“Your mother said that the Princess Royal is nobility while she is the eldest legitimate daughter of the Fu General Manor. Their close relationship would only draw attention. That’s why your mother remained low-key and never mentioned this to anyone else since we moved to Cloud City.” Mo Huawen frowned and a bitter smile appeared on the corners of his lips.
He still remembered the loneliness on her beautiful face when she explained this to him. All his confusion had turned into gentleness. And ever since then, she had not mentioned it at all. However, he knew that she jolted awake from her nightmares in his arms, and there were many times she called out the Princess’ name, “Elder Sister Mingzhu.”
She had called the Princess by her name. His wife was that close to the Princess Royal!
They were not just regular friends. But now, he could not tell his suspicions to Tong’er. There were some things that Luo Xia had not said, and she must have had her reasons for that. There were suspicions that he could only keep to himself, buried deep inside his heart.
Mo Xuetong did not miss the bitterness that flashed in Mo Huawen’s eyes. She did not continue to press him. Instead, she ruminated on what was said and pointed at the gifts. She asked, “Father, what shall we do with these things?”
They could not return it since the Empress had sent it here.
Mo Huawen sighed deeply and said, “There will be many people there to watch the ceremony when the Princess Royal takes you as her daughter in a few days. Wear a dress made out of this cloth and the jewelry gifted by the Empress. We have to let more people admire the things the Empress gifted you with.”
No matter the Empress’ intentions, if Tong’er wore the clothes during the adoption ceremony, others would think that the Empress had only gifted Tong’er with those things because of the Princess Royal. The Princess did not have any children, so her adoptive daughter would be written into the royal family’s documentation. They must not take this lightly so it was natural for the Empress to gift her with things.
Mo Xuetong could not help but smile mischievously. She reached out to tug on Mo Huawen’s sleeve adorably and smiled with understanding. She did not expect that her righteous father would do something like that. If she wore the things that the Empress gifted her with, everyone would think that she was gifted those things because of the Princess. The Empress would not be able to do anything with this matter.
Even if the Empress had any plots, she would not be able to use this point.
Her father had been involved in politics for a long while. Changing things up a little would have such an unexpected effect. It had made the worrying gifts from the Empress become so important.
“Father, your idea is great. I will definitely do as you say.” Mo Xuetong smiled.
Mo Huawen smiled at Mo Xuetong dotingly when he saw that his intelligent daughter had understood his intentions. Then, he said, somewhat frustratedly, “Tong’er, ask Auntie Qing to clean up Lihua Garden later. The Yu family will come tomorrow.”
Mo Huawen did not like the Yu family. He had investigated what their legitimate daughter had done to Tong’er and found out what happened. She was so vicious despite her young age and had reaped what she sowed. Auntie Fang’s matter made him even more disgusted.
Despite that, he had no choice but to let Yu Feng in.
He did not know how Yu Feng had gotten through to Consort Yu, but the two now claimed each other as relatives. It was said that an ancestor of the Yu family was a second cousin of Consort Yu’s maternal grandmother. Even though the relationship was distant, it did not stop the family from wanting to make a connection with Consort Yu.
Mo Huawen, who had worked as an official for many years, knew that this familial relationship was beneficial to both parties.
Even though Consort Yu had some power in the palace, she did not have any backing in court. Yu Mingyong was useless and it was fortunate enough that he had not created trouble for Consort Yu. Since she did not have a maternal family to support her in court, she did not have much strength despite being doted on by the Emperor. Similarly, Yu Feng was not very successful in court, and through Consort Yu, he would be able to find a backer in the palace who would whisper in Emperor Zongwen’s ear for him.
Consort Yu was not connected with Mo Huawen, but they now were because of Auntie Fang.
Yu Feng had gotten Consort Yu to make a decree for Auntie Fang, a long-lost sister from the Yu family, to enter the palace and keep her company. It was very good news indeed. Yu Feng was going to visit Auntie Fang tomorrow to check up on her. He could also, at the same time, indicate that he would hold Mo Huawen responsible if anything happened to Auntie Fang.
“Father, are you going to release Auntie Fang?” Mo Xuetong did not know about that and she asked him in surprise.
“The Yu family went through Consort Yu to get Auntie Fang released. Yu Feng thought that I would listen to him now that he had the support of Consort Yu and make Auntie Fang my legal wife. She is such a vicious woman, how could I want her?” Mo Huawen said coldly. There was a sharp glimpse that flashed in his eyes. Yu Feng thought that Mo Huawen would do anything that Yu Feng wanted him to do just because he had the support of the Empress.
Since Yu Feng badly wanted to take Auntie Fang from Lihua Garden, then he would get Yu Feng to take her home tomorrow.
“Father, you mean…” Even though Mo Huawen did not say much, Mo Xuetong could hear the strength in his voice. However, she did not expect that the Yu family had reached their fingers into the Palace. Consort Yu! She appeared in her past life as well. However, she did not expect that the unknown consort in her past life would dare to make connections outside the palace.
If they were really her family, Emperor Zongwen would not say anything. However, they were so distantly related and yet she still wanted to make a connection. Were they not afraid that the Emperor would be suspicious of her! Consort Yu was really ambitious, but she did not know why! She was just an unknown consort and even if she wields great power now, it would not last.
“You don’t have to leave your courtyard tomorrow. The Yu family has nothing to do with you so you do not have to care. Since they have acknowledged Auntie Fang as their daughter, I will naturally get them to take her back with them.” Mo Huawen said coldly. He felt depressed every time he thought of how Auntie Fang had an amorous relationship with Sima Lingyun.
Then, when he thought of how Mo Xuemin was about to marry Sima Lingyun, he felt disgusted. He did not want to see Auntie Fang again. His heart felt as if it had been pricked by needles and he blamed this all on Auntie Fang. The Yu family’s appearance indicated that they wanted to help Auntie Fang. How could he be fond of them?
“Father, did the Yu family just send a letter here?” Mo Xuetong asked after thinking about the matter.
Mo Huawen stood up and paced around in the study frustratedly with his hands behind his back. Then, he said, “They said that they would be here tomorrow a few days ago. It’s as if they are afraid that I will hold their family member hostage. If they want to come, then they should come earlier and take her with them lest she soils our place. Clear up Lihua Garden for other use in the future.”
His tone seemed a little anxious and angry. The green veins on his forehead twitched.
They had already made preparations a few days ago. Auntie Fang had indeed plotted again!
Mo Xuetong immediately understood Mo Xuemin’s evil plot. As long as they find something wrong with Mo Xuetong, and with the Yu family as a witness, she would not be able to absolve herself of her sins even if she killed herself. As for Auntie Fang and Mo Xuemin, they could push all the blame on her. Auntie Fang’s viciousness and Mo Xuemin’s ruined virtue were all caused by her. Mo Xuemin’s plots were getting better and better.
If it was discovered that everything had been caused by her… Father would not forgive her. If he were to punish her, her maternal family would definitely not allow it. The relationship between her father and her maternal family would sour. And if that happened, her father’s marriage with Aunt Xu Yan would be no more.
Then, Auntie Fang becoming the legal wife would not just be a pipe dream!
Mo Xuetong lowered her lashes to hide the icy coldness in her eyes. She looked up, her eyes clear and beautiful, as she consoled her father in gentle tones. “Father, what about Elder Brother? No matter what Auntie did, she is still Elder Brother’s mother. If he gets angry at you, Aunt Xu Yan will not be safe even when she enters the manor.”
Her words got through to Mo Huawen and dissolved all his anger.
“Is the rascal son going to mind my business now? He’s an unfilial ingrate. I want to see if he’d dare to do anything.” Mo Huawen said hatefully as he slammed his hand at the table forcefully.
Auntie Fang was a vicious woman and her children she raised had ruined the Mo family. When he thought about how Mo Yufeng had caused him trouble a few days ago, Mo Huawen grew angry. Mo Yufeng had tried to be like those playboys and fought for the popular courtesan at the brothel with someone. He had even hit the other party. It was lawless!
How could a son like that be his heir?
Mo Xuetong knew that Auntie Fang would never be able to get back to the position she once had when she saw how angry Mo Huawen was. Mo Xuemin might have many plans, but she had underestimated a person’s heart and the hurt her Father felt. Even though Auntie Fang had not done anything wrong, her secret meeting with someone else had made Mo Huawen angry. She would never have another chance at being the legal wife ever again.
No matter it was the Yu family or Mo Xuemin, they were all betting on Auntie Fang. Then she would give them a betting chance!
“Father, then shall we inform the family tomorrow… If the Yu family tries anything…” Mo Xuetong asked gently, chewing on her lips.
It was no big deal to throw a concubine out of the house and one did not have to consult the elder relatives about it. But the Yu family was too arrogant, and if they did not inform the elders and take the chance to stop Auntie Fang from trying to clamber back to her old position of glory, issues would keep cropping up. They should just cut things off here.
Mo Huawen placed his forehead against his hand and thought about it for a moment. Then, he nodded decisively. This matter could not drag on any longer. It had been a personal matter in his manor in the past but now that the Yu family brought Consort Yu into this, he would be dragged into Consort Yu’s camp if he did not cut ties with Auntie Fang completely. Mo Huawen was thought highly of by the Emperor despite his low position in court because he was a righteous man and was not connected to anyone in the palace. He was loyal only to the Emperor.
The Emperor admired independent subjects like him the most.
Mo Huawen was very enlightened after his stint in politics. He knew what the Emperor was wary of. As such, he did not think highly of the Yu family’s move!
Since he was decided, it was impossible for there to be peaceful negotiations with the Yu family tomorrow. Mo Huawen had always been a careful person. He sat behind his desk while Mo Huawen helped him to grind his ink. Mo Huawen picked up a brush, thought about it, and started to write. Then, he ordered a servant to send a few letters.
“Father, if the Old Madam could speak up for you, would it be even better?” Mo Xuetong suddenly asked him with a smile.
Mo Huawen frowned. It would be for the best if the Old Madam could speak up for him. After all, she was the only true elder in the manor. Furthermore, the inner courtyard involved the womenfolk. He had had no choice but to interfere in it as a man.
Mo Huawen looked at his daughter and saw the worry in her eyes. He knew that she was worried that his reputation would be dragged down by the matters of the inner courtyard. The concern and admiration on her child-like face could not be hidden. Mo Huawen felt the anger in him fade. He reached out to pat her head and smiled at her.
“Tong’er, don’t worry. I will go to the Old Madam’s later. She should handle these matters.”
“Father, you’ve messed up my hair again.” Mo Xuetong said adorably and pushed his hand away. Her soft and gentle smile and her slight pout made one’s heart melt.
Mo Huawen could not help but laugh loudly. His heart was filled with warmth when he looked at his adorable daughter.
