Mo Xuetong smiled sweetly and said in a gentle tone, “Father, don’t worry. King Yan’s Manor doesn’t just owe us a life. They want us to cause trouble because of what happened to Fourth Sister. We can put a different spin on this and cause even more trouble. Fourth Sister has a maid who also died from unknown causes. That Mo Yan, who’s pregnant? No one knows who her child belongs to. Do you remember her mother?”
This reminded Mo Huawen.
Mo Yan was not a servant born into the Mo Manor. She came to Mo Manor when she was about three or four with her mother. Luo Xia had just married into the manor then and had not given birth to a child. Mo Yan’s mother became a managing nanny serving Luo Xia. She had an especially sharp tongue and no one had ever won an argument against her.
However, this strong woman fell ill not long after Luo Xia passed away. She was first sent to another courtyard to recuperate but had died in the end. However, because Mo Huawen entered the capital after that, not many people knew about it. Mo Yan was sent to serve Mo Xueqiong by Auntie Fang.
“Father, if Mo Yan’s mother were still around, she would definitely go to make a fuss at King Yan’s Manor when she hears that her daughter got pregnant before marriage and then had died under such suspicious circumstances.” Mo Xuetong smiled pleasantly, hinting at something.
“But where are we going to find Mo Yan’s mother?” Even though Mo Huawen understood what Mo Xuetong meant, he grew depressed after the initial excitement he felt. Mo Yan’s mother had died long ago. Where are they going to find her? Furthermore, it would be difficult to find a woman with a glib and sharp tongue who could render everyone from King Yan’s Manor speechless.
“Don’t worry, Father. You just have to make sure Auntie Qing can wait. Mo Yan’s mother will come by in a couple of days. I hope that you will tell Auntie Qing that this is to redress the injustice Fourth Sister suffered. Otherwise, Fourth Sister will become a wandering and lonely ghost in her death without anyone to pray for her. She will not be able to get reincarnated.”
Auntie Qing was in the midst of changing. No matter what changes she underwent, or no matter why she changed, one could tell that her focus right now was not on Mo Xueqiong because she did not ask about her at all. What caused this change? Mo Xuetong could not tell for now.
However, if they told Auntie Qing that Mo Xueqiong would not have a place to go in death and would become a lonely ghost, Auntie Qing would definitely feel upset. No matter how bad Mo Xueqiong was, Auntie Qing had raised her for so many years. Furthermore, Auntie Qing cared about how others viewed her. Others thought that she had given birth to a concubine who had tried to elope and then had been framed. Mo Xuetong believed that if Auntie Qing still had a clear mind, she would be able to see the facts for herself.
As such, she would do her best in the performance that was to come.
Second Consort Yan’s elopement had involved Consort Xuan. As such, both King’s Manors had been put on lockdown. As the lockdown on King Xuan’s Manor was lifted and with some people pushing things along, the gossip about whether Mo Xueqiong had really tried to elope or whether she had been framed grew even louder.
Under such fervent gossip, the Mo Manor could not just stay silent any longer. The woman who died was the Fourth Miss of the Mo Manor.
Someone saw a green lacquered carriage emerging from the side door of the Mo Manor early in the morning. There were a few servants following behind the carriage. Judging by the procession as well as the maids following behind, one could tell that the person in the carriage was not of high ranking. Usually, concubines and concubine-born daughters took carriages like these. However, the crying of the woman inside the carriage was rather shocking.
Judging by the noise, it was not just one woman.
They watched as the lacquered carriage proceeded. It should be heading in the direction of King Yan’s Manor. Could it be that they were going there because of Second Consort Yan, the Fourth Miss of Mo Manor? Of those who saw the carriage, several followed from a distance.
The carriage was filled with the sobbing and crying of women, gathering the attention of those they passed.
The carriage finally stopped outside King Yan’s Manor.
There were a few guards standing straight and tall outside the door. When they saw the horse carriage stopping in front of them, they did not go up to it to enquire who it was. Their job was to stop people from King Yan’s Manor from entering and leaving.
Furthermore, this was the mighty King Yan’s Manor. No one dared to come here to cause trouble.
There were a few servants who used to guard the doors watching from behind the doors. They immediately reported it to the manor when they saw a few women getting off the carriage, crying and wailing.
“Daughter, daughter, you’ve died so unjustly. What affair? You are a Second Consort, why would you have an affair? When you first entered the manor, you were a consort bestowed by the Emperor. My poor daughter, you didn’t even enjoy a single day of your marriage before you were discarded by someone. You even implicated those around you and they died together with you. What King’s Manor is this? They are so cruel. You’re dead and yet, they won’t let you go with a good reputation.”
A woman who was in her 30s wearing clothes made of brocade emerged from the carriage. She dropped to the ground and wailed loudly. A few maids went up to pull her up but were pushed away. The woman stood up suddenly with redden eyes, seeming as if she wanted to rush up to the door. However, she tripped and fell down, kneeling on the ground. She started to wail and bellow in pain.
“Daughter, daughter, you have died so unjustly.”
Before she could finish crying, another woman who was simply dressed emerged from the carriage. Her hair was covered by a handkerchief. This woman cried even louder. She wailed with all she had but did not speak. She wailed as if her insides were being torn apart but no one could tell who she was because she did not speak.
Judging by the first woman’s appearance and what she said, she was probably the Second Consort’s biological mother. The gossip about the matter had grown out of proportion and no one could tell what was real, However, judging by how upset the concubine from the Mo Manor was, it seemed as if the Second Consort had really been framed. Those who saw the wailing women gathered around to watch them.
“Auntie, Auntie, don’t cry. You have to speak properly, and you have to… seek justice for… Fourth Miss.”
“That’s right, Auntie. Don’t cry. There are so many people watching. Fourth Miss definitely won’t die an unjust death. Those people have intentionally tried to ruin Fourth Miss’s reputation. Don’t let them off.”
The people who came to King Yan’s Manor were all women who cried so sadly. Those watching from the crowd asked loudly, “What happened? Madams, why are you making a fuss here? Tell us and we can help you decide who’s in the wrong.”
“That’s right, that’s right! What happened?”
“What happened? My daughter…” Auntie Qing did not stand up. Instead, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and allowed her tears to fall. “My daughter was framed. She married into King Yan’s Manor as a Second Consort and served the manor wholeheartedly. However, she was framed. They said that they caught her together with evidence. But if my daughter really did that, why is there no witness at all now? Everything said up till now had been said by those from the King’s Manor. Now that everyone involved is dead, there is no witness or evidence left. If this is not an act of framing, then what is!”
Auntie Qing cried loudly, looking as if she was in pain. The woman beside her wailed sadly. The whole situation was heart-wrenching.
Some of those watching teared up when they heard the tragic sobs and watched the women wail. Someone immediately spoke up for them.
“Those from King Yan’s Manor are too much!”
“That’s right. Since they have evidence, they should bring it out for all to see. How could they secretly deal with those involved? If there weren’t any dirty tricks involved, why would they have acted so quickly? We only just heard that the incident happened and then those involved were all dead.”
“That’s right; no matter what, the woman was a Second Consort bestowed by the Emperor personally. She didn’t even get to speak before she died. And then, her reputation was smeared after her death. She wasn’t even given the dignity of a concubine from a regular family. It seems that there really is a problem.”
“And this is the high and mighty King’s Manor. Their courtyard is really dark and sinister…”
The sounds of people discussing the matter angrily grew even louder with the instigation of some people. There were many who felt that the whole situation was rather suspicious and felt that King Yan was not a kind man. After all, he was willing to kill his own woman. Or perhaps, he could not protect his woman. He did not have the disposition to be a King.
The doors of the King’s Manor opened. King Yan, Feng Yulei, and You Yue’e appeared at the door together with some other people.
A few guards lifted their hands and stopped them from moving forward.
“I just want to speak with them. I will not leave.” Feng Yulei’s expression was dark even though he spoke politely. He was being imprisoned in the manor and was not allowed to leave.
The guards looked at each other and hesitated.
“His Highness just wants to meet those from the Mo Manor and explain what happened. He will not leave the manor. His Majesty told you all to guard His Highness and only said that he could not leave the manor. He did not restrict anything else. These people are at our door. If His Highness does not go to speak with them, it will be the royal family that will be embarrassed. If this angers His Majesty, who will take responsibility for it?”
A man, who looked to be an advisor, went up and spoke to the guards politely. Even though he was cordial, there was a hint of anger in his words.
What he said made the guards hesitate even further. The leader of the guards finally put down his hands and the others followed suit hesitantly. The anger of the Emperor was not something a few mere guards could stand against. As such, they would just watch and not allow King Yan to leave their sights. Furthermore, they were on the land of King Yan’s Manor; even if King Yan took a walk around outside, it did not truly mean that he had left.
Feng Yulei harrumphed coldly and with satisfaction when he saw the acquiescence from the guards. He brought You Yue’e with him to the door.
Auntie Qing had been watching them all this while. When she saw the large lacquered doors open and a young couple emerging with a crowd of servants, she knew that they were King Yan and Consort Yan coming to give the Mo Manor an explanation. Someone called out loudly, “King Yan, Your Highness, they sent their daughter to King Yan’s Manor happily. Why have you killed her?”
Even though the person sounded as if he were complaining about an act of injustice, the disdain in his voice could not be hidden.
You Yue’e could not restrain herself. She was filled with anger as she spoke coldly, “You all are surrounding our King Yan’s Manor. What is the reason for this? Are you trying to start a rebellion?”
Some people grew frightened when they heard the words “rebellion” and the sounds of dissent grew softer.
You Yue’e looked pleased and she raised her head even higher.
Yet, even so, there were others who yelled angrily, “Oh, mighty Consort Yan, don’t you accuse us randomly to hide your guilt. The people from the Mo Manor came to seek for justice from King Yan’s Manor. They are just a few frail women. What rebellion are you talking about? What kind of rebellion can these few people get up to! King Yan is powerful and mighty; you think our lives are all worthless. Shouldn’t you give them an explanation!”
That was a direct blow to the King’s Manor. While there were others who had doubts earlier about the people from the Mo Manor, they were all siding with them now.
“That’s right. Your Highness, even though you are a prince, I heard that you have always been fair and just. But what is this? You are a high and mighty prince. Can’t you protect a woman? Are you just going to discredit yourself? I have only heard of people fighting for money but have never heard of anyone fighting to make himself a cuckold! Could it be that you, a Prince, have difficulties that you cannot say!”
What difficulties?
Could he tell these people that he really had difficulties he could not say?
Feng Yulei knew that there were people in the crowd who were there to fan the flames. However, most of them were just ordinary folks and were instigated by others without knowing the truth. These people were here to create rumors and make trouble but he could not do anything to them. Otherwise, the reports the Censor would make tomorrow would rain down upon him.
He was already in a dire situation and must not allow something like this to happen. Fortunately, he had already expected this to happen. It would have been weird if the Mo Manor kept silent.
