Chapter 57 I thought that in this kind of matter, I…
Chapter 57
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather in Huadu has completely lost the summer heat and become somewhat chilly.
The boat docked after noon. After everyone disembarked, they followed Jiang Yuchu into the city to settle in. He Hansheng rode to the city defense camp, while Shen Suining took a She inkstone he had brought from Yangzhou to Yizhu Garden to visit Xie Chang.
Shen Suining sent her visiting card early, and when she arrived at Yizhu Garden, the gatekeeper led her into the courtyard.
Xie Chang wasn't painting or writing today. He had someone bring a bamboo chair to the courtyard to read. The sun was shining brightly, and when Shen Suining came in, he was dozing off while holding a book.
Seeing that this white-haired old man, whose talent was renowned throughout the capital, was now just like those sleepy children in the academy, Shen Suining couldn't help but laugh. "So even the old master can doze off while reading."
Jinji gave an awkward smile, stepped forward and gently shook Xie Chang awake, "Teacher, teacher? The little princess of the Pinghuai Marquis family has come to see you!"
Xie Chang smacked his lips twice, somewhat confused. "Marquis Pinghuai? Who's that?"
Jinji: "It's Lord Qin! Qin Yanzhi!"
Xie Chang finally opened his eyes, a hint of joy in them, and asked, "Yanzhi is back?"
“No, it’s Lord Qin’s daughter,” Jin Ji said, pointing to Shen Suining with both hands, “and also Lord He’s wife. She’s come to see you.”
Shen Suining smiled and bowed to Xie Chang. "Suining greets Uncle Xie. My father will arrive in Huadu a few days later. He had someone bring back an inkstone from Huizhou and asked me to personally deliver it to you."
As she spoke, Shen Suining opened the brocade box in her hand and handed it over.
Xie Chang loved writing implements the most. When he saw the exquisite little inkstone in the box, a hint of joy appeared in his cloudy eyes. "Oh my! It really is a treasure! Yanzhi is so thoughtful."
He reached out to take it, and Shen Suining then noticed that Xie Chang's hand was wrapped in thick bandages that extended all the way to his forearm.
She couldn't help but ask with concern, "What happened to Uncle Xie's hand?"
Xie Chang was hard of hearing and didn't hear clearly. He trembled as he took out the inkstone, holding it with great affection.
Jinji then explained for him: "Last month, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Master was accidentally burned while offering sacrifices to Lord He at home, and it has been going on for so long without getting better."
Shen Suining exclaimed, "Oh dear, we should ask a doctor to take a look."
Jinji: "I have asked him. But the teacher said that those were marks left when Lord He was reminiscing with him, and he doesn't want to recover too quickly."
Hearing this, Shen Suining was quite moved. She thought of the white-haired old scholar who was trembling as he burned paper money for his deceased friend. Even though the fire burned his arm, he only thought that his old friend had come to see him.
Xie Chang had a deep friendship with Shen Yan and He Changxin. Shen Suining had heard Shen Yan mention it many times. Seeing that the old gentleman was insistent, she didn't want to interfere. She only stayed in Yizhu Garden for a short while before leaving. She still had to go to Shou Kang Palace to pick up the Princess and bring her back to the mansion today.
After leaving Yizhu Garden, Shen Suining first went back to the Yong'an Marquis's residence to change her clothes, and then took Xiang Yemingke to the palace.
This wasn't her first time entering the palace, but it was her first time meeting the Empress Dowager and the Empress in the inner palace. In terms of kinship, they were He Hansheng's maternal grandmother and aunt.
Besides the Empress Dowager and the Empress, all the concubines with ranks in the harem were present. Seeing such a scene, Shen Suining felt a little uneasy.
Fortunately, with the Princess's personal instruction and Xiang Yemingke by her side, Shen Suining remembered the proper etiquette. Upon arriving at Shou Kang Palace, she performed the proper greetings one by one until the Empress Dowager told her to rise. Only then did she get up and sit down next to the Princess.
Sensing Shen Suining's unease, the Princess took her hand and patted it gently twice, saying softly, "You don't need to be nervous, just sit and chat. The Empress Dowager and the Empress have been wanting to see you, but haven't had the chance. Hearing that you've returned today, the Empress came to Shou Kang Palace early to wait with the Empress Dowager."
Hearing this, Shen Suining became even more flustered and forced a smile to deal with it.
"Jinling is truly blessed to have such a filial and beautiful daughter-in-law," the Empress said, looking at the Empress Dowager with gentle and dignified manners. "I think the Empress Dowager is also very pleased."
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly, her smile forced. "For the past month or so, I've heard Jinling talk about his precious daughter-in-law every day. I reckon he doesn't even talk about Asheng as frequently, which shows he genuinely likes her. Since both Jinling and Asheng are satisfied, why should I be unhappy?"
The Empress, feeling awkward for being snubbed, quickly changed the subject with a smile. Seeing that it was getting late, the Eldest Princess made an excuse to take Shen Suining back first.
After boarding the carriage back to her residence, Shen Suining finally no longer had to put on airs. She let out a slight sigh and couldn't help but mutter to herself, "This harem looks peaceful, but I never expected it to be so turbulent."
The eldest princess glanced at her and chuckled, "That's why I was reluctant to bring you into the palace at first, but we'll inevitably meet in the capital in the future, and there are some occasions we can't avoid. Just deal with them as they come."
“My mother-in-law still loves me the most,” Shen Suining chuckled, looking the princess up and down. “It’s been a month or so since I last saw her, and she looks much better than before, which puts my mind at ease.”
"It's been a month or so since we last met, and our Ningning has already picked up some glib talk," the princess said with a playful chuckle.
When the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law's carriage returned to the Marquis's residence, He Hansheng had already returned from the military camp.
Knowing that Shen Suining had gone to the palace to fetch the eldest princess, he waited at the gate. When he saw the eldest princess get out of the carriage, he stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Mother."
"You're back." The eldest princess helped Ming Le out of the carriage and nodded to him.
He Hansheng straightened up, walked to the carriage, and reached out to help Chen Suining.
Seeing the two of them so harmonious, the princess smiled with satisfaction. After they both came over, she went inside together.
The eldest princess asked He Hansheng, "Are you aware of the passing of your aunt?"
"I just found out," He Hansheng told the truth. He had overheard Qi Heng mentioning it casually in the military camp, which was why he rushed back.
The eldest princess sighed softly and said, "She was a pitiful person. She had been married into the He family for many years, but she could hardly say a word to your uncle. After her brother committed a crime and was executed, she fell ill and never recovered, and she just passed away a few days ago. No matter what she was like before, as a junior, now that you have returned, you should go to the mansion to offer your condolences as soon as possible."
“Your son knows. I have just sent a letter to my uncle’s house and I will be going there soon.”
Seeing that he had already made arrangements, the princess said nothing more. After the three of them went inside and exchanged pleasantries for a while, He Hansheng took Shen Suining to He Bufan's residence to offer condolences.
In front of He Hansheng, Shen Suining didn't need to pretend at all. She simply slumped into her chair, looking completely exhausted.
He Hansheng couldn't help but laugh, "You were all so energetic in front of Mother just now, why are you all so listless now?"
"You still have the nerve to ask?" Shen Suining glared at him, not even bothering to mention the reckless things he had done.
She was kept up until midnight last night, only stopping briefly after everyone who had been drinking on the deck returned to their rooms. Just before dawn, he pulled her up from her sleep again and did it to her from behind.
Shen Suining was initially puzzled. Both of them came from martial arts backgrounds and their parents' educational methods were almost identical, so why was He Hansheng so introverted and restrained while her older brother was so rebellious and unruly? After all this time, it turned out that he was just pretending to be reserved and dignified on the surface, but they were the same at heart.
In fact, because He Hansheng had lived a very repressed life in the past and had not released his emotions for a long time, the wildness and arrogance that had been suppressed in his bones were even greater.
Shen Suining cursed herself for being blind back then, for not seeing through this guy's true colors sooner!
Seeing Shen Suining glaring at him with a resentful expression, He Hansheng pondered for a moment, "I thought we were quite compatible in these matters. After all, you always—"
"Shut up!" Shen Suining couldn't predict what amazing things He Hansheng would say next, so she quickly covered his mouth, her ears turning bright red.
He Hansheng looked at her with a smile and extended his right hand in front of her.
His palms, fingertips, and the space between his thumb and forefinger were covered with two rows of teeth marks, all the work of Shen Suining. The marks were quite deep and shocking at first glance. Although he did not say a word, his eyes were full of accusation.
Seeing his smug expression, as if he'd gotten the better deal, Shen Suining's lips twitched, and she laughed angrily, "Who asked you to insist on coming from behind? And you're acting all wronged?"
He Hansheng shook his head, pulled her hand open, held it in his palm, and gently kneaded and played with it, without the slightest hint of romance.
A moment later, he looked up and suddenly said, "Ningning, I need your help."
...
Upon receiving He Hansheng's invitation, He Bufan was so angry that he trembled all over and couldn't utter a single word.
Dressed in mourning clothes, he sat in front of the mourning hall to pay respects to his deceased wife. Suddenly, he learned that He Hansheng had actually returned alive. Enraged, he stood up and threw the paper offerings in his hand into the brazier.
The fire suddenly grew much larger, and the flames reflected on his somewhat weathered and ferocious face.
He should have thought of that sooner.
Since the assassins hired by Cui Rong did not respond, he should have guessed that He Hansheng must have escaped by chance. But how could he and Shen Suining escape unscathed so easily under the siege and pursuit of more than thirty assassins?
He Bufan raised his head, staring intently at Zhou Hao's memorial tablet and coffin in front of the mourning hall, sneered, and then turned and left.
The carriage from the Yong'an Marquis's residence arrived quickly. Shen Suining jumped down from the carriage first, and then carefully helped He Hansheng down.
His right hand was bandaged, his arm was draped around his neck with a strap, his face was pale, and there seemed to be a few slight redness and swelling. Even his walking posture was somewhat shaky.
Shen Suining carefully supported him, her eyes full of worry and heartache, "Take it easy."
He Bufan was quite shocked by what he saw. He quickly stepped forward and asked with feigned concern, "What happened? How did you end up like this after just one trip to Yangzhou?"
He Hansheng coughed a few times and said weakly, "It's just a few minor injuries, nothing serious. Thank you for your concern, Uncle."
"You don't look like you've only suffered some superficial injuries!" He Bufan stepped forward and pushed Shen Suining away, then supported He Hansheng, secretly testing his internal strength.
He Hansheng was prepared and concealed his inner energy. When He Bufan exerted a little force, he coughed violently, as if he were coughing up his internal organs.
Shen Suining quickly pushed He Bufan away, "Uncle, let me do it. You're so careless, you'll just hurt him again."
"Ningning, don't talk nonsense," He Hansheng scolded in a low voice, then turned to look apologetically at He Bufan, "Uncle is just concerned about me. But Aunt has just passed away, and Uncle must be very sad. We just wanted to come and pay our respects to express our condolences. Uncle, don't worry, let Ningning take care of me."
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