The next day, He Jin went straight to Ning Weizhi, the magistrate of the capital, and told him about Du Wenbai's order to drive away the refugees. Then he asked for leave.
He claimed that he had a headache and felt dizzy and couldn't perform his duties. Ning Weizhi glanced at the blood seeping through the cotton cloth on He Jin's head and naturally agreed.
After leaving the magistrate's office, He Jin finally put down the hand that had been covering his forehead all the time, and didn't need Anfu to support him anymore.
However, his face was still ugly, and he was still a bit nervous.
He didn't know if what he had said to Ning Weizhi was in time, if the emperor had already made a decision about yesterday's incident, and how Du Wenbai would defend himself.
He Jin returned to Bitaoyuan in a distracted state, only to find Su Hele standing in front of the guest room.
She was wearing a moon - white silk dress. Her back was straight, her chin slightly raised. Her figure was slender and she seemed too frail to bear the clothes.
Seeing He Jin enter, Su Hele immediately stepped forward and reached out to support his arm.
"My husband got injured but didn't even tell me. I could have come to serve you."
Her voice was soft, different from her usual calm tone. Her eyes were downcast, with a hint of grievance on her face.
Maybe because she had waited outside for too long, there was a bit of chill on her body. Her hand supporting him was trembling slightly, and the coldness penetrated through his clothes to his arm, bone - chilling cold.
He Jin frowned and wanted to shake her off, but Su Hele held on tightly.
"Now that my husband is injured, why not go back to the bedroom with me to rest? It will be convenient for me to serve you. You're so seriously injured and need good care."
There were tears in Su Hele's eyes. It was hard to tell if she was feeling heart - ache for him or just felt wronged.
He Jin was already feeling tired. Seeing Su Hele looking so pitiful, he didn't shake off her hand and just let her support him back to the bedroom.
There was incense burning in the bedroom for a rare time. The fragrance was lingering, rich and long - lasting.
In the olive - shaped vase with the plum blossom pattern of the three friends in winter on the mahogany table, the chrysanthemums that had been there for years were gone. Instead, there were hibiscus flowers still dripping with water, looking extremely delicate.
He Jin lowered his eyes and looked at Su Hele, his expression full of doubt. Had she changed her nature?
Su Hele ignored his stare. She carefully supported He Jin onto the arhat bed, then gave a charming smile.
"My husband, you're free today. May I play the zither for you?"
After saying that, without waiting for He Jin's reply, she directly picked up the zither that had been placed beside her. With a gentle lift of her slender fingers, the clanging sound of the zither flowed out.
He Jin's irritated mood was soothed by the music, but a sarcastic smile appeared on his lips.
After the music ended, Su Hele held the zither and said,
"I see that my husband seems to have something bothering him. Why not tell me about it? I'm willing to relieve your worries."
He Jin gave a soft snort and said coldly,
"Relieve my worries? You'd better not cause me any trouble."
His words were full of sarcasm. Su Hele's hand holding the zither suddenly tightened, and her fingertips turned slightly white due to the force.
"My husband hasn't even said it yet. How do you know I can't relieve your worries? My husband used to praise me for being intelligent and insightful."
He Jin stroked the wound on his forehead, and his expression turned resentful.
"It's all because of He Xun..."
After saying that, He Jin looked at Su Hele mockingly and said,
"Well, how do you want to relieve my worries?"
Su Hele had already sat down beside He Jin. Hearing this, she slightly raised her chin.
"The person who tied the bell has to untie it. Even if He Xun doesn't care about your brotherly affection, he has to care about the face of the Marquis of Anshun's Mansion. If my husband is punished by the emperor because of this, won't it bring shame to the Marquis of Anshun's Mansion?"
He Jin was furious and said, "It's you who has brought shame to the Marquis of Anshun's Mansion. What does it have to do with me!"
Su Hele couldn't help but flinch and quickly said,
"My husband has misunderstood me. What I mean is that my husband can take this opportunity to ask He Xun to promote you."
"I don't need his promotion!"
He Jin glared at Su Hele, feeling that the wound on his head hurt even more.
Naturally, he also wanted He Xun to promote him, but if He Xun didn't mention it on his own initiative, was he supposed to humble himself and beg?
"He Xun is the elder brother. It's his duty to take care of and promote his younger brother. He should promote you. Otherwise, it's his failure as an elder brother."
There was a sense of justification in Su Hele's tone.
He Jin paused for a moment, then looked up at Su Hele.
Su Hele understood what he meant and nodded.
"I used to take good care of A Sheng when I was still in my boudoir. It's my duty as an elder sister. He Xun should do the same. Just because my husband doesn't mention it doesn't mean it's not his responsibility."
He Jin picked up the teacup in his hand and stared at the curling steam on it without saying a word. His expression changed several times, and finally a smile appeared on his face.
Yes, he didn't need to beg. He Xun should take care of his younger brother.
But...
"He Xun embarrassed me before. I don't want to talk to him."
He Jin slowly drank the hot tea, then put the teacup on the table and stared fixedly at Su Hele.
"In that case, I'll go and talk to A Sheng. Aunt can also go and talk to the mistress. My husband has been in the position of registrar for so long. It's time for a promotion."
Su Hele slightly raised her chin, and her expression returned to being haughty.
He Jin was in a great mood. "Accompany me to have a drink."
Su Hele gave a calm smile and walked forward gracefully.
...
In Tingfengyuan, Su Nansheng was standing by the rockery waterfall, pruning the flowers.
The weather was getting colder. Some of the flower clusters here were gradually withering and not as lush as before. It seemed that it was time to replace them with some cold - resistant flowers.
"My lady, the second young mistress is here."
Su Nansheng's hand pruning the flowers paused. Why was she here again? What was her purpose this time?
"Don't see her."
Bitao first lowered her head and got closer, then seemed to think of something and straightened her body, saying loudly,
"She said she's here to apologize to my lady."
Su Nansheng turned her head. "She's here to apologize?"
Bitao stared at her almond - shaped eyes and nodded repeatedly.
"Well, that's really something new. Let me see how she's going to apologize."
Su Nansheng handed the scissors in her hand to Bitao, reached out to take the cotton cloth to wipe her hands, and then went to the front hall.
...
Su Hele was getting impatient waiting. Just as she was about to ask Ruyi to urge again, she saw Su Nansheng strolling in from the back hall.
"I just sent Sumo to buy the crystal dragon - and - phoenix cakes you like. Here, I'm giving them to you."
Su Hele looked calm, her chin slightly raised. There was no sign of apology at all.
Su Nansheng didn't mind. She had already guessed that Su Hele would act like this.
She just wanted to know what it was that could make Su Hele come here against her will to apologize.
"The second young mistress has spent too much money, but I'm already tired of these dragon - and - phoenix cakes. I don't like them anymore. Don't buy them for me next time."
Su Nansheng looked at Su Hele coldly, waiting for her to speak.
Seeing Su Nansheng being so cold, Su Hele couldn't help but grit her teeth. What an ungrateful person.
She turned around and wanted to leave, but then thought of what she had said to He Jin yesterday, so she had to hold back.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Su Nansheng smiled slightly and said coldly,
"I'm very busy and don't have much time. If the second young mistress has nothing else to say, she can go back."
Not going to talk? Then it's time to show her out. Anyway, it's not her who needs a favor.
Hearing this, Su Hele couldn't help but frown. Was this how Su Nansheng treated guests? It was extremely rude.
Seeing that she still didn't say anything, Su Nansheng stood up. "Bitao, show the guest out."
"Wait. I have something to tell you."