Several different ideas all rushed into her mind and Mo Xuetong couldn’t figure it out, though she knew it was not the right time to think about it!
Mo Xuetong bent over and her forehead touched the ground, “I’m too shallow and ugly to have that thought. You’re from a royal family and are worshiped as the moon. While I’m so shallow and normal, so please don’t make fun of me.”
“Hum, such a humble girl, dare to reach for my royal brother. That’s too overreaching.” Seeing Mo Xuetong was giving up, Fifth Princess was quite proud. When she suddenly remembered Mo Xuemin’s words, her face darkened, “You are just a daughter of a third-grade official and not qualified to sit equally with me to learn Qin. Get back to your place right now.”
Seeing Mo Xuetong’s loss, Ling Rui’er became proud too. She criticized Mo Xuetong and complimented Bai Yihao at the same time, “That’s true. You don’t even observe what status you have and dared to learn Qin from Sir Bai. Sir Bai is like a celestial being and you’re not even in his eyes.” Hearing her words, even Fifth Princess showed more hospitality to her.
Mo Xuetong lifted her head and answered directly and frankly, “It’s not me who wanted to learn the Qin from Sir Bai so much, but Sir Bai firstly mentioned the skills of Qin to my father. Therefore, my father let me learn the Qin from Sir Bai. It doesn’t matter if Princess thinks that I don’t deserve the chance. Please just tell Sir Bai that I’ve come here. If I miss the appointment, it’s just because of destiny.”
With Ling Rui’er by her side, Fifth Princess wouldn’t let her leave. Anyway, her father was a third-grade official and was thought highly of by Emperor Zongwen. Besides, her mother’s family was Fu General Manor. No matter how arrogant Fifth Princess was, she had to take these into consideration. Mo Xuetong didn’t believe Fifth Princess would do anything to her.
After feeling shocked and helpless, she had already calmed down. Today Fifth Princess just wanted to teach her a lesson. If she was kicked out by Fifth Princess in front of Qinglin Academy, she would be too degraded to stand among the misses in the capital. So she had to calm herself to face it.
Seeing Mo Xuetong say frankly with some coldness on her pretty face, still kneel down there and not move even a bit, Fifth Princess paused. She hadn’t expected that Mo Xuetong who seemed to be so delicate would talk back to her and scolded angrily, “How dare you to talk to me like that. Someone come and beat her palms five times.”
While she was talking, a burly nanny came out from behind Fifth Princess. The nanny was holding a one-inch wide bamboo strip which was stained with light red color and obviously had witnessed blood.
Mo Xuetong said lightly, “Thanks Princess for the punishment!” Then she reached out her hand which was as white as jade. She wasn’t terrified or hiding, but her eyes looked even colder.
Though Fifth Princess had the position of a Princess, Emperor Zongwen was a wise emperor and wouldn’t tolerate his daughter to baffle a respected official’s daughter with no good reason. Besides, even if she was beaten, Fifth Princess would have no reason to baffle her again in the future. Then if anyone in the harem wanted to ask her into the imperial palace, the person would have to take Fifth Princess’s attitude into consideration.
The servants wouldn’t send her to the Empress if Fifth Princess was not satisfied with her.
Besides, Fifth Princess wouldn’t beat her too hard. She would be responsible to beat a respected official’s daughter without any reason. If Mo Xuetong really got hurt, it would also bring her trouble and make the officials disappointed. Even if Emperor Zongwen cared about this daughter, he still had to face the officials. So only for this reason, Mo Xuetong knew she was safe.
Being beaten by Fifth Princess would save her a lot of trouble and would let all the other misses in the capital see her integrity. Mo Xuetong thought it was pretty worthwhile so she directly reached out her hand.
A gentle voice came directly in time, which sounded clear and elegant, “Fifth Princess has such prestige and wants to beat my apprentice in front of my door. What’s in her that annoyed Fifth Princess?”
Bai Yihao came!
Fifth Princess turned around and saw Bai Yihao who was walking out of the garden slowly. He was still dressed in a plain robe. And there was a simple jade crown inlaid with pearls. His black hair flew down like a stream and it spread over his shoulders. His eyes shone like the stars. Moreover, under his tall straight nose were his lips which were as shiny as a cherry. His features were so distinct.
He talked slightly and elegantly with a smile, which made him look like a celestial being.
Fifth Princess tried hard to explain. “Cousin, I didn’t mean to disgrace you. But she always has a bad reputation and I was afraid you may get cheated by her. So I want to teach her a lesson.” Seeing that gorgeous face, she didn’t dare to let him see her jealousy.
Bai Yihao smiled lightly, which looked gentle but distant. “Fifth Princess thought I would be lied to? Or did you think I’m an easily fooled person?” There was a deep and mysterious sigh at the bottom of his eyes. He seemed to be kidding while he was not joking.
His words surprised Fifth Princess, who quickly glanced at him. Seeing that he was only a little angry and didn’t look at Mo Xuetong, she felt relieved. Besides, she noticed that Mo Xuetong was kneeling on the ground without any moves, which was a clear sign that they didn’t have a connection. Maybe her cousin just got annoyed because she made him disgraced and even politely called her the Princess, which was no good sign.
Fifth Princess just pushed all the fault onto Ling Rui’er, “How could you get cheated? It’s my fault to have listened to Third Miss Ling and thought it was right.” She noticed that Ling Rui’er opened her mouth and tried to speak. Hence, she fiercely gazed at Ling Rui’er, which scared her to close her mouth nervously.
Fifth Princess smilingly said to Mo Xuetong and pretended to hold her up in person, “Third Miss Mo, please stand up and remember not to quarrel with others from now on. Your fight with Third Miss Ling put me in an awkward position too.”
Fifth Princess criticized her and it was all her fault? Mo Xuetong hid away the cold smile in her heart and replied obediently. “Thanks, Princess.”
Mo Lan who was kneeling with her hurriedly held her up. The hem of Mo Xuetong’s pure white dress was already dirty and there were several stains on it.
It seemed that Mo Xuetong didn’t notice the stains on the clothes. She turned around, gently walked up to Bai Yihao and said, “Sir Bai, I’m not decently dressed and have to leave now.”
Her long eyelashes pointed down, and her extremely beautiful face was covered with silence and desolation.
She really wanted to leave and thus cut off the relations with Bai Yihao. She didn’t know what he wanted, but the best way for her was to leave.
Bai Yihao’s eyes subconsciously landed on her knees and saw the stains on her white clothes. He slightly frowned and said gently, “Don’t worry. You should go inside first. There was a stove and some clean clothes in the back yard. You can let you maid wash it for you. I have some other errands to tell you today, so don’t leave now that you’re here.”
She was determined not to get into the academy, “There is no need. My clothes were so dirty, which was disrespectful. So that I can’t go into the academy and my father will come to apologize for me someday.” Seeing Fifth Princess’s jealous eyes which constantly swung between Bai Yihao and herself, she knew today’s incidence was not a coincidence.
She didn’t want to pry into Bai Yihao’s heart or be others’ enemies!
Bai Yihao smiled lightly, turned around to look at Fifth Princess and said, “Don’t worry, Fifth Cousin, I have to trouble you for the clothes.
Being looked by his charming gentle eyes, Fifth Princess replied right away. “Get in now that you’re here. I have clothes in my place and I will ask my maid to send one for you. From now on, we’re classmates and should chat with each other. If you still wouldn’t get in, then you’re looking down on me and disgracing me.”
After Fifth Princess’s words, Mo Xuetong would be too unreasonable if she still wouldn’t get in. Even if she really wanted to leave, she couldn’t after Fifth Princess’s words.
She was helpless and had to hold Mo Lan and entered through the gate of the academy behind everyone else.
The Qin House was located at the left rear of the garden which was meant for its quietness. Mo Xuetong and Mo Lan didn’t go to the Qin House but the foyer behind the Qin House. It was an elegant Qin House with an old Qin in the middle and a desk and a chair by the side. And there was nothing more to it.
Across the screen, which consisted of bookshelves, was a soft couch. Although it was only a couch, it wasn’t much smaller than a regular bed. By the sofa was a little table with a half-opened book. In the room, the license was lit, and the stove was on. So they walked in, they felt the warm smell and coziness. Mo Lan closed the door and held Mo Xuetong to sit on the couch. Then she took off the overcoat.
Just then she realized that not only her overcoat was wet, but her coat inside was also kind of wet. No wonder she felt so cold.
Mo Lan pointed at luxuriant clothes on the couch and asked, “Miss, this is the clothes sent by Fifth Princess. Do you want to put it on?” That was given by a maid when they came in, but Mo Lan didn’t think her miss would like it.
Mo Xuetong also saw that too luxuriant clothes and frowned. “There is no need. I’ll be okay with my own clothes. You just take it to wash and clean the stains there. Then dry it above the stove. I shan’t wear Fifth Princess’s clothes.”
The clothes was clearly not suitable for her. Not to mention she didn’t dare to cross the line and wear the Princess’s clothes, just the color of the clothes would bring her much trouble. Fifth Princess didn’t plan to let go of her so easily. She didn’t know clearly what was Mo Xuemin and Fifth Princess’s scheme, but she did know that Fifth Princess hated her.
Mo Lan nodded and let her lean on the couch. “Then miss, please wait for a while. I’ll quickly wash it and come back soon.” Then she poured a cup of tea for her from the table and put it in front of Mo Xuetong. Later, she took the dirty clothes out and tried to find someplace with water to wash it.
By this side, Mo Xuetong felt bored and took up the half-opened book. Only when she took it over to see did she realize it was a medical book and it was the only copy. She got absorbed in it. It was quiet in the room with only the sound of her turning the pages which was light and slow. It seemed so quiet and peaceful inside.
The aroma of the license spread and made a sweet atmosphere. Mo Xuetong didn’t know how much time had passed while she was turning the pages when she suddenly heard someone’s voice. Someone seemed to have come here. She suddenly stood up and then realized she was only wearing a tiny shirt. She didn’t know where Mo Lan went and why it took her such a long time.
Outside of the door came Bai Yihao’s bright voice, which sounded dignified and gentle. “Is Third Miss Mo still there?”
“I’m inside.” By the time Mo Xuetong spoke did she realize it was inappropriate for her to meet anyone at the moment.
Then came the sound of knocking on the door and Bai Yihao’s elegant voice. “I’m here to get my Qin. I’ll leave when I’m done.”
He just wanted to get the Qin outside and wouldn’t walk in. Thinking of this, Mo Xuetong sighed in relief and replied. “Please come in, Sir Bai.” This was actually his room and she wasn’t the owner.
With the door opened, Bai Yihao walked in!
