Su Nansheng couldn't help but think of herself. Although He Xun should not be the kind of person who would find excuses to take concubines, she originally intended to conceive a child as soon as possible.
It was just that things had been coming one after another recently, and she had been too busy to think about this matter in detail.
Now that she thought about it, should she get closer to He Xun?
Lost in thought, Su Nansheng looked up from the account books, glanced at Bi Tao, and then lowered her eyes and said,
"Select some of the tonics that aunt brought last time and stew them for He Xun."
Well... it's better to nourish his body.
In the evening, He Xun looked at the full table of dishes with a slightly puzzled look on his face.
It was only early winter now. Was it a bit too early to start nourishing the body?
As he was thinking, a bowl of steaming ginseng - stewed chicken soup was placed in front of him.
Looking up, he saw Su Nansheng smiling:
"The weather is cold. Husband, have a bowl of soup first to ward off the cold."
After saying that, Su Nansheng began to serve him dishes again:
"This is the lamb of a one - month - old lamb. It's fresh and delicious. Husband, try it."
He Xun glanced at the roasted lamb on the white jade plate. It was red and oily, which really whetted one's appetite.
He slowly took a sip of the soup and then said,
"I didn't talk to her much."
Su Nansheng looked puzzled. "What?"
He Xun looked up at her. Finding that the confusion on her face was not feigned, he said,
"I met Su Hele in the yard just now. She couldn't even walk properly and almost fell."
Actually, there was something else He Xun didn't say.
Su Hele almost fell on him just now. Fortunately, he dodged quickly.
Su Nansheng's hand serving He Xun dishes paused slightly. Then she picked up a piece of white bass meat for him but didn't say a word.
Seeing this, He Xun said,
"Should I keep a distance from her?"
He suspected that Su Hele had other motives, but he wasn't sure.
"It's just a coincidence. Don't take it to heart. There's no need to avoid suspicion."
Su Nansheng resumed her previous smile.
He Xun sat upright and behaved properly. Why should he avoid suspicion? Could it be that he had to avoid Su Hele in the future?
Hearing this, He Xun raised his eyebrows slightly. Were their words reversed?
But looking at Su Nansheng's expression, she didn't seem to be sulking. She really didn't care.
Thinking of this, He Xun lowered his head and put the lamb into his mouth. It was crispy, fragrant and fresh, really delicious, but a bit cold.
...
Early the next morning, Su Nansheng rarely took the initiative to help He Xun dress.
She stroked the slight wrinkles on He Xun's collar and asked,
"Do you have any social engagements today? Will you come back for dinner?"
She was only wearing an inner robe, which was smooth and shiny. The wide sleeves slipped down to her elbows as she moved, revealing her slender and fair forearms.
He Xun watched her fair and moist arms go around his waist as she carefully tied his belt.
"Maybe not..."
Before he could finish his words, he felt his waist tighten. Looking down, he saw Su Nansheng exerting force to tie the belt tightly.
He Xun laughed softly:
"Do you want to strangle me? I'll come back."
Only then did Su Nansheng loosen the belt a bit and retie it. She said,
"I didn't do it on purpose. I'm just a bit rusty."
He Xun pinched her waist:
"Then practice more in the future."
After seeing He Xun off, Su Nansheng stared blankly at the door with a helpless look on her face.
The tonics from yesterday didn't work. He Xun went to the study after dinner and didn't come back until she fell asleep.
Su Nansheng rubbed her forehead. Should she... increase the amount of tonics?
"Lady, shall we continue to inspect the shops today?"
As the seasons changed, all the shops had added new goods. In the past few days, they had visited two shops every day.
Hearing this, Su Nansheng's expression became solemn. She whispered,
"We won't go out these two days. Come with me to the Willow - hanging Courtyard later."
...
There were sparse layers of fallen leaves on the bluestone slabs in the Willow - hanging Courtyard, while the lake was clean and clear, with only blooming water lilies and lotuses.
There was a small boat floating in the middle of the lake. It was a servant in the mansion fishing out the fallen leaves on the lake.
Su Nansheng walked straight in until she reached the elegant room at the innermost part.
A little maid was sweeping the fallen leaves there. There were already two piles beside her, obviously swept up earlier.
Hearing the noise, the little maid looked up. Seeing Su Nansheng, she immediately bowed.
Su Nansheng smiled faintly and motioned for her to come in with her.
After entering the room and taking a seat, Su Nansheng glanced around.
They didn't come to this elegant room often, but the servants here didn't slack off. It was cleaned spotlessly without a trace of dust, and there was sandalwood burning in the room, making it quiet and elegant.
There was a lotus flower inserted in an olive vase on the pear - wood table. The petals were fresh and delicate, obviously just picked in the morning.
There was a half - person - high pool basin placed by the window. There was a faint sound of water, as if there was something in it.
Curious, Su Nansheng walked over and found a koi swimming up and down inside.
Seeing this, the little maid quickly explained,
"The eldest young master said this koi was too fat and asked to fatten it up before putting it back into the lake."
Su Nansheng was stunned at first, then smiled and shook her head. So there would be no stewed fish head soup.
She looked down at the koi for a moment and then said,
"Hong Zhu, I remember that the first person I got to know when I first entered the Marquis Mansion was you."
At that time, she was framed by Su Hele for pushing Xie Yao into the water. It was Hong Zhu who testified for her.
"Yes, Madam Su. I've been serving in the Willow - hanging Courtyard since then."
Hong Zhu curtsied. Her voice was calm, without any deliberate flattery.
Su Nansheng turned her head and looked at Hong Zhu's delicate face:
"Except for me and He Xun, few people usually come to this Willow - hanging Courtyard. It's very deserted. Do you feel lonely?"
"Never."
Hong Zhu didn't take the opportunity to complain. Her attitude was neither overbearing nor humble.
"Yes, although it's deserted here, the advantage is that there are no restrictions. It's convenient to come and go, and it's also convenient for you to do some things that others can't do."
Hong Zhu was shocked. She suddenly looked up and met Su Nansheng's deep and cold eyes.
There was no longer a smile on her face. It was solemn and cold.
Hong Zhu quickly lowered her head and whispered,
"Slave doesn't understand what Madam Su is talking about."
Su Nansheng curled her lips with a mocking look on her face:
"Since I've come here to make things clear to you, do you still think you can get away with pretending to be stupid?"
Hong Zhu didn't say a word. She just lowered her head even more.
"Since you insist on pretending to be stupid, then I'll make it clear to you. Spying, monitoring, reporting to the outside, and having secret contacts. Have I said anything wrong?"
Su Nansheng's face was calm, and her voice was also soft, but Hong Zhu felt a chill rising from the soles of her feet and going straight to her head. It made her shiver all over, and she no longer had the courage to deny it.
Hong Zhu knelt on the ground powerlessly, with her head on her folded hands. Her shoulders were shaking, as if she was crying silently.
Only then did Su Nansheng return to her seat and look down at her:
"Hong Zhu, you are from my Listening - to - the - Wind Courtyard, and you signed a life - long contract. If this matter is exposed, do you know what will happen to you? And has he ever thought about you even a little bit?"