He Xun's words were simple and straightforward, which left Su Nansheng stunned for a moment. But soon, she shrugged it off with a smile.
In her previous life, she had witnessed too many family feuds and kin betraying each other. She had almost forgotten that there was such a thing as blood - related kinship in this world.
It was intangible and illusory, yet could make people fight desperately to protect it. Even the rules in the officialdom had to cower in front of it. And Chen Xuan was so honest.
When two honest people met, they could communicate directly and be completely frank with each other.
She had been too obsessed.
"You said that the water - control project in Xichuan was clearly a meritorious deed. Then why did Shao Tan discuss it with Uncle? Isn't he afraid of having his achievements shared?"
Su Nansheng was still a bit confused.
Although this incident would turn out to be a disaster rather than an achievement, Shao Tan at this moment couldn't have known the outcome. So why did he involve Chen Xuan?
He Xun sneered:
"Uncle is not a person who chases after fame and fortune. Moreover, he has always been quite knowledgeable about water - control and must have some insights. Shao Tan must have targeted him for this reason."
Su Nansheng nodded. So Shao Tan just wanted to steal Uncle's knowledge. But the "Ten Strategies for Dredging Rivers" had an immediate effect. Why couldn't they prevent the flood in the end?
"Did you remind Uncle to be careful?"
If he could ask directly, it should be okay to remind him directly.
He Xun sighed, a rare expression on his face, and shook his head:
"When I knew that Shao Tan had really involved Uncle in this matter, I felt that this man had ulterior motives. But without solid evidence and considering Uncle's long - standing trust in him, I didn't say anything.
Uncle thought that if Shao Tan could achieve something in the Xichuan water - control project with his guidance, he, as the teacher, would be happy."
Hearing this, Su Nansheng also sighed.
Shao Tan, you really deserve to die.
He Xun continued:
"However, I've sent people to investigate the actual situation in Xichuan. The news will be back in three or five days. Then we'll decide what to do according to the situation."
He hoped it was just their over - worrying and there was no real conspiracy. Otherwise...
A glint of killing intent flashed in He Xun's eyes.
Since someone dared to scheme against him, they had to be prepared to pay the price.
The capital was hundreds of miles away from Xichuan. It was already quite fast to get the news back in three or five days. But Su Nansheng, who already knew the outcome, couldn't wait.
The earlier they exposed Shao Tan's true colors, the earlier she could feel at ease.
So she pushed the crumpled rice paper on the table towards He Xun and tapped on the lines of words on it:
"What do you think of this plan for the river - dredging project?"
"The plan for the river - dredging project?"
He Xun gave her a strange look and then his eyes fell on the rice paper.
After just a quick glance, He Xun's expression became solemn. "Where did this come from?"
It was incisive, easy to implement yet practical. Such an insightful water - control plan, combined with their conversation just now.
Before Su Nansheng could answer, He Xun gave the answer himself:
"Why do you have Uncle's draft?"
Su Nansheng raised her eyebrows. He really could ask the crucial question.
"Chen Mingzhu saw Shao Tan rummaging through the wastepaper basket. She brought it to me to take a look."
Actually, it was Chen Mingzhu who rummaged through the wastepaper basket, but she just wanted to frame Shao Tan.
He Xun leaned back slightly against the railing of the arhat bed and stared at Su Nansheng, looking rather skeptical:
"Why did Mingzhu keep an eye on Shao Tan? And why did she show it to you?
She should have told Uncle directly."
Su Nansheng had already thought of an answer and smiled:
"Because Mingzhu doesn't like Shao Tan and is always on guard against him. And she knows that I don't like him either."
"She just told you. She seems to have an inexplicable trust in you, her sister - in - law."
He Xun rubbed his temples, indicating that he couldn't understand this kind of inexplicable trust between women.
But this was really something Chen Mingzhu would do, so he relaxed.
Su Nansheng smiled faintly:
"Maybe she doesn't need to present evidence when talking to me. I'll believe her just based on her intuition."
He Xun was at a loss for words. Was she insinuating that he didn't trust her just now?
Su Nansheng didn't want to dwell on this matter anymore, lest he find something unreasonable. So she said:
"Shao Tan wants to plagiarize Uncle's hard - won achievements. What should we do?"
He Xun sneered:
"What should we do? Expose him and kill him."
Su Nansheng: "..."
It was really straightforward.
"We don't have any evidence. How can we expose him?"
This time it was Su Nansheng who said this.
Hearing this, He Xun stared at her intently, and the corner of his lips slowly curled up:
"Then, wife, think of a way for me to create some evidence."
He didn't believe that Su Nansheng had waited for him here so early today just to say that they had no evidence.
Caught red - handed, Su Nansheng looked away guiltily. This general was really worthy of his position.
"I really don't have any evidence, but we can set a trap and wait for the fish to take the bait."
She was really good at setting traps.
"I'm all ears, wife."
...
In the bedroom of Bitaoyuan, the candles were unusually bright tonight, illuminating even the darkest corners.
Therefore, the coldness on He Jin's face was clearly visible to Su Hele, and she knew why he had come.
"Hubby, I endured dizziness today to take care of the concubine. All I wanted was for her to recover soon, but she threw a teacup at me."
Su Hele preempted him. She stepped up to He Jin and showed him her red - rimmed forehead. When she turned her head, she inadvertently showed the swelling on the back of her head.
He Jin's heart tightened, and then he averted his eyes.
That day, he had been so angry that he didn't know his own strength. He didn't expect to have hurt her so badly.
Thinking of this, the coldness on He Jin's face softened a bit, but his voice still carried a trace of resentment:
"If you're taking care of the sick, why were you playing the zither? And the tune was so depressing."
Tears welled up in Su Hele's eyes:
"I asked Doctor Liu carefully. The concubine's illness is caused by excessive liver - fire. I played the zither for her to cultivate her mind and calm her down. As for the tune, I played "Reminiscing the Past".
It has a melancholy and nostalgic rhythm. Concubine Li didn't appreciate it and said it was depressing."
Reminiscing the past, Su Hele was trying to remind He Jin of their past.
Saying this, Su Hele pulled He Jin's arm and whispered:
"If the concubine doesn't appreciate it, it's okay. I won't argue with her. Hubby, you haven't composed poems with me for a long time. How about we compose one today to express our feelings?"
He Jin looked at Su Hele's delicate fingertips, and all the pity he had just felt vanished:
"I'm not in the mood to compose poems now. You'd better learn how to take care of the sick properly instead of wasting your time."
After saying that, he shook off Su Hele's hand and his face turned cold again.
He was busy making up for the mistake Su Hele had made that day. How could he have the mood to compose poems with her here?
Moreover, if she hadn't pestered him all day long for fun, he might have achieved great things earlier.