On this day, Su Nansheng was rarely idle in her room, reading a storybook. She had only flipped a few pages when she saw Bi Tao enter with a complicated expression.
Su Nansheng glanced at her and smiled. "What's going on?"
Bi Tao replied reluctantly, "The second young mistress said she wants to see you. I told her you were busy, but she's waiting in the front hall."
Su Nansheng raised her eyebrows. No wonder Bi Tao looked like this. It turned out a "distinguished guest" had come.
"How has she been lately?"
She had been busy dealing with Shao Tan recently and didn't know how Su Hele was doing.
Come to think of it, since Su Hele was sent back by the steward of the Cheng Wang Mansion last time, they had hardly seen each other.
So what was Su Hele's purpose for coming this time?
"Except for being often scolded by Concubine Li, she's been quite quiet these days."
Bi Tao was too lazy to inquire anymore. Anyway, Su Hele was either being scolded or kneeling in the ancestral hall. There was nothing new.
Su Nansheng flipped another page of the book and lowered her eyes. "Being scolded by Concubine Li? Does she just take it?"
This was not like Su Hele's style. She always considered herself elegant. How could she be willing to be scolded by Concubine Li?
Bi Tao whispered, "She has no choice. I heard that the second young master doesn't even enter her room these days. No one speaks up for her, so she's naturally much more well - behaved."
Su Nansheng put down the book and a look of mockery crossed her face.
So Su Hele's elegance had conditions. She thought that proud head of hers would never bow.
Seeing her expression was not good, Bi Tao suggested, "How about I find an excuse to turn the second young mistress away?"
"No. I'll go see her."
She wanted to see what her elder sister, who was always as elegant as chrysanthemums and so proud and calm, would look like with her head bowed.
...
When Su Hele came to the Tingfeng Courtyard again, she felt it was even more luxurious than before.
Since it was nearly late autumn, the waterfall in the courtyard was no longer flowing. Instead, there were flowers, stacked from top to bottom, forming a sea of flowers.
Magnificent peonies, elegant君子兰, and fragrant osmanthus were in a riot of colors and forms.
A flash of disdain crossed Su Hele's eyes. If chrysanthemums and bamboo were planted here, it would be extremely quiet and elegant. Instead, it was now vulgar and gaudy.
Just as she was thinking, she saw Su Nansheng walking out of the inner hall in gorgeous clothes.
She was wearing a long crimson dress that dragged on the ground today. The hem of the dress was embroidered with large clusters of peony patterns in gold thread.
As she walked, the hem of the dress fluttered, like a gentle breeze blowing through a flower field, graceful, luxurious, and eye - catching.
Su Hele looked at her own white silk dress and a smug smile appeared on her face.
Compared with the impetuous and vulgar Su Nansheng, her elegance was still superior.
Su Nansheng glanced at Su Hele, who was standing still, and said lazily, "You don't visit without a reason. What can I do for you, Second Young Mistress?"
She was too straightforward. Su Hele felt a bit uncomfortable, but she still straightened her back and said, "Little sister is still so impulsive and hot - tempered. Don't judge others by yourself. I remembered our sisterly bond during my illness and came to see you."
Hearing this, Su Nansheng chuckled and then stared at Su Hele quietly.
Su Hele was still wearing an ivory - white dress, and even her shawl was snow - white, clean, simple, and spotless.
Such a simple color, combined with Su Hele's frail figure, really made her look delicate and pitiful.
Seeing that Su Nansheng ignored her, Su Hele frowned and continued, "I know little sister is angry that I haven't come to see you. But I'm also helpless. Concubine Li has been tormenting me. If my parents weren't still alive, I would have ended my life long ago to avoid this humiliation."
As she spoke, Su Hele began to sob.
Su Nansheng: "???"
What was this all about?
"It doesn't matter that I'm living a hard life. As long as you can be favored by the mistress and live a good life, I'll be relieved."
Su Hele wiped away her tears and forced a bitter smile.
Su Nansheng frowned tightly and looked at Su Hele with a strange expression.
Was she playing the poor - me card with her?
No. Given their current situation, how did Su Hele think the poor - me card would work?
Was she really beaten stupid?
Thinking this, Su Nansheng sneered and said coldly, "Second Young Mistress must have forgotten that you once said that as long as you had a roof over your head and enough to eat, you'd be satisfied. Judging from the current situation of the Marquis Mansion, it's far from what you described. How can you say you're living a hard life?"
Su Hele's hand froze as she was wiping her tears. She looked at Su Nansheng in disbelief. "How can you be so heartless and ignore our sisterly bond?"
Su Nansheng closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. "Show her out!"
"Second Young Mistress, please go back." Bi Tao said with a cold face.
Just like Su Hele's disbelief, she was also shocked. Where did Su Hele get the nerve to say such a thing?
"Su Nansheng, I've gone this far, but you're still so heartless. You've just temporarily caught the mistress's eye. Why do you have to be like this... Ah!"
Su Nansheng picked up a teacup and threw it at her.
Su Hele dodged with a scream and then said angrily, "Su Nansheng, you dare to attack me. I..."
"Go and complain about me."
Su Nansheng glanced at her and turned away.
It was okay for her to play the poor - me card and act pitiful in the previous life. After all, she was stupid and willing to believe.
But what was the situation now? Didn't she know how to change her tactics?
It was bad enough that the tactics were old - fashioned, but she couldn't even carry them through to the end. It was a waste of time to say another word to her.
Looking at the empty flower hall, Su Hele trembled with anger.
Su Nansheng didn't take her seriously at all. How could she be so arrogant?
It was all that little bitch Qiu Mei's fault. She had just given her a small punishment, but she dared to complain to Lady Li.
If it weren't for her complaint, there wouldn't be fewer and fewer people in her yard, and she wouldn't have come to Su Nansheng to complain.
She had thought that after all, they were sisters. Even if it was just for show, Su Nansheng should have said a few words in her defense.
But what was the result? She had been humiliated like this!
"Madam, let's go." Sumo said timidly.
If they were really driven out later, Su Hele would surely be angry about the humiliation.
Su Hele suddenly turned around and pinched Sumo's arm hard. "Mind your own business!"
If it weren't for being outside, she would have slapped Sumo already.
She was the mistress, and it was not up to a servant to give her orders.
...
Not long after Su Nansheng returned to her bedroom, she heard the servant announce that Chen Mingzhu was visiting. She quickly went out to greet her.
"Sister - in - law!"
From afar, she saw Chen Mingzhu smiling and greeting her.
Su Nansheng couldn't help but smile. Dealing with Shao Tan and getting involved in court affairs was indeed annoying, but at least she had preserved Chen Mingzhu's bright smile.
"I thought you would come a few days ago."
Judging from Chen Mingzhu's personality, she should have come to discuss Shao Tan's fate with her as soon as she knew about it. But she had endured for a few days.
"I was packing my luggage these days. Sister - in - law, I'm here to say goodbye to you."
Chen Mingzhu still had a smile on her face, but she didn't notice that Su Nansheng's face had turned pale instantly.