“My Lady, the two young ladies of the He family are outside. They wish to see you.” Mo Ye picked up the curtains and entered, reporting to Mo Xuetong with an expression of displeasure. She truly disliked the two sisters who were shameless and wanted to seduce King Xuan. They did not behave like noble young ladies at all. They were even more shameless than the women in brothels that others talked about.
Why were He Yufen and He Yuxiu here at this time? Mo Xuetong frowned as Mo Lan helped her to dress. She had intentionally embarrassed He Yufen in front of so many people at the banquet at Qin Manor that day. She had also spoken vaguely about what they had done. Even though she did not outright say what they did, her implications were clear. She had officially torn the veneer of civility with the He sisters. Why were they still here!
“Go and ask them to go back. Say that I…” Mo Xuetong suddenly paused. A thought flashed through her mind. She blinked and then asked, “How are they dressed today?”
“The two young Misses He are all dolled up today. I was so angry when I saw them. Just look at their coy faces, and you’ll know that they’re up to no good.” Mo Ye did not like how charming the He sisters looked. When Mo Xuetong asked about them, she even used adjectives that she usually did not. She also usually did not show her emotions on her face, but she now looked indignant on behalf of Mo Xuetong.
Mo Xuetong smiled when she heard how Mo Ye seriously described the way He Yufen and He Yuxiu were dressed.
“Pft!” Mo Lan was the first to burst out laughing. Mo Yu, who was helping Mo Xuetong get dressed could not help herself either. She laughed out loud while pointing at Mo Ye.
“What’s the matter? Was I wrong?” Mo Ye was confused and she looked at them dazedly, unable to react.
“Mo Yu… You’re too interesting. When did you learn to speak so well? Were the He sisters really ‘dolled up’?” Mo Ye especially emphasized the words “dolled up”.
Mo Ye knew that she was being laughed at by the others when she saw the teasing look on Mo Yu’s face. She stretched out her neck and said heatedly, “Go to the hall and take a look if you don’t believe me. The two came dressed up like peacocks. They each brought two maids with them and are dressed like they’re here for a matchmaking session.”
They each brought two maids with them. It seemed that they were about to attend a grand event.
Mo Xuetong’s smile faded and her expression grew serious. She sat in front of her dresser and looked at her reflection. Then, she suddenly said, “Mo Ye, invite the two Misses He in.”
“My Lady!” Mo Yu exclaimed. Her smile froze.
“My Lady, why are you inviting them in? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t let them come?” Mo Lan stopped coming Mo Xuetong’s hair. Even though she had always been calm and steady, she also questioned Mo Xuetong confusedly now. She knew that Mo Xuetong had intentions of distancing herself from the He family.
Mo Ye could not react in time and she gaped at Mo Xuetong.
They were all trusted servants of Mo Xuetong and knew that Mo Xuetong wanted to push the He family out of King Xuan’s Manor. Earlier, she had intentionally made a fuss about how He Yufen fell in front of King Xuan. She had even embarrassed the He sisters at the Qin Manor. Why would she let them in at this moment?
How would they be able to get rid of the He sisters in the future!
“My Lady, Consort Chu sent someone over with gifts.” A little maid said respectfully behind the curtains.
Ling Rui’er? Why would she send someone over at a time like this!
Mo Xuetong was stunned. Then, she said lightly, “Invite the person in.” She wanted to see what Ling Rui’er was up to.
“Yes!” The little maid bowed and left.
He Yufen and He Yuxiu were invited into the parlor of the back courtyard.
When they saw Mo Xuetong, they pretended as if nothing had happened. They went up and greeted Mo Xuetong with smiles on their faces.
“Cousin-in-law. You are dressed so nicely. Where are you going?” He Yufen asked with her usual gentle smile.
Mo Xuetong smiled faintly and answered sincerely, “I’m afraid I can’t stay and chat with you two. I am about to go to the palace. The Empress Dowager wishes to see me and I do not dare to not go.”
Even though she was polite, she was also distant.
The He sisters smiled at each other with glints of satisfaction in their eyes. He Yuxiu jumped up with an innocent expression and said delightedly, “Cousin-in-law, that’s great. The Empress Dowager has ordered us to go to the palace as well. That is such a coincidence. Let’s go together.”
There was a pleased expression that could not be hidden on her face.
“Oh, Misses He have received a decree from the Empress Dowager as well?” Mo Xuetong smiled. They saw the phoenix pin on her hair sparkled in the light. There were a few pearls hanging from it and it was obvious that it was no ordinary object. Even though the He family was wealthy, they had never seen true royal treasures.
He Yufen’s and He Yuxiu’s eyes glowed with greed.
“Yes… That’s right. Cousin-in-law, will you take us with you?” He Yufen was the first to react. When she heard Mo Xuetong’s question, she immediately smiled and tried to butter up to Mo Xuetong.
“You two want to come to the palace with me?” There was a sarcastic flash in Mo Xuetong’s eyes. However, she did not reveal that in her expression as she spoke to them gently.
“That’s right. Since your carriage is large, all three of us can take it. The two of us do not know the palace well. You can even take us around once we enter the palace.” He Yufen said excitedly.
Did they think that the palace was a playground that they could walk around as they wished?!
It was unknown whether First Miss He was too ignorant or too presumptuous. Even Mo Lan, who was standing by the side with her eyes lowered to the ground could not listen to them prattle on anymore. She took the opportunity to glance at them while she poured them tea.
Mo Xuetong frowned and said, “I’m afraid that will not work!”
“Why wouldn’t it work? Didn’t you bring Second Sister to the palace last time? Why can’t you take us along this time?” A dark look flashed across He Yufen’s expression. However, she smiled and pretended as if she did not care. Yet, there was a hint of anger in her eyes.
“Misses He, you two might not know. This time, the Empress Dowager asked the consorts to enter the palace. We have to go with a procession to show our respect for the Empress Dowager. Misses He, you cannot take the same horse carriage as the Lady or it would be disrespectful to the royal family. It would also go against etiquette.”
Mo Lan explained kindly.
Mo Xuetong had gone to the banquet in the palace without a procession. That was why it was alright for He Yuxiu to go along with her. The carriage of King Xuan’s Manor was spacious and elegant. One would not even realize if there was an additional person on it. However, Mo Xuetong was going to use the consort’s guard of honor when she entered the palace. She could not bring anyone else with her.
How could there be young ladies on the carriage of a legal consort? There might be gossip about whether they were secondary consorts or concubines. Furthermore, secondary consorts and concubines could only walk while the legal consort was on the carriage. How could they be on the carriage as well?
At this point, Mo Lan was grateful to Consort Chu for sending word today.
Even though they knew what Ling Rui’er was up to for having the three consorts use the guards of honor when entering the palace today, it was satisfying to see the frozen smiles on He Yufen and He Yuxiu’s face. Mo Yu and the others thought that Ling Rui’er’s idea was amazing. It was rare that the unreliable Ling Rui’er would come up with such a good idea.
It was wishful thinking of the He sisters to think that going to the palace in King Xuan’s Manor’s carriage would bring them prestige.
They did not even care about their reputation and had come straight to King Xuan’s Manor because of this. The He sisters were growing to be more and more shameless.
“Cousin-in-law, can’t you take us to the palace?” He Yufen said with a bitter expression.
“It is not that I don’t want to take you into the palace. But Consort Chu had sent word that we all have to enter with the guards of honor as a show of respect to the Empress Dowager.” Mo Xuetong said gently and apologetically.
She looked as if she truly felt sorry for the He sisters. She looked at the He sisters’ dresses and suddenly smiled. She said, “It is my fault today. I did not expect you two to have to enter the palace as well. How about this. I have a few dresses from Consort Yan. They are suitable for young ladies. I will give them to you to show how apologetic I am.”
She did not wait for the He sisters to speak before turning to Mo Lan. She said, “Mo Lan, go and bring the dresses that Consort Yan sent over this morning and show them to Misses He. If they like some of them, they can take them. Consort Yan will be happy to see it too.”
Mo Xuetong had first met with the servant Ling Rui’er sent before He Yufen and He Yuxiu entered. The person Ling Rui’er sent had been here to express goodwill to Mo Xuetong. They had not only brought a few sets of clothes for Mo Xuetong, and they even mentioned that they were colors the Empress Dowager liked. Mo Xuetong would be able to gain affection from the Empress Dowager if she were to wear these dresses to the palace.
Of course, Ling Rui’er also hinted that they should have Feng Yuxuan and Feng Yuran go into an alliance. If the two brothers were to work together, they would be able to gain plenty.
Mo Xuetong naturally did not believe that Ling Rui’er would be so kind. She naturally did not believe in the excuse Ling Rui’er used as well. However, she also held Ling Rui’er in higher regard for being able to think of such an excuse. Ling Rui’er had indeed grown wiser after becoming Consort Chu. She even used the royal brothers as an excuse.
Since the He sisters had come uninvited to try out her new clothes, Mo Xuetong was more than willing for them to do so.
When they heard that the clothes were from Consort Chu, the He sister’s eyes sparkled with unbridled greed. Even though they said that they did not need the clothes and that it was too troublesome, they did not move. The maids standing behind them did not get any hints from them, As such, they stood there stoically and did not speak.
The clothes were brought before them as they spoke.
There were five sets of dresses in total. There were bright red, light green, light pink, bright yellow, and light blue. They were also matched with skirts of different materials. The He sisters had never seen clothes like that, both in terms of embroidery or style. They stared at the clothes and felt that only such luxurious clothing could match up to their ravishing good looks.
Furthermore, sachets that matched the clothes were also prepared. They were elegant and noble.
The two He sisters thought that the clothes they wore were already extremely luxurious and beautiful. They only found out then what true luxury and beauty were. Wearing clothes like that would definitely accentuate their beauty.
“Cousin-in-law, there is no need. We cannot wear your clothes. The material looks so pretty, and it is not something that we can afford to use.” He Yufen looked at Mo Xuetong doubtfully and said. She was wiser than He Yuxiu. Even though she was shaken, she was still clear-minded.
She had personally witnessed how sharp and mean Mo Xuetong was. Mo Xuetong had not shirked at all in front of the Qin Manor. He Yufen felt a little uneasy at Mo Xuetong’s kind gesture today.
