Chapter 46: Past Events 3 She wants to trip me up, just come at me
Mei Zi was puzzled. "Young Madam has only been married into the Xie family for a few months. She probably doesn't even know about that past incident. How could she have...dug it up?"
Zhang Qianer smiled wryly: "It's precisely because I don't know that I can use her hand to turn it over."
She then lowered her voice and whispered in Mei Zi's ear for a while.
Mei Zi was horrified after hearing this: "If the young master knew about this, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay in the Xie Mansion any longer."
Zhang Qian'er patiently soothed him, "If you and I don't tell each other, how would Brother Ziyu know? Besides, this isn't some heinous act of murder or arson. It's just a little push to expose something that happened a long time ago. It's no big deal."
As she spoke, she took off another golden hairpin from her head and placed it in Mei Zi's hand: "This one is for you too."
Mei Zi was a little embarrassed: "Cousin..."
Zhang Qian'er fanned the flames, saying, "Don't you also hate this young mistress? If you can give her a good beating, or even get her divorced, wouldn't your life in the Xie Mansion be much easier from now on?"
Mei Zi wavered, and after a moment's hesitation, she said, "Then I'll give it a try."
On the way back to Chunhua Courtyard, Zhang Xiuhua looked worried. "Miss, do you think Zhang Qian'er is hanging around the main courtyard again? Will she cause trouble for us in front of the old lady?"
Su He didn't care at all: "If she wants to trip me up, just let her come."
"Anyway, miss, you must not be careless."
Su He said, "I understand."
After a moment, he said, "Let's go to the main courtyard later. Since the old lady has been bedridden for a long time, we should visit her occasionally."
Zhang Xiuhua breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay, we'll go after noon."
When Su He went to the main courtyard, Xu Nanzhi had just woken up from her lunch break and was drinking tea in the house.
Nanny Han blocked Su He outside the door and said in a dignified tone, "The old lady has been unwell these past few days. I don't know if it is convenient for her to see the young lady. Please allow me to go and inform her first."
Su He's expression remained calm: "Thank you, Madam Han."
At least half a quarter of an hour passed before Nanny Han came out and led Su He in.
Inside the house, Xu Nanzhi lay half-reclining on the couch, her face haggard and exhausted, her tone filled with dissatisfaction: "I heard you often go out of the house. I don't know what you are busy with all day. Today you have some free time to come to my place."
Su He was too lazy to argue with an old lady.
She took a brocade box from Zhang Xiuhua and said, "These are some precious medicinal herbs that my daughter-in-law bought for my mother. I hope they will bring her good health and a long life."
Nanny Han hurried forward to take it and said, "Young Madam is so thoughtful."
Xu Nanzhi's expression remained sullen. "With my shabby body, even thousand-year-old dragon meat wouldn't be enough. Don't waste money like that next time. Although the Xie family enjoys the emperor's favor, their foundation in the court is still shallow. You must spend your food and drink within your means."
Considering the jewels and silver stored in the Xie family's warehouse, it is not surprising that they have to "live within their means".
The old lady was obviously trying to make trouble for no reason and take advantage of her.
But she didn't mind and still answered "yes" obediently.
Xu Nanzhi glanced at her gloomily: "Zi Yu set off a lot of fireworks for you last time. It must have cost a lot of money, right?"
It turned out that he was waiting for her here.
She replied, "The money for the fireworks did not come from the public purse, but from my husband's private pocket."
Xu Nanzhi paused, "Zi Yu actually told you about his own private affairs?"
Su He lied, "My daughter-in-law forced me to tell her."
Xu Nanzhi sighed with an ambiguous tone, then sat up and drank a sip of tea. "Even if he has some private money, he definitely won't spend a single cent on a mother like me."
"How about I ask my husband to set off some fireworks for my mother as well?"
Xu Nanzhi waved her hand: "Forget it, forget it. I'm old, why should I watch fireworks? You guys keep your money."
Then he added, "Ziyu's birthday is coming up in a few days. If you have the time, why not give him a lively birthday party?"
Su He was stunned for a moment and replied "yes" again.
She had actually forgotten about Xie Wuhen's birthday, luckily Xu Nanzhi mentioned it casually.
He set off fireworks for her, so even if it was just a gift in return, she should prepare something well for his birthday.
She asked, "Does mother mean to give my husband a big celebration?"
"Zi Yu is only in his twenties, so there's no point in having a grand birthday celebration. Let's just have the Xie family get together."
The three branches of the Xie family were not harmonious to begin with. She had experienced this on the day of the tea ceremony. Now they were going to gather the three branches together again. She wondered if something would go wrong.
Fortunately, she was an outsider and had nothing to do with anything that happened.
She bowed her head and replied, "Mother is right."
In the next few days, Su He put aside the matter of revenge and concentrated on preparing for the birthday party.
Finally, she called Wu Sheng over and asked, "Do you know what your boss's favorite thing to do is?"
Wu Sheng rubbed the back of his head and said, "Boss's favorite thing to do... is sword dancing? Does that count?"
Su He shook his head: "Not really."
Wu Sheng tried to recall: "Does liking tea count?"
Su He continued to shake his head: "Not really."
Wu Sheng was really confused: "What the boss does most of the time is just investigating cases and reviewing case files, what else could it be?"
Chunlan, who was standing by, said unhappily, "You've been with your boss for so many years, and it was all in vain."
Wu Sheng muttered quietly: "The young lady is the boss's wife, doesn't she know all this?"
Su He was stunned when he heard this and remained speechless for a long time.
She was indeed his wife, and she really didn't understand him. In fact, she had never deliberately tried to understand him.
At this moment, she suddenly realized his loneliness.
Su He thought about it and changed the question: "I want to invite a troupe of actors to your boss's birthday. Do you think he would be happy?"
Wu Sheng's eyes lit up: "Of course I'm happy. The boss's favorite opera is Bailiangguan."
"Bailiangguan?"
"Yes, it tells the story of a father and son who reunited after ten years of separation."
Su He asked tentatively, "Your boss must miss the deceased general very much, right?"
Wu Sheng sighed, "Of course. The black iron sword the boss is using now is the one the general carried with him back then."
"So that's how it is."
It turned out that he had a deep regret for losing his father.
It turns out that the long sword he carries with him also has such an origin.
The only time she saw the sword unsheathed was the day he killed an escaped prisoner on the street.
Su He didn't have time to think about it, and immediately ordered Zhang Xiuhua to go to the city to invite a troupe of actors, and specifically asked them to sing "Bailiangguan".
Xie Wuhen’s birthday is in five days.
It was rare for her to get up early with him, help him wash and change his clothes, and prepare breakfast for him.
Breakfast on weekdays is either corn porridge or steamed cakes, but today's breakfast is a bowl of longevity noodles with fragrant egg custard.
He looked at the meal in front of him and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, my lady."
She smiled gently: "My husband, there is no need to be polite to this poor concubine."
Then she reminded him, "Today is my husband's birthday. We have a banquet at home. You should come back early."
He replied, "Don't worry, my lady. I will be back as soon as I finish my business at the government office."
It was just noon when Xie Wuhen returned home.
At that time, the banquet had not yet been set up, and people from several branches of the Xie family were sitting in the hall chatting.
Seeing Xie Wuhen enter the room, they all stood up and offered him their seats.
Even Xie Jin, his uncle, came forward to greet him: "Sir, you are busy with official duties today. You must be very tired."
Xie Wuhen clasped his fists and saluted: "Thank you for your concern, uncle, and for taking the trouble to make this trip."
Xu Nanzhi reminded: "Your uncle took a day off today specifically to celebrate your birthday."
Wang Yue'e sneered at this, "Second Master didn't just ask for leave, he even had this outfit specially made for his visit to the main chamber today. I wonder if it's for Zi Yu to see, or for Eldest Sister-in-law to see?"
Xu Nanzhi suddenly choked up, turned her head, picked up the teacup and drank tea, hiding the embarrassment on her face.
Xie Jin growled, "Don't cause any trouble today."
Wang Yue'e rolled her eyes at him and said, "If you think I'm causing trouble, then don't let me come over."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.
Xie Wuhen secretly clenched his fist: "If Second Aunt doesn't want to come here, you can go back now."
"I don't like what you said, Ziyu..."
Wang Yue'e was about to retort when she was interrupted by Xie Wujiang beside her, "Mother...Mother, please...speak less."
He then explained to Xie Wuhen: "Brother, it's your birthday today, don't...don't argue with my mother." Then he pulled Wang Yue'e to sit on the official hat chair.
Wang Yue'e was unwilling to give up, so she pinched her son's arm hard, causing Xie Wujiang to frown in pain.
Zhang Biyu also stepped in to smooth things over: "Today is Ziyu's birthday. Third Aunt doesn't have any other skills, so with the little needlework I have, I made you a pair of boots. I wonder if you will like them."
As she spoke, she took the newly made boots from the maid and handed them to Xie Wuhen.
Xie Wuhen thanked him sincerely.
The atmosphere finally calmed down, and everyone presented gifts to the birthday boy.
Xie Jin gave a set of expensive study treasures and a painting for Wang Yue'e.
Xie Wujiang gave a snuff bottle, and Xie Shuang gave a box of longevity peach cakes that he made himself.
Since Xu Nanzhi didn't prepare any gifts, she just gave a stack of banknotes.
At this time, Zhang Qianer, who was sitting in the corner, also stood up and walked forward, bowing to Xie Wuhen.
Xie Wuhen looked at her solemnly: "You're here again?"
The tone of the word "again" is questioning, and even more so, it shows obvious disgust.
Zhang Qian'er smiled and said, "I am now the young lady of the Li family. Lord Xie is my brother-in-law after all. Today I am here to celebrate his birthday at the behest of my parents-in-law. Could it be that Lord Xie wants to drive me away?"
The three words "Thank you, sir" revealed deep resentment and coldness.
Xie Wuhen replied coldly: "It's better to have less contact with each other in the future."
Zhang Qian'er choked, tears welling up in her eyes. After a moment, she fiercely suppressed the tears. "We are blood relatives. Even if our bones are broken, they are still connected by tendons. Master Xie, are you trying to disown all your relatives?"
Xie Wuhen answered directly: "Some relatives are better not to acknowledge them."
"You..." Zhang Qian'er was so angry that she was speechless.
Xu Nanzhi hurriedly tried to persuade him, "Qian'er, that's just his personality. Don't argue with him. Come sit next to me."
Nanny Han also came forward and pulled Zhang Qianer to sit next to Xu Nanzhi.
Xu Nanzhi comforted her and then told Han Mama: "Everyone is here. Go to the kitchen and ask the young lady to prepare the feast."
Nanny Han replied "yes" and turned to leave the main hall.
Zhang Qian'er stared at Nanny Han's back, a hint of pride flashing across her lips.
At this time in the kitchen.
Meizi rushed into the house and said, "Young Madam, something bad has happened."
Su He, who was busy arranging the dishes, paused when he heard this: "What's the accident?"
"Isn't there a vinegar-seared crab dish on our menu? I saw that the crabs prepared by the kitchen weren't enough, so I asked the crab vendor to send ten more pounds of crabs to our mansion. Unfortunately, the crab vendor didn't know the way and couldn't find the main gate of our mansion. He actually sent the crabs to the east gate, which is a side gate and is always locked. I don't have the key, and now that the banquet is about to begin, what do you say...what should I do?"
Su He looked at her inquiringly: "You mean, should I go to the East Gate to pick her up?"
Mei Zi glanced at the key on Su He's waist: "After all... only the young lady can open the east gate."
Su He smiled slightly: "Okay, then I'll go to the east gate now."
After a pause, he added, "You can come with me."
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