Thinking of He Jin, Su Hele's already cold face turned even darker.
Last time, in order to paint a picture for He Jin, she tried to force her way out but was punished. After He Jin learned about it, instead of coming to console her, he stayed out at night for several consecutive days. Apparently, he was showing his dissatisfaction with her in this way.
But what was her fault? She just wanted He Jin to enjoy the pleasure of the mountains and fields without going out.
However, He Jin just didn't understand!
Two days ago, He Jin finally returned to the bedroom. She thought he finally understood her and came to comfort her.
Unexpectedly, he only said that he was on good terms with the heir apparent, and today's wedding banquet was very important to him. He told her to be cautious and well - behaved.
Su Hele was not only indignant but also a bit disappointed.
The former He Jin liked to compose poems, but now he started to curry favor with the powerful.
No wonder he was becoming colder and colder towards her. It turned out that he had also become a vulgar person.
But...
Su Hele slowly tightened her hands. Although He Jin was disappointing, if even he no longer understood and supported her, what should she do?
Thinking of this, Su Hele lowered her eyes and glanced at the robe on her body.
Since He Jin attached so much importance to this wedding banquet, if she could stand out at this banquet and gain the favor of the Princess of Cheng, then the heir apparent would surely think highly of her.
By then, He Jin would surely share in the glory and would no longer ignore her.
Su Hele slowly raised her head. She disdained to show off, but for He Jin, she was willing to condescend to give it a try.
...
"My lady, the maid sees that the Second Young Mistress has prepared a whole big box of wedding gifts. We've only prepared such a small thing. Isn't it a bit shabby?" Bi Tao held a brocade box about a foot long, her voice full of worry.
The other party was a prince. Surely only rare treasures would catch their eyes?
But her lady had only prepared a jade carving ornament. It would probably be unnoticed when thrown into the pile of wedding gifts.
Su Nansheng glanced at the brocade box and replied simply and clearly, "No."
Among the vassal kings, the King of Cheng had the best relationship with the current emperor. There were countless people trying to curry favor with him.
Moreover, considering the status of the King of Cheng, what rare treasures hadn't the Princess of Cheng seen? Even the most precious wedding gifts would be just ordinary to her.
Rather than having a carefully - selected precious gift piled up in a corner to gather dust, it was better to give an ordinary one. Just paying the due respect was enough.
Although it was ordinary, it had cost her quite some effort.
For this, she had specially made a trip to Xiangji Temple. The Goddess of Children there was the most effective. She had also asked the abbot there to consecrate it personally. It could be considered as her sincere gesture.
So Su Nansheng told Bi Tao to protect the brocade box carefully. She shouldn't be careless just because it wasn't very valuable.
Bi Tao was puffing out her chest and promising that as long as she was there, the gift would be there, and even if she wasn't, the gift would still be safe. Just then, she heard the coachman shout "Whoa", and the carriage slowly stopped.
Su Nansheng knew they had arrived at the Prince of Cheng's Mansion. Without waiting for the coachman to speak, she got out of the carriage with Bi Tao on her own.
In front, Nanny Li, the housekeeper in charge of the female guests, was already greeting Chen Wanrong with polite words.
Su Nansheng immediately stepped forward, motioned for Bi Tao to present the wedding gift, and said, "It's just a small token. Originally, I didn't want to trouble you, Nanny. But this thing was consecrated by Abbot Jici. Please be careful when you place it."
She was afraid that the servants who didn't know the inside story would be negligent. It would be bad if this jade carving was placed together with something that was incompatible.
"Is this something fetched from Xiangji Temple?" Nanny Li's steady voice carried a hint of excitement.
Su Nansheng nodded. It seemed that the Princess of Cheng had been to Xiangji Temple quite often. Even a nanny in her house knew everything about the temple.
Seeing this, Nanny Li immediately turned to look at the little maid holding the brocade box.
The latter didn't put the brocade box in the accounting room beside. Instead, she rushed away with it in her arms.
"It's still early before the auspicious time. Ladies, please follow this maid to the side hall to rest."
When she looked back again, Nanny Li's smile was much more sincere.
"Please wait a moment, Nanny. This concubine still has a wedding gift to present." Concubine Li said as she looked at Su Hele's carriage, her face showing displeasure.
Only then did Su Nansheng notice that Su Hele hadn't got out yet. Following Concubine Li's gaze, she saw Nanny Liu approaching the carriage window and saying something. Apparently, she was also urging.
A flash of displeasure passed through Nanny Li's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "Don't be in a hurry, Lady inside. This maid will wait here."
Although she said so, a smart pageboy stepped forward and motioned for the carriage to move forward quickly so as not to block the way of the carriages behind.
The carriage soon arrived in front of everyone. Only then did the carriage door open, and Su Hele gracefully stepped out.
As she got out of the carriage and stood still, there was suddenly a moment of silence in front of the mansion gate, which had been a bit noisy just now. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Su Hele.
Su Nansheng even raised her eyebrows in surprise. She saw that Su Hele, who had been wearing a colorful silk dress just now, had changed her clothes at some point.
A long, frost - colored silk dress embroidered with chrysanthemum patterns trailed on the ground. The long belt fluttered in the wind, making her look like a fairy.
The gold hairpin on her head was gone. She only simply wore a blue jade hairpin, which made her black hair look even more like ink, clean and elegant.
She was dressed very simply all over, except for a bright red silk shawl on her shoulders, which added a touch of beauty to her simplicity.
She looked elegant and celestial, but also... out of place.
Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Su Hele held her head even higher, and her expression became even more arrogant.
Seeing this, Su Nansheng turned to look at Concubine Li and saw that she was looking dull.
It was Nanny Liu who reacted first. She grabbed Su Hele's arm and wanted to drag her back into the carriage, but was scolded by Su Hele: "Let go. How dare you!"
Su Hele broke free from Nanny Liu's grip and walked forward slowly. At the same time, she frowned and glared at Nanny Liu. Didn't she see the amazed looks in everyone's eyes? What an unobservant thing!
At this time, Nanny Li said with a proper smile, "This lady must have come to the wrong place."
Although she was smiling, everyone could hear the gritted - teeth tone.
"Get back into the carriage right away!" Concubine Li also reacted. Her finger almost poked at Su Hele's nose.
"But..."
"Send her back quickly!" Concubine Li whispered angrily. She clenched her fists tightly at her sides, afraid that she would lose control and attack Su Hele.
Nanny Wang and Nanny Liu didn't dare to hesitate. They immediately grabbed Su Hele on each side and wanted to take her back into the carriage.
Su Hele had just seen the amazed looks in everyone's eyes again. How could she be willing to go back like this?
She still wanted to perform in front of the Princess of Cheng to win glory and help for He Jin.
Thinking like this, Su Hele tried to break free from their grips and said, "Let go of me right away."
During the struggle, there was a noise beside them. Looking up, they saw He Jin standing beside a carriage, his face gloomy.
Su Hele was overjoyed in her heart, but on her face, she looked aggrieved. She whispered, "Husband, look at them!"