As a result, she was not kicked out for sweeping the floor. On the contrary, she was promoted to the status of a servant Manager. This was the approach Su Yunjin had towards her staff.
Cuiju quickly ran to Su Yunjin’s room, where she found Yunjin grading the students’ papers with a vermillion pen, circling the mistakes in red and praising the well-written papers.
Yin Hongmei stood quietly by the side, her hands hung down.
But her eyes remained fixed on the papers in front of her because one of them was hers.
Every question on the ten-question paper was answered correctly. Written on her paper, Su Yunjin had penned the phrase "A treasure sword is honed from grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitterness of cold."
Upon seeing these words, Yin Hongmei was somewhat moved. With her own hard work and effort, reaching this level of learning had not been easy, especially as she was nearly the oldest among the students at fourteen years old.
If she didn’t work hard now, she would really have no more opportunities to strive.
Amidst her silent contemplation, the door was gently knocked. Su Yunjin was roused from her grading and looked up at Yin Hongmei, "Hong Mei, open the door."
Yin Hongmei went to open the door and saw Cuiju.
Cuiju was older than Hong Mei, but since Hong Mei was the chief servant, Cuiju respectfully addressed her as Sister Hong Mei.
"Um, what’s the matter?"
"I’m looking for the lady."
After hearing this, Yin Hongmei took a step back and said, "Come in."
Cuiju bowed to Su Yunjin. Su Yunjin glanced at Cuiju and said, "Oh, Cuiju, have you finished the work upfront?"
Cuiju replied, "All done, lady. I have something to report to you. It seems someone has infiltrated our inner court with a spy."
Su Yunjin was startled and then quickly turned to Yin Hongmei, "Close the door."
Cuiju began, "It’s . Just now, Zhuzi, the sweeper..."
Cuiju relayed the incident from beginning to end. Su Yunjin nodded gently, "Hmm, it is suspicious. Hong Mei, please go call Si Xi."
Hong Mei immediately ran to fetch Si Xi, as there were many things he could do, so there was no need to disturb Chen Jie since he was very busy.
Soon, Si Xi arrived, "Lady."
Si Xi bowed to Su Yunjin, who stood and said, "Si Xi, I’ve called you over despite your busy schedule because there’s something. Cuiju."
Hearing this, Cuiju quickly recounted the day’s events. After hearing Cuiju’s report, Si Xi’s face revealed a faintly odd expression and he didn’t speak immediately.
Su Yunjin said, "Si Xi, did you understand?"
"I did. Is this information useful? And it won’t harm my Lord, will it?"
Si Xi replied, "Lady, don’t worry, this matter of Zhuzi being a spy, the Hall Master is aware, and it has been investigated thoroughly. It was Tang Ziyue under Nan Batian who sent him."
"Ah, this, knowing this, why keep him around?"
Su Yunjin asked, puzzled. Si Xi explained, "Lady, an exposed spy is actually the safest. Having him around can be very useful sometimes. I just didn’t expect this boy to be so eager to prove his worth that he was discovered by Miss Cuiju."
After hearing this, Cuiju slightly nodded and said, "Lord Si Xi jests. I hope my presumption did not affect the Hall Master and the Lord’s plans."
Si Xi said, "There’s no harm, but what you did, Miss Cuiju, has given me a reminder. How about you help me with something?"
Cuiju answered, "I only take orders from the lady. If the lady agrees, then I agree."
Si Xi looked towards Su Yunjin, and Yunjin remarked, "Well, what favor is it? Speak."
"I would like Miss Cuiju to help me deliver a message to Zhuzi."
Cuiju inquired, looking at Si Xi, "Fake news?"
Si Xi clarified, "No, real news."
Cuiju was startled – how could they give away real news? Wouldn’t she become a real spy by doing so? She looked at Si Xi, puzzled.
Si Xi chuckled, "Because sometimes true news is more useful than false information, hehe..."
With a laugh, Si Xi was relieved; he had completed the task assigned by the Hall Master.
At that moment, in the study, Han He commented as she watched Cuiju leave, "Your servants seem to have quite the cunning. They haven’t secretly climbed into your bed, have they? I’m really worried for your wife. Can she withstand all of these enchanting harlots?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie poured himself a cup of tea, "Would you like to help my wife?"
"What do you mean? Take my sister as a concubine?"
Han He looked at Chen Jie teasingly, "Chen Jiusi, you’re not old, but I didn’t expect you to have such a roving eye. My sister is very fierce. Can you handle her?"
Chen Jie looked at Han He upon hearing this and said, "One of you alone wouldn’t suffice. It’s only fun if the twin lotuses come together."
"You really are twisted. I’m warning you, it’s fine to mess with me, just don’t think of targeting my sister."
Han He stared at Chen Jie.
"What a good sister. Touching."
Chen Jie appeared moved, while Han He said, "I’m not joking, stay away from my sister, got it?"
Chen Jie waved it off, "Relax, I’m not some demon who goes crazy at the sight of women. I only admire women. Enough of that, let’s not talk about this now. Did you get a hold of those military weapons?"
At this, Han He responded, "Yes, Alian has returned to the city. They have all been salvaged and loaded for transport."
Chen Jie said, "Good, with some caution, this batch of military weapons will safely reach the Northern lands."
Listening, Han He looked at Chen Jie, "I have to say, you do have a bit of cunning in you."
Chen Jie merely smiled without speaking.
Indeed, this was a grand scheme, and within this plan, Chen Jie had not only duped Nan Batian, but also bypassed everyone’s eyes and smuggled the batch of military weapons out of the city.