In the study, Mo Xuetong’s leg had been bandaged. A strong herbal aroma permeated the air. Her face pale, Mo Xuetong sat askew against the couch. Mo Lan and Mo Yu were picking up the discarded strips and dressings!
Mo Huawen lightly coughed from outside the room.
He heard his daughter’s joyful voice. “Father’s back. Mo Lan, don’t pick up the bandages anymore. Pour Father a cup of hot tea to warm his body.”
“I will, Miss, right away,” Mo Lan said with a smile.
Following that was the noise of someone plonking things down. It was a little disorganized and noisy—unlike how the quiet study used to be.
But this feeling made warmth surge up Mo Huawen’s heart.
There used to be a woman keeping him company in the study. Her charming smiles and conversation diluted its cold severity. She was like the warm sun in winter, always illuminating his heart whenever he needed her.
But since her departure, his study had resumed its austere silence. He had not noticed that silence before, yet now he was feeling its coldness. Even the air to him seemed chillingly dense. He rarely allowed those concubines of his to enter his study. Even if they had something to report, they would have to wait outside.
Even the favored Mo Xuemin would not be allowed into the study.
This room seemed to be the undeniable center of his heart. For most days of the year, he would remain in the room.
He was already used to that cold, lifeless silence. But now that he heard Tong’er’s voice in the room, he felt that it sounded so suitable. It was as if she should be in this room—occupying the most important position in his heart.
His frosty face involuntarily relaxed and a slight smile rose from the depths of his eyes.
The butler behind him heaved a sigh of relief. At last, the master had recovered.
After leaving the butler to deal with the incident’s aftermath, Mo Huawen strode into the room. Mo Yu was already at the door welcoming him. When she saw him enter, she greeted him respectfully, “Old sir.”
“Father, come here, quick. It’s warm here. Mo Lan has got servants to add burning coals underneath.” Mo Xuetong tried to struggle out of her couch. She held to its side, one leg on the floor. She was tottering.
Mo Huawen immediately advanced two steps and helped her up. “Your leg’s hurt. Why go to all this trouble? You used to be a quiet girl when you were young. Why are you so mischievous now?”
Although he seemed to be reprimanding her, they were mild reproaches. The love in his eyes could not be disguised. Still, he pretended to be indifferent. Mo Yu by the side was pursing her lips, secretly delighted.
“I’m fine. The physician said that I have only hurt my tendons. No serious injury, although I must rest properly and not go out.” Mo Xuetong said this sweetly and smilingly put her hand on Mo Huawen’s arm. Since she would totter, she decided to sit down instead. She took Mo Lan’s tea and offered it to Mo Huawen.
“Father, this is freshly brewed tea. Have some. Because of some urgent matter, I got up this morning in a hurry. You must have caught a cold, Father. I’ve prepared hot water a long time ago and was waiting for you.”
Her pale face seemed even a little flushed from the blazing stove in the room. Her childish endearments, trying so hard to please him, was so adorably heartfelt that Mo Huawen’s heart ache.
After taking the tea and sipping a mouthful, he felt the coldness in his heart to have been swept away completely, as the hot drink trickled down his throat and coursed warmly through his limbs. Mo Huawen put the tea to one side and lectured her with a solemn face. “In the future, don’t do these trivial things. You’ve hurt your bone and tendon. Stay in bed for 100 days and recuperate quietly, if nothing’s the matter.”
“But your affairs are not ‘trivial things’, Father. I did them willingly. Besides, I have nothing to do. I was just instructing them with my mouth.” Mo Xuetong smiled.
Watching his daughter’s innocent smile, Mo Huawen suddenly recollected what happened tonight. If they got their way, Tong’er’s life would be ruined. He knew how Yu Mingyong was. Although also a libertine, Li Youmo from Minister Li’s family was so much better. At least, he had more refined taste.
He was unlike this man, who did not care whether he knew the girl well. As long as he fancied her, he would drag her to his mansion even if she stank. No one in his family would rein him in. His only sister was in the palace and he was the most important person left in his house. He could do any dissolute act he liked. He would even grab women and men from outside his mansion at will. Or he would shut the door of his mansion to torment them.
He heard that one woman had been abused half-dead by him and was later sold.
Which girl would dare to marry such a man?
Although Li Youmo had seized many girls to his mansion, at least he did not abuse them, leaving them half-dead. If a girl wanted to go, he would send her away with good food and a pleasant face. His reputation in the brothel appeared quite good. He seemed to be someone who could be reformed. Besides, his father’s discipline was so strict that no serious issue would ensue.
In the past, Mo Huawen had wanted to marry Mo Xuemin to Li Youmo. This had been his thought. Mo Xuemin’s identity meant that she could not marry those distinguished, eminent young scions as a primary wife. But after her affair with Li Youmo, she would surely be the primary wife of Li Youmo, given his dissolute reputation and Mo Huawen’s office.
He later conferred with Minister Li and they came to an agreement.
If Mo Xuemin was clever, she would marry into the Li Family and restrained her husband. With Minister Li in support, she might be able to reform this libertine and bear him many children. With Mo Huawen and her father-in-law supporting her, it would be no difficult feat.
It was already the best marriage he could arrange for Mo Xuemin.
But the whole plan had failed because of Mo Xuemin’s dubious relationship with Sima Lingyun.
Although they had similar temperaments, Mo Huawen preferred Li Youmo to Yu Mingyong. The latter was not born into a distinguished family and was not taken in hand while he was young. The moment their family became exalted, they were fawned over and lost their heads. How could such a man win the approval of a politician like Mo Huawen?
Besides, Consort Yu was a restless mistress!
The moment he thought about these, he felt more aggrieved against the Old Madam. He felt that he could not let her have her way all the time. He had not disclosed her schemes because he was indebted to her kindness as a boy. Next time… no, no, there wouldn’t be the next time. He would not let Tong’er feel any more grievance.
Since Mo Huawen gave no answer, Mo Xuetong stretched out her hand and tugged displeasingly at his robe sleeve. “Father, tell me what has happened tonight. Why has someone barged into our mansion?”
She had changed the topic, asking like a pampered child.
When he saw her, Mo Huawen’s heart ached. He stretched out his hand and fondled her hair, smiling. “Don’t be afraid, Tong’er. It’s nobody important. A few burglars entered our manor from the backdoor and stole a few items. The Old Madam has sustained the greatest loss.”
He could only suppress the issue like this. No matter what, Mo Xueyan was still a member of the Mo Family.
Yu Mingyong had been thrown in jail. His all-powerful sister would surely find a way to release him. This matter had caused such a ruckus tonight and might have alerted some people. Perhaps even the imperial palace would come to know about it. Consort Yu would certainly not allow herself to be implicated.
It could have been a major or minor issue. Looking at it as a minor issue, Mo Yueyan was the daughter of a concubine and involved in an affair with Yu Mingyong. She had a poor reputation and her social status was low, as the daughter of a merchant. Given the fact Consort Yu had contacted Yu Feng, she would surely be dissatisfied with such a lowly sister-in-law.
Since he did not wish to admit to the disgraceful scandal, he could only nip this in the bud. It would be better to claim this a mistaken burglary than an affair.
Mo Huawen speculated that Consort Yu would keep Yu Mingyong mum. He would then be able to treat this case as one of the common burglaries.
It would not tarnish the reputation of Tong’er one bit.
This was Mo Huawen’s plan. It was the reason why he had taken up the case with a heavy hand and let it go lightly. He had to consider the feelings of both the Old Madam and his daughter.
“Father, it’s good that the burglar has come. Look, my leg’s hurt.” Mo Xuetong suddenly smiled sweetly. She extended her arm and pulled Mo Huawen down to sit, pointing at her injured leg.
“What a silly girl. Still so happy when your leg’s injured.” Mo Huawen gave a helpless smile, caressing Mo Xuetong’s hair.
“Father, this time I’m really hurt. Tomorrow, the whole city will learn about it. If after three days… ” Mo Xuetong gave a crafty smile. She pouted and signaled for Mo Huawen to look at her leg.
After three days… what would happen after three days?
Mo Huawen watched her heavily bandaged leg, half-exposed under her skirt. For a moment, he did not react.
“Father, the banquet three days later… ” Mo Xuetong said in an innocent voice.
Her words reminded Mo Huawen. At first, he started, then was in a momentary daze. Following that, he started to guffaw. His mouth could not help but mumble, “Yes, the burglar has come at the right time…”
Tomorrow, there would be a tumult in the city after everyone learned that his manor had been burgled. When they learned that Tong’er’s leg was hurt after dashing out to see him, she would not need to attend the banquet three days later. In other words, she would not be selected as the Consort of Yan Kingdom’s First Prince. This meant that she would not leave him. He could find her a suitable husband and let her live a happy life.
He would not demand the most handsome man or someone in the highest office. It would be good enough if he was true to Tong’er and treated her well.
When he thought about Tong’er’s happy life to come, Mo Huawen’s mood immediately lightened. He could not suppress his laughter and started chortling.
“Shhh. Father, don’t laugh so loudly. You can’t let her know that you’ve been robbed and yet are so happy.” Mo Xuetong deliberately suppressed her voice when she saw Mo Huawen’s features unfold in delight. She muttered with widened eyes.
Looking at his daughter’s adorable face, Mo Huawen exhibited rare good humor. He whispered teasingly, “Sure, Father will speak softly.”
All their problems had been resolved. Mo Huawen had to chuckle again. But as he laughed, he suddenly stopped, a dilemma presenting itself in his brows.
“Father, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy that I can’t attend the banquet?” Perplexity flashed across Mo Xuetong’s eyes, her keen eyes sparkling brightly.
“Of course, it would be best if you can’t attend the banquet. But His Majesty gave us three invitation cards. So three girls must go. It’s difficult to explain to the Emperor if you can’t.” Mo Huawen furrowed his brows. He remembered all the officials excusing themselves over the banquet and the Emperor’s subsequent fury. The Emperor then insisted on giving them invitations based on the number of girls in their mansion. So everyone must attend.
Therefore, as many girls from each family must attend as their invitation cards—not one more or less.
“Father, did His Majesty especially ask for my attendance?”
“Of course not.”
“Then it will be fine. We have another daughter in the manor. Didn’t Second Sister try all means and ways to attend the royal banquet? I heard that she threw a tantrum and wept in Grandma’s room. Grandma was so upset that she did not sleep well.” Mo Xuetong smiled, seemingly naive.
The eyes of Mo Huawen sparkled and became profound.
If it had been anytime before, he would surely prohibit Mo Xueyan’s attendance. She was such a simple girl, a merchant’s daughter. Yet she kept harboring thoughts of making a good marriage. If she turned up in the palace, trouble might ensue because of her presence.
But after the incident just now, Mo Huawen would just let her be!
The Old Madam had tried to harm Tong’er tonight. It must have been Mo Xueyan’s instigation, weeping and complaining behind her back, slandering her. Perhaps Mo Xueyan wanted to attend the banquet and had as such smeared Tong’er’s name. She would not let Tong’er attend the palace banquet. The invitation should be hers instead.
No one could see this unless they pondered over it with hindsight. Now that he noticed, troubles seemed to be following one another in quick succession. That must be the reason. He was doing all these for the good of Mo Xueyan but had nearly caused Tong’er harm. Mo Huawen was so angry that his hands started to shake. After taking the tea offered to him by Mo Xuetong, he took a big gulp and set the teacup heavily on the table. He said coldly, “Fine. Let her have the invitation then.”
Life and death are ruled by destiny. Prosperity and wealth depend on Heaven.
So let it be!
