The Mo Manor welcomed a few guests from the Qin Manor early in the morning. They were distant relatives of the Mo and were not very close. Even though they also had responsibilities in court, they could not be compared to Mo Huawen. They had used the excuse of visiting the old madam to visit since she was living in the Mo Manor and had brought a young master and a young lady with them.
The madam of that family chatted with the old madam and got the young people to go out.
Mo Yufeng had accompanied Qin Yufeng over coincidentally. One of them had mentioned meeting Mo Xuetong. As such, the crowd went to Mo Xuetong’s Qingwei Garden excitedly under the lead of Mo Xuemin.
Mo Xuetong had woken up a little late because of her poor health. She had just cleaned up and was about to go and greet the old madam when the crowd arrived. She did not approach them but waited under the eaves.
Those who had come were related to the old madam. The elder sister, Wang Yilan, was 16 while the brother, Wang Minglou, was 15.
The two teenagers were at the right age to be curious. Naturally, the first thing they wanted to do when they visited the Mo Manor was to see the main daughter. Furthermore, Qin Yufeng, who was not considered an outsider, and Mo Yufeng, would be going along with so many people. It was not considered impolite for them to visit Mo Xuetong’s Qingwei Garden.
“First Miss Mo, Third Miss Mo stays really far away. It is really inconvenient for others to visit.” The 15-year-old Wang Minglou was a direct person and would not beat about the bush. He did not see the awkward expression on Mo Xuemin’s face.
“Young Master Wang might not know this, but it is Auntie Fang who picked this place. It is said that Third Sister prefers quietness, so she stays a little further away. It is not a big matter.” Mo Xueqiong really disliked Mo Xuemin right now and made a sarcastic jibe at her.
Wang Minglou wanted to ask something again but he came to a realization when his sister tugged on his sleeve. He immediately laughed dryly and did not say anything else. He had heard about the matters about the Mo Manor as well but had not paid attention earlier.
A concubine would after all not truly treat the madam’s child well. It was normal for Auntie Fang to put Mo Xuetong in a room near the corner of the manor.
The situation was a little awkward then. Wang Yilan smiled at Mo Xuemin and said, “I heard that Third Miss’s health has always been poor. She really has to take care in the winter. I had a cousin who laid down a lot because of her poor health. However, her health deteriorated even more. One really has to take in more sun.”
“That’s true. My third sister has always been in poor health. She misses her birth mother after she passed away and fell ill. She was left behind in Cloud City because she was so ill she could not get up. Father had no choice but to leave her behind in grandaunt’s house. Even though she is slightly better, her health is still poor.” Mo Xuemin frowned slightly, a hint of worry on her face.
“The weather is pretty good today. We might as well ask third sister to walk around and soak up some sun since everyone is here.” Mo Yufeng spoke up in approval.
The few went to Qingwei Garden. Mo Xuetong was already waiting for her guests under the eaves.
She was wearing a beautiful emerald green dress today. There was a dark silver hem at the bottom of her brightly colored green satin. The cuffs, collars, and skirt of the dress were embroidered with dark green thread. The dress had eight pleats and the lotuses on the dress moved with each step she took. Lotuses blossomed with each step she took. She wore a simple bun on her head with a silver pin dripping with jade pinned askew on it. There was a teardrop-shaped jade on her ears which complemented her jade-colored ears. Her snow-like skin was charming and clear, making her resemble a shyly blossoming lotus flower.
She was elegant and calm while charming and gentle. She smiled lightly and was no longer the cowardly and weak person she was when she lived in the Qin manor. Her image was that of a gracious main daughter who lived in the depths of her home and was completely different from how she had been when she left the Qin manor. Not only had her disposition changed, but even her facial features and figure had also developed. Her slender waist was tiny and she looked like a young lady.
“Third Sister, has your health improved greatly? I and a few guests have come to visit you. Shall we go take a walk around the gardens? The weather today is not bad.” Mo Xuemin went forward with a smile. She had, in a few words, shown off how close the two sisters were and brought up the fact that they had guests. Mo Xuetong would find it hard to refuse.
“Eldest Sister, I still feel a little weak and I fear that I will not be able to walk for long. Why don’t you accompany the guests for a walk? I will prepare tea and wait for you all to come back when you feel tired and we shall have tea together. How about that?” Mo Xuetong refused calmly.
“Let’s go, we will just be admiring the plum blossoms in the garden. The ones in our garden bloomed this morning. They have been here since we moved in and Father did not order anyone to get rid of them. However, they did not bloom at all the year before when we came and even though there were a few blossoms last year, they were not beautiful. It’s different this year though. I heard that the blossoms are really beautiful even though they bloomed somewhat later than the other families. Fortunately, it’s still not too late and it is still a good time to admire the blossoms.” Mo Xuemin said gently.
“If you feel tired later, you can rest there for a while. I have ordered the servants to block up the pavilion and even set up a warming stove in there. There is wine and food there. We can drink while admiring the blossoms and it would be a lovely affair.” Mo Xuemin said with a smile. She approached Mo Xuetong and held her hand sincerely while holding on to Wang Yilan with her other hand.
It was as if she had prepared everything for Mo Xuetong.
Mo Xuetong would be considered unreasonable if she did not go since Mo Xuemin had said something like that!
“Third Sister had better go or you would let down Eldest Sister’s good intentions. I saw Eldest Sister’s maids and servants had already gone to decorate early in the morning. It is rare for Eldest Sister to spend so much, we can bask in her glory now.” Mo Xueqiong said with a smile.
However, Mo Xuemin’s expression could not help but darken at what was said.
Even though Mo Xueqiong had not said anything about the fire at the ancestral hall, it did not mean that her heart was devoid of resentment. Mo Xuemin felt that she was getting meaner and meaner and could not appear in public and as such, pretended not to hear her. She would not make things difficult for Mo Xueqiong right now. That woman was stupid and would say anything if they fought. She might do harm to her reputation.
“Then I will bother Eldest Sister.” Mo Xuetong pretended not to notice the flash of joy in Mo Xuemin’s eyes and smiled lightly.
Mo Lan had already prepared her cape for her and helped her to put it on.
The group chatted as they walked, ignoring Mo Xueqiong. Mo Xueqiong felt rather bored and harumphed coldly. Then, she did not say anything and entered the gardens behind the group.
“First Miss, Sir Bai will open up Qin classes in the spring again. Will the young ladies of your manor attend?” Wang Yilan suddenly asked with a smile.
“Sir Bai’s Qin classes are filled with young ladies from noble and prominent families. I fear that he might not be interested in our family.” Mo Xuemin smiled gently. Then, she suddenly pulled Mo Xuetong to her side and said, “Third Sister, I heard that you are considered close to Sir Bai. He came especially to treat you when you were ill the last time. He even waited for you to wake up. How about you help to speak up for your sisters and ask Sir Bai to accept us into his class.” While she sounded like she was joking, her words had linked Mo Xuetong and Bai Yihao together.
“Third Miss Mo is very familiar with Sir Bai?” Wang Yilan’s eyes suddenly brightened.
“Eldest Sister, did you not know that Sir Bai came to help treat me because of you? I am just the daughter of a fifth-grade official who had just come to the capital. How would I get the chance to meet Sir Bai?” Mo Xuetong lifted her innocent-looking face and blinked her lively eyes questioningly. Those who saw and heard here were stunned. Then, she hurriedly reached out to cover her mouth, looking as if she had done something gravely wrong…
She smiled pitifully and said, “Oh, no. It has nothing to do with Eldest Sister. I made a mistake and thought I heard Sir Bai asking about you…I was wrong. It is Cousin who has a good relationship with Sir Bai and had invited him over. I was blessed because of him.”
The way she had tried to cover up her misstep made others suspicious. No matter whether others believed it or not, Mo Xueqiong was the first to believe it.
No wonder Mo Xuemin refused to say anything despite so many incidents with Sima Lingyun that had ruined her reputation. She wanted to marry a man with an even higher status. Mo Xueqiong was completely annoyed with Mo Xuemin and naturally wanted to make things difficult for her.
“Third Sister, of course you wouldn’t have the chance to meet Sir Bai since you just arrived from the capital. Eldest Sister used to be the most famous talented lady in the capital and went to several banquets. It would not be unusual for her to meet Sir Bai.” She said loudly just after Mo Xuetong completed her sentence.
Mo Xuemin was so angry her expression turned dark.
The two of them worked together flawlessly as if Bai Yihao had really come to treat Mo Xuetong’s illness because of her. Wang Yilan looked at her somewhat oddly.
She had only wanted to smear Mo Xuetong’s reputation but did not expect Mo Xuetong to so glibly avoided it and had also smeared her reputation instead. There was a flash of coldness in her eyes. She would bear with it. Anyway, she would see how the little slut would get out of trouble later. Auntie Fang had put in so much effort this time, how can Mo Xuetong not die!
She smiled and replied to Mo Xueqiong gently,
“Third Sister, Fourth Sister, you are both mistaken. I am not close with that Sir Bai either. I saw Sir Bai helping Third Sister many times and thought that you were very close with Sir Bai. So he had come because of the young master of the general manor. I was mistaken.” Mo Xuemin did not pursue the matter and spoke eloquently.
She seemed elegant and dignified so much that there was nothing to nitpick about. She was still that gracious First Miss Mo, which dispelled the suspicion others had about her. How could a noble lady like her do something like having an affair?
“Fourth Sister, have you not been sleeping well recently? You always sound so angry when you speak. If you do not wish to play with us, you might as well go back to your room to rest.” Mo Yufeng could not bear it and spoke sharply.
He glared at Mo Xueqiong viciously and the vitriol that was about to escape her mouth was forced back.
“Miss, Gui Yue, Auntie Fang’s maid is here to look for you. She heard that you went to Third Miss’ Qingwei Garden and came over here.” Mo Xiu ran up to them from behind and reported to Mo Xuemin.
“What does Auntie need? If she is not in a hurry, tell her to wait and I will go to Lihua Garden later.” Mo Xuemin frowned and stopped, speaking as if she was being put in a spot.
“First Miss, Auntie has already left her place and is headed to Qingwei Garden. Third Miss stays rather far away and I fear that Auntie would not have the strength to return even if I rush over now.” Mo Xiu said with an awkward expression. Auntie Fang was pregnant and had not left her courtyard all this while. The distance to Qingwei Garden was far and she would need some time to return.
Her body was heavy and she was slightly weak. She would have to rest for a while before she could return.
“Third Sister, could you let Auntie rest at your place for a while? She will return once she has the strength to. I will go to meet her once I am done accompanying the guests.” Mo Xuemin smiled and asked Mo Xuetong.
The weather had turned from sunny to dark. It even felt colder. The northwestern winds blew hard and strong, cutting their faces. It looked like it was going to rain. If Mo Xuetong let a pregnant woman walk such long distances without allowing her to rest, others would say that she was cold-blooded and unfilial.
Mo Xuemin was definitely going to let Auntie Fang rest in her Qingwei Garden. It was not too early or too late. It happened right when she left her courtyard.
She had indeed picked a good time!
