Compared to the chaos at the Duke Zhenguo’s Manor, the Palace was much calmer. What happened in the governor’s manor and the Duke Zhenguo’s Manor did not affect the heavily guarded Palace in the slightest.
In the morning, the Fifth Princess of Changping Palace clutched her slightly dizzy head and got up with the help of her palace maids. She stretched lazily, and after she was done washing up, the maid in charge, Huanyue, helped her to rub her hair dry with a dry towel.
The weather outside was very good. Soft couches filled with cotton were laid out at the southeastern corner of the garden in the palace. The sunlight there was good. There were two tall, marble screens that were placed on the northern and western side to block out the wind. It was already near noontime. The sun shone warmly from above. The Fifth Princess leaned against the couch and chatted with Huanyue.
They were talking about what happened last night. The Fifth Princess still did not know what happened outside the palace but knew how odd the incident last night was. The incident was fishy. The Fifth Princess was not so sure about the incident. However, she became certain that something odd had happened last night after receiving a letter in the morning.
Furthermore, this certainty made her very angry. The good mood she had woken up with had completely disappeared.
Huanyue was trying to comfort her, “Princess, that incident might be fake. I saw Third Miss Mo yesterday and she is just a young girl. How could the Crown Prince be interested in her? First Miss Ling is usually very straightforward and will not lie.”
She was not overly straightforward but was too silly. Everyone knew that You Yuecheng disliked her but she still did not give up and stuck to him. Furthermore, she still addressed herself as You Yuecheng’s fiance. Even though the two families had discussed marriage, it was not confirmed. She was a proper young lady but behaved like You Yuecheng’s fiance before others. Huanyue could only say that she was straightforward.
“The girl behind Mo Xuemin we saw from a distance is her younger sister? She does not look like much.” The Fifth Princess felt much better when she heard what Huanyue said. A little girl could not compete with her. Even if her cousin paid the girl a little more attention, it was because he was a doctor and she was his patient.
“Princess, that’s not definite. First Miss Ling said that Third Miss Mo is aware of her beauty and does not think well of her sister’s. She always entertains guests in her inner courtyard even at a young age. I heard that the Crown Prince was invited into her room. Princess, think about it. Would a polite young lady do something like that? It’s her room!” said Lingyue, who brought in a basketful of fruits that had been washed. She glanced at the letter by the couch and pursed her lips in disdain. She placed the fruits on the small table by the side.
The Fifth Princess’ expression grew ugly. “Mo Xuetong allowed Cousin into her room?” Her smile dimmed. She had always treated Bai Yihao as hers.
“That’s right. I heard he even stayed by her bed. Princess, this is outrageous. They are not even blood siblings.” Lingyue said angrily, feeling angry on behalf of the princess. Everyone around the Fifth Princess knew that she liked Bai Yihao, the Crown Prince. Everyone outside the palace called him Sir Bai because he kept a low profile. But everyone in the palace greeted him respectfully as the Crown Prince.
The Fifth Princess’ mood did not improve with Lingyue’s words. Her expression grew furious as she sat up suddenly. She frightened Huanyue who was drying her hair behind her. She pulled on the towel and tugged on the Princess’ hair. The princess could not help but yelp in pain. Huanyue knelt down immediately and said, “Princess, I did not mean to do that.”
“Men, go to the Mo Manor and try to get something out of Mo Xuemin. Since she says that her Third Sister is in a secret relationship with Cousin, then get her to provide me with proof. If there isn’t, then she is lying to me. I will destroy her.” The Fifth Princess said coldly. She could not hide the anger she felt.
She recalled the last time she was ill. Her cousin only visited her once in the outside hall. When she pretended to faint just to get him to enter her room, he did not do anything. The daughter of a lowly official had dared to make her cousin stay by her bedside. The Fifth Princess was so jealous and angry that she gritted her teeth. She ignored Huanyue who was still kneeling on the ground and glanced at her coldly before yelling angrily, “Scram!”
Huanyue felt as if she had been pardoned for a great crime. She did not say anything and immediately went out and gave orders to go inquire at the Mo Manor.
“Fifth Princess, do you want to meet First Miss Mo? She must have evidence since she said something like that to First Miss Ling. Mo Xuetong knows how to seduce men at such a young age. What would happen when she gets older? Doesn’t Yu Mingyong like beauties? If we leave a portrait of a beautiful girl before him, he definitely would not let her go!” Lingyue’s eyes shone as she gave suggestions to the Fifth Princess.
Yu Mingyong and Mo Xuetong? This was a good idea!
The Fifth Princess smiled as she praised, “You, go and arrange this. Get those who left to come back. Anyway, the Ding General Manor’s banquet will happen in a few days. Get First Miss Ling to plan well and invite Mo Xuemin. I want to hear what she has to say personally.”
“Yes.” Lingyue smiled and left. There was a gust of wind by the couch. The envelope flipped open, revealing a sentence, “Third Sister has a really good relationship with Sir Bai in private!”
The atmosphere of the Mo Manor on New Year’s Eve was very somber. It was as if they were not celebrating the New Year. The servants all tiptoed around, afraid that their masters would vent their anger on them.
What happened to First Miss was major. Minister Li had entered Mo Huawen’s study furiously in the afternoon. He left after a few words were exchanged. Their master had bowed politely and sent the minister to the main doors while apologizing profusely. A few of the servants with sharper ears heard the minister saying, “Since it already happened, then… send her to Duke Zhenguo’s Manor!”
Everyone knew what he meant without having to guess!
Everyone already knew that nothing had gone smoothly for Auntie Fang, her daughter, as well as Young Master Mo Yufeng. Old Sir was definitely going to remarry. Those who served Auntie Fang and hers have all started to find a new master.
They definitely could not follow the two other concubines. Old Sir would never marry them.
However, Miss Lan, who had just moved in was a likely candidate.
With the Old Madam’s silent acquiescence for her to stay in the courtyard closest to the Old Sir’s, it seemed that she was likely to become the new matriarch of the Mo Manor.
Everyone smiled exuberantly when they saw Lan Xinru. They all tried to butter up to her and even the stewards who usually could not be bothered, all went up to fawn over her. Lan Xinru was beside herself with joy. This indicated that her Cousin did like her. That was why all the servants were trying to butter up to her.
She felt even more determined there and then.
In the afternoon, Xiaolian left through the back door. She said that her mistress was feeling peckish and wanted to buy a few honeyed cakes to try. The female servant at the back door did not say anything and opened the door for her. She even told her several times to return early. The servant had never been so kind to anyone.
Xiaolian only returned at dusk. She went straight to Lan Xinru’s courtyard upon returning. No one knew what the two did inside the room. However, the room’s door was shut for a long while.
In Qingwei Garden, Mo Ye was helping Mo Xuetong to apply medicine on her hand. She did not know where Feng Yuran found the medicine, but it was very cooling when applied. The angry-looking cuts scabbed over after a night’s sleep. Her had did not burn in pain after the tight bandages were removed.
“Miss, Xiaolian went out for an entire afternoon. I asked the driver and he said that she went into a clothes and accessories shop for a while. Then, she went to a medicine shop beside the apparel shop to buy Miss Lan some medicine. She said that Miss Lan’s health was poor and needed some adjustments.” Mo Yu lifted the curtains and entered. It had started snowing outside and she was covered in snow.
“What did Father do in the afternoon?” Mo Xuetong smiled slightly and asked about Mo Huawen.
“Old Sir stayed in his study to settle matters the entire afternoon. He did not step out of the room. Then, Young Master’s servant visited once. I don’t know what happened, but Old Sir was angry. I heard that he sent people to drag Young Master home from the brothel and locked him up in his courtyard. At night, he got his servant to tell the kitchens to whip up more dishes tonight and send them to all the courtyards. We will not be eating together.” Mo Lan replied.
Mo Yufeng philandering ways were not unheard of in the Mo Manor. Mo Huawen’s only son had become a playboy and so many incidents had happened in the family. Who would be in the mood to have dinner? Perhaps her father really should marry another woman and have a few more legal sons and daughters. Mo Xuetong sighed softly. She moved away from Mo Ye who was about to replace her bandage and said lightly, “Don’t wrap it up. Leaving it to air will help it heal faster.”
“Miss, Old Sir sent someone to invite you over. He asked if you are feeling well and if you can travel. If you can, please go to the study. Old Sir is waiting there for you.” Mother Xu entered and said.
It was already so late. Why was her father looking for her!
However, when she thought about what was happening now, Mo Xuetong suddenly understood what Mo Huawen was thinking. Right now, she was the only person in the manor whom he did not have to worry about. It was New Year’s Eve and it was a time for the whole family to gather. How could her father feel calm right now? Her heart hurt for some reason.
Even though her father was in a disadvantageous position right now having trusted the wrong people, at least he doted on her the most!
“Mo Lan, prepare clothes for me. Mo Yu, help me with my makeup. Mother Xu, get them to go back and tell Father that I am feeling well and will go there shortly.” She did not hesitate as she stood up and ordered them around.
“Miss, what about your hand? You have not healed completely. If Old Sir sees it…” Mo Yu said anxiously. Mo Xuetong would not be able to hide the wounds on her hand.
“It’s nothing. Mo Ye, get me the handwarmer that you all made me the last time. If I put it on and not take it off, Father will not realize that I’m injured.” Mo Xuetong waved her hand. She felt that simple actions were not an issue to her. She smiled and stretched her hand out for Mo Ye to wrap up.
Mo Lan had already laid out her clothes and found her cape and handwarmer.
When Mo Xuetong reached Mo Huawen’s study, Mo Huawen had already ordered the servants to prepare wine and food. His figure looked really long under the dim yellow light. Mo Xuetong’s heart hurt for some reason. There was a lump in her throat and her eyes welled up with tears. She bit her lips and smiled, allowing Mo Ye to help her into the room.
“Tong’er, sit down.” Mo Huawen waved his hand at her as she bowed, gesturing for her to sit down by his side. The table was laden with dishes but there were only two of them. It seemed rather cold and lonely.
“Father, why don’t we get Fourth Sister here as well? We will have a reunion dinner together?” Mo Xuetong sat down obediently and asked. Mo Yu poured tea for Mo Huawen and then left with Mo Ye, leaving the father and daughter pair to talk.
“It’s alright. It will just be the two of us. Or she will just make more trouble.” Mo Huawen said tiredly and ran his hand through his hair. He could not hide the exhaustion in his expression.
He would not allow his daughter to enter the Duke Zhenguo’s Manor again. Mo Xueqiong was a disobedient child and would definitely make a fuss when the time came. He thought about all his daughters and how only the one in front of him was obedient and sensible. He could not help but feel sad.
He had raised his daughters for many years and they all worried him. His son was also…
How could he not be disappointed!
Mo Xuetong looked at her Father’s disappointed and lost expression. She could not help but worry for him. She had never thought that she would say those words, but for some reason, they rushed out of her mouth. “Father, why don’t you marry another woman!”
