Su Hele was sitting on the veranda, wearing a cloak, staring straight at the courtyard gate. Even after it got dark and the lanterns were lit, she did not return to her room.
He Jin was reinstated to his post a few days ago, which made Su Hele extremely happy.
She had a hand in his reinstatement, and as a result, He Jin's attitude towards her had changed. He was as affectionate as before.
Concubine Li was not as strict with her as before. Even the servants were much more respectful.
She had thought that her life would return to the carefree, peaceful days of old.
But she never expected that on the very first day of his new post, He Jin went out to drink and enjoy himself. When he returned, he reeked of alcohol and women, and was simply low-class.
When she asked him about it the next day, He Jin actually had the audacity to say that he was entertaining his new colleagues, and it was something he had to do.
She would give him the benefit of the doubt, as she was of noble character and would not deign to fight over a man with other women.
But for the next few days, He Jin came home late every day without even a word of explanation.
When he spoke to her, he was impatient and perfunctory. Had he forgotten how he was reinstated?
Su Hele sat there waiting until the moon set in the west. Finally, she saw He Jin walking back with his hands behind his back.
He Jin was very proud of himself. He was suspended for a short time before he was reinstated to his post.
People who did not know thought that He Xun had helped him behind the scenes, so they were very respectful to him.
Especially his colleagues in the Ministry of Works who held lower positions. They were eager to get to know him, and it was much better than when he was in the capital.
"My lord, why did you come home so late again?"
Even though Su Hele had deliberately softened her tone, He Jin could still hear the dissatisfaction.
He Jin's good mood was disturbed, and he frowned.
"I am now riding on success, and this is the time for me to socialize. You do not need to wait here every day."
After saying that, he went straight into the house without even looking at Su Hele.
Su Hele's eyes followed He Jin. Seeing that he was impatient again, she was heartbroken. But she took a deep breath, held her head high, and followed him into the house.
"I know that my lord needs to socialize, but you have official positions after all. You should go to a noble place."
He Jin suddenly turned around and looked at Su Hele coldly. His tone was unpleasant.
"Are you accusing me of vulgar behavior? Su Hele, watch your words and actions. You are now the wife of a fifth-rank official. If you act inappropriately and make me lose face again, do not blame me for being rude to you!"
After he said that, He Jin slammed the door and left.
Looking at He Jin's back as he left, Su Hele bit her lower lip until it bled. The sweet smell of blood filled her nostrils.
It was clearly he who went out to fool around every day, and he had the audacity to blame her. When had she ever made him lose face?
...
In the Jade Beauty Courtyard, Concubine Li was sitting by the window, pointing at the names on the ledger.
"The daughter of this Vice Minister Liu is good. She is gentle and kind, and is a good wife and mother. It is just that she is a little older. The rank of the Grand Physician Wang is a little lower, but her daughter is beautiful and is the apple of her parents' eye. If you can get her, you can get the Wang family."
She had evaluated the girls in the ledger one by one, and felt that they were all a little disappointing.
Her A Jin had now been promoted, and was naturally worthy of a better woman.
Thinking of this, she thought of Su Hele, and could not help but snort.
She had just given some silver, and was asking for this and that. She was so arrogant.
Fortunately, the matter was settled. She would endure her for a few more days. When the concubine entered the house, she would see if she dared to be so arrogant.
Concubine Li picked up her pen and circled a few names on the ledger. She said:
"Nanny Wang, send this ledger to A Jin when he returns. Let him choose for himself and see if there is a suitable candidate."
It was time to put this matter of taking a concubine on the agenda.
...
On this day, Concubine Li received a visiting card. She immediately sent someone to the Listen for the Wind Courtyard, saying that she wanted to introduce her to someone.
Su Nansheng naturally refused. But when she left the courtyard gate and wanted to go to the Jade Blossom Courtyard, she happened to meet Su Hele.
Su Hele was wearing a moon-white cloak, and was hugging a hot water bottle. Even the furry collar could not hide her slightly raised chin.
When she saw her coming out, Su Hele immediately said:
"Concubine Su has also seen that my husband is now in the Ministry of War. It will not be long before he is promoted. At that time, I will also receive a title."
She had endured humiliation for this day.
She wanted Su Nansheng to see that she was not living worse than her.
Looking at Su Hele's slightly trembling body, Su Nansheng was a little speechless.
She really admired Su Hele. On such a cold day, she stood here against the wind just to show off to her?
"I do not know if he will be promoted or not, but I know exactly how Second Young Master was reinstated. Su Hele, you have contributed a lot, right?"
Su Nansheng's tone was firm.
Su Hele's expression froze, and she then said, "I do not know what you are talking about."
They had concealed that matter very tightly. Su Nansheng could not have known. She must be trying to deceive her and find out what she knew.
A smile slowly appeared on Su Nansheng's face.
"If you do not want others to know, you should not do it. Su Hele, I advise you to stop looking for trouble with me. Otherwise, if I am unhappy one day, I might just do something righteous and eliminate a relative."
"You dare!" Su Hele's voice suddenly rose, but her heart was a little flustered.
"Whether I dare or not, try it and you'll know."
Su Nansheng's smile was bright, but in Su Hele's eyes, it made her feel a little strange.
She tightened her grip on the hot water bottle in her arms, but did not say anything.
Because she knew that Su Nansheng could really do such a thing.
Seeing that she did not say anything, Su Nansheng snorted and walked past her.
Su Hele squinted at Su Nansheng's back. Only after she had disappeared did she throw the hot water bottle in her hand on the ground.
She actually dared to be so arrogant. She was just relying on her title.
There was nothing great about it. If she wanted one, she could have one too.
Thinking of this, Su Hele said to the ink behind her:
"Go and send the painting I framed yesterday to my husband's study."
That day, He Jin had gotten angry with her and had gone to sleep in the guest room. He had ignored her for several days.
If this continued, how could she ask He Jin to request a title for her?
So even though she did not want to, she had to find a way to reconcile with He Jin.
If she put the painting that she and He Jin had made together in the study, He Jin would surely think of her when he saw it, and would naturally think of her good points.
Su Hele wrapped her cloak tightly around her. She looked at the hot water bottle by her feet and said:
"Remember to bring me another hot water bottle."
After saying that, Su Hele went to He Jin's study first.
It was still early, and He Jin had not returned from work. The study was cold and quiet.
Su Hele walked to the table and sat down. She wanted to see which position the painting would look most prominent.
She scanned the room with her eyes but was not satisfied with any of the positions. Then, the ledger on the table caught Su Hele's attention.
She flipped through it casually. When she saw the contents of the ledger, her expression suddenly changed.