He Jin thought himself a victim of circumstances, with no chance to show his talent. As a result, he was not as diligent as before in his office, often arriving late. The other officials in the same office were not happy about it.
However, because He Jin didn't have a direct superior, no one was in a position to discipline him. All the others could do was to be even more irritated with him.
On the other hand, He Xun handled the refugee incident very well, and the Emperor commended him. For a time, he became a star.
If people didn't understand the Emperor's intention before, they had to now. Those who wanted to befriend He Xun increased in number.
The wives of those who understood the situation turned their eyes to the Marquis of Anshun's mansion.
"Look, these are all invitation cards. I really can't handle them all."
Chen Wanrong pointed at the two stacks of invitation cards on the redwood table. Although her tone was impatient, her smile was hard to hide.
Su Nansheng joked,
"If that's the case, then Mother should put on the airs of the Marquis of Anshun's wife and be picky with them."
Chen Wanrong nodded with a smile,
"Although it's a joke, I really have to put on airs and be a bad person. I don't want to attend any more banquets unless it's by the royal family. It's tiring."
She wasn't someone who was arrogant. So in the past, she was willing to give face and attend most of the banquets hosted by the other wives.
But now, there were more and more people who wanted her to give face, and she couldn't give enough. So she decided not to give any at all.
"Mother should be a bad person. The other wives should understand. But how does Mother want to handle the invitation cards?"
With Chen Wanrong setting an example, Su Nansheng could follow her lead and not go against her.
"As for the invitation cards, since they're willing to come, then I'll pick some who I'm familiar with to meet. It's like having them accompany me to relieve my boredom."
Just as she was speaking, the maid announced that the wives of the Minister of Works and the Deputy Minister of Rites had arrived.
Chen Wanrong laughed, "Speak of the devil, and he appears. You come with me."
So the two of them got up and headed towards the front hall.
...
In the corridor of the front courtyard, Concubine Li stared at the few wives who entered, her face gloomy.
For half a month, the people who came to visit Chen Wanrong had not stopped.
Looking at their side, although He Jin was promoted to the fifth-rank official, there wasn't a single person who came to congratulate him.
She had the intention to hold a banquet to celebrate, but she was afraid that no one would come like before. Instead, she would lose face, so she didn't hold it.
But now, every day, she watched as guests filled the Qionghua Garden. Her heart felt blocked, and she regretted not holding a promotion banquet.
Even if she invited some low-status wives, it would be better than being cold and quiet. But now, it was too late to regret.
The more Concubine Li thought about it, the more unwilling she became. Why did she, the mother of a fifth-rank official, have to be ignored?
"Nanny Wang, you go and tell Su Hele to accompany me to pay respects to Chen Wanrong."
Since no one came to visit her, she could take the initiative to befriend them, right?
The people who could enter the Marquis of Anshun's mansion weren't low-status people. It just saved her the trouble of selecting.
Nanny Wang left with the order. But after waiting for a while, she saw her return alone.
"Concubine, the Second Young Mistress said that she had already paid respects to Chen Wanrong when she woke up this morning."
Concubine Li couldn't help but snort. She was quite diligent when it came to going to Chen Wanrong's place.
"Then did you tell her that there are many noble ladies visiting Chen Wanrong?"
Was she going to pay respects? She wanted to bring Su Hele to befriend them. How could she not understand such a simple thing?
"The Second Young Mistress said that those people are all untrustworthy people, and she doesn't want to befriend them."
Thinking of Su Hele's attitude just now, Nanny Wang's tone was a bit cold.
Concubine Li took a deep breath. She didn't want to befriend them?
If it weren't for the fact that there were guests in the mansion, she would have gone to teach Su Hele a lesson. But now, there was a more important matter.
So, Concubine Li shook her sleeves and headed towards the Qionghua Garden.
...
Chen Wanrong was chatting happily with the few ladies when she heard Nanny Zhao come and say that Concubine Li had come to pay respects.
"Tell her that I have guests, so today's respects are waived."
Coming to pay respects at this odd time, anyone could tell that she had other intentions.
But before Nanny Zhao could go out of the front hall, she saw Concubine Li come in with a smile.
"This concubine pays respects to the Mistress."
Chen Wanrong immediately turned cold, but she couldn't flare up because of the guests. She just said with a sneer,
"Why did you think of coming to pay respects today?"
After saying that, she didn't wait for Concubine Li to reply, and just said with a smile to the few ladies,
"I'm the laziest person. I waived her morning and evening respects a long time ago."
The few ladies looked at Concubine Li, and their faces all showed a knowing smile. They all tacitly stopped talking, and the room was extremely quiet for a moment.
Concubine Li barged in without waiting for the announcement. She was counting on Chen Wanrong not to care about her.
But she didn't expect Chen Wanrong to be so ruthless as to expose her thoughts. How could she bear this?
However, she didn't want to give up just like that. She forced a smile and said,
"Although the Mistress is considerate, the etiquette can't be abolished. Isn't Nansheng here?"
Su Nansheng put down the teacup in her hand and looked at Concubine Li with a smile,
"Mother was discussing matters with me when the few ladies came. And Mother didn't waive my morning and evening respects. Concubine just doesn't come often, so you don't know."
Concubine Li's smile froze on her face, and the blood in her chest surged. She was speechless for a moment.
"Alright, you've already paid your respects. I won't force you to stay and talk, so as not to neglect my guests. Nanny Zhao, send Concubine Li out."
Chen Wanrong smiled, but her tone was not to be questioned.
No matter how angry Concubine Li was, she calmed down when she heard her tone.
She scanned the few ladies sitting down again and found that they were all lowering their eyelids and drinking tea. No one was looking at her.
"Concubine Li, please."
Nanny Zhao had already come over at this time. Her face was smiling, and her tone was respectful.
Helplessly, Concubine Li glanced at Su Nansheng with a cold look in her eyes and turned around to leave.
...
After leaving the Qionghua Garden, Concubine Li went straight to the Bitao Garden and severely scolded Su Hele.
If it weren't for Su Hele causing so many troubles before, why would she have to be so eager to befriend others? Why would she lose so much face?
She thought that Su Hele would refute and be unwilling, so she could take the opportunity to punish her severely. But she didn't expect Su Hele to just have a cold face and not say a word.
Concubine Li immediately lost her interest and turned around to return to her courtyard.
She didn't expect that after resting on the couch for a while, she heard Nanny Wang report that He Jin was waiting outside. It seemed that there was an urgent matter.
Concubine Li frowned. Why wasn't he on duty at this time? Why did he come to her place?
Although she was suspicious, Concubine Li still quickly came to the outside room.
She saw He Jin pacing back and forth inside, looking anxious.
Concubine Li immediately realized that something was wrong. She quickly said, "What happened?"
When she saw her come, He Jin took a step forward,
"Concubine, I'm afraid I've caused trouble. Please think of a way for me quickly."
Concubine Li couldn't stand his flustered appearance. She scolded him,
"What are you panicking about? There's nothing that our Marquis of Anshun's mansion can't solve."