Where did the blood come from?
The eunuch sprawled on the ground started to shake. He had already cleaned the traces of blood by his lips when he entered. He thought about how he was going to get through this. If the Empress found out that it was his blood that had been sprayed on her favorite niece’s painting, he would definitely die. However, he dared not lie to the Empress. The Empress looked like she was going to get into an argument with King Xuan. There was not just one person who had seen him spitting blood on the painting after being hit by the guards. If they found out that he had sowed discord between the Empress and King Xuan, then he would definitely die.
“What is it? Is it difficult for you to speak?” The Empress glared at him and her already stern face looked even sharper.
“No, no, that’s not it. It is your servant. I was hit earlier and I accidentally spat blood… on it.” The eunuch shuddered and did not dare to speak again. He did not dare to mention that he had been hit by the guard because he was dazzled by King Xuan.
It was rumored that there was once a man who had been mesmerized by King Xuan and looked at him in a daze. That man was stomped and beaten to death. King Xuan hated it most when men were dazzled by his beauty. He did not know what was wrong with himself. He had dared to stare at the extremely handsome face. It was a charming face that was second to none. Then, he had been dazzled and had gotten into trouble.
It was the eunuch’s blood?
The Empress frowned and commanded sharply, “Tell me everything that happened in detail.”
The eunuch wanted to hide some things, but when he heard the anger in the Empress’ words, he did not dare to do so. He shook as he recounted the matter in detail.
There was a clatter as the jade-pattered carved teacup was smashed down heavily, the boiling hot tea in the cup covered the eunuch’s face. The eunuch started to bleed heavily. The Empress’s expression was dark with rage. She was so furious that she could not speak. She could not control her temper and threw the teacup onto the floor.
“Take him away and beat him to death!”
The servants who came up ignored the eunuch’s struggle and dragged him away.
“Your Majesty, it is all the fault of that stupid servant. It looks like King Xuan did not even see Second Miss’ face clearly. How can King Xuan bear to part with such a beauty with his willpower?” Eunuch Liu was the Empress’ lead eunuch. He did not dare to say anything else when he saw how furious the Empress looked. He changed the topic and spoke carefully, trying to say things that would please the Empress. “Second Miss is so beautiful. King Xuan would not do something like this if he saw her.”
Ling Fengyan was the second child of the Ding General Manor. Ling Mingyan was the first miss of the family. She was the daughter of the second sir of the Ding General Manor. Her father was Ling Mingyan’s father’s brother. They were both the main young misses of the Ding General Manor. As such, she was also considered nobility. She was also gentler and kinder than Ling Mingyan. Even though she rarely appeared before others, she was known to be gentle and gracious. She had always been the biggest triumph card in the Empress’ hand.
“Hurmph, since he doesn’t like her, then I don’t need to keep sending her to him.” The Empress was angry. Her beautiful niece was not some second-rate goods. Why would she keep sending her to King Xuan? It would just be an insult to her status. Since Feng Yuran had not seen her, then it was just him being unlucky that he could not get such a ravishing beauty.
“Your Majesty, you want to…” Eunuch Liu was the Empress’ confidant and naturally knew what the Empress meant. He asked her about what she wanted softly.
“Naturally, Fengyan is a good girl. Not anyone who wants to marry her can marry her. We will see who can marry her based on their capabilities!” The Empress leaned backward, her face softened and her smile cold.
No matter whether Feng Yuran had seen Fengyan’s picture or not, it would not be appropriate to send her picture to him again. If no one wants the gift, then they would see who can get it and fight for it. The Empress Dowager’s birthday was happening in a few months. There would be a grand banquet in the palace. The Emperor would host it outside while the Empress would host it inside. She would have Fengyan appear in front of everyone and stun them. Feng Yuran would not be the only one who would want her. The other two would definitely be interested… She smiled when she thought of that.
If she released the news then that she had originally intended to marry Fengyan to King Xuan…
“Your Majesty, the painting?” Eunuch Liu presented the ruined picture when he saw that the Empress’ mood was pretty good.
The Empress did not even look at it before throwing it into the heater beside her. The picture immediately turned into ashes. Then, she turned around and brought her servants into the inside hall. The wind blew through the windows and a few pieces of blood-tainted paper flew out from the heating stove, landing in front of a person wearing a light brown robe. He picked up the paper to see Ling Fengyan’s lively eyes which were tainted by filth.
He looked at it carefully and blew away the ashes on the edges of the paper and kept it in his shirt before walking in.
The guard at the doors saw him approaching and knelt down, crying loudly, “His Highness, King Yan, is here!”
In General Manor.
The etiquette nannies were both very strict, this was especially so for Nanny Li, who was sent to teach Mo Xuetong. Even though there was a smile on her round face at all times, she would never allow Mo Xuetong to pass easily. She would point out her mistakes immediately and get her to fix them immediately. Fortunately, even though she was strict, she did not intentionally make things difficult for Mo Xuetong. She was fair and business-like. She had an imposing natural aura and everything she did make Mo Xuetong feel that she was not just an ordinary etiquette nanny but someone of status.
In her past life, Mo Xuetong had not undergone strict etiquette training. Auntie Fang had never intended to make her a good lady and her father ignored matters of the inner courtyard. He treated her coldly since her return from Cloud City and they rarely saw each other. Mo Xuemin had an etiquette nanny but she did not. After that, she went to Sima Lingyun’s duke manor and Sima Lingyun’s mother picked on her all the time. She was busy serving her mother-in-law day in and day out and did not have time to study etiquette.
Sima Lingyun’s mother was in charge of all matters regarding the family outside. She was just a wife who stayed deep inside the household. She was not even in charge of household matters, much less anything else. Her etiquette was just to carefully take care of Sima Lingyun and her mother. She had only been in charge of the house for a few days during a difficult period before Madam Hou took the rights from her.
Furthermore, she had, at that time, thought that it was because Sima Lingyun loved her and did not want her to take care of these matters and also did not get anyone to make things difficult for her and teach her.
However, she did not know that the best way to get other noble ladies to accept her was to be dignified and to know her etiquette.
She was from a noble family and naturally had her own social circle. If those from the social circle did not acknowledge her, then how could she assimilate into their lives well? She would not make the same mistakes she had in her past life in this life. Her etiquette was poor and she would definitely put in work to improve it. As such, she was very grateful towards Old Madam Xu for finding her Nanny Li and was also very respectful to Nanny Li.
Even though the maids and Mother Xu were very sweet to her, but their knowledge was limited because of their status. She naturally needed someone else to teach her. Nanny Li became that strict instructor. Mo Xuetong respected Nanny Li from the bottom of her heart. She did not feel that her strict behavior was difficult. She knew that Nanny Li was a kind person and truly wanted to teach her etiquette well.
One had to suffer to become a better person than others. She knew that!
Fortunately, Mo Xuetong was also very smart. Even though she always made mistakes at first, but she paid attention and studied hard. Her demeanor began to exude graciousness in a few days. Nanny Li was very satisfied. The training after that would be much simpler.
These were the most peaceful days Mo Xuetong had. No matter whether it was before or after her rebirth. There were no plots and no schemes.
The Old Madam truly doted on her. She had everything that Luo Mingzhu had in terms of food or games. Sometimes, she gets things even before Luo Mingzhu. There were a few times when Luo Mingzhu complained to the Old Madam that she had to have the same things as Mo Xuetong.
Mo Xuetong intentionally teased Luo Mingzhu with the things she had gotten but Luo Mingzhu hadn’t. This made Luo Mingzhu so angry that she grabbed Mo Xuetong and tickled her until she called uncle.
Mo Huawen also cared about her daughter deeply. Even though he did not visit her every day, but he would definitely visit every few days. Even though he did not stay for long each time, Mo Xuetong was pleased with her father’s good intentions. Their relationship had been distant in her past life. She only realized in this life that her father loved her very deeply no matter in her past life or this life.
“Miss, look, Auntie Mo and Auntie Qing sent more bolts of cloth over. They said that they were afraid that you won’t get clothes to change here and had intentionally sent the cloth the palace sent to you. They told you to make a few pieces of clothing. This pink cotton is really nice. Look at how smooth and bright it is. It is even smoother than Mo Lan’s face.” Mo He pulled open a bolt of cloth and exclaimed excitedly.
The Mo Manor had already sent things over for the fifth time this month!
Mo Xuemin had sent people to send some things over, saying that she was deeply sorry for dragging down her younger sister’s reputation. She heard Mother Xu say that Mo Xuemin was even more gentle towards others after her illness. She did not scold or hit the servants and even got Auntie Fang to become vegetarian with her. The two of them stayed in their courtyards and observed the vegetarian fast. They would sometimes go to the ancestral hall and kneel there for periods, saying they want to clear their hearts of desires. Mo Huawen could not even get angry at them and had long withdrawn his orders to keep them locked up.
Mo Xuetong, of course, did not believe that Mo Xuemin would truly become “vegetarian”. She was only hiding her true self even better after this incident! She would be more difficult to deal with. Mo Xuetong caressed the clothes that Mo Xuemin sent. The beautiful and luxurious cloth as smooth to touch, but made her feel cold for some reason. She smiled coldly. She looked as if she was not afraid of her opponent, but was only afraid that she would have a bad teammate. If Mo Xuemin wanted to recover her position in their father’s heart, this might not be enough.
It was just like the clothes she sent this time, the flaws were so obvious!
This definitely was not something the careful Mo Xuemin would do. Auntie Fang, she suddenly started to “admire” Auntie Fang! She was really providing timely assistance. She was still feeling troubled about being in General Manor and could not get Mo Xuemin into trouble. She did not expect Auntie Fang to give her a helping hand so quickly. How great!
“Father, Tong’er doesn’t want Eldest Sister’s clothes. Eldest Sister doesn’t have enough clothes herself, so how can I take her clothes? Eldest sister sent these clothes here three times and keeps sending it back to me when I send them back to her. Father, tell Eldest Sister that she had better keep the clothes for herself.” Mo Xuetong said with a frown.
“Since your Eldest Sister keeps sending them to you, it means that she is really sincere about giving it to you. Wear the clothes first. Your Eldest Sister has plenty of clothes.” Mo Huawen took the luxurious clothing happily and smiled as he held it up against Mo Xuetong. “Tong’er, you would look good wearing this. Will you wear it and show me?”
“They are the Eldest Sister’s clothing. How can I wear them?” Mo Xuetong pouted reluctantly. Her cute actions pleased Mo Huawen greatly and he insisted on her wearing the clothes.
Mo Xuetong could not do anything about it. As such, she brought Mo He into the room and changed. Then, Mo He dragged her out of the room.
It was a blue colored skirt that was embroidered with orchids. There were lotus flowers embroidered with gold silk at the waist. The embroidery made her waist look long and slender, like a willow plant. However, it also showed off her shortcomings. She was half a head shorter than Mo Xuemin and the dress looked very much too long. Mo He pulled her and she almost fell when entering the door.
She would have fallen if Mo Lan had not acted fast enough.
