so intently that she didn't even notice He Xun approaching from behind.
In her hand was a piece of ivory - white brocade. On the brocade, a pine and cypress tree slanted out, towering upwards, showing its unyielding spirit against the frost.
He Xun reached out and snatched the brocade, examining it carefully. "Is this for me?"
Su Nansheng tilted her head. "Who else do you think?"
He Xun ran his hand over the unfinished pine and cypress. After a while, he said,
"The pine and cypress are great. I like them."
Su Nansheng rolled her eyes and reached out to take back the brocade.
"I know you like dark colors, but light colors match well with dark ones. Can't you just say what you mean? You've only been in the capital for a few days, and now you're speaking in such a round - about way."
He Xun raised his eyebrows and sat down opposite Su Nansheng. "You've grown quite bold these days."
Su Nansheng just smiled but didn't say a word.
"What are you making for me this time?"
He Xun stared at Su Nansheng's face and felt that this smile was genuine.
"A sachet or a small pouch. You choose."
Su Nansheng didn't even look at He Xun. She lowered her head and continued to embroider the pine and cypress.
The candlelight was dim and the lamp shadows swayed. Su Nansheng's slender and fair fingers rose and fell, full of concentration.
He Xun just stared at her, feeling that the embroidery thread in her hand was stitching on his chest bit by bit, soft and dense, filling his chest and making him feel at ease.
He stared at Su Nansheng for a long time, but she didn't look up. So he snatched the brocade back again.
"Alas~"
Su Nansheng's hand chased after the brocade until He Xun held it high above his head and put it behind his neck.
"It's too dark. It'll hurt your eyes."
"I only have a few stitches left to finish this part."
Su Nansheng half - knelt on the beauty's couch, leaned forward, and tried to snatch the brocade back over the low table.
He Xun took the opportunity to hug Su Nansheng's waist, hoisted her onto his shoulder, and casually put the brocade on the low table.
"What's the rush? You can embroider it during the day."
His shoulder was a bit hard, and it hurt Su Nansheng's ribs. She slapped He Xun's back.
"You kept urging me when I was embroidering the sachet before, but now you're not in a hurry."
He Xun let out a low laugh. "A Sheng, you've really grown quite bold."
Su Nansheng paused for a moment, then slapped He Xun hard again.
He Xun laid her down on the bed and leaned over her.
"You hit my waist."
...
In Bitao Courtyard, a single lamp burned like a bean.
Su Hele was hidden in the candlelight, her face gloomy.
She was only wearing an undergarment, and there were faintly a few whip marks on her back, which were not very obvious anymore.
It wasn't enough for Chen Wanrong to imply things with her words. Li Shi even sternly warned her.
Pay attention to her words and deeds? What was inappropriate about her words and deeds?
Could it be that now anyone in the Marquis's Mansion could point fingers at her and pick on her?
Su Hele's fingernails scratched long marks on the red - wood table, making a creaking sound that made one's scalp tingle.
A faint cracking sound brought Su Hele back to her senses. It was the nail of her little finger on her right hand that had broken.
She held her hand in front of her eyes and examined it carefully, showing a strange smile.
Everyone looked down on her and didn't understand her. Even He Jin started to complain about her and ignore her.
Wasn't it just because she didn't want to go along with the corrupt and didn't flatter others?
How vulgar!
However, this flower - viewing banquet emphasized taste and elegance. No one in this mansion could rival her.
Once she stood out at Princess Huaqing's banquet and won the princess's praise, she wondered what these vulgar people in the mansion would think.
It would be too late for them to curry favor with her then.
Thinking of this, Su Hele picked up a small pair of scissors and slowly cut off the broken nail.
Su Nansheng, I'll teach you a lesson sooner or later.
...
In Princess Huaqing's mansion, as the host, Princess Huaqing said a few polite words and then let everyone go to enjoy the flowers and relax on their own.
She then invited a few noble ladies to talk, including Chen Wanrong.
In such an occasion, it was inevitable to exchange greetings and socialize. So Su Nansheng couldn't just sit alone. She walked around and greeted people.
Fortunately, there were quite a few familiar noble ladies among those who came this time. They all took the initiative to gather around and chat with her.
"I didn't expect her to come too."
Qiao Lan glanced at Su Hele sitting alone beside them, hinting at something.
Feng Qingyun whispered,
"Who would dare to defy Princess Huaqing's invitation? Mrs. Chen must have had no choice."
Both of them had witnessed Su Hele's capabilities, and they immediately felt sorry for Chen Wanrong.
Su Nansheng smiled slightly. "With Aunt Li keeping an eye on her this time, there shouldn't be any big trouble."
This time, Aunt Li didn't even trust the old maid. She came here herself.
Since entering the mansion, her eyes had never left Su Hele. She didn't let Su Hele out of her sight for a moment. She was really being careful.
Qiao Lan and Feng Qingyun both smiled when they heard this. It should have been like this earlier.
"The Anshun Marquis's Mansion is going to hold a banquet in a few days. I wonder if you two younger sisters have time to attend?"
Su Nansheng took the opportunity to invite them. Although it would be mainly for officials, it was better to invite some familiar people.
"Of course we have time. You can send the invitation anytime."
Qiao Lan felt that she got along well with Su Nansheng, so she immediately agreed.
Feng Qingyun also nodded.
"Sister - in - law, so you're here."
Chen Mingzhu suddenly popped up from somewhere and squeezed into the group.
After a brief introduction, Su Nansheng asked, "Why didn't I see you just now?"
She had been secretly looking for Chen Mingzhu since she entered the door, but she didn't see her. She only saw Chang Yi.
Logically, mother and daughter should have come together. So Su Nansheng thought something unexpected had happened and she wouldn't come to the banquet.
"Alas, I went out to do something before and came late."
Chen Mingzhu put her index finger in front of her lips and said menacingly,
"All of you testify for me. I've been here for a long time. Otherwise,哼哼... you'll be in trouble."
It was an obvious threat, but everyone laughed.
"Yes, you've been with me just now." Qiao Lan said first.
Chen Mingzhu raised her chin. "You're smart."
Everyone burst into laughter again.
...
Su Hele stared at Su Nansheng from afar, watching her chatting and laughing harmoniously with everyone.
A sneer silently appeared on her usually calm face. Flattering others. How spineless.
"This is Princess Huaqing's mansion. There are so many people watching in the dark. Keep your expression in check."
Aunt Li's sinister warning came from beside her, making Su Hele's expression freeze.
She gave Aunt Li a disdainful glance. Such a nuisance.
Aunt Li stared at Su Hele covetously, full of resentment in her heart.
All the people who came today were either the wives of dukes or the concubines of the heirs. They were all noble people.
If it weren't for having to watch Su Hele, she would have gone to socialize with others long ago. What a good opportunity, just wasted like this.
Thinking of this, Aunt Li secretly glared at Su Hele.
What a nuisance!