Naturally, he had written a letter. In the letter, big brother had even told her in a carefree tone that the poisonous bug was so smart that it had burrowed into his leg. He had watched the imperial physician fiddle around for quite a while before finally getting it out.
When Su Wan'er recalled reading that letter, she felt a twinge in her own leg. It must have hurt so much. Big brother had always been reluctant to use anesthetic when injured, for fear of affecting his future movements. He surely hadn't used it this time either. It must have been excruciating.
"Yeah, it's good that you're okay. Wan'er's still waiting for you to go to war," she said, forcing back her tears. For some reason, she felt especially vulnerable today.
"How about your side? The people from the Southern Border aren't very powerful, but they're extremely cunning. You didn't get the better of them, did you?"
"No. Miss is amazing. This time, she even wiped out the Southern Border troops. Everyone in the army praised Miss, saying she was valiant and invincible."
"You're such a sweet talker," General Su said, nodding approvingly at Qingcao.
"Wan'er, there's nothing much going on with me, but there's one thing I need to talk to you about. It's also on behalf of Jingtian."
Su Wan'er knew what this was about. So she quickly sent Qingcao away. "Go pour me a cup of tea. I'm thirsty."
"Hey, aren't you two always so close? Why are you sending her away now?"
"Of course I have my reasons. I've long guessed what you're going to say, and it's not something Qingcao should hear."
"You've guessed it already. Then I'll just come straight to the point. You know that Jingtian has only had eyes for you since childhood. When you got married into the palace that year, he almost lost his life. It was me who saved him.
Now that you're out, the royal family only made you marry into the palace to balance the power of our Su family. It's time for you to make some plans."
To Su Wan'er, General Su was her big brother. To Gu Jingtian, he was both his superior and a long - time comrade - in - arms. Naturally, he had to consider things carefully. So he had been thinking about this for a long time.
"Big brother, stop trying to matchmake. You're just wasting your efforts. You know I only see Jingtian as an older brother," Su Wan'er was always straightforward. She was best at crushing people's hopes, which left General Su helpless.
"You told Jingtian that too? You're really infuriating."
"I'm just telling the truth. I really only see him as an older brother. I think he and Qingcao are a good match." For some reason, just like her big brother's intention to matchmake her with Jingtian, Su Wan'er had always been thinking about getting Qingcao and Gu Jingtian together.
"You silly girl, don't talk nonsense. How can you just pair them up?"
"I'm not talking nonsense. Qingcao's feelings are written all over her face. I've seen it a long time ago. Qingcao and I have been like sisters since childhood. She's not just a servant anymore. Why not?"
"That's not what I'm talking about. Jingtian's not the kind of person who cares about status. But the person he's always had feelings for is you. You personally introducing someone else to him is just nonsense." General Su really wanted to pry open this girl's head to see if there was anything in it besides military books.
"How is this nonsense? It's a good thing. It's because Brother Jingtian likes me that he won't reject the person I introduce. If you introduced someone to him, he might even be disgusted." Su Wan'er thought this matter should be done sooner rather than later, and it was just right for her to bring it up. Maybe this good thing would work out.
"You really are a bit naive. Your mind is all on the battlefield. I'd like to advise you. Let Jingtian go. Don't end up driving him crazy." General Su looked at Su Wan'er and then thought for a while. "If you can't let anyone else into your heart, do you still have feelings for him?"
"Who?" Su Wan'er looked blank.
"The emperor. You were married to him after all. This time, both father and I had accidents. We really needed you on the battlefield. It was okay for you to go. I'm sure the emperor understood. Now I'm asking you, if there were no battles on the battlefield, would you have never left the palace?"
Facing her big brother's in - depth gaze, Su Wan'er knew that as the family member who had known her best since childhood, she couldn't hide anything from him. But she still thought that she had reasons to hate the palace. She never wanted to go back there again. "Who said that? I just hate the palace and those women in it. Who would want to stay there?"
"No wonder... There are no longer any of those women. It seems the emperor really cares about you. Maybe you should think about it again."
"What? Big brother, what do you mean? Why are there no longer any women?" Su Wan'er was completely confused. What was her big brother talking about? She couldn't understand a word.
"The emperor has dismissed all the concubines in the harem. Didn't you know? Now there isn't a single concubine in the palace. The empress dowager is arranging to select suitable women, but the emperor has never made a decision. It seems he intends to keep the harem empty."
General Su thought that since Su Wan'er had returned to the capital, she should have known about this, as it was the most sensational thing in the capital.
Dismissing the harem. Su Wan'er was shocked. How was that possible? How could he dismiss the harem?
"People are saying that it's because the imperial concubine Xi had an affair with someone else, which angered the emperor, so he took this action. But as his younger brother, I've always thought that he did it mostly for my sister."
Looking at her blank face, General Su suddenly thought that although his sister was a bit naive in this regard, she was really outstanding. She even had two such excellent suitors as the emperor and Jingtian to choose from. It seemed that his teachings had really paid off.
Su Wan'er came back to her senses. Looking at her big brother's self - satisfied face, she knew that he must be daydreaming again.
"Big brother! Do you still think this is a good thing?" Su Wan'er felt a headache just thinking about it.
"Of course it's a good thing. The emperor dismissed the harem for the daughter of our Su family. Wan'er, you've really brought glory to our family," General Su sighed with emotion.
"You! Big brother! Do you know how much I hate Si Junlin? And yet you're on his side? This morning he still..."
"No wonder I didn't see you come and visit me this morning. So you went to the palace first. It seems that a daughter really does grow up and leave home," General Su sighed again.
"Come on, what are you talking about, Su Yu!" Su Wan'er was so angry that she called him by his full name. "You know why I got married into the palace. And at that time, didn't you also tell me to assist him in managing the harem for the harmony of the court? How could I have such feelings for Si Junlin? I can't stand him enough."