Inside the Marquis of Anshun's Mansion, Su Nansheng was chatting with several ladies. From afar, she saw Bi nodding at her.
Su Nansheng gave a gentle smile. After apologizing to the ladies, she walked towards the main gate.
Outside the mansion gate, two carriages stopped one after another.
As soon as the front carriage came to a halt, the curtain was lifted. Chen Mingzhu couldn't wait to jump out and rushed towards Su Nansheng who was waiting at the door.
"Sister - in - law, I can finally go out!"
Her steps were brisk, her tone full of obvious joy, looking utterly pent - up.
Then she waved her hand grandly and announced loudly:
"To celebrate cousin's promotion, I've rummaged through father's study and found several rare military books for him."
As soon as she finished speaking, a maid immediately presented the congratulatory gifts.
Su Nansheng shook her head with a smile:
"This isn't your usual way of giving gifts."
Hearing this, Chen Mingzhu chuckled twice and said:
"Alright. Actually, my father isn't feeling well and can't come, so I'm here on his behalf to deliver the gifts."
Her tone was straightforward, showing no sign of embarrassment at being caught in a lie.
"I didn't visit in the past two days and didn't know that Teacher was ill."
Shao Tan's voice came from behind the two of them.
He had just dismounted from his horse. Hearing Chen Mingzhu's words, he immediately stepped forward.
Su Nansheng acted as if she had just noticed him and greeted him with a proper smile:
"Welcome, Minister Shao. I'm sorry I didn't greet you properly."
"Don't mention it, don't mention it."
Shao Tan waved his hand. Immediately, a page boy presented the congratulatory gifts.
Then he said to Chen Mingzhu:
"Is Teacher very ill? Maybe I should take a leave tomorrow to visit him."
"No need, no need. He just needs to rest for a couple of days." Chen Mingzhu quickly refused.
Shao Tan was about to say something else when he heard Su Nansheng say, "Hurry up and lead Minister Shao into the mansion."
Immediately, a page boy came to lead Shao Tan. Shao Tan didn't say anything more. He just took another look at Chen Mingzhu before leaving.
Watching his departing back, Su Nansheng whispered:
"How's Uncle?"
Chen Mingzhu shook her head, then made a chopping gesture:
"I'll surely teach him a lesson later."
Su Nansheng couldn't help but smile. She took Chen Mingzhu's hand and walked into the mansion gate. "It'll be better after today."
...
In the waterside pavilion of the Marquis's Mansion, He Xun was feasting and chatting merrily with several officials. It was a lively and jovial gathering.
After several courses of dishes and a few rounds of wine, someone at the table brought up the continuous rainfall in Xichuan.
"Minister Cao, there's no need to worry. Since Minister Shao is here, why not let him tell us about the situation in Xichuan?"
He Xun twirled his wine cup and looked at Shao Tan with a half - smile.
Shao Tan didn't want to talk about this matter at first. But seeing everyone staring at him, he couldn't just敷衍. So he smiled and said:
"Your Excellencies, please rest assured. Since I took charge of the water - control project in Xichuan, I've sent people there to patrol and be vigilant every day. I haven't dared to slack off for a moment. Xichuan will surely get through this crisis safely."
Hearing this, He Xun raised the corner of his mouth and said:
"Minister Shao is so dedicated. It's a blessing for our Great Qing."
Although it was a compliment, Shao Tan felt an inexplicable chill.
At this moment, someone whispered something into He Xun's ear. He Xun frowned slightly, looking a bit displeased, but quickly regained his composure.
Shao Tan noticed this and was wondering what had happened when a page boy came over and whispered:
"Minister Shao, our young master invites you to the side hall to discuss something."
...
When Shao Tan arrived at the side hall, he saw that Su Nansheng was already waiting there, with several gift boxes piled beside her.
Just as he was feeling puzzled, He Xun, Minister Cao, and Minister Cui of the Ministry of War also came.
Before anyone could ask questions, Su Nansheng spoke first:
"I'm terribly sorry for inviting you gentlemen away from the feast. It's just that the servants in the mansion were careless and messed up your congratulatory gifts. I'll surely punish them later."
"Ah, it's just some gifts. Let's go back and continue drinking." Minister Cui said indifferently.
He Xun, however, shook his head:
"If it were just such a small matter, I wouldn't spoil your fun. But when my wife was sorting out your gifts, she also found this. We don't know which box it fell out of."
With that, He Xun took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Minister Cao, saying:
"Although my wife has limited knowledge, she knows that this is very important as it involves government affairs. So she gave it to me and asked me to find its owner."
Minister Cao was a bit confused but still took the scroll and examined it carefully. His face showed admiration:
"This plan for dredging the river is incisive and to the point. It's very good. I assume it's the work of Minister Cui."
Minister Cui looked at the scroll handed to him with a confused look on his face, but he still took it.
When Shao Tan heard the word "dredging the river", his expression suddenly changed. Then he quickly stepped up to Minister Cui.
When he saw the words on the scroll clearly, he unconsciously pursed his lips.
Seeing this, a hint of mockery flashed in He Xun's eyes, but he said:
"Minister Cui, Minister Cao and I share the same opinion. If the plan inside is implemented, it should be able to solve about 30% - 40% of the flood problems. The Emperor will surely be pleased. Minister Cui, a promotion is just around the corner."
"General He, this isn't mine. But the handwriting seems a bit familiar to me."
Minister Cui looked embarrassed and handed the scroll back to He Xun.
Shao Tan's eyes darted around a few times, then he smiled and said:
"This scroll is mine. I guess it was because the page boy was too careless."
He had just seen that the handwriting on it should be Chen Xuan's. Thinking of what Chen Mingzhu had said before, he immediately realized that she might have accidentally put it in.
Thinking that the thing he had always hidden was now exposed in front of these people, Shao Tan was extremely anxious. But thinking that Chen Xuan wasn't here, he felt relieved.
It's okay to be exposed, but he had to claim it as his own.
"Oh, it turns out to be Minister Shao's."
He Xun raised a smile, his tone rather meaningful.
Shao Tan nodded with a smile and reached out his hand to take the scroll.
Just then, Su Nansheng let out a soft cry, "My husband!"
Everyone immediately looked at Su Nansheng. They saw her feeling her sleeve blankly. Then she slowly took out a piece of rice paper from it, looking a bit embarrassed:
"I still have this piece."
He Xun immediately frowned and scolded:
"How stupid! Hand it over!"
Su Nansheng quickly handed the rice paper to He Xun. The latter took a look at it and then stared at Shao Tan with a complicated expression.
He Xun's eyes were as cold as a deep pool. Shao Tan felt uneasy and couldn't help taking a step back.
Seeing this, Minister Cao asked:
"What's going on, General He?"
He Xun handed the rice paper to Minister Cao. After reading it, Minister Cao was stunned:
"This piece connects with the scroll. But why is this signature 'Minghui' so familiar?"
Shao Tan's heart was pounding wildly. He was just about to say something to divert everyone's attention when he heard Minister Cao continue:
"Right! Minghui is the courtesy name of Chen Xuan, the Chief Minister!"
Minister Cui immediately said:
"Now that you mention it, I also remember. I said the handwriting seemed familiar. Isn't it Chief Minister Chen's handwriting?"
After saying this, both of them were stunned and looked at Shao Tan.