He Jin was still seething with anger when he heard a voice beside him say:
"Lord He, where did you go just now?"
He Jin couldn't help but startle. Turning his head, he saw Kong Pengxing looking at him with a fake smile.
His gaze was cold, and his attitude was no longer as respectful as before.
He Jin rolled his eyes and replied with a smile:
"I suppose Lord Kong was so focused on dealing with the enemy just now that you didn't hear me. I went to request reinforcements. If it weren't for my elder brother's timely arrival, these people would have been quite a handful."
His voice was calm, no longer showing the panic from before. He had once again resumed his demeanor as a gentle and refined young master.
Seeing He Jin's blatant act of deserting the battlefield yet acting so self - righteous, Kong Pengxing let out a cold snort and said:
"Then on behalf of the brothers who stood firm and fought at the city gate, I'd like to thank Lord He."
He Jin felt embarrassed and clasped his fists, saying he didn't dare.
...
By a window not far away, Su Nansheng lowered her eyes and sipped her tea.
The warm teacup in her hand dispelled the chill in her heart. The green tea slid down her throat, leaving a hint of sweetness but also a bit of astringency.
Just a little bit, just a little bit short. Those displaced people could have caught up with He Jin and beaten him up.
Su Nansheng let out a long sigh. It was truly a pity.
Bi Tao looked at her with admiration:
"Mistress, just now, Master He was so imposing!"
With his presence and aura, just by standing there, no one dared to cause more trouble.
Su Nansheng nodded. He was indeed imposing.
She usually only heard others call him General He. Today was the first time she saw him in full battle armor.
Unlike Bi Tao, who even went downstairs to watch the excitement, Su Nansheng didn't see it very clearly.
But just from the imposing manner of his galloping on horseback, one could catch a glimpse of his might on the battlefield.
"Mistress is so wise. You were able to detect in advance that someone was going to cause trouble, and Master He came just in time to prevent a disaster. Otherwise, those commoners at the city gate would have suffered."
Bi Tao was very happy. She also took credit for today's event.
If it weren't for her fast feet, by the time He Xun arrived, the fight at the city gate would probably have been over.
It was another day of doing good deeds. There was nothing she could do about it.
Su Nansheng didn't respond. She just said, "Let's go back."
Since the fight had been stopped, she didn't have to come here to endure the wind every day.
That day when she heard Bi Tao say that the displaced people were from Changming County, she remembered the massacre that happened at the city gate in her previous life.
It was said that some outlaws had mixed among the people entering the city, inciting the displaced people to rebel, break into the city gate by force, and intended to rob and cause chaos in the capital.
In order to protect the safety of the people in the city, the gatekeeper had no choice but to execute them all. Not a single one survived, and the blood flowed like a river.
When the news spread, the whole city was in an uproar.
Some accused the gatekeeper of being too ruthless, while others spoke in his defense, saying that he was just doing his duty and that those rebellious displaced people deserved to die.
In short, there were different opinions, and there was no conclusion. In the end, this matter seemed to fade away.
It was understandable. All the people who wanted to enter the city that day were dead, and they were all ordinary people. No one would stand up for them. Naturally, no one wanted to offend any official for them, except those with ulterior motives.
So although this incident was serious, it was gradually forgotten. Even Su Nansheng didn't quite remember the date. She only vaguely remembered that it was a rainy day.
Therefore, Su Nansheng came to the city gate every day to guard and prevent, for fear that such a tragic event would happen again.
Life was tough, but they still had to live.
...
Su Hele stood in front of the gate of Yurong Courtyard. She took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and then stepped in.
Previously, if He Jin was angry, as long as she was willing to humble herself, she could at least enter the guest room to coax He Jin.
But now she couldn't even enter the door of the guest room. This wouldn't do.
She had thought about it for several days. If she couldn't get an opportunity from He Jin, then maybe she could from Li Shi.
Speaking of Li Shi, Su Hele gritted her teeth with hatred.
If it weren't for Li Shi constantly sowing discord, He Jin wouldn't have become estranged from her.
If it weren't for Li Shi insisting that she fight for the face of the second branch, she wouldn't have held that grand banquet for a hundred people, which made He Jin angry.
This whole thing was caused by Li Shi, but Li Shi actually shifted all the blame onto her.
Moreover, Li Shi even dared to use private punishment, making her lose face in front of so many servants.
Every time she thought about this, Su Hele wished she could skin Li Shi alive, but she couldn't, at least not yet.
Li Shi was indeed vicious, but she was still He Jin's mother. If she could say a few good words for her, He Jin would surely change his attitude.
She also knew that Li Shi was quite dissatisfied with her, but that was because she had previously disdained to cater to Li Shi.
She believed that as long as she was willing to lower her status and explain things properly to Li Shi, Li Shi would surely be happy. After the misunderstanding was resolved, Li Shi would like her.
Thinking like this, Su Hele had already entered the front hall. She saw Concubine Li lying on the arhat bed, pretending to be asleep.
She didn't open her eyes when she heard the noise. She just said:
"What are you doing here?"
Su Hele was displeased at her rudeness but didn't show it. She just held her head high and said:
"I thought I hadn't come to pay my respects to you for several days. I'm feeling a bit better today, so I came to pay my respects."
Her tone was flat, with a hint of flattery.
Concubine Li slowly opened her eyes, glanced at Su Hele, and then let out a cold snort:
"What on earth do you want?"
Su Hele curtsied:
"I really came here specifically to pay my respects. Seeing that it's almost time for dinner, does Concubine need me to serve you?"
Concubine Li slowly sat up and sized up Su Hele from head to toe.
She still wore a plain white silk dress and held her chin high. But her expression was no longer as arrogant as before, and she looked haggard.
Thinking of what Nanny Wang had told her, that Su Hele couldn't even see He Jin, a smile slowly appeared on Concubine Li's face.
Su Hele couldn't handle He Jin, so she was turning to her. Or was she trying to cause trouble again and complain about her to He Jin?
But no matter what the reason was, Su Hele had bowed her head to her. Was she still afraid of her?
So Concubine Li slowly lay back on the arhat bed, closed her eyes, and said:
"Since you're so filial, then stay and serve."
Hearing this, Su Hele frowned slightly.
She was just being polite, but Li Shi actually took it seriously. How could she be so oblivious? She still had injuries on her body.
But since she had already said it, she couldn't go back on her word.
So on this day, Su Hele returned to Bitao Courtyard very late.
When she came back, she looked exhausted and in a complete mess.
After entering the courtyard and closing the door, the bedroom was completely silent.
In the dim yellow light, Su Hele took a hairpin and stabbed at the brocade quilt forcefully, again and again.
Until the cotton wool in the quilt flew everywhere, until the wound on her back split open, and the blood gushed out, soaking her clothes.
Su Hele's face was as white as paper, her features contorted, and her eyes bloodshot.
She stared closely at the quilt full of holes, her gaze cold and resentful.
Li Shi, the humiliation I suffered at your place today will surely be repaid a hundredfold in the future.