Just as the officials were looking down on him, Cui Liang, the vice - minister of the Ministry of War, impeached Shao Tan for embezzlement and dereliction of duty. The evidence was conclusive, and Shao Tan had no defense.
The emperor was furious. He rebuked Shao Tan for deceiving the emperor and being disloyal and unjust. Shao Tan was thrown into the death - row prison to be executed on a chosen day.
The emperor then ordered Chen Xuan to take over the water - control project in Xichuan and implement the ten strategies for dredging the rivers to ensure the safety of Xichuan.
When He Xun sent the news, Su Nansheng was in the Qionghua Garden with Chen Wanrong.
"Elder brother has been very kind to him. Without elder brother's promotion, how could he have become the vice - minister of the department in charge of imperial edicts at such a young age? He's really an ungrateful wretch. He deserves to die. It's just that elder brother may be sad. Don't be deceived by his gentle appearance. In fact, he values affection the most."
Chen Wanrong was both angry and worried.
Su Nansheng nodded with a smile but said nothing.
She naturally knew that Chen Xuan valued affection. Otherwise, in the previous life, he wouldn't have allowed Shao Tan to plagiarize his hard - won achievements without exposing him.
Just as the atmosphere was getting a bit dull, they heard the servant announce that Concubine Li had come to pay respects.
Chen Wanrong let out a soft laugh and said,
"She hasn't come for quite a while. I wonder what made her think of coming today."
Although there were rules, there were only two people in the marquis's mansion. Chen Wanrong didn't mind. In fact, she was rather relieved when Concubine Li didn't come.
After a while, Concubine Li came in. After paying respects to Chen Wanrong, she said with a smile,
"I feel much better, so I came out for a stroll."
Then she looked at Su Nansheng and half - seriously, half - playfully complained,
"The banquet yesterday was so lively with so many distinguished guests. Nansheng, you didn't even invite me. People might think I'm being arrogant and refusing to come out and greet them."
Chen Wanrong rolled her eyes silently. She knew why Concubine Li had come today.
She couldn't stand Concubine Li's sarcastic tone. She said coldly,
"The banquet yesterday was really lively. It was Nansheng's first time organizing a banquet, and she did a great job. Many ladies praised her for being considerate and attentive. I didn't hear anyone say anything else."
Su Nansheng just smiled slightly and said,
"Auntie was still ill, so I didn't want to bother you. Although none of the distinguished guests asked, I did explain, and they all understood your inconvenience."
In fact, she didn't explain at all. Her mind had been on Shao Tan yesterday, and she had no time to worry about whether Concubine Li would be misunderstood.
But Concubine Li wouldn't go around asking people, so she could say whatever she wanted.
Concubine Li's smile froze for a moment, then she forced a smile and said,
"It's good that no one misunderstood. Since the eldest young master has held a banquet, A Jin shouldn't be left behind. Otherwise, people might say he doesn't know the rules and is not good at socializing. Mistress, don't you think so?"
"It's just a banquet. If you want to hold one, go ahead. But I heard that Su Hele is not feeling well again, and you've just recovered from your illness. Who will organize this banquet? If it's not well - prepared and you break the rules, it will be even worse."
Concubine Li's smile froze again.
Actually, she didn't really want to hold a banquet at first, but she just couldn't stand Su Nansheng's arrogance.
What's there to be proud of? It's just a simple banquet. Who can't organize one?
"Oh, it's not difficult at all. It's just a piece of cake."
Concubine Li sounded rather self - satisfied.
Chen Wanrong smiled and said, "Then hold it in He Jin's name.
Don't get us involved.
......
"Su Mo."
Su Hele lowered her eyes and looked at the food on the table, calling out softly.
After waiting for a long time and getting no response, she remembered that Su Mo had gone out of the mansion to have her calligraphy and paintings mounted.
Now that she couldn't leave the mansion, everything was so troublesome.
Thinking about it, she frowned and looked at the maid Qiu Mei not far away. Since Su Mo was not here, couldn't she respond actively?
"Qiu Mei, what's going on with the food these days?"
It was all light food every day, with no trace of meat. Was she, the mistress of the marquis's mansion, supposed to eat this every day?
Hearing her call, Qiu Mei reluctantly shuffled over and said with a fake smile,
"Reply to the second young mistress. Concubine Li has ordered that since you are currently recovering from an injury, you should avoid meat. Moreover, you've always been kind - hearted and elegant, and you don't like killing. So the meat has been stopped for you."
Wasn't she supposed to be elegant and indifferent? Then she should eat light food. Why was she still unhappy?
Hearing this, Su Hele gritted her teeth, and resentment gradually rose in her heart.
A few days ago, Concubine Li had shut down the small kitchen in her courtyard, saying it was to cut down on expenses.
She was naturally unwilling. Why did the expense - cutting have to target her Bitao Garden?
But when she went to argue with Concubine Li, she was told that the money saved was used to buy maids to replace her in taking care of the sick.
So Su Hele came back. Although she was angry at Concubine Li's petty behavior, at least she didn't have to do those humble things. That was fine.
But now that she had condescended to eat the food from the public kitchen, Concubine Li even cut off her meat. She was really vulgar.
"Of course I don't like killing and I disdain meat, but now my body is so weak. If I don't supplement my nutrition, when will I get better?"
Without Su Mo to help her speak, Su Hele had to speak up herself.
"This is not something I can decide. It's a rule set by Concubine Li."
Su Hele snorted softly and said,
"Go and tell Concubine Li that my body is too weak and I need to supplement my nutrition."
But Qiu Mei didn't move. She said softly,
"I dare not question Concubine Li's words. It's better for you, the second young mistress, to go and talk to her yourself. I still have to wash the robe you just changed. Otherwise, the ink stain won't come off."
After saying that, Qiu Mei bowed and left without waiting for Su Hele's answer.
The room suddenly fell silent, except for Su Hele's increasingly heavy breathing.
Since He Jin got angry with her last time, Concubine Li had been harassing and scolding her every now and then.
She had endured it for He Jin's sake, but then the servants started to neglect her.
They were just vulgar and humble servants. How dare they!
It seemed that she had been too kind. That's why these vulgar people dared to be so presumptuous.
Su Hele suddenly threw the bowl on the ground and then slowly crushed the fragments with her feet. She shouted,
"Call Qiu Mei back and tell her to clean this up."
Qiu Mei was called back on her way. Naturally, she was a bit unhappy:
"I wonder what else the second young mistress wants to order?"
There were so many servants outside. Why did she have to go and get in trouble with Concubine Li?
Su Hele didn't move. She just said gently,
"I accidentally broke the bowl. Please clean it up carefully. Don't let the fragments hurt your master's feet."
Qiu Mei curled her lips. The second young master hadn't slept in the room for many days. How could the fragments hurt his feet?
Although reluctant, Qiu Mei still squatted down to clean up. Just as she was picking up the broken porcelain pieces, a foot stepped heavily on her hand.
The broken porcelain pieces instantly pierced into her palm. Qiu Mei was in so much pain that her vision went black. The scream got stuck in her throat and she couldn't let it out.
"I don't need you to question what I do. Now go and tell Concubine Li that my body is weak and I need to supplement my nutrition."
Su Hele's soft voice came from above Qiu Mei's head.
Qiu Mei looked up in a daze. Su Hele was looking down at her with a faint smile on her face.